Product Overview
Winery's Notes:
"Situated in the heart of Coonawarra’s terra rossa strip, The Menzies Estate vineyard lies on a flat plain, approximately 70km from the coast. Given the terrain and influence of the cooling Bonney upwelling, Coonawarra is an ideal location to grow premium Cabernet Sauvignon. Our soil is red sandy loam over limestone, which is classic Cabernet Sauvignon country. The grapes for The Menzies 2017 are from vines planted in 1994 and 1996.
Medium crimson with a crimson hue. Displaying true Coonawarra aromatics of ozone, violet and a lovely fresh burst of blueberries and choc mint. The palate is restrained yet complex. Whilst the wine is youthful and structural, there is blueberry, violet and chocolate with lovely fruit flavour and very fine tannins, giving the drinker an insight to the ageability of this wine. With decanting in its youth it is enjoyable as an elegant full-bodied red wine."
Varietal Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Coonawarra, South Australia
Aging: 18 months in French hogsheads and barriques (34% new) and older French and Hungarian barrels
Winemaker: Heather Fraser
95 Points - Wine Advocate
"The 2017 The Menzies Cabernet Sauvignon is looking good next to the 2016 tasted beside it. It is fresh and vibrant, with layers of complexing dark earth characters, with cigar box, black olive brine, cassis, bramble, milk chocolate and cracked black pepper. This is very good, and it has what I am coming to recognize as a "Yalumba red character": dried herbs, particularly oregano. The juicy splay of fruit through the finish is a highlight." -EL, 4/6/23
93 Points - Wine Spectator
"Shows wonderful complexity, with notes of black pepper, cedar, tobacco, Kalamata olive, rosemary and sage, which bring an appealing savory edge to the core of black licorice, spiced plum and dried cherry flavors. Reveals blackberry and Assam black tea on the finish, with plush tannins. Drink now through 2030. 30 cases imported." -MW, 9/30/23
92 Points - Wine Enthusiast
"This is a rich wine even with some bottle age, but there're plenty of intriguing secondary characters to keep things interesting: Fruit cake, plum cordial, cherry chocolate, cola and toasty vanillin barrel notes. Powerful, oak-driven tannins are a little clunky on the palate beside the dried fruit and spice aromas but crack open beside a lamb roast and all will be forgiven. Drink now—2035." -CP, 3/1/24
