Sour Grapes the Irish wine blog

I’m a real Cab fan, from the structured austere styles of the Médoc to the Ribena-esque blackcurrant of Chile and the iron filings of Coonawara.

The Mulberry Tree Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 from Bleasdale is by no means austere. Nor is it a fruit bomb. It’s not trying to be Bordeaux, it’s confident enough to be proudly Australian.

It has the classic Cabernet cassis, plenty of blackcurrant, which is backed up with a nice acidity and good tannic grip. Superb balance, no one aspect of it overshadowing another.

Overall, quite a rich wine, hedonistic. Great with hard cheeses, particularly Parmesan and BBQ.

Tasted blind I would have put this as a 2001, the flavours all being nicely integrated and secondary flavours starting to come through (violets, prunes, black tea) but in another year or two this will really sing.

Availability

Available from Curious Wines for €15 (20% off – €12 for the month of July)