Tahbilk Eric Stevens Purbrick Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
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Parker
Robert -
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All great wines are made as much in the vineyard as they are in the winery. Commenced by the current generation's father Eric with a Shiraz from the 1948 harvest, the best fruit from each vintage is put aside for release as what were then known as 'Special Bin', then 'Reserve' and now 'Eric Stevens Purbrick'. They are wines that set the upper level benchmark for reds at Tahbilk and quite simply are the finest they do.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2005 Eric Stevens Purbrick Cabernet Sauvignon is deep garnet in color with intense cassis and mint aromas over subtler notes of pencil shavings, truffles, soy and black olive. Tightly knit, the condensed palate is finely constructed with medium-high acid and a firm level of grainy tannins. Still appearing very youthful, this wine should be at its best from 2014-2024+.
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Wine Enthusiast
Not a fruit bomb at all, this is a harmonious Cabernet, one that gracefully combines cedar and vanilla from oak aging with richly textured cassis fruit. It's full bodied and firmly sturctured, with a long, elegant finish. Drink 2014-2020.
Other Vintages
2013-
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Robert
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Parker
Robert
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Robert
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Parker
Robert
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Parker
Robert
The property comprises some 1,214 hectares of rich river flats with a frontage of 11 kms to the Goulburn River and 8 kms of permanent backwaters & creeks.
The vineyard comprises 168 hectares of vines which include the rare Rhone whites of Marsanne, Viognier & Roussanne, along with classical varieties such as Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Chardonnay, Riesling, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc & Verdelho.
While Australia is best known for big, supple and potent Shiraz, it is also a fine source of Cabernet Sauvignon. Cab in fact is Australia’s second most planted red varietal, and it is both bottled on its own and often used in blends. It’s grown in Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia. The latter is the home of Block 42 of the Penfolds Kalimna Vineyard, whose vines -- planted in 1886 -- are believed to be the oldest productive Cabernet vines in the world. Two of the most highly regarded sources of Australian Cabernet Sauvignon, though, are Coonawarra on South Australia’s Limestone Coast, and Margaret River in Western Australia, near Perth.
Coonawarra, famous for its rich red soil called terra rossa, has held Cabernet vines since the 1890’s. Though it can get quite warm during the growing season, it’s not far from the cool waters of the Southern Ocean, which tempers the climate and promotes balance in the grapes and resulting wines. These Cabs tend to be complex indeed, showing trademark dark fruit and firm tannins, along with notes of cigar box, cedar and – very often – mint and/or eucalyptus. Some producers to look for are Jim Barry, Yalumba, Berton Vineyards and Penley Estate.
Margaret River, on the other hand, stepped into wine production only in the 1960’s. It is situated on the lower western tip of the country, where the Southern and Indian Oceans meet. This coastal location creates an even more temperate, maritime-influenced climate that resembles that of Bordeaux. In good years these Australian Cabs show amazing balance between ripeness, tannins and acidity, along with lovely texture. Producers of note include Leeuwin Estate, Vasse Felix and Howard Park.