Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All VintagesLight to medium bodied in the Cabernet world, this approachable wine leads with tangy red raspberry and cherry fruit, underscored by dried herbs and a pencil lead and dusty oak nuance. The palate is a touch thin and bitter at the finish, where the oak flares up, but overall the fruit shows nicely. Vineyard Brands. Best Buy
Bulletin Place was founded by Leonard Paul “Len” Evans. A leader at the forefront of the early Australian wine industry’s drive for quality and international recognition, Evans was often referred to as “the godfather of the Australian wine industry” and was Decanter Magazine’s “Man of the Year” in 1997. A former chairman of the National, Sydney, and Adelaide Wine Shows, he was also the founder and expert blender of Evans Wine Company, which was established to export Australian wines around the world. The principal export label, Bulletin Place, was named for Evans’ famous club and shop in Sydney. After Evans’ death in 2007, Bill Calabria, owner of Calabria Family Wines, took over the Bulletin Place label. Calabria Family Wines is a dynamic family-owned company that was established in 1945 in the Riverina region. They are committed to producing outstanding premium wines and are proud to carry on Len Evans’ great tradition through the Bulletin Place brand.”
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.