Grape Juice

Wakefield — 2004 St. Andrews Cabernet Sauvignon

Posted on 03. Aug, 2009 by Erin in Australia, Tasting

I have an emotional attachment to the eerily rustic mystery of St. Andrews, Scotland.  If asked where I would like to live, if I could live anywhere in the world, it would always be in my top three answers, and fairly regularly top the entire list.  It smacks of a delicious combination of wealth, history, pride, natural beauty, and a certain air of empowerment that could (and has) brought a tear to this dear blogger’s eye.  I am a sap.

I couldn’t really say no then, you see, when I stumbled into an opportunity to taste the flagship premium line out of Wakefield Wines called, coincidently: St. Andrews.   I had just finished being clubbed over the head by some overoaked, overextracted whompers and eyed the screwcapped, semi-pricey object of my affection with trepidation.  St. Andrews was, for me, certainly a place of great power, with the ability to quicken breath, wrench the gut and awe the eyes, but all within the restraint of a wind-whipped climate and refreshing sea salt tang.

Mercifully, the wine didn’t demonlish my sentimental meanderings and provided a wonderful treat in the midst of a hot, sweaty room of tasters.

Tasting Note: Wakefield — 2004 St. Andrews Cabernet Sauvignon

Country: Australia
Region: Clare Valley
Producer: Wakefield Wines
Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol: 14.0%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: ~$45+ (CDN)

More Info at Winery Site

Higher end reds don’t often make their way into the Canadian market, even now, under screwcap.  There seems to be lingering doubts as to the closures ability to age premium reds appropriately and while I’m not fully convinced myself, I do think it has a great deal to do with the winemaking style and overall intent of the producer.

Cassis and blackberry headman the nose with savoury, cedar-y edges, making for a very inviting introduction.  Fantastic structure. Minty eucalypt notes add a whole lot of character to tight black and blue fruit core.  The fine-line balance between finesse and firepower made for an enjoyable ride from start to finish.  Slightly nippy/bitter tannins on the back end, likely due to extended post-ferment maceration, but more in the way of a bitey chocolate or espresso bean than anything green or woody.

Although it wasn’t one of the most expensive wines at the tasting, it really stood out for its clean character and good focus.  A much better value than some of the three digit ‘icon wines’ that while very good, certainly didn’t offer anything more than the St. Andrews could at less than half the price.

Erin’s Rating: Repeat Offender

Tags: Australia, Cabernet Sauvignon, red, review, Tasting, Wakefield, wine