Balgownie Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (Bendigo, Vic)
Screwcap, $30
This is the last wine in the Balgownie range that I have tasted and by far the best. In my opinion this dry and restrained style won’t appeal to cuddly Shiraz loving palates and the menthol & Eucalypt will be further more divisive. However
with some bottle age this could prove to be one very impressive red.
Medium red in colour. Its quite a light colour compared to many Australian Cabernets, which hints perhaps at the refined nature (and lighter extract) of this Cabernet. Mint, Eucalypt, dark berry, chargrilled meats & menthol are the main attributes of the quite closed nose – even after enthusiastic swirling it remains very tightly bound – the more obvious aromatics though are distinctly cool climate Victorian, marked by regional Bendigo mint.
Suitably, the character of the palate clearly matches the nose. It is a restrained, tannin driven red with just a hint of red berry, roast lamb & a flick of leaf on the back palate. Medium weight, its the perfection of balance that marks this as a very well made wine. It needs at least five years or extended decanting. 18.3++/20
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Comment
Cool nose: Licorice, spearmint and plums. Comes across a bit thin and watery, but really not bad for the price. Drinking nice now, but still see benefits from aging for a few more years.