Lake Chalice Sauvignon Blanc 2008, Glen Eldon Cabernet 2005

Lake Chalice Sauvignon Blanc 2008 (Marlborough, NZ)
Screwcap, $22

Lake Chalice are sponsors of the Wingspan Trust – an organisation setup to preserve and care for the large birds of Prey that are considered endangered in their New Zealand homeland. The Karearea (New Zealand Falcon) adorns the Lake Chalice label and is one of the focuses of the trust program.
Its an admirable venture that more wineries can learn from – invest in your unique environments I say: The ground swell towards a more ecologically aware society has begun, and green credentials will count for much in the years to come.

A green yellow colour, this looks quite forward (and ripe) compared to some other 08 Marlborough Sauvs. The aromatics are in the tropical end of the spectrum, tending to Passionfruit, with less of the varietal grassiness that the best examples show. On the palate it is very soft & rounded, with integrated, docile acidity and even a kick of alcohol to finish. It is generous, tropical and easy drinking, but needs more definition & varietal flair to stack up to its relative competitors.

I have to say I prefer the 07 version myself, but its a nice enough drink all the same. 16.9

Glen Eldon Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (Barossa, SA)
Screwcap, $25

In a rather complete backflip (or is that a forward roll) from the surprisingly green 2004, this is in the tarry, warm and very ripe end of the spectrum – Its very much like Cabernet jam.

A dark red, even faintly brick red colour, it looks dense from the outset. On the nose it is volatile, with liqueur cherry and stewed red fruit, edged by chocolatey oak. Once you get past the volatility its quite an appealing cherry ripe like nose, but the nose hairs may not recover.

On the palate it is plushly ripe, with a big flow of concentrated red fruit that ends in a fury of abusive heat and strained fruit. Its unquestionably overripe and I don’t think I could manage more than a glass of this (A 3 sip wine on the Sup Positions scale) though I think that it has had some quality oak and winemaking chucked at it – the damage was done in the vineyard sadly.
No 15.