Clairault Margaret River Cabernet Merlot 2007

Cabernaying?

Clairault Margaret River Cabernet Merlot 2007 (Margaret River, WA)
14.5%, Screwcap, $22
Source: Sample
www.clairaultwines.com

I wanted to love this so much. The nose is just pure Margaret River Cabernet in all it’s leafy splendour. The grungy, bretty edges though are working against that lovely varietal/regional goodness. Important plus signs no doubt (damning with faint praise perhaps but there be plenty of heart in this puppy still).

Lovely, varietally assured nose. Peppercorn beef, cedar, a little volatility and density. Dry, slightly dessicated and bretty palate with a warmish finish. Simply put, the nice nose doesn’t quite translate onto the palate, which is a fraction dried out, alcoholic and bretty. It still has some appeal – and may well come good with more bottle age – but I don’t love it now. 16.3/87+