Grant Burge Cameron Vale Cabernet

Grant Burge Cameron Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 (Barossa, SA)
14%, Screwcap, $24
Source: Sample
www.grantburgewines.com.au

Solid wines in this Burge ‘vineyard range’. I had a really interesting conversation with a friend on Sunday about wines like this actually, wines that value consistency over intrigue. She explained that for her it was just about finding a good drink, something that would always taste good (and the same good) so she can drink it every time.

For me, personally, I can’t think of anything worse than being locked into a single wine with no desire to change. Not just wine either but bread, restaurants etc. Variety is the spice of life surely? We can all have favourite’s but who’s to know that a new, even more ‘favourite’ favourite might be just around the corner? Or am I alone on this?

Anyway this is very much the part. Slightly dull perhaps but certainly what you’d expect. That means a nose of quite charry oak, a hint of menthol, an edge of volatility and a solid core of rich, sweetened blackberry fruit. There is even a bit of minty (slightly underripe) varietal Cabernet character in there too.

Said mintiness comes through on the palate too, a blip on the radar of the good ship ‘Blackberry Fruit’, with everything backed by spreading alcohol warmth, edged with slightly bitter tannins.

Very young, thick and rich, fitting snugly into the Barossa stereotype (that apparently everyone adores).  A round and commercially appealing stereotype of generosity and richness. A wine of weight and fruit but little in the way of excitement. 16.5/88