Clairault Estate Cabernet Serious. Mega serious.

Clairault Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 (Margaret River, WA)
13.5% $50
Source: Sample
www.clairaultwines.com.au

Clairault is changing. Or appear to be changing, with the wines resplendent in new labels and apparently with a new direction. Hopefully they can tap into the form that won them a whole swag of trophies and assorted shiny things back in 2007/08.

This certainly smells the part, full of varietal, gravelly and slightly herbal Margaret River Cabernet character on the nose. That nose is quite addictive actually, all green peppercorns, roast beef and the like all suggesting serious fruit and wine craftsmanship, if just on the edge of ripeness. The palate too flirts with mixed ripeness, with a dusty, herbal warmish rich fruited middle before finishing off with quite gruff, coarse-grained tannins and surprising warmth on the finish.

A stern and slightly minty, rawish wine, this is a serious ‘don’t come back for 5 more years’ Cabernet that clearly shows that it was derived from some very tiny Cabernet berries indeed. The cellar is calling. 17.8/92++