Galafrey Dry Grown Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 (Mt Barker, Great Southern, WA)
13.5%, Screwcap, $28
Source: Sample
www.galafreywines.com.au

Galafrey Dry Grown Cabernet

 If ever there was an example of what dry grown old vines and ‘traditional’ winemaking can do it is here. There is – as ever with the Galafrey wines – a rustic sense of genuineness to this wine that should be appreciated (or I think so).

This looked best on day three. A solid indication of potential
for sure. Looked a little whiffy on day one but gee much to like by the
second day. There is a twitch of horse hair on the nose which I don’t think is bretty, but is meaty (and indeed part of the style as I picked it up in previous Cabernet releases). It’s a nose of tomato leaf, tennel, blackberry and even rhubarb. The feature point though is the palate which is cut with some impressively powerful drying tannins indeed. That tannin structure is excellent, supporting the dusty, mid weight and meaty palate nicely.

Top length, plenty of density and power, this is a charismatic wine indeed. It’s still anything but sophisticated but that is indeed part of the style.

Drink: 2012 – 2020
Score: 17.5/20 91/100+
Would I buy it? By the glass at a restaurant, with something meaty? Entirely possible.