Westend Three Bridges Cabernet 2011

November 23, 2013

Westend ‘Three Bridges’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 (Riverina, NSW)
14%, Screwcap, $25
Source: Sample
www.westendestate.com

This was the winner of the 2012 Stodart trophy, which is effectively the QLD wine show’s version of the Melbourne Wine Show’s Jimmy Watson trophy, and similarly handed out for the best one year old red.

Like ‘The Jimmy’, the Stodart trophy eligibility rules were changed this year to preclude unfinished wines and barrel samples, which is a great move for transparency and consistency.

The trend is towards more elegant wines winning the silverware in both wine shows, with an Adelaide Hills Shiraz bagging the Stodart this year, with a Pinot winning The Jimmy too.

Historically, however, the trend in Stodart trophy winners is still biased towards big reds (except for this year), and this is no exception.

From the outset you can tell this is going to be rich and dry, the nose heavy with oak sweetness and sweet blackberry fruit. It follows through onto a hearty, slightly raw and grunty palate that is more dry red than Cabernet Sauvignon. Lots of (oak) tannins, firm (added) acid and coffeed oak, this has no shortage of intensity, if little in the way of definition.

Plenty of bang here, which many are going to love (and shows how it won the trophy), but not quite my style of Cabernet.

Drink: 2013-2018
Score: 16.8/20, 89/100
Would I buy it? No.

2011, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riverina, Wine

Andrew Graham was once voted the 23rd most trusted wine critic on the planet. A WCA Journalism Young Gun now old hack with 25yrs as a buyer, judge, journalist, marketer and too much more.

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