Devil's Lair Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 - Australian Wine and Drinks Review

May 11, 2015

Devil’s Lair Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

I still like the Devils Lair label. No one quite understands the golden dog with the missing foot (which is actually meant to be a Tasmanian tiger, a fossil of which was found in the Devil’s Lair caves) but I think its distinctive. Thoughts?

This shows the challenges of 2012 in Margaret River. Don’t believe the hype – not every year is golden in the west.

Dark red in colour, this is all warm, dusty, cocoa wrapped berries, with a little ’12 run and raisin meets twigginess. Extractive palate has a nice dusty texture but I find the alcohol more distracting as it travels along. Fractionally bitter and warm, it lacks the vitality of the best vintages.

Not a bad wine, with still some class, but a way off the best. Time will be kind, but the balance isn’t perfect.

Details: 14.5%, Screwcap, $49.99

Tated: May 2015 (sample)
Best drinking: 2018-2027

Score: 17/90+

Would I buy it? No. I’d hold out for the 2013.
Buy online:Mycellars, Devils Lair website

2012, Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River

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.

Donate to help keep this website free

8 responses to “Devil’s Lair Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2012”

Anonymous

May 12, 2015 at 4:16 am

Halliday rates 2012 WA vintage 10 out of 10…?

Reply
ozwinereview

May 12, 2015 at 10:54 pm

Ha. Halliday hasn't given WA less than 7/10 for any Margs vintage in twenty five years (seriously). Not sure how you could taste 06 Margs reds and rate that vintage a 7/10 for reds with a straight face…

Reply
Anonymous

May 12, 2015 at 11:03 pm

I thought he might be over rating vintages as well as wine….makes it difficult to trust him….just as well his is not the only opinion out there.

Reply
David Speyers

May 13, 2015 at 1:23 pm

I really liked this wine. Didn't notice any distracting warmth and was taken by its length and balance.

Reply
David Speyers

May 13, 2015 at 1:24 pm

Also thought 2012 was excellent in MR!?

Reply
1. ozwinereview
  
  May 13, 2015 at 8:46 pm
  
  I thought so too, but on my recent lap of Margs it looked rather more inconsistent than excellent. '13 and '11 better
  
  Reply
Kim Brebach

May 21, 2015 at 3:57 am

Thank you for raising this, Andrew. I've found most MR reds from 2012 well behind the 2011s and 2013s. They lack the usual finesse, they're almost clumsy and mostly too alcoholic. Re JH, yes he's over the top with all his scores and is no longer a reliable guide. Thank heavens for you and the boys at the Winefront keep things on the level.

Reply
1. ozwinereview
  
  May 21, 2015 at 5:02 am
  
  Cheers Kim
  
  Reply