You’ve got to like the mint and eucalypt of traditional Coonawarra Cabernet to enjoy this. Driven by tannins, with a cassis and oak sweetness over the bones, it’s very much a wine for the future. While I didn’t enjoy it much at first, after a few hours in the glass this filled out enough to make it drinkable. A solid Coonawarra Cab. Best drinking: 2020-2035. 17/20, 90/100. 14.5%, $29. Would I buy it? No.
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.
That sounds like one I won’t like too much either. Zema’s a brand I’d really like to do better. They are good people by all accounts, and my interactions with them (corked/oxidized wines) have been positive.
MichaelC
Nice people, but making wine like it’s the 90s.
“… making wine like it’s the 90’s.”
Isn’t that a good thing.
Every New Year’s Day I have a 10 year old cab from Zema and like it more each year.
It used to be more Italian in style when compared with traditional COONAWARRA cab but I’m finding the traditional harder to get. Zema is about as good as it gets under $50 I think.
Not necessarily a bad thing, but lots of overoaked and overripe late 90s reds out there. Early 90s was a golden age (of sorts) though.
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