d’Arenberg The Athazagoraphobic Cat 2011
Quirky name and an odd blend of Sagrantino and Cinsault. Montefalco meets the south of France. The price doesn’t fit either, but that’s by the by. Chester Osborn once said that the character of the 2011 vintage wines at d’Arenberg is seaweed and I could smell it here. Suggestive! Chester is great value actually. Can’t sit still but one of the most entertaining people to sit next to anywhere.
This red is indeed secondary with a whiff of seaweed (suggestive?) nuts, briar, dark berries and a slight oxidative edge. The tannins are quite fierce too, in Sagrantino style, competing with the secondary fruit. I can understand the story here but it’s a bit forward and awkward for greatness. Very long though which bumps the score up.
Best drinking: Now. I guess. It will last but the fruit is fading. 16.8/20, 89/100. 14.3%, $200. Would I buy it? No.
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4 Comments
Its $25 not $200 Andrew
Sadly not: https://www.darenberg.com.au/the-athazagoraphobic-cat-2013
Hey zues…must have been looking at the cheaper blend. Discussions about stuipid prices for cab and shiraz aside i cannot imagine 1 person stumping up for this…not even by accident
Don’t blame you – the d’Arenberg naming is as confusing as the pricing. I like the personality of the brand, but consistent it is not.