d'Arenberg The Coppermine Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

October 15, 2018

d’Arenberg The Coppermine Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Don’t tell anyone, but while d’Arenberg have a million different Shiraz releases, I often prefer their Grenache and Cabernet – especially the Cabs with a few years in bottle. In other words, give me Coppermine over Dead Arm every day.

The reason why Coppermine works starts at vineyard level – we’re talking Reynella clone, low yields (less than 1t/acre) and variable berry size (but typically small). It all adds up here to a tannic, grippy red of real substance. It’s more Vale than Cabernet, but the flecks of mint and boysenberry in amongst the blackness give this flesh to match the punch.

I like it. I like the Aussie grunt here and it will only get better.

Best drinking: Now to twenty years easy. 18/20, 93/100. 14.4%, $65. Would I buy it? I’d share a bottle.

2013, Cabernet Sauvignon, McLaren Vale

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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8 responses to “d’Arenberg The Coppermine Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2013”

Colin

October 15, 2018 at 4:42 am

Hello Graham,
I’m totally with you on MV Cabernet over other red varieties from MV.
I’d much rather a 5 year old MV Cabernet than any of the premium Shiraz from MV. The Cabernets seem to have more balance and speak more of the variety, than the region, for me anyway.
The 5 years plus Cellar time is key.
Coriole Cabernet (not the Redstone) particularly benefits from this approach. I just find the MV Cabernet a little difficult to access in Melbourne on a retail level.
Keep drinking !

Cheers

Colin

Reply
1. Andrew Graham
  
  October 15, 2018 at 9:49 am
  
  See I’d say the appeal of McLaren Vale Cabernet is not so much the variety as the region – that heartiness, the plump flavours and firm tannins and chunkiness. That’s what I like.
  
  Reply
Colin

October 15, 2018 at 4:45 am

Sorry ……Andrew,
I find it difficult with people with 2 first names and at 4.45 a.m. (Jet lag is a bitch !!)

Regards

Colin

Reply
1. Andrew Graham
  
  October 15, 2018 at 9:48 am
  
  I get hi Graham so so often. Story of my life!
  
  Reply
Simon Colwell

October 15, 2018 at 7:13 am

I liked your comment ‘It’s more Vale than Cabernet’. I never buy cab sauvs from McLaren Vale, or the Barossa for that matter, for that very reason ie they all taste the same to me, like some sort of generic regional red. They don’t taste like cabernet.

Reply
1. Andrew Graham
  
  October 15, 2018 at 9:46 am
  
  Yes, that’s a very fair comment. I’d rather drink McLaren Vale Grenache (or Barossa Grenache for that matter).
  
  Reply
Simon Colwell

October 15, 2018 at 9:57 am

Funny you should mention Grenache. QWine has exhorted me to get on the Grenache train and has given me a couple of recommendations (Yangarra, Cirilo) and now that school holidays are out of the way I should have the time to get them. Are there any others you would recommend ?

Reply
1. Andrew Graham
  
  October 15, 2018 at 11:11 pm
  
  Yes! The two S.C. Pannell single vineyard Grenache releases are excellent. Chapel Hill’s ’17 Grenache is very likeable too. Had the new ’17 Juxtaposed Old Vine Grenache this week (note to follow) and it’s delicious.
  
  Reply