Before we talk about how this Domaine A Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 tastes, a question. Do you like Tasmanian Cabernet? More importantly, would you buy it?
That’s the question I always wonder with Domaine A. It’s so particular in style that I wonder who buys the stuff. On it’s day, and this is a strong vintage, these are some of the most elegant expressions of Cabernet in Australia. But who really likes drinking them?
Anyway, still great colour in this 2012 vintage – dark blood red. Cedar, a whisper of green veges, brick dust on the nose, as you’d expect. The palate is savoury, evolved and mellow, with dusty tannins driving the finish and the greenish edges giving this a certain regal Cabernet vibe.
A strong vintage for Domaine A Cabernet (although I like the 2008 better). for mine this sort of style works well over dinner, with some sort of lamb dish, where it all fades together in true claret style. But I can also see it’s going to divide a room of typical Australian palates – especially with its green, cool clime Cabernet whispers.
Best drinking: good now, and will still be good in another decade. 18/20. 93/100. 13.8%, $110. Domaine A website. Would I buy it? Let’s share a bottle.
8 Comments
“green, cool clime Cabernet whispers”. Love it.
This wine is one of the most classical BDX style Cabernets in Australia, released at an age where its ready to drink. Proper cool climate Cabernet when its on point is one of the joys of vinous life. Think Yarra Valley (Mount Mary, Wantrina & Yeringberg), Orange (Angullong, Ross Hill & Hoosegg) and Macedon Ranges (Virgin Hills before the brand was trashed). One of Australia’s quirky wine supernovas!
I would agree with you 2008 was much better although 2012 is very good.
Closest we have to a cool climate Bordelaise style CS with all those under ripened green stem characters.
On balance I prefer Central Victoria and Coonawarra although the latter can have ‘hot’ elements at times.
Domaine A probably ‘suffers’ from a lack of Tasmanian brethren at the top tier of cabernet to draw a spot light. It doesn’t hit too many people’s ‘evoked set’ of cabernets and is crowded out by Coonawarra, Margaret River, Yarra etc labels. Then again, Lakes Folly is proof that there are few ‘laws’ in wine.
Definitely agree that Domaine A lacks Tasmanian brethren.
It’s going to be interesting what direction Domaine A takes now that Peter Althaus is gone too. I don’t think Conor will ‘change’ it, but there is no doubt ways to iron out some of the vintage variation.
Growing up in Adelaide I obviously have always been enamoured with Coonawarra Cabernet, and had to somewhat reluctantly acknowledge Margaret River’s ascendancy. Again as a South Australian, I didn’t have much appreciation of Pinor Noir. So on a winery tour to Tassie with a bunch of fellow red lovers I didn’t expect any decent Cabernets (although I remember clearly a beautiful Pipers Brooke Cabernet 1986), and resolved to learn a bit about Pinot.
Well I made progress with objective 2 – Tassie makes some beautiful Pinots, which I now very much like. But the Domaine A Cabernet was a standout surprise. I don’t remember what we tasted at the MONA tasting room, but it was enough to convince me to buy one each of the 2004 and 2008 – at the time, the most expensive wine I had ever bought, at $110 a bottle.
I’ve since drunk the 2008 (why that one first??), and it was wonderful – wonderful nose, long, complex flavours – I loved it.
I also bought a couple of bottles of the 2011 petit A which I haven’t tried yet – any comments anyone?
Love Domaine A Cabernets when it’s ‘on’ but can speak for a few fellow wine nerds who avoid it due to vintage variation. The 2000 was mind blowing as an Aussie cabernet for me. Top 5 all time on my list.
That’s what reminds me so much of Bordeaux Cabernet, it is very vintage specific being such a marginal area.
The bigger Chateau have more blending options these days, their tank farms are ridiculous. It’s reduced vintage variation significantly but also some of the fun along with it.