Forest Hill Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Block 5

screw cap, youthful black-cherry red colour with only slightest bricking at the rim, very characteristic clean, lifted fine fruit nose, eucalyptus?, palate quite linear, not particularly complex but again clean fine fruit with distinct acidity, the cool climate character is very apparent, as noted in other reviews a bit light and unfocused at the finish, nevertheless nice now, the freshness and lift of the fruit is a very positive feature so I see no real advantage to further aging, good …

Medium bodied with plums, cedar, blueberry and violets. The wine is quite dry, with restrained fruit, which won't be to everyone's taste, but I like this style. I found it quite young and fresh still, with prominent acidity, though the tannins are a little subdued.

Other than seeming a little younger and fresher (or was that just me), this is pretty well identical to April's note. Perhaps my expectations were lower... anyway, it seemed a little denser, riper and fresher, but not enough to make me rush out to buy more.

{screwcap, 13.5%} Leafy but currant-fruity nose. Aging though, not primary. The palate, although nicely flavoured with perfectly aging cabernet currant fruit, is slightly let down by slightly volatile acids and minimal dusty tannins. It's not bad, but it sags a little; just lacking freshness and vitality somehow. Mostly, it suffers from lack of a persistent and focussed finish; otherwise any shortcomings are minor. Medium-bodied, generally smells and tastes rather older than it is. Drink up.