Howard Park, Abercrombie Cabernet Sauvignon, Western Australia

Not sure about this vintage. There is nothing wrong at all, but it is too manufactured - lacking a distinctive note. Technically excellent, just unexciting.

Medium crimson. Nose of blackberry, dry herb, sweet ripe fruit. Palate; sweet with secondary nuances poking up. Spice, perfume. Elegant and a little on the light side. Finish is dominated by healthy tannins, it is balanced but a little short. I have no doubt this will be drinking well in 5 years, I don't suspect it will be remarkably better in that time. For the price, disappointing.

Gourmet Traveller Wine Western Australian Cabernets (Dank Street, Waterloo, Sydney) : Blackcurrant, slight plum, herbaceous notes, sweet spice and cedar. Nice, juicy, spice, fleshy tannins are soft but long. Fruit a little muted on long finish but nice.

Light brick red in colour. The nose is full of green mint and eucalyptus- strong, rich and comforting. A light palate but with that green mint finish. Great with lamb. A simple but youthfully delicious red. I like it.

Quiet deep dark brooding red colour. Characteristic mint on the nose. Big full flavoured rich red fruit on the palet. Not a complex wine but shows richness with a full mouth feel with heavy tannin finish. A comfortably warm wine.

Deep red/purple in colour. Lovely dark rich fruit typical of Cabernet. Smooth but big rich flavour with a firm tannin finish. A little burnt character on the back palate, not unpleasant but striking.

Smooth black fruit aromas, backed up with cedar A generous, refined style; smooth layers, soft texture, supple tannins beautifully integrated. Made for immediate appeal, but enough complexity to suggest a fair life ahead