Zema Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Family Selection

(Coonawarra Brunner@Adel's w Alex et al) [vertical with 1991 and 2000; parallel with Parker Terra Rosa] Soft plums, lush velvets. Rather much in character with the '91, but more forward, certainly younger and bolder, yet restrained with age. Dark plums, soft petals, beautifully balanced. Gentle sweetness on the palate, pulled back with savouries, ashy minerality and pencil shavings. Finish with soft green herbs, gentle green spice, and an elegant bright finish with characteristic menthol. Lovely, but time to drink! Rounder …

Excellent stuff. Black licourice , dark plumish cherries and blue blackberries. Has gained some aged characteristics with aged claret notes. Very coonawara styled and slight sweet menthol.

CNY Lo Hei at Alex's (Alex's place) : Very yummy and at just about the perfect place for drinking now - this was my favourite of the 3 very decent Aussie cabs tonight. Like the 1998 Lake's Folly that came after it, the nose here showed some nail varnish-like VA notes. However, they were rather less obtrusive on this wine, allowing really nice notes of and green herbs, earth and tobacco, and a nice spicy tone to show-up very nicely. …

(CNY 'horse' w PaulS et al @AlexH's) Rich plummy perfume, hint of grassy green stem, leafy herbs, with raisins and pastille with cherries, sweet tobacco, clay and forest notes. Graphite on palate, ash, sweet dark plums, juicy darkfruit, sweet, yet tall. Some still-tight tannins, leading to an ashy finish and some menthol and ferrousness.Still youthful, and could go on abit more perhaps. Enjoyably elegant and effortless - classic Coonawarra!

(Christmas BBQ w Liz&Bath) expressive dark plums on the nose, with unusual citrus florals. Juicy, with some tall acidity, yet savoury, light and elegant. Sweet, velvety tannins, gentle with age, highly textural with pleasant intensity. Pencil shavings, cedar wood and hint of bay leaf herbaceousness. Balanced, still youthful, looking 10 years younger! Finishes with more floral sweetness, classic coonawarra red earth and sweet eucalyptus. Takes some time to grow in the glass, but certainly still has quite a life left!