I most regularly taste two styles of Coonawarra cabernet – the first style, less frequently seen, can resemble red Bordeaux, while the second is unique and allows me to spot Coonawarra from 100 paces; a Coonawarra goût de terroir.  As it happens, I enjoy both styles.

This particular wine falls into the latter category.  I have sometimes called this unique aromatic “iron earth”, but it is probably more accurately a combination of licorice, dark olives and earth.  Anyway, it certainly describes the aromatics of this wine, a 2002 release from Brand’s of Coonawarra.  The palate has medium length with black cherry supplementing the earth and licorice flavours.  On the other side of the ledger, the acidity seems a little high for the wine and there’s a little heat on the finish.  But on balance, its positive attributes outweigh.

Rating: Good, Abv: 14%, Price: $20s, Vendors: http://www.wine-searcher.com/, Website: http://www.brandslaira.com.au, Tasted: 2014