Shirvington Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, McLaren Vale
Good nose of balsamic, cassis and dark berries. Flavors of cassis, plums, prunes, berries, dark chocolate, and a kiss of mint. Some complexities by now: licorice, earthy and leathery. It has the McLaren elegance and certain cabernet freshness. Medium structured (acidity, tannins, alcohol by feel and by now)., this wine is probably at its peak. Color is deep ruby with garnet tinge at the edge.Best work with continental foods.
A lighter decanting of 15 minutes to 30 minutes or so is recommended. With that this wine should make a good tasting for the next two hours. It does form a narrower window of tasting.
We recommend this wine because of its consistent performance. Well, at least some consistently high scores from Wine Advocate (92-96) in the past 10 years or so. It is also a regular item in prestigious auctions. The price of this wine is low, given its stable international price in the Range of HK $400 to $600 per bottle. Agents in Hong Kong, for older vintages, are selling above $600 per bottle. Of course, it is a rare and matured Cabernet from one of the best red wine region from Australia and is tasting fine.
Shirvington vineyards is on 16 hectares of prime land in Willunga, South Australia. Willunga is south of McLaren Vale on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
Parker and his associate Jay Miller gave a 92 and commented as follows:
ROBERT PARKER | 92
The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon was 100% barrel-fermented and aged for 12 months in 75% new oak, 80% American, 20% French. Opaque purple-colored, it exhibits a fragrant, expressive perfume of toasty oak, vanilla, spice box, black currant, and blackberry liqueur. This is followed by a racy Cabernet, slightly lean, with intense black fruit flavors, good depth and concentration, and enough structure to support 8-10 years of development in the cellar.
