2005 Cabernet Sauvignon

Sometimes it is necessary to look the disagreeable in the face and deal with it. That elderly relative you have locked in your attic isn't whimsical, wonderfully eccentric or uniquely interesting - they're stark raving bonkers!

Now we have all agreed that it's time to address the things we prefer to avoid, let's discuss Tassie cabernet sauvignon. Take a deep breath and let's all say it together "some Tassie cab sav is just plain nasty". If you are like us you often set your face to wince before trying a Tassie cab sav. Too often you get a sour and harsh finish and it leaves a scar on the old palate. The situation has got to the point that quite a few punters we know will not even try them. 

At the recent Red Wine Weekend we overheard part of a conversation: 

"I must be absolutely drunk!"

"Really! You don't look drunk to me"

"Ok not drunk. Well, my palate must be shot!"

"I've seen some of the stuff you drink mate, your palate has always been a bit iffy but surely it's not shot"

"I just tried the cab savs and I liked them!"

"Yep your palate is shot, or you're drunk or both"

We haven't been immune to the fear of going near a Tassie cab sav but some recent experiences have made us believe that the industry might have turned the corner. Like that bemused punter, we also liked a few of the cab savs at the red wine weekend. We have also recently tried a Pooley cab sav and really enjoyed it.

We were so impressed by these recent experiences that we bravely said yes when Geoff from Elmslie wines suggested we try their Cabernet Sauvignon. "Mark Smith liked it, he said it was like a Domaine A on steroids" he proclaimed proudly. 

Unlike Mark we're not an authority on steroids so we can't comment but we can say it is one of the best Tassie cab savs we have ever tried.

We found it to be full bodied, intensely flavoured and with a fantastic smoky finish. Frankly this deeply satisfying drop is exactly how a Tassie cab should be and we hope this wine is a sign of things to come not only from Elmslie but other producers as well.  If it is there will be no more importing cab savs from that big island to the north.
  

To sum up lets answer the punter questions:

Should you buy this wine?

It's time you overcame your fear of Tassie cab savs. Buy a bottle or two and start your therapy ... trust us you will be a better person.

What will it taste like in a real situation?

This wine will impress whether drunk on it's own or taken with food.  We tried it with our Mongolian lamb meatballs and it made an already brilliant meal even better. This means you can continue your therapy over dinner (Talk about value for money - Ed). 

Will the object of your desire be impressed?

You should know by now that when it comes to impressing the desired one, good wine gives good results. If this wine doesn't make up for that little misunderstanding over the incident in the copy room at the office party well then you will just have to do what all of us have had to do at some stage. Move overseas for a few years (??!! - Ed). 

What do you think? Send us a comment