2001 Killibinbin Cabernet Sauvignon

The opaque ruby/purple-colored 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon (100% Cabernet) offers dense creme de cassis aromas and flavors as well as earth and toasty oak characteristics. Displaying tremendous ripeness and a luscious texture, it is a pleasure-filled Cabernet with no hard edges. I would not be surprised to see a bit more complexity develop with additional bottle age. Consume it over the next decade. This is the kind of wine that offends Europeans and Eurocentrists, but which Australia can do so well when there are reasonably low yields and top-flight winemaking (in this case, Veritas’s renowned Rolf Binder). I have been working my way through my stash of 1998 Killibinbin Shiraz, and must admit it is one of the most popular wines with guests. Contrary to critics who believe these wines fall apart in a few years, the 1998 remains a youthful five-year old that has not moved far from its primary state. In any event, this is a big, fruit-forward, rich, concentrated, substantial, corpulent Australian red that is undoubtedly more ageworthy than most suspect. The purity of its flavor, enticing texture, and luscious personality in addition to its fair price, will please many tasters. Importer: Dan Philips, The Grateful Palate, Oxnard, CA; tel. (888) 472-5283