In my continuing quest to explore wines with Eucalyptus, today I am tasting the 2007 Gumdale Cabernet Sauvignon by Wakley Vintners in Australia. I have previously tasted the 2005 Gumdale Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2006 Gumdale Cabernet Sauvignon. One really amusing thing about the 2006, 2007 and 2008 (review soon) is that Wakley didn’t even bother to change the description on the back label. Either they were very lazy or the vineyard produces remarkably consistent wine each year! I found this bottle with the plastic cork (screw-cap would be better) of Cabernet Sauvignon for under $7.
Color
As in prior vintages, the color in the glass is a nice dark purple.
Aroma
The aroma jumps out of the glass and is vibrant. Unlike the 2006 vintage, this 2007 vintage doesn’t show as much Eucalyptus. There is some present, but there is much more dark fruit showing. I get blackberry and black currant along with cedar.
Flavor
On the attack there is some black currant which is very nice. The mid-palate really gets interesting with black cherry and a lot of black currant. This wine disappears quickly and has a very lack-luster finish. The tannins are minuscule on the finish so don’t expect this wine to last long.
Rating
This wine had potential and definitely started out much more promising than the 2006, but in the end the finish was just too short and plain. I rate it 86 points. However, it is ever so slightly superior to the 2006 vintage.
Any guess as to how the 2008 will show?
