2002 Jim Barry “The Benbournie” Cabernet Sauvignon

Paul and I enjoyed this excellent inaugural release Cabernet from Down Under, Saturday at Ibiza restaurant in mid-town Houston. As I have mentioned before the wine list is special there and the pricing is very fair, and no Paul and I don’t get anything in return for all the free pub. The Benbournie region just north-west of Claire was settled in 1853 by German Catholic friends of a local priest. The original settlement was comprised of about 15 mud huts surrounding Father kranewitter’s Roman Catholic chapel. The settlement foundered late in the century with the decline of the local copper mining industry. The inaugural 2002 release came in April of 2008 and comes from one of the coolest and best vintages in the Clare Valley.

Wine Details:

Winery: Jim Barry

Vintage: Inaugural 2002, released April 2008

Region: Clare Valley, South Australia

Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Notes: Aged 14 months in New American Oak, Alc 15%,

Tasting: In the glass the color is inky dark purple. On the nose the fruit is dark with blackberry, black currant. the bouquet is complex with Spanish cedar, dark tobacco, black pepper, nutmeg, menthol, cola, roasted wild game, and a nice floral bouquet. The palate is full, soft and silky showing the time in the bottle. the fruit is fresh and pleasing and the tannins are well integrated but still present.  This is a special find from Australia to be enjoyed with someone special. The finish is incredibly pure, balanced, clean, and generously long. The wine will drink incredibly well for 12-15 years to com.

Rating: 96 JH