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Tasting notes
In 2019 or thereabouts, I tasted the 2015 JWDM Cabernet from Mount Mary, and it both asked and answered questions I have about Cabernet tannins in one fell swoop. I will never forget the way the tannins performed in the mouth that day: they gave new meaning to pliability, ductility, support and flow and told me that natural grape tannin is the highest, purest form of structure that there is. We know now that the 2015 season yielded brilliant wines of clarity and classicism in this part of the world, and so, with that preamble, I taste the 2015 Quintet here today, after seven years in bottle. On the nose, there is raspberry seed, bramble, cocoa, cassis, tobacco, bay leaf, a hint of tapenade, cardamom pod and brine. In the mouth, the wine plays out with all of these characteristics. It is supple and pliable and balanced, perhaps its most wonderful feature is the balance. It's a ripping wine, a superstar. If you're the owner of some 2015 Quintets, good for you. I'm jealous. 13.3% alcohol, sealed under natural cork.
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Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The 2015 Quintet from Mount Mary in the Yarra Valley comes from vines planted in 1971; this vintage matured for 20 months in 35% new oak. This is not as cohesive on the nose as the Yarra Yering No. 1, coming across slightly earthier and more ferrous-tinged, with red berry fruit and hints of clove and bay leaf. There is plenty of freshness on the entry, and again, the palate is quite earthy, with a fine bead of acidity. Classic in style, this shares the same Old World slant as the Yarra Yering, slightly leafy and herbaceous. There is pleasing weight and gentle grip on the finish, and bay leaf and a subtle sprinkling of white pepper on the aftertaste. Excellent.
44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, 6% Malbec, 4% Petit Verdot. Vines planted in 1971. Aged for 20 months in barriques (35% new). Picked 4 to 25 March. Bright shaded ruby. Funnily enough, although Cabernet Sauvignon constitutes less than half of the blend, this smells much more dominated by it than, say, the Yarra Yering, Dry Red No 1 blend. Still quite youthful and unevolved. Lots of pretty emphatic tannin on the end. When I last tasted it I suggested broaching it in 2019 but I think it's still got a way to go. Still unformed and teenage. It tastes like a cool(ish)-climate wine. (JR)
A superb wine from the very first impression, showing a lot of ripe cassis, leafy notes, chocolate and cedar. Hints of graphite, red plums, redcurrants, too. Merlot is back in the mix and it has higher percentage in the blend (30% to 44% cabernet sauvignon). The palate is silky, smooth, really slick and supple. A beautifully balanced wine here.Long, regal, suave and showy. Layered and full of interest. Drink or hold.
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Product details
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec/Auxerrois/Cot, Petit Verdot
Red
Dry