1995 Greenock Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Valley

This wine, made from 10-year old vines that yielded only 1.75 tons of fruit per acre (350 cases produced) exhibits an opaque plum/purple color. The nose offers up moderately intense aromas of truffles, blackberries, cassis, and oak. In the mouth, the wine is massive, with extraordinary extraction, huge body, and a continuation of the earthy, truffle, blackberry jam-like fruitiness. The 14.6% alcohol is remarkably well-concealed in this rich wine. While accessible, it is capable of lasting 15-17 years. This is a massive, opulently-textured, extraordinary wine. I was absolutely astounded by the quality of the wines from Greenock Creek. Owned by Annabelle and Michael Waugh, this winery, whose winemaker is Chris Ringland, is, according to Dan Phillips, one of the most amazing in Australia. Certainly one taste of this wine will make a believer out of anybody. Sadly, much of the production is already sold in Australia. It was made from yields of less than 1.75 tons of fruit per acre. An amazing wine! The Greenock Creek vineyards are all situated in the northern Barossa Valley, the same area in which some of the finest sources for Penfold's Grange are located. Imported by Dan Phillips' company - The Grateful Palate, 601 Del Norte Blvd., Unit G, Oxnard, CA 93030; tel. (888) 472-5283, fax (805) 278-9085. Readers will also immensely enjoy his well-written catalogue which bears the same name - The Grateful Palate.