This has a very impressive sense of composure, offering a very attractive, cedary and floral nose with deep violets and a wealth of forest wood, bracken and blueberries, as well as plums. The palate has intensely ripe, assertive fruit flavors with a succulent, dense and rich delivery of black-cherry, cassis and blackberry flavors. Density with focus and a strong drive at the finish. Long and juicy with real freshness. A blend of 71% Coonawarra cabernet sauvignon and 29% Barossa shiraz. Drink or hold.
The 2016 The Caley Cabernet & Shiraz is sourced from both Coonawarra and the Barossa (Cabernet from Coonawarra, Shiraz from Barossa), and is an elegant if old-school rendition of the classic Australian blend. Cassis, milk chocolate, licorice, raspberry, black olive brine, bramble and spice combine to bring about a harmonious, tranquil wine. The tannins are fully entrenched into the fruit, cushioned and disguised from view from all angles. This is a satisfying, plush wine with layers of fruit and velvety tannin. It will age very well.
Inky ruby. Highly expressive, spice-accented black and blue fruit preserves, incense, vanilla and pipe tobacco qualities on the nose, with cedary oak and spice note emerging with aeration. Offers palate-staining cherry liqueur, blackcurrant and fruitcake flavors that are braced and sharpened by a spine of smoky minerality. Gains weight with air while retaining vivacity and finishes gently sweet and extremely long, with slow-mounting, polished tannins adding framework and final grip.
An elegant, markedly fresh fifth release, with restrained twig, tobacco, bay leaf and mint nuances. Gliding along a fine-grained rail of tannins, well-focused blackcurrant leads the charge. Silky black cherry and sweet, succulent plum add dimension and juicy impetus through the mid palate. Black olive, chocolate, clove, anise, ironstone and liquorice lend savoury nuances. Harmonious, tapering and persistent, the grippy finish reminds you it will age beautifully too. Drinking Window 2021 - 2041.
A profound red, rich and dense, based around a core of generous ripe cherry, spiced plum and framboise flavors, with taut tannins adding a firm backbone as the details expand on the finish. Dried rose petal, cedar, rosemary, salted black licorice and dark chocolate notes linger on the long, expressive finish. Cabernet and Shiraz. Drink now through 2042.
A blend of Cabernet from Coonawarra, and Shiraz from Barossa, this is a cool-edged bottling of Caley that needs plenty of time in decanter to reveal its charms. It then rewards with layers of heady aromas reminiscent of dark chocolate, mint, violets, fleshy red currant, cherry, wild strawberry and vanilla bean. The palate is powerful but poised and harmonious, the silky fruit cradled by powerful, chalk-and-spice tannins that indicate a long life is still ahead. A black tie, expensive watch kind of a wine from one of Australia's most historic producers. Should cellar until 2037 at least. (Cellar Selection)
Winery Notes
Deep, dense red in colour. Distinct Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon aromas: fresh, cool and refined green olive, leafiness, iodine and intriguing, fine and complex aromatics. Richness and precision, revealing refinement of Shiraz with red currant and spice. Perfectly balanced acid and tannin line sweeping through to the long finish.