Raydon Estate | Tails South Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

PV Tasting Notes

The 2002 Raydon Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is as compelling an example of this fabulous terroir as one could imagine, the fruit now all goes to Drew Noon. This wine has a dense purple colour and possesses a stunning personality with ultra ripe notes of incense, liquorice, black berries, smoky graphite and spring flowers. Stunningly full bodied and multi-layered with tremendous purity and a voluptuous texture, this is drinkable now but still youthful and will continue to evolve and improve for a long time yet. The tannins are velvety and becoming very well integrated, I feel this beautiful wine will keep aging gracefully for a minimum of two decades yet. Re-tasted July 2011

This 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon is the finest Cabernet I have ever tasted in this price range. The owners sell off part of their fruit to Drew Noon! To make the famous Noon Cabernet, which Parker rated 96 for this vintage. The bouquet is still very tight but displays some Crème de Cassis, melted liquorice, new saddle leather and cherry blossom. The aromatics are followed by a full-bodied, marvellously concentrated wine that is reminiscent of a 2000 Leoville Las Cases, still primary but intensely rich and concentrated with fine slightly dusty tannins, the wine begins to open up after 12 hours but comes into its own after 36. This seamless and compelling wine should reach peak maturity in another 3-4 years and drink well for a minimum fifteen years. With the 2002 Noon Cabernet now selling for £75.00 to £100.00 a bottle and more this represents an astonishing bargain, especially for those with more sense than money. Tasted January 2004

Winner 2004 Red Wine Trophy, McLaren Vale Australia
 

Match this to pink lamb and you’ll be in heaven or char-grilled leg of lamb, will also suit roast beef, Italian style pot roast veal or stifado, (Greek beef Casserole) a richly sauced roast duck, or pork chops with a mustard sauce, and any hard cheese. You could always try this with Thai style beef with fresh basil.
 

The Borrett family has been growing vines in the Langhorne creek region since 1915, their crop is divided equally between themselves and Drew Noon, the quality of their fruit can only be described as first class, and whilst they display none of the marketing skills showed by Drew Noon the wines they produce are of world class stature.