{"product_id":"medhurst-wines-reserve-cabernet-sauvignon-2018","title":"2018 Medhurst Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon | Rare Yarra Valley Cabernet","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🔥 2018 RESERVE CABERNET | EIGHT YEARS OF AGE | MEDHURST AT ITS MOST SERIOUS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis is exactly the sort of wine that makes aged releases so exciting.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ea seriously compelling mature Yarra Valley Cabernet.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 Points – Halliday Wine Companion\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eYarra Valley, Victoria\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRRP $112.50 a bottle\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMature Yarra Valley Cabernet from the Pinnacle of Medhurst\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is exactly the sort of wine that makes aged releases so exciting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003e2018 Medhurst Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon\u003c\/strong\u003e isn't a young Cabernet that you're going to have to hide away for the next five or ten years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIt already has eight years of development behind it.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd it comes from Medhurst's \u003cstrong\u003eReserve range\u003c\/strong\u003e—the wines the estate describes as showcasing the very best of its production, with an emphasis on the highest quality and genuine small-batch winemaking. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdd a \u003cstrong\u003e96-point Halliday Wine Companion\u003c\/strong\u003e rating and you have a seriously compelling mature Yarra Valley Cabernet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt \u003cstrong\u003eRRP $112.50\u003c\/strong\u003e, this is a wine for Cabernet drinkers who appreciate elegance, complexity and bottle age rather than sheer power.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExpect classic cool-climate Cabernet characters of:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBlackcurrant and cassis\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBlackberry\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDark cherry\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlum\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCedar\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGraphite\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBay leaf\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDried herbs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSubtle florals\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTobacco\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEarth\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFine French oak\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis isn't massive Cabernet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe beauty is in the \u003cstrong\u003ebalance between concentrated dark fruit, savoury complexity, fresh acidity and fine-grained tannin\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCurrent descriptions of the 2018 Reserve highlight \u003cstrong\u003eblackcurrant, dark cherry, cassis, cedar, graphite and bay leaf\u003c\/strong\u003e, with firm tannins and vibrant acidity providing the structure underneath. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd after eight years from vintage, those youthful black fruits should now be starting to meet the secondary characters that make mature Cabernet so compelling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCedar. Tobacco. Earth. Dried herbs.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is where Cabernet starts getting really interesting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e96 Points – Halliday Wine Companion\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 Points – Halliday Wine Companion\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat's serious territory.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCabernet Sauvignon can be somewhat overshadowed by Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in discussions about the Yarra Valley, but the region has a long history of producing extraordinarily elegant Cabernet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe key is the style.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis isn't Barossa Cabernet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt isn't Coonawarra.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd it isn't Margaret River.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGreat Yarra Valley Cabernet is typically more \u003cstrong\u003emedium-bodied, fragrant, savoury and finely structured\u003c\/strong\u003e, with blackcurrant fruit accompanied by herbs, florals, cedar and beautifully shaped tannins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003e2018 Medhurst Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon\u003c\/strong\u003e fits squarely into that tradition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMedhurst Reserve – The Best of the Estate\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe word \u003cstrong\u003eReserve\u003c\/strong\u003e matters here.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedhurst specifically positions its Reserve wines as the top expression of the estate, describing them as showcasing \u003cstrong\u003ethe best of what Medhurst produces\u003c\/strong\u003e, with a focus on quality and small-batch winemaking. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Reserve collection includes Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon, allowing Medhurst to select and elevate the parcels it believes best express the vineyard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo this isn't simply an older Medhurst Cabernet with a premium label.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIt's the estate's flagship expression of Cabernet Sauvignon.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eEight Years from Vintage – This Is the Sweet Spot\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is arguably the biggest reason to buy it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCabernet Sauvignon can be unforgivingly youthful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen young, the fruit can be primary and the tannins firm. Give a serious Cabernet time, however, and everything starts coming together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt \u003cstrong\u003eeight years from vintage\u003c\/strong\u003e, the 2018 Medhurst Reserve should be entering a fascinating stage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe youthful:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlackcurrant • Blackberry • Plum\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003estarts merging with:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCedar • Tobacco • Earth • Dried herbs • Forest floor\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ewhile the tannins gradually soften and integrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInstead of buying a young $100+ Cabernet and waiting years for it to develop, \u003cstrong\u003emuch of that waiting has already been done for you\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYarra Valley Cabernet – Don't Underestimate It\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Yarra Valley is famous for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut serious wine lovers know the region can produce \u003cstrong\u003eexceptional Cabernet Sauvignon\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe combination of a long growing season, cool nights and carefully selected warmer vineyard sites can produce Cabernet with excellent flavour development without sacrificing acidity and perfume.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedhurst's estate sits on the \u003cstrong\u003ewestern side of the Warramate Ranges at Gruyere\u003c\/strong\u003e, surrounded by its estate vineyards. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe estate's Cabernet program is clearly taken seriously: Cabernet Sauvignon sits alongside Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in Medhurst's flagship Reserve tier. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFood Pairings\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis deserves classic Cabernet food:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRib-eye steak\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBeef Wellington\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRoast beef\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFilet mignon\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSlow-cooked beef cheek\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRoast lamb\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVenison\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLamb shoulder\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWild mushrooms\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAged cheddar\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor me:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA great piece of beef, simply cooked, and a bottle of mature Yarra Cabernet.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou don't need much more than that.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDrinking \u0026amp; Cellaring\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis should be entering a beautiful drinking window now.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDrink now–2033+.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf the bottle has been stored well, there's no reason it can't continue developing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut I wouldn't feel compelled to wait.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt eight years from vintage, this is exactly when I'd start opening bottles and watching how they evolve over the next five years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI'd stand the bottle upright beforehand and give it \u003cstrong\u003e30–60 minutes in a decanter\u003c\/strong\u003e, primarily to let the wine open rather than aggressively aerate it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy We Love It\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are several reasons this is a particularly exciting bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou have:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 Points – Halliday Wine Companion\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMedhurst's flagship Reserve tier\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2018 vintage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEight years of bottle development\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRRP $112.50\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut it's the combination that really matters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedhurst's Reserve wines represent the estate's highest-quality small-batch production. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Now take that quality and give the Cabernet eight years to evolve.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat's where the value is.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou're getting the \u003cstrong\u003ecassis, blackberry and dark cherry of Cabernet\u003c\/strong\u003e, but you're also beginning to get the reason we cellar great Cabernet in the first place—\u003cstrong\u003ecedar, tobacco, earth, herbs, softened tannins and mature complexity\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd Cabernet remains one of the great underappreciated strengths of the Yarra Valley.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIf you love classic Australian Cabernet from producers such as Mount Mary, Yarra Yering or Wantirna Estate, the 2018 Medhurst Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon deserves your attention.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt \u003cstrong\u003eRRP $112.50\u003c\/strong\u003e, this is not simply a premium Cabernet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIt's a mature, 96-point Reserve Yarra Valley Cabernet that's ready to drink now—and that's a very compelling proposition.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Medhurst Wines","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52418427027758,"sku":null,"price":112.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0950\/5010\/5134\/files\/098c09c3-4583-46b8-a343-ea51060fbedc.png?v=1786595457","url":"https:\/\/liquidvibe.com.au\/products\/medhurst-wines-reserve-cabernet-sauvignon-2018","provider":"liquidvibe.com.au","version":"1.0","type":"link"}