Cabernet Sauvignon 2003

Cabernet sauvignon (85%), merlot (7.5%) and cabernet franc (7.5%) are selected from the best cabernet vines on our vineyard, with obsessive canopy management, limited yields, and hand-picking at optimal ripeness and flavour.2004 was a typical Margaret River vintage, with steady ripening and flavour development. Made by Mark Messenger, previously at Cape Mentelle and now at Juniper Estate in Margaret River. Hand plunged, with carefully judged skin contact. Matured for 12 months in the highest quality French oak (one third new, one third one year, one third older) and a small portion of American oak, and then another year of bottle age. Fresh cabernet fruit red berry flavours, complex cassis bouquet and early chocolate and cigar box characters and nice richness developing.Silky tannins from the high quality fruit and meticulous oak treatment, intense and persistent in the mouth. An elegant example, in the forefront of Margaret River cabernets. REVIEWS & AWARDS Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 "Very impressive cabernet. There’s some quality fruit showing gentle blackcurrant character with subtle mint. The palate is a silky seamless mix with fine tannins and beautifully fragrant oak. A very stylish wine of real elegance and refinement". 95/100.  Ray Jordan. "Excellent colour, flooded with cassis and blackcurrant supported by quality oak and ripe tannins". 94/100.  James Halliday Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 85% cabernet sauvignon, 10% merlot and 5% cabernet franc) Ruby-red. Precise, spicy aromas of redcurrant, cherry and pomegranate molasses complicated by tobacco, mint and cedar. Fleshy but not at all heavy, with musky, meaty cherry and sweeter cassis and vanillin oak flavors developing through the finish. A concentrated, youthful wine with the balance and depth to repay cellaring. In a distinctly Old World style 90/100. Stephen Tanzer 2006. A new Margaret River name with a quality direction like Thompson Estate is always welcome. Its ‘02 chardonnay was great and now the cabernet has arrived. It has herby, blackcurrant fruit with a slightly mulchy touch. The oak is subtle. The palate is firm and long–flavoured with medium body and balanced tannins. 4 stars.  Ralph Kyte-Powell Melbourne Age August 2004 Top wines of 2004 releases Cabernet Sauvignon style tasting “A vibrant, youthful wine with great colour. Big, oaky and ripe raspberry nose has that classic cabernet character. Great palate structure with nice charry/burnt oak flavours” 4½ Stars.  Winestate Magazine February 2005