JUNIPER ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2008

While many of Australia's wine regions have suffered difficult vintage conditions over the last five years, Margaret River has enjoyed a run of superb seasons, resulting in some of the best cabernet sauvignon ever made in this country.

2008 is a perfect illustration. I was lucky enough to recently attend a benchmark tasting of 2008 cabernets put on by Cape Mentelle. They put their pride on the line by including their cabernet sauvignon (itself an outstanding wine) in a masked line-up of 20 of the best '08 cabernets in the world, including legendary Bordeaux such as Chateau Lafite, Leoville Las Cases and La Mission Haut Brion, plus other Italian, American, Margaret River and Australian cabernets. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that the Margaret River wines were head and shoulders above anything else from Australia and most of the world.

One of the Margaret River wines was Juniper Estate, an affordable wine which not only held its own, but stood at the summit of that exalted company.

Yes. That's a $40 wine, showing brilliantly alongside wines costing more than $1000 a bottle.

"Mark Messenger is a deft hand at turning out beautiful, fully regional Cabernet."
Gary Walsh, winefront.com.au

Juniper Estate's winemaker is the very modest and soft spoken Mark Messenger, himself a former employee of Cape Mentelle. There's a good chance you have met and tasted with him at one of our winemaker events here at North Sydney Cellars. He's now made what I believe is the best cabernet sauvignon released in Australia this year.

The reviews tell the story.

"Striking purple-crimson; a wine of the controlled power and concentration you might expect to find in a First Growth Bordeaux; black fruits, savoury but ripe tannins, and quality oak are seamlessly sewn together; has prodigious length. Rated: 96 points."
James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion

"Lovely cocoa vanilla oak, bay leaf, spice, ripe mulberry and dark cherry fruit -balances deep fruit and appropriate levels of regional fragrance to perfection. Medium to full bodied with ample fruit and plentiful supple, fine grained tannin – it sweeps through the mouth with a regal air. Length and ‘ooh let me have another crack at that’ factor both turned up to eleven. It’s every bit as good as its more expensive peers from this vintage – better than most even. I dunno, I know people want certainty and all that, but here’s a 95-96 point wine for sure – see how it finds you on the night. Rated: 95 points. Drink: 2012 - 2020+."
Gary Walsh, winefront.com.au

"Concentration and depth. Dark berry fruit, black cherries, cassis and plums - oak spice complexity too. Stoic, immense and mouth-filling tannins - hold on tight for one hell of a thunderous, delicious ride! Rated: 95 points."
Nick Stock, Wine Business Monthly

"I would have to say this is the most complete and the best cabernet Juniper has made and there have been some good'uns. Firm controlled palate with deep concentration of fruit. It's poised and supremely elegant with great length, structure and underlying power. Will cellar for many years. Rated: 95 points."
Ray Jordan's 2011 WA Wine Guide

It won't last, so make sure your cellar doesn't miss out on 2011's best cabernet sauvignon.