2002 Coriole Mary Kathleen Reserve Cabernet Merlot - Museum Release

Coriole Vineyards was established by the Lloyd family in 1967. The original vineyard at Coriole was planted in 1919 with further plantings added in the late 1960’s and 1990’s. The fruit for Mary Kathleen is sourced from several small 20 – 30 year old vineyards next to the winery, the 2002 vintage being a blend of 85% Cabernet and 15% Merlot. Open fermenters are used for fermentation and maturation is in French Oak for a period of 18 months, followed by a further 12 months bottle age before release. Yields are deliberately kept low to ensure the fruit ripens to it’s full potential.

A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot the colour of this wine is still holding up very well displaying an opaque black dark red core with a deep very dark red hue. Perfumed aromas of ripe blackcurrant overlay a hint of liquorice, cigar box, earth and spice. Full bodied the palate still retains plenty of rich blackcurrant fruit alongside a touch of liquorice and the tannins have softened. Tertiary characters of earth, cedary cigar box and spice follow. Excellent length with slightly chewy but very fine grained tannins. Long aftertaste of blackcurrant, subtle liquorice, cigar box, earth and spice.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc 14%

Was $52.99    Now $34.99

Retasted 02/02/2011: Yet another fantastic museum release wine from the great 2002 vintage in McLaren Vale. Opaque black dark red colour with deep dark red hue. Aromas of blackcurrant, mulberry, spice and cedar with a leathery overtone. The palate displays an elegant structure with flavours of blackcurrant, dusty cedar, mulberry and a spicy cigar box back palate. Fine grained dryish tannins with long aftertaste of blackcurrant, spice, dusty cedar and leather.
Drink over the next 2-3 years (2011-2013)
Alc 14.0%
94 points

First Tasted May 2005:
An outstanding red. Very deep crimson colour with deep crimson hue. Superb nose of violet, spice, mulberry and blackcurrant, providing a very sophisticated sniff. The palate is refined – flavours of confectionary, cedar, spice and mulberry showing wonderful ripe fruit flavours. Perfect tannin structure, followed by a very long aftertaste of spice, liquorice allsorts, confectionary and blackcurrant.
Cellar 4-5 years (2009-2010)
Alc/Vol: 14.0%
96 Points