Lindemans Reserve Coonawara Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Price: $10
Maker: Lindemans Wines, Australia
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Packaging: 750 ml bottle, screw cap
Alcohol: 13.5%
Our Rating: 8.2 out of 10
I've enjoyed other Lindemans wines, and I looked forward to the Lindemans Reserve Coonawara Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 with considerable anticipation, even though I had found the bottle on the clearance shelf for a fraction of its normal price. After a few sips, though, I found out why it might have ended up in the sale bin. The aroma was fruity, with slightly musty berry notes. The flavor, though, was all oak and sharp-elbowed tannins. Things improved slightly after letting the wine sit overnight - some spice emerged in the nose, and the flavor finally showed some blackberry fruit.
I find it hard to recommend this wine, even though it's inexpensive for any wine flagged as a "reserve." For my taste, at least, one of Lindemans' lesser wines, like their Bin 45 Cabernet Sauvignon, might actually be a better choice.
November 10th, 2008 - 17:48
Your rating system has always been strange. how can you rate something 8.2 out of 10 and still say you can’t recommend it?
November 18th, 2008 - 20:47
I could have worded that better, Dan. What I was trying to say is that “I can’t recommend this wine when its less expensive bretheren are at least as much to my liking.”
Roger
June 18th, 2009 - 23:43
Yeah all your reviews have wine in the 8.2-8.6 range….c’mon! Have a backbone!