2003 Peter Lehmann Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon

I was strolling through my local Dan Murphy's just the other day and spotted this one on the shelf. It was a modest $34.99 but after reading the label I couldn't resist. Peter Lehmann's wines being one of my more favourite commercial producers out of the Barossa I trusted that this would simply just be good, even though the tasting note said 4-5 years peak drinking.

The cherry red of this wine has stretched almost right to the rim which is distinctly bricked showing off its age. Lifted savoury forest floor aromas have started to over run the black forest fruits which are still lingering lightly. This wine definitely needs air as prior to decanting lightly I found it surprisingly closed and dull. The complex aromas are almost confusing but needless to say there is a very pleasant nose on this wine. The palate has become dry and earthy with very heavy dark chocolate undertones, most of the fruit has dropped off but with food this wine is still wonderful. There is a slightly obnoxious acetone taste which I can't seem to get past however which means I have to wonder if this would have been better with a little more youth.

Simply a good aged Cabernet that is probably past its best, there is a definite quality to this wine which we have all come to expect from Peter Lehmann's range but if you don't enjoy dark chocolate characteristics or heavy earthiness in wines then don't get too excited.

As with my previous post I have to mention the labelling on this range. I love the cards reference in the labelling for all the entry level wines and the fact that it refers to the gamble that Peter Lehmann made when setting up his massively successful wine business. If only we could all make that gamble.

I think that in its youth this wine would have been a solid 8-9 out of 10 but unfortunately my tasting and experience tonight has not warranted that sort of rating, if I was using a 100 point scoring system then it might have squeezed early 80's but as I'm only giving scores out of 10 the best I can give this wine as it is now is a very generous 7.

As previously stated I purchased this wine from the Dan Murphy cellar release range but have since found whilst searching the web for it that previously you would have been able to purchase it at Wine House for about $18. Personally I can't say that its now worth the price I paid but if you enjoy very earthy complex wines that are now lacking in fruit then by all means go out and grab a bottle as the complexity is definitely still there and enjoyable.

Well till the next time good luck with your purchases, be adventurous, try something new, good luck and happy drinking!! (note I couldn't find a 03 photo so I'm using the current vintage which looks exactly the same except that its under stelvin)