Craneford John Zilm Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Score:93

Aged completely in new French oak, the spectacular 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon John Zilm boasts a black/purple color along with superb notes of creme de cassis, cedar, spice box, and subtle new oak. Full-bodied, rich, and beautifully balanced with fresh acidity as well as ripe tannin, this gorgeous Cabernet displays the terrific potential of this varietal in South Australia. Consume it over the next 10-15 years.

Robert Parker on Oct 31st, 2006

These museum wines from Craneford were made around the time the winery saw great change. In 2004 the winery wines expanded, making sure that the winemaking process was done on site from start to finish and under supervision of the winemaker so that only the best fruit was selected for their wines. Craneford focus on the quality of their wines and not the quantity, the passion and hard work that they put into the winemaking process is what gives their excellent deep red wines from Barossa Valley their regional characteristics and soft tannins.

Situated in South Australia, 60 kilometres northwest of Adelaide, lies the Barossa Valley which has been producing wine since 1842 and these days is recognised as Australia’s quintessential wine region. The hot climate mixed with the ironstone and sandstone soil in the valley, makes excellent growing conditions for grapes and in particular, Shiraz (or Syrah) which classically is full bodied with earthy and spicy notes. Over the last 15 years there has also been an increased interest in the other red Rhone varietals Grenache and Mourvedre. The non-irrigated old vineyards on the cooler west side of the valley are the most treasured and provide fruit for Australia’s most famous wine, Penfolds Grange among many other top-quality bottlings.