2017 Davey & Browne Cabernet Sauvignon, Gordon + Bitner Block
94 points - James Halliday Wine Awards 2021 90 points (Silver Medal) - James Halliday Cabernet Challenge (AU) 2021
Tasting Notes
Deep purple-red in colour. Enticing aromas of cassis, violet, and blueberry are embellished with a perfumed talcum powder overtone. The classic Cabernet flavors of cassis and blueberry flow through the palate, focused and defined into the lingering finish by fine structural elements of tannin and oak. A medium-to-full-bodied, intensely varietal McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon with elegance, harmony, texture, and length that eloquently expresses the synergy of the old Reynella clone vines and their terroir.
Winemaking
Gentle hand working of the skins in small, 5 tonne open fermenters and traditional winemaking practices protect and nurture the unique qualities of the terroir. Very fine-grained French oak hogsheads are used to allow a long, slow maturation of the wine and subtle oak integration. A combination of new and 1-5 year-old oak barrels, crafted by select coopers to our requirements, are used to create nuances and diversity of flavour. When maturation & oak integration are perfect, individual barrels are selected and blended to create this intensely varietal McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon.
Specs
Vintage: 2017
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: McLaren Vale, South Australia
Vineyard: Gordon & Bitner Block, Davey Estate
Alcohol: 14.2%
pH: 3.62
Total Acidity: 6.3g/L
2018 Davey & Browne Cabernet Sauvignon, Gordon + Bitner Block
Tasting Notes
This Cabernet Sauvignon is dense purple-red in color. Fragrant cassis aromas with nuances of mint chocolate, olive, and graphite. Blackberry and blueberry flavours flow through the medium to full-bodied palate, balanced harmoniously with fine-grained tannins and integrated notes of French oak. A contemporary McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon that expresses the synergy of this noble variety, the terroir, and my personal winemaking philosophy.
Winemaking
Two great McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon blocks combine harmoniously; one, a Reynella clone planted east-west in 1982 on loam and the other, a CW44 clone planted north-south in 1999 on red clay. Gentle cap management, through traditional open fermentation, protects and nurtures the unique qualities of the terroir. Very fine-grained French oak hogsheads are used to allow a long, slow maturation of the wine and subtle oak integration. A combination of new and 1-6 year-old oak barrels, crafted by select coopers to our requirements are used to create nuances and diversity of flavor.
Specs
Vintage: 2018
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: McLaren Vale, South Australia
Vineyard: Gordon & Bitner Block, Davey Estate
Alcohol: 14.3%
pH: 3.64
Total Acidity: 7.1 g/L
2019 Davey & Browne Cabernet Sauvignon, Gordon + Bitner Block
Tasting Notes
Deep, ripe blackberry flavors create a complex and harmonious balance of long, slow maturation and oak integration.
Davey Browne represents the culmination of a long enduring friendship between noted Australian wine luminary Kym Davey, who has a passion for motorbikes, and American wine entrepreneur Andrew Browne, an avid fly fishing enthusiast. These rich, handcrafted McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignons are sourced from the finest fruit of the prestigious Gordon and Bitner block, named in honor of Kym and Andrew’s grandfathers, in the Davey Estate vineyard.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
A bit of a preface here, I drink zero Australian wine and it’s probably been 5+ years minimum since I last opened one.
Onto the wine.
This appears to be a blend of two vineyards, most likely 100% Cabernet.
Alcohol is stated on the back of the bottle at 14% and the wine features a surprisingly heavy bottle. I’m a sucker for a heavy bottle.
The cork came out easily, nearly stained black with no penetration up the sides.
The wine pours a deep purple with zero sediment, big full nose full of blackberries and mild bell pepper, some noticeable alcohol but no oak that stands out.
We had a pork tenderloin tonight, I thought it paired fine with that but didn’t stand out or particularly complement the food.
Tasting this wine was interesting, I picked up all the same notes from the nose but found it to have a long but slightly tart finish and as the wine opened up more throughout the evening I found it more and more tart.
I won’t speak to agebility here, i don’t think I would lay this down too long though.
The case price is really pretty good for this wine and maybe a go to bottle for a Tuesday night dinner like it was for me tonight but definitely didn’t particularly stand out to me.
2017:
Let’s start out with Wilfred, what the heck…
92 points. The 2017 Davey & Browne Cabernet Sauvignon delivers a full-flavored experience from start to finish. TASTING NOTES: This wine shines it on with aromas and flavors of black fruit, earth, and oaky notes. Pair it with the first cut from an oven-roasted prime rib. (Tasted: August 19, 2021, San Francisco, CA)
The Scarved One…
91 points. This bold, ripe cabernet has spiced-biscuit aromas with blueberries, cassis and some earthy notes, as well as dried plums. The palate is all smooth and plush with plenty of ripe dark berries, delivered amid slinky, velvety tannins. The finish is bathed in ripe fruit.
Wine Enthusiast:
89 points. Housed within a heavy bottle, this rich wine needs some air before it reveals plush dark fruit and flowers. There’s a prominent herbal streak along with mint, ground pepper and quite a bit of dusting polish-and-vanilla oak influence. The powerful palate combines muscular, nicely textured tannins with more ripe fruit and oak and a herbal finish. — Christina Pickard 12/1/2020
Notes on '17 from Halliday seem to be hiding behind a paywall
2018:
Award tasting note: “Blackcurrant finish. Bread and damson nose. Stripped bare palate. - Panel Chair: Tom Forrest , Co-Chair: Anne Krebiehl MW” - Bronze, International Wine Challenge
One note mentions 3% petit verdot in the 2018
Doesn’t appear to be a winery website
It does appear that these are very heavily discounted by looking around. Could be several reasons for that I suppose. Lots of $40 - to $50 asks, particularly on the 2017 and 2018.
2017 Davey & Browne Cabernet Sauvignon, Gordon + Bitner Block
G’day mateys, and apologies for the delay. This is the first time Brown let me down on a Lab Rat bottle; they rerouted it to my access point so not only was it a day late, but I had to pick it up! Once I did, I was greeted by an extremely hefty bottle 2017 Davey & Brown Cabernet Sauvignon. This thing puts Gard Grand Cru Classe bottles to shame. The ND tech cork had a very dark purple stain with minimal penetration. The wine is a deep garnet with a slightly violet edge. The nose is wild with raspberries and other bramble fruit, and there is a hefty vegetal note suggesting powerful tannins. The wine is rather muted on the palate, muted fruit with a hefty tannic edge and bracing acidity. Not exactly what I was expecting given my initial impressions. Will check back later as I continue to sample and eat dinner.
@KitMarlot my wife says it smells like ripe fruit with leather; makes her think of fall and decaying leaves. Earthy, ripe fruit, medium body on the palate. It’s a good wine she said. Her initial impression was that it was… ‘salty’, but on subsequent tastes she said it was ‘fine’. Guess a little maturity cleaned up its language.
@KitMarlot It continued to evolve and bloom over time, dark fruit coming to the fore and drying (green?) tannins smoothing out. I didn’t like it much at first, but after a few hours of swirling and thinking I convinced myself and my wife to buy a case (which we couldn’t do because we’re in OH; it’s the thought that counts.)
Enjoying my ability to keep up with all the wonderful wines from WineDave. And part of the fun is checking in on the LabRat!
This one sounds like it might benefit from a little more time in the bottle. Will check back and see how it shows tomorrow! Second day is always a good indicator…
2017 Davey & Browne Cabernet Sauvignon, Gordon + Bitner Block
94 points - James Halliday Wine Awards 2021
90 points (Silver Medal) - James Halliday Cabernet Challenge (AU) 2021
Tasting Notes
Winemaking
Specs
2018 Davey & Browne Cabernet Sauvignon, Gordon + Bitner Block
Tasting Notes
Winemaking
Specs
2019 Davey & Browne Cabernet Sauvignon, Gordon + Bitner Block
Tasting Notes
Specs
What’s Included
3-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not for sale on winery website, $480/case MSRP
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Apr 8 - Tuesday, Apr 9
Davey & Browne Cabernet Sauvignon Vertical
3 bottles for $49.99 $16.66/bottle + $2.67/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $149.99 $12.50/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2017
2018
2019
Labrat here.
I got to try the 2018 tonight.
A bit of a preface here, I drink zero Australian wine and it’s probably been 5+ years minimum since I last opened one.
Onto the wine.
This appears to be a blend of two vineyards, most likely 100% Cabernet.
Alcohol is stated on the back of the bottle at 14% and the wine features a surprisingly heavy bottle. I’m a sucker for a heavy bottle.
The cork came out easily, nearly stained black with no penetration up the sides.
The wine pours a deep purple with zero sediment, big full nose full of blackberries and mild bell pepper, some noticeable alcohol but no oak that stands out.
We had a pork tenderloin tonight, I thought it paired fine with that but didn’t stand out or particularly complement the food.
Tasting this wine was interesting, I picked up all the same notes from the nose but found it to have a long but slightly tart finish and as the wine opened up more throughout the evening I found it more and more tart.
I won’t speak to agebility here, i don’t think I would lay this down too long though.
The case price is really pretty good for this wine and maybe a go to bottle for a Tuesday night dinner like it was for me tonight but definitely didn’t particularly stand out to me.
Cheers
@CorTot I think single vineyard, Davey Estate, two specific blocks…
@kaolis you’re right, thank you for noticing the error.
No ohio???
@marjoryk yes
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
Davey & Browne Cabernet Sauvignon Vertical - $50 = 24.99%
2017:
Let’s start out with Wilfred, what the heck…
92 points. The 2017 Davey & Browne Cabernet Sauvignon delivers a full-flavored experience from start to finish. TASTING NOTES: This wine shines it on with aromas and flavors of black fruit, earth, and oaky notes. Pair it with the first cut from an oven-roasted prime rib. (Tasted: August 19, 2021, San Francisco, CA)
The Scarved One…
91 points. This bold, ripe cabernet has spiced-biscuit aromas with blueberries, cassis and some earthy notes, as well as dried plums. The palate is all smooth and plush with plenty of ripe dark berries, delivered amid slinky, velvety tannins. The finish is bathed in ripe fruit.
Wine Enthusiast:
89 points. Housed within a heavy bottle, this rich wine needs some air before it reveals plush dark fruit and flowers. There’s a prominent herbal streak along with mint, ground pepper and quite a bit of dusting polish-and-vanilla oak influence. The powerful palate combines muscular, nicely textured tannins with more ripe fruit and oak and a herbal finish. — Christina Pickard 12/1/2020
Notes on '17 from Halliday seem to be hiding behind a paywall
2018:
Award tasting note: “Blackcurrant finish. Bread and damson nose. Stripped bare palate. - Panel Chair: Tom Forrest , Co-Chair: Anne Krebiehl MW” - Bronze, International Wine Challenge
One note mentions 3% petit verdot in the 2018
Doesn’t appear to be a winery website
It does appear that these are very heavily discounted by looking around. Could be several reasons for that I suppose. Lots of $40 - to $50 asks, particularly on the 2017 and 2018.
fwiw
2017 Davey & Browne Cabernet Sauvignon, Gordon + Bitner Block
G’day mateys, and apologies for the delay. This is the first time Brown let me down on a Lab Rat bottle; they rerouted it to my access point so not only was it a day late, but I had to pick it up! Once I did, I was greeted by an extremely hefty bottle 2017 Davey & Brown Cabernet Sauvignon. This thing puts Gard Grand Cru Classe bottles to shame. The ND tech cork had a very dark purple stain with minimal penetration. The wine is a deep garnet with a slightly violet edge. The nose is wild with raspberries and other bramble fruit, and there is a hefty vegetal note suggesting powerful tannins. The wine is rather muted on the palate, muted fruit with a hefty tannic edge and bracing acidity. Not exactly what I was expecting given my initial impressions. Will check back later as I continue to sample and eat dinner.
@KitMarlot my wife says it smells like ripe fruit with leather; makes her think of fall and decaying leaves. Earthy, ripe fruit, medium body on the palate. It’s a good wine she said. Her initial impression was that it was… ‘salty’, but on subsequent tastes she said it was ‘fine’. Guess a little maturity cleaned up its language.
@KitMarlot It continued to evolve and bloom over time, dark fruit coming to the fore and drying (green?) tannins smoothing out. I didn’t like it much at first, but after a few hours of swirling and thinking I convinced myself and my wife to buy a case (which we couldn’t do because we’re in OH; it’s the thought that counts.)
@KitMarlot Interesting that they can send it to you for free but when you try and pay for it, you get shut down
Enjoying my ability to keep up with all the wonderful wines from WineDave. And part of the fun is checking in on the LabRat!
This one sounds like it might benefit from a little more time in the bottle. Will check back and see how it shows tomorrow! Second day is always a good indicator…
Someone keeps sending packages of wine to my house!! (nevermind, I figured it out - it’s me …)
@woopdedoo thank you! Please tell my “other half” that it’s OKAY
@kitkat34 @woopdedoo But honey, I haven’t bought anything in ages, this is all stuff we ordered a long time ago, shipping window is closing