Trophy Best Cabernet Sauvignon of the Show - Murrumbateman Cool Climate Wine Show 2007
Trophy Best Red of the Show - Murrumbateman Cool Climate Wine Show 2007
Trophy Best Wine of the Show - Murrumbateman Cool Climate Wine Show 2007
Gold Medal - Murrumbateman Cool Climate Wine Show 2007
Gold Medal - International Wine Challenge 2008
Classic Coonawarra Cabernet style, made in a fractionally old-fashioned, unadored fashion; fragrant berry fruit with notes of tobacco and earth running through to a long finish. Drink now to 2015. 92 points James Halliday
Brands have hit some good form with the last few vintages of their Cabernet. The 2005 vintage of this wine is another excellent follow on from the previous vintage. A great mix of typical Coonawarra characters such as cigar box, cedar and hints of mint mixed in with some lovely blackcurrant, spice and savoury notes. Beautiful line and length and a wine that is well worth the $18-$20 price point. 93 points Anthony D'Anna
It’s the wine formally known as as Brand’s Laira Cabernet Sauvignon, formerly known as Brand’s of Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon. Blockers was a name given to Coonawarra land holders in the 1950’s who sold their grapes to other producers, of which founder Eric Brand was one.
It smells of red and black fruits, almonds, vanilla, cedar wood, an old Chesterfield lounge and a sweet aniseed/mint fragrance. On the palate full bodied and bold with an assault of ripe powdery tannins (that settle with a big decant or having a bottle open for a day) with intense flavour of ripe cherry, red berries, dark chocolate and vanilla. It feels fresh and lively, with no hint of raisined or dead fruit and slightly warm, although I’m not sure you would ever guess the alcohol content was so high (I didn’t). Excellent length of flavour too. Big end of town Cabernet for sure, but a very good wine. Drink : 2010 - 2017 92 points Gary Walsh, Winorama
A gold medal winner at the 2008 London International Wine Challenge, this wine delivers the fruit concentration and finesse of Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon at its best.
