Rating:
91
Josh Raynolds - Vinous Media
"Deep ruby. Smoke- and herb-accented red fruits on the nose and palate. Spicy and firm on entry, then sweeter in the middle, offering plump cherry and raspberry flavors and a hint of bitter chocolate. Finishes on a faintly gamy note, with silky tannins and very good tenacity." Reviewed July 2013
Product Description:
"Cab-Malbec is one of the best ageing wines made in Australia. Christian is always hunting around in the deep, dark areas of old cellars for a stray bottle of this delicious blend with a bit of age on it. The influence to make this classic Aussie blend comes directly from Christian’s observation of his fathers' long time love affair with Leasingham Bin 56 and A.P. Birks Wendouree Cellars. The Malbec is a big berried but tough skinned grape which provides an amazing deep purple color when fermenting. It delivers a big hit of blueberry on the nose which is quite different to anything else on offer from the Rusden cellar. This harmonizes nicely with the subtlety of Cabernet Sauvignon.
"Deep garnet-purple. The aromas are subtle with some leafy notes to begin over crushed black currants, ripe black berries, toast and loam. Medium bodied with just enough vibrant berry flavors in the mouth, it has very crisp acid and a medium level of chewy tannins, finishing long. 250 cases produced" - Distributor's Notes
Rusden Wines was featured on Vinous Media in 2013 as part of the "Best New Wines of Australia" collection. All 10 wines reviewed earned scores of 90 points or higher from Josh Raynolds.
Rusden is a small, family-owned and operated producer. What started as a grapegrowing operation has evolved into an award-winning wine producer. "Matriach" Christine Canute is a fifth-generation grapegrower. She and her husband purchased 40 acres of Barossa vineyards some years ago and started just growing and selling grapes.
In the early 90s, they started making their own wines. Today, their son Christian has taken over wine production, though Christine still reigns over the vines.
The 2010 'Good Shepherd,' a blend of nearly equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec is rather balanced, like the "just right" mattress you can never find, structured yet plump. Winemaker Christian fins harmony in this blend, with Cabernet providing the frame and Malbec giving it a bit of plushness and darker fruits. He dedicates this wine to his father - who loves this blend - "to say thanks for being a good shepherd and pointing me in the right direction."
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