Tasting the 2006 Elderton Cabernet makes me think that 2006 must have been a tough year in Barossa. How else to explain a producer as good as Elderton making such a wine? There's a bit of nice fruit up front, but the balance is a little off, with the acidity punching through, and the fruit fades quickly. The finish is very short, perhaps 5 seconds or so. Lighter than I would expect for a wine of 14.5% abv, there is nothing objectionable about this wine, but nothing exciting either. It's the type of wine I might expect at a party or art opening, but very disappointing for a bottle costing $20.
Looking up the vintage on Parker's website, he rates the vintage as very good, although possibly still tannic. This is not coming across tannic, just weak (but at least it's not sweet like so many Aussie wines!). I'm left wondering what went wrong. Is it a bad bottle? It doesn't show an obvious flaw, just seems like a weak wine. Is Parker wrong? Well, I've disagreed with him in the past, but a good Barossa is right up his alley, so I expect his opinion to be at least close. Or did Elderton just not get it right? Hard to believe from a winery that's done so well in the past.
I've liked Elderton wines in the past, and while this would be good for a sub $10 bottle, at $20-$25, it's very disappointing. Not recommended.
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