2008 Joseph Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot Moda
Number 2 (in his list of the best 250 wines in the world for 2011) Oz Clarke
In 1989 Joe Grilli of Primo Estate released the 1987 JOSEPH Moda, the first vintage of his critically acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend made from air dried grapes in the Italian Amarone style.
Combining Aussie know-how with his traditional Italian winemaking heritage Joe air dries the finest McLaren Vale fruit on shaded outdoor racks for two weeks prior to crushing, concentrating the fruit so that it loses around 15% of its weight. Taking inspiration from Italian Amarone this technique creates an opulent, brooding wine. All fruit is hand harvested and sorted from Primo Estate's vineyards in McLaren Vale and Clarendon (dry grown).
This traditional Italian inspired drying process is a way of creating a deep, complex wine with one of Australia's supreme red varietals, Cabernet Sauvignon.
The 2008 Moda is a wine of great depth, balance and concentration of flavour. Plum and spice intermingle with forest berry fruits, lurking below are deep currents of raisins and cigar-box.
Ageing in 50% new French and American oak barriques for 20 months contributes to the subtle layering - mocha, cinnamon, vanilla and cedar streaks ripple through the palate.
The considerable tannins are saturated by the sheer lushness of flavour.
Buy this offer
RRP $65
Tim's Rating: 97/100
* The price includes FREE home or office delivery Australia wide for half or full dozen orders.
It's $390 for the six pack ($65 per bottle)
or $715 for the dozen (buy eleven get one free).
'The 2008 is as dense as wine can be, thrillingly bitter-sweet as only the best dark chocolate can manager and yet the bitterness shares space with coconut scented with chocolate dust and ripe black plums half way to syrup. But the syrup is black treacle swirled together with licorice and resinous herbs. The bitterness. The sweetness. The fundamental excellence.'
- Oz Clarke's 250 Best Wines 2011
'JOSEPH Moda is simply one of Australia's finest Cabernets. These are wines that relfect a very personal articulation of old world heritage and Australian high-tech skills. Thes incredibly satisfying fruit rich wines purr and hum like an incredibly well tuned engine. They age beautifully and classically.'
- Andrew Caillard MW, Langtons
