The 1995 Gaia, a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Merlot, reveals an unmistakable Bordeaux-like style. This deep ruby/purple-colored wine is tightly-wound in the nose, but it does offer up some high class oak along with black currants and other berry fruit. In the mouth, the wine displays a linear, Bordeaux style, plenty of tannin, and a dry, hard finish. It needs time in the bottle. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2012. In a blind tasting, I would be hard-pressed to guess this wine was from Australia.
Importer: Australian Premium Wine Collection (John Larchet), USA Wine West, San Rafael, CA
phone: (800)-485-5753, and Chicago Brands, Chicago, IL; tel. (312) 466-9300.