Named after the cigar shaped patch of Terra Rossa soil in Coonawarra, the 2008 The Cigar Cabernet Sauvignon is the second label of The Menzies. Very deep garnet-purple, it offers intense cassis and floral notes with aromas of violets, menthol and a whiff of slate. Well structured on the full-bodied palate, it has firm chewy tannins, high acidity and good concentration, finishing long. Drink it now to 2016. Remaining one of Australia’s oldest, largest and most prestigious family owned companies, Yalumba’s top wines should not be overlooked amongst the limelight-hogging young-gun wines that have sprung-up around the Barossa in the last 20 years. Some of the region’s finest vineyards are owned or contracted by this company. They’ve also contributed considerably to the quality of vine material available throughout the region with the impressive developments at the Yalumba nursery. Regarding the current releases, The Signature and Octavius won’t be released in 2007. I was informed that in 2008 all their reds were picked before the first week of March but there were no single site wines made in 2008 because it was felt the fruit wasn’t expressing the sites. 2009 was a good year and everything will be released, though winemaker Louisa Rose confessed that their early maturing Shiraz suffered the most in the 2009 heat spike.Importer: Negociants USA, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 259-0993

Supple and beautifully focused to show off its currant and plum flavors, with deft touches of wet earth and herbs that mingle effectively as the finish sails on impressively against refined tannins. Drink now through 2018. 250 cases imported.??–HS??Region: Australia / Coonawarra Select to Add

Seems heavily extracted, with a dark, nearly impenetrable hue and dense, chocolaty aromas. This is full-bodied, mouth-filling Cabernet, but a hint of raisining creeps in and the finish turns a little tart.——J.C.(7/1/2011)—— 87