2001 Marquis Philips Cabernet S#2 Southeast Australia

(93 Points) The opaque purple-colored 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon S2 (100% Cabernet) was barrel-fermented in 100% new oak and aged in a combination of French and American barrels. It exhibits a spicy perfume of vanilla, black currants, sweet cherries, licorice, and cedar. Dense, opulent, expansive, and full-bodied, it is surprisingly fresh and well-delineated. I re-tasted this wine after it had been opened for 24 hours and double decanted, and it revealed sweeter tannin as well as greater fruit intensity, an attribute that should serve these wines well in their aging process. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2017.

Marquis Philips is the most exciting wine project to emerge from Australia, and perhaps the New World, in the last year. Run, don't walk to a client of The Grateful Palate and secure as much as you can of these wines. Wine Advocate # 143, Oct 2002