Southbrook Winery 2002 Triomphus Cabernet-Merlot

Originally reviewed as part of an On the Road with the Grape Guy feature

(Re-Tasted May 2008) … This wine won what? A little over a year ago (Jan, 23, 2007) this wine won a taste off between the French and Ontario at Sette Mezzo in Toronto. Today, I doubt it’d get out of the first round. I’m gonna blame this on the inferior corks used in the first bottling (these corks were subsequently replaced with better quality corks after the big win – and one of Anne Sperling’s first smart decisions when she took over the reigns at Southbrook). First bottling is capped with gold wax … replaced corks with red wax. As you can see from the pictures, the original corks have the consistency of sponge (and about as many holes) and will crumble easily, so beware when opening. Currently, the wine in bottle is bitter and off-tasting … not corky … just not right, a wine that tastes well beyond its 6-year age. More vinegary than fruity and little to no tannins to speak of. I remember this wine being big and bold with tons of tannins and fruit to come … lots of promise. For a wine that was designed and made to last ten years or more this wine won’t survive the turn of the decade. Gold topped – drink up now; red top (haven’t tried) but the better cork closure which should give it longevity.

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