Menzies is made by small lot winemaking maintaining the integrity of each harvest parcel throughout vinification and maturation. The grapes are crushed to small static fermenters and the liberation of colour and tannin is controlled either by plunging the skins, irrigating the fermented wine over the cap or draining all the wine from the skins then flooding it back. Selected parcels were given extended skin contact before pressing. The majority of the oak the wine is matured in are French oak barriques although for this year some well seasoned new American oak hogheads were included. Once the bottling blend was finalised, the wine was given a further six months in oak to harmonise.
 
The colour displays deep red with crimson shades as the glass is tilted. The nose is powerful cool-climate Cabernet Sauvignon with notes of dark cherry, violets with a hint of sea-spray. The Menzies displays savoury nuances of pimento, cedar and briar which will evolve as this wine matures. The early fruit flavours and sweetness are quickly joined with substantial grainy tannins giving this wine length and presence. This Menzies Cabernet Sauvignon is a pleasure to drink now though it has been made for the long haul and will cellar excellently. Enjoy it with dishes that have rich dark sauces or a well ripened washed rind cheese.
 
The Stodart Trophy - Royal Queensland Wine Show 2007
Gold Medal - 2007 Royal Queensland Wine Show
Top Gold - 2008 Perth Royal Wine Show
Gold Medal - 2008 Limestone Coast Wine Show
Gold Medal - 2008 Royal Melbourne Wine Show
Top Gold - 2009 Sydney Royal Wine Show
 
A deep and concentrated bouquet of ripe cassis fruit, earth, violets, a touch of mint and well-handled spicy oak; the palate is multi-layered, with great depth and precision; violets keep making their presence felt; the tannins are plentiful, but quite silky on the finish. Cork. 14.5% alc. Rating 96 points Drink 2030 $46.95 Date Tasted Mar 09 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion
 
A stylish Coonawarra cabernet with some finesse. Scented with a fresh, sweet perfume of small red and black berries backed by lightly smoky cedar/vanilla oak and dusty nuances of dried herbs, it's fresh and pristine, presenting true elegance and balance. Long and supple, its pristine palate of vibrant fruit and tight-knit oak are supported by a firmish but pliant spine of chalky tannin, finishing with pleasing focus and a hit of cooked cranberry.(18.6/95, YTD 2018-2026+) Jeremy Oliver
 
A hat-trick for Menzies now, although I know Mattinson was not as keen on the 2004 as I was (87 points to my 94). Shame about the cork mind you. Fragrant and fresh with a mix of bright small berry fruits and black cherries, dark chocolate, aniseed and mint with classy cedar oak (although it shows a tweak of vanilla nougat too, which settles down pretty quickly). It’s lively and long with persistent but fine grained tannins and excellent flavour. With minor reservations about the level of acidity, the overall impression is one of balance and sophistication - a classic Coonawarra Cabernet. Rated : 95 Points Tasted : Jun09 Alcohol : 14% Price : $44.95 Closure : Cork Drink : 2009 - 2022 Gary Walsh; The Wine Front
 
The Yalumba The Menzies Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 is a magnificent wine. Now, I don't mean magnificent in a superb or wonderful kind of way (although it is both of those) but more so in a substantial or grand or massive kind of way! I hate to sound like a back label but by golly is this 'classic' Coonawarra. It is a dark brooding monster, the nose shows layer upon layer of dark chocolate, dark cherries, kitchen herbs and commanding oak treatment. Its magnificence is amplified in the mouth with lashings of wonderful fruit but at no point is there a hint of under or over ripe characters. The wonderful savoury charm and abundant silky tannins round out a brilliantly balanced wine. An exceptional wine in my eyes, one which I still think will be a baby in 10 years. Now – 2020+; Quality: Exceptional BW; WineStar© August 2009