1999 + 2000 ORLANDO ST HUGO - FAR FROM LES MISERABLES

While the folks at Pernod Ricard may have re-branded St Hugo and brought it under the Jacob’s Creek banner, there is little doubt that, year in year out, it is one of the best Cabernet Sauvignons made in Coonawarra.

A recent tasting from the 1999 and 2000 vintages demonstrated just how good St Hugo can be. Full bodied, with good fruit intensity and well integrated oak, both wines have just entered their drinking windows and should provide pleasure for a good number of years to come. There’s not a huge amount of complexity thus far, but a few more years in bottle should see it emerge.  The 1999 is a better wine than the 2000 and should hold for longer.

1999 ST. HUGO CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Producer: Orlando
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon et al
Vintage: 1999
Region: Coonawarra, South Australia
ABV: 14%
Closure: Cork
Format: 750ml
Date tasted: 23 October 2011

Tasting Note:
Deep saturated crimson. Bold forward nose of cassis, plum and smoky oak. Sweet fruited, blackcurrant pastilles, plums and charry oak, all framed by quite prominent structured tannins. It’s hard to believe that this is a 12-year old wine as it looks and tastes like it’s just been bottled! Needs at least 3-4 years, and should develop well thereafter.
Score: 17+/20

2000 ST. HUGO CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Producer: Orlando
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2000
Region: Coonawarra, South Australia
ABV: 13%
Closure: Cork
Format: 750ml
Date tasted: 8 October 2011

Tasting Note:
Bright nose of cassis, plum and smoky oak, with baked earth in the background. Full bodied, quite voluptuous, velvet texture. Saturated cassis, dark plum and forward but well integrated oak. Extremely well made and drinking well now, but with the potential to improve.
Score: 17/20