Wendouree tasting 4/6/26

[VinoEd]

I attended an event hosted by Brenden aka The Wine Animal last night. First time going to an event of his. 12 attendees. Private dining room at Cinder (Fitzroy North) with excellent food.

My notes are a little patchy but here it goes:

2022 Wendouree Cabernet Malbec

Red-fruited and firmly structured, with sour cherry, spice and persistent tannins carrying the wine long across the palate. Youthful but already showing hints of savoury complexity beneath the fruit.

2018 Wendouree Cabernet Malbec

More earth and gravel than the 2022, with pronounced tannin, spice and a subtle capsicum note adding lift. Bold and grippy, still very much in a primary, youthful phase.

2018 Wendouree Cabernet Sauvignon

Wound tight and built for the long haul, showing concentrated red fruits, serious tannin and exceptional length. Clearly needs time.

2009 Wendouree Shiraz Mataro

The standout of the flight. Savoury and layered, with tobacco, tar, gravel and mature fruit all working together in a wine that felt complete without losing energy.

2012 Wendouree Shiraz Mataro

More youthful than the 2009, with the structure and fruit profile suggesting there is still plenty ahead of it. Promising, but not yet showing the same depth or complexity.

2018 Wendouree Shiraz Mataro

Still carrying its youth, with fruit and structure taking centre stage over tertiary development. Feels like a wine best revisited in 10 years.

2017 Wendouree Shiraz Pressings

A powerful and structured wine showing bright red fruit alongside lighter black fruit notes. Still youthful and carrying plenty of presence. Well received by the table.

2018 Wendouree Shiraz Malbec

Subtler than expected, offering spice and restraint rather than outright power. A lighter-footed expression that relied more on nuance than weight - maybe my palate is getting fatigued and the wines are catching up.

2002 Wendouree Shiraz

The nose of the night, showing beautifully integrated mature fruit with hints of sweetness, old leather and a touch of port-like richness. Austere yet harmonious, with length and every sip inviting another as you identify something new.

Definitely reinforced the need for the Wendouree I’ve been fortunate enough to access staying cellared until at least 15 years of age!

Cheers Ed

[phillisc]

Thanks for the notes Ed, very good write up and fortunately think all of these are buried somewhere.
I emailed Brenden last year, believe he does some very good deals and events.
Cheers Craig

[JamieAdelaide]

Had the 2002 last year and similar to your experience. I felt it needed more time to develop more palate interest.

I start drinking them at 20. I’m up to the 2004 vintage which I must get around to standing up a complete horizontal.

Shiraz blends bring me the most joy.

[Waiters Friend]

Thanks Ed for the write-up. Brenno co-hosts the occasional event in Perth as well as east coast. I would have liked to have had a look at the older Wendourees. Most in my cellar are recent vintages.