Description

Chain of Ponds Amadeus Cabernet is all class. It pours a bit tight but like any great young Cabernet, it needs some time to stretch out and breathe. The elegance and acid drive are immediately apparent with the tannins coming into focus after the wine is swallowed. With some air, Chain of Ponds Amadeus is classic Cabernet. Cassis, dried herbs, hints of leather and a touch of menthol. The body is medium-weight and perfectly in tune with the flavours and the fine tannins that linger.

Chain of Ponds Amadeus will age brilliantly for another 5-15 years. While it is not a blockbuster is it a well crafted wine with a lot to offer. Pair Chain of Ponds Amadeus with roast lamb.

Chain of Ponds Amadeus Adelaide Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, and all wines are eligible for at least 5% off any six bottles. And 10% off any 12 bottles. Some wines will be at a more significant discount and not subject to further discounts.

Chain of Ponds is situated in Gumeracha. In 1985 they planted 4000 vines made up of 9 different varieties. This has extended over the years and is supplemented by grapes from other sources around Adelaide Hills and South Australia. The current winemaker is Greg Clack, who is also the man behind the wonderful wines at XO Wine Co. The wines of Chain of Ponds are well made, tasty, and with broad appeal.

Chain of Ponds Amadeus Adelaide Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 Wine Review

Angus Hughson
Wine Pilot
93pts
“Great to see Chain of Ponds are persevering with Cabernet Sauvignon in the Adelaide Hills, although many of their neighbours have pulled it out long ago as it is not easy to get right in every vintage. But no such problem with the warm 2019 vintage which has crafted a wine with more than a nod to Coonawarra thanks to its leafy, choc-mint and cassis aromas with a dusting of dried herbs. It’s then quite elegant and balanced on the palate with more leafy dark fruits well supported by fresh acidity and supple tannins. It’s a very strong example of Adelaide Hills Cabernet from a good vintage. Enjoy with a hearty vegetable pie.”

Cabernet Sauvignon

The noble variety of Bordeaux’s left bank. Firm tannins, a streak of acidity and punctuated by flavours of cassis, violets, spice and leather. The best examples can age for the long-term. Although Cabernet does often require blending with Merlot, Cabernet Franc or Shiraz to fix the hole it has in its middle palate.

Australian Wine

The invasion of “Sunshine in a bottle” put Australian wine on the map.  The fruity, easy-going, somewhat samey wines were endearing for a short time. Then the next big thing knocked them off their perch.

This forced producers to increase quality and emphasise the special terroirs of Australia. Of which, there are many. And many more yet to be discovered.

Wine

Wine is the result you get from fermented grape juice. There is proof of wine production dating back 8000 years ago. Fashions, innovations and many other factors have influenced the way wine has evolved over the years.

The wine grape is special. It contains everything you need to make grape wine except for the yeast, which lives on the outside of the skins.

Human inputs can influence the final product, including the viticulture (growing) choices. And the winemaker can shape the wine to a point too.

The best wines of the world often refer to terroir. Terroir is a French term that refers to all the climatic, geological and topographical influences on a specific piece of land. And it is true that neighbouring vineyards, grown identically, can taste noticeably different.

Red Wine

Fun fact; most of the colour for wines comes from the skins. There are only a handful of grapes that have red juice. Alicante is the most well known of these grapes.

By macerating the juice on the skins, the wine gains tannins and flavours. Certain compounds change the chemistry of the wine too.

Red wines tend to have higher alcohol. More tannin and more oak flavours compared to other styles of wine. But the thousands of grapes and terroirs they grow in influence this.

The Wine Depository

I, Phil, have been running The Wine Depository since 2011. The Wine Depository exists to make sure you are drinking the good wines. You can browse and pick what is interesting to you. Or you can make contact with me. I’ll make sure you get what you want, to your palate, to your budget and to your door.