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NOTES
The Lynn family have been residents of the Penola - Coonawarra district for over four generations, starting out as store-Keepers and then graduating into grazing. The property on which Majella now stands was originally owned by Frank Lynn, and bought by his nephew, George, in 1960.
Brian Lynn, also known as Prof to nearly everyone, and the elder of the Lynn brothers, looks after all the admin and marketing for Majella. As well as being the noisy one, he plays the piano and organ tolerably well, has an interest in the politics of the viticulture and wine industries, likes red wine and Malt Whisky
TASTING NOTES
A wonderful, deep magenta colour; a rich nose, bordelaise-like, offering up classic aromas of tobacco and spice box, dried herbs, cedar and black currants. Redolent of ripe plums, black berry and hints of dusty oak. There is great fruit on the attack, the palate is true Coonawarra cabernet, very structured, with layers of flavour, an elegant, medium bodied style, a seductive plummage of briars and blackcurrant running the length of palate. Varietal definition is its strong point, the tannins are refined, brains, beauty and style, it’s a real winner!
REVIEWS
Deep crimson-purple; while the alcohol is evident, has such abundant juicy cassis and blackcurrant fruit it overcomes that burden, and the flavours are not dead; for the long haul, perhaps. Screwcap.15% alc. Rating 94 Drink 2028 James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2010
This release made me fall in love with Majella cabernet sauvignon all over again. It’s just a gorgeous wine. It’s loaded with blackcurrant and dust and mint; it’s tannic and assertive but balanced and smooth; it’s long through the finish and 100 per cent satisfying. The 15 per cent alcohol reading was a surprise to me. It’s ripe and lush yet it feels controlled. Chocolatey oak plays a seductive and appropriate role. A beauty! Rated: 94 Points Alcohol: 15% Price: $35 Closure : Screwcap Drink : 2011 - 2021 Campbell Mattinson; The Wine Front
Some call vintage 2008 a schizophrenic vintage – the story of great fruit harvested before a prolonged, intense March heatwave and shrivelled fruit harvested afterwards. There’s some of this schizophrenia in this extraordinary Majella cabernet, product of the Lynn family’s vineyard, southern Coonawarra. Coonawarra’s elegant, right? Well this one weighs in at 15 per cent alcohol, it’s as black as Hades and one sip carries a bucket of flavour. This is the beginning of the split personality: it’s so powerful and alcoholic, but, yes, it’s still elegant. Further, the strong minty, leafy aroma suggests unripeness. But no, it’s ripe, supple and ripples with soft, juicy tannins. Chris Shanahan
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