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2008 MadFish Sideways Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Reviews

Howard Park's pre-emptive strike with Sideways is curious: will there be a pinot soon? Good colour; classic Margaret River style, tightly structured and focused, with hints of gravel among the blackcurrant and cassis fruit flavours; the tannins are well integrated, the oak likewise.

93 Points
James Halliday
, James Halliday's Top 100, The Weekend Australian Magazine - 13-11-2010

The 2008 Sideways Cabernet Merlot is deep garnet-purple coloured. Giving moderately intense scents of cassis, graphite, tobacco and Mediterranean herbs, this rich, full bodied Bordeaux blend is supported by a medium level of fine tannins and medium to high acid.

87 Points
David Schildknecht
, The Wine Advocate - 01-11-2010

This is a new range of 100% Margaret River-sourced fruit from Howard Park under the MadFish label. Soft and supple with typical black olive and blackcurrant Margaret River cab. Has some fleshy middle palate merlot for good measure. Lovely wine for short term drinking.

91 Points
Ray Jordan
, Ray Jordan's 2011 Wine Guide - 01-11-2010

Just when we wished we'd never hear 'Sideways' and 'merlot' in the same sentence again, along comes this quaffer with an attractive, floral lift. Cabernet's structure and tannins bring definition and longevity.

91 Points
Tyson Stelzer
, Wine100 - 01-07-2010

As good as it gets: ripe, sweet, fleshy texture. Delicious.


Peter Forrestal
, The Sunday Times Magazine - 10-05-2010
Full Review

Tasty, tasty good texture and balance with the right amount of bitter (good) Cabernet flavour coming through. Works well with food. 90 points maybe one or even two more as we move into 2010 and fantastic value.

90 Points
Tony Keys
, The Key Review of Wines - 01-11-2009

Sideways is a new range of wines under the MadFish banner. It's from the Margaret River vineyard. It's a very good first up release. Lovely flavours. Pencils and chocolate and blackcurrant. Some eucalypt, but as a highlight. Medium weight in terms of intensity but there's nothing flabby or dilute here: it offers a well ripened and well delivered hit of red wine flavour. Grainy tannins add texture. I like it.


Campbell Mattinson
, The Wine Front - 01-10-2009
Full Review

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