CABERNET SAUVIGNON AND BLENDS

2019 Lake Breeze Wines Arthur’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec, Langhorne Creek

A 88/10/2% blend of cabernet sauvignon, malbec and petit verdot, each component fermented and matured separately for 15 months when the best 10-12 barrels of cabernet sauvignon, plus 2-3 barrels of malbec and petit verdot, are blended and returned to oak for another five months. This is an utterly beautiful wine, intensely focused yet silky and elegant. Trophies in ’21 may continue to be awarded until May ’22 when the wine is released. JH 14% alc. / RRP $48 / Drink 2022–2041 Lake Breeze Wines lakebreeze.com.au

2018 St Hugo Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra

This intensity, this density of texture, is what put Australia on the map internationally. The way it feels is both comforting and satisfying. It’s not made in the modern style of Australian cabernet – it is firmly placed in the old school – but there is significant charm there. Classical and concentrated, the tannins are so finely knit that the webbing is almost opaque, the fruit caught in it speaks of poached plums, summer figs, blackcurrant pastille and licorice. This will absolutely evolve gracefully in the cellar, but if you’re drinking it now you must decant it. EL Available May 1 14% alc. / RRP $80 / Drink 2022–2037 St Hugo sthugo.com

2019 Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River

The 2019 vintage was cool, largely responsible for a tranche of very precise, perfumed cabernet sauvignons. Aniseed, kelp, bitter chocolate, blackberry and all things midnight. Rich and savoury – the fruit is bolstered by firm graphite tannins. The length of flavour, coupled with Willcock’s proven pedigree in this field, tell us what we want to know about longevity: always back bluechip. The fruit is encased in tannin right now: if you plan to drink in the short term you must decant. This will go far. EL 14.5% alc. / RRP $52 / Drink 2021–2036 Vasse Felix vassefelix.com.au

2020 Yarra Yering Carrodus Cabernet Sauvignon, Yarra Valley

A deep crimson purple. An incredibly complex nose with its core of fresh blackcurrant and cherry as well as cassis, graphite, bay leaf, black olive and cedar from the perfectly handled and already integrated oak. Darkly fruited on the palate, this iron fist in a velvet glove textured and structured wine is worth every cent of its lofty asking price. PR 13.5% alc. / RRP $275 / Drink 2022–2035 Yarra Yering yarrayering.com

2019 Fermoy Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot, Margaret River

If Fermoy isn’t edging onto your radar, you need to perk up. The wines have refreshed packaging, which reiterates the value found inside the bottles. This is very smart. Succulent, pure fruit is shaped by fine, chalky tannins that help the flavour sail over the palate and off into the distance. Really impressive for the price, it looks the part too. EL 14.5% alc. / RRP $27 / Drink 2021–2031 Fermoy Estate fermoy.com.au

2019 Oates Ends Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River

Ripe heirloom tomatoes, lavendar, blackberry, mulberry, tobacco leaf fresh off the tree and fine white pepper frame the aromatics. In the mouth the wine is delicate; the tannins a subliminal smudge of shape that serve only to caress and cajole the fruit through the long finish. A lovely, elegant wine, and – like the 2017 vintage – it speaks with a restrained and soft voice. EL 13.5% alc. / RRP $60 / Drink 2022–2037 Oates Ends oatesends.com.au

2018 Flaxman Wines Shhh Cabernet Sauvignon, Eden Valley

Wild-fermented Eden Valley cabernet sauvignon aged for 22 months in 2nd-use French hogsheads. High-toned blackcurrant and cassis characters with a healthy splash of Ribena and kirsch. There’s hints of baking spice, licorice, boysenberry danish, mountain herbs and retained dreamy oak. It’s got some crunch and verve, this wine. Bright with a stony palate presence and airy blackcurrant flow across the tongue. Lovely. DB 14% alc. / RRP $50 / Drink 2021–2030 Flaxman Wines flaxmanwines.com.au

2019 Brothers in Arms Cabernet Sauvignon, Langhorne Creek

Hand-picked fruit from the original cabernet vines planted in 1891. Whole-berry 15-day ferment, matured 14 months in French puncheons and barriques (20% new). Attractive medium-bodied cabernet offers black- and redcurrant fruit, supported by balanced tannins and integrated French oak. No need to wait for this, but equally no fears for the future. JH 14.5% alc. / RRP $45 / Drink 2024–2034 Brothers in Arms brothersinarms.com.au

2016 Higher Plane Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River

With 8/3% merlot/cabernet franc. Matured in French oak for 18 months (45% new). Released aged 6 years old. 2016 was a vintage defined by tannin and acid, meaning these wines will live an age. The time in bottle has allowed it to soften and age gracefully. There is mulberry, cassis, freshly turned earth and cigar box, all of it contained by fine tannins. EL 14% alc. / RRP $40 / Drink 2022–2032 Higher Plane higherplanewines.com.au

2019 Castle Rock Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Porongurup

Matured in French oak (one-third new) for 15 months. Despite the cool year, low alcohol and cool region, there is not a hint of green to be seen here. This is very fine, restrained and pretty, with cassis, fresh tobacco leaf, cocoa nib and hints of blood plum. The acidity and tannins are as one, weaving a DNA chain between themselves and the fruit. The palate is pure to the core. Wonderful. Delicate. EL 12.8% alc. / RRP $26 / Drink 2021–2028 Castle Rock Estate castlerockestate.com.au

2019 Victory Point Wines The Mallee Root Cabernet Sauvignon Petit Verdot Cabernet Franc, Margaret River

73/20/7% cabernet sauvignon/petit verdot/ cabernet franc. Matured for 16 months in French oak barriques. The heady aromatics of the petit verdot lend lashings of blueberries and potpourri to the nose here. On the palate this is silky, saturated in ripe fruit and layered with exotic market spices. Licorice, aniseed and fennel flowers linger through the finish, adorning the resplendent red fruit. Quite gorgeous. At this price, a steal. EL 14% alc. / RRP $28.50 / Drink 2021–2029 Victory Point Wines victorypointwines.com