★ CABERNET SAUVIGNON AND BLENDS
2019 Dominique Portet Cabernet Sauvignon, Yarra Valley
A gorgeous, bright, medium crimson-purple hue. A supremely fragrant wine, with aromas of blackcurrant, currant leaf, chocolate powder and a hint of cedar and spice. On the palate, this thoughtfully put-together wine marries intensity and elegance in equal measure, with focussed cassis fruit and superfine tannins that make this a wine to be enjoyed now and over the next 10 or so years. PR 13.5% alc.
RRP $70 / Drink 2032 / Dominique Portet ★★★★★ dominiqueportet.com
2019 Fraser Gallop Estate Parterre Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River
85/8/5/2% cabernet sauvignon (Houghton clone)/malbec/petit verdot/cabernet franc. Matured for 18 months in French oak. The mention of Houghton clone in Wilyabrup is important, for the particular way that it expresses itself: supple, succulent, red fruited and powerful; it imbues the wines with grace and ease. So too, this release. This has all these attributes, layers of pomegranate, raspberry, red licorice, salt bush, cassis and peppercorn. A beautiful wine, with a proven track record for graceful ageing. This vintage will be no exception. EL 14% alc.
RRP $50 / Drink 2036 / Fraser Gallop Estate ★★★★★ frasergallopestate.com.au
2019 Reschke Wines Vitulus, Coonawarra
Dark, salted cassis and blackberry. In the mouth the wine is laced with a fine mineral seam of graphite tannins and saline acidity. This is very elegant, while also managing to convey great concentration of fruit. All things in balance, a classy wine to the end.
EL 14.5% alc. RRP $30 / Drink 2037 / Reschke Wines ★★★ reschke.com.au
2010 Sweetwater Wines Cabernet Sauvignon, Hunter Valley
An aged release of purity, immense vibrancy and the pleasures of a hearth, fire and creased leather armchair, incarnate as liquid. An opportunity, too, to relish a wine at an apogee of complexity and mid-weighted drinkability.
Sweet loamy earth, varnish, camphor, mulch, Cuban cigar and tinderbox, with an ineffable sweetness that defies obvious descriptives, lingering long. Thoroughly rewarding. NG 13% alc.
RRP $90 / Drink 2024 / Sweetwater Wines ★★★★★ sweetwaterwines.com.au
2020 Bleasdale Vineyards Frank Potts, Langhorne Creek
A 76/15/7/2% blend of cabernet sauvignon, malbec, petit verdot and merlot. Bright, near vivid, crimson; an elegant cabernet-driven wine, with notes of cedar, cigar box and cassis on the bouquet and palate alike. It's medium bodied and lithe, an English gentleman's claret. JH 14% alc.
RRP $35 / Drink 2030 / Bleasdale Vineyards ★★★★★ bleasdale.com.au
2019 Pizzini Il Barone, King Valley Beechworth
48/22/18/7/5% cabernet sauvignon/shiraz/ sangiovese/nebbiolo/teroldego. A busy wine to be sure, with 5 strong personalities combining their strengths and that's exciting in itself, challenging traditional red blends and drinkers' attitudes. Sour cherry, rhubarb, plum, saltbush, eucalyptus, earth, game and so much more. It's one busy, interesting, excitingly different wine. Gotta love it. JP 13.8% alc.
RRP $55 / Drink 2033 / Pizzini ★★★★★ pizzini.com.au
2020 Yeringberg Yeringberg, Yarra Valley
A blend of 61/10/10/10/9% cabernet sauvignon/cabernet franc//merlot/petit verdot/malbec from vines planted at this historic winery from 1969-2000. Matured 19 months in French barrique (39% new). A medium and bright ruby red. Even in a cooler year, this always great wine delivers the goods. Aromas of subtle cranberry, blackberries and brambly blackberry leaf, together with a little clove and fresh vanilla bean from the well-handled oak. Medium bodied and beautifully poised, this has fine, elegant tannins contributing to a wine that, as delicious as it is now, boasts a track record that means you can cellar it for as long as you have the patience to do so. An under-priced icon wine. PR 13% alc.
RRP $95 / Drink 2035 / Yeringberg ★★★★★ yeringberg.com.au