Devil’s Lair, Margaret River is the Western Jewel in the Treasury. Luke Skeer has now taken over as senior winemaker from Oliver Crawford after making quality wines at Wynns in Coonawarra. Seems he’s a penchant for top quality Cabernet. I’ve no doubt the quality and value will continue.

Devils Lair, The Hidden Cave, Cabernet/Shiraz, Margaret River, 2013

Whilst the Cab/Shiraz blend is jingoistically adopted as the “Aussie Blend” there’s not that many of them in Margaret River surprisingly, but if this big company product is anything to go by, there should be more. Plush blue plums mesh well with the minty/eucalypt Margs Cabernet, rounded out with crowd pleasing choca/mocha and cassis. Enough stalky herb and earthy cabbage/mushroom to keep it interesting: There’s food friendly grippy tannins and the alcohol pushes the silkiness (almost to heat), but keeps the intent of the wine firmly in the mouth, not the cortex. Perfect for an easy pour mid week or not-thinking-about-a-Friday-night. Nothing to covert about this Hidden Cave.

RRP: $20

Alc: 14.5%

Wine sample courtesy of Devil’s Lair