Pretty sure I’ve mentioned The High Trellis before. This wine was on the list at the J.W Marriott in Mumbai, where I spent 3 weeks in 2010. I think I bought most of their stock. Apparently so named due to it being planted in the 19th century and the first to be trained “above knee height.” Hmmm. Old American oak, 20 months.

d’Arenberg, The High Trellis, Cabernet Sauvignon, McLaren Vale, 2013

Attractive nose: Cassis, black cherry, smooth choco ganache/icing and a little bit of Chesterfield (no pun intended) couch. Sucking tannins before pointy, focused acidity. The black fruit just hovers and hangs around whilst the structure dominates. This will all come together in good time, will easily sit for a while in the cellar, but crack it out at any BBQ and you’ll find it disappears quite quickly.

RRP: $18

Alc: 14.2%

Wine sample courtesy of d’Arenberg