I don’t know the quality of the field for the Irish Wine Show in which this wine won a silver medal, but hopefully it’s like a reverse Melbourne Cup where we send quality stayers to their top prize race in the hope of bringing home a trophy.

Katnook Estate, Founder’s Block Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra, 2014

27% maturation for four months in French and American oak barriques. Big hit of regional eucalypt before shiny/polished blackberries, meaty kangaroo steak, some stalky greenery, “liquid paper” and some cedary oak spice. The palate, nicely juicy and dark with black currants and black cherries and just the right amount of well grained tannins is imminently drinkable. Good value and will most likely cellar well in the medium term.

RRP: $20

Alc: 13.5%

Wine sample courtesy of Katnook Estate