Cabernet in McLaren Vale can be a vexing beast at times. To me, it certainly doesn’t occupy a place in the top 3 red grape varieties from the region (that would be Grenache, Shiraz and Nebbiolo), but yet most of the larger wineries ensure they’ve got a Cabernet from the region. All bases covered. Shingleback have varying quality/price point levels for Cabernet and arguably do it as well as anyone else in the region.

Shingleback, Davey Estate, Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, McLaren Vale, 2014

Inky, full fleshed blackberry, wet end of the cigar, smoke, pretty violets and blackcurrant/cassis core right at the end. Ripe blackberry, black plum and cooking chocolate flood the palate with plenty of supporting cedary oak. Grainy, silty tannins frogmarch the fruit to the end.  Plenty of oomph for those that like it like that.

RRP: $23.50
Alc: 14%

Wine sample courtesy of Shingleback