Salena Estate are based in the Riverland region of South Australia. This flagship blend of Touriga, Lagrein and Cabernet Sauvignon comes in a heavy, dense bottle with imposing wax over DIAM cork. It’s not a big stretch to guess at what BFR might be an acronym for.

Salena Estate, BFR, Riverland, 2016

Inky and opaque from heart to rim. Creosote, tarry bitumen and inky on the nose. Crushed violets and blueberry with mulberry, cigar ash and concentrated plum conserve. Milky protein, choc ganache and creamy palate. Chock full of dark fruits with intense blackness and voluptuousness. The tannins clip and shave like a fine microplane grater. Runs incredibly long through the palate finishing with earthy char and a sneaky fresh bursting blackberry. A monster sure, but not so big and hairy.

RRP: $99
Alc: 14.5%
Rating: 18.25/20 (93/100)

Wine sample courtesy of Salena Estate and Savvy Comms