Summer Wine Guide 2023

2019 Vasse Felix Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec

G 97

Medium-deep crimson. Fragrant pure blackcurrant, chinotto, hint violet aromas with vanilla, roasted chestnut notes. Generously concentrated with ample cassis, roasted chestnut flavours, fine lacy/grainy textures, lovely mid-palate richness/volume and fresh well well integrated acidity. Finishes chalky/al dente firm with bittersweet notes. Impressively balanced wine with superb pure fruit definition, oak complexity and gentle tannin flow. This should age brilliantly well. 78% Cabernet Sauvignon 22% Malbec. Matured in 66% new and 34% seasoned French oak barriques for 17 months. 2024–2036+ Deep crimson. Classic pure blackcurrant, hint capsicum/sage aromas with underlying mocha/vanilla notes. Inky deep and sinuous with ample cassis, mulberry fruits, fine grainy/cedar-y tannins and well balanced mocha/vanilla oak notes. Finishes claret firm with persistent dark berry fruits. Wonderful fruit definition, complexity and volume with regional character par excellence. Now–2030 2021 Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz G 97 2021 Riddoch The Pastoralist Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz G 97 Deep crimson. Classical Bin 389 with intense blackberry, dark chocolate, mocha aromas and roasted almond, roasted chestnut, hint sesame nuances. Generous, smooth and velvety with ample blackberry, dark chocolate, roasted chestnut/roasted walnut, grilled nut flavours, fine loose-knit chocolaty tannins, beautifully integrated oak complexity and sinuous long fresh minerally saline acidity. Finishes velvety firm with a fine tannin plume. A superb vintage which will develop and improve further with bottle age. A keeper. 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Shiraz, McLaren Vale, Coonawarra, Barossa Valley, Wrattonbully, Padthaway, 12 months’ maturation in seasoned and new 37% American oak hogsheads. 2025–2045 2021 Craggy Range Sophia Merlot, Cabernet Franc G 96+ Fragrant complex bouquet, dried herbs, red plum, hint of earth and charcuterie. Medium-bodied, earthy, and savoury, very fresh, still very young but lots of attractive layers and beautiful fine-grained tannins. 83% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc. Made from single blocks of both, kept separate, then blended together. Elegant and refined.