It’s been said over and over again; Cabernet/Shiraz, or Shiraz/Cabernet, is the classic, quintessential, Australian ‘Claret’. It doesn’t matter what the proportions are of each, it still deserves the term ‘classic’. This particular wine is not just classic (my popular word at the moment) because of the varieties. It’s thanks to Bob Roberts, the original owner and winemaker at Huntington Estate, who established the vineyard 50 years ago with Cabernet Shiraz blends being virtually part of the family from the beginning. I have no doubt he’d be mighty proud of what current winemaker, Tim Stevens, has produced with this wine.
Deep, dark and gorgeous colour gets things off to very good start. It’s all black fruits on the nose, but that is just a small introduction to the rich, juicy flavours this wine has. Blackberries galore and they are perfectly ripe and lush. Blueberries and plums are about too adding some delicate but precise middle palate richness. The tannins are obvious and a bit drying, but the abundant fruit soon puts paid to that little problem bringing it home to a good, lingering finish.
The thing about this wine is, it doesn’t seem big. The plentiful fruit and tannins I mentioned may give that impression, but it’s not like that. It has an elegance and smoothness about it thanks to the two varieties working so well together. Tim Stevens has nailed this classic combination.
Region: Mudgee, NSW Price: $32 Source: Sample thanks to Huntington Estate and Define Wine
Words from a Wine Glass 