Have you ever played poker? Did you know one of the most prized hands you could be dealt is four of a kind? Speaking of four of a kind, have you ever looked closely at the four Kings in a deck of cards? At a glance you wouldn’t think there would be much difference but they are actually all completely different. What can’t be taken away from any of them is, they are all valued the same. The following Brand & Sons wines are sort of ‘four of a kind’. At a glance, the labels are quite similar but, look closely, have a read, a taste and contemplate them. They are certainly different but have the same value as each other and demand the same respect in the pack of Brand & Sons wines. I was not able to hide my joy when I was dealt these four Coonawarra Aces. I’m guessing I would be a hopeless poker player.
2018 Baker’s Run Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
Brilliant colour in the glass! Dark fruits, plums, a touch of herbal characters and just a hint oak poking through on the nose. The palate is rich and leaning toward the top end of medium bodied. Blackcurrants, blackberries, dark cherries and an Italian herb like influence too. The slightly drying tannins show themselves on the medium length finish. This reeks of Coonawarra Cabernet and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
2019 The Last Sunday Drive Coonawarra Cabernet Franc
Again, as with the other wines, this has lovely deep colour to it and looks great in the glass. Fresh ‘berry basket’ aromas are very well received, thank you, to get things started. The palate is also fresh with juicy berries including dark ones and blue ones and plenty of them. There’s also complementary ‘extras’, if you like, from a sprinkle of spice, a modicum of oak and a touch of tannin, all coming together perfectly. I’d almost go out on a limb and say, this was my favourite of the four.
2018 Brand & Sons Fire and Ice Coonawarra Shiraz
Looked good when I poured it but I was more taken by the smells emanating from the glass. Fruits aplenty fanning their fumes into the atmosphere along with a little oak and a little spice. An abundance of dark and blue fruit flavours kick things off on the medium bodied palate. Fire and Ice is replaced with pepper and spice adding some lovely balance to the terrific fruit. The tannins do present themselves but are in balance and don’t detract from this very good Coonawarra Shiraz.
2018 Night Owls Coonawarra Shiraz Malbec
In the glass, this looks so inky yet has a youthful purple at the edges. The nose has plums and blackberries with a touch of oak making an appearance. Impressive flavours it has to be said. Plums again, blackberries here too, a subtle peppery bite (not as bad as it sounds), and svelte tannins on the very good length. One word. Impressive.
Winery Website: https://brandandsons.com.au/
Region: Coonawarra, SA Price: $26 (each) Source: Sample thanks kindly to Brand & Sons and https://savvycomms.ninja/
Words from a Wine Glass 