Dark garnet in colour with pronounced dark fruits, mint and oak on the nose. Another classic from the winery that showcase the regions true character. Full bodied mouth-fill with similar quality from the nose, a hint of metallic aftertaste on the palate. Gracefully lengthy finish.

Bright crimson with ruby hues. Sweet, fragrant aromas of red and blue fruits, cherries and raspberries with hints of dried flowers, herbs, spices and cedar. The medium-weight palate is beautifully structured with rich, juicy red fruit flavours and powerful fine-grained tannins for an excellent length and and lipsmacking acidity.

This beautiful wine displays an attractive ruby red colour in a glass. The well balanced bouquet emits medium intensity fragrances of blackberry, dried herbs and earth. It offers coffee, toasted oak and vanilla characters towards the end. The nose smoothly makes way for a lush palate, filled with flavours of juicy forest fruits and soft vanilla, leading to savoury notes. Together with palate coating tannins, these characters culminate in a cocoa and coffee dominated finish.

The domain traces its beginning to the founding in 1984 of Harlan Estate, located in the western hills of Oakville and conceived as a “first growth of California.” In 1996, the family established BOND, a portfolio of “Grand Cru” vineyards whose wines showcase the range of expression of cabernet sauvignon across distinct geographical sites within the Napa Valley. As these varied sites were gradually replanted, many of the young vines contributed to my project. Yet, despite these distinguished origins, my early endeavour could only hint at the individual character embodied by each of our grands vins. The Mascot is a Cabernet Sauvignon predominant blend alongside a balance of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot & Malbec. It started out as a small project shared among the family, winemaking team and close friends .The wine showed charm and over time drew an affectionate following - so enthusiastic a following that they felt this intimate bottling deserved to have an identity of its own. The team took a little convincing, as the wine existed at first in very small quantities. But as more of the newer vines reached an age appropriate to warrant inclusion in the blend (typically 7 - 12 years) a certain number of barrels could be set aside for this project on an annual basis. Drawing fruit from blocks of recently replanted vineyards, The Mascot shares a glimpse into the evolution of its parent estates: a youthful snapshot of their future. The vineyard’s Harlan, BOND and Promontory are part of a yearly replanting program, albeit a very small percentage of the overall size of the vineyards to maintain vine health. This of course means each estate has a small evolving parcel of younger vines which when ready are selected for The Mascot. Each parcel is made separately at its respective wineries then blended during the middle to later stages of the barrel aging. At the core of the philosophy of The Mascot is the family’s passion to ensure the wine is ready for enjoyment immediately on release, hence its aged for a significant time in barrel and bottle before being made available to purchase. From the start, the principal characteristic of The Mascot was vigor tempered by approachability. We decided to mature the wine a little longer, so that, upon release, it was delicious to drink and intensely vibrant, with the force and depth that enabled extended aging, a wine to enjoy viscerally and without excessive reverence. In short, the wonderful wine to share among friends and family. Following a vintage full of changing conditions and demanding decision points, the steady and pleasant progress of the 2018 vintage left the team, at times, in limbo. Contradictory as it may seem, the dramas that sometimes punctuate the definitive months for the growing season help to frame the winegrowing team’s course of action; yet the tranquil succession of weeks that emerged between spring and fall in 2018 left almost entirely open the question of when to harvest. Healthy rainfall in March and April preceded a benevolent summer, whose mildness was interrupted only briefly by a few warming periods. The fruit of the young vines maintained a measured balance that gave the team little indication that harvest was imminent. Fog and temperate days followed in September, when relying more on instinct than empirical cues they began to pick. This judgment, as well as the gentle nature of the season, is confirmed in the subtle, ethereal power of the vintage, which reveals itself first in the deep, brooding aromas of dark fruit, black tea, and herbal notes. The texture expands around a lifted structure, as powdery tannins gently resolve. This diffused, enigmatic softness is anchored on the mid-palate by a gratifying density, which prepares the senses for a flourish of hidden energy and vivid detail that illuminates the finish.

An absolute pleasure to drink. Lovely balancing act between the leafier notes and its rich dark fruits. Beautiful really. Tannin is a fine and bracing. It’s good now, but obviously worth keeping. Keyneton Euphonium is a beautiful composition of shiraz from up to 50-year-old vines growing in the Eden and Barossa Valleys, blended with cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc from selected vineyards in both regions. The Barossa hills village of Keyneton, pioneered by pastoralist Joseph Keynes in 1842, was a musical and cultural focus for the early settlers, and home to the Henschke Family Brass Band and Henschke winery. This wine was matured in 11% new and 89% seasoned (82% French, 18% American) oak hogsheads for 18 months prior to blending and bottling. Maker Henschke is a prestigious, family-owned winery with a rich legacy that spans over 153 years and six generations. Founded in 1862 by Johann Christian Henschke, the winery began with a modest vineyard in Keyneton, South Australia, and has since grown into one of Australia’s most celebrated wine estates. Located in the renowned Eden Valley wine region, Henschke's vineyards extend across some of the most esteemed wine-growing areas, including the Barossa Valley and Adelaide Hills. Their acclaimed single-vineyard sites, such as Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone, are a testament to the family's commitment to producing exceptional, site-specific wines that embody the uniqueness of their terroir. The Henschke family’s dedication to excellence has earned them international recognition and accolades. In 2021, they were honoured as Wine Enthusiast’s New World Winery of the Year, further solidifying their global reputation for outstanding craftsmanship. Additionally, Henschke was named Winery of the Year by Halliday Wine Companion, and they proudly carry the Robert Parker Wine Advocate Green Emblem, reflecting their commitment to sustainability and environmentally conscious winemaking practices. With a legacy built on quality and innovation, Henschke continues to shape the future of Australian winemaking while maintaining their foundational values of excellence and respect for the land. Philosophy Henschke’s winemaking philosophy is founded on the belief that the best wines are made in the vineyard. By embracing organic and biodynamic farming practices, the family ensures that their vineyards are cared for with a long-term view, prioritising the health of both the vines and the land. This respect for nature allows the true expression of the fruit to shine through, producing wines that are authentic, balanced, and reflective of their unique environments. Henschke’s approach to farming is not just about sustainability—it’s about building a legacy of responsibility for future generations. This commitment to working with nature rather than against it is evident in every bottle of Henschke wine. The family’s attention to detail, combined with their unwavering focus on quality, has resulted in a portfolio of wines that are globally recognised for their excellence. Henschke’s wines are crafted with the intention of showcasing the distinct characteristics of their vineyards, with each vintage offering a true expression of place. By integrating sustainability into every aspect of their winemaking process, Henschke ensures that their wines will continue to be enjoyed for generations to come, leaving a lasting impact on the world of fine wine. Tasting Notes: Nose - Brooding, Bramble, Graphite Brooding aromas of mulberry, satsuma plum, anise, bramble, spice and graphite. Palate - Full, Plush, Choc-mint Full, rich, fleshy and quite primary and plush in flavour. Lashings of black fruits, sweet spice, choc-mint and a briary earthiness. Finish - Textured, Firm, Lively The tannins are textured, firm and shapely and there’s plenty of lively acidity ensuring the decadent fruit behaves itself.

Berton Vineyard had a humble start in 1996, but through the years set its own imprint in the Australian wine scene. Emphasizing more on the "beauty of simplicity" , like The Berton Vineyard Metal labels, we have great examples of single varietal wines attributing the classic characteristics of single varietal wines with a delicate twist. The Berton Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from the Metal Labels collection is deep in colour and violet hues, intense aromas of red berry fruits, sweet blueberry jam and a gentle touch of vanilla delivers from the oak treatment. On the palate, subtle fine tannins blend gracefully with the distinct flavours black currant, smoky liquorice and well-integrated oak.

This gorgeous Walters Reserve Cabernet features a deep crimson red colour with dark hues. The attractive bouquet and the lush palate flaunt sharp nuances of blackberry, chocolate and bramble coupled with subtle earthy and savoury undertones. These vibrant elements, supported by a fine and elegant tannin structure, end the wine in a spicy and captivating finish. Drinking well with red meats, game dishes, or a delicious cheese plate.

Henschke's flagship Cabernet is named after the late Cyril Henschke who purchased the Eden Valley property in the 1960s. Stephen and Prue Henschke then established the vineyard with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc vines which produces this intensely perfumed Cabernet. Matured in 100% new French oak for 18 months, this exceptional wine shows blackcurrant and cedar characters balanced with superb fine grained tannin.