Aberdeen BLK + BLU Shiraz Cabernet 2023

“Red meat’s perfect partner” is the back label claim. 100% American oak. Made by Hamish MacGowan. Old leather, black plum, blackberry, sweet clove, pepper, meat, mint. It’s deep, dark and brooding. The palate has a cooling feel, perhaps more lifted than the nose suggested. Sweet clove, leather, blackberry, plum, pepper and meat sit high in the mouth before an anchoring of firm powdery tannins that pull the leather and black fruits to a finish of medium length. There’s some hefty oak in the mix here, though the palate holds enough brightness to act as a foil. It’s not the high octane wine the name and back label suggests, but it packs a good punch.