Bec Hardy Pertaringa Rifle and Hunt Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Rather than this being a reject from the local fox and hounds club, the wine is named because the vineyard whence it hails, on the corner of Rifle Range and Hunt Roads, in McLaren Vale. The wine spent eight days on skins, before fifteen months in a mix of new and aged French oak hogsheads and puncheons. This is deep maroon in colour with aromas of tobacco leaves, dry herbs, dark berries, mushrooms, leather, chocolate, and a flick of well-integrated oak. The wine is well balanced, with fine acidity, decent grip, and good length. Further notes of mulberries and chocolate emerge on the palate. Will drink very well for the next ten to twelve years. As good as the previous release was, this is a step up.