Brown Brothers Shiraz Mondeuse Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

This wine has a long history at Brown Brothers and was first made in 1954, which is an impressive track record. It’s made in a style that reflects times gone past – big, brawny red wines notable for their power rather than delicacy, and there is nothing wrong with that.

At 8 years of age the colour and fruit still show attractive youth – layers of sweet mulberry and cocoa now with cedary baked earth complexity from bottle aging plus sweet oak in the background. It is then dry and full-bodied with ample dark fruit and herbal flavours that are quite plump but kept in shape by mondeuse acidity and some chewy tannins. There is great personality to this wine although tannins are slightly edging its fruit so best enjoyed over the next 3 to 5 years.