Brown Hill Bill Bailey Shiraz Cabernet 2019

The great Aussie blend is encountered less often in the West than we find throughout most of the rest of Australia. On this evidence, perhaps winemakers in WA might like to rethink that. This is a gem. It might be the proverbial broken record but Margaret River enjoyed another fine vintage in 2019. Both varieties were sourced from a small block on their single site vineyard, handpicked and hand sorted into a tank for co-fermentation. Pressed into a mix of French and American oak barriques for 18 months. The best barrels were then selected for blending for this wine.

An attractive deep red, this is youthful, still melding, but it is showing some serious promise. There is some oak evident, but the richness of fruit is key here. Chocolate, coffee beans, spices, new leather and blackberries. Love the balance, the focus, the line and the drive with silky tannins. Impressive now and it should improve further over the next decade.