Hare’s Chase Marananga Cabernet Shiraz 2017

The classic Aussie red blend of cabernet and shiraz, from the most traditional of regions, the Barossa. What could be more Australian than that? Even more so, it hails from the sub-region of Marananga, from the winery’s own estate plantings, which is prized for its red varieties, especially these two. 

Winemaker Matt Reynolds has combined 87% cabernet and 13% shiraz (so he could have called it a straight cab had he wished to do so, under our strange regulations). The grapes were crushed into open top fermenters, with a manual pumpover, twice daily. 18 months aging in a mix of French and American barriques and hogsheads (15% new and 85% seasoned). 

The colour is of a deep earthy red and the aroma follows suit, deep and earthy. This is a rich and robust, warm, old-fashioned style of Barossa red and should be immensely popular. For older drinkers, it will bring back many fond memories and for younger ones, provide an insight into what has appealed about the reds from here for so long. Coffee grind notes, chocolate on the palate. Decent length. Dark fruits. Plenty of firm tannins obvious here. Good future. This is a big, full-flavoured style.