Woodvale Orchard Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

For many, Riesling aside, Cabernet is the star of the Clare Valley – although there are always those who’ll take up that debate. This example is a blend of a trio of sites from across the region and the cooler vintage suits the style. The grapes were hand plunged during fermentation before basket pressing to a mix of new and older French oak. This is a vibrant purple hue with classic Cabernet notes on show here; blackberries, cassis, leather, tobacco leaves and chocolate. Formal in structure, we see notes of coffee beans emerge more on the palate with firm tannins giving good grip. There is length and drive here too, but the wine really needs a couple of years to hit its straps, after which it will then provide good drinking for a decade. A good value Cab.