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Buy Online96/100 & Trophy for Champion McLaren Vale Cabernet – James Halliday’s Chardonnay & Cabernet Challenge 2023
We reckon d'Arenberg are not only the masters of great wine names, but of having some of the best value/quality around. There are no shortcuts taken in the production of any of the wines – low yields, foot trodden, basket pressed all make for seriously good wines.
We don't sell as much South Australian Cabernet as Shiraz, but when you come across a wine like this, we should. This wine offers amazing value. It is dark, dense, savoury, with earthy autumnal fruit flavours; olives, dried herb, currants as well as cedary spice notes. Aged in older French oak. This is a very 'solid' wine.
Winery notes (2021 Vintage)
"This vineyard was planted in the 19th century, and received its nickname as it was the first in the region to be trained above knee height. Over the past four decades, Cabernet Sauvignon from the High Trellis vineyard has been released under the d’Arenberg label to consistent critical acclaim, and won the coveted Jimmy Watson trophy at the 1969 Melbourne Wine Show.
Small batches of grapes are gently crushed and then transferred to five tonne headed down open fermenters. These batches remain separate until final blending. Foot treading is undertaken two thirds of the way through fermentation. The wine is then basket pressed and transferred to old French oak barriques to complete fermentation.The barrel ferments are aged on lees, and there is no racking until final blending. This wine does not undertake fining or filtration prior to bottling.
Screams Cabernet. The bouquet displays red cherry, bay leaf, spices and a hint of black pepper. A palate of blackcurrant, cedar, paprika and leafy notes tell the story of classic McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon. The multitude of fine welcoming fine tannins leave you wanting more. A serious Cabernet for the price that can be enjoyed anytime with pleasure and confidence."
5 Stars & 95/100, Top Rank Award, Top Value Award & Buy of the Week, Huon Hooke, The Real Review, February 2024 (2021 Vintage)
"This wine has won a trophy in open company so it’s no surprise that it came up trumps in our tasting. The surprise is the price. Who says all cellaring reds are expensive? Very deep, glass-staining purple colour; the bouquet is of bright, fresh primary fruit in the blackberry/cassis range backed by smart fresh, cedary oak. It’s a very concentrated wine with density and power, fruit doing most of the talking, The palate is very lively, vibrant, driving and long, and promises much for the future. Cellaring recommended. Outstanding value!"
16.5/20 Andy Howard MW, JancisRobinson.com, October 2025 (2021 Vintage)
"Full-bodied, fleshy, plenty of density for £15. Dark fruits, blackberry and cherry, creamy texture with a lick of vanilla. Crisp, fine tannins, subtle wood – there is a lot of good stuff going on here."
4 Stars Cuisine NZ & International Bordeaux Style Reds, July 2025 (2021 Vintage)
"Dense to the point of opaque in the glass with intense aromas of cassis, plums and spice on the nose and through the dark and weighed palate. A wine of considerable presence with focussed acid and firm tannins. Not subtle – but very impressive."
