
Cabernet Blend, McLaren Vale
Winemakers often blend Cabernet Sauvignon with other grape varietals (such as Merlot and Shiraz) as it enhances complexity within the wine whilst giving the fruitier varieties a framework and structure to sit within. The addition of other grapes to Cabernet tends to soften out the harsher tannins.
Cabernet blends from Coonawarra, Margaret River and Langhorne Creek are the most commonly known in Australia with Bordeaux and Languedoc the most iconic regions in France for making Cabernet blends.
The McLaren Vale wine region is located less than an hours drive south of Adelaide, straight down the picturesque coastline.
Shiraz is by far the most widely planted variety, and the most important variety for the region, accounting for about 50% of the total crush. Every winery in the region will likely be producing at least one or more Shiraz wines, and with the wide range of unique terroirs available, each influenced by the maritime climate in unique ways, each Shiraz will have its own regional nuances.
Shiraz produced in McLaren Vale will often exhibit chocolate and coffee notes, with a little less pepper than those from Barossa Valley, and are often blended with Grenache. Other red varieties grown include Cabernet Sauvignon (and Merlot blends) Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Petit Verdot, Tannat and Zinfandel. The main white variety would be Chardonnay, however Sémillon and it's common blending partner Sauvignon Blanc are made, alongside lesser amounts of Riesling, Pronto Bianco, Vermentino and Fiano.
If you plan to visit McLaren Vale there are over 65 cellar doors so you'll be spoiled for choice, ranging from the small-boutique wineries to very large wineries. The drive from McLaren Vale up to the Barossa Valley is very scenic, passing over the rolling Adelaide Hills, and though the quaint German-settled town of Hahndorf.
Cabernet blends from Coonawarra, Margaret River and Langhorne Creek are the most commonly known in Australia with Bordeaux and Languedoc the most iconic regions in France for making Cabernet blends.
The McLaren Vale wine region is located less than an hours drive south of Adelaide, straight down the picturesque coastline.
Shiraz is by far the most widely planted variety, and the most important variety for the region, accounting for about 50% of the total crush. Every winery in the region will likely be producing at least one or more Shiraz wines, and with the wide range of unique terroirs available, each influenced by the maritime climate in unique ways, each Shiraz will have its own regional nuances.
Shiraz produced in McLaren Vale will often exhibit chocolate and coffee notes, with a little less pepper than those from Barossa Valley, and are often blended with Grenache. Other red varieties grown include Cabernet Sauvignon (and Merlot blends) Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Petit Verdot, Tannat and Zinfandel. The main white variety would be Chardonnay, however Sémillon and it's common blending partner Sauvignon Blanc are made, alongside lesser amounts of Riesling, Pronto Bianco, Vermentino and Fiano.
If you plan to visit McLaren Vale there are over 65 cellar doors so you'll be spoiled for choice, ranging from the small-boutique wineries to very large wineries. The drive from McLaren Vale up to the Barossa Valley is very scenic, passing over the rolling Adelaide Hills, and though the quaint German-settled town of Hahndorf.
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- Comprised of 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 20% Petit Verdot, 14% Malbec and 8% Cabernet Franc, this is a wine of exceptional complexity, balance & beauty. Incredible lifted perfume of berries, cassis, choc mint and potpourri overlay an appealing earthy undertone. These continue onto a wonderfully ... Learn MoreOut of stock
- Comprised of 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 20% Petit Verdot, 14% Malbec and 8% Cabernet Franc, this is a wine of exceptional complexity, balance & beauty. Incredible lifted perfume of berries, cassis, choc mint and potpourri overlay an appealing earthy undertone. These continue onto a wonderfully ... Learn MoreOut of stock
- This is the second release of this wine, and is the follow-up to the wine that blew away the competition to win Best Wine of Show at last year's McLaren Vale Wine Show. The Cabernet component comes from Stephen's Koomilya ... Learn MoreSC PANNELL CABERNET MALBEC 2017$50.00 Per itemOut of stock
- Although the individual components of this wine are mighty, the sum of the Peake’s parts is magnificent. The Cabernet shines aromatically with notes of blackberry pie and dark chocolate, while the Shiraz fills the mid-palate with black plum and ... Learn MoreHICKINBOTHAM THE PEAKE CABERNET SHIRAZ 2018$169.99 Per itemOut of stock