Winemaker Paul Gordon is making good use of the beautifully sited mature Hamilton vineyards to produce superb McLaren Vale reds such as this ripe robust deeply flavoured Cabernet.

Ben Riggs has hand-crafted a delicious Shiraz Cabernet Merlot blend here that pays homage to the three-spiked prickle that can be found in the McLaren Vale region and the fact that it's hard to ignore. This unctuous red blend is also extremely hard to ignore with its seamless varietal integration that produces a wine full of richness and opulence. Ripe, dark berry fruits courtesy of Merlot along with spice elements from the Shiraz and a firm, but balanced structure from the Cabernet all come together superbly.

Restrained and supple, lots of ripe dark plum, pepper and spice of Shiraz with the rose petal perfume lift and red cherry taste of Grenache. Lovely lightness and brightness to the back palate with a faint dried herbal and savoury edge, making it terrific immediate drinking but will cellar nicely for 5-10 years.

Deep red in colour. Fragrant blackcurrant and couverture chocolate aromas are embellished with notes of bay leaf and subtle toasted French oak. Blackberry and blueberry flavours flow through the medium to full bodied palate and linger with a talc-like minerality.

Plush, rich blackberries and plums with a raspberry like acidity and wonderfully soft tannins. There's a good lick of oak but nothing distracting, a hint of eucalypt but it stops short of menthol. This wine's time in the cellar has done it absolute wonders - soft, smooth, silky, yet powerful, plush and ripe. A great wine from one of McLaren Vale's greatest producers.