France's Bordeaux, is the spiritual home of the Cabernet family of grapes, which extends beyond Sauvignon and Franc to Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. If you love Margaret River Cabernet blends, or indeed the Merlot dominant reds of Hawkes Bay, NZ, then you must look at the wines upon which many of them have been modelled. This wine is Cabernet and Merlot, deep and rich, cassis and earthy cedar, structure and uncommon length - all hallmarks of Grand Cru Bordeaux.

PENFOLDS Superblend 802A Cabernet Shiraz, South Australia

The 2017 vintage provided an exceptionally ideal cool and elongated growing season akin to winding the clock back to the classic Yarra Valley conditions of yore. Conditions were perfect for sourcing grapes with the intention of creating a classic style of cool-climate claret reminiscent of the pioneering wines that forged the Yarra Valleys enviable reputation. The wine features brooding restrained fruit characters of cassis and blackberry with complexing savoury elements of bramble, bergamot, sage leaf, amari, nutmeg, sandalwood, laurel, leather and star anise. Suppleness on the palate combines with flavours of red liquorice, smoked paprika, charred meats and cassia bark. The silky texture and juicy flavours intertwine on the poised youthful palate, rewarding repeat visits as the regal tannin layers accumulate on the finish. Decanting is highly recommended.