Put this Cab in Napa Valley and you’d be paying twice as much. At least! Yet hailing from the sunny slopes of McLaren Vale, and being from Down Under where they specialize in jaw-dropping values, this could be the best deal in varietally faithful Cabernet Sauvignon we’ve seen in a while. How else can you explain the accolades, including a hard-earned 93-points from “Australia’s Robert Parker” Mr. Halliday?

Pitch black in the center with the circumference giving way to a shimmering ruby/purple. Deep and brooding nose of blackberry, fresh and jammy, bold currants, cherries, and peppercorns. Once sipped, it offers surprising cut and freshness with sweet yet massive tannins, shining through lively acidity. Long and floral on the expansive finish with exquisite perfume, finesse, and texture, with a succulent smoothness. This sublime and honest Cab is a match made in heaven with all cuts of grilled fine meats.

Wines of the McLaren Vale are something uniquely special. They stand out from other Aussie wines in some very important ways, in terms of aromatics, mouthfeel and flavor profile. McLaren Vale wines are big, Big, BIG…. but always very pleasing, without any of the brashness often associated with wines from other ‘big wine’ regions. Chapel Hill Winery, in Australia’s McLaren Vale (less than 26 miles from Adelaide) is one of Australia’s finest. Their practice of gentle, patient winemaking gives their wines a hand-made feel. Their respect and care for their vineyards are legendary. And every Chapel Hill wine we’ve ever tasted has knocked our socks off.

Here’s what the wine press has to say:

93 Points – James Halliday - “Exceptional value. The wine radiates its personality, its bouquet and blackberry and dark chocolate are brand McLaren Vale – you don’t need fruit or oak extract for a wine to be drunk from here, now or later.”

91 Points – Wine Spectator - “A dense and juicy mix of spiced plum, black licorice and black cherry flavors, with details of black pepper, apricot and sarsaparilla. Appealing for the focus and polished, velvety tannins. Drink now through 2036.”

91 Points – Wine Enthusiast - “This vintage of Chapel Hill’s Parson Cab is another solid and varietally expressive drop that delivers bang for the buck. Medium in weight, it offers up a mélange of aromas and flavors: cherries, plums, black olives, thyme, dried leaves and warm earth, all balanced by soft-edged chalky tannins, sandy texture and a lift of acidity. Drink beside a char-grilled steak or a bowl of spaghetti Bolognese.”

91 Points – James Suckling - “The blueberry and cassis cabernet fruit is framed in cedary oak and earthy nuances with a smooth, supple and creamy palate. Very approachable cabernet here. Drink now.”