Round the Hills blends

Adelaide Hills, 2018
14.5% | $27

The Reuben has been one of Paracombe’s Drogemuller family’s great vinous treasures for a good decade – here a blend of Merlot, Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc, Malbec and Shiraz – effectively a Bordeaux blend that thrives in Paracombe’s northern Hills plateau conditions. Its first approach is very much a blueberry sense, with French-oak derived woody spice, before dwelling in the mouth with a similar flavour profile, tannins in check and balance with an even trajectory to the finish. It’s always released with several years on the clock, which serves this blend well, here still deliciously vibrant at seven years old and potentially many more years in such rude health.

Adelaide Hills, 2023
13.5% | $26

Longview’s vineyards are set in the Macclesfield district with a direct valley line southwards towards the ocean, providing a unique sea-breeze cooling environment in a coast to Hills direction. In other regions, a blend such as this can be full-bodied, often quite robust, even heavy-handed, but here the duet is spicy, crunchy and energetic on its feet, cooler climate aromatics offering florals and wet gravelly feels to begin, the palate compact with a fair amount of adult amaro bitterness that will excite serious wine tasters looking for an extra edge beyond pure fruit characters. As in many similar blends, you get plenty of wine bang for your buck.

Langhorne Creek , 2020
13.5% | $22

A classic Australian blend of Shiraz (73%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (22%), but with a Langhorne Creek twist to include 5% Malbec – all the region’s great red varieties in one glass, all bringing their A-game at a very attractive price. Aromatic to the max, crushed berry, squeezed plum – crimson more than black on both counts – with a faint eucalypt feel in the background, a waft of native bush leaf and flower adding further interest. Chocolatey vibes too, and a small percentage of new oak in its maturation offering a savoury woodiness for even more complexity. The Bleasdale mob reckon it’s a barbecue king of a wine, yet this will grace a fancier dinner occasion without losing a beat.

Adelaide Hills, 2022
13.5% | $25

Chain of Ponds has always had a progressive portfolio of international varieties and here two superstars from diverse European origins – Spain and Italy – carry the story forward with a contemporary narrative that you will find only in an adventurous Australian context. Bright and energetic styling from start to finish, its aromas work through a mix of crushed red berry and plum with dusted woody spices and dried kitchen herbs such as thyme and sage seasoning the flavour profile. More thrills follow: a black tea note with roast quince flavour and tannin grip ruling the palate, the two varieties bringing their earthiness and acidity into a set play as if they always belonged together.

Shiraz Cabernet
Adelaide Hills, 2010
14.5% | $45 (Cellar Door) | $75 Anvers Restaurant

A wine from the vault that is a testament to the age-ability of this classic blend, even this from Avers’ second-tier of wines – here as a 68% Shiraz/32% Cabernet Sauvignon which spent 12 months in French and American barriques and since then resting peacefully in bottle. Maturing red wine characters in evidence from the start: leather, charcoal, a faint petrichor note. The palate is richly braided, cabernet up front, dark chocolates, a light dusting of spearmint, all gently integrated, its seasoned flavours dwelling in the finish. A rare pleasure to dip so easily into such a museum style, and crazy value at the Anvers cellar door and restaurant.

Langhorne Creek, 2022
14.5% | $22

When it comes to the Great Australian Red blend – a marriage of Shiraz and Cabernet or vice versa – Bernoota is one of our most enduring and great value attractions. And it’s been that way year after year for decades. This outing’s proportions are 60% Shiraz and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, harvested from the Follett family vineyards in the region’s famed floodplain sector – including a fair swag of older vines. There’s nothing old fashioned about this wine, however, its oak maturation profile evolving to be more sensitive than ever, while the fruit expression remains dark and rich, sweetly balanced with chocolate mint threads, made serious with a fair-enough swirl of tannins in the finish. A classic hit that never fades away.