There’s a lot to like about Smith and Hooper’s Cabernet Merlot 2015. Great nose of dark fruits, a touch of gumtree and mint leaf. A generous palate of classic Cabernet cassis flavours, dark chocolate, subtle hints of oak and nice firm tannins. It’s bold, decadent, and drinking very nicely!

 There’s a lot to like about Smith and Hooper’s Cabernet

2018 Errázuriz - MAX Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon

ℹ️ This wine is 💯 Cabernet Sauvignon from estate vineyards in the interior of the Aconcagua Valley of Chile. The vineyards' average vine age is 25 years old. The grapes are hand-harvested, destemmed, and fermented in stainless steel tanks. The wine is aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, with 30% being new oak.

👃 Medium+ intensity on the nose. Aromas of ripe to overripe blackberry, black plum, boysenberry, oak, tree bark, smoke, and earthy.

👄 The wine is dry, medium acidity, medium+ ripe tannins, medium+ alcohol (14%), and medium+ body. A medium- length finish of ripe black fruit and oak notes.

🔔 The MAX Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon is less than $20 and offers a lot of value for the price point. A good amount of fruit concentration, balanced alcohol, and enough oak to please the masses. This wine is an excellent selection for an affordable wine representing the grape, the vintage, and the region. I appreciate that Errázuriz makes a wide range of wines at a variety of price points.

 2018 Errázuriz - MAX Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon

Barossa “Old Hands” Cabernet Sauvignon

I don’t know what the Welland wines team are doing to create these beautiful wines, but don’t stop.  Their motto is ‘a group of friends, an old vineyard and its resurrection.’ That summarises this wine perfectly.

Soft and rich Barossa Cab Sav, that takes you on taste journey through black forests and ends in the rolling hills of happiness.

This winery is in the hunt for my winery of the year.

 Welland Wines Barossa “Old Hands” Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Nugan Estate Alcira Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

This is a very good Cabernet Sauvignon from the Coonawarra Region, especially for the price. Full body, dark with hint of mint. There’s a tiny reminder of a Nestle mint pattie. Dry finish. Worth to put a few in the cellar...simple...

 Nugan Estate Alcira Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Recommendation: Worth the price. Actually buy this and the Inc Pinot and Shiraz as well. 🍷

A concentrated, intense, deep Cabernet Sauvignon. Just the right amount of French oak that gives I nice warm toasty feeling in the mouth. Worth every cent.

I was lucky enough to meet the team from Grounded Cru, including the owner and wine maker Geoff Thompson. After 5 minutes with the guy you can clearly understand he loves wine. He really wants to create the best wine he can, taking the time to really understand every element of wine making from the grapes to the dirt to the label. This handmade approach and strive for quality is evident in the wine. Well done Geoff 👏

In addition, the Grounded Cru Inc Pinot Noir was one of the best wines I tried at the recent

That will be reviewed once I buy some more. Some times you forget to take a picture...simple

 Grounded Cru INC McLaren Vale Cab Sauvignon 2016 Rating: A-

Father’s Day Present 🎁 Option 5️⃣

The Wombat as I like to call it. Brilliant little wine especially for the price. The Shiraz is even better. It’s just easy to drink...simple...

 Father’s Day Present 🎁 Option 5️⃣ Little Giant Coonawarra

Chateau Yaldara Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

This wine is like sitting in an old leather wingback chair in front of an open fire 🔥 the smell, the taste, the feeling.

It’s warm tasting, comfortable but captivating just like looking at a fire. I could drink this and ponder into the fire all night. A very good wine. A classic in my opinion...simple...

 Wine of the Month: February Chateau Yaldara Reserve

Super juicy blend with both the Shiraz and Cab Sav working in balance to give the best of both varieties. The team

 have outlined they have made small changes to their wines. I never tasted their previous vintages but whatever small changes they have made its working. This wine is not trying too hard it is just a classic blend...simple...

 Small Changes Red 2018 Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

Buy Again: Yes. This has 20+ years left and would love another for the cellar. 🍷

Sometimes, just for a special occasion you buy something special. Outrageous even.

The Bin 707 is Cabernet Sauvignon version of Grange 🍇

A detonation of happiness erupts on your tongue with a tsunami 🌊 of different tastes and flavour rolls through your mouth. What the 🤬 just happened?

You gather your thoughts and start to dissect it but I can’t. I don’t want too.

This is just too good to worry about anything else. Brilliant...simple...

If your wondering why this didn’t get a A+, the reason was I know this is very young and no where near it’s peak. It is holding something back for this reason. Hence why I would love one for the cellar. .

 Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 Rating: A Price:

If you ever want to start a cellar, start with this one. The Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon is the sixth most collected wine according to

I buy 6 of these every vintage because they last and age to perfection. Consistently one of the best Cabernet Sauvignon in Australia for the price. Wines come and go, hitting a home run one vintage and then average the next. Wynns produce a great wine vintage after vintage.

These usually sell for anywhere between $28 and $36, but major retailers do from time to time have specials and I have seen in the low $20’s (I’ll let you know next time I see this)

With the 2012 receiving 98 points from Huon Hooke, the current vintage of 2016 getting 98 from Andrew Caillard MW along with a regular mid to high 90’s from a Halliday you can clearly see why I collect and cellar every vintage...simple...

 Wynns Black Label Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 From

Recommendation: You need to try this. 🍷

I drank the whole bottle. It was that good...simple...

 for the opportunity to taste and review this great wine 👏

 Dowie Doole Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 Price: $25

Recommendation: A Sunday afternoon special

Remember going on a Sunday Drive? Remember the time before everyone was so busy and there was only a couple of TV channels. A time with no internet, no mobile phone and no Netflix.

Dad would to turn to Mum and say “wanna go for a drive?” Before you knew we we were all in the car, windows down, driving down the coast or into the City.

I have no idea why, but I loved it. Driving then was fun. No bumper to bumper traffic, just the fresh breeze and exploring the small part of the world.

_wines have a different story and reason behind the name but either way there was something comforting about this wine. A familiar taste, a smell that made me as happy as sitting in the back seat on that Sunday Drive…simple…

This is an independent wine review or my own editorial content. No payment was received for this review.

 Last Sunday Drive by Brand & Sons Cabernet Franc 2019

 Still working it out...not so simple... 🍷  Credit to

 What wine are you having tonight? ...simple... #picoftheday

So the cigar title is actually named after the unique cigar-shaped strip of rich soil that defines the famous Coonawarra wine region. I thought it would be named after an actual cigar.

I know smoking is bad for you but even if you have never smoked a cigar, that word ‘cigar’ just creates images. Images of a darkened room, historical books, log fire, reclaimed timber and a well worn leather lounge. This wine is that image. The smell is of leather and old books.

For some reason I think of a famous photo of Jack Nicolson sucking on a big cigar. It’s just creates an image of not really giving a f@$k about anything.

This wine makes you relax and just enjoy the simple pleasure of crushed grapes in a glass...simple...

🎁 For everyone who like a medium + red

 Beijing and the 100’s of images of Jack Nicholson originally by ??? I would love to know the original photographer. Please let me know in the comments as although I searched for a while and could find it.

 Yalumba The Cigar Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz from McLaren Vale

Recommendation: Buy. Strong Classic Blend

This is a great brooding blend of Cab Sav and Shiraz. Very dark in colour. Nearly black. Tight and powerful on first sip but after a little patience, the wine just relaxes and turns into a beautiful McLaren Vale wine. A great blend which makes both varieties shine. It gives me enough power that I really need on a Tuesday....simple...

 The Gate By Shingleback Wines 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon

What did I open on International Cabernet Sauvignon Day?

For me it had to be a Wynns Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon.

Australia has so many great Cab Sav regions but one from Coonawarra, ticks all my boxes.

It is that quintessential Australian Cabernet and

 delivers the classic taste and flavour that I want. These also cellar forever and a must buy every vintage.

Cheers and I hope you enjoyed whatever you opened...simple...