Redden Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

Wrattonbully, South Australia, $165, screw-top
I tried this at a guided tasting put on by the Adelaide Cellar Door a little while ago. Wrattonbully is the area to the east of the Coonawarra and Redden Bridge vineyards are far enough south to be influenced by the same cooling maritime breeze that ruffle the Coonawarra. The wine's made by ex-Penfolds' winemaker Robin Moody, one of the few who have been responsible for making Penfolds Grange and it was interesting to hear both Robin and the producer Greg Koch talk at the tasting.

This is still dark, inky purple in colour. The nose is dusty, sweet and intense. It smells of chalk and coco, but also black fruits, cassis, tobacco and touch of cedar wood. It tastes of blackberries, but tough wild blackberries that still have a bit of tartness about them. Big, chewy tannins add to the wine and it's varietally good, tasting like good Aussie Cabernet. This is drinking beautifully now; fresh and balanced. Half the bottle ended up being drunk with chocolate self saucing pudding and it worked a treat. Redden Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 is a big wine; well balanced and full of flavour.

Visit winery website.