Rise Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 (Clare Valley, SA)
14%, Screwcap, $25

A wonderfully gruff and structured Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from Matt Mcculloch and Grant Norman, this comes from a single vineyard in Watervale. Made in an old school, tannin driven style, complete with choc mint biscuit regional highlights. It’s a bit gruff, the tannins are firm edged and the acid quite snappy, yet that hearty ‘real red wine’ Clare Valley charm can’t be doubted. Will live forever, like all good Clare Cabernets, and will look great in about 7 or 8 years time. Plenty to like at this price.

Source: Sample
Tasted: July 2014
Drink: 2014-2024+
Score: 17.5/20, 91/100
Would I buy it? It’s a bit gruff to buy. Yet I’ve got plenty of big red loving friends who would dig this.
Buy online: Wine Selectors, Rise website