Wangolina Shiraz Cabernet 2023

An even 50/50 Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon blend from Wangolina's Mount Benson vineyard on the Limestone Coast, with a Padthaway contribution. Machine-harvested and fermented separately in open-top fermenters with hand-plunging, then aged 11 months across new and conditioned French hogsheads before blending. Crunchy red plum, forest fruit and dark bramble from the Shiraz meet mint, cassis and tobacco leaf structure from the Cabernet, finishing on fresh cedar and brown spice — balanced and easy-drinking rather than heavy.

The Mount Benson vineyard sits on sandy soil over limestone bedrock, about 27 kilometres from Robe. The roots push through the limestone to the water table, so irrigation stays well below the industry average. The site is exposed: fog, frost and gale-force winds all come with the territory. The 2023 season needed a small parcel of Padthaway shiraz to bring some ripeness to the blend.

Four generations of the Goode family were graziers at Wangolina Station before Anita Goode planted vines in 1999. Shiraz and cabernet went in first on what is now 11.5 hectares. She started at Wynns, studied winemaking at Adelaide University and worked vintages in Oregon, Bordeaux and Martinborough. She has run the estate since 2013 and still follows her father's rule: do it right, do it once.

This is a soft, juicy midweek red. Open it with a parma or a sausage roll.