The 2017 Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz is only 54-46 in favor of Cabernet Sauvignon, yet it shows pronounced mint and cassis aromas. The Shiraz is more apparent in the mouth, where it fills out the full-bodied palate with velvety richness and plush tannins before fading a bit quickly on the finish. This vintage includes fruit from McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Padthaway and Wrattonbully.

54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Shiraz from McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Padthaway and Wrattonbully. TA 6.7 g/l, pH 3.66. 12 months in American oak hogsheads (29% new, 50% one-year-old, 21% two-year-old). Growing regions across South Australia experienced a cool and wet winter and spring, conditions which provided the vines with good soil moisture profiles. Several longstanding rainfall records across South Australia were broken. Spring was typically windy, which caused some challenges with fruit set, however it warded off any danger from frost. The prevailing cool conditions extended the growing season with flowering and veraison occurring later than the long-term average. Select regions took two weeks longer than usual from the advent of budburst to flowering. No heatwaves were recorded, with only a handful of days recording temperatures above 40 °C (104 °F). Warmer weather in March was welcomed, allowing grapes to finish ripening with great colours and varietal character. Very dark. Intense, well-integrated nose. This really shows the two ingredients to advantage. Dark black fruits and then the aromatic top note of Cabernet. Real juice and power but not heat. Toasty and savoury. (JR)