Aromas of Vanilla, spice and chocolate, flavours of those with blackcurrant, liquorice and it has a gamey hint in there. Tannins are well integrated and its dry, you feel the mouth tighten after a taste. As well as Shiraz there is a bit of Mourvedre, approx 10% which follows through on the Rhone wine character. Penfolds have been making the bin 2 range since the 1960’s and at £15 a bottle its a great wine at a great price. For me I would have it with food, a steak or a tomato based pasta dish.

Penfolds Bin 2

Clare Valley Malbec, not one that you think of straight away, Argentine Malbec would be most peoples first thought for this grape. Smooth operator does sum this one up nicely. The tannins are well integrated and there are delicious flavours of black fruits, vanilla and spice. This is lighter than you may fine with an Argentine Malbec and that’s for the better. Sure have it with a steak but equally have it on its own, fantastic. At £20 its not cheap but it’s quality.

Two Hands – Australian – Clare Valley Malbec 2017

A fine Wolf Blass?

A few years ago I was drinking the yellow label Wolf Blass and it was ok, drink it and forget it. Then I had a white label bottle which I realised, after opening and tasting it, that I shouldn’t have. It was very good and if I had waited it would have been even better. At £40 a bottle it should have been saved for a special occasion according to the wife.

Now I have tried the Wolf Blass Langhorne Cab Shiraz 2013. Its not quite up to the quality of the white label but its good, very good. Its pretty smooth with decent structure, firm tannins and red fruit. Its a medium bodied wine which should be drunk with food, meat or tomato, something that will balance the tannins. Leave it for a 5-10 years or even a little longer to soften those tannins.

Wolf Blass Langhorne CabShiraz 2013