Jim Brand Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Silent Partner

As for April's bottle. Fairly dark and malty, not a lot of structure, also not a lot of Coonawarra particularly, but an OK mid-week quaffer.

{screwcap, 14.5%} Deep ruby/black colour. Youthful nose of liquorice, herbs, black olive, hint of soy. The palate is similarly dense, with black currant fruit, liquorice, mild coconut flavours, some herby, leafy flavours too, moderate oak; it has low/medium acid, and low/medium powdery tannins. Medium/full body, just a touch overripe, not too much, a bit lacking in freshness but not too raisiny or infused with dead grape qualities. Dry, but with a sweet twist to the fruit flavours. At around $25, …

Coonawarra Roadshow (Town Hall, Sydney) : crunchy red and blackcurrant cedar spice, kind of fresh smelling, juicy. Tightly tannic, crunchy fruit, a little short but okay.

GT Wine Limestone Coast Reds (8 Danks street, Sydney) : Red berry and currant, earthy and herbaceous, clay. A little green on the palate, tightly tannic red berry and currant fruit. Meh.