Jim Barry, The Benbournie Cabernet Sauvignon, Clare Valley

Gorgeous with notes of blackcurrant blackberry oak cedar mint leather chocolate cassis eucalyptus tobacco vanilla smoke and a hint of licorice… almost has the scent of a bbq. Yummy. First one to crack in Torbay as a celebration of my new LeCavist :)

Blackcurrant, blackberry, chocolate, graphite, black olive, a hint of eucalyptus but no stalky green or capsicum. Velvetty tannins, quite plush. It's ripe and round but only 13.5% (assuming labelled accurately). Very nice wine, could definitely go longer.

WSET Level 2 - Day 2 (Pialligo Estate, Canberra, ACT, Australia) : The appearance is clear and deep ruby in colour. Tears are visible. The nose is clean with a medium(-) intensity. There are well-defined aromas of oak (vanilla) and black fruits (blackcurrant, mulberry). Swirling reveals notes of pungent spice (white pepper) and herbal characters (eucalyptus). The wine is youthful. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium acidity, medium alcohol, and medium body. The medium(-) level tannins are …

Tasting at Jim Barry Cellar Door (Clare) : (24 months in oak) Plush plusm, juicy dark mulberries. Forest floor. leafy, juicy. Amazing concentration, licorice and wood spice. Very juicy and sweet. white pepper, leather, and elegant finish. Will be most amazing in 15-20 years.

Very deep colour with a good nose developing in the glass. Surprisingly soft, but juicy, dark fruits at this stage with tremendous complexity - chocolate, coffee, savoury character, subtle spice. Soft oaky tannins with hints of cedar underpin a long, well-balanced finish. A wine of great quality and character. It has decades to show more.... 94+ Tasted at Grand Union Wine Society with Scott Edge of Negociants UK.