Description
Region: McLaren Vale.
It must be so much fun putting Church Block together, and this is clear to see in the glass because none of the varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Merlot) hog the limelight, preferring to work as a well-drilled team rather than as a prima donna. This camaraderie results in a delicious, seamless blend of spice, briar and woodsmoke all surrounded in a perfect sphere of dark berry fruit. Matthew Jukes, May 09 .
If you think that means it must be full-bodied, richly fruity, oaky and high in alcohol, you’re dead right. But wait: there’s more to it. The blueberry fruit has a lovely brightness, the oak gives flavours of coffee and chocolate, but they don’t dominate, the tannins are unobtrusive and there’s a real freshness and cleanness to the finish, which they say is thanks to McLaren Vale’s cooling sea breezes. The blend is cabernet sauvignon (just over half) with shiraz and merlot. And it’s a winner with meat – beef, lamb, pork, liver, kidneys.