A BLACK LABEL DROP THAT’S A STEAL AT $9.99

WINEMAKER of the Year’s $9.99 Cab Sauv ideal with the Sunday roast.

Wc16Jan12

David Ellis

PUT the name Neil McGuigan together with “Black Label” that we normally associate with the best on the top-shelf, and you can expect that a McGuigan Wines’ Black Label is going to be a pretty pricey drop – whereas in fact it’s a steal for price, value and sheer enjoyment at just $9.99 a bottle.

There are some dozen varietals and styles catering to virtually all tastes in the McGuigan Black Label series, the newest addition being a Cabernet Sauvignon that Neil – International Winemaker of the Year in 2011 – crafted from 2010 vintage fruit from a diverse range of both dry and irrigated vineyards.

QUAFF this one with Thai soft shell crab or a seafood platter.

And it’s got plenty of nice varietal cherry and blackberry flavour highlights, coupled with influences of chocolate and vanilla. Not made with any intention of long-term cellaring, buy now and enjoy its full-on flavours with a Sunday roast.

(Interestingly red wine sales overall in Australia are growing at just 2.4% a year, whereas Cabernet Sauvignon sales are almost treble this at 6.7% a year. And as McGuigan Wines’ Black Label Red is our #1 selling branded bottled red, it will be interesting to see if sales of their Cab Sauv overtake those of its “older brother.”)

ONE FOR LUNCH: South Australia’s Hesketh Wines are up there with the best when it comes to creating quirky labels to catch the eye of those browsing the shelves… although its not as if they really have to go to such extremes considering the excellent wines behind those labels.

The Protagonists, Thirsty Dog, Scissor Hands, Cruel Intentions and Rules of Engagement are just some of their creations, and a wine that impressed us recently was their Hesketh 2011 Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc Bright Young Things: at $20 this is a classic Sauvignon Blanc with nice citrus and tropical fruit flavours and a racy finish; quaff it down chilled with Thai soft shell crab, or a summery seafood platter.

(NEED A FOOD/DRINK IDEA? Check out  http://www.vintnews.com )