Great cabernet deal from Bleasdale, Leconfield, Allinda, Evans & Tate

What wine region produces our greatest cabernets? Be careful you don’t overlook this hidden gem if you’re after high-quality wine at honest prices.

Cabernet and Langhorne Creek - a perfect match.

What Australian wine region produces our greatest cabernet sauvignon?

Certainly, Margaret River and Coonawarra are standouts, while cabernets from parts of Victoria – such as Yarra’s Mount Mary Quintet and Yarra Yering’s Dry Red Wine No. 1 – are among the greatest wines in Australia.

But if you rejoice in high-quality cabernet at reasonable prices,don’t overlook the charms of unassuming Langhorne Creek.

Basking in a maritime climate on the edge of spectacular Lake Alexandrina an hour’s drive south of Adelaide, Langhorne Creek is home to five-star wineries such as Lake Breeze, Bremerton, and, of course, regional champion Bleasdale, who are all winning great acclaim for their soft, generous and highly approachable reds.

“Langhorne Creek is such an understated and underrated region with fantastic viticultural assets,’’ says Bleasdale chief winemaker Paul Hotker, who was named James Halliday winemaker of the year in 2018. “It has all the advantages of an old wine region but really doesn’t have much of a presence in Australia’s wine landscape. Sometimes I think it’s nice to be the underdog.”

This week, The Australian Wine Club presents a cabernet line-up from four great cabernet regions, while shining a light on the unpretentious wine fraternity of Langhorne Creek, who are quietly producing gorgeous gold-medal-winning reds at honest prices.

Langhorne is home to the world’s oldest family-owned cabernet vines which are still producing: the Metala vineyard planted by Arthur Formby in 1891 and today owned by the boutique Brothers in Arms winery.

Bleasdale owes its rich past and future to pioneer Frank Potts, who planted Langhorne Creek’s first vineyard, to shiraz and verdelho, in 1860 and built the Bleasdale winery.

I love the Frank Potts story. Born in England, he joined the navy at nine years old and became a “powder monkey”, carrying bags of gunpowder to the guns. By the time he was 18, he had circumnavigated the world aboard HMS Challenger, including stops in Australia. As a 21-year-old in 1836, Frank arrived for good in South Australia, alongside Captain Hindmarsh who would go on to be the state’s first governor. As a carpenter, he built some of the first houses in Adelaide, constructed his own ketch and became a salt trader on Kangaroo Island.

When the government subdivided the fertile lands of Langhorne Creek in 1850, he acquired 130 hectares and later planted a 12-hectare vineyard on the Bremer River, kicking off the region’s wine history.

Five generations later, the Potts family still presides over Bleasdale, now regarded as one of Australia’s best producers of elegant cabernet, ripe, spicy shiraz and perfumed, finely structured malbec.

So, to honour Frank Potts and his generation of industrious, indefatigable and innovative Australians, we offer this cabernet selection, available in straight dozens or in a mixed pack at a very special price below.

 

Bleasdale Frank Potts Langhorne Creek Cabernet Blend 2019

Carrying the name of Bleasdale’s intrepid founder, this Bordeaux-style blend (69/17/8/6% cabernet sauvignon/malbec/merlot/petit verdot) lives up to the high expectations with ease. Super approachable, waves of violets and dark berry aromas flow through the palate, with swirls of chocolate lingering on a long finish. Scored 95 points from Team Halliday. 14% alc, RRP $35 a bottle. Specials $29.75 in straight doz; $20.84 mixed

Leconfield Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

At 76 years of age, after 60 years making wine, Sydney Hamilton selected a fine piece of “terra rossa” in Coonawarra so he could finally fulfil a lifelong ambition of growing and producing a classic Australian cabernet. Since its first release in 1977, Leconfield’s Coonawarra cabernet has been its flagship. The 2018 balances a fragrant, ripe cassis and blackberry bouquet with a depth and elegance of flavour. Silky, long tannins. Scored 95 points from Wine Orbit. 14.5% alc. RRP $36 a bottle. Specials $30.60 in straight doz; $20.84 mixed

Allinda Limited Release Yarra Valley Cabernets 2016

From a vineyard free of chemical fertilisers, herbicides or pesticides comes this finely layered cabernet blend that shows off the complexity of cool climate Yarra reds. You’ll find cherry and berry scents leading to hints of cigar box, bay leaf and mint on the palate. Strictly limited; high-quality boutique wine. 13.5% alc. RRP $35 a bottle. Specials $29.75 in straight doz $20.84 mixed

Evans & Tate Breathing Space Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Campbell Mattinson from Team Halliday says it well: “What a beautiful wine to drink … It tastes of blackcurrant, chocolate, violets and gum nuts, all these flavours swinging ever-so-persuasively through to a satisfying finish.” Red Halliday star for exceptional value. 14.5% alc RRP $19 a bottle. Specials $16.15 in straight doz; $20.84 mixed

MIXED DOZEN Three of each wine; $20.84 a bottle

Order online or call 1300 765 359 Mon to Fri from 8am to 6pm AEST. Deals available only while stocks last. The Australian Wine Club is a commercial partnership with Laithwaite’s Wine People.