Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 - Black Market Deal #70495

This is a full-bodied red with a generous flavour profile built around blackberry, coffee, chocolate and maraschino cherry, with cedar and mint adding complexity on the nose. The tannins are soft and well-integrated, which is a hallmark of a well-made Yarra Valley Cabernet - the cooler climate tends to produce more elegant, structured wines compared to warmer regions. Raspberry and tobacco notes round out the experience, making it layered and satisfying from start to finish.

The 2019 vintage has been recognised as a standout year, and this wine carries a 'Killer Vintage' badge alongside a 95-point score from respected critic Huon Hooke of The Real Review. In the Yarra Valley, 2019 delivered excellent growing conditions that allowed Cabernet Sauvignon to ripen fully while retaining the region's signature freshness and structure. Buying a highly rated vintage like this gives you both immediate enjoyment and strong cellaring potential.

This wine is genuinely versatile - the soft, well-behaved tannins mean it drinks beautifully right now, but the depth of fruit and structure suggest it will continue to develop over the coming years. Cabernet Sauvignon from the Yarra Valley typically has the acid backbone and tannin framework to age gracefully for a decade or more from vintage. If you do choose to cellar it, expect the fruit to become more savoury and complex, with the cedar and tobacco notes becoming more prominent over time.

A full-bodied, textured Cabernet Sauvignon like this is a natural partner for red meats - think slow-braised lamb shoulder, a well-seasoned ribeye, or a hearty beef stew. The coffee and chocolate notes also make it a great match for dishes with umami depth, such as mushroom-based sauces or aged hard cheeses. The soft tannins mean it won't overpower more delicate preparations, giving you a bit more flexibility than a more grippy, tannic Cabernet might allow.

The Yarra Valley is one of Victoria's most celebrated cool-climate wine regions, sitting in the foothills east of Melbourne at elevations that slow ripening and preserve natural acidity. This cooler environment produces Cabernet Sauvignon with more restrained fruit, finer tannins and greater aromatic complexity compared to warmer Australian regions like Coonawarra or Margaret River. The region has been producing estate-grown Cabernet of serious quality for decades, and wines like this one - scoring 95 points from Huon Hooke - demonstrate just how well the variety thrives here.