7. Pertaringa Tipsy Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

This is a beautifully layered Cabernet with cassis, blueberry, and mocha at its core, supported by notes of cedar, tobacco, and dark chocolate. What makes it stand out is the contrast between its full-bodied presence and its surprisingly elegant, fine-grained tannins. McLaren Vale Cabernet is known for this kind of plush generosity, and the 2022 vintage delivers it with real finesse and an extraordinarily long finish.

The Tipsy Hill has been rated 97 points by Ray Jordan and 96 points by both Ken Gargett and VinoMasters, which places it firmly in the elite tier of Australian Cabernet Sauvignon. Scores in this range are rare and typically signal a wine with genuine cellaring potential as well as immediate drinking pleasure. For context, wines above 95 points from respected critics are often considered benchmark examples of their variety and region.

McLaren Vale sits just south of Adelaide and benefits from a Mediterranean climate with warm days, cool sea breezes from the Gulf St Vincent, and ancient soils that stress the vines in all the right ways. This combination produces Cabernet with deep colour, concentrated dark fruit, and natural structural complexity. While the Barossa Valley often gets the headlines, McLaren Vale consistently delivers Cabernet with a distinctive elegance and savoury depth that sets it apart.

Absolutely. Full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon with fine tannins and this level of concentration is built for the long haul. The 2022 vintage in McLaren Vale was generally excellent, producing wines with good natural acidity and structure to support extended ageing. A wine of this calibre will likely continue to develop complexity over the next decade or more, though it is already drinking beautifully right now if you cannot wait.

The Tipsy Hill's full body, dark fruit flavours, and fine tannins make it a natural partner for red meat dishes - think slow-roasted lamb shoulder, a well-aged ribeye, or a rich beef bourguignon. The cedar and tobacco notes also complement charcuterie and aged hard cheeses beautifully. Cabernet Sauvignon's natural tannin structure is designed to cut through fat and protein, so the richer the dish, the better this wine tends to perform alongside it.