• $23.25 each at Vivino.com or $49.99 at Dan Murphy (exact vintage unknown)

When you open a cab sav from the Barossa Valley you expect it to be certain things: bold, heavy and deep. This wine is no exception, it’s six years in the bottle clearly evident with plenty of life remaining.

In the glass it presents a deep plum and ruby colour. On the palate it is a big South Australian red, relatively dry and brimming with dark berry flavours. The finish is smooth, leaving a pleasant aftertaste and mouthfeel.

Chateau Tanunda has been churning out wines in the Barossa for 130 years and it is easy to see why. This is a quality product at a reasonable price. It is everything you expect it to be but pleasant enough that it doesn’t disappoint by merely meeting expectations.

Some might consider it a “Barossa cab sav by the numbers” and to an extent it is. It paired beautifully with a roast lamb and roast vegetables but is smooth enough to be enjoyed as a stand-alone glass.

With good balance and complexity, excellent body and many years of cellar life left, there’s plenty to like about this wine.