2019 Robert Oatley Limited Release Cabernet Sauvignon, Barossa Valley

Deep crimson in the glass with rich blackberry, blackcurrant pastille, black cherry and blood plum fruits over hints of dark spice, bay leaf, espresso, vanillin oak, licorice, crushed herb, crème de cassis, cedar and dried tobacco. Full bodied and elegant with super-pure black fruits, a tangy pastille edge (again on the blackcurrant element) and dense, gypsum-like tannins. This has a graceful, extended finish that sails on, leaving a vapour trail of blackberry, blackcurrant, spice, cedar and crushed herbs. Drink 2026 to 2046.

95+ points Dave Brookes for Halliday Wine Companion, March 2026

Deep ruby hue. Plum, hot bitumen, bayleaf and black olive aromatics. Ripe plum fruits fill the mouth first then it softens and layers up with dark spices, tobacco leaf and mocha notes adding to the weight. As that power builds, fine yet powerful tannins build alongside to balance it, creating a tension that drives the incredibly long finish and ensures you return for more. Drink 2024 to 2039.

95 points Stuart Knox for The Real Review, November 2024

Barossa Valley may be celebrated for Shiraz, yet the region's best Cabernet Sauvignon can be every bit as compelling, combining richness with an unmistakable sense of place. The Robert Oatley Limited Release range showcases small parcels of exceptional fruit selected from premium vineyards, highlighting varieties and regions that consistently overdeliver. Guided by acclaimed winemaker Larry Cherubino, the wines are crafted with a focus on purity, balance and regional character.

The 2019 vintage provided excellent conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon, producing fruit with concentration, ripeness and impressive tannin structure. Careful oak maturation enhances complexity while allowing the varietal character to remain front and centre. This is a generously flavoured Cabernet that reflects both the warmth of Barossa and the precision of modern Australian winemaking.

Dark ruby red in colour, the aroma is packed with blackcurrant, mulberry and dark cherry, supported by notes of cedar, cigar box, dark chocolate and dried sage. A touch of mint and spice adds further intrigue. Full bodied and richly textured, layers of ripe black fruits unfold across the palate, framed by firm yet polished tannins. The finish is long and persistent, carrying flavours of cassis, mocha and subtle oak spice long after each sip.

Perfect alongside slow cooked beef cheeks, charcoal grilled porterhouse steak, braised lamb shanks or a hearty lentil and mushroom casserole. The wine has the structure to evolve gracefully for 10 to 15 years, rewarding patience with greater complexity and savoury detail. A generous and satisfying Cabernet Sauvignon that offers both immediate enjoyment and excellent cellar potential.