2020 d'Arenberg The Coppermine Road Cabernet Sauvignon, McLaren Vale

A combination of new and older French oak barrels are used here to complete fermentation of this warmer climate Cabernet. Sure, it might not replicate Bordeaux, but then is there any need to do that? These wines are chock full of flavour. Warm climate Cabernet seems to be a most underrated style. An opaque magenta/maroon hue, it opens with a touch of toasty oak. Aromas emerge of chocolate, animal skins, tobacco leaves, aniseed, blackberries, dry herbs, soy, beef stock and kirsch. A wine of power and concentration with impressive length, this is a muscular style with firm tannins on a lingering finish. Twelve to fifteen years.

95 points Ken Gargett for Wine Pilot

Bold aromas of blackcurrants, blackberry compote, blueberries, violets and cedar. The palate is full-bodied with firmly framed tannins and balanced acidity, giving flavors of eucalyptus, iodine and tobacco leaves. Bold, with a stylistic touch. Drink or hold.

94 points James Suckling, January 2025

The Osborn family has been farming in McLaren Vale since 1912, and fourth generation winemaker Chester Osborn has spent decades pushing the boundaries of what the region's varieties can do.

Coppermine Road runs alongside what the family considers their finest Cabernet vineyard, just metres from the winery. Planted to a rare, almost extinct clone, yields rarely exceed one tonne to the acre — the kind of natural concentration that no winemaking technique can replicate.

The 2020 season opened with well above average winter rainfall before turning dry and warm through late summer, accelerating ripening and bringing harvest forward. Yields were respectable despite the conditions, and the fruit quality was strong.

Small batches are gently crushed and fermented separately in open five-tonne fermenters, foot trodden two thirds of the way through fermentation, then basket pressed and transferred to a mixture of new and used French oak barriques to complete fermentation and mature on lees for eighteen months. No fining, no filtration.

The wine is inky and intense — crème de cassis, dark cherry and cedar on the nose, with sage, dried herbs and a graphite minerality threading through. The palate is full-bodied and firmly structured with fine-grained tannins and a long, lingering finish of white pepper and dark fruit. Already showing well, but with the structure to develop further.

Decant generously if drinking now and pair with slow-roasted beef or aged hard cheese. Best from 2026 onwards.