2022 Majella The Composer Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra

Black cherry skin, bilberry and blackcurrants on the vine. Crushed peppercorn and clove. Cardamom and caraway seeds. Black sesame and cassia bark. There is a wealth of sweet black-berried fruit on the palate that offsets the underlying spice notes. Acidity keeps space and tannins firm but nicely knotted into the fabric of the wine. It’s a wine for assertive drinking now and will age gracefully.

91 points Shanteh Wale winecompanion.com.au

Majella The Composer Cabernet Sauvignon from Coonawarra is a fresh and approachable take on the region’s signature grape. Majella is one of Coonawarra’s most respected family-owned wineries, known for crafting bold yet elegant reds from the famous terra rossa soils. The Composer is their modern expression of Cabernet Sauvignon, offering all the varietal character you’d expect from Coonawarra, but in a more easygoing, early-drinking style.

The nose is bright and lifted with aromas of blackcurrant, plum and crushed violets, along with hints of bay leaf and gentle spice. On the palate it’s medium bodied and juicy, with ripe cassis and dark cherry flavours supported by fine tannins and a clean line of acidity. A touch of oak adds structure without weighing things down. It’s polished, balanced and totally unpretentious.

This is the kind of Cabernet you can pour with a steak sandwich, grilled mushrooms, roast lamb or just a Friday night pizza. Generous, food friendly and seriously good value for money, it’s a great way to get a taste of classic Coonawarra without needing to wait years in the cellar.