Super Trooper Shiraz Cabernet 2023

Super Trooper Shiraz Cabernet 2023 ($30) – Hands up anyone who didn't start humming ABBA to themselves on saying, or even simply seeing, the name of this particular wine. No? I don't believe you. In fact, the name has nothing to do with mega popstars or the team’s love of Scandinavian singers in weird clothing, but rather refers to the Outback vehicle owned by a member of the team, and which they refer to as their ‘troopie’. I'm sure that like most of you, I would have been far too embarrassed to actually put that out in the public domain, but no such hesitation here. Fortunately, the quality of this particular wine is certainly nothing that anyone should be embarrassed about. It is an absolutely cracking version of our great Aussie red blend. The split sits at approximately 2/3^rds Shiraz and 1/3^rd Cabernet Sauvignon. The Cabernet is sourced from the Langhorne Creek region, while the Shiraz is from McLaren Vale. The wine spends a year in new and older oak for maturation, A mix of puncheons and hogsheads and also a mix of French and American oak. Everything about this wine screams blend (fortunately, not bland). The name? Hey, it is their wine. They can call it whatever they want, no matter how silly. 

A dark magenta hue, there is a blood red rim. On the nose we find aromas of spices, chocolate, vanillin oak, blackberries, coffee beans and licorice. Exhibiting a most alluring creamy texture, the wine is finely balanced throughout. Utterly delicious, we see notes of charcuterie and bacon fat emerge on the palate. It is a wine of superb length, finishing with satiny tannins, and I love it. Enjoy this over the next twelve to fifteen years. Exceptional value. 95.