Penley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Phoenix 2010 750ml

Winery: Penley Estate

Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon

For most of us, when we look for red wines in a wine store or supermarket, the name Cabernet Sauvignon stands out as a mark of quality and reliability. The same can be said for the way those who cultivate the grapevines see them, too, as part of the reason Cabernet Sauvignon varietal grapes have had so much success all over the world is due to their hardiness against frost, reliability in regards to yield and quality, and great resistance to rot. As such, Cabernet Sauvignon is a winemaker's dream of a grape, consistently delivering excellence alongside a few pleasant surprises. Despite the fact that the grape on its own in a young wine can often be a bit overpowering, too astringent and challenging for many tastes, it is the perfect grape varietal for blending and aging in oak. Such a truth has been displayed for centuries now in some of the finest wineries on earth, for whom Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are the grape which adds the punch to their world-beating blended wines.

Region: Limestone Coast

Of all the wine regions of Australia, perhaps the most well known and highly regarded is the Limestone Coast, situated in the south-eastern part of the country, close to the border of Victoria. Here, the exceptional climatic conditions produce grapes of stunning ripeness and flavor, and result in wines which are perfectly grown for expressing the finer features of their mineral rich terroir. Warm sunshine meets cooling oceanic breezes to slowly ripen the grapes, and vintners have long had great successes with a wide range of varietals on the Limestone Coast. From superb Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz wines, to delicate and flavorful Viognier and Chardonnay wines, this region provides up to a third of Australia's wine, and is finding new fans each year.

Country: Australia

Whilst every Australian state has some level of wine production, it is in South Australia and on the island of Tasmania where the finest wines are made to the highest quantities. Here, the scorching Australian sun is a little tamer, and the heat is tempered by brisk oceanic winds, making the climate of these regions ideal for vineyard cultivation. The Tamar Valley on Tasmania has been making waves internationally in recent years, as both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grape varietals are thriving there and resulting in hugely flavorful wines, which are at once distinctly Australian, yet remain unique and interesting enough to surprise and impress. Elsewhere in the country, the Syrah grape (known locally as Shiraz) reigns supreme, as the long, hot summers allow these grapes to ripen fully and lend their intensely fruit-forward character to the ruby red Australian wines, which have such international appeal.