d'Arenberg Galvo's Garage Cabernet Merlot Petit Verdot Cabernet Franc 2018 (McLaren Vale, South Australia)

The d’Arenberg take on the classic French blend once again is unique and impeccable. The colour is a dense crimson-purple with a slightly hue of brick colour that denotes complexity and an initial stage of evolution. The nose is fragrant with notes of green capsicum, herbs, blackcurrant and a touch of leaf freshness. The palate is pungent showing layers upon layers of complex fruit characters. The backbone is Cabernet Sauvignon that brings flavours of cassis, roasted capsicum, licorice and blackcurrant, making a polished and powerful core. The roundness and soft tannins comes with Merlot. Petit Verdot adds a blue component to the blend bringing blueberries, mulberries and lavender, while the small portion of Cabernet Franc lifts up the vibrancy. The tannins are crafted and at no point intrusive. Ready to drink now but also can gracefully improve with time in bottle.