Rusden Ripper Creek Shiraz Cabernet 2024 from Vine Vale in the Barossa is a proper old‑school claret style – a retro Cabernet Sauvignon–Shiraz blend with dense colour, ripe dark fruit and that classic Barossa generosity, built to slip into easily now but also tidy up well with age. Think rich, comforting red that still has enough savoury structure to keep it interesting in the glass.

On the nose and palate, Rusden Ripper Creek Shiraz Cabernet 2024 delivers plum and ripe blackberries with wood spice, cocoa and slight herbal tones, all framed by moderate, savoury tannins and cedar notes from time in old casks. Basket pressing and ageing in seasoned oak keep the texture supple and old‑school, with a rich, luscious mid‑palate that stays fresh enough to make you want another glass rather than knocking you over.

Food‑wise, this Rusden Ripper Creek Shiraz Cabernet 2024 is a cracking match for slow‑cooked beef, lamb shanks, barbecued sausages and big, hearty winter dishes where its dark‑fruited power and cocoa‑cedar complexity really shine. It’s also a great fireside wine with a cheese board or charcuterie, and exactly the sort of drop you’d pour to show someone what traditional Barossa Shiraz/Cabernet is all about.