Head Red Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 from Head Wines in the Barossa Valley is a seriously smart, modern cabernet that still feels proudly Barossan, all cassis, leaf and plush fruit wrapped in trademark Head elegance.

Expect classic blackcurrant, black cherry and cassis with ripe blueberry and blood plum, woven through tobacco, cedar, violets and a little leaf and mint, all carried by fine, chocolaty tannins and fresh acidity. The palate on this 2022 Head Red Cabernet Sauvignon is medium to full‑bodied, vibrant rather than heavy, with a narrow band of black and plummy fruit, savoury spice and a long, structured finish that will take a few years in the cellar with ease. Critic‑wise, it has clocked 95 points in Halliday’s Top 100 plus 93 from Gary Walsh (The Wine Front) and 91 from Alex Hughson at winepilot, which is outrageous value at this price.

This is tailor‑made for steak frites, grilled Scotch fillet, lamb chops, rich sausages or a slow‑cooked beef ragù, but it’ll also sing with roast mushroom dishes or a good cheeseboard stacked with cheddar and hard cow’s milk cheeses. It’s a cracking Barossa cabernet to drink over the next 5–8 years, especially with a quick decant to let those tannins relax.