Coates ‘The Shiraz Cabernet’ 2018 from McLaren Vale and Langhorne Creek is a classic Australian blend with an old‑world twist – inky, plush and softly textured, but framed by freshness and savoury detail rather than just sheer power. It feels seriously put‑together yet is immediately enjoyable, sitting in that sweet spot of value and quality.

In the glass, Coates Shiraz Cabernet 2018 is inky crimson red with an intense aroma of vibrant forest fruits, perfume, cardamom and subtle herbal notes. The palate is plush and softly textured, showing blueberry and cassis intermingled with dark earth and mocha, supported by a refreshing acid backbone and soft, pliant tannins that drive a persistent, moreish finish.

From an Adelaide sommelier’s angle, Coates ‘The Shiraz Cabernet’ 2018 is tailor‑made for char‑grilled steak, lamb chops, beef pies and hard cheeses – anything in that beef‑and‑venison zone, really. It’s exactly the sort of rich, intense red you can pour for a Sunday roast or a winter dinner and feel like you’re punching above its price point.