Eight at the Gate Single Vineyard Cabernet Shiraz 2021 from Wrattonbully is a hearty, old‑school Aussie red blend that still shows modern polish – deep crimson in the glass, generous, and built for proper red‑meat occasions. It’s nearly equal parts Cabernet and Shiraz, drawn from the best sections of a single cool‑climate vineyard.

Aromatically, it puts out dark plums, blackberries and blackcurrant with cooking chocolate, mint, dried herbs and a touch of charred oak. On the palate, plums and berries flood in, cushioned by Shiraz’s plush mid‑palate and Cabernet’s curranty drive and fine tannins. It’s full‑bodied, bold, with medium acidity, lots of oak, 14–14.5% alcohol and a long, chunky, maturing finish that will happily evolve for 10–20 years.

For food, think grilled rib‑eye, lamb chops, braised beef, hearty stews or duck, plus hard cheeses and roast veg – anything that loves big black fruit, spice and a bit of minty lift. It’s a crowd‑pleasing, quintessential Australian Cab‑Shiraz that really over‑delivers for the money.