Nick Haselgrove’s Clarence Hill Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a serious McLaren Vale Cabernet with plenty of depth and polish, and it reads like a proper reserve bottling from the first sip. Clarence Hill Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon opens with blackcurrant, red currant and blueberry, then folds in cedar, cigar box, dark chocolate and a touch of graphite for a finish that feels rich, composed and distinctly Cabernet.

The palate is full to medium-bodied with ripe fruit, powdery tannins and a crisp line of acidity that keeps everything in balance. There’s a chewy, robust core here, but it never feels heavy, and the oak gives the wine extra shape without taking away from the fruit. It’s the kind of red that feels immediately satisfying, yet still has the structure to reward a few years in bottle.

Serve it with slow-braised lamb shanks, grilled ribeye, beef short ribs or mature cheddar, where the dark fruit and savoury depth can really shine. This is a polished, food-ready Cabernet with real presence, and a very easy bottle to recommend for buyers after something with class and staying power.