Smith & Hooper Cabernet Merlot 2023 from Wrattonbully is a classy Australian Bordeaux‑style blend, offering a cool‑climate mix of Cabernet structure and Merlot plushness that feels stylish, balanced and properly grown on limestone country. This Smith & Hooper Cabernet Merlot is very much a medium‑bodied, food‑friendly red with a bit of gravitas.smithswinestore+3

Aromatically you’re looking at blackberries, redcurrants and plums with a lift of cassis, dried herbs and a touch of violet, all wrapped in subtle toasty oak. On the palate there’s juicy black fruits, hints of prune, malt and coffee spice, gravelly earth notes and fine but firm tannins giving the wine length, shape and a savoury, satisfying finish.winepilot+2

On the table, this is a terrific match for a char‑grilled scotch fillet, lamb cutlets with rosemary, or a slow‑cooked beef ragù over pappardelle, where those tannins and savoury edges really come into their own. It’ll also sit nicely alongside roast mushrooms with polenta, hard cheeses or a good Friday‑night burger, making it a versatile red for cooler nights and hearty mid‑week cooking.