The Balnaves family, Coonawarra and Cabernet Sauvignon are concentric circles, indivisible from one another,” declares James Halliday. So true: they’re Coonawarra to the core. Doug Balnaves and children Kirsty and Pete were all born in Penola and the winery sits at the heart of the famous Terra Rossa strip, where Doug started planting vines in 1976. Former Qantas Winemaker of the Year Pete Bissell is the other essential piece of the puzzle, helping this producer to the title of James Halliday Winery of the Year in 2008. 

A magnificent Tally. The fruit has a great depth of flavour and the X-factor that any Reserve should. Deep and fragrant, with a brightness of fruit not always obvious in this flagship. Coffee grounds and dark chocolate, studded with mint and hazelnuts. Fuller bodied with fine, gravelly tannins that give texture as much as definition. It needs more time but, wow, it will reward big time! Drink to: 2043; Date Tasted: Jan 2021; Alcohol: 14.5%; Rating: 96 Points; Jane Faulkner; James Halliday Wine Companion