The Stonehaven winery was built in 1998 by Hardy’s, with a focus to express what the Limestone Coast can offer as a region. Since then the brand has relaunched back into the market with wth a refreshed look with a range of wines for every occasion.

This Cabernet Sauvignon is full bodied with generous dark fruit. With an elegant nose of cassis, this wine has blackberry and dark chocolate on the fore, followed by pepper spice and integrated vanillin oak for a complex and lengthy finish.

Can’t fault the value here. 35-year-old vines, the grapes went through small batch fermentation with a 16 day maceration and then 18 months in French oak hogsheads. Dark maroon hue. There are notes of black fruits, aniseed, chocolate, tobacco leaf, spices and cedar. A flick of vanilla too from the oak, well integrated. This is impressively structured with good balance and excellent length. Showing fine tannins, the wine is youthful, promising and already exhibiting a touch of complexity. Lots of blackberries on the palate with hints of soy. Drink for six to ten years. Tasted: June 2023; Drink: 2023 - 2033; Price: $30.00; Rating: 94 Points; Ken Gargett