This is a Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz blend, albeit with a Coonawarra twist. The 2016 The Malleea is very fresh for a seven-year-old wine, with very little development ready on the nose. It is overtly minty and layered with humidor/lotus leaf/cigar box/tobacco, with a chorus of cassis and blackberry in the background. This is a very good Cabernet—old school in the best kind of way. It has a sumptuous mid-palate and is concentrated, idiosyncratically Australian and unrelentingly Coonawarra.

A medium to full-bodied combination of Cabernet and Shiraz, Majella's 2013 The Malleea is a terrific example of this classic Australian blend. It starts with hints of fruitcake—a lush combination of dried fruit and baking spices—buttressed by bright acids, velvety ripe tannins and mouthwatering length. It should drink well for a decade or more.

Deep garnet/purple, the 2012 The Maleea Cabernet Sauvignon / Shiraz is very spicy on the nose showing Indian spice, sandalwood and preserved plums, creme de cassis and earthy notes. Medium to full-bodied, it has great intensity and finesse with medium levels of fine tannins and a long finish.

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, the deep garnet-purple colored 2010 The Malleea shows off notes of blackcurrant cordial, warm black plums and spice cake highlighted by hints of dried mint, eucalypt, chocolate and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the mouth with vibrant, minted, cassis flavors that are supported by a firm level of very fine and ripe tannins, refreshing acid and a finish with excellent persistence. Drink it now to 2022+. Majella does not currently have a USA importer.

A blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Shiraz, the 2009 The Malleea reveals a deep garnet color with a hint of purple. Youthfully mute with some cedar showing on the nose, it has a core of fresh black currant, mulberries and Indian spices on the nose with a pleasant touch of Mediterranean herbs. Medium to full bodied, it has a great concentration of muscular fruit in the mouth supported by firm grainy tannins and crisp acid, finishing long and layered. Still very youthful, it should drink best 2013-2022+. Catching-up with owner Brian Lynn recently, in addition to his current releases I tasted through verticals of Majella’s Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and The Malleea to track the evolution of the styles. The results go to show, it certainly pays to put a few bottles of these well constructed wines away. Majella does not currently have a US importer.