Welcome to edition five of Liquor Barons’ On The Vine.

The latest outstanding offer from Liquor Barons On the Vine contains a selection that is not only great value, but also seriously impressive top-quality wines. The focus for the tasting by the Liquor Barons panel was Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, two varieties which Western Australia does so well. Perhaps the real test of how good the final six are, is that a lot of very good wines just missed out.

The Chardonnays provide quite a range of styles and sophistication. The Cabernets too were very strong. Not only does this six-pack offer excellent current drinking, in most cases these wines, especially the Cabernets, will handle extended cellaring. It is quite simply one of the very best collections of Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon with styles for every palate.

Good drinking.

On The Vine Edition Five $140 Premium Wine Six Pack:

• Clandestine | Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 $24.99
  This is an outstanding value West Australian cabernet. Opens with classically defined cabernet aromas of blackcurrant and subtle bay leaf. Then, the palate delivers with power and poise. Deep and concentrated cabernet fruit with support from well-managed fine-grained oak and firmish though fine tannins.
• Leeuwin Estate | Prelude Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 $34.99
  The cabernets of Leeuwin Estate have continued to excel in recent years as the program to lift and improve began some time ago. It’s an elegant and refined cabernet from this slightly cooler vintage, with the varietal characters of blackcurrant and bay leaf with a trace of black olive. It’s seamlessly consolidated with the fruit, oak, and tannin balance, which is perfect for its weight.
• Millbrook | Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2021 $29.99
  The single vineyard is Kim Robinson’s Talisman in the Ferguson Valley. It’s a vineyard characterised by flavourful, punchy fruit. In this case, the flavour has been harnessed expertly so that it is self evident, but it’s finished with a fine acidity. A citrusy chalky edge keeps it taught and focused.
• Cherubino | Caves Road Chardonnay 2022 $49.99
  As the name suggests, the fruit comes from a number of vineyards down this famous road from Karridale through Wallcliffe to Wilyabrup. It is such a vibrant and lively crunchy wine with tremendous life on the palate. There is a distinctive citrus tang with grapefruit and quince paste melon characters. Traces of white peach and a fresh sea spray contribute to the dry, slightly savoury finish.
• The Precedent | Chardonnay 2023 $16.99
  This was one of the surprises of the tasting. It’s based on Margaret River fruit and has been expertly crafted to strike a perfect balance between the excellent fruit of this great vintage and a lightly applied hint of oak. It has a generous middle palate with a dry chalky finish.
• Howard Park | Leston Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 $37.99
  The early and quite small vintage in 2020 produces fruit of tremendous intensity and power. This is one of the best yet under this label. Super concentrated and powerful cabernet fruit bursts from the blocks immediately with the intensity evident in the nose. Well-managed oak and firmish tannins
  have been brought into the picture to drive a very long palate. This is classy stuff.