I first came across and liked this wine at the Asda Spring Summer Wine Showcase and just to be sure, I tried it again more recently. It’s an Australian red made by Complexity, a producer sourcing grapes from family-owned vineyards spread across South Australia’s premium wine regions. While Australia is far better known for Shiraz, my search at this year’s trade tasting suggested that other varietals are certainly worth exploring.
This particular wine is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, with a touch of Merlot and Petit Verdot in the blend. It’s been matured in French oak for a year and the 2023 vintage sits at 14% ABV. I found it is best to leave it to breathe for at least 30 minutes before drinking. However, it’s one of those ‘next day’ wines that’s excellent having aired in the bottle for a day.
Aromatically, it offers leathery and fruity aromas. The taste delivers black fruit flavours, with no cloying residual sugar. The wine has a pleasantly round mouthfeel, especially for something in this price bracket. The tannins are also present and rounded, adding a bit of welcome structure.
Most Australian reds at this ultra-budget price tend to be thin, sweet and lacking in depth. But this one is a very different story. I’d place it in that rare category of wines that are great despite the very low cost. It genuinely belies its £6.98 price tag, and even more so when it drops to £5.25 during Asda’s 25% off promotions.
