INSIDER'S PICK: 2018 PENLEY ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 'PHOENIX' COONAWARRA (Wine Advocate 90points) $19.99

Even though we will not be doing the public tasting portion of the Insider's Pick until further notice, we will still be offering the wine for purchase with the usual 10% discount. The wines will still be ones we highly recommend, and the tasting notes will still be our own. We are also doing both a white and a red option each week, with the white wine available for the discount on Thursday and Friday, while the red wine available on Friday and Saturday. We hope you are able to come by and get some wines to enjoy.

All too often we (industry and consumers alike) tend to lump Australian wines into one overriding style, the weighty and often oversized or over-saturated wines defined by so many 'critter labels' that way too many producers lived up to (or down to). We forget there are actually quite a few distinct and desirable regions across the continent, and there are plenty of great producers there that take advantage of their resources. Coonawarra is a fairly narrow band in the Limestone Coast near Adelaide, defined by the distinct red soil that stands it out from the marshy lands around it. Combined with the cooling conditions from the Great Australian Bight Sea, it is ideal for growing Cabernet Sauvignon, and the variety has dominated plantings here since the 1950s and the transition from fortified wines into more refined table wines. Big in presence but not overpowering, the coolness and soil character come through on the nose with notes of herbs and eucalyptus behind the bold black fruits. The palate won't be confused for a Bordeaux with its lush texture, but is by no means over the top, with plenty of vibrant acidity and fine tannins to get the savory tones in with the currents and blackberry. Only the staunchest Old World drinkers won't enjoy giving this a try, a great dinner wine that doesn't really need too much time open to really get rolling.

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