Pertaringa Rifle & Hunt Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

Region: McLaren Vale

Story: Rifle and Hunt sounds like the beginning of a tale from an early hunting expedition, but the story is really not that complicated. It's more like directions rather than a name, with the Pertaringa property being on the corner of Rifle Range and Hunt Roads in McLaren Vale!

Vineyard: The Symonds vineyard is located on the corner of Ryan and Colville Roads, in the Whites Valley subregion of McLaren Vale. This area is very flat and is located between Willunga and Sellicks Hill so has more coastal influence than many of the other vineyards we source from.

Harvest:  23 March 2023

Winemaking: Crushed and destemmed. Open 5 tonne capacity stainless steel fermenter. 8 days on skins. French oak hogsheads, 20% new oak for 19 months.

Nose: The nose delivers currant, cedar and leather.

Palate: The palate shows rich, dense cassis fruit and lifted spice and herbal notes. Structured tannin length allows for a lovely balance of power and balance.

Cellaring: Drink now to 2033

Tasting notes: 2022 | 2021 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2010 | 2009 | 2007

96 points - Wine Pilot (Ken Gargett), 
'The wine is well structured with serious length through to very fine tannins. Absolutely delicious, there is much to love here. It will surely provide immense pleasure for at least twenty years. It would probably pair very nicely with either partridge or quail, if there are any left.'

95 points - Real Review (Huon Hooke), 2026
The wine is full-bodied and concentrated, the fruit flavour well matched by firm and mouth-coating tannins. Smashing cabernet that will age superbly.

94 points - Wine Pilot (Ken Gargett), 2025
"An alluring and impressive nose with chocolate, tobacco leaves, blackberries and spices. A wine with energy and focus, there is a line of fresh acidity and decent length, while it remains well balanced at all times. The palate is where the chocolate and mocha really kick in. A fine example of what can be achieved with Cabernet in this region. A seriously good wine and one which will undoubtedly remain so for at least the next eight to twelve years."

93 points - Wine Orbit (Sam Kim), 2024
'Stylish and elegantly complex'