2013 Bleasdale Vineyards Mulberry Tree Cabernet Sauvignon 750 ml

Halliday’s Ultimate Viniculturist

Australia’s greatest wine critic, James Halliday, recently announced his 2017-2018 “Winemaker of the Year” award. The winner? Paul Hotker, who produced the 2013 Bleasdale Mulberry Tree Cabernet Sauvignon, which hails from pristine vineyards rooted in the cooler windswept Langhorne Creek region. With 93 points from Halliday for its “full flavor,” “depth and length,” and “very good value,” we found this Cabernet to be deeply layered with flavors, but also impeccably light on its feet. As offers go, this is as straightforward as it gets. 

Founded by Frank Potts in 1850, Bleasdale is Australia’s second-oldest family-run winery. Day-to-day operations remain in the hands of the Potts family — currently fifth and sixth-generation — while Halliday’s 2017-2018 “Winemaker of the Year” Paul Hotker manages 50 hectares of estate production. Old man Potts chose wisely when he felled the towering red gum trees of Langhorne Creek to make way for his vines. Just north of Lake Alexandrina in South Australia, Langhorne Creek is one of the country’s few cool-climate appellations.

Tempered by the chilly winds off the lake, Langhorne Creek shares identical daytime temperatures with Margaret River, another premier growing area for high-acid Cabernet and Shiraz. The Mulberry Tree Cabernet thrives here, graced by a growing season that allows for impeccable development of flavors, while acids remain firm and electric. The 2013 Mulberry Tree Cabernet is one of our great value Cabernets of the year — highly recommended as a case-buy.