2019 Balnaves The Blend

93 pts
Super mid-week drinking on offer here from this Coonawarra stalwart producer, at an absolute steal of a price.

Price:
Sale price$19.00
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Description

The Blend is the best way to get acquainted with the style of wines produced by the Balnaves family.

This is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc made in a more approachable and easy-to-drink style.

Most wines in Coonawarra are heralded for their cellaring potential, but this wine is built for drinking now.

For a Thursday night or a Sunday roast lunch, this goes down an absolute treat while scratching the Coonawarra Bordeaux blend itch at the same time.

93 Points - “49/38/7.5/5.5% cabernet sauvignon/merlot/cabernet franc/petit verdot. Matured for 14 months in French oak (21% new). The 2019 Cabernet Merlot wasn't made, meaning the best parcels of merlot usually reserved for that cuvée have flowed into this wine. Petit verdot and cabernet franc contribute a heady perfume to the bouquet; on the palate the wine has concentrated black fruits and spice. The shapely tannins through the finish are a highlight. I'd go so far as to posit that this is currently one of the best $20 cabernet blends on the market.” - Erin Larkin (Halliday Wine Companion)

Customer Reviews

Customer Reviews

Based on 6 reviews
33%
(2)
67%
(4)
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T
Thomas Q.
Easy drinking

More medium bodied than their straight Cabernet. Dark black fruit with definite evidence of oak, but the finish is long and dry. Great value at this price point and as its 2019 it would be entering its prime.

L
Lesley v.S.
Good wine and well priced

This wine is consistently good, and well priced.

B
Brad
Coonawarra bargain

Medium bodied with a mix of red and black fruits. Balanced. Freshness a highlight but not without structure. Hard to find a better wine than this at this price point in Coonawarra.

D
Davey J.D.
Classic satisfying blend

Black fruits and cedar

A
Alastair H.
Value

Bang for buck!
Distinctly Coonawarra

ABV: 14.5%

This year’s Blend is 49% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Merlot, with 7.5% Cabernet Franc and 5.5% Petit Verdot to add perfume.

Vintage Notes
After good winter rains and a warm spell at Christmas, Vintage 2019 became very cool and late ripening. This year’s Blend is 49% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Merlot, with 7.5% Cabernet Franc and 5.5% Petit Verdot to add perfume and lift.

Tasting Notes
The Cabernet Sauvignon is from both our established vineyards and some cold-soaked, young vine Entav 412 clonal material, while our best Merlot parcel went into The Blend this year as we didn’t make a 2019 Cabernet Merlot Deep red in colour with a rich nose of liquorice, black fruits, cranberries and some vanilla from the wood, dense and fleshy. Fuller bodied with deep fruit, round soft tannins and lingering dark liquorice fruit characters.2019 is an outstanding vintage and this is one of the best blends we have made.

Price Bracket $30 or Less
Type Red
Body Full Bodied
Variety Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety Style ["Cabernet Blends"]
Country Australia
Region Coonawarra
Australian State SA
Reviewed By Halliday Wine Companion
Critic Score 93
Alcohol 14%
Size 750ml
Vintage 2019
Closure Screw Cap

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Common Questions

Delivery is free on orders of $199 or more.

For orders under this amount, delivery is calculated at checkout based on your postcode. You can order in any quantity or combination of wines you like. Straight dozens are not required.

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No, all prices are set at the full discounted dozen rate already.

Most wine retailers list at a single-bottle price and then discount 10–15% when you buy six or twelve. We've taken the opposite approach. Since the overwhelming majority of our orders are already 6 bottles or more, our list price is set for the case buyer from the start. There's no inflated single-bottle price to discount down from.

What that means for you:

- One price, same for everyone — no minimum to hit to unlock the best rate
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Put simply: the box discount is already baked into the price.

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02 8376 8775