The 2007 MP Cabernet Sauvignon S2 spent 16 months in French oak. A glass-coating opaque purple color, it emits enticing notes of cedar, leather, earth, black currant, and blackberry. Medium to full-bodied, this firm Cabernet has enough structure to evolve for several years. It has excellent depth, savory black fruit flavors, plenty of spice, and good length. This well-balanced effort should be at its best from 2010 to 2017. R Wines is the company founded by importer and bacon baron Dan Philips and the veteran vigneron Chris Ringland. It encompasses four familiar labels, Marquis Philips (designated MP in these listings), 3 Rings, Roogle, and Bitch, along with 13 others created especially for R Wines. As is usual for master marketer Philips, the packaging is amazingly creative but, more importantly, the wines consistently over-deliver from low end to high end. The conclusion of this report contains a list of Values $20 and Under. Twenty-four R Wines are noted, many of which offer exceptional bang-for-the buck. What follows are notes are for the R Wines over $20. The rest of the Shiraz were sourced from the highly regarded 60+-year-old Ebenezer vineyards of Adrian Hoffman who is a partner in the venture.Importer: Dan Philips, The Grateful Palate, Oxnard, CA; tel. (805) 278-9095

This round red offers a silky texture to its ripe cherry, sage and white pepper flavors, which linger on the polished finish. Drink now through 2012. 1,300 cases made.??–HS??Region: Australia / McLaren Vale Select to Add