Balnaves The Blend 2015 | Right Bank Righteousness from Coonawarra 94pts  

Balnaves The Blend 2015 presents a ruby-purple color, with a deep core. Rich fruit wafts from the glass, showing black plum, cassis, black cherry, and lingonberry complimented by notes of eucalyptus, allspice, mint, and clove. Broad and full-bodied on the palate, with ripe black and blue fruits that meld into polished tannins and a sustained finish. An excellent value, possessing the boldness beloved by fans of Napa Cabs, and a quintessentially Australian balance. Drink now-2027.

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94 James Halliday | Largely merlot (60%) and cabernet sauvignon (33%). Notably, Balnaves has made this Bordeaux blend its own.  While defiantly thumbing its nose at Margaret River.  Balnaves The Blend 2015 is on the light side of medium-bodied.  But ticks all fruit boxes from blue and black, then moving on to the supple mouthfeel ex fine tannins and oak.

Balnaves Family

The Balnaves family has been producing top-flight Cabernet from Coonawarra’s legendary terroir for nearly three decades. Halliday took notice long before this release: He named Balnaves his 2008 Winery of the Year, and calls it “Coonawarra at its best,” for the family’s  “invariably excellent, often outstanding” wines. No wonder that winemaker Peter Bissel, who has been with Balnaves for two decades, has been similarly honored: He took home 2018 Winemaker of the Year award from the Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology.

Winemaker Peter Bissel

So, after receiving his degrees in Biochemistry, Oenology & Viticulture, Pete spent a year and a half in France.  While there, working as an assistant oenologist for A Moueix et Fils in Libourne Bordeaux.  Of course, learning from the owner of Ch. Fonplegade (St Emilion) and Chateau Moulinet (Pomerol), amongst others.

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First, in 2005 Pete was named the Qantas / Gourmet Traveller Winemaker of the Year. Then, in 2008 Balnaves was James Halliday’s Winery of the Year. And just in 2015 Balnaves The Tally 2010 was poured at the New York Wine Experience.  Notably from the top 250 wineries in the world.