Davey & Browne McLaren Vale Cabernet: 2018–2019 Mini-Vertical Deal

If you blinked, you missed it: Reverse Wine Snob’s insider 4-pack of Davey & Browne Gordon + Bitner Block Cabernet Sauvignon (two 2018s, two 2019s) has already sold out. But even if the cart is closed, the wine is worth knowing. It’s a tidy mini-vertical from McLaren Vale that shows why this coastal slice of South Australia keeps turning out Cab that overdelivers.

As the source puts it, “McLaren Vale is one of the prime spots in Australia (and the world) for Cabernet” — Reverse Wine Snob. Hard to argue. The Vale’s Mediterranean climate and sea breezes let Cabernet ripen to plush black fruit without losing its backbone. That sweet spot is exactly what Davey & Browne is chasing, pulling best barrels from two estate blocks named for the founders’ grandfathers: Gordon and Bitner.

Style snapshot: what to expect

• Grape variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
• Region: McLaren Vale, South Australia (Davey Estate Vineyard; Gordon + Bitner blocks)
• Vintages: 2018 and 2019 in a two-by-two mini-vertical
• Build: dry; medium to full-bodied; aged in very fine-grained French oak hogsheads with a mix of new and seasoned barrels
• Profile highlights: cassis, blackberry/blueberry, cedar and vanilla, with touches of licorice, mint-chocolate, olive, and graphite (per winery and RWS notes)

The 2018 is described as dense purple-red with fragrant cassis and a medium-to-full palate; the 2019 leans into deep, ripe blackberry and youthful chew that relaxes with air. Reverse Wine Snob underscores the length on both vintages: “It ends dry and very long.” — Reverse Wine Snob. They peg each at a confident 92–93 points and, in their own words, “We love it!” — Reverse Wine Snob.

Why McLaren Vale Cab punches above its weight

Cabernet’s global calling card is structure: tannin, acid, and a core of dark fruit that can handle time in oak and in bottle. McLaren Vale layers on warmth and maritime influence, giving richer fruit and a rounder mid-palate than you’ll often see in cooler regions, while keeping a savory, herbal thread that stops things from going jammy. That balance is the region’s secret sauce.

Davey & Browne’s sourcing adds another dimension. The Gordon block (Reynella clone, planted 1982 on loam, east-west rows) and the Bitner block (CW44 clone, planted 1999 on red clay, north-south rows) bring contrast: old-vine depth meets younger-vine vigor. Open-top fermentations with gentle cap management preserve fruit purity and fine-grained tannin. Then come the French oak hogsheads—slightly larger barrels that encourage slower integration—with a smart mix of new and seasoned staves to frame, not smother, the fruit.

If you’re used to Napa’s brawny, high-octane Cabs or left-bank Bordeaux’s graphite-first austerity, McLaren Vale often lands in the sweet middle: generous dark fruit, a polished texture, and enough spice and savory note to keep it serious. That’s exactly what the source describes here—dark fruit with cedar/vanilla spice, licorice, and a touch of chocolate—plus that telltale long, dry finish.

How to drink these two vintages

Mini-verticals are catnip for curious drinkers. Same vineyard, two growing seasons—you get style consistency with vintage personality. Based on the notes, the 2018 reads a touch more resolved out of the gate, while the 2019 is a bit tighter and benefits from air. Translation:

• 2018: Pop, decant 30–60 minutes, and enjoy the flow. Medium to full body, ripe dark fruit, and balanced tannins make it weeknight-special friendly.
• 2019: Give it a longer decant (60–120 minutes) or stash a couple bottles for short-term aging. The chewy youthfulness now is tomorrow’s polish.

Best occasion: A small-group dinner where the wine gets the stage—think a Sunday roast or a birthday spread. The mini-vertical angle makes for fun side-by-side pours and conversation.

Best pairing direction: Go savory and protein-rich. Cabernet’s tannin loves fat and umami—grilled steaks, lamb chops, mushroom ragù, or a cheddar-and-gouda cheese board. If you’re feeling veggie-forward, charred eggplant or portobellos will play nice with the wine’s oak spice and dark fruit.

Bottom line: Even though this deal sold through, the Davey & Browne Gordon + Bitner Block bottling is one to keep on your radar. It checks the right boxes for McLaren Vale Cabernet—ripe but not reckless, structured but not stern—and the estate-block sourcing plus thoughtful oak regimen suggest a producer chasing detail, not gimmicks. Keep an eye out for future drops; this is the kind of Cab that makes buying intent easy.

Source: https://www.reversewinesnob.com/insider-deal-davey-browne-gordon-bitner-cabernet/