Davey & Browne McLaren Vale Cabernet Mini-Vertical: 2018 vs 2019
Reverse Wine Snob just dropped a sold-out Insider Deal on a two-vintage Davey & Browne Cabernet Sauvignon from McLaren Vale, and it’s the kind of mini-vertical that tells a bigger story. Think of it as tasting the same wave on two different days—same break, new set. If you’re Cab-curious about South Australia beyond the usual suspects, this duo from the Gordon + Bitner blocks of the Davey Estate is a tidy crash course in place, clone, and patience.
As Reverse Wine Snob teases, it’s “A mini-vertical of two 92-93 point McLaren Vale Cabs” (Reverse Wine Snob). Both 2018 and 2019 earned 92–93 points from RWS, with profiles that line up squarely with what McLaren Vale Cab does when it’s feeling confident: ripe dark fruit, savory edges, and polished tannins that don’t skip leg day.
Style snapshot: what to expect in the glass
- Grape variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
- Region/appellation: McLaren Vale, South Australia (Gordon & Bitner blocks, Davey Estate)
- Vintages: 2018 and 2019 (two bottles each in the original 4-pack)
- Style and body: Dry, medium-plus to full-bodied
- Fruit & aromas (per source): cassis, blackberry, blueberry with cedar, vanilla, licorice, chocolate; notes of mint-chocolate and olive from the winery’s description
- Oak: Very fine-grained French oak hogsheads; mix of new and seasoned barrels; long, slow maturation
- Tannins: Fine-grained; 2018 smooth with a bit of grip; 2019 youthful/chewy early on
- ABV: 14.3% (both vintages)
Reverse Wine Snob calls the 2018 a “big and delicious but still balanced Cab” (Reverse Wine Snob) that’s already in the pocket. The 2019? “This is delicious stuff” (Reverse Wine Snob) but built for air and time—decanting is your friend.
Why McLaren Vale Cab makes sense (and how these wines fit)
Cabernet in Australia often gets framed by Coonawarra’s terra rossa and Margaret River’s Bordeaux vibes. McLaren Vale comes at it from a slightly warmer, Mediterranean angle—think reliable ripeness, sea-breeze lift, and a tendency toward plush blackcurrant and blackberry supported by savory/herbal tones. Eucalypt/mint can show up here, usually as a cool note rather than a palate takeover; the winery’s nod to mint-chocolate and olive tracks with that broader regional pattern.
Davey & Browne goes a step deeper on the site specifics, blending two distinct Cab clones: Reynella (planted east–west in 1982 on loam) and CW44 (planted north–south in 1999 on red clay). That’s nerdy in a good way. Open-top fermentations, gentle cap management, and time in French oak hogsheads aim to highlight fruit purity and shape tannin without throwing lumber at the wine. The result, per RWS’s notes, is not just size, but poise—dark-fruited Cabs that feel polished, not jammy.
2018 vs 2019: which bottle suits your mood?
2018: Ready to roll. RWS describes a strong aromatic start—dark fruit, cedar, vanilla, licorice, chocolate—with a juicy, balanced palate and a long, dry finish. It stayed steady on day two, which is always a solid tell for quality and balance.
2019: Youthful energy. Similar flavor set out of the gate, but it shows more chew and structure on day one. RWS recommends air; with time, the wine turns “juicy, almost bright” and deepens with spice and licorice. Translation: If you like a little tension and the promise of complexity, the 2019 has your name on it—just give it oxygen or a couple more years.
In broader Cab terms, that lines up: warmer-year McLaren Vale can deliver that plush, black-fruited core, while well-managed French oak and seasoned tannins keep it from going flabby. The 2018 offers immediate gratification; the 2019 is the slow-burn playlist.
Buy intent: who should seek these out
These Davey & Browne bottlings make sense if you dig the ripeness of South Australia but prefer a cleaner, less-sweet edge than some blockbuster styles. If you’re usually team Napa for density but want a slightly more savory register—and a price that doesn’t feel like surge pricing—this mini-vertical is a smart pivot.
Best occasion: Steak night with friends who actually like to talk about what’s in the glass; holiday roasts; or a weeknight “we made it” celebration that deserves more than a quick pour.
Best pairing direction: Classic Cab territory: grilled ribeye or lamb chops; portobello mushroom burgers; aged cheddar or Comté. The 2018 leans toward richer cuts right now; the 2019 is great with herbed, charred proteins or anything you can keep on the grill while it breathes in the decanter.
Even though the Insider Deal is sold out, keep Davey & Browne on your radar. If you see Gordon + Bitner Block on a shelf or a site, expect ripe dark fruit framed by savory detail and French oak finesse. It’s McLaren Vale doing Cabernet with confidence and just enough restraint to keep you coming back for a second glass—and a second vintage.
Quotes attributed to Reverse Wine Snob.
Source: https://www.reversewinesnob.com/insider-deal-davey-browne-gordon-bitner-cabernet/
