McLaren Vale Cab Deal: Davey & Browne Gordon + Bitner 2018–2019

If you blinked, you missed it. Reverse Wine Snob’s insider deal on Davey & Browne’s Gordon + Bitner Block Cabernet mini-vertical (2018 and 2019) sold out fast—and for good reason. It’s a tidy snapshot of why McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon belongs on more U.S. dinner tables, not just the Aussie-Shiraz-only shelf.

“McLaren Vale is one of the prime spots … for Cabernet.”

“McLaren Vale is one of the prime spots … for Cabernet.

—Reverse Wine Snob

These are single-estate Cabs from the Davey Estate vineyard, blending two well-sited blocks (planted 1982 and 1999) and matured in French oak hogsheads. Reverse Wine Snob rated both vintages 92–93 points and called them big, balanced, and ageworthy. The kicker? A hefty discount—no surprise the four-pack vanished.

Style Snapshot: Cabernet, McLaren Vale, modern and dry

Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon (100%)

Region: McLaren Vale, South Australia

Style: Dry, medium to full-bodied, dark-fruited with firm but polished tannins, and savory accents (think cedar, graphite, and a mint-chocolate thread).

Reverse Wine Snob on the 2018: “It ends dry and very long.” (Reverse Wine Snob) The 2019 shows similar DNA but reads a touch younger and chewier right now, with air doing the heavy lifting as it opens. In RWS’s words: “This is delicious stuff that just keeps on getting better.” (Reverse Wine Snob)

That tracks with the region. McLaren Vale Cabernet typically brings plush black fruit and generous texture, but with a savory, minty edge you won’t mistake for Napa’s often riper, plusher profile. French oak integration (not heavy American vanilla) keeps the spice fine-grained and supportive rather than showy.

Context: Why this mini-vertical matters

Mini-verticals—two back-to-back vintages—let you taste nuance without committing to a cellar’s worth of wine. Here, the blocks (Reynella clone from 1982 and CW44 from 1999) and the use of traditional open fermentations speak to a classic-meets-contemporary Aussie approach: capture site character, then polish in barrel. The winery notes for 2018 call out cassis, mint chocolate, olive, and graphite—pretty textbook markers for McLaren Vale Cab, with that eucalyptus-adjacent lift that wine geeks love to argue about.

Reverse Wine Snob’s 92–93-point range for both bottles signals quality and consistency. More importantly, the descriptors line up across the two years: dark fruit, cedar, licorice, and that long, drying finish. The 2019, being a touch more structured now, looks like the one to stash for a couple of years. The 2018 seems ready for prime time tonight.

And the deal? We’re not quoting prices because the post uses placeholders, but the gist is a serious markdown versus typical retail. Even sold out, the takeaway stands: keep an eye on direct-from-winery deals for estate Cabernets from beyond the usual California suspects. Australia’s best regions—McLaren Vale very much included—are delivering grown-up Cabernet that doesn’t need Napa-level budgets.

How to drink it: best occasion + pairing direction

Best occasion: Sunday roast with friends or a low-fuss, high-reward date night where you want a bottle that feels more expensive than it is.

Best pairing direction: Classic Cab playbook. Go for char-grilled beef, lamb with rosemary, or mushroom-rich dishes if you’re veg-forward. The savory notes and firm tannins love protein and umami—think aged cheddar or Parm as a late-night second act.

My quick take

This is smart buying. McLaren Vale may be famous for Shiraz, but Cabernet from the right blocks can strut: dark berries, tobacco/cedar warmth, and a minty lift that keeps things fresh, not jammy. The 2018 reads sleek and ready; the 2019 is the patient surfer waiting for the set—give it air now or time in the cellar. If Reverse Wine Snob brings this four-pack back, don’t hover on the add-to-cart button. Click it.

One more note for the value-hunters: French oak hogsheads and careful cap management aren’t window dressing—they’re signals of intent. Someone’s spending the time (and money) to make Cabernet that ages gracefully. That shows up in the length, the tannin shape, and the way both vintages reportedly improved on day two.

If you missed this deal, set alerts and keep McLaren Vale Cab on your radar. It’s a sweet spot for buyers who want varietal character, structure, and real polish—without the sticker shock.

Quoted highlights:

“We give both the 2018 and 2019 … 92-93 points.”

—Reverse Wine Snob

Cheers to second chances and well-made Cabernet.

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