2021 The Tally Reserve Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, Balnaves

• Style: Structured, cellar-worthy Cabernet
• Taste: Dark berries, oak spice, grainy tannins with minerality and precision
• Food: Beef & steak, game, roasts, BBQ, mature blue cheese
• Occasion: Date night, gifting, long-term cellaring
• Serve: 14–16°C; drink now or cellar 10+ years

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Dark cassis and blackberry flesh, lifted by vanilla and toasted coffee from thirteen months in French oak. The palate carries hallmark intensity with a long, textured length and grainy tannins built for patient aging. Bone-dry and mineral-driven, this Cabernet Sauvignon speaks to the precision of Coonawarra's terra rossa soils at 14.5% alcohol.

The Winery — Balnaves

The family vineyard occupies the southern end of the celebrated terra rossa strip, where cool Southern Ocean breezes moderate ripeness and preserve the acidity that defines serious red wine—a climate more Bordeaux than Australia in character. Planted in 1975 and now spanning 58 hectares (70% Cabernet Sauvignon), Balnaves has been managed across three generations by Doug, Pete, and Kirsty. The estate began winemaking in 1995, with Pete Bissell (formerly of Wynns) as founding winemaker, now supported by consultant advice and Jacinta Jenkins. The vineyard's defining approach divides holdings into small blocks of one to two hectares, each managed to its specific needs. The 2021 vintage benefited from a mild summer that extended ripening into April, allowing grapes to develop ripe, supple tannins without surrendering structure. Hand-picked fruit underwent co-fermentation with thirty days of skin contact, building the textured tannin profile that invites cellaring. Nine percent Petit Verdot rounds the blend for added grip.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

This is a wine built to reward patience. Serve it alongside aged beef, slow-roasted game, mature blue cheese, or hearty roasts; the wine will develop gracefully over the next decade. Whether you're marking a special occasion with a bottle to lay down, seeking a gift for the serious collector, or planning a date night around fine dining, this Reserve represents the family's highest ambition and sits among the finest Cabernet Sauvignons we've sourced. Vegetarians will appreciate its credentials with rich vegetable dishes and umami-driven fare. Explore our full Coonawarra range and broader Australia selection for depth at every price point.