The very first Jacob’s Creek wine in 1976 was a shiraz cabernet, and the blend has led the range ever since, from the bargain basement Classic to the flagship Johann. I’ve had a sneak preview of an even more lofty flagship due for release next year, and there are exciting things in the pipeline! Great to see the blend appearing at the St Hugo level for the first time, an accurate representation of an understated and outstanding season in South Australia. It captures the milk chocolate and game of Barossa shiraz and the red- and blackcurrants of Coonawarra cabernet. The primary cherry and plum fruits of shiraz lead on the front palate, pulling into cabernet’s structural tannin definition on the tail. The two meld seamlessly, harmonising restraint with great persistence and structural longevity. $27 at Downtown Duty Free, First Tax & Duty Free and Syd Tax & Duty Free, $35 at Jim’s Cellars.