Encouraged by his long-time friend and contemporary Peter Lehmann, Dudley Ruediger planted cabernet in the Barossa at the height of the vine pull scheme in the late 1980s. More than three decades later, at the age of 83, he still tends those same vines of his low-yielding vineyard on the border of Light Pass and Ebenezer. Very few sites on the Barossa floor are capable of yielding straight cabernet as accurate and complete as this, making this a perfect candidate for a VSV, “Very Special Vineyard” release. It’s a wine of raw authenticity that upholds well-defined detail and refreshing poise, epitomising the restraint, endurance and beauty of the marvellous modern era of Barossa cabernet. All the cabernet boxes are ticked: lifted violets, blackcurrant, capsicum, high cocoa dark chocolate, black olives and even a hint of graphite. The palate is immensely structured, with finely ground tannin texture drawing the finish out long and poised amidst lingering, crunchy black- and redcurrants, vibrant acid definition and classy oak. Buy direct.