The 2005 (big) R Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from 80-year-old vines and aged for 20 months in new French oak. Purple/black colored, it delivers a complex bouquet of pain grille, smoke, plum, black currant, and a hint of licorice. Full-bodied, ripe and focused, on the palate licorice and chocolate come more to the forefront. This opulent effort has a very long finish. It will evolve in the cellar for several years and drink well through 2020. The R series features Cabernet Sauvignon from the Barossa and a Rose of Cabernet Sauvignon from McLaren Vale. The labels portray different takes on the letter “R”. Consumers owe it to themselves to read the witty back labels.R Wines is a new company founded by importer and marketing genius, Dan Philips, along with co-owner, renowned winemaker, Chris Ringland. Winemakers for R Wines are Chris Ringland, Lisa Wetherell, Andrew Hercock, and John Hughes. It encompasses four familiar labels, Marquis Philips, 3 Rings, Roogle, and Bitch, along with 13 others created especially for R Wines. Needless to say, the packaging of these wines is amazingly creative but, more importantly, what is in the bottle consistently over-delivers from low-end to high-end.Importer: Dan Philips, The Grateful Palate, Oxnard, CA; (805) 278-9095