The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon (50%) – Shiraz (50%) “Ripper Creek” was aged for 18 months in seasoned French oak. It exhibits a splendid nose of scorched earth, saddle leather, black currant, blackberry, and blueberry pie. This leads to a medium to full-bodied, smooth-textured wine with racy, intense fruit, excellent balance, and a pure finish. It will evolve for several years and drink well through 2020. Rusden is owned by Dennis and Christian Canute with the talented Christian serving as winemaker. The vines were planted in the early 1970s in the tenderloin of the Barossa. Christian Canute has a unique ability to produce wines of great finesse combined with the intensity and power obtained from Barossa Valley fruit.Importer: Dan Philips, The Grateful Palate, Oxnard, CA; www.rusdenwines.com.au; Also tasted: 2006 Chenin Blanc “Christian” (83)