Presents a lively, complex mix of red licorice, kirsch, oolong tea, oregano and dried cherry aromatics and flavors, with hints of lavender, palo santo and Kalamata olive that are wonderfully plush, juicy and generous. Shows soft, plush tannins. Drink now. 3,000 cases made, 500 cases imported.??–MW??Region: Australia / McLaren Vale Select to Add

The 2019 Mother's Ruin Cabernet Sauvignon hails from McLaren Vale and is a great value (i.e., under $30AUD) Cabernet. The label helps (although we all know that it shouldn't), and depicts a 1750 extract of Gin Lane, by painter William Hogarth. It is grotesque and satirical, although skewed heavily to the black side of the scale—the painting depicts the debauchery and riotous nature of drinking cheap gin in profusion, as was done in London around this time. I've never understood what the connection to McLaren Vale Cabernet could possibly be, but it's an engaging piece of artistic commentary nonetheless. The wine is juicy and varietal, with cassis and licorice and fennel. Layers of milk chocolate tannins and graphite shape the wine. Smart.

Dense wild blackberry, maraschino cherry and huckleberry flavors are at the core, with toothsome tannins and a juicy thread. The aromatics here stand out—sarsaparilla, palo santo and clove, dark chocolate and spicy cigar box notes that linger on the expressive finish. Drink now through 2036. 2,000 cases made, 500 cases imported.??–MW??Region: Australia / McLaren Vale Select to Add

The 2018 Mother's Ruin Cabernet Sauvignon is creamy and concentrated, with a flayed meat/fruitcake spice character through the finish. Starting to show some age-derived evolution, this is savory and sweet at once. While I like some of the age characters, I'd suggest hitting this at its youngest, as I feel the freshness of the fruit would be preferable to the soft edges here.

Impressive for the purity and intensity of the blueberry, wild strawberry and framboise flavors, this red is fresh and juicy, with green tea, black pepper and fresh loamy accents, plus spice and tobacco grace notes, on a smooth frame. Drink now through 2030. 2,000 cases made, 500 cases imported.??–MW??Region: Australia / McLaren Vale Select to Add