The purple-colored 2006 Big R Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from a 45-year-old vineyard and aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak. It exhibits an attractive bouquet of pain grille, pencil lead, spice box, black currant, and blackberry. This is followed by a full-bodied, structured, concentrated Cabernet with plenty of savory black fruit flavors, good balance, and a lengthy finish. Enjoy it from 2010 to 2018. R Wines is the company founded by importer and bacon baron Dan Philips and the veteran vigneron Chris Ringland. It encompasses four familiar labels, Marquis Philips (designated MP in these listings), 3 Rings, Roogle, and Bitch, along with 13 others created especially for R Wines. As is usual for master marketer Philips, the packaging is amazingly creative but, more importantly, the wines consistently over-deliver from low end to high end. The conclusion of this report contains a list of Values $20 and Under. Twenty-four R Wines are noted, many of which offer exceptional bang-for-the buck. What follows are notes are for the R Wines over $20. The rest of the Shiraz were sourced from the highly regarded 60+-year-old Ebenezer vineyards of Adrian Hoffman who is a partner in the venture.Importer: Dan Philips, The Grateful Palate, Oxnard, CA; tel. (805) 278-9095

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