Pleasant typically Cabernet nose of mint and leather with subtle oak undertones. On the palate, there are sweet dark berry fruits combined with oaky flavours backed up with good acid drive to give good length and integrated tannin finish.

The fruit was machine harvested and selected from vineyards in Limestone Coast and Riverland regions with various soil types and trellis systems to balance the style and flavour profile to produce a harmonious wine. Conditions for vintage were ideal, yields were good and the fruit was in excellant condition.The climate is hot with high evaporation rates and generally low rainfall, making irrigation essential. The climate is also continental, resulting in long sunny days and noticeably cooler nights. Modern viticultural and winemaking techniques mean that the climate can be seen as one of the region's strengths. Long sunshine hours ensure fruit ripens fully and low relative humidity results in little incidence of disease.

The fruit was crushed and de-stemmed to varying sizes and styles of red fermenters where the fruit was fermented on oak at cooler temperatures of 18 – 22oC for 5 – 7 days. Fermenting at cooler temperatures allows the fruit flavours to be nurtured and enables retention of varietal characteristics.

McGuigan Reserve was created to celebrate the craft of varietal blending. Premium fruit from South Australia’s finest wine regions is selected before being expertly blended to create an exciting synergy; varietal blends that showcase the full flavour and rich diversity found in Australia’s most celebrated winemaking state.