Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 75cl

Dark fruit, savoury spice, and that classic Penfolds confidence, this is the kind of Australian red wine you open when you want instant “yep, that hits” satisfaction. Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet is a bold, dry red blend that knows how to show up on a weeknight, but won’t get lost next to serious food.

The magic here is the combo. Shiraz brings the juicy black fruit and peppery kick, Cabernet adds backbone and a grippier finish, so every sip feels more put-together than your average “big red.” It’s friendly enough for newer red wine drinkers, but layered enough that you’ll actually want a second glass to see what else is going on.

If your usual is a jammy Shiraz and you’ve been curious about Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a smart next step. You get the plush fruit you already like, plus a more structured, savoury edge that makes it feel closer to a classic Bordeaux-style blend, just with an Australian accent.

• Appearance: Deep ruby to garnet, nicely saturated in the glass.
• Nose: Blackberry and black cherry up front, then pepper, dried herbs, and a little cedar-like savouriness.
• Palate: Dry, medium to full-bodied, with dark berry fruit, gentle spice, and firm, food-friendly tannins that keep it tidy.
• Body: Medium to full-bodied.
• Finish: Long and savoury, with lingering dark fruit and a quiet peppery snap.

Food pairing (mandatory, and actually useful): pour this with grilled steak, roast lamb with rosemary, or a bacon-and-mushroom burger. It also plays ridiculously well with aged cheddar when dinner turns into “snacks only.”

Hosting? This is the bottle you bring when you want to impress without overthinking it. Quiet night in? It’s got enough bold flavour to make a simple pasta with tomato sauce feel like a proper meal.

Another reason it works so well is balance. The fruit is generous, but the Cabernet keeps the shape, so it doesn’t come off floppy or one-note. Give it a little air in the glass and you’ll notice the savoury side show up more, which is where the “one shelf up” feeling comes from.

Fun Fact: Penfolds has been making wine since the 1840s, and Koonunga Hill was created as an approachable doorway into the Penfolds style, with the same bold Aussie red attitude in a more everyday-ready pour.