Wine of the Week: Lindeman’s Bin 45 Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine: Lindeman’s Bin 45 Cabernet Sauvignon

Grape: Cabernet sauvignon

Region: Southeastern Australia

Vintage: 2012

Price: $5.99

Availability: Vons

In the glass: Lindeman’s Bin 45 Cab is a vivid deep blood-ruby-red color with an opaque core going out into a fine pinkish-red rim definition with a glass-clear meniscus and medium-high viscosity.

On the nose: Attractive notes of creme de cassis, bramble fruit, black licorice and spice box emanate from the bowl of the glass, also showing hints of vanilla from oak, fruit-driven minerality and an initial whiff of pyrazine, which then dissipates within a few minutes, making it entirely pleasant.

On the palate: This is a juicy upfront and extremely rounded-in-flavors wine with a nice black-fruit component dominated by cassis, crushed blackberries, some cherry liqueur, slight hints of oak and extremely balanced through the midpalate, which also shows supple fine tannins that are harmonious and render the wine completely quaffable as well as delicious.

Odds and ends: As the story goes, Henry J. Lindeman arrived in Australia in the 1840s and decided to plant some French grape varieties in the lovely and peaceful Hunter Valley beginning in 1843, thereby laying the foundation for what is today a massive winery operation owned by the mighty Treasury Wine Estates. Somehow Lindeman had the vision that noble grapes such as cabernet sauvignon would do wonderful things in vineyards planted Down Under and he was absolutely right.

I taste many wines and when you find something so easy to drink and enjoy at less than $6 in a large grocery chain that is usually premium on its prices, then it’s a good deal.

Given that this is from 2012, I’d open it about a half-hour before consumption and let it “breathe” a little. Enjoy it with some pasta and either Bolognese or Alfredo sauce. Drink it now through 2016.

Gil Lempert-Schwarz’s wine column appears Wednesdays. Write him at P.O. Box 50749, Henderson, NV 89106-0749, or email him at gil@winevegas.com.