Wine Reviews | MIKE BENNIE - WINEFRONT

Backline "Je Fais" Cabernet Blend 2018

Matt Giteau, Adam Ashley Cooper and Drew Mitchell shared the backline of the Wallaby’s for a while, though when you think about it they also shared a LOT of showers together too. Somewhere between the paddock and the powder room they worked out they liked wine in the off-season and got in with a pal, Dave Krenich (ex-LVMH) who helped them work out how to get a dream wine project off the ground. This one is made by Ben Riggs.

It’s velvety, dark-fruited cabernet, all fusion Lindt dark chocolate bars with dried blueberries and currants or similar. Has that bitter grit and grip of very dark chocolate too. It’s all neatly tucked in, shapely, come-hither in its way. It’s very polished, to the numbers Cabernet Of Langhorne Creek, but it delivers what’s asked for and well. A moreish quality in there too, somehow. Nicely done for the bucks.

Backline Wines Je Fais Cabernet Blend 2018

Rated : 91 Points
Tasted : APR20
Alcohol : 14%
Closure : Screwcap
Drink : 2020 - 2026

Buy Backline "Je Fais" Cabernet Blend 2018 here.

BACKLINE "BLOCK RAIDER" SHIRAZ 2018

From ex-LVMH supremo Dave Krenich, a great fella, rugby enthusiast, nice wine liker. He has some pals who like touching leather balls, namely, Matt Giteau, Adam Ashley Cooper and Drew Mitchell – they’re also owners in the Backline brand. I played rugby with a couple of Mortlock brothers at Gordon who turned out pretty good; hope that counts.

Lush, supple, soft and dark fruited red. Easy to like. Easy to guzzle. Ripe plum, struck flint, new leather and seaweed scents. Pleasing and regional. The palate has some gloss and shine, more of the bouquet’s fruit and greenery characters, a bit of regional saltiness to finish. Simple, done well. A convincing mid-week red to watch re-runs of mid-90s Shute Shield games.