Citadel Cabernet Sauvignon 2024

If you pour a glass of the Citadel Cabernet Sauvignon 2024, expect a deep, garnet red hue. On the nose, aromas of blackberry, plum, and dark cherry dominate, with herbal or slightly vegetal notes—think thyme or dried leaf, perhaps with a whisper of mint or eucalyptus—adding complexity. The palate delivers ripe dark fruit, notably blackberry and plum again, balanced with moderate acidity and medium tannins that are structured but not austere. There’s also a spice element—black pepper or cedar—that lingers, along with some earthy or dusty undertones. The finish is warm and generous rather than sharp; medium in length, leaving you with that dark fruit and a touch of herb and earth. Overall, the wine is more about approachability than extreme age-worthiness—it’s built to drink now, but with enough backbone to hold up with short term cellar aging.

This Cabernet is built for bold flavors. Pair it with grilled steaks or lamb chops, roast beef with fresh herbs, or barbecue ribs hot off the smoker. Hard cheeses like aged cheddar, mushroom dishes, and tomato-based pasta sauces all complement its fruit and spice beautifully. For a final treat, try it alongside a square of dark chocolate—the perfect finish to a cozy evening in.

The story of Citadel Cabernet Sauvignon starts in Australia, under the umbrella “Wine of Australia,” rather than a narrowly defined single vineyard or GI that’s always clearly stated. While the label doesn’t indicate it comes from one of Australia’s most famous sub-regions like Coonawarra or Margaret River, its style and taste draw from the broad tradition of Australian Cabernet Sauvignon.

Cabernet Sauvignon itself has deep roots in Australia: introduced by James Busby in the 1830s, the variety gradually spread throughout South Australia and other parts of the country. Over time, regions like Coonawarra—with its terra rossa soils—and Margaret River have become known for producing Cabernets that combine robust dark fruit with herbaceous/minty notes, eucalyptus or cedar notes, and well-integrated oak when used. While Citadel doesn’t appear to carry a single vineyard designation, it leans into that style: bold fruit, a dash of earth/herb/spice, medium body, approachable tannins—reflecting the broader tradition of South Australian Cabernet.

Historically, the broader movement in Australian Cabernet has been from fortified and mixed blends toward varietal wines showing the grape’s potential for aging and complexity. The consumer expectation has shifted: fruit-driven, but with supporting structure; ripe but not overly jammy; expressive without being overtly high in alcohol. Citadel seems to position itself within that space.