Organic Hill Preservative Free Cabernet Sauvignon 2023: Tasting Notes

WINE STYLE → Bright Red-Fruit & Fresh

A fresh, fruit-driven Cabernet Sauvignon from Organic Hill’s preservative-free range, made with certified organic fruit and bottled without added preservatives. This is not a heavy, oaky Cabernet; it is all about ruby colour, lifted eucalypt, blackberry, spearmint, red berries and currants, with caramel softness and fine velvety tannins giving the palate an easy, elegant shape.

Highlights

• Certified organic, vegan suitable and no added preservative
• Crafted by Organic Hill — a South Australian producer known for organic, preservative-free and vegan wines
• Eucalypt, blackberry, spearmint, red berries, currants and fine velvety tannins
• Cabernet Sauvignon harvested from a premium organically grown vineyard in the Riverland near Renmark
• No critic score or medal found for this release
• 13.7% ABV

Tasting Notes

Ruby red with bright, lifted aromatics, this Cabernet brings together eucalypt, blackberry, spearmint, zingy red berries and currants. The palate is medium to full-bodied and dry, with juicy red currant and berry flavours, a soft early note of caramel and blackberry depth. Fine, velvety tannins carry the fruit cleanly, finishing fresh, youthful and neatly balanced.

Winemaking

The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were harvested from a premium organically grown vineyard in the Riverland near Renmark. The fruit was partially crushed into a static red fermenter and inoculated with a Bordeaux yeast strain to encourage a clean, direct fermentation. The juice was pumped over the skins two to three times daily for seven days, then pressed to stainless steel for malolactic fermentation. It was bottled early without sulphur dioxide additions to retain freshness, vibrancy and fruit purity.

Vineyard & Vintage

The 2023 vintage comes from the Riverland, South Australia, a warm inland region where Cabernet can build generous berry fruit, minty lift and soft tannin when handled gently. The vineyard source sits near Renmark and is organically grown, giving Organic Hill the clean fruit base needed for its no-added-preservative style. The wine is dry, with approximately 2 g/L residual sugar and 13.7% alcohol.

Why We Love It

This is a Cabernet for drinkers who want red wine flavour without heaviness. The eucalypt and spearmint notes give it classic Australian Cabernet charm, while the red currant, blackberry and caramel details make it generous enough for lamb, ragù or a cosy weeknight dinner.

Food Pairing

With blackberry, red currant, minty lift and soft tannins, this Cabernet works beautifully with lamb, tomato-rich sauces, roasted vegetables and dishes with herbs or gentle spice. It is especially good with savoury comfort food that has enough richness to meet the fruit, without overwhelming the freshness.

Try matching this wine with →

• Rosemary lamb chops with garlic and lemon — Find a Recipe
• Eggplant and lentil moussaka — Find a Recipe
• Beef ragù with pappardelle — Find a Recipe

Mood or occasion to match this wine…

Think easy roast dinner, pasta night, lamb on the barbecue or a red to open when you want something organic and preservative free without going too big. It is relaxed, fruit-bright and made for the table.

Cellaring

This wine is made to be enjoyed young while the red berry, blackberry, eucalypt and spearmint characters are vivid. Drink now to 2027. Store it somewhere cool and dark, and treat it gently because it is made without added preservatives.

Producer

Organic Hill is a South Australian producer with its vineyard and cellar door at 36 Twentyeight Road in McLaren Vale. Founded by Leon Hill, the brand focuses on organic, preservative-free and vegan wines, with its preservative-free range made from 100% organically grown, NASAA certified premium fruit and no added preservative sulphites, allergens or animal-derived agents. The style is deliberately approachable: familiar Australian varieties, clean fruit expression and wines made for drinkers seeking organic options that still taste generous and recognisable.

Related Wines To Try →

If you enjoy organic Cabernet and preservative-free reds with fruit clarity, these are excellent bottles to explore next:

• Premium McLaren Vale Cabernet from the same producer — Organic Hill Founders Preservative Free Cabernet Sauvignon
• Soft organic Cabernet with blackcurrant, chocolate and cedar — Angove Naturalis Organic Cabernet Sauvignon
• Fresh biodynamic McLaren Vale Shiraz with no added preservatives — Paxton NOW Preservative Free Shiraz

FAQ

What does Organic Hill Preservative Free Cabernet Sauvignon taste like?

It tastes bright and fruit-driven, with eucalypt, blackberry, spearmint, red berries and currants. The palate is medium to full-bodied and dry, with a gentle caramel note and fine velvety tannins. It is fresher and softer than many heavily oaked Cabernet styles.

Is this Cabernet dry, sweet or full-bodied?

This is a dry red wine, with approximately 2 g/L residual sugar and less than 1 gram of sugar per 100mL. It sits between medium and full-bodied, with moderate alcohol at 13.7%. The fruit is juicy, but the wine is not sweet.

Does this wine contain preservatives or sulphites?

This wine is No Added Preservative, so sulphur dioxide has not been added during winemaking. Like all wine, it may still contain tiny amounts of naturally occurring sulphites from fermentation. It is also certified organic and vegan suitable.

How should I serve it?

Serve at around 16–18°C in a medium to large red wine glass. It does not need a long decant, but 10–15 minutes of air will help the blackberry, red currant and minty notes open. Avoid serving it too warm, as freshness is part of its appeal.

What food pairs well with this wine?

It works well with roast lamb, lamb chops, beef ragù, tomato-based pasta, grilled vegetables and lentil moussaka. The minty Cabernet lift is a natural match for lamb, while the soft tannins suit midweek meals. For a vegetarian option, try eggplant, mushrooms or lentils with herbs.

Can Organic Hill Preservative Free Cabernet Sauvignon be cellared?

It is designed for drinking in its youth, when the red berry, currant, eucalypt and spearmint characters are fresh. Drink now to 2027 for best results. If cellaring, keep it cool, dark and stable because no-added-preservative wines are more sensitive to heat and poor storage.

Is this wine vegan friendly?

Yes, this wine is vegan suitable. It is also certified organic and made with no added preservatives. That makes it a strong choice for drinkers looking for a cleaner Cabernet option for everyday red wine occasions.

Who will enjoy this Cabernet the most?

This is ideal for drinkers who enjoy Australian Cabernet with blackberry, currant and minty lift, but prefer a softer, fruit-forward shape. If you like Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Merlot or medium-bodied organic reds, this is an easy bottle to enjoy. It is less brooding than the Founder’s Cabernet from the same producer.

How long will it last after opening?

As a no-added-preservative red, it is best enjoyed within 1–2 days of opening. Reseal the bottle and keep it in the fridge, then let it warm slightly before serving. The first night will show the freshest fruit and aromatics.

Is this wine keto friendly?

Yes, it is a dry, low-sugar red wine with approximately 2 g/L residual sugar and less than 1 gram of sugar per 100mL. That makes it suitable for many keto-conscious drinkers. Alcohol still counts, so it is best enjoyed mindfully.

(SKU: OH_Cab_CV)