Spring Seed Cockscomb Cabernet Sauvignon 2022: Tasting Notes

WINE STYLE → Roast Dinner Red

A certified organic McLaren Vale Cabernet with classic red currant and blackberry fruit, soft fleshiness and earthy tannins. Cockscomb has the presence you want from Cabernet, but it stays generous and approachable rather than stern. The 2022 release earned 90 points and Top Value from The Real Review, with enough structure and fruit depth to carry it from weeknight lamb chops to a slower Sunday roast.

Highlights

• Certified organic and vegan suitable
• Crafted by Spring Seed Wine Co — the Bosworth family’s certified organic McLaren Vale range
• Red currants, blackberries, earthy savoury notes and well-rounded tannins
• Cabernet Sauvignon from the Bosworth family’s certified organic McLaren Vale vineyard
• 90 Points and Top Value — Huon Hooke, The Real Review
• 14.5% ABV

Tasting Notes

Deep red-purple in the glass, with red currants, blackberries, earthy savoury notes and a meaty berry richness. The palate is medium to full-bodied, dry and fleshy, with deep blackberry flavour, well-rounded tannins and good length. There is enough softness for immediate enjoyment, yet the earthy tannin line gives it the kind of Cabernet structure that works beautifully with lamb, roast vegetables and aged cheese.

Winemaking

Cockscomb is made from organically grown Cabernet Sauvignon from the Bosworth family’s McLaren Vale vineyard. Spring Seed’s winemaking approach is deliberately light-handed, aiming for vibrant, approachable wines that still show variety and place. In this Cabernet, the focus is classic varietal character: red currant, blackberry, medium to full body, rounded tannins and length, rather than heavy oak or excessive extraction.

Vineyard & Vintage

The fruit comes from the Bosworth family’s certified organic vineyard in McLaren Vale, South Australia. The vineyard was established in the early 1970s by Peter and Anthea Bosworth, and Joch Bosworth began conversion to organic viticulture in 1995. The vines are certified A-grade organic by Australian Certified Organic, with vineyard management centred on soil health, organic inputs and careful farming. The 2022 release is 14.5% ABV and shows the depth, warmth and savoury structure associated with McLaren Vale Cabernet.

Why We Love It

This is a Cabernet that brings comfort and credibility in equal measure. The blackberries and red currants make it generous, while the earthy tannins and medium to full-bodied shape keep it grounded at the table. It is certified organic, vegan suitable and very good value for a McLaren Vale Cabernet with current-vintage recognition from The Real Review.

Food Pairing

With blackberry fruit, earthy tannins and medium to full body, this Cabernet suits roast dinners, lamb, mushroom dishes, lentils, aged cheddar and chargrilled vegetables. It works best with food that has savoury depth, herbs and a little richness.

Try matching this wine with →

• Roast leg of lamb with mint sauce — Find a Recipe
• Mushroom and lentil pie — Find a Recipe
• Chargrilled steak with herb butter — Find a Recipe

Mood or occasion to match this wine…

Pour it for roast lamb, mushroom pie, steak night or a cosy dinner where you want a red with depth but not excess weight. It is generous, savoury and easy to settle into.

Cellaring

Drink now to 2034. The Real Review notes this wine has ageing potential, and the blackberry depth, earthy tannins and Cabernet structure should support steady development. Store it somewhere cool, dark and stable.

Producer

Spring Seed Wine Co is part of the Bosworth family’s McLaren Vale wine story, based at 92 Gaffney Road in Willunga. The vineyard was established in the early 1970s by Peter and Anthea Bosworth and is now run by Joch Bosworth and Louise Hemsley-Smith. Joch began converting the vineyard to organic viticulture in 1995, and the vines have been certified organic since 1999. Spring Seed’s labels are inspired by vintage flower seed packets, while the wines are made to be fresh, approachable and expressive of organically grown McLaren Vale fruit.

Related Wines To Try →

If you enjoy organic Cabernet with blackberry fruit, soft tannins and dinner-friendly depth, these are good bottles to explore next:

• Organic Cowra Cabernet with currants and crushed herbs — Pig In The House Cabernet Sauvignon
• Preservative-free Cabernet with blackberry, red currant and mint — Organic Hill Preservative Free Cabernet Sauvignon
• Same producer, organic Shiraz with blackberry, plum and spice — Spring Seed Scarlet Runner Shiraz

FAQ

What does Spring Seed Cockscomb Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 taste like?

It tastes like classic McLaren Vale Cabernet with red currants, blackberries, earthy savoury notes and a meaty berry richness. The palate is medium to full-bodied and dry, with rounded tannins and good length. It has generous fruit, but the finish stays savoury and structured.

Is this Cabernet dry, sweet or full-bodied?

This is a dry red wine. It sits between medium and full-bodied, with 14.5% alcohol and enough richness to suit roast dinners and grilled meats. The blackberry fruit is generous, but the wine itself is not sweet.

What are the tannins and acidity like?

The tannins are rounded and earthy, giving the wine structure without a harsh finish. Acidity is moderate and keeps the dark fruit from becoming heavy. That balance makes it very useful with lamb, mushrooms and savoury dishes.

Does this wine contain preservatives or sulphites?

This is a certified organic Cabernet Sauvignon, not a No Added Preservative wine. It may contain sulphites, as most wines do, and organic wines are made to lower allowable sulphur limits than conventional wines. It is certified organic and vegan suitable.

How should I serve Spring Seed Cockscomb Cabernet?

Serve at around 16–18°C in a generous red wine glass. A short 20-minute decant will help the blackberry, red currant and earthy notes open. Avoid serving it too warm, as cooler room temperature will keep the fruit and tannins balanced.

What food pairs well with this wine?

It pairs beautifully with roast lamb, steak, beef pie, mushroom and lentil dishes, roasted vegetables and aged cheddar. The blackberry fruit suits richer food, while the earthy tannins work well with herbs, olive oil and roast flavours. For a vegetarian match, try mushroom and lentil pie or chargrilled eggplant.

Can this Cabernet be cellared?

Yes, this wine can be cellared. Drink now to 2034 for a gradual shift from bright blackberry and red currant into more savoury, earthy complexity. Keep it somewhere cool, dark and stable for the best results.

Is Spring Seed Cockscomb Cabernet Sauvignon vegan friendly?

Yes, this wine is vegan suitable. It is also certified organic and made from the Bosworth family’s McLaren Vale vineyard. It is a strong choice for drinkers who want a classic Australian Cabernet with organic farming credentials.

Who will enjoy this Cabernet the most?

This is ideal for drinkers who enjoy Cabernet with blackberry fruit, savoury tannins and enough body for dinner. If you like Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Merlot or medium to full-bodied organic reds, this will suit you well. It is softer and more generous than a very austere cellar-style Cabernet.

Is this wine keto friendly?

Yes, this is a dry red wine and can suit many keto-conscious drinkers looking for an organic Cabernet. Cabernet Sauvignon is typically chosen by low-sugar wine drinkers for its dry structure and savoury finish. Alcohol still contributes calories, so enjoy it mindfully as part of your broader plan.

(SKU: SS_CAB_CV)