RiverBank Estate Field Blend 2025 Red – Shiraz, Cabernet, Malbec

Awards and Accolades

93 Points Ray Jordan

This is a blend of shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and malbec. An elegant and refined medium-bodied red with highly fragrant, perfumed fruits and a wonderfully approachable, fieldy, easy-drinking palate. Soft with fine, delicate tannins and was only in tank. It’s drinking so well now as a current-drinking wine that would even handle slight chilling in summer. Has good structure and poise. 

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Deep red with youthful purple highlights.
• Aromatics: Vibrant and perfumed, with ripe red fruits leading into darker berry characters.
• Palate: Generous blackberry and red berry flavours are complemented by a subtle layer of dark chocolate.
• Body: Medium-bodied, with enough richness to feel satisfying without becoming heavy.
• Tannins: Soft, fine and delicate, providing gentle structure rather than a firm or drying grip.
• Acidity: Moderate and well balanced, keeping the ripe fruit fresh and lively.
• Finish: Smooth, balanced and lingering, with dark berries, red fruit and chocolate remaining after each sip.

What Is a Field Blend?

A field blend is traditionally produced from different grape varieties grown alongside one another in the same vineyard. Instead of harvesting and fermenting every variety separately before deciding on the final blend, the varieties may be picked and processed together. This allows the ripeness and natural balance of the vineyard to influence the finished wine. RiverBank Estate describes its Field Blend collection as an expression of one of winemaking’s oldest and most intuitive traditions. The aim is not to make one grape variety dominate. Instead, each variety contributes something different to create a wine with natural balance, layered flavour and uncomplicated drinkability.

What Each Variety Brings to the Blend

Shiraz

• Shiraz leads the wine’s generous fruit character.
• It contributes ripe red berries, blackberry, body and a soft, rounded texture. In the warm Swan Valley climate, Shiraz can develop generous flavour while remaining approachable when handled without heavy oak.

Cabernet Sauvignon

• Cabernet Sauvignon provides the blend with shape and structure.
• Its darker fruit and tannins help give the wine definition, preventing the softer Shiraz and Malbec characters from feeling too broad or simple.

Malbec

• Malbec contributes deep colour, dark fruit and middle-palate softness.
• It helps connect the generosity of the Shiraz with the structure of the Cabernet Sauvignon, creating a smoother and more complete blend.

A Fresh, Tank-Matured Red

• This wine was matured in tank rather than oak barrels.
• Tank maturation protects the fruit from excessive oxygen and avoids adding flavours from toasted oak. This allows the wine’s red berries, blackberry and floral aromas to remain clear and vibrant.
• It also helps explain why the tannins feel soft and delicate rather than heavily extracted or drying.
• This is not a red built around obvious vanilla, cedar or smoky oak. Its appeal comes from ripe fruit, perfume, balance and immediate drinkability.

Serving and Cellaring

• Serve RiverBank Estate Field Blend Red 2025 at approximately 14 to 16°C. This is slightly cooler than the temperature of most Perth homes. Serving it too warm can make the alcohol feel more noticeable and reduce the freshness of its red fruit.
• If the bottle has been stored at a room temperature of around 22 to 24°C, place it in the refrigerator for approximately 30 to 40 minutes before serving. During summer, it can be served slightly cooler at around 13 to 14°C. The wine will gradually warm in the glass, revealing more of its perfume and dark-fruit character.
• Decanting is not essential because the tannins are already soft and approachable. Opening the bottle approximately 15 to 20 minutes before drinking will give the aromas a little time to develop.
• The wine is intended to be enjoyed while young and vibrant. It can be cellared for approximately five years, but there is no need to wait before opening it.

Food Pairing Suggestions

• Beef burgers: The ripe fruit and soft tannins complement grilled beef without overpowering the other ingredients.
• Barbecued sausages: Shiraz and Malbec work particularly well with smoky, savoury barbecue flavours.
• Tomato-based pasta: The wine’s fruit and moderate acidity suit spaghetti bolognese, lasagne and rich tomato sauces.
• Pizza: Try it with pepperoni, mushroom, barbecue chicken or meat-lovers pizza.
• Roast lamb: The blackberry, chocolate and savoury characters complement simply seasoned lamb.
• Grilled steak: Its medium body makes it a good match for sirloin, rump or steak sandwiches.
• Mushroom dishes: Mushrooms bring out the wine’s darker and more savoury qualities.
• Hard cheeses: Mature cheddar, Gouda and other firm cheeses suit its ripe fruit and gentle tannins.
• Charcuterie: Serve lightly chilled with salami, prosciutto, pâté and mild cheeses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which grapes are used in RiverBank Estate Field Blend Red 2025?

The wine is made from Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. Shiraz leads the blend, bringing ripe fruit and generosity. Cabernet Sauvignon provides structure, while Malbec contributes colour, dark fruit and softness.

Is this a dry red wine?

Yes. RiverBank Estate rates its sweetness at one out of five, placing it firmly within the dry category. Its ripe berry flavours may taste generous and juicy, but this should not be confused with residual sugar or an intentionally sweet style.

Is it full-bodied?

It is medium-bodied rather than especially full-bodied. RiverBank Estate rates the body at three out of five. It has generous fruit and satisfying flavour but avoids the heaviness and strong tannins sometimes associated with bigger red wines.

Is the wine aged in oak?

No. The wine was kept in tank rather than matured in oak barrels. This preserves its fresh fruit, perfume and approachable texture. It also means you should not expect strong vanilla, toast or woody flavours.

What does tank maturation mean?

Tank maturation means the wine was stored in a stainless steel or similar neutral vessel before bottling. Unlike an oak barrel, a tank does not contribute additional flavours. It allows the natural fruit characteristics of the grapes to remain the focus. In plain English, it helps the wine taste fresh, fruity and uncomplicated.

Can this red wine be served chilled?

Yes. Ray Jordan specifically noted that the wine could handle slight chilling during summer. Aim for approximately 14 to 16°C. On a hot day, serving it closer to 13 or 14°C will make the fruit taste fresher and the wine more refreshing. Avoid serving it refrigerator-cold, as very low temperatures can hide its aromas and make the tannins feel firmer.

Does it need to be decanted?

No. The wine’s soft, delicate tannins make extended decanting unnecessary. Opening the bottle approximately 15 to 20 minutes before serving will give the aromas enough time to become more expressive.

What foods work best with it?

Its combination of ripe fruit, soft tannins and moderate acidity makes it highly versatile. It works particularly well with pizza, pasta, burgers, barbecued sausages, roast lamb, grilled steak, mushrooms, charcuterie and firm cheeses.