Shirvington, McLaren Vale (South Australia, Australia) Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

 This particular vintage of Shirvington’s splendid Cabernet makes me think of the recently deceased Tony Curtis.  (Stay with me here).  Like the actor in his prime, the wine is engaging and charismatic, dark and handsome, with beautiful musculature and a distinctive personality.  Curtis, who notoriously left a series of wives in order to hitch up with ever younger mates, once said that he would never “be caught dead with a woman old enough to be my wife.”  So, as far as this 2008 Cab is concerned, you can emulate the actor and savor this vintage in all its youthful deliciousness, or hold off for another couple of years.  There’s no doubt that a little age will smooth out its rambunctious herbal perfume and wild, briary character, and though its youth and vigor excite the mouth now, just imagine the pleasure the wine will offer once it has developed more persistent, velvety sensations.