
Independent sommelier and consultant
Adelina Estate Introspect 2022
Australia, South Australia
96/100
Overall rating
3/5
Value for money
€37,35
€47,00
€160,01/pcs.
€201,00/pcs.
Why shop with us?
DuMOL’s Ballard Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 is a striking return to a more classic California style—layered, poised, and far less overtly ripe than many modern interpretations. Sourced from the high, cool Spring Mountain site of Ballard Vineyard, this limited-release wine captures both precision and depth, with just 154 cases produced.
Tasting Notes
In the glass, it shows a deep, dark ruby hue. The nose is wonderfully nuanced, with dark and red fruit framed by dried thyme, wild sage, rose petals, and cedar. On the palate, cassis leads the way, followed by layers of laurel, anise, herbs, grilled meat, and a refined mineral edge.
What stands out most is the wine’s elegance: the tannins are exceptionally fine, the structure is firm but graceful, and the finish is long and composed. This is a Cabernet with serious aging potential, and it should continue to evolve beautifully over at least the next decade.
Production
The Ballard Vineyard sits in a small clearing on Spring Mountain at around 700 meters elevation, where the cooler mountain climate helps keep the berries small and concentrated. That high-altitude terroir brings freshness, aromatic lift, and firm structure, giving the wine a more restrained and classical profile than sun-drenched California Cabernets.
The wine was aged for 20 months in French oak barrels, 57% of them new, allowing the fruit and mountain spice to integrate with subtle oak complexity without overpowering the vineyard character.
Food & Serving
This Cabernet Sauvignon is an excellent match for grilled ribeye, lamb chops, venison, or slow-roasted beef with rosemary and herbs. It also pairs beautifully with aged hard cheeses and dishes that echo its savory notes, such as duck with blackberry sauce or herb-crusted steak. Serve at 16–18°C, and consider decanting for 1–2 hours to let the aromatics open up fully.
Producer
DuMOL is one of California’s most respected boutique producers, known for crafting highly detailed wines that balance richness with freshness and site expression. Winemaker Andy Smith, with nearly 25 years of experience in California, has helped shape DuMOL’s reputation for precision and restraint, particularly in its Cabernet Sauvignon releases. The winery has earned a strong following among collectors for wines that are both age-worthy and highly distinctive.
| Type | Red wine |
| Producer | DuMOL |
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Country | USA |
| Region | California |
| Grape | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Alcohol | 14.50% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Food pairing |
We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.

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