19 Crimes The Banished Dark Red

19 Crimes The Banished Dark Red is a Shiraz-dominant Australian red blend bottled at 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Anchored by ripe dark fruit and chocolate-forward aromatics drawn from three months of American white oak aging, this off-dry red has earned an 89/100 on CellarTracker for its 2020 vintage.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5% | Origin: South Eastern Australia | Style: Off-Dry Dark Red Blend | Producer: Treasury Wine Estates (19 Crimes label, est. 2012)

Production & Heritage

19 Crimes is a label created by Treasury Wine Estates in 2012, drawing its branding from the historical penal codes that governed British convict transport to colonial Australia. The Banished Dark Red is built around a Shiraz-dominant base blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache, all sourced from South Eastern Australia. The wine is aged for three months in 100% American white oak barrels, a choice that imparts the smoky, vanilla-laced character and rounder mouthfeel that distinguishes this expression from the broader 19 Crimes range.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Intense dark chocolate and vanilla lead the nose, followed by lifted blackberry and ripe plum. Subtle hints of smoke and leather emerge as the wine breathes, reflecting the American oak influence.

Taste: The palate opens full and round with a distinct off-dry sweetness that coats the mouth. Blackberry and dark plum fruits dominate through mid-palate, layered with dark chocolate, vanilla, and understated spice notes of cloves and cinnamon. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache components add structural complexity beneath the Shiraz fruit.

Finish: Long, rich, and plush with brooding dark forest fruits that linger well past the final sip. Chocolate and warm baking spice carry through to the close, leaving a satisfying weight on the tongue.

How to Drink The Banished Dark Red

Serve at 6065F to let the chocolate and dark fruit aromatics open without muting the spice. This blend also works well slightly chilled in warmer weather or with a single ice cube for a more casual pour.

• Red Wine Sangria: The off-dry sweetness and bold fruit make it a natural base for a sangria loaded with dark berries and citrus.
• Kalimotxo: The rich, rounded profile holds up against cola in this straightforward Spanish two-ingredient cocktail.
• Mulled Wine: The existing chocolate, clove, and cinnamon notes align perfectly with traditional mulling spices without overwhelming the fruit.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners when a full-flavored red is needed without overthinking the pairing
• Introducing darker, bolder red blends to friends who favor off-dry styles
• Casual gatherings like barbecues, game nights, or backyard cookouts
• Building a go-to house red rotation at an accessible price tier

Frequently Asked Questions

What does The Banished Dark Red taste like? It delivers rich dark chocolate and vanilla upfront, layered over ripe blackberry and plum, with warm clove and cinnamon spice adding depth. The off-dry sweetness gives the wine a full, mouth-coating texture that finishes long with dark forest fruits.

How does The Banished Dark Red compare to 19 Crimes The Uprising? Both are bold Australian reds from the same label, but The Uprising is aged in rum barrels, which adds distinct caramel and molasses notes not found in The Banished. The Banished leans more heavily into dark chocolate and baking spice from its American white oak maturation.

Is The Banished Dark Red good for beginners? Its off-dry profile and prominent fruit-forward sweetness make it very approachable for anyone new to full-bodied red blends. The chocolate and vanilla aromatics are immediately recognizable and inviting even without wine experience.

Where is The Banished Dark Red made? It is produced by Treasury Wine Estates under the 19 Crimes label using fruit sourced from the South Eastern Australia wine zone, a large multi-state region known for producing consistent, warm-climate reds.

What foods pair well with The Banished Dark Red? Smoked brisket or pulled pork benefits from the wine’s smoky oak and dark fruit. Chargrilled burgers echo its bold, meaty weight. Dark chocolate desserts mirror the cocoa notes on the nose and palate. Hard aged cheeses like sharp cheddar balance the off-dry sweetness, and lamb chops seasoned with rosemary complement the clove and cinnamon spice.

What sizes does The Banished Dark Red come in? The standard format is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available size at retail.

Is The Banished Dark Red worth the price? It positions as an entry-level, everyday red blend that punches above its price tier in terms of flavor intensity and oak complexity. For a wine aged in American white oak with a multi-varietal blend, it delivers considerable richness relative to similarly priced competitors.

Why The Banished Dark Red?

What sets this wine apart in the crowded value-red category is the deliberate three-month maturation in 100% American white oak a step that many blends at this tier skip entirely. That barrel time translates directly into the smoky vanilla and charred-wood nuances that elevate the core Shiraz fruit well beyond a simple fruit-bomb red. The 2020 vintage scored 89/100 on CellarTracker, reflecting consistent quality across multiple releases. For drinkers who want a dark, weighty, off-dry Australian red that delivers genuine oak character without a premium price tag, The Banished occupies a practical and rewarding spot.