2011 Xanadu Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River

Over the past 5 years Xanadu has produced cabernets of utterly exemplary quality and style. This wine is a 90/5/5% blend of cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot and malbec. Part was given extended maceration post-fermentation, and, once pressed, the wine spent 16 months in French oak (55% new). Has exceptional texture and structure thanks to super-normal tannins that are woven through the luxuriant cassis and plum fruit.

98 points James Halliday

Deepish red colour with a tinge of purple. The bouquet is of a multiplicity of black fruits, with the faintest tinge of dried herb and perfectly dove-tailed oak. Rich, full-bodied, gloriously lush blackberry fruit flavour takes centre stage. An outstanding cabernet. 12 AUG 2014