2019 Robert Oatley Finisterre Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River

This is a vintage that I have increasingly come to appreciate even more. And this stylish medium bodied cabernet is a perfect reason why. It’s an effortless wine the delivers with such poise. The nose has a slightly meaty blackcurrant character with traces of oyster shell minerality and black olive. The palate is seamlessly integrated with a deft touch of oak and fine powdery tannins holding through to the finish.

95 points Ray Jordan

Medium ruby red hue. Blackcurrant, raspberry and tomato leaf aromas. Medium weighted palate, black and red fruits roll across the tongue with layers of tobacco and cedar wood adding interest. Theres a subtly to it that brings to mind classic claret styles, not shouting from the rooftops but carrying along with grace and form, aided by some bottle maturity. It drives long and finishes with aplomb. Drink 2024 to 2034.

92 points Stuart Knox for The Real Review, November 2024

This has its hand up, stating – stay away. Come back in a couple of years. It’s still coming together, as it’s a bit jangly now and the oak is dominating. Underneath, lots of blackberries and mulberries, flecked with curry leaf, mint and the cedary oak, which is also sweetening the palate. Full bodied, ripe and rich, with plentiful tannins. Drink 2025 to 2035.

90 points Jane Faulkner for Halliday Wine Companion, August 2024

Few regions on earth combine power and elegance in Cabernet Sauvignon quite like Margaret River, and this release captures that balance beautifully. The Finisterre range represents the pinnacle of the Robert Oatley portfolio, sourcing fruit from exceptional vineyard sites across the region. Established by the late Robert Oatley, one of Australia's great wine pioneers, the winery continues to focus on regional expression and meticulous vineyard selection. Larry Cherubino, one of Australia's most respected winemakers, oversees the winemaking, bringing decades of experience and an intuitive understanding of Margaret River Cabernet.

The 2019 vintage was outstanding in Margaret River, delivering fruit of remarkable concentration and structure. Matured in French oak to build complexity without overwhelming the fruit, the wine showcases the classic hallmarks that have made the region famous. Cabernet Sauvignon leads the blend with its trademark cassis and structure, while careful vineyard management and low yields ensure depth, purity and longevity.

Deep garnet red in colour, the bouquet opens with blackcurrant, blackberry and dark plum layered with cedar, graphite, tobacco leaf and subtle dried herbs. Time in the glass reveals hints of cocoa, bay leaf and fine spice. Rich yet composed, the palate offers concentrated dark berry fruit wrapped around finely polished tannins. There is impressive intensity without heaviness, with vibrant acidity carrying the wine through a long, savoury finish marked by cassis, cedar and gentle oak spice.

A superb partner for slow roasted lamb shoulder, chargrilled rib eye, rosemary crusted venison or wild mushroom and truffle risotto. With its structure and balance, this is a wine that will reward cellaring for 15 to 20 years, developing greater complexity and nuance over time. For lovers of classic Australian Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a compelling example of why Margaret River continues to sit comfortably among the world's finest Cabernet producing regions.