2019 Woodlands Margaret Cabernet Merlot Malbec, Margaret River

A meeting of 81/11/8% cabernet sauvignon/merlot/malbec. It’s a tiptop combination as this is balanced, defined and distinct. Woodlands' wines, particularly the cabernets, certainly have their own DNA – it’s how they feel on the palate, their shape and of course, flavours. Expect mulberries, cassis, new leather, sumac and cedary oak with baking spices on the bouquet and palate, which is fuller bodied. The tannins are exquisite, ripe, velvety and textural. With the exceptionally long finish, this is another wonderful, elegant Margaret.

96 points Special Value Jane Faulkner winecompanion.com.au

I remember a time when the Margaret was $40AUD. As a drinker, I knew it was too cheap (we all did), and I'd buy it at every opportunity. The price has risen considerably within the last decade, and to be perfectly honest, it's probably a little closer now to where it belongs. It's a strong Cabernet Sauvignon-led blend: 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 8% Malbec. On the nose, this 2019 Margaret Woodlands Vineyard speaks of fresh leather, licorice, star anise, clove, brine, sage, burnt butter, black tea and chewing tobacco. The wine, due to the cool season, has a distinct levity on the palate, and it is delicate and fine yet lingering too. Very good.

Woodlands was established by David and Heather Watson in 1973, and it's an important boutique producer (in the Wilyabrup area) in Margaret River. The Watson family are well known for their love of premium Bordeaux (drinking and collecting), and keeping this in mind while tasting their Cabernets gives much context to the style. While the wines are absolutely "of place," they are also more structural and oak driven than many of the blue-chip Cabernet offerings in the region, and this holds them in very good stead in the cellar. I have a collection of the 2004s and the 2014s (among others), and I periodically open them to remind myself of the current wines' futures. They are highly recommended, but not for early consumption.

94 points Erin Larkin robertparker.com

Good colour with a purple tint; gamy, tomato-bush and stalky aromas, showing some mellow developed complexity and some vegetal undertones. The wine is chewy and dense in the mouth with a hint of roasted meats. The tannins are rather chewy on the finish and aftertaste but it comes into its own with protein, even a piece of cheese makes a big difference. 11 Jan 2023 Drink 2024–2034

95 points Huon Hooke therealreview.com

Woodlands Margaret Cabernet Merlot Malbec from Margaret River is a classic Bordeaux-style blend that shows off the finesse and structure this region is famous for. It’s a beautifully balanced red that punches well above its price tag, combining polish with a whole lot of drinkability.

Woodlands is one of the pioneers of Margaret River, established in the early 1970s, and remains family-owned and operated to this day. Winemaker Stuart Watson brings serious pedigree to the table, crafting elegant, terroir-driven wines that reflect both site and season. This particular blend draws on estate-grown fruit from Wilyabrup, where gravelly soils and ocean breezes help produce reds with power and precision.

Cabernet Sauvignon forms the backbone, delivering cassis, blackcurrant leaf and structure. Merlot softens the blend with plush red fruit and roundness, while Malbec adds depth, dark colour and a little spice. Aromas of blackberry, violets and cedar lead into a medium to full-bodied palate that’s all about fine tannins, dark plum, bay leaf and a touch of cocoa. It’s silky, layered and finishes long and savoury.

Perfect with roast beef, grilled mushrooms, lamb kofta or a hard cheese platter. It’s a smart cellar addition too, with enough class and balance to age gracefully for a good five to ten years.