2020 Domaine Naturaliste Morus Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River

97 points rayjordanwine.com

The 2020 season in Margaret River was low yielding, warm and compacted, and the wines are concentrated, structural and full of flavor. The 2020 Morus Cabernet Sauvignon marks the first time that the Morus is sealed under Stelvin, and it does have an impact on the wine in the glass. The vision is sharper, the flavors more distinct, the oak more clear to perceive. It tightens up all the edges, and I believe it is better for it. Admittedly, it may need a decant to bring it around to the open-weave approachability of the previous vintages, however, the freshness of the fruit is a thing to behold.

The fruit is 100% Wilaybrup Cabernet Sauvignon, 35-year-old Houghton selection clones. From 2016 – 2020 the vineyard remains true to the cuvée. Destemmed, the berries are split just enough to let some juice out and start fermenting. Undergoing a cool, long ferment in stainless (peak of 25 degrees Celsius), the cap is managed as required. As the fermentation progresses the management evolves. Post ferment, the wine is left on the skins for a further two to three weeks. It is matured in 225-liter French oak barriques (Taransaud, Jupilles, Allier, and "just a smidgen of Bertrand," 55% to 60% new) for 14-18 months, depending on the season. 14%, sealed under Stelvin! Drink 2023-2040

96 points Erin Larkin robertparker.com  Jul 2023

Our finest cuvee of Cabernet Sauvignon from the heart of Margaret River. The gravelly soils of the vineyard are flanked by the dominant native hard wood trees named Jarrah. Jarrah trees have become a favourable and exact biological indicator that the site is ideally matched to Cabernet Sauvignon.

Fruit expression from this site includes violets, cassis and mulberry. Indeed, mulberry is a very attractive fruit character which is a unique part of the terroir expression of Margaret River Cabernet and our local heritage clone. This cuvee is named to reflect this unique mulberry character; Morus australis being the genus and species name for the mulberry tree.

55% new barrels until the wine has achieved its own harmony, which was 14 months. The barriques are primarily from forests in the Center of France, Troncais and a touch of Bertrange. The wine then enjoys another year in bottle before release.