2020 Evans & Tate Redbrook Estate Cabernet Merlot, Margaret River

While cabernet sauvignon and merlot are stamped on the label, apparently cabernet franc and malbec are in the mix, percentages unknown even if the latter adds lots of its positive attributes to the wine. A dark red/inky hue laden with mulberries, plums, cassis and a baker’s cupboard full of spices with wafts of tobacco, menthol/eucalyptus. Full bodied and densely packed with flavour and no shortage of structure or tannins. If you imagine being at a rave, this wine is the DJ mixing it right up.

95 points Special Value Jane Faulkner winecompanion.com.au

Evans and Tate Redbrook Estate Cabernet Merlot from Margaret River is a polished, beautifully balanced and quietly commanding expression of the region’s classic Bordeaux heritage. Drawn from mature Wilyabrup and Jindong vineyards planted on ancient gravelly loams over clay, the wine reflects Margaret River’s signature combination of maritime breezes, long ripening seasons and naturally structured Cabernet fruit. The Evans and Tate team handle each parcel with meticulous care: hand picking at optimum flavour, small batch fermentation, gentle extraction to preserve elegance, and maturation in premium French oak to frame rather than dominate the blend. Cabernet Sauvignon provides drive, cassis and fine tannin, while Merlot brings plushness, red fruited charm and mid palate generosity, creating a wine that is both refined and deeply satisfying.

The aromatics are expressive and layered. Blackcurrant, mulberry and blackberry sit at the core, supported by red plum, cherry skin and a hint of raspberry. Beneath the fruit lie savoury, varietal signatures of cedar, pencil shavings and dried tobacco leaf, lifted by Margaret River’s coastal freshness. As the wine opens, notes of bay leaf, cocoa, graphite, violet and subtle spice emerge, revealing both complexity and purity.

The palate is elegant and beautifully composed. Dark berries and plum glide across a finely structured frame shaped by ripe tannins and subtle French oak. Flavours of cassis, black cherry, forest berries, cocoa and gentle herb nuance unfold in measured layers. The acidity is bright and seamless, keeping the wine vibrant while allowing the fruit to take centre stage. A mineral thread gives definition, guiding the wine toward a long, savoury finish with lingering berry fruit, cedar and a faint saline lift. It has the structure to evolve gracefully over eight to twelve years, gaining depth, cigar box warmth and velvety richness.

Outstanding with roast lamb, grilled ribeye, beef cheeks, mushroom ragù, venison, hard cheeses, slow cooked Mediterranean dishes or simply enjoyed as a contemplative glass in the evening. It embodies classic Margaret River elegance with modern finesse.