2022 Deep Woods Estate Single Vineyard Cabernet Malbec, Margaret River

76/24% Cabernet Sauvignon/Malbec. Fruit comes off the Septimus vineyard in Wilyabrup. It starts with an intense dark purple hue followed by a wonderful fragrance of florals, cardamom and turmeric. The full-bodied palate has many layers, a richness of dark fruit, lots of oak spices plus a wave of tannins. Very good now but better in another year or two.

95 points Special Value Jane Faulkner winecompanion.com.au

Deep Woods Estate Single Vineyard Cabernet Malbec from Margaret River is a richly expressive, small-batch wine that fuses the classic structure of Cabernet Sauvignon with the plush vibrancy of Malbec. Hailing from a single vineyard site in the Yallingup Hills, this wine benefits from the region’s cooling maritime breezes, gravelly loam soils, and long growing season, delivering exceptional varietal definition and a core of ripe fruit supported by fine-grained tannins.

Deep Woods Estate, under the stewardship of Chief Winemaker Julian Langworthy, has become a powerhouse of premium Margaret River reds. Julian’s deft touch with Cabernet is well-known, and here, he adds Malbec for depth, colour, and a burst of blue-fruited charm. Fermentation takes place in open-top vessels with gentle plunging to extract tannin and flavour before the wine is matured in a mix of French oak hogsheads, with a portion being new.

The result is a wine layered with dark plum, cassis, black cherry, and blueberry, complemented by subtle oak spice, crushed violets, and earthy cigar box complexity. The palate is medium to full-bodied, with ripe, structured tannins and vibrant acidity driving a long, savoury finish. It has the elegance Margaret River is famed for, with a bit of swagger from the Malbec.

A brilliant match for chargrilled ribeye, roast lamb with rosemary, or truffle-infused mushroom ragù. This wine will age gracefully for a decade or more.