2022 Lenton Brae Wilyabrup Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River

Lenton Brae Wilyabrup Cabernet Sauvignon is a structured, expressive red from the heart of Margaret River, where Cabernet thrives in gravelly soils under cooling ocean breezes. Sourced from the estate’s original Wilyabrup vineyard planted in 1982, this wine is a true reflection of place and pedigree — classic in style, with dark fruit, leafy lift and age-worthy tannins.

The fruit is hand-picked and sorted before fermentation in small open vats. Maturation takes place in French oak barriques, around 30 percent new, for 18 months. The focus is on precision and balance — winemaking that supports the vineyard rather than overwhelms it. The result is a Cabernet that is regional and varietal in all the right ways: cassis-driven, savoury, and built for the long haul.

In the glass, it shows aromas of blackcurrant, bay leaf, cedar, graphite and dried herbs. The palate is medium to full bodied, with fine gravelly tannins and flavours of dark cherry, mulberry, cocoa and earth. There’s a quiet power here — structure without excess and a long, savoury finish that keeps drawing you back.

Food pairing: perfect with roast lamb and rosemary, beef fillet with red wine jus, mushroom Wellington or aged cheddar and hard sheep’s milk cheeses.

Cellar potential: beautifully balanced on release but built to age 12 to 20 years, gaining complexity and savoury detail over time.