2022 Woodlands Margaret Cabernet Merlot Malbec Half Bottle 375ml, Margaret River

A blend of cabernet sauvignon/malbec/cabernet franc. This is so aromatic I had to sit down to take it all in: lavender, violets, nori, eucalyptus and warm earth. Full of mulberries, cassis and no shortage of cedary, spicy, charry oak. The palate has a certain elegance, even if the plentiful tannins are a tad drying on the finish. Good acidity keeps this buoyant.

95 points Jane Faulkner winecompanion.com.au

Woodlands Margaret Cabernet Merlot Malbec is a classic Margaret River blend that leans into elegance, structure and a deep sense of place rather than raw power. The Woodlands vineyard sits in Wilyabrup, right in the heart of Margaret River, where gravelly loam soils over clay provide excellent drainage while retaining moisture through the dry summer months. Cooling influences from the Indian Ocean help stretch the growing season, allowing Cabernet and its blending partners to ripen slowly and evenly.

Woodlands is one of the region’s true founding estates, established in 1973 by David and Heather Watson. It remains family owned and deeply traditional in its approach, with a strong emphasis on estate grown fruit, low yields and long term cellaring. Cabernet Sauvignon has always been the backbone here, with Merlot adding mid palate generosity and Malbec contributing colour, spice and aromatic lift.

In the glass, the wine is poised and detailed. Blackcurrant, plum and red cherry sit alongside bay leaf, cedar and subtle graphite notes. The palate is medium to full bodied, with fine, persistent tannins and a savoury core that speaks clearly of Margaret River. Oak is present but beautifully integrated, framing the fruit rather than dominating it, and the finish is long, composed and quietly powerful.

This is a wine made for food and for time. It pairs beautifully with roast lamb, grilled beef, rosemary scented dishes or slow cooked meats. While it is already enjoyable in its youth with decanting, it really comes into its own with age, comfortably evolving over fifteen to twenty years. Expect the fruit to deepen and savoury, earthy characters to emerge while the structure remains graceful and balanced. A benchmark Margaret River red that rewards patience and attention.