2022 Xanadu Stevens Road Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River

A 10% glug of malbec adds an extra layer of spice, richness and savouriness, like seasoning. As usual, a core of dark fruit – all boysenberries, mulberries and cassis with a heady fragrance of cigar box, baking spices and fresh herbs. The palate is composed, fuller bodied, laden with tannins (fine tannins, lots of them) and drying on the finish. Incredibly vibrant and youthful so its best days are yet to come.

95 points Jane Faulkner winecompanion.com.au

Xanadu Stevens Road Cabernet Sauvignon is a textbook Margaret River Cabernet that shows just how powerful site expression can be when it is handled with restraint. Stevens Road sits in the heart of the region, where gravelly loam soils over clay provide excellent drainage while retaining enough moisture to carry the vines through the growing season. Combined with Margaret River’s cooling ocean influence, this is prime ground for Cabernet Sauvignon of structure, perfume and longevity.

Xanadu has been part of the region since the late 1970s and today the wines are shaped by winemaker Glenn Goodall, whose focus is firmly on letting individual vineyard sites speak. Stevens Road is one of the estate’s standout blocks, and this bottling is made only when the fruit delivers the depth and balance required. Careful ferments, measured use of French oak and time to settle in bottle all contribute to its quiet confidence.

The wine opens with classic Cabernet markers. Blackcurrant, blackberry and bay leaf are layered with graphite, cedar and subtle earthy notes. The palate is medium to full bodied, structured yet composed, with fine tannins that feel firm but polished. There is freshness running through the core, keeping the wine focused and elegant rather than dense.

This is a natural match for food. Grilled beef, lamb, rosemary scented dishes or slow cooked meats all sit beautifully alongside its savoury edge and tannin profile. It is also built to age, comfortably evolving over fifteen years or more, developing cigar box, dried herb and complex secondary characters while holding onto its Cabernet spine.