2023 Deep Woods Estate Reserve Cabernet, Margaret River

What a release of this almost-cult wine. Aromatic lift and real depth of flavor with red and black currants, potpourri, cocoa beans and fresh blue fruit as well as blood plums, black cherries, cedar and iron. The profound palate has textural, refined and approachable tannins with a mineral, mouthwatering edge. The cool vintage shows in the wine’s soft, flirtatious appeal. Slightly atypical in style but excellent.

97 points James Suckling July 2025

The Reserve is somewhat reserved and needs more time to showcase its inherent quality. Still primary and youthful, which is fine, but this needs a little mellowness to its shape. Richly fruited with mulberries, cassis and blackberries, cedary and sweet oak, baking spices galore and menthol. There’s a succulence across the palate, although structure comes via precision tannins. Drink 2027-2040.

95 points Jane Faulkner Halliday Wine Companion April 2026

The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is poised and vibrant, offering graphite, dried leaves, blackcurrant and ink aromas alongside spicy oak. The palate shows good generosity of flavor, with a finely balanced blend of fruit and structure. Attractive gravelly sage tones linger on the finish. Approachable, but it needs a little more time to really hit its straps. Drink 2028-2034

93 points Angus Hughson Vinous January 2026

Deep Woods Estate was established in 1987 and has become one of Margaret River’s most awarded wineries. The Reserve Cabernet exemplifies the power and elegance of premium Cabernet Sauvignon from Margaret River, and why the region has reached global benchmark status for the variety. The region’s gravelly soils, combined with the maritime effect of the Indian Ocean, create ideal conditions for the variety, allowing it to develop intense flavours, fine tannins, and balanced acidity.

The 2023 season had a late start but proved to be a trouble-free moderate season of consistently warm days and cool nights. The 2023 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon was crafted from the ultra-low yielding, original vines on the estate planted in 1987, along with fruit from our neighbouring Abbey Vale vineyard planted in 1985. The ferments were assessed daily, and pump-overs were performed as required to gently extract colour, flavour and tannin. The wine was gently pressed to a combination of new and seasoned French barriques, where it matured in oak for 18 months.

A wine of reserved power and poise with a compact tannin profile that will unfold with time in bottle. The components of a great Cabernet are all there, but some patience will be needed for that reward. Maybe open the first bottle five years after the vintage to see how it is travelling.