2023 Forest Hill Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Great Southern

There is 3% malbec in this wine. A variety of blocks are utilised for the cabernet component. Sleek and elegant, really understated and refined. A sheath of lightweight but puckering, al dente tannin keeping in dark cherry, cassis, alpine herb notes, clove, white pepper and tobacco. The wine does two speeds of fruit friendly and fresh while being earthy, herbal and savoury at the same time. Excellent length, tightly wound and just so darn superb overall. How is this this price?! Ludicrous.

95 points Special Value Mike Bennie winecompanion.com.au

Forest Hill Estate Cabernet Sauvignon from Great Southern is a beautifully composed and elegant wine that reflects the region’s cool climate and the precision of this historic Mount Barker estate. Forest Hill was one of the first vineyards planted in Western Australia’s Great Southern region, and its mature dry-grown vines now produce Cabernet Sauvignon of exceptional purity, structure, and longevity.

The fruit is sourced from the estate’s original plantings on gravelly loam soils over clay, which naturally restrict yields and enhance concentration. The cool nights and long growing season of Mount Barker allow slow, even ripening, ensuring fine tannins and vibrant natural acidity. The grapes are hand harvested, fermented in small open fermenters, and gently plunged to extract colour and flavour before ageing for 18 months in French oak barriques, around one third new.

In the glass it shows deep crimson with ruby highlights. The aroma is refined and complex, offering blackcurrant, mulberry, and plum alongside hints of bay leaf, cedar, graphite, and spice. The palate is medium to full bodied with a core of dark fruit framed by silky tannins and a fine mineral edge. There’s wonderful balance between richness and freshness, leading to a long, savoury finish that lingers with cassis and gentle oak.

It pairs perfectly with roast lamb, venison, beef fillet, or aged cheddar, and it will cellar beautifully for 15 to 20 years, gaining notes of cigar box, earth, and dark chocolate as it matures.