2023 Woodlands Wilyabrup Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot, Margaret River

Bold aromas of black currants, dark berries, plum skin, olive tapenade, spices and earth. The palate is full-bodied with firmly integrated tannins, bright acidity and a long, densely packed finish. Built for the cellar. A blend of 60% cabernet sauvignon, 20% merlot and the rest cabernet franc and malbec. Drink or hold.

93 points Ryan Montgomery for James Suckling, October 2026

A wonderful deep red-purple hue entices, as do heady aromas of violets, dark fruit, licorice and nori, menthol too. The palate is clamped hard by savoury yet such drying tannins, although pops of sweet fruit are there with charry oak. Lots to enjoy, but this will be better with time under its belt and/or with food. Drink to 2036.

93 points Jane Faulkner for Halliday Wine Companion, July 2025

Pure, vibrant and highly expressive, this is predominantly cabernet with contributions from merlot, cabernet franc and malbec. Energetic, punchy fruit opens with plummy blackcurrant and a subtle leafy black olive nuance. The palate reveals red fruits and a cedary character, all well integrated and balanced. Drink to 2036.

93 points Ray Jordan Wine Review 2027

Very deep, very bright and youthful looking purple colour; and the bouquet is likewise young and primary, with purple fruit aromas, deep and ripe and concentrated, with a layer of smoked-meaty reduction floating over the top. A big, slightly abrasive palate with youthful astringency and bold flavour. This has potential and needs more time. Drink to 2038.

91 points Huon Hooke for The Real Review, November 2025

From the excellent 2023 vintage, the 2023 Woodland Wilyabrup Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot is a 62/28/6/4 blend of the two, with the smaller components being Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Matured for fourteen months in mostly seasoned French oak barriques, the wine opens beautifully with air, but is likely to look even better after a couple of more years in the bottle. While young, try with a mushroom risotto with fresh thyme and parmesan shavings, or pan-roasted duck (or chicken) glazed with a mushroom and light soy reduction.

About this producer

Woodlands was established in 1973 by David and Heather Watson. It was one of the first five estates to be planted in Margaret River, today drawing fruit from the original vineyard on Caves Road as well as the nearby Woodlands Brook vineyard, both in the northern Wilyabrup sub-region and the latter somewhat further away from the coast.

The vineyards cover 28 hectares and are dry-grown and hand-tended. The original Woodland vineyard is today certified organic, while Woodlands Brook is organic-in-conversion, with viticultural practices at both sites also including nods to biodynamic principles.

Woodlands remains a family-owned producer, with brothers Andrew and Stuart Watson continuing their parents’ work.