2020 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Ray Jordan, Ray Jordan Wine 2023

There have been some wonderful 2020 cabernets from Margaret River but none better than this. What a glorious statement of the region and a great vintage. Highly perfumed aromas of mulberry, dark chocolate and blackcurrant with a little plum and dried herb edging in. The palate is full-bodied with immense power. Black fruit, dark plum and some wild berry action with oak that has been almost lyrically laid. Bright and vital with a lithe expressiveness that is pure joy.

What’s the point of writing anything about this wine? Really. But you’ve come this far so I’ll add the reason: It’s complete, exceptional and beguiling. The best Margaret River cabernet exemplifies those alluring characters. OK, you want to know more. It’s heady with mulberries, cassis and damson plum, wakame and squid ink. Medium bodied, plush and velvety across the palate thanks to sublime tannins with an outrageously long finish. This is irresistible.

Perfumed, displaying lovely aromas of crunchy red fruits, mulberries, gentle mocha and cedar, with a whiff of sea spray and liquorice. Pulpy fleshy texture on the palate, with loads of ripe tannins. Long mineral finish.

Deep, bright and youthful red-purple colour; the bouquet is essence of cabernet—cassis, violet and mulberry leap from the glass, a hint of nori, while oak treatment is subtle and has been well suited to the style of fruit. Full body, ample soft/fine tannins and superior length. An impressive mouthful of fair dinkum cabernet.

Classic Margaret River Cab aromas of black cherry, currants, tobacco leaf, vanilla and toasty, mocha-like oak leads to a full-figured palate that's wrapped in muscular tannins but with a lovely freshness and fruit density. Still young, primary and somewhat austere, this will evolve over the next several decades.

Blackcurrant, blackberry and iodine with oyster shell and lead pencil aromas. Medium to full body, with creamy and fine tannins and a long, consistent finish. So beautiful now. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

Aromas of dried sage, blue fruit allusions, mint, boysenberries and the signature black currant. The tannins, a thickly textured scape across the mouth, rolled with lavender, black olive, peony and lilac. The underlying freshness, iodine and maritime. An impressive, full-weighted wine that needs time. Best after 2025. Screw cap.

James Halliday Australian Chardonnay and Cabernet Challenge

The multi-vineyard Xanadu Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is composed of Houghton Clone sourced from vineyards in the coastal region of Wilyabrup, northern Margaret River and the sub-region of Wallcliffe. Small-batch fermentation and 12 to 14 months maturation in new (40-55%) and seasoned French oak barriques results in a wine with intense blackcurrant and herb garden aromas, superb richness and concentration, and vigorous, fine, chalky tannins. Roughly 5% malbec and 5% petit verdot.