Deep Woods Estate, Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River, Western Australia 2020 (14%)

The world’s greatest red wines often seem infused with a sense of refinement and ease when mature, no matter how dense and impenetrable they appear in youth. The hallmark of this finely crafted Cabernet Sauvignon from Margaret River is that, youthful as it is, it’s able to convey both density and refined ease simultaneously. In colour it’s dark black-purple, and you’ll find remarkable fruit concentration and closeness of texture in the mouth. Yet the aromas are warm, open and resonant, pure and unthrusting, and such is the clarity of organisation of the palate, finesse of the tannins and delicacy of that fruit that it already drinks with the serenity of a fully mature wine. Fine craftsmanship here.

‘I love Cabernet Sauvignon,’ declares Julian Langworthy, chief winemaker and general manager of Deep Woods Estate. ‘It’s a lens for site quality, and in only truly great vineyards does it excel.’

The Yallingup Hills region in Margaret River is one such site, according to Langworthy. ‘Deep sandy gravels over clay, the dual maritime influence of the Indian ocean and Geographe Bay; Cabernet Sauvignon loves it here and the wines shine with our wonderful terroir. It’s the Goldilocks of grape-growing, if you will. Never too hot, too wet, or too cold; it’s just right.’

Having grown up immersed in wine culture, Langworthy says that he was ‘born to make wine’ and has done just that as far afield as France and Canada, yet coming back to his home territory of Margaret River was always the endgame: ‘I knew that returning home to Margaret River was my ultimate goal,’ he states. ‘Now, for the last 11 years, I’ve had the privilege and pleasure to be involved in making amazing wines at Deep Woods Estate, and this wine is the ultimate expression of Cabernet Sauvignon for what we believe is the greatest place to grow it in the world – Margaret River.’