It’s remarkable that over the years, Xanadu has continued to produce great wines, particularly with its cabernet, which in fact has been judged ‘Best of the Best’ several times in this Top 100 previously. The ‘22 vintage was very good in Margaret River, and this structured, poised, and quite powerful cabernet captures the vintage in the Margaret River region so beautifully. An impressive cabernet sauvignon from a season which produced wines of power and volume with a firm structure. This is all of that. The typical blackcurrant aromas are augmented with sweet plummy nuances. The palate is tightly framed with firm tannins and a decent oak influence from the 40% new French oak contribution. The colour is bright and almost luminous. A wine of energy and vibrancy. If you are looking for great value in cellaring then this baby is right on the mark.

Showing off its youthful, vibrant nature with all manner of flavours from cassis, mulberries and redcurrants to baking spices, nori and a distinct whiff of licorice – even warm bitumen – and a flutter of leafy freshness. Fuller bodied but well composed with ripe, if slightly sandy, tannins and the cedary oak neatly tucked in, just giving off a slight green walnut note.

Showing off its youthful, vibrant nature with all manner of flDark red, youthful and bright in the glass. Classic cabernet aromas of cassis, bramble, dried herbs, cedar, tobacco, anise and bay leaf. Tightly bound, concentrated and pure in flavour. There’s lashings of blackberry, dark cherry, briar and cedar. The tannins are firm, seriously shaped and drying and the acidity delivers plenty of zip and zap. Archetypal Margaret River cabernet built for cellaring.vours from cassis, mulberries and redcurrants to baking spices, nori and a distinct whiff of licorice – even warm bitumen – and a flutter of leafy freshness. Fuller bodied but well composed with ripe, if slightly sandy, tannins and the cedary oak neatly tucked in, just giving off a slight green walnut note.

There’s a plush and juicy mood to this warm vintage, yet impeccably upholding the fragrant violet aromatics and tightly-coiled, fine-grained tannin profile that we love of Xanadu. Crunchy blackcurrants, cassis and graphite all abound, delightful from the outset and yet carrying every promise of ascending over the medium term. I love its long, bright finish of impeccably mineral tannin polish.

The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon leads with glossy black fruits, dried mint, liquorice, pink peppercorn and blood plum. The tannins are chewy and supple and feel ultra fine in the context of the length of flavour and intensity thereof. Silty is another word. It’s a lovely wine, from a very good Cabernet vintage in Margaret River.