Xanadu Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Quintessential Margaret River Cabernet, with perfumed black fruit aromas and a generous, velvety palate packed with irresistible dark forest fruit and chocolate characters.
Vintage
Average winter rainfall, and a warm, dry spring set up an early start to the season. Variable fruit set resulted in lower yields, which combined with the warm summer saw one of the earliest harvests ever. 2020 was an excellent vintage.
Vineyard
Cabernet Sauvignon and a little portion of Petit Verdot from the Timber Creek Vineyard in Wilyabrup, which make up 50% of the blend along with 45% of fruit from the dry grown Victory Point vineyard, in the Treeton subregion. The remaining 5% is Malbec from the estate Stevens Road vineyard in the Wallcliffe subregion. The Cabernet Sauvignon is the renowned Houghton clone which provides a balance of fruit-driven flavours, impeccable structure and fine tannins. The deep and ancient granite soils have an abundance of ironstone gravel. These free-draining soils have low water and nutrient holding capacities, providing the optimum growing conditions to achieve balance between foliage and fruit, and deliver superb aroma and flavour intensity. The Indian and Southern Oceans meet here, engulfing the vineyards with fresh, sea breezes, promoting natural balance. The vineyard is managed sustainably with cover crops, biodiversity promotion and weed management from sheep grazing.
Winemaking
The grapes were crushed and destemmed before mostly small batch fermentation took place at 24 to 26 °C in static and open fermenters, lasting seven to eight days. The cap was submerged using pumping over and regular hand plunging. Post fermentation, the Timber Creek Cabernet fruit (45%) underwent extended skin maceration, before being gently pressed. Malolactic conversion took place in a combination of tank and barrel. The wine was matured for 14 months in French oak (40% new).
Tasting Notes
Quintessential Margaret River Cabernet, with perfumed black fruit aromas and a generous, velvety palate packed with irresistible dark forest fruit and chocolate characters.
Grape
Cabernet Sauvignon 90%, Malbec 5%, Petit Verdot 5%
To find out more about the winery, click here to go to the website
Xanadu is a true pioneer of the Margaret River region producing fresh and vibrant coastal wines. The estate was established by Dr John Lagan, an Irishman, who arrived in Margaret River in 1968. Captivated by the pioneering spirit of the region, along with his wife Eithne, he planted his first vines in 1977. Inspired by the beauty of the setting, they named the property after the mysterious, idyllic paradise in Samuel Coleridge’s poem, Kubla Khan: Xanadu. True to its poetic namesake, Xanadu is in an idyllic setting, where 65 hectares of vines flourish on the original estate. Passionate and dedicated winemaker Glenn Goodall joined in 1999, combining intuitive winemaking, and a deep respect for the sustainably cultivated vineyard- which is a member of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia- he produces world-class wines of distinction. Glenn was awarded Halliday’s ‘Best Winemaker of the Year Australia 2023’ and in 2018 Xanadu won the Jimmy Watson memorial trophy.
To see our full range of Xanadu wines click here
Xanadu Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
£67.00 a bottle
6 in stock
Xanadu Wines has a long history of producing wines of distinction. By the early Eighties it was already winning awards, and had begun establishing a reputation as one of the finest wineries in the region, a reputation that is being consolidated since the purchase of Xanadu by the Rathbone family in 2005.
Regarded as one of Australia’s best wine producing regions. It is synonymous with a new era in Australian wine. Margaret River really began its vineyard life as a result of two research reports from Californian viticulturalist Professor Harold Olmo and the Western Australian scientist Dr John Gladstone. In 1965 Dr Gladstone’s report indicated that the region had all the attributes to produce world quality wines. This advise was acted on by Dr Tom Cullity who set up his Vasse Felix vineyard near Willyabrup, followed by Dr Kevin Cullen and his wife Di who set up Cullen Wines. The climate is regarded as ‘cool’ because of its long slow ripening season. This region is regarded along with Coonawarra and the Yarra Valley as one of the premium Cabernet Sauvignon areas in Australia. The main wine styles: Red – Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet-Merlot, Shiraz; White – Chardonnay, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc, Verdelho.
Probably the world’s most famous red grape variety. Originated from Bordeaux and has been present in Australia since 1832.
Wherever it has been planted the resulting wine has developed its own identity yet it is always recognisable. Although it will vary in intensity the aroma will always be dominated by berry characteristics in the classic wines and the tannins will be firm or textured and soften with age. Cabernet Sauvignon is high in acid and tannin and remains fresh for many years. It can be earthy and display strong blackcurrant flavours. The naturally high tannin and inherent complexity mean all Cabernet Sauvignons will improve with age.
Coonawarra, with its prized ‘terra rossa’ soils, Margaret River, Mount Barker (Great Southern) and Yarra Valley regions are considered the premium Cabernet Sauvignon areas in Australia.
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