Xanadu Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Margaret River's unique maritime climate and gravelly soils create Cabernet Sauvignons with exceptional elegance and structure, quite different from the power-driven styles of Coonawarra or the earthiness of Clare Valley. This Xanadu Reserve showcases the region's signature balance between rich cassis fruit and refined tannins, with the coastal influence helping maintain natural acidity even in warmer vintages like 2022. The result is a wine that combines intensity with finesse, a hallmark of premium Margaret River Cabernet.

Serve this wine at 16-18°C to allow its complex aromatics and full-bodied structure to shine, decanting for 30-60 minutes will help soften the plentiful tannins and release its fragrant bouquet. Store bottles on their side in a cool, dark place at 12-15°C with consistent temperature - this Reserve has the structure and balance to cellar beautifully for 10-15 years. The wine's excellent tannin integration means it's approachable now but will reward patience as the oak continues to marry with the fruit.

The wine's cassis and mulberry fruit profile with liquorice and spice notes makes it perfect for red meat dishes, particularly grilled lamb with rosemary or beef wellington where the cedary oak complements herb crusts. The full-bodied palate and fine tannins can handle rich, umami-driven foods like aged hard cheeses, mushroom risotto, or even dark chocolate desserts that echo the wine's own chocolate notes. Avoid overly spicy cuisines that might clash with the wine's elegant structure.

The multiple 96+ point scores reflect this wine's rare combination of power and precision - critics recognise how difficult it is to achieve such richness while maintaining elegance and terroir expression. The 'Best in Show' Decanter award particularly highlights its exceptional quality among international competition, where Margaret River Cabernets often punch above their weight. These scores indicate a wine that not only delivers immediate pleasure but possesses the complexity and structure that critics value for long-term cellaring potential.

Reserve designations typically indicate a winery's premium tier, made from their finest vineyard blocks and receiving extended barrel ageing in higher-quality French oak. For Xanadu, this Reserve represents their top-tier Cabernet, likely sourced from low-yielding, mature vines that produce more concentrated fruit with greater complexity. The careful oak integration mentioned in the tasting notes suggests longer, more expensive barrel maturation compared to their standard bottlings, resulting in the wine's sophisticated balance between fruit purity and structural elements.