“This is the best vintage yet!” – Julian Langworthy

Julian Langworthy is quite the wordsmith and many of his, let’s say, taglines, are well known (and loved) to those who have come along for the journey throughout his illustrious winemaking career. And, as much as they’re often received with a chuckle, these turns of phrase are a big contributor to his reputation as one of the most admired and highly-regarded winemakers in this country. Not only is he one of Australia’s most gifted talents, his ability to articulate what is in the glass before you, and how it got there, is something to behold – whether you are just starting your vinous journey or you are a well-seasoned connoisseur.

One bit of personification we’ve heard him throwing around over the past 12 months is this ‘Goldilocks’ reference when talking about the 2023 vintage in Margaret River. And, what better way to sum it up? Not too little or too much of anything – everything was “just right”. We’ve seen this in the sublime Nocturne SR (sub-regional) wines from 2023, and are now excited to the most “epic” of levels to present the 2023 releases of the ‘O.G Nocturne’ – the Single Vineyard wines, to you today.

As always, Cabernet is King, and for this King of Cabernet, his crown jewel, Sheoak Vineyard in the realm of Yallingup, gave rise to a “superlative” wine in 2023 “with density of tannin that is amazing but is so silky, soft and supple, it’s as if it was suspended in air”. Yes, his words, not ours.

This benchmark, head-turning Cabernet strides in with its partner in crime alongside the 2023 Forrest Vineyard Chardonnay, grown in Wilyabrup, taken from a very specific part of this low-yielding vineyard, planted just 3km back from the Margaret River coastline – “the best Nocturne SV Chardonnay to date”. Jules’ words, again.

And, such was the glory of the 2023 vintage, Julian has released a second Chardonnay, grown on the tiny Wilson Vineyard in Wallcliffe, a little further in from the coast. Raw beauty and purity of fruit is the calling card here.