2022 Deep Woods Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Representing the pinnacle of the Deep Woods Estate house style, this Cabernet Sauvignon was crafted from the ultra-low yielding, original vines on the estate planted in 1987, along with fruit from our neighbouring Abbey Vale vineyard planted in 1985.

The ferments were assessed daily, and pump-overs were performed as required to gently extract colour, flavour and tannin. The wine was gently pressed to a combination of new and seasoned French barriques, where it matured in oak for 18 months.

The colour is deep redcurrant and mulberry hue. On the nose is crushed violets, blackcurrant and red fruits harness the aromatic lift of this Cabernet. Elegant, dried tobacco leaf and herb are laced with olive brine, cedar and subtle cocoa dust. The palate has a restrained energy with ultra fine tannins that finish perfectly in check with the sweet acid line. No part singing louder than the other, the wine builds on the palate slowly with grace and harmony that showcase essence of a classic Margaret River Cabernet.

2022 Reserve Cabernet – it’s a thing. Warmer more expressive vintage that showcases all of the strengths of the Deep Woods Reserve vineyard strengths. The classic dark fruits , bitter cocoa powder and violet high notes are there along with the most silky and accessible tannin profile you could hope for. Margaret River Cabernet – it’s a thing, the expressive nature of the 2022 vintage is a thing, the extreme quality on offer and ageability – they are all things…..very good things.

Cabernet is made in the vineyard. I’d love to lie and say it is all about goodlooking winemakers but it’s not…. It takes very special sites in very special places to make truly great Cabernet and we are very lucky at Deep Woods to have such an amazing site, in what I see as the greatest sub-region to make Cabernet in Margaret River, which is also the greatest region to make Cabernet in Australia.

When you have a site like this, it’s really about harnessing its attributes and showcasing them in the best possible light, at its heart, really just not messing it up.  So, in that vein this wine is very simply made, it’s all about ripeness and purity of fruit tannin harnessed and lengthened by maturation in the finest-grained French oak.

This wine I feel is a perfect example of Deep Woods Reserve Cabernet and one that is very close to my heart.  Great drinkability but amazing detail and tannin structure , wines like these I feel are Australia’s greatest vinous gems.  – Julian Langworthy

 Blueberry, blackberry, chocolate box, bay leaf, nutmeg and assorted dusty spices, plus some dried orange peel. It’s a rich and nutty wine, though kind of only pushing above medium-bodied, with plenty of grainy almost emery board tannin, a slight fresh blackberry tang to acidity, maybe even some raspberry coulis, and while it’s kind of polished in a mahogany sort of way, it has something of an X-Factor that I really like. The finish is bright and very long, and features some pimento spice. It sits well in the glass, and delivers a heap of Cabernet satisfaction. Very good. Very. 95 points. Gary Walsh, The Winefront Aug 2024

 A youthful, deep red and vibrant in the glass. Lifted aromas of cassis, bramble, cedar, tobacco, dried herbs, blueberry and earth. Bright and snappy on the palate. Blackberry, dark cherry, spice, menthol and crunchy acidity drive the flavours. The tannins are firm, layered and sophisticated and there’s real tension and texture on the finish. Cellar material. 95 points. Aaron Brasher, The Real Review Oct 2024