Xanadu 2023 Stevens Road Cabernet Sauvignon.
My lack of love for young cabernet is pretty well known and that’s only because these styles of wines are simply not what I prefer to drink, thats it. The man behind the wines is also a grade A legend, Glenn Goodall who has been at the helm for over 20 years, that to me says so much about what he is capable of and delivering.
A single-vineyard wine from Stevens Road, 3km from the Xanadu winery near Boodjidup Brook in Margaret River, a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Malbec. The 2023 season saw a cool, wet spring followed by a dry, mild summer, giving fruit with excellent natural acidity despite heavy bird pressure (damn birds). Crushed and destemmed, then fermented in small batches across static and open fermenters with hand plunging and aerative pumping. Matured in high-quality French oak and ONLY 8 barrels made. WOW.
This is the most awarded cabernet in the country. I’m sure JJ from Lamont’s has all the stats but Glenn has won just about every capital city wine show there is and his wines always speak of place and season so beautifully.
This wine in particular for me has a real savoury and salty sea spray drive, the fruit sits effortlessly behind it and the tannin and acid structure are just the perfect friends along for the ride. This is a wine that drinks beautifully young and will improve with time in bottle, whether or not that makes it better down the track is up to each individual. For me the youth here is a real star, but with age it well transform and show beauty beyond its years. Do yourself a favour and find some Xanadu Cab’s you will thank me later.
