1996 Chateau Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon

Dr's John and Eithne Lagan were both medical practitioners in Northern Ireland when an advertisement appeared in the British Medical Journal calling for doctors to settle in Western Australia. As with a lot of advertising, an idyllic picture was painted for the young applicants. Margaret River was ".....a nice coastal town in the bush south of Perth with a temperate climate where it rained a lot and was nice and green like Ireland". No mention was made of droughts or the fact that the local economy was depressed and the towns population diminished to such a low level that the local hospital was about to be closed. Despite their disappointment, the Lagans decided to stay and rescue their dreams as best they could. Another medico, Tom Cullity, was just planting out Vasse Felix and encouraged the young medicos to do likewise. The Lagans purchased land in 1972 and began planting Cabernet Sauvignon in 1977 - and so Chateau Xanadu was born.In spite of the relatively high rainfall of Margaret River (1160mm per year), the area is not averse to drought, as was the case with the 1994 and 1995 vintages. The even Mediterranean climate has been likened to that of St. Emillion and Pomerol in Bordeaux where some of the worlds finest Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc are grown. Cabernet Sauvignon is the most important of the red grape varieties with 172ha planted and 33ha planted in Merlot. The district has gained its international reputation on the exceptional quality of its Cabernets which have demonstrated an excellent ability to improve in quality over the years as well as appreciate considerably in value.

WHILST OTHER MARGARET RIVER CABERNETS SUCH AS LEEUWIN ESTATE, CULLENS, MOSS WOOD AND CAPE MENTELLE HAVE SKYROCKETED IN PRICE TO AROUND $120.00 A BOTTLE, THE 1996 CHATEAU XANADU CABERNET SAUVIGNON STILL REMAINS WITHIN THE REACH OF THE AVERAGE WINE CONSUMER.

IN A MARKET OF EVER INCREASING PREMIUM WINE PRICES, THE 1996 CHATEAU XANADU CABERNET SAUVIGNON REMAINS A BARGAIN.ALIGN=CENTER>

The 1996 growing season saw the drought break and produced a cool and wet spring to be followed by the hottest February on record. As a result the fruit flavours developed relatively quickly with the grapes reaching optimum levels of ripeness, producing great intensity of flavourTasting notes: A magnificent wine! Made with 14% merlot, from low yielding vines, this is a classic Margaret River Cabernet. Opaque crimson mauve colour. The nose displays great complexity, with multi layered aromas of cedar, blackcurrant, tobacco earthy truffles and ripe plums. The palate has great depth and persistence of flavours. Pronounced spicy blackpepper, blackcurrant, liquorice and cedar flavours fill the mouth - complex and classy. Very fine, dry tannins, with long lingering aftertaste of truffles, blackcurrants and cedar and fine dry tannin finish. Cellar 8-10 years.