2011 Woodlands Margaret Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Malbec

Across Western Australia in general, 2011 was remarkable, not only for how completely different it was to much of South East Australia. As Micheal Kerrigan of Hayshed Hill Vineyard in Margaret River explains, "It has always been of some consternation to us in the West that the quality of Australian vintages are assessed on what happens in the middle and east of the country, with Western Australia so far away and influenced by completely independent weather systems we often experience vastly different conditions that shape the quality of our vintages and wines."Wine scribes have also contributed to these misapprehensions, drawing sweeping conclusions on vintage quality even before most wines have hit the market. Two scales apply: It's easy to forget that Australia's wine growing regions are vast. Inversely, when it's raining on your block, it doesn't necessarily mean your neighbour's getting wet. With any vintage report, reserve judgment until you've tried atleast some of the wines yourself.

2011 ranks with 2007 as one of the warmest and earliest Margaret River harvests, producing very polished and luscious wines. Composed of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot and 14% Malbec this excellent blend saw 18 months maturation in French oak. Totally opaque black dark crimson red colour with deep dark crimson red hue. Displaying great finesse the nose shows an attractive aromatic profile of subtle violet, blackcurrant and ripe mulberry followed by some cedar, light earth and spice. Medium to full bodied and possessing a touch more upfront richness than recent vintages, no doubt due to the warmer 2011 vintage conditions, the palate delivers Bordeaux like refinement with mouthfilling flavours of blackcurrant and ripe mulberry followed by some cedar, subtle earth and spice. Superb length with slightly dryish but very fine grained tannins showing beautiful integration. Long blackcurrant, mulberry, cedar, subtle tobacco and spice aftertaste. A wine graced with finesse, elegance and class.
Cellar 6-8 years (2019-2021)
Alc 13.5%