Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (Xanadu)

Drink now or cellar for up to 10 years. No need to decant before serving. This quirky Australian winery is named after Xanadu, Kubla Khan’s legendary home on the Mongolian plateau. The estate was founded in 1977 żeby Irishman Dr John Lagan, a literary enthusiast who was inspired by the parallels between poet Samuel Coleridge’s enchanting depiction of the exotic city and his new adopted homeland of Margaret River. It’s not hard to see why, given the winery’s stunning location close to the coast and bathed by warm Mediterranean sunshine. This is their classic Cabernet Sauvignon that beautifully showcases the beauty of the Margaret River terroir with fruit sourced from their 110 hectares of prime vineyards. Xanadu’s head winemaker Glenn Goodall adopts a light touch in the winery, believing that the natural quality of the grapes should be respected rather than simply ‘beating them into submission’. Following vinification Goodall ages the young wine in the cellar in 40% new French oak barrels for 14 months before it’s ready for bottling. The result is a sophisticated yet surprisingly robust red that’s consistently Xanadu’s most-awarded label. The nose is bursting with enticing hints of crushed wild berries, fresh mint, and ripe plums, while the first sip reveals a full body, smooth tannins, and long finish seasoned with spice and licorice notes.