2020 Deep Woods Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Culinary Suggestions: Steak, Roasted Lamb, Hard Cheeses
Vineyard Practice: Sustainable
About
Deep Woods Estate was originally established in 1987 and since that time has gradually forged a steady path to now be regarded as amongst the very best of Margaret River and has certainly enjoyed countless accolades over recent years to back that up. We’ve obviously gotten to know head winemaker Julian Langworthy very well over the last half-decade or more through his own ‘Nocturne’ project so when the stars aligned to take on his ‘day job’ wines as well it was a no-brainer. Julian aside from being fabulous company and an all-round fun guy is quite rightly regarded as one of the most talented winemakers in Australia with awards such as James Halliday's Winemaker of the Year and a Jimmy Watson Trophy to his name and a wine-show circuit diary that is, to use one his own favourite words, truly epic!
Jules has done stints in France and Canada as well as senior winemaking roles in the Barossa Valley, Clare Valley, and Coonawarra. Passionate about producing regionally distinctive wines, Julian joined the Deep Woods team in 2011 and fair to say hasn’t looked back. The line-up of Deep Woods wines is impressive – from pourable treats to single-vineyard wines and reserve bottlings the common denominator is a sense of balance, regionality and purity. The fact that the wines offer terrific value - so much so that Deep Woods was awarded ‘Best Value Winery’ in this year’s Wine Companion awards is just a bonus! - Distributor Note
Tasting Notes
The 2020 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is layered with raspberry, licorice, savory tannin and loads of luscious fruit. Abundant. It is birthed of a warm, low-yielding vintage that produced lushly fruited, abundantly tannic wines that are as powerful as they are attractive. Perhaps that extra swathe of tannins puts it in a different class, however the fruit remains pure and, although plentiful, is expertly wedged into every nook and cranny in the mouth. This is a superb wine. It's a brilliant example of Margaret River Cabernet in a great year. I'm looking forward to seeing this wine in 10 years' time. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
96+ points - Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate July 2023
Drink: 2023 - 2040
From the original 1987 plantings in Yallingup.
Superb power here. Dense blackcurrant with bay leaf, gravel, dark chocolate and black olive flavours sweeping through, floral notes lifting above. It’s both structured and svelte but the serious density of fruit here, in the context of vigour, is a dramatic marker of its quality, and potential longevity. This wine is not inexpensive but, it could easily be argued, it’s worth every cent, relative to its competitors, from here and abroad. In short, it’s a fantastic red wine, full-bodied and rock solid.
96 points - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front July 2022
Drink: 2025 - 2040+