“The tasting for the top six wines, this feature has resulted in one of the strongest On The Vine groups yet. All are from WA and deliver both quality and value for money. The highlight for me was the Leeuwin Estate Prelude Cabernet Sauvignon, which is just about the best release of this wine that I have tried. It is the culmination of years of hard work, particularly in the vineyard, to rejuvenate the wine and produce cabernet that is structurally and varietally consistent with what a good Margaret River cabernet should be.

In the whites, the quality of Margaret River and Great Southern chardonnay is on display with two extra special wines, the Precedent from Margaret River and the Castelli from the Great Southern. Castelli has been a consistent producer over many years and, despite the warm 2024 vintage, has produced a wine of drive and elegance. The Precedent is a new entry into this list and has clearly benefited from excellent fruit sourcing in this great vintage.“

– Ray Jordan

On The Vine Volume 11 Tasting Notes

LEEUWIN ESTATE | PRELUDE VINEYARDS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 | 93/100

This was an excellent year for Margaret River after the challenges of ’21. Here is a cabernet that demonstrates how this variety has been transformed at Leeuwin Estate. It’s firm and classically cabernet in design and presentation. It’s still pretty tight with the tannins and oak in control but further cellar time will see it reveal more of its potential.

EVANS & TATE | REDBROOK ESTATE CABERNET MERLOT 2020 | 95/100

Hard to beat this classic Margaret River combination in a very good year. It’s more towards medium bodied and so stylish and poised as it drives effortlessly to a long finish. Aromas of graphite and bay leaf immediately reveal a very subtle olive tapenade in the background. The fleshy merlot fills the palate neatly while the cabernet adds those firm angular tannins for structure.

FOREST HILL | MOUNT BARKER CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 | 95/100

Highly fragrant and perfumed. From Blocks 5, 6 and 7, has a little bit of malbec and a mix of old vine cabernet. The long season was perfect for cabernet, contributing to a long hang time on the vine. It’s got structure and poise with firm chalky tannins and a very long palate profile. It has a lot of blackberry and bay leaf flavour.

FERMOY | SEMILLON SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 | 91/100

A neatly balanced light-bodied blend of these two varieties that sit so harmoniously together. The notes of lime and subtle red apple with light passionfruit emerge on the nose. The palate picks them up and adds crunchy acidity to sustain a long finish. This is such good current drinking.

PRECEDENT |  CHARDONNAY 2023 | 91/100 

A light and fragrant chardonnay from this excellent season. On the nose, you get that nectarine and peach blossom character with a little citrus edge. Seamlessly integrated palate with a slightly savoury roasted cashew character threading through to the long finish. Even on the light body, it is textured. Presents well.

CASTELLI | GREAT SOUTHERN CHARDONNAY 2024 | 93/100

Always a consistent wine, and this one from the warm ’24 vintage has been put together with the typical style. Aromas of intense stone fruit and a coating of lightly roasted cashew. The palate delivers a textured feel, cut with a fine minerality and slightly savoury long finish. Slightly creamy with a peachy richness. 

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