Woodlands Cabernet Sauvignon 'Thomas' 2012 Magnum 1500ml

Founded in 1973 by David and Heather Watson, Woodlands was one of the first five vineyards planted in Margaret River. Now run by sons Stuart and Andrew, the ten-hectare certified-organic estate is still built around its original 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon plantings — and every vintage of the flagship Cabernet is named after a member of the Watson family, keeping the wine deeply personal, generation after generation.

2012 delivered near-perfect ripening conditions in Margaret River, with warm, dry weather from February onwards producing fruit of exceptional quality. A blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec and 1% Cabernet Franc, matured for 21 months in 100% new French oak. 13.5% ABV, sealed under Stelvin screwcap.

The colour is deep crimson, almost opaque midnight black. This is a supremely elegant, aristocratic wine. The nose is dense and brooding — violet, blackcurrant and mulberry layered with dark chocolate, cedary tobacco and bay leaf, lifted by toasty barrel spice and a touch of green freshness. The palate is supple, balanced and refined, with fine-grained tannin running the full length — blackcurrant, redcurrant and mulberry over a backdrop of spicy cedar, tobacco and dried herbs. The mid-palate accelerates and hurtles through to the finish, drawing saliva with the sheer intensity of cassis, earth, black olive and cedar. The finish is very long, with lingering spiced red and black currant, mulberry and tobacco.

Critical acclaim:

• 97 points — James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion
• 95–97 points — Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate