Mchenry Hohnen Rocky Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

Reviews and Accolades

93 Points Ray Jordan

The varietal characters of black fruits and subtle bay leaf, with a little minerally nuance, provide the ideal opening into this delicious contemporary cabernet. The palate is juicy and more in the medium-bodied zone, but there is good intensity and concentration as it extends effortlessly through to a long finish. A wine of great energy and vibrancy — thoroughly delicious current drinking.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Deep crimson red with youthful purple hues.
• Aromatics: Lifted redcurrant, violet and black fruits are layered with bay leaf, graphite, olive tapenade and subtle earthy notes.
• Palate: Juicy and medium-bodied, with cassis, dark berries, Morello cherry and red plum providing excellent flavour intensity.
• Savoury character: Olive, dried herbs, mocha and dark chocolate bring complexity and balance to the ripe fruit.
• Minerality: A subtle oyster-shell and gravelly quality provides freshness and definition.
• Structure: Firm yet velvety tannins create a silky framework without making the wine feel heavy.
• Finish: Long, energetic and savoury, with lingering cassis, redcurrant, herbs and fine tannins.

Wine Details

• Vintage: 2023
• Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
• Region: Margaret River, Western Australia
• Vineyards: Selected premium sites across Margaret River
• Fruit sources: McHenry Hohnen estate vineyards and trusted long-term growers
• Fermentation: Whole berries in concrete fermenters
• Yeast: Partial wild fermentation
• Extraction: Gentle extraction twice daily
• Skin contact: Approximately 7 to 15 days
• Oak: Seasoned French oak barriques
• Barrel age: One to two years old
• Oak maturation: 14 months
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Closure: Screwcap
• Style: Juicy, medium-bodied and savoury
• Cellaring: Up to seven years
• Serving temperature: 16 to 18°C
• Decanting: Approximately 60 minutes when young

Margaret River Cabernet with Energy

Margaret River is internationally recognised for Cabernet Sauvignon, producing wines with concentrated blackcurrant fruit, fine tannins and distinctive herbal complexity.

Rocky Road Cabernet captures those classic qualities in a more approachable, contemporary style.

The wine has enough fruit weight and concentration to be unmistakably Cabernet, but it sits firmly in the medium-bodied spectrum. Its 13.5% alcohol, lively acidity and silky tannins keep the palate energetic rather than dense.

Bay leaf, olive, graphite and dried herbs provide the savoury characters associated with Margaret River Cabernet, while cassis, black fruits and redcurrant give it immediate appeal.

This balance makes it particularly versatile. It is serious enough for Cabernet enthusiasts, yet soft and juicy enough for drinkers who sometimes find young Cabernet too firm or drying.

The 2023 Margaret River Vintage

The 2023 season produced Margaret River wines with perfume, freshness and excellent natural balance.

A wet and cold winter replenished the soils before a cool but comparatively dry spring. Favourable flowering conditions supported healthy yields across the region.

Summer then brought consistently warm, sunny and breezy days without excessive heat. This allowed Cabernet Sauvignon to ripen gradually and evenly rather than rushing towards maturity.

The difference between warm days and cooler nights helped preserve aroma and natural acidity while the skins, seeds and tannins reached complete ripeness.

For Cabernet, these conditions encouraged vibrant fruit, lifted perfume and finely developed tannins. The resulting wines combine approachability with the structure required for cellaring.

Rocky Road Cabernet reflects the strengths of the season through its violet perfume, juicy fruit, freshness and silky but persistent tannin structure.

Fourteen Months in Seasoned French Oak

After fermentation, the wine was matured for 14 months in French oak barriques that were between one and two years old.

These seasoned barrels contribute less obvious oak flavour than newly made barrels. Instead of dominating the Cabernet with strong toast or vanilla, they gently build texture and structure.

The barrels also allow a small amount of oxygen to interact with the wine during maturation. This helps soften the tannins and brings the fruit, savoury characters and structure together.

The result is an oak influence that supports the wine rather than announcing itself. Dark chocolate and mocha are present, but the redcurrant, cassis, violet and bay leaf remain clearly defined.

A Medium-Bodied Cabernet

Cabernet Sauvignon is often associated with powerful, firmly structured wines that require years in the cellar.

Rocky Road takes a more immediately approachable direction.

It still has the cassis, bay leaf, graphite and tannin structure expected from Cabernet, but its body is closer to medium than full. The fruit feels juicy, the tannins are velvety and the alcohol remains moderate at 13.5%.

This makes it an excellent choice for those who enjoy Cabernet’s flavour but prefer a wine that feels lively and drinkable rather than dense.

It can be enjoyed with red meat, but it is not restricted to heavy dishes. Its freshness and moderate weight also suit chargrilled vegetables, roast chicken and firmer cheeses.

Serving and Cellaring

Serve McHenry Hohnen Rocky Road Cabernet Sauvignon at approximately 16 to 18°C.

If the bottle has been stored in a warm room, place it in the refrigerator for approximately 20 to 30 minutes before serving.

The wine can also be served with a gentle chill during warmer weather. Cooling it slightly will emphasise the redcurrant, cassis and violet characters while keeping its tannins fresh and defined.

When drinking it young, decant it for approximately 60 minutes. This will help open the perfume and allow the fruit, herbs and mineral characters to become more expressive.

The wine is already delicious, but Ray Jordan recommends cellaring for up to seven years.

With time, its fresh cassis and redcurrant flavours should gradually develop towards cedar, tobacco, dried herbs, earth and savoury complexity.

Food Pairing 

• Seared steak: Recommended by David Kermode, particularly when the wine is served with a gentle chill.
• Barbecued beef: Its juicy fruit, medium body and herbal character make it an excellent barbecue Cabernet.
• Roast lamb: Cabernet’s cassis, bay leaf and fine tannins work naturally with lamb seasoned with rosemary and garlic.
• Beef and mushroom pie: The wine’s earthy and savoury notes complement the richness of the filling.
• Roast chicken: Its moderate body makes it suitable for chicken with herbs, mushrooms or a red wine sauce.
• Chargrilled vegetables: Eggplant, capsicum, mushroom and zucchini bring out its olive and dried-herb qualities.
• Aged cheddar: Firm cheese softens the tannins while complementing the Cabernet’s cassis and savoury flavours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rocky Road Cabernet Sauvignon full-bodied?

It is best described as medium-bodied.

The wine has excellent flavour intensity and concentration, but its juicy fruit, moderate alcohol and silky tannins prevent it from feeling heavy.

Why was the wine fermented in concrete?

Concrete provides a stable fermentation environment without adding flavour.

This allows the natural Cabernet fruit, perfume and savoury characters to remain clear while supporting a gentle, even fermentation.

What are whole berries?

Whole berries are grapes that remain largely intact rather than being completely crushed before fermentation.

Keeping berries whole can preserve brighter fruit, perfume and freshness while allowing tannins to be extracted more gradually.

What is wild fermentation?

Wild fermentation uses yeasts that occur naturally on the grapes and within the winery rather than relying entirely on selected commercial yeast.

It can contribute additional aroma, texture and complexity. This wine underwent a partial wild fermentation, combining natural character with controlled winemaking.

Why use seasoned French oak?

Seasoned barrels have already held wine and therefore contribute less obvious oak flavour than new barrels.

They allow the wine to mature and soften without covering its cassis, redcurrant, violet and bay leaf characters.

Can I drink this Cabernet now?

Yes. Its juicy fruit and velvety tannins make it thoroughly enjoyable now.

Decanting it for approximately 30 to 45 minutes will help its perfume and savoury complexity open further.

Should I serve it slightly chilled?

It can be served at approximately 16 to 18°C.

During warmer weather, a gentle chill can make its redcurrant fruit, freshness and medium-bodied structure even more enjoyable. Avoid serving it icy cold, as very low temperatures can hide the fruit and make the tannins feel firmer.