Reserve Cabernet Merlot 2020

Review

Wine Pilot – 92 Points
An elegant and sublimely refined blend that captures the cooler climate and varietal perfumes of these two varieties. There’s dark fruit augmented by some nice spicy oak. Fine tannins and a well-balanced palate. It’s medium weigh and extends effortlessly to a focused finish.

Tasting Notes:

The 2020 Reserve Cab Merlot displays a rich, dark colour with enticing aromas of blackberry, plum, and a hint of blackcurrant, drawing you in with its depth and complexity. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, offering a rich tapestry of flavours that coat the mouth with velvety tannins and balanced acidity. Subtle hints of cedar, spice, and oak impart an elegant layer of complexity, making this a truly captivating wine. The finish is smooth and long-lasting, with the rich fruit flavours lingering beautifully.

Food Pairing Suggestions:

• Grilled Meats: The richness and depth of this wine pair wonderfully with steak, lamb, or venison, making it an ideal choice for your next BBQ or hearty meal.
• Cheese: This wine shines alongside aged cheddar or gouda, where its complex flavours can play off the richness of the cheese.
• Roast Dishes: A perfect match for roast beef or roast pork, where the wine’s balance of fruit and oak complements the savory richness of the dish.
• Rich Stews: The depth of this wine makes it an excellent companion for beef stew or a hearty casserole with slow-cooked meats.

Best Serving Temp:

For optimal enjoyment, serve this wine at 16°C – 18°C. This temperature brings out the richness and complexity, allowing the fruit and oak notes to shine while maintaining freshness.

Additional Information:

• Grape Varieties: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot
• Region: Manjimup, Western Australia
• Alcohol: 14.5% by Vol
• Oak Ageing: 12 months in French oak barrels
• Closure: Screw Cap
• Vintage: 2020
• Volume: 750ml

Decanting Suggestions:

To fully enjoy the wine’s complexity, decant for 30-60 minutes before serving. This will allow the aromas and flavours to open up, making it even more enjoyable.

Technical Terms Explained:

• Cabernet Sauvignon: A full-bodied red grape variety known for its rich flavours of blackcurrant, plum, and bell pepper, with firm tannins and good acidity. In this blend, it adds depth and structure.
• Merlot: A softer, fruit-forward red grape variety that often contributes blackberry, plum, and cherry flavours, adding richness and smoothness to the wine’s texture.
• French Oak: This wine is aged in French oak barrels, which impart subtle flavours like cedar, vanilla, and spice. French oak is prized for its elegant influence on wine, adding complexity and a silky texture.
• Tannins: Tannins are compounds found in grape skins, seeds, and stems that contribute to the structure and mouthfeel of a wine. The tannins in this wine provide a smooth, velvety finish.

• Cellaring Potential: Some wines improve with age, developing more complexity over time. The 2020 Reserve Cab Merlot has great potential for ageing, with the ability to evolve beautifully in the bottle over the next 10 years.

Learn About Woodgate Wines

Located in Manjimup Woodgate Winery has some of the finest wines of the region.

Partners in Wine WA stocks all of the Woodgate range as their dedicated online store. We offer free Perth delivery over $75 and ship around Australia.

Woodgate Wines, established in 2006, is a family-owned and operated winery. We pride ourselves on sourcing the finest fruit for our wines, which includes grapes from our 3-hectare estate vineyard as well as selected parcels from local growers. This ensures that our wine portfolio maintains its dynamic nature, constantly evolving with the introduction of new and exciting styles. As a result, our wines always remain fresh, vibrant, and uniquely individualistic, reflecting our commitment to innovation and quality. This is evident in the Bojangles Pet Nat coming in the top 25 wines at the WA Good Food Guide Awards.

In 2024 Woodgate’s Vineyard and cellar door was sold, but Mark continues to produce new Woodgate wines for the years to come. So, while a visit to their cellar door isn’t possible anymore, their wonderful wine selections will still be available through us here at Partners in Wine WA.

The Manjimup Wine Region:

A Hidden Gem of Western Australia

Manjimup, located in the heart of the South West of Western Australia, is a rising star in the Australian wine industry. Known for its cool, temperate climate and unique terroir, the region is producing wines that stand out for their elegance and complexity. But what sets Manjimup apart from other nearby regions like Pemberton? Let’s dive in to understand the distinct qualities of this remarkable wine region.

Unique Climate Conditions

The Manjimup wine region enjoys a Mediterranean climate, characterised by cool, wet winters and mild, dry summers. This creates the perfect environment for growing high-quality grapes, as the mild summer temperatures prevent excessive heat, allowing the vines to ripen slowly and develop balanced flavours. This long, cool growing season enhances the quality of the wines, ensuring that the grapes have time to express their full potential. The proximity to the Southern Ocean also plays a role, with ocean breezes bringing a refreshing coolness to the region, making it ideal for producing wines with freshness and finesse.

Distinctive Terroir

The soils of Manjimup are varied, with deep, well-drained loams over clay subsoils, and some areas feature gravelly soils. This diversity allows for a wide range of grape varieties to thrive. The region is particularly well-suited to cooler-climate varieties such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc, which show incredible purity and expression here. The terroir also supports red varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, which benefit from the cool nights and warm days. The mineral-rich soils, combined with the region’s climatic conditions, lead to wines that are fresh, vibrant, and aromatic with great structure and depth.

A Growing Wine Industry

Manjimup’s wine industry is still relatively young but rapidly growing. The region is attracting an increasing number of small, family-owned wineries, many of which produce limited quantities of high-quality, hand-crafted wines. The focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility is central to the ethos of many local producers. With a commitment to quality, the region is developing a reputation for producing wines that are elegant, well-balanced, and reflective of their unique terroir. While it’s still developing, the Manjimup wine industry is already making waves in the broader Western Australian wine scene.

Comparing Manjimup and Pemberton

Although Manjimup and Pemberton are neighbouring regions in Western Australia’s South West, they have distinct differences, particularly when it comes to soil profiles and rainfall.

Soil Profiles:
Manjimup’s soils are predominantly sandy, with low nutrient levels. This sandy composition results in well-draining soils, which can challenge the vines but also force them to work harder. This struggle leads to concentrated, complex flavours in the grapes, as the vines are not over-nourished. The relatively poor soils also contribute to the elegance and finesse of the wines, as the vines produce smaller yields but higher-quality fruit.

Pemberton, on the other hand, has richer, more fertile soils. These soils tend to be more nutrient-dense and support more vigorous vine growth. The increased fertility can result in larger yields, but it allows Pemberton’s wines to show a different profile—fresher, more aromatic wines that often emphasise the fruit character.

Rainfall and Climate:
Pemberton receives more rainfall than Manjimup, which contributes to a cooler, more temperate climate. This higher rainfall creates an environment conducive to growing a range of varieties, especially cool-climate whites like Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling. The additional moisture also means that Pemberton generally has a slightly higher humidity, which can help maintain vine health but may require more management in terms of disease control.

In contrast, Manjimup experiences a more Mediterranean climate, with milder summers and cooler, drier conditions. The region’s rainfall is less frequent, which, combined with the sandy soils, means that the vines must rely on deep-root systems to access water. This results in more consistent ripening and allows varieties like Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon to thrive, producing wines with great structure, depth, and concentration.

While both regions produce high-quality wines, these subtle differences in terroir—soil composition and rainfall—lead to slightly different wine styles. Pemberton is known for its fresher, aromatic whites and lighter reds, whereas Manjimup shines with its rich, well-balanced reds and complex whites.

Wine Tourism in Manjimup

Manjimup is not only a haven for wine enthusiasts but also for food lovers. Known for its truffles, local produce, and artisanal foods, the region offers a unique wine and food tourism experience. Visitors can explore cellar doors, enjoy tastings, and experience the beautiful landscapes that surround the vineyards. The region’s boutique wineries are known for their warm hospitality and personal experiences, making it a great destination for those who want to explore the intersection of great wine and great food. In addition to the wines, visitors can enjoy local truffle-infused dishes, which are a delicacy of the area.

With its exceptional terroir, unique climate, and the growing reputation of its wine producers, Manjimup is a must-visit region for any wine enthusiast. While it shares some similarities with Pemberton, its distinct characteristics make it a standout in Western Australia’s diverse wine landscape.