Woodlands Clementine Cabernet Blend 2022

Reviews and Accolades

95 Points: Ray Jordan

One of the best Clementine releases yet, from a very good vintage. A blend of cabernet, merlot and malbec, it bursts with intensity, with florals, bay leaf and a blackcurrant-olive combination on the nose. The palate shows plush, bright fruit wrapped around a firm thread of chalky tannins, finishing effortlessly long.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Deep ruby with excellent colour and youthful brightness.
• Aromatics: Violet and floral notes rise from the glass alongside mulberry, blackcurrant and blue fruits. Bay leaf, black olive, sea spray and gently toasted oak add savoury complexity.
• Palate: Medium-bodied, composed and concentrated, with plush red and blue fruits wrapped around a firm structural core.
• Savoury character: Olive, bay leaf and subtle coastal salinity provide contrast to the wine’s generous fruit.
• Structure: Natural acidity gives the palate freshness and length, while fine, chalky tannins provide definition without feeling coarse.
• Oak: French oak is carefully integrated, contributing gentle toast, spice and structure without dominating the fruit.
• Finish: Effortlessly long and balanced, with lingering blackcurrant, violet, savoury herbs and fine tannins.

Wine Details

• Vintage: 2022
• Blend: 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot and 10% Malbec
• Vineyard: Woodlands Brook Vineyard
• Region: Wilyabrup Valley, Margaret River, Western Australia
• Harvest: 15 March to 8 April 2022
• Fruit handling: Gravity-destemmed and hand sorted berry by berry
• Fermentation and extraction: 11 to 22 days
• Oak: 18 months in French oak barrels
• New oak: 17%
• Bottled: October 2023
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Closure: Screwcap
• Cellaring: Approximately 10 years
• Best drinking: The winery recommends approximately 2032 to 2035
• Serving temperature: 16 to 18°C
• Decanting: Approximately 60 to 90 minutes when enjoyed young

The Cabernet, Merlot and Malbec Blend

The 2022 Clémentine is made from three traditional Bordeaux varieties, each bringing a different element to the finished wine.

At 56% of the blend, Cabernet Sauvignon provides the foundation. Its blackcurrant fruit, bay leaf character, natural acidity and fine tannins give the wine length, definition and the structure required for cellaring.

Merlot accounts for 34% of the blend. It softens Cabernet’s firmer edges and fills the middle palate with plush mulberry and dark fruit. This makes the wine generous and approachable without sacrificing structure.

The final 10% is Malbec, which contributes deep colour, violet perfume and vibrant blue-fruited flavours. It provides an aromatic lift and an additional layer of richness through the palate.

Together, the three varieties create a wine with more complexity than any one of them could achieve alone. Cabernet supplies the backbone, Merlot brings flesh and Malbec adds perfume and colour.

The 2022 Margaret River Vintage

The 2022 vintage produced fruit with the concentration, perfume and structural balance required for serious Margaret River Cabernet blends.

For Clémentine, the season delivered Cabernet with blackcurrant intensity and fine tannin structure, Merlot with plush fruit and Malbec with excellent colour and floral lift.

The finished wine combines ripeness with natural freshness. Its fruit is generous and intense, but the palate remains medium-bodied, balanced and controlled rather than heavy.

This combination of concentrated flavour, natural acidity and fine tannins is an important reason the wine can be enjoyed now while also having the structure to develop over the next decade.

Serving and Cellaring

Serve Woodlands Brook Clémentine 2022 at approximately 16 to 18°C.

If the bottle has been stored in a warm room, place it in the refrigerator for around 30 minutes before opening. Serving it slightly cooler will help preserve its violet perfume, bright fruit and fine tannin definition.

When opening the wine young, decant it for approximately 60 to 90 minutes. This will help the initially reserved aromatics open and allow the firm chalky tannins to relax.

The wine is already enjoyable with food, particularly for drinkers who appreciate youthful Cabernet structure. However, it has been produced with extended cellaring in mind.

The winery suggests its ideal drinking window will be around 2032 to 2035. During that time, the fresh blackcurrant, mulberry and violet characters should gradually develop into more complex notes of cedar, dried herbs, tobacco, earth and savoury spice.

For successful cellaring, store the bottle somewhere dark and temperature stable, ideally at approximately 12 to 16°C.

Food Pairing 

• Slow-roasted lamb shoulder: The wine’s blackcurrant fruit, herbal character and fine tannins work beautifully with rich lamb.
• Grilled beef: Try it with sirloin, fillet or rib eye served with mushrooms or a red wine sauce.
• Duck breast: Merlot’s plush fruit and Malbec’s violet perfume complement duck, particularly with a berry or cherry sauce.
• Beef cheeks: Slow-cooked beef matches the wine’s depth while softening the impression of its youthful tannins.
• Mushroom dishes: Wild mushrooms, roasted eggplant and lentils complement its savoury olive, bay leaf and coastal characters.
• Hard cheese: Mature cheddar, aged Gouda and firm farmhouse cheeses pair well with its concentrated fruit and long finish.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Woodlands Clémentine?

Clémentine is a Cabernet-dominant red blend produced from Woodlands Brook Vineyard in Margaret River.

The 2022 vintage is made from 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot and 10% Malbec. It was named after winemaker Andrew Watson and his wife Marie’s daughter, Clémentine.

Why is it called Woodlands Brook Clémentine?

Woodlands Brook is the vineyard where the fruit is grown. The vineyard’s first Cabernet Sauvignon harvest took place in 2015, the same year Andrew and Marie’s daughter Clémentine was born.

The quality of those first barrels inspired Woodlands to create a separate wine and name it after her.

Does the 2022 contain Petit Verdot?

No. Although some previous Clémentine vintages have included Petit Verdot, the official 2022 blend is 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot and 10% Malbec.

What does Malbec add to the wine?

Malbec contributes deep colour, violet perfume and flavours from the blue-fruit spectrum.

It complements Cabernet Sauvignon’s firmer structure and Merlot’s plush texture, giving the blend greater aromatic lift and middle-palate depth.

What are chalky tannins?

Tannins create the drying or gently gripping sensation experienced when drinking red wine.

Describing them as chalky means they feel fine, dry and evenly textured rather than coarse or aggressive. They give the wine definition and help it maintain its shape through the long finish.

What do coastal or sea-spray notes taste like?

These terms describe a subtle salty or mineral impression rather than the wine literally tasting like seawater.

This savoury quality balances the ripe fruit and can make the finish feel fresher, more complex and more mouth-watering.

Why was the fruit sorted berry by berry?

Hand sorting allows the winery to remove leaves, stems and any berries that do not meet its quality standards before fermentation.

It is a slow and labour-intensive process, but it helps produce cleaner, more precise flavours and finer tannins.

Can I drink Woodlands Clémentine 2022 now?

Yes. If opening it young, decant the wine for approximately 60 to 90 minutes and serve it at 16 to 18°C.

It is likely to appear reserved immediately after opening, so giving it time in a decanter will help reveal more of its violet, mulberry, blackcurrant and savoury characters.

 
 
 
 
  EXCELLENT  
  
 Based on 108 reviews 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Dean Edwards 
 
1 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
I have been buying my wines from Kirk for about two years now and I have never had a bad experience or wine. I love the fact that the wines are all West Australian, so supporting local and lower carbon footprint. He delivers when it’s convenient for me and brings the wine to my door.  Wines are all good quality and well priced, especially the cleanskins. Highly recommended
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 peter kennelly 
 
9 September 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Great wines and great service, Proud to support a local WA business providing a high value service. Couldn't recommend highly enough
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Trevor Yardley 
 
18 August 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
These guys have a good and growing range of Western Australian wines on offer. I've had prompt, personal service, with wines delivered by hand to my door. Would recommend to anyone looking for convenient access to WA wines.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Mike McKenna 
 
18 August 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Good range of quality WA wines, prompt and personable service. Highly recommended supplier
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Pam Ucich 
 
18 August 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Easy people to deal with. No delivery fee, delivered to the door. Same price or cheaper than a store.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Fiona Marsden 
 
5 August 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
I have been ordering wine from partners in wine for 4 years. Always  great service. They have a large  selection of wa wines and offer ,discounts and specials . Wine is delivered promptly .
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Greg D 
 
4 August 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Very impressed with the great selection of Western Australian wines covering all budgets. Fantastic personal service from Kirk. Highly recommend if you’re chasing something a bit different.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Ron Smith 
 
27 July 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
I've been ordering from Partners in Wine for three years now - from the UK for my sister living in Perth. Each time they've been bang on with my order including  on time delivery. Kirk has also helped me select my wines from an extensive list.  A very pleasant and friendly company to deal with. I would highly recommend them.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 John Court 
 
27 July 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Ordered from Uk some quality wine at great prices from partners in wine to be delivered to my son in perth AU  , had great input from Kirk who sorted some top wines at very good prices and all arranged and delivered in 2days Thanks again Kirk ,5*****allround
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Conan Po Dewitt 
 
24 July 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Absolutely outstanding service from Kirk. Extensive selection of wines not found at other retailers, and personalised delivery. Will be ordering again.