Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

Awards and Accolades

Prime Minister’s Trophy: Champion Wine of Show

2026 National Wine Show of Australia

The highest award presented at the National Wine Show, naming Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 the competition’s best wine across all varieties and styles.

James Halliday Trophy: Red Wine of Show

2026 National Wine Show of Australia

Selected as the finest red wine entered in Australia’s leading national wine show.

Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy

2026 National Wine Show of Australia

Judged the competition’s best Cabernet Sauvignon before progressing to win Red Wine of Show and Champion Wine of Show.

IWSC Wine Trophy and 98 Points

2025 International Wine & Spirit Competition

One of only 40 Wine Trophies awarded globally in 2025.

More than 12,000 wines were judged during the competition. Only three received 98 points, with Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 the only red wine to achieve that score.

It was also the highest-scoring wine across all varieties at the IWSC Margaret River judging session.

Trophy: Best Cabernet Sauvignon of Show

2025 Melbourne Royal Wine Awards

Awarded the Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy after receiving a Gold Medal and 96 points.

Gold Medal and 96 Points – 2025 Melbourne Royal Wine Awards

Gold Medal and 95 Points – 2025 Perth Royal Wine Awards

Gold Medal and 95 Points – 2025 Royal Adelaide Wine Show

98 Points – International Wine & Spirit Competition

The judges highlighted its vibrant blackcurrant, praline and dark chocolate aromatics, followed by a velvety palate filled with blackcurrant pastille, elderberry, sweet spice and mineral freshness.

96 Points – Halliday Wine Companion 2026

A superb result from Australia’s most comprehensive annual wine guide.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Deep red with vibrant purple hues.
• Aromatics: Blackcurrant, cassis, mulberry and blue fruits are layered with dark plum, bay leaf, dried herbs, potpourri and subtle floral detail.
• Oak complexity: Praline, mocha, cedar and dark chocolate provide richness without overwhelming the fruit.
• Palate: Full-bodied yet refined, with boysenberry, blackcurrant pastille, elderberry and Satsuma plum forming a dense core of inky fruit.
• Savoury character: Black olive, bay leaf, nori, graphite and sweet spice add classic Margaret River Cabernet complexity.
• Structure: Ripe, finely integrated tannins provide impressive shape and cellaring potential, while natural acidity gives the wine brightness and energy.
• Finish: Long, juicy and persistent, with lingering blackcurrant, dark chocolate, spice and refreshing mineral undertones.

Wine Details

• Vintage: 2023
• Blend: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot
• Region: Margaret River, Western Australia
• Fermentation: Static and open fermenters
• Fermentation temperature: Approximately 24 to 26°C
• Time in fermentation: Approximately seven to eight days
• Cap management: Aerative pumpovers and regular hand plunging
• Extended maceration: Approximately 20% of the components
• Malolactic fermentation: Completed in a combination of tank and barrel
• Oak maturation: Approximately 14 months in French oak
• New oak: 40%
• Alcohol: 14.0%
• pH: 3.44
• Closure: Screwcap
• Wine style: Dry red wine
• Suitable for vegans: Yes
• Sustainably produced: Yes
• Serving temperature: 16 to 18°C
• Cellaring: More than 20 years, with Ray Jordan suggesting a drinking window through to 2051

The 2023 Margaret River Vintage

The 2023 growing season began with a late budburst following a cold winter. A cool and wet spring extended flowering and delayed the early stages of development.

Conditions changed as the season progressed, with a very dry and mild summer providing excellent ripening conditions. The grapes were able to mature gradually while retaining wonderful natural acidity.

For Cabernet Sauvignon, this created an ideal balance between flavour concentration and freshness. The wines developed deep colour, ripe tannins and intense black fruit without losing the herbal perfume, mineral detail and structural precision associated with great Margaret River Cabernet.

That combination is one of the defining strengths of Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon 2023. It possesses genuine power and concentration, but everything remains fresh, controlled and beautifully proportioned.

Winemaking

The fruit was crushed and destemmed before being fermented in small batches using a combination of static and open fermenters.

Fermentation took place over approximately seven to eight days at 24 to 26°C. The grape skins naturally rose to the top of the fermenters, forming a cap that was managed through aerative pumpovers and regular hand plunging.

These techniques helped extract colour, fruit and tannin while allowing the winemaking team to respond individually to each parcel.

Approximately 20% of the components received extended skin contact after fermentation. Extended maceration can soften the relationship between fruit and tannin, helping create greater texture and structural complexity.

The wine was then gently pressed, with malolactic fermentation completed in a combination of tank and barrel.

Each component matured separately in French oak for approximately 14 months, including 40% new barriques. The final blend was assembled only after the individual parcels had developed and could be assessed together.

What Makes the IWSC Result So Significant?

The International Wine & Spirit Competition is one of the world’s most respected wine competitions, with wines assessed through blind tasting by panels of experienced international judges.

More than 12,000 wines were judged in 2025. Only three received a score of 98 points, and Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 was the only red wine among them.

Gold Medal wines were then considered for the competition’s trophies. Only 40 Wine Trophies were presented globally, placing this wine among an exceptionally small group of international winners.

It was also the highest-scoring wine of any variety at the Margaret River judging session.

Australia’s Champion Wine

The National Wine Show of Australia brings together wines that have already qualified through success at recognised Australian wine shows.

Winning the Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy established Xanadu as the best Cabernet in its class. It then progressed to win the James Halliday Trophy for Red Wine of Show.

Finally, it was awarded the Prime Minister’s Trophy for Champion Wine of Show, the highest honour presented by the competition.

This means it succeeded not only against other Cabernet Sauvignons, but against Australia’s leading red, white, sparkling, fortified and alternative-variety wines.

Serving and Cellaring

Serve Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 at approximately 16 to 18°C.

If the bottle has been stored in a warm room at around 22 to 24°C, place it in the refrigerator for approximately 30 to 45 minutes before serving. This will keep its fruit, freshness and tannins clearly defined.

When drinking it now, decant the wine for approximately 60 to 90 minutes. This will allow its blackcurrant, plum, bay leaf, dark chocolate and mineral characters to become more expressive while helping the tannins relax.

The wine is already beautifully balanced, but it has been made for long-term development. Ray Jordan recommends a drinking window extending to 2051.

With suitable storage, the fresh blackcurrant and dark plum should gradually evolve towards cedar, tobacco, dried herbs, leather, earth and savoury complexity.

Food Pairing 

• Grilled ribeye: The wine’s tannins and acidity balance the richness and marbling of the beef.
• Roast lamb: Rosemary, garlic and roasted vegetables complement its herbal and dark-fruited Cabernet character.
• Slow-cooked beef: Try it with beef cheeks, short ribs, osso buco or a rich beef casserole.
• Venison: The wine’s black fruits, herbs and savoury detail work beautifully with lean game meats.
• Mushroom dishes: Mushroom risotto, grilled portobello mushrooms and mushroom ragu complement its earthy and mineral notes.
• Hard cheese: Mature cheddar, aged Gouda, Manchego and firm farmhouse cheeses suit its dark fruit and structured tannins.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the same as Xanadu Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2023?

No. This is the standard Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon 2023, not the significantly more expensive Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.

Its success is particularly remarkable because it won Australia’s highest wine-show honour while competing against premium and flagship wines from across the country.

Was this really named Australia’s best wine?

Yes. It received the Prime Minister’s Trophy for Champion Wine of Show at the 2026 National Wine Show of Australia.

Before receiving the top award, it also won the Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy and the James Halliday Trophy for Red Wine of Show.

Is it accurate to call this one of the world’s best red wines?

Yes, provided the IWSC result is explained clearly.

Of more than 12,000 wines judged at the 2025 IWSC, only three received 98 points. Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 was the only red wine to achieve that score and was subsequently awarded an IWSC Wine Trophy.

Can I drink it now?

Yes. Despite its substantial cellaring potential, the wine is already balanced and expressive.

Decant it for approximately 60 to 90 minutes before serving to help open the fruit and soften the impression of the tannins.

Why does a Cabernet Sauvignon contain Malbec and Petit Verdot?

Australian labelling regulations allow a wine to be labelled Cabernet Sauvignon when at least 85% of the blend is Cabernet Sauvignon.

This wine contains 90% Cabernet Sauvignon. The Malbec and Petit Verdot add colour, blue fruit, perfume, spice and middle-palate generosity while Cabernet remains clearly dominant.

Is the wine vegan?

Yes. The IWSC records the wine as vegan.

Is it sustainably produced?

Yes. Xanadu is certified by Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, and the IWSC records this wine as sustainably produced.