Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon 2024

Accolades

96 Points – Ray Jordan

Ray Jordan described the 2024 as another exceptional Xanadu release, highlighting its elegance, poise and structure. He particularly praised the wine’s blackcurrant, bay leaf, black olive and mineral aromas, together with its sleek power, chalky tannins and beautifully integrated oak.

Tasting Notes

• Colour: Deep crimson with youthful purple hues.
• Aromatics: Blackcurrant, bay leaf and black olive, with subtle savoury notes and oyster-shell minerality.
• Palate: Sleek and controlled, with concentrated dark fruit and considerable power held within an elegant structure.
• Tannins: Fine, chalky and beautifully integrated, giving the wine shape and excellent cellaring potential.
• Finish: Long, composed and distinctly Cabernet, with lingering dark fruit, savoury herbs and mineral detail.

2024 Margaret River Vintage

The 2024 growing season was the warmest and driest recorded in Margaret River. Above-average temperatures and very little rainfall brought early budburst, early ripening and the region’s earliest vintage on record. Cabernet Sauvignon was harvested as much as four weeks earlier than usual in some vineyards.

These conditions produced smaller crops in some locations, helping concentrate colour, aromas and flavour. The dry weather also created very little disease pressure, allowing healthy fruit to reach maturity in excellent condition.

Warm vintages require careful management, particularly with Cabernet. Fruit can ripen rapidly, making precise harvest timing essential to retain freshness, perfume and fine tannin structure. The strongest Margaret River vineyards achieved exactly that, producing Cabernet with ripe fruit, clear varietal character and impressive concentration.

Wine Details

Producer: Xanadu Wines
Vintage: 2024
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Margaret River, Western Australia
Wine style: Dry red wine
Closure: Screw cap
Bottle size: 750ml

Serving and Cellaring

Serve at approximately 16 to 18°C. If the bottle has been sitting in a warm room, place it in the fridge for around 20 to 30 minutes before serving.

For drinking now, decant for approximately 60 minutes to allow the blackcurrant, savoury herbs and mineral detail to open. Ray Jordan recommends cellaring for up to 13 years, during which the tannins should soften and the wine develop further savoury complexity.

Food Pairing

• Grilled ribeye, sirloin or Scotch fillet
• Slow-cooked lamb shoulder or rosemary lamb cutlets
• Beef cheeks, osso buco or a rich beef casserole
• Wild mushroom risotto or roast mushrooms
• Mature cheddar, Gouda or other firm aged cheeses

Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon FAQ 

What are tannins?
Tannins create the slightly dry or grippy feeling you notice around your gums after drinking red wine. They come naturally from grape skins, seeds and oak maturation. Tannins give Cabernet Sauvignon its structure and help the wine develop as it ages.

What are fine chalky tannins?
This describes the texture of the tannins rather than their flavour. Instead of feeling coarse or harsh, they feel fine and powdery, similar to the sensation of chalk dust. In this wine, they provide structure without making it difficult to drink.

What does oyster-shell minerality mean?
No oyster shells are added to the wine. It is a tasting description for a subtle stony, saline or coastal character. This savoury mineral quality adds complexity and helps balance the ripe blackcurrant fruit.

What does integrated oak mean?
Cabernet Sauvignon is commonly matured in oak to build structure, soften tannins and introduce subtle flavours such as cedar, spice or vanilla. When the oak is described as integrated, it means these characters sit quietly behind the fruit instead of making the wine taste overly woody.

What does varietal expression mean?
Varietal expression means the wine displays flavours and aromas normally associated with its grape variety. Blackcurrant, bay leaf, savoury herbs and firm but refined tannins are all classic characteristics of quality Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon.

How did the warm 2024 vintage affect the wine?
Warm and dry conditions helped Cabernet Sauvignon reach full ripeness, producing concentrated colour, dark-fruit flavours and structured tannins. However, the grapes ripened quickly, so careful harvest timing was essential. Xanadu successfully retained freshness, perfume and elegance while capturing the vintage’s natural fruit power.

What does a sleek palate mean?
A sleek palate feels smooth, controlled and streamlined rather than broad or heavy. This Xanadu Cabernet has considerable flavour and power, but everything flows neatly across the palate without feeling bulky.

Why should I decant this Cabernet Sauvignon?
Decanting exposes the wine to oxygen, helping its aromas open and its youthful tannins soften. Pouring the wine into a decanter or clean jug approximately 45 to 60 minutes before serving will make the fruit, herbs and mineral details more expressive.

Does 13 years of cellaring mean I need to wait that long?
No. The wine can be enjoyed now, particularly after decanting. The 13-year recommendation indicates how long it may continue developing under good storage conditions. Over time, the fruit should become softer and the wine may develop more savoury, earthy and cedar-like complexity.

Storage & Serving

Store the bottle somewhere cool, dark and temperature-stable, away from sunlight and vibration. As it has a screw cap, it can be stored either upright or lying down. Avoid warm cupboards, garages and areas where the temperature changes significantly.

Why should Cabernet Sauvignon be served below room temperature?
Modern Australian rooms are often warmer than the ideal temperature for red wine. At 16 to 18°C, the wine’s blackcurrant fruit, savoury details and structure remain balanced. If served too warm, the alcohol can become more noticeable and the wine may taste softer and less defined.