Wine Reviews
Woody Nook Wine Reviews
Woody Nook has always been one of those Margaret River wineries that seems to keep quietly delivering. It may not shout as loudly as some of the region’s bigger names, but the current lineup shows exactly why the winery has built such a loyal following over time. There is a clear thread of estate character running through the range, from mature, classically structured reds to fresher aromatic whites and sparkling styles that still feel unmistakably Woody Nook. This page is not about buying advice. It is a current look at the wines themselves, the new vintages now on release, and the critic and show recognition that helps explain why this long-established producer still matters.
95 Points Ray Jordan
Woody Nook Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
This looks like the clearest current statement wine in the Woody Nook range. Built from old dry-grown vines planted more than 40 years ago, it is presented as a mature Margaret River Cabernet with blackberry, blackcurrant, eucalyptus, fine tannins and a composed, graceful shape. That alone makes it interesting, but the more important point is that it sounds like a wine speaking directly to the estate’s long-term strengths.
Ray Jordan’s 95-point review reinforces that view. His note describes it as elegant, stylish and structured, with poise and clear cellaring potential. For an authority page about Woody Nook, this is a natural wine to lead with because it connects old vines, regional style and current critical recognition in one bottle.
95 Points Ray Jordan
Woody Nook Shiraz 2022
The current Shiraz feels like another strong example of Woody Nook staying true to its identity. It is drawn from old-vine plantings dating back to 1982 and is described with the kind of profile that suits the winery well: black plum, mulberry, spice, white pepper and a distinctive American oak influence that adds vanilla, coconut and char.
That could sound bold on paper, but the critic note suggests the wine still carries finesse and structure, not just weight. Ray Jordan scored it 95 points and highlighted both its generosity and its control. In other words, it reads like a Woody Nook red through and through: confident, full of flavour and built around estate character rather than fashion.
94 Point Rated Release
Woody Nook Chardonnay 2025
The Chardonnay shows another side of the current range. Rather than leaning fully into lean mineral Chardonnay, this release sits in the richer, rounder Margaret River camp, with 100% French oak, melon, stone fruit and a creamy, polished texture balanced by lively acidity.
That 94-point badge matters because it suggests the wine is doing more than simply filling out the white range. It appears to be one of the better current examples of Woody Nook’s ability to make fuller-flavoured wines that still stay controlled and balanced. It also rounds out the picture of the winery nicely, showing that the current quality is not confined to the reds.
Gold Medal | Australian Small Winemakers Show
Woody Nook Chenin Blanc 2024
Chenin Blanc is one of the more interesting current Woody Nook releases because it brings some extra varietal breadth to the lineup without feeling like a side project. The 2024 is described as bright and fruit-forward, with crisp apple, elderflower, citrus, nashi pear and honeydew carried by strong natural acidity.
The Gold medal at the Australian Small Winemakers Show gives it real added weight. That sort of recognition is useful on a page like this because it shows Woody Nook is not just relying on its classic flagship reds. There is also current external recognition for the fresher end of the range, which helps broaden the story of the winery today.
Small Batch Release
Woody Nook Limited Release Rosé 2024
The 2024 rosé is a good reminder that Woody Nook is not stuck in a purely old-school lane. This is a more modern, small-batch release built from Tempranillo and Shiraz with a little puncheon-fermented Sauvignon Blanc, and only 287 cases were produced. The style sounds bright and inviting, with rose petal, cranberry, candy floss and a soft dry-leaning finish.
It may not carry the same critic score profile as the Cabernet or Shiraz, but it still plays an important role in the wider picture of the winery. It shows the estate can produce fresher, more contemporary styles without losing a sense of detail and care in the winemaking.
Traditional Method Sparkling
Woody Nook Sparkling Blanc de Blancs 2023
This wine helps round out the range in a useful way. Made in the traditional method from 100% hand-picked estate Chardonnay, it brings the kind of citrus, apple and fine-bubbled freshness that many drinkers look for in a dependable local sparkling.
For an authority page, its value is that it shows Woody Nook is not only about red wines and older-vine heritage. There is also a current estate sparkling that fits neatly into the broader style of the winery: clean, approachable, regionally grounded and made with enough care to feel more than routine.
Classic Margaret River White Blend
Woody Nook SSB 2024 Margaret River
The SSB 2024 is one of the more traditional Margaret River expressions in the current range, and that is part of its value. Made from an even split of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, it is pitched as bright, tropical, grassy and lively, with honeydew melon, lime zest, passionfruit and green apple all in the mix.
It may be a more everyday style, but it still says something important about the winery. Woody Nook has always worked comfortably within Margaret River’s classic varieties, and this wine reinforces that sense of continuity. It is not flashy, but it feels regionally recognisable and true to type.
Current Release
Woody Nook Tempranillo 2025
The Tempranillo is a good example of how Woody Nook has evolved beyond its original core set of varieties. Described as vibrant, medium-bodied and highly approachable, with cherry, Turkish delight and black jube notes, it sounds like a wine built more around charm and drinkability than old-school weight.
That matters in the context of the winery’s current identity. It shows Woody Nook can stretch into Iberian varieties and more contemporary styles while still keeping the range coherent. It is part of the present and future side of the winery, rather than only its heritage story.
What the Current Reviews Say About Woody Nook
The strongest takeaway from the current lineup is that Woody Nook still looks very much like itself. The flagship-style wines are still the reds, and especially the Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, both of which currently carry 95-point Ray Jordan recognition. That gives the winery credibility where its reputation has traditionally been strongest.
But the broader range also shows more than that. Chardonnay is currently carrying a 94-point signal, Chenin Blanc has a show gold medal, and newer or more flexible styles like Rosé, SSB, Sparkling Blanc de Blancs and Tempranillo help show the winery is still moving rather than simply repeating itself. In that sense, the current reviews do more than praise a few bottles. They help show where Woody Nook sits today: still anchored in heritage, but not trapped by it.
Learn More About Woody Nook
For more on the winery itself, its history and how the estate has evolved over time, explore the dedicated Woody Nook background pages below.
Read the Woody Nook history
Explore the current Woody Nook range
