Those of you who know me, know that I am a huge fan of the Margaret River region.
Medium-bodied, elegant, restrained, and unique pretty much sums it up. This is a totally enjoyable wine that over-delivers and could just be the best-value Cabernet you drink all year.
Established in 1977, a decade after Vasse Felix and 6 – 8 years after Leeuwin Estate, it stands as one of the early pioneers of the region. The winery was named after the mysterious, idyllic, exotic city in Mongolia that was the home of Kubla Khan in Samuel Coleridge’s poetic fragment “Kubla Khan” from 1798.
Still a family-owned and operated winery, we are proud to be one of the country’s most acclaimed wineries having won Australia’s Best Cabernet for the last 7 years and currently holding the title for Australia’s Best Chardonnay. That is not to mention the staggering 110 trophies and 304 gold medals (and counting) accumulated since 2007 including the coveted Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy for our 2016 Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon.
Source: https://xanaduwines.com/about-us/history/
This is a blend of 86% Cabernet, 6% Shiraz, 3% Merlot, 3% Cab Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot. A true left-bank Bordeaux blend if I have ever seen one.
The nose is enticing but does not reveal, in any true sense of the word, what is to come.
The palate is all black fruits with secondary notes of red currant, raspberries, cherries, black olives, licorice, and subtle cooking herbs. This is potentially different from any other cab you have tasted, that does not make it bad, it makes it different and amazing.
This will cellar out to 2029 without a problem.
Pairings should include meat, meat, and more meat. Meat pizza, meat lasagna, NY cut strips, Chicken with garden herbs, Chicken with a tomato-based sauce, mushrooms, and peppers. If you are vegetarian try Vegetarian chili, Mushroom risotto, black bean burger, and eggplant Parmesan.
Vine to Table 