The Woodlands 30th Anniversary Release of the Margaret
& the Launch of 2023 Brook Chardonnay!
To celebrate the 30th release of the Margaret, Woodlands have dipped into their museum stock,
to put on five consecutive vintages for the events.
Margaret - 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021
Lunch: 12-3pm, 13 Wines & 4 Courses $175
Masterclass: 4-6pm, 13 Wines with Nibbles $85
Dinner: 6:30pm, 13 Wines & 4 Courses $175
Sunday June 15th
David & Heather Watson
Woodlands in Context
Founders David Watson and wife Heather had spectacular success with the cabernets he made in ’79 and the early ’80s. Commuting from Perth while raising a family became too much and for some years the grapes from Woodlands were sold to other Margaret River producers. With the advent of sons Stuart and Andrew in ’02–05 (Stuart primarily responsible for winemaking), the estate bounced back to preeminence, expanding with the purchase of the 17ha Woodlands Brook Vineyard in ’07. The top-end wines primarily come from the original Woodlands Vineyard, where the now-certified organic vines are 50+ years old.
James Halliday, Wine Companion
Established in 1973 by David and Heather Watson, Woodlands is one of Margaret River's first five wineries. Woodlands produces wine from its two vineyards, both located in the Wilyabrup Valley of Margaret River. The original Woodlands Vineyard is located on Caves Road, while the Woodlands Brook Vineyard is located two kilometres to the northeast. Woodlands' Vineyards are dry grown and maintained by hand using organic and traditional methods. Wines produced include Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Merlot blends, and Chardonnay. All Woodlands wines are made on site by the Watson family.
The Real Review
The Next Generation
“The Watsons maintain a focus on traditional
winemaking with minimal intervention.”
For nearly two decades, its Cabs were considered among Australia’s best. The winery’s 1981 Andrew Cabernet Sauvignon, named after their son, was the first Margaret River wine to receive a national red wine trophy, winning best red wine categories at competitions such as the National Wine Show of Australia, the Perth Wine Show and the Mt. Barker Wine Show.
From 1992 to 1999, the Watsons took a break from winemaking to send their two sons to school in Perth, selling their fruit to local premium wineries. When Andrew and his brother, Stuart, came of age, they, too, chose to live in Margaret River.
Woodlands was reborn, and the brothers didn’t miss a beat. With Andrew in his current role and Stuart as chief winemaker, the Watsons maintain a focus on traditional winemaking with minimal intervention. The family vineyards are dry-farmed, and they’re on track to be certified organic in 2018. A second vineyard, Woodlands Brook, purchased in 2007, will also likely receive the designation.
Cabernet Sauvignon shows up in several Woodlands blends, like the Margaret bottling. The winery’s top Cab follows the tradition of being named after a family member each year. Andrew describes its style in two words: “elegance and intensity.” It encompasses everything that’s great about top-notch Margaret River Cab.
Christina Pickard, Wine Enthusiast
Stuart & Andrew Watson - The Second Generation
The Wine List
On Arrival
Wilyabrup Valley Rose 2024 (New Release)
First Course
Wilyabrup Chardonnay 2023, Our Price $36
Flutters around ripe stone fruit, pineapple, nougat and baking spices, with cedary oak adding a touch of sweetness across the fuller-bodied palate. There’s a juiciness here, a certain tang to the acidity, much needed to keep the riper flavours in check.
91 Points Jane Faulkner, The Wine Companion
Woodlands Brook Chardonnay 2023, Our Price $55 (New Release)
Woodlands Brook Chardonnay 2022, Our Price $55
Complex and lifted aromas of struck match, grapefruit pith, melon skin, just-ripe nectarine and grilled nuts. There's lovely complexity here. Generously flavoured, mouth-filling and multi-faceted. There's a drive of citrus and stone fruit along with crunchy acidity and some textured grip. The oak wraps itself around the fruit superbly and delivers a wine of power, sophistication and real drinkability.
95 Points Aaron Brasher, The Real Review
Roasted prawns, green pea pesto, warm toast
Second Course
Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2021 Our Price $36
All the regional aromas and flavours at play, from violets, wakame, cassis and chocolate to mulberries, with a distinct ironstone character too. The fuller-bodied palate comes strewn with tannins, the texture of cocoa powder, and somewhat drying on the finish. Just needs a bit more time.
93 Points Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion
Wilyabrup Valley Cabernet Franc Merlot 2020, Our Price $36
A 50/50 blend of the two varieties, and solely from the Wilyabrup Valley, this Cabernet Franc Merlot. A forest of brambly, wild raspberry and mulberry aromas feature on the nose. The palate follows, adding hints of dried citrus peel, berry confiture, ceylon tea and cinnamon, and glides through to the finish with plush tannins and well-balanced acidity.
Mushroom and melted leek tart, creme fraiche
Third Course
Margaret Cabernet, Merlot, Malbec 2021 Our Price $71 (New Release)
Margaret Cabernet, Merlot, Malbec 2020 Our Price $71
78/13/9% cabernet sauvignon/malbec/merlot. A lovely Margaret with its heady aromas of violets, cedary oak, mulberries, nori and Dutch licorice. It feels cool across the fuller-weighted palate, lots of tannins yet shapely and fine bolstered by oak tannins, too. A pop of fruit sweetness comes up and the acidity pulls it all together through to a long finish. A complete wine now but will last some distance.
96 Points Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion
Margaret Cabernet, Merlot, Malbec 2019 Our Price $71
Good colour with a purple tint; gamy, tomato-bush and stalky aromas, showing some mellow developed complexity and some vegetal undertones. The wine is chewy and dense in the mouth with a hint of roasted meats. The tannins are rather chewy on the finish and aftertaste but it comes into its own with protein, even a piece of cheese makes a big difference.
95 Points Huon Hooke, The Real Review
Margaret Cabernet, Merlot, Malbec 2018 Our Price $71
80/10/10% cabernet sauvignon/merlot/malbec. Rooted in the very fabric of this wine is a savoury lining of spice. It is inescapable, and it's what makes this wine a wonder. Is it better than the great 2014? Hard to say – the 2014 was pretty amazing. But this has all the ripe power and concentration of the vintage. The pure 'cabernosity' of this wine is a thing to marvel at. I keep coming back to the savoury layers ... they are a defining characteristic of the house style.
96 points, Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate
Margaret Cabernet, Merlot, Malbec 2017 Our Price $71
87% cab, 8% merlot and 5% malbec: tobacco and graphite are the first scents. Currant, too. Red and black. Authoritative. Fine boned. Well melded tannins, juicy and moreish. This pushes long, with an overall feeling of mid-weighted confidence in the glass and across a table. Drink by 2036.
95 points, Ned Goodwin, James Halliday’s Wine Companion
Twice cooked lamb shoulder, saffron braised tomatoes, leafy greens
Fourth Course
Eleanor Cabernet Sauvignon 2020, Our Price $230
Super concentrated and powerful core of fruit is held tightly by fine firm tannins, tight grained oak and a vibrant natural acidity. Blackcurrant, graphite and oyster shell with some nice bay leaf lift on the nose especially.
99 Points Ray Jordan, rayjordanwine.com.au
Chloe Anne Sauvignon 2017, Our Price $200
This is a powerful cabernet with rich aromas of dark berries, as well as assertive, cedary oak and subtler, leafy tones. Some chocolate, too. The palate has well-curated, fine tannins and delivers red and dark-berry flavours in a long, unwavering style.
95 Points James Suckling