“There is an extra degree of precision and length, the Yarra Valley taking the place of Great Southern for the comparison.”
- James Suckling (on Xanadu Chardonnay)
Ray Jordan’s Points & Reviews on
Xanadu’s New Releases…
97 points - Stevens Road chardonnay 2023
”Such a delicately structured yet still powerfully intense chardonnay from this outstanding vineyard, which in a good year like this, positively shines.”
98 points - Reserve chardonnay 2023
”Stunning wine displaying elegance and power in a perfectly structured and presented frame. Aromas of typical pear, florals and a little slaty minerality emerge immediately. The palate is slick and precise but with a deep complexity revealing a combination of citrus, grapefruit and a slightly saline pebbly character.”
97 points - Stevens Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
”The season started late, but oh my, it produced some exceptional wines. This powerful and structured cabernet from this vineyard just south of Margaret River town is a masterful wine.”
98 points - Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
”A superb vintage has perfectly set up this fabulous example of Margaret River cabernet. It has it all, the power, blackcurrant, bay leaf, seamless integration and concentration. The aromas of floral over blackcurrant and red fruits are immediately compelling. Into the palate and the power is evident, But then there is the polish and finish that has gone into presenting an outstanding cabernet. Brilliant.”
Xanadu has claimed the
“Best Cabernet” trophy nine years in a row (& 10 of the last 11),
at Canberra, Australia’s most prestigious national wine show
– a feat no other winery has matched.
Receiving the Jimmy Watson Trophy in 2018
(Australia’s most prestigious and sought after wine award)
for the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon
Producing 0.004% of Australia’s wine, yet winning
28% of Capital City Wine Show trophies for Cabernet since 2013
22 of the total 78 trophies.
Including Vintage Verticals…
2014 | 2020 | 2023 - Reserve Chardonnay
2016 | 2022 | 2023 - Steven’s Rd Chardonnay
2018 | 2020 | 2022 - Reserve Cabernet
Hosted by Winemakers
Glen Goodall & Sophie Ward
Lunch: 12-3pm, 14 Wines & 5 Courses, $195
Masterclass: 4-6pm, 14 Wines & 5 Courses, $95
Dinner: 6.30pm, 14 Wines & 5 Courses, $195
Sunday May 25th
National Wine Show
(Australia’s most prestigious wine show)
Best Cabernet Trophy
2023 - Xanadu 2019
2022 - No Show Held - The Pandemic Year
2021 Xanadu Reserve 2019
2020 - No Show Held - The Pandemic Year
2019 - Xanadu 2017
2018 - Xanadu 2016 Stevens Road
2017 - Xanadu 2014 DJL
2016 - Xanadu 2014 DJL
2015 - Xanadu 2013
2014 - Xanadu 2011 DJL
2013 - Xanadu 2010
2012 - Watershed Premium Awakening 2010
2011 - Xanadu 2008
Xanadu’s Recent Wine Trophies -
by Capital City
2023 - National Show - Cabernet 2019
2022 - Brisbane – Reserve Cabernet 2019
2022 - Perth – Reserve Cabernet 2020
2022 - Adelaide - Cabernet 2020
2021 - Perth - Cabernet 2019
2021 - Brisbane - Cabernet 2019
2021 - National Show - Cabernet 2019
2019 - Brisbane - Cabernet 2017
2019 - Perth - DJL Cabernet 2017
2019 - Adelaide - Cabernet 2017
2019 - Melbourne - Cabernet 2017
2019 - Canberra - Cabernet 2017
2018 - Melbourne - Cabernet 2016
2018 - Canberra - Stevens Road Cabernet 2016
The Wine List
1st Course
Xanadu Chardonnay 2023 (New Release)
Wow, this is a mighty good wine for $40. There is real class here from whichever way you look at it. The aromas are a minerally sea spray and light citrus experience that are so engaging. The energy and bright chalky acidity is a feature which is a result of no malolactic fermentation. But the texture has been built in with regular lees stirring. It results in a pure and so precise linear palate feel with a lift and energy through the finish.
95 points, Ray Jordan
Xanadu Chardonnay 2018
An exquisite wine from this great WA vintage. Gorgeous aroma of pear and citrus with a trace of cereal substance in the background. There is an ever-so-subtle toasty backdrop, but the life and energy through the fine, intense palate is superb. A delightful minerally crisp acidity finishes an excellent wine.
96 points, Ray Jordan, West Australian Wine Guide
2nd Course
Stevens Road Chardonnay 2023 (Pre-Release)
Such a delicately structured yet still powerfully intense chardonnay from this outstanding vineyard, which in a good year like this, positively shines. The nose opens with typical light stone fruits, a slice of pear and a trace of grapefruit. But the palate is the thing. It is both textured and linear with deep stone fruit, minerally saline and citrus. There is no malolactic fermentation here, resulting in a wine that preserves its penetrating defining acidity. Stunning.
98 points, Ray Jordan, rayjordan.com
Stevens Road Chardonnay 2022
This is generally a fine and more delicate Chardonnay compared to the Reserve. It works really well in this season, striking the balance between power and finesse. More citrussy than the Reserve with notes of stone fruit, popcorn and just a little oyster shell minerality. The crystalline palate is bright and lively with a deep intensity focused keenly to a long finish. Wonderful mouthfeel.
98 points, Ray Jordan, winepilot.com
Stevens Road Chardonnay 2016
Whole-bunch pressed, wild-fermented in French barriques (25% new), no mlf, matured for 9 months. Its Reserve sibling has the complexity that this adroitly sidesteps, contesting its own ground with feline grace, every part of its body precisely shaped and weighted, leaving the palate with an airy freshness that will never tire you.
97 points, James Suckling, The Wine Companion
3rd Course
Reserve Chardonnay 2023 (Pre-Release)
Stunning wine displaying elegance and power in a perfectly structured and presented frame. Aromas of typical pear, florals and a little slaty minerality emerge immediately. The palate is slick and precise but with a deep complexity revealing a combination of citrus, grapefruit and a slightly saline pebbly character. It’s a result of the best barrel selection, and the brightness and linear intensity have been accentuated by having no malolactic fermentation influence.
98 points, Ray Jordan, rayjordan.com
Reserve Chardonnay 2019
Gold Medal – Perth Royal Wine Show 2021
Gold Medal – Margaret Rive Wine Awards 2021
Gold Medal – Royal Adelaide Wine Show 2021
Gold Medal – Perth Royal Wine Show 2020
Gold Medal – Margaret River Wine Awards 2020
Gold Medal – Wine Show of Western Australia 2020
The basis of this memorable chardonnay is the best batches of fruit from the original Lagan Estate vineyard. Power and poise captured expertly with clever winemaking. The cooler vintage has certainly influenced the structure and intensity, with a more subtle understated expression. Yet as the wine begins it’s journey along the palate it starts to release its payload. Impeccably balanced with cashew, butterscotch brittle and roasted cashew flavours faintly evident. Complex with a minerally lingering finish.
98 points, Ray Jordan, rayjordan.com
Reserve Chardonnay Magnum 2014
Gingin clone from the oldest estate vineyard, hand-picked, whole bunch-pressed, wild-fermented in French oak (35% new), stirred through 9 months maturation, no mlf. It's possible to suggest that Xanadu has its own style of Margaret River chardonnay as it has with cabernet. There is an extra degree of precision and length, the Yarra Valley taking the place of Great Southern for the comparison. Pink grapefruit, white peach and striking minerally acidity drive this wine at a furious pace.
97 points, James Suckling, The Wine Companion
4th Course
Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
An impressive cabernet sauvignon from a season which produced wines of power and volume with a firm structure. This is all of that. The typical blackcurrant aromas are augmented with sweet plummy nuances. The palate is tightly framed with firm tannins and a decent oak influence from the 40% new French oak contribution. The colour is bright and almost luminous. A wine of energy and vibrancy. If you are looking for great value in cellaring then this baby is right on the mark.
98 points, Ray Jordan, rayjordan.com
Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
With 8/3% malbec/petit verdot. Matured for 14 months in French oak (40% new). Perfumed, pure and very pretty. The three 'p's' for success. In the mouth the wine is all that the nose promised, the very fine tannins curve and shape the fruit. Very smart. Tasted alongside wines 3+ times the price of this and it still held its own. The finish is creamy and svelte.
95 Points Erin Larkin, Halliday Wine Companion
Stevens Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 (Pre-Release)
The season started late, but oh my, it produced some exceptional wines. This powerful and structured cabernet from this vineyard just south of Margaret River town is a masterful wine. The colour is so brilliant and bright and then the aromas reveal a marvellous combination of red and black fruits with typical bay leaf and minerally graphite. A wave of flavours cascade off the palate with its blackcurrant and chocolate dark plum characters neatly controlled by a chalky tannin and fine grained oak partnership. A beautiful wine.
97 points, Ray Jordan, rayjordan.com
Stevens Road Cabernet Sauvignon Magnum 2018
From a tiny block within the Stevens Road vineyard. Matured 14 months in French oak (40% new). Dutch licorice on the nose and shining on the palate. The tannins really steal the attention from the pristine fruit. Such finely knit tannins, cleverly inlaid into the fruit without being hidden, are one of the standouts of this beautiful wine. They shape and structure the pure cassis fruit, ushering it through to a long and lingering finish.
97 points Erin Larkin winecompanion.com.au
5th Course
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 (Pre-Release)
This is sourced from three different vineyards, each of which is more than 20 years old. A superb vintage has perfectly set up this fabulous example of Margaret River cabernet. It has it all, the power, blackcurrant, bay leaf, seamless integration and concentration. The aromas of floral over blackcurrant and red fruits are immediately compelling. Into the palate and the power is evident, But then there is the polish and finish that has gone into presenting an outstanding cabernet. Brilliant.
98 points, Ray Jordan, rayjordan.com
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Trophy – 2022 Perth Royal Wine Awards, Best Wine of the Show
Trophy – 2022 Perth Royal Wine Awards, Best Western Australian Wine
Trophy – 2022 Perth Royal Wine Awards, Best Western Australian Dry Red Table Wine
Trophy – 2022 Perth Royal Wine Awards, Best Cabernet Sauvignon
Trophy – 2022 Perth Royal Wine Awards, Best Red Table Wine
Gold Medal – 2023 Royal Queensland Wine Awards
Gold Medal – 2022 Royal Queensland Wine Awards
Gold Medal – 2022 Perth Royal Wine Awards
There have been some wonderful 2020 cabernets from Margaret River but none better than this. What a glorious statement of the region and a great vintage. Highly perfumed aromas of mulberry, dark chocolate and blackcurrant with a little plum and dried herb edging in. The palate is full-bodied with immense power. Black fruit, dark plum and some wild berry action with oak that has been almost lyrically laid. Bright and vital with a lithe expressiveness that is pure joy.
99 Points, Ray Jordan, winepilot.com
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Magnum 2018
This is probably the finest cabernet yet released from Xanadu. It’s a blend of mostly cabernet with small amounts of malbec and petit verdot. It’s a powerhouse loaded with concentrated dark fruit and supported with typically chalky tannins and a decent hit of oak, of which 45% was new French. It’s dense and engaging, yet there is that life and energy that stamps these wines with another dimension. Has many years ahead of it.
99 points, Ray Jordan, West Australian Wine Guide