TOP TEN
H A L L I D A Y W I N E CO M PA N I O N 2 0 1 7
TOP TEN
98 Points
BEST VA L UE W INERY
2013 Xanadu reserve C abernet sauvignon
Xanadu is in danger of becoming a serial offender, so frequently do its wines receive high points; and here, 20 out of 22 wines received the value rosette. It blitzes chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon, but is a worth warrior with SBS and shiraz.
Includes 5% each of malbec and petit verdot, all components matured for 14 months in French barriques (50% new) before a best-barrel selection. Cabernet doesn’t come more intense than this without losing its shape; here it parlays into purity and precision.
98 Points
97 Points
From the Lagan Vineyard at Wilyabrup, Gingin clone, hand-picked, whole bunch-pressed, wild yeast-fermented in French oak (35% new), lees-stirred during 9-month maturation, no mlf, a selection of the best barrels. This is the most complex of the ‘13 Xanadu chardonnays, yet retains the hallmark precision and elegance of its siblings. 7 months after its first tasting, its power, intensity and extreme length have come into full focus, gaining another point. - SOLD OUT -
Gingin clone from the oldest estate vineyard, hand-picked. 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
97 Points
2013 Xanadu ste vens road C h a r d on n ay
2 0 1 4 X a n a d u r e s e r v e c h a r d o n n ay
2014 Xanadu ste vens road C h a r d on n ay
2013 Xanadu ste vens road cabernet sauvignon
From 20 rows of Gingin clone on the Stevens Road Vineyard. This is a twin to the Reserve, having far more things in common than points of difference. This is slightly finer and more open, but you wouldn’t say that if it was any other wine in the comparison. The flavour spectrum and balance are nigh-on identical, and to force the issue, this wine is readier than the Reserve.
Bright crimson; this has the Stevens Road DNA at its most expressive and triumphant; Xanadu has carved out a cabernet style all its own, as if the Great Southern has crept in under the bedclothes one night. It is awesome in its focus and precision, which allow it to tread lightly, seemingly impossible for a young cabernet of supreme class.
96 Points
96 Points
Predominantly estate-grown on the Stevens Road and Lagan Vineyards, Gingin clone, hand-picked, whole bunch-pressed, and wild yeast-fermented in French oak (21% new), matured and stirred for 9 months. There is an inevitability about the very high quality of the Xanadu wines these days; thus this very intense and powerful, yet perfectly delineated and balanced wine is no surprise, nor is its extreme length.
Xanadu paints an unerring landscape of intense, elegant Margaret River cabernet, with a stream of cassis fruit bordered by gravelly but fine tannins, oak insistently completing the picture. Great value.
2 0 1 4 Xa n a d u C h a r d on n ay
2013 Xanadu cabernet sauvignon
xanaduwines.com
H A L L I D A Y W I N E CO M PA N I O N 2 0 1 7
94 Points
94 Points
2 0 1 5 Xa n a d u dj l C h a r d on n ay
2015 Xanadu djl s a u v i g n o n b l a n c s e m i ll o n It has a bit of presence about it. It’s fruit-driven and accessible but its reach through the finish is uncommonly long, its notes of cool alpine herbs serving to refresh. The word ‘layered’ (used on the back label) is apt.
The lowish alcohol (12.5%) is a pointer towards the style, as is the absence of mlf. This is precise, uncluttered chardonnay despite the winemaking input. The primary flavours are of grapefruit and white peach with subtle cashew and lees texture, the citrus acidity stiletto-like.
94 Points
93 Points
2013 Xanadu djl
2014 Xanadu djl shiraz
cabernet sauvignon 90% cabernet sauvignon, the balance equal proportions of cabernet franc and petit verdot. Blackcurrant is the prominent varietal marker of bouquet and palate, the more lifted and floral notes contributed (most likely) by the minor partners. A touch of green herb and toasty oak along with the modulating tannin completes an attractive package.
92 Points
2015 xanadu e xmoor s a u v i g n o n b l a n c s e m i ll o n
92 Points
2013 xanadu e xmoor cabernet sauvignon
xanaduwines.com
TOP TEN
98 Points
BEST VA L UE W INERY
2013 Xanadu reserve C abernet sauvignon
Xanadu is in danger of becoming a serial offender, so frequently do its wines receive high points; and here, 20 out of 22 wines received the value rosette. It blitzes chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon, but is a worth warrior with SBS and shiraz.
Includes 5% each of malbec and petit verdot, all components matured for 14 months in French barriques (50% new) before a best-barrel selection. Cabernet doesn’t come more intense than this without losing its shape; here it parlays into purity and precision.
98 Points
97 Points
From the Lagan Vineyard at Wilyabrup, Gingin clone, hand-picked, whole bunch-pressed, wild yeast-fermented in French oak (35% new), lees-stirred during 9-month maturation, no mlf, a selection of the best barrels. This is the most complex of the ‘13 Xanadu chardonnays, yet retains the hallmark precision and elegance of its siblings. 7 months after its first tasting, its power, intensity and extreme length have come into full focus, gaining another point. - SOLD OUT -
Gingin clone from the oldest estate vineyard, hand-picked. 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
97 Points
2013 Xanadu ste vens road C h a r d on n ay
2 0 1 4 X a n a d u r e s e r v e c h a r d o n n ay
2014 Xanadu ste vens road C h a r d on n ay
2013 Xanadu ste vens road cabernet sauvignon
From 20 rows of Gingin clone on the Stevens Road Vineyard. This is a twin to the Reserve, having far more things in common than points of difference. This is slightly finer and more open, but you wouldn’t say that if it was any other wine in the comparison. The flavour spectrum and balance are nigh-on identical, and to force the issue, this wine is readier than the Reserve.
Bright crimson; this has the Stevens Road DNA at its most expressive and triumphant; Xanadu has carved out a cabernet style all its own, as if the Great Southern has crept in under the bedclothes one night. It is awesome in its focus and precision, which allow it to tread lightly, seemingly impossible for a young cabernet of supreme class.
96 Points
96 Points
Predominantly estate-grown on the Stevens Road and Lagan Vineyards, Gingin clone, hand-picked, whole bunch-pressed, and wild yeast-fermented in French oak (21% new), matured and stirred for 9 months. There is an inevitability about the very high quality of the Xanadu wines these days; thus this very intense and powerful, yet perfectly delineated and balanced wine is no surprise, nor is its extreme length.
Xanadu paints an unerring landscape of intense, elegant Margaret River cabernet, with a stream of cassis fruit bordered by gravelly but fine tannins, oak insistently completing the picture. Great value.
2 0 1 4 Xa n a d u C h a r d on n ay
2013 Xanadu cabernet sauvignon
xanaduwines.com
H A L L I D A Y W I N E CO M PA N I O N 2 0 1 7
94 Points
94 Points
2 0 1 5 Xa n a d u dj l C h a r d on n ay
2015 Xanadu djl s a u v i g n o n b l a n c s e m i ll o n It has a bit of presence about it. It’s fruit-driven and accessible but its reach through the finish is uncommonly long, its notes of cool alpine herbs serving to refresh. The word ‘layered’ (used on the back label) is apt.
The lowish alcohol (12.5%) is a pointer towards the style, as is the absence of mlf. This is precise, uncluttered chardonnay despite the winemaking input. The primary flavours are of grapefruit and white peach with subtle cashew and lees texture, the citrus acidity stiletto-like.
94 Points
93 Points
2013 Xanadu djl
2014 Xanadu djl shiraz
cabernet sauvignon 90% cabernet sauvignon, the balance equal proportions of cabernet franc and petit verdot. Blackcurrant is the prominent varietal marker of bouquet and palate, the more lifted and floral notes contributed (most likely) by the minor partners. A touch of green herb and toasty oak along with the modulating tannin completes an attractive package.
92 Points
2015 xanadu e xmoor s a u v i g n o n b l a n c s e m i ll o n
92 Points
2013 xanadu e xmoor cabernet sauvignon
xanaduwines.com
