Woodlands were one of the 'first wave' of wineries to set up in the Margaret River in the early 1970s and today that heritage is in the capable hands of Andrew and Stuart Watson, sons of the pioneering David. The Margaret Cabernet Merlot displays aromas of rosemary, leather and spice winding through blackberry and blackcurrant fruit. The palate is a reflection of the nose, and is bolstered by eucalypt, bay leaf and cranberry flavours.

Pure, elegant Margaret River Cabernet Merlot with characters of dried herbs, bay leaf, violets and redcurrant with savoury cedar and toasted spices from maturation in well seasoned French oak barriques and hogsheads. The palate is fresh and tight with the structure and quality to cellar for many years.

The Wines in the Alexander's Vineyard range represent the essence of what Margaret River Winemaking is all about. Their Shiraz is full of rich aromas of sweet berry fruits, mocha, vanilla, spice and cracked pepper followed by a full flavoured body. Finished with soft tannins with hints of chocolate.

Our 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon has an intense crimson colour. The nose reveals aromas of mixed spices, dark fruits, and toasty French oak. The palate is deep and powerful; showing a ripe spectrum of red to dark fruits combined with star anise, clove, and allspice. The finish is incredibly long, with firm but fine tannins. We consider our 2010 vintage to be the most complete and complex Cabernet Sauvignon produced at Woodlands.

This wine shows the style of the vintage and quite likely the impact of the small crop. In such years, Cabernet Sauvignon in particular, has a complex but somewhat subdued nose, where the wine hints of the underlying power and complexity but takes years to reveal its true colours. So here we see smouldering red currant, black currant and mulberry, with a floral, violet lift, sitting over cedar and tar. On the palate there is concentration and length - dark fruits combining with firm tannin and leather and tarry notes.

Rebus, first vintage 2012, is Cabernet Sauvignon with a splash (5-6%) of Malbec. Separate parcels are fermented and matured in French barriques (40% new) for 12 months. The final wine is a selection of the best barrels and aims to be counted among the best and brightest of Margaret River. Rebus typically shows aromas of cherries, violets and graphite followed by a fleshy palate of redcurrants, plum skin and dark chocolate modulating to licorice, black berries and slate, soft, ripe tannins and a persistent mineral finish.

Voyager Estate Shiraz is deep red in colour with an explosive nose of oak blackberries and spice that is succeeded by a rich flavoursome palate and some chewy tannins. Will improve wonderfully with time.

Woodlands Cabernet Merlot is one of the regions best examples. The Watson brothers are the custodians of a family heritage in Margaret River that continues to this day. The Cabernet Merlot has attractive and complex aromas of dark berry and plum supported by well integrated vanillin oak. The palate shows similar characters with outstanding length of flavour and perfect balance. Drink now or cellar short term.