Wills Domain The Coveted Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

This wine exemplifies the unique terroir of Margaret River, where the maritime climate and gravelly soils create ideal conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon. The 95-point rating from Ray Jordan reflects how Wills Domain has captured the region's signature style - combining concentrated fruit with earthy complexity. Margaret River Cabernets are renowned for their ability to balance power with elegance, and this wine demonstrates that perfectly with its bramble and cassis notes complemented by tobacco and cedar nuances.

This wine is designed for extended cellaring and will evolve beautifully over the next decade. The 2022 vintage benefits from Margaret River's excellent growing conditions, providing the structural backbone needed for long-term ageing. As it matures, the primary blackcurrant and bramble flavours will integrate with the oak-derived cedar and tobacco notes, developing tertiary characteristics like leather and earth. The wine's full-bodied nature and varietal intensity suggest it will reach peak drinking between 2027-2032.

The wine's rich, earthy character and robust tannin structure make it perfect for hearty red meat dishes. Try it with slow-cooked lamb shoulder with rosemary, aged beef steaks, or game meats like venison. The tobacco and cedar notes complement grilled or barbecued meats beautifully, while the wine's acidity cuts through rich, fatty dishes. For cheese pairings, consider aged hard cheeses like vintage cheddar or Parmigiano-Reggiano that can stand up to the wine's intensity.

Wills Domain operates as a small-scale, family-owned winery that focuses on quality over quantity, earning them boutique producer status and a 5-star Halliday rating. Boutique producers like Wills Domain typically have greater control over every aspect of winemaking, from vineyard management to bottling, allowing for more personalised and distinctive wines. This hands-on approach enables them to express the unique characteristics of their specific vineyard sites in Margaret River, resulting in wines with greater individuality and terroir expression than mass-produced alternatives.

The complex flavour profile reveals a traditional approach that respects Cabernet Sauvignon's varietal character while showcasing Margaret River's terroir. The presence of tomato pulp and blackcurrant leaf notes indicates optimal ripeness and possibly some whole-bunch fermentation techniques. The cedar and tobacco characteristics suggest judicious use of quality oak, likely French, which adds complexity without overwhelming the fruit. This combination of earthy richness and focused fruit demonstrates the winemaker's skill in balancing extraction and elegance.