Woodlands Wines: If You Like Wood
Tucked away in the heart of Margaret River’s Wilyabrup Valley, Woodlands has long been known for its classically structured Cabernet Sauvignons — wines that have earned them a solid reputation over the years. Having enjoyed them on more than one occasion, I decided to visit their cellar door as part of my Margaret River road trip and explore more of their portfolio.
2023 Willyabrup Valley Chardonnay
This wine was a pleasant surprise. Tasted straight after the 2023 Watson Family Chardonnay, it immediately felt much smoother and rounder. Lemon and white grapefruit flavours were layered with a touch of oak, tart yoghurt (thanks to the malolactic fermentation) and a hint of yeastiness (lees work). There were definitely skin tannins evident in the textural grip of this wine.
Rating: Delish Price: AUD 40
2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
A wine with aromas and flavours of cocoa, menthol, anise, black plum, blackberry, oak, leather and char. On the palate, however, the tannins and oak came through strongly. They paired with the menthol but were separated from the fruit, which gave a distinctly two-tiered wine. This wine became more tannic as it opened up and the tannins ended up dominating. As I am not a lover of wines where I can mainly taste wood, this wine didn’t do it for me.
Rating: Meh Price: AUD 40
2021 Clementine
Tasted side-by-side the 2021 Margaret, I preferred the Clementine. A blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot rounding out the remainder. Notes of oak, sour cherry, black plum eucalyptus, fresh tarragon and marzipan were present and as the wine opened up, red plum came to the fore. This is a wine that can be drunk on its own and is much softer and more approachable than the Margaret (which really needs to be drunk with a big charred juicy steak)
Rating: Delish Price: AUD 50
I left Woodlands with mixed feelings. Just as I was heading out, I was offered a taste of their top-tier wines — the ones in the $230 range — and those were truly exceptional: round, complex and beautifully integrated - exactly what I remembered from past tastings. Overall though, the current house style seems to lean towards “if in doubt, add wood.” This style is not my personal preference but if you love lots of tannin and wood in your wine, head to Woodlands - it says it all in its name.