The Auswine Forum

I'm not familiar with Xanadu's wines so I was wondering if anybody here could tell me something about the Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon - not the Steven's Road or the Reserve but what appears to be their third-tiered Cabernet. Is it more typical of a Margaret River style wine or one made in the ripe, fleshier style? The reason I ask is because I've just come across a few bottles here in Canada and whether it is worth a punt.

Cheers .................. Mahmoud

It has been a little while since I had one, but I'd say it is a fairly typical Margaret River style. I'm sure there some others here that will have better insight than me, but I have had the impression that it has been a very solid wine in recent years but hasn't quite hit the highs that the 2010 did. If the price is right, then I'd say it is worth a punt.
There is also a couple of of cabernets that slip in under the standard cabernet - DJL and Next of Kin which are a fair bit cheaper but have generally provided good QPR.

Which vintage, Mahmoud?

I was at Xanadu in early February and my purchases included a 6 pack of the 2013 Cabernet (your 'third tier), in preference to shelling out the shekels for the Stevens Road and Reserve. While I enjoyed all three wines, the difference between the wines did not justify the hike in price.

I did this with the 2010 vintage also (of which I still have a few in the cellar). Don't be afraid of it being the 'standard' wine. It's worth a look.

Cheers
Allan

Thanks for the responses, much appreciated.

I'm glad to hear that the wine is likely to be in the Margaret River style. I'm not certain of the vintage but if the photograph used on the website is any indication it may be the 2010 vintage. Until I see the bottle in person I cannot be sure. In any case the price is very tempting at $15 and where I live there isn't much recourse to Margaret River Cabernets.

Cheers ................ Mahmoud

Mahmoud Ali wrote:Thanks for the responses, much appreciated.

I'm glad to hear that the wine is likely to be in the Margaret River style. I'm not certain of the vintage but if the photograph used on the website is any indication it may be the 2010 vintage. Until I see the bottle in person I cannot be sure. In any case the price is very tempting at $15 and where I live there isn't much recourse to Margaret River Cabernets.

Cheers ................ Mahmoud

$15 a bottle is a bargain, regardless of vintage, Mahmoud. BUY!

Just discovered that it is 2012, not the 2010 vintage. Nonetheless, taking Allan's advice I bought 4 bottles.

Has anybody tried this vintage?

Mahmoud.

Ha, ha, the jokes on me. Though I had called the store and asked about Xanadu Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon and the vintage they never bothered to tell me it was the "Next of Kin". Needless to say when I went to the store I was quite disappointed and passed on it.

Sadly ................ Mahmoud.

Mahmoud Ali wrote:Ha, ha, the jokes on me. Though I had called the store and asked about Xanadu Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon and the vintage they never bothered to tell me it was the "Next of Kin". Needless to say when I went to the store I was quite disappointed and passed on it.

Sadly ................ Mahmoud.

The price did seem a little too good for the standard Xanadu cabernet. We'd pay upwards of $30 AU here.
You probably should have tried one anyway. It's pretty reliable

paulf wrote:

Mahmoud Ali wrote:Ha, ha, the jokes on me. Though I had called the store and asked about Xanadu Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon and the vintage they never bothered to tell me it was the "Next of Kin". Needless to say when I went to the store I was quite disappointed and passed on it.

Sadly ................ Mahmoud.

The price did seem a little too good for the standard Xanadu cabernet. We'd pay upwards of $30 AU here.
You probably should have tried one anyway. It's pretty reliable

Agreed. This and the Next of Kin Shiraz both overdeliver in the QPR stakes.

Cheers

Michael