Robert Oatley Pennant Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

96 POINTS

Ray Jordan - Winepilot

A small volume wine of the highest quality. The fruit comes from both Wilyabrup and the more northern Yallingup, which brings a strong varietal leafy black olive power into the more generous southern fruit. The powerful fruit has easily absorbed the 15-months mix of new and one-year-old oak, while the tannins retain a slick fine edge to support an effortlessly long palate. Still a little closed on the finish as you might expect but there is so much waiting to reveal itself with further ageing.

94 POINTS

Erin Larkin - Halliday Wine Companion

The 2017 vintage was cool and wet in Margaret River, but the cabernets that achieved ripeness were of brilliant quality. Salty, savoury and moving to secondary flavours already. This feels aged beyond its years at this point, although the savoury spice and firm structure are not without their charms. Dense texture and cohesion on the palate, clove and star anise to finish.

94 POINTS

Erin Larkin - Halliday Wine Companion

Pungently savoury on the nose, reminiscent of tomato sauce Ð it has that salted tomato, sweet fruit vibe going on. Statuesque palate, all redcurrant and blackberries. Red gravel, kelp, brine and a density that is part of the calling card of Frankland River cabernet. The tannins through the finish have a metallic cast, the wine wraps up with licorice and aniseed; curls of star anise the lingering puffs of flavour.

93 POINTS

Huon Hooke - The Real Review

Deep red colour with a good tint of purple, and an attractive fruit-led bouquet that speaks clearly of cabernet. Cassis, sundry berries, crushed-leafy high notes, oak neatly disciplined in the background, the tannins present and are quite obvious but not too oaky or astringent. A very smart wine: stylish, elegant, intense and concentrated, with length and obvious ageing potential. A ripper. (7 barrels produced. A barrel selection, the fruit sourced from Wilyabrup and Yallingup Hills)

92 POINTS

Christina Pickard - Wine Enthusiast

This is a plush, richly styled Cab that's still quite primary for its age. Chocolate, mint, beetroot, graphite and savory spice notes mingle with tart cherry, raspberry and blueberry fruit. Chalky tannins creep in on the mid-palate, enveloping and drying out the tongue on the finish. It's missing some of the elegance and poise seen from other top Margaret River Cabs, but there's oodles of juicy fruit and a structure that could take it a decade into the future.

Decanter

Coffee and liquorice on the nose. Dusty tannins with caramel notes. Judges: Sarah Ahmed, Justin Knock MW, Julia Sewell