Dalwhinnie Moonambel Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

95 POINTS

Erin Larkin - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2018 Moonambel Cabernet Sauvignon is fleshy and bright in the glass, but the fruit—succulent as it is—is underpinned by a foundation of rock and minerals. The tannins are firm for sure; they frame the wine and assist the fruit in its journey across the palate. Polished yet with an open weave and complex in a black way, this is a bit of a marvel.

94 POINTS

Jeni Port - Halliday Wine Companion

Hand-picked cabernet with small volumes of cabernet franc and merlot included. Batches were fermented on skins. Maturation and mlf conducted in French oak barriques (30% new) for 18 months. Classic Pyrenees cabernet all the way, albeit minus the usual level of eucalyptus/bay leaf. A very stylish cabernet (and friends) offering aromas of ripe black fruits, sour cherries, clove and leafy notes. Firm cabernet tannin structure, pulpy and still settling in when tasted 6 months before release.

94 POINTS

Gary Walsh - The Wine Front

No Dalwhinnie reds reviewed here since the 2010 vintage. I’d almost forgotten they existed, given they were a stalwart of Australian fine wine back in the day. Anyway, here we are. Black fruit, tobacco, cedar, aniseed and mint, dark chocolate. It’s fleshy, blackcurrant, cherry and blackberry, rich and ripe with a subtle leafy edge and savoury tobacco flavours, full gravelly/stony tannin, juicy acidity, and lavish crushed rock tannin on a finish of excellent length, some iodine/seaweed in the aftertaste. Very good.

2021 - Decanter World Wine Awards

Prominent but super-fine tannins which wrap around cinnamon-flecked plums and blackcurrants. Award: Bronze - DWWA 2021