Xanadu Premium Release – 2023 Chardonnays and 2022 Cabernets
Barry Weinman: 19th June 2025
The release of the premium Xanadu wines is always eagerly anticipated by the panel and the current batch did not disappoint.
It is fascinating how different the wines are, even though they are only separated by a few km. The Wallcliffe wines feel markedly cooler in character to those from Wilyabrup
In 2023, I have put the Stevens Road ahead by a whisker for the chardonnays, but the Reserve is the wine most likely to win you new friends. It is such an approachable and friendly wine.
With the cabernets, it was hard to separate them on absolute quality, but stylistically, they are very different.
Reviewed
Xanadu – Stephens Road – Chardonnay – 2023. Talk about impact! As I brought the glass to my nose with this wine, the powerful, peachlike fruit leapt from the glass. But it was not just primary fruit, it was the panoply of aromas (from flint and minerals to struck match) that amplified the impact. Yet the wine remained tightly focused at all times. In the mouth, the fruit sits more in the grapefruit spectrum and, whilst quite tight and restrained, has wonderful line and length. The length is, in fact, a standout feature.
The wine underwent barrel fermentation, however malolactic fermentation was prevented to preserve freshness of acidity. Drink now with seared scallops or give it 5 years to fully unwind and show its ultimate potential. 13.0% alc, 96+pts.
Xanadu – Reserve – Chardonnay – 2023. This is more reserved and, if anything, more mainstream, and all the better for it. In fact, this is quite special. The ripe fruit is the focus and has seamless palate transition and great length. This is already so good right now. The finish is viscous, textured and supported by brilliant oak use. A better wine than the Stevens Road? In absolute terms, no: but it is a more accessible style that many will prefer.
The fruit for this wine is made with Gingin clone fruit from the Lagan vineyard, which is the oldest chardonnay vineyard on the property. It underwent 100% barrel fermentation with wild yeast and was aged in French oak (20% new). 13.0% alc – 96pts.
Xanadu – Reserve – Cabernet Sauvignon – 2022. This is a very good wine, in a very different style to others in the tasting. Here, the fruit is darker in profile and the structural notes have a greater impact. Yet this remains balanced and fine, with the structural components never getting in the way of the superb fruit. Impressive, and the length of flavours is a standout. The acids and tannins eventually shut down the fruit somewhat, suggesting that up to 20 years in the cellar will only see this wine improve. Includes a small proportion of malbec and pedit verdot. 14.0% alc – 96pts.
Xanadu – Stephens Road – Cabernet Sauvignon – 2022. It is fascinating how differently high-quality cabernet can present. This is another superb wine, but the flavours and textures are different to the Reserve in a very good way. Blackberry and blackcurrant feature, but here, the souring acid is more prominent as compared to the tannins, which suggests a cooler site. But the length and persistence of flavours and textures are equal to the best. 40% new oak was used during maturation. A lovely wine that, in this line up, was the one that would benefit the most from cellaring or from being served with fine food. Beef ribs come to mind… Fantastic wine! 14.0% alc – 96pts.