Jilyara The Williams’ Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
- 94
- $75
- Drink by: 2024-2034
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From the famed Wilyabrup sub-region, this is a superb example of what can be achieved here. Always fun to listen to debates about whether the Margaret River region is better suited to Chardonnay or Cabernet. Tough question and probably no right answer. It does both magnificently. From this year’s release here, my pick is the Cabernet. The wine spent time in French oak. Deep garnet in colour, we have spices, cherries, blackberries, dry herbs and graphite notes on the nose. A fine structure, yet one which is quite intense, while retaining good balance over a long, lingering finish. There are fine tannins here, but they provide some serious grip and that finish continues to excite. A wine which is sure to provide enormous pleasure over the next six to ten years.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
