The final in today’s 2018 Cabernet trio – Voyager Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Three 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon reviews of wines from three different regions. Welcome to a Thursday in December at Australian Wine Review (you can view all the Cabernet Savignon reviews here FWIW).

This Voyager Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 might be the best of the lot, too, even if it’s not my favourite vintage of Voyager Cabernet. Actually, Voyager has run a bit hot and cold of late, although that will no doubt change now that the ever-talented Tim Shand (ex-Punt Road) has taken over winemaking duties. Tim emailed only a few weeks back, actually, talking about how he was settling into the Margaret River world, and how Stephen Fry reading Harry Potter got his family through the Nullarbor drive. Good man.

Anyway, this is a slightly more forward release of Voyager Estate Cabernet, albeit with classic length. You don’t hear about it, but Voyager has been on the road to organic viticulture for a few years now, and in 2023 the whole estate and all the wines will be certified organic. That probably has little to do with this 2018 Cabernet, but hey, tangents is one of the reasons why you come here, right?

This Cabernet certainly smells like the Margs archetype – bay leaf over dark berries. Just a bit warm and forward, though, coupled with a drying finish. As if the whole blend could do with a bit more generosity. Classic lines though – it may be drying, but it’s drying in a way that will keep on keeping on. O came back to this and it tasted so familiar in that right sort of savoury yet rich Margaret River Cabernet way. A strong silver medal wine, undoubtedly (and I can’t wait to see what Tim does next).

Best drinking: now and for fifteen years easy. 18/20, 93/100. 14%, $95. Voyager Estate website. Would I buy it? Let’s share a bottle.