Plantagenet "Aquitaine" Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 - Mt. Barker, Western Australia

94/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
93/100 Wine Pilot
Bronze - Mike Bennie, Halliday Wne Companion
Bronze - Mike Bennie, Halliday Wne Companion (2020 vintage)
95/100 Huon Hooke, The Real Review (2019 vintage)
92/100 WineState (2019 vintage)
91/100 James Suckling (2019 vintage)
91/100 Robert Parker (2019 vintage)
90/100 Erin Larkin, Halliday Wine Companion (2019 vintage)

5 Stars Winery - James Halliday

Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot "Deep dark secrets are lurking in this polished and impressive Cabernet. It was a vintage of challenges after a good start. Some late rain came via the end of a cyclone but those with courage to hold on were rewarded as the warm weather returned. Dark chocolate, blackcurrant and black olive all find their way into a complex aromatic mix. Tannins are firm and ripe, adding structure to the core, while the oak has been lapped up by the powerful fruit intensity."

Mike Bennie, Halliday Wne Companion "Scents of sea spray, dark choc-berry, bay leaf and cold fireplace. Flavours show dark choc-berry character, smoky spice, tobacco, a touch of licorice and salt bush."

James Suckling "A tasty cabernet that has subtle spice undertones to the fruit. Notes of currants, blueberries, nutmeg and orange peel follow through to a full-bodied, fleshy and juicy palate with ripe tannins."

Mike Bennie, Halliday Wne Companion "An inky, slippery Cabernet with good varietal character and ease of drinking. Elemental plummy fruit, tobacco and cinnamon spice aromas, medium weight with glossy texture. Simple, done well." (2020 vintage)

James Suckling "This has attractive aromas of tobacco, black cherries, nutmeg and chocolate orange, with a dash of vanilla. Ripe and creamy, with a medium to full body and polished tannins. Delicious spice and citrus-zest notes on the long finish."

Huon Hooke, The Real Review "Deep red-purple colour with a lovely complex cedary, briary, cassis and toasty barrel bouquet. This flows smoothly into an elegantly structured and finely boned palate which is harmonious and deep, with a suavity that is pure cabernet. A wine with class." (2019 vintage)

James Suckling "An intense nose with lots of ripe, almost candied blackberries, dried rosemary and lavender. Some vanilla and licorice, too. Its full-bodied with sticky tannins and impressive length. Has a long and rather sweet aftertaste." (2019 vintage)

Robert Parker "... is a touch old-school in its earthy approach to Cabernet aromatics but consistent to a tee, and really well made at that. There are notes of tobacco leaf, allspice, cassis and blackcurrant. Lovely." (2019 vintage)

Erin Larkin, Halliday Wine Companion "Earthy, chocolatey and shaped by dark, resinous oak. This is a real brooder. There's no room for air or light, this is a moonless vortex of black fruit, swirling midnight tannins and in the penumbra, a flurry of shadowy acidity. perhaps some of these characters will unfurl as the wine is decanted, or over time, but if you seek the pure red core that is here, but hiding, don't wait too long. Within 5 years will grasp it." (2019 vintage)


Western Australian winery, Plantagenent is acclaimed internationally for its consistently highly-awarded, quality wines produced from its five vineyards located in the cool climate region of the Great Southern. It is known for its highly aromatic riesling, tangy citrus-tinged chardonnay, exceptional Rhône-style shiraz and suberb cabernet sauvignon. The five estate vineyards are overseen by Chief Viticulturist Jordan Ellis whose philosophy is sustainability and remaining true to the terroir of the region.

The Real Review "Plantegent is a pioneer of the Great Southern region of Western Australia with vineyards first planted in 1986 and the first commercial winery established in the region. Celebrated for its rich heritage, the winery is owned the Lionel Samson family, the oldest family owned business in Western Australia established in Fremantle in 1829. Plantaganet has five vineyards in the Mount Barker sub region each with the unique characteristics, ancient soils and a cool maritime climate cretaing expressive wines of provenance, quality & prestige. "

James Halliday, Halliday Australian Wine Companion "Plantagenet has honed its flagship varieties into a distinct Great Southern wine style; a depth of lively flavour, seamless elegance and natural purity"

The Great Southern is emerging as a wine region of international significance and reputation. It is the largest wine growing region in Australia and is the second largest producer of grapes in Western Australia. It is a landscape of forested cliffs and resplendent mountain ranges, grazing pastures and towns steeped in history. The regional climate ranges from the coastal, maritime subregions of Albany and Denmark to the inland, continental subregions of Mount Barker, Porongurup and Frankland River. The predominant soils are similar to those of the Margaret River region - either lateritic gravelly sandy loams (marri country) or sandy loams deriving directly from granite and gneissic bedrocks. Near perfect conditions for grape growing has lured some of the most creative and talented winemakers to call this land their home and become part of its ancient story.

The region is known for commitment to be sustainable, and organic, and is attracting some of Australia’s best winemakers. In 2023 the region dominated the Halliday Wine Companion Awards with its Top Rated 2023 Rieslings winning 10 of the top 40 awards. Other varietals from the region also received exceptional ratings of 97, 96 & 95 points.

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most famous red wine grape variety on Earth. It is rivaled in this regard only by its Bordeaux stablemate Merlot, and its opposite number in Burgundy, Pinot Noir. From its origins in Bordeaux, Cabernet has successfully spread to almost every winegrowing country in the world. It is now the key grape variety in many first-rate New World wine regions, most notably Napa Valley, Coonawarra and Maipo Valley. Wherever they come from, Cabernet Sauvignon wines always seem to demonstrate a handful of common character traits: deep color, good tannin structure, moderate acidity and aromas of blackcurrant, tomato leaf, dark spices and cedarwood.