96 Points James Halliday — A Rare Straight Cabernet from One of Clare Valley's Most Mythical Estates

My Wine Man on Wendouree

Wendouree is one of Australia's most revered and elusive wine estates. Nestled in the southern Clare Valley, this heritage property has been farming ancient bush vines — dry, without irrigation — since 1895. The winery is a stone building frozen in time; the philosophy is one of absolute minimal intervention, patience, and respect for the land. Wendouree wines are allocated exclusively through a loyal mailing list and rarely surface on the open market. A straight Cabernet Sauvignon from Wendouree is even rarer — the last release before this 2021 was from the 2018 vintage. When one appears, it demands attention.

Tasting Notes

Fine-boned and refined, with a pure, focused character that sets it apart. Striking herbal detail weaves through cassis, green olive, lavender, and bergamot tea, with clove, woody spice, and faint ginger biscuit adding complexity. A ferrous, savoury undercurrent runs through the mid-palate, while a snarl of grippy, granitic tannins firms the wine beautifully and trails through a long, persistent finish. Medium-weight in its current guise, yet vividly high quality and full of charm. This is not a wine for now — it is a wine for much later in life. 96 Points — James Halliday

Style & Drinking Window

Medium-to-full bodied with firm, granitic tannin structure and exceptional length. The herbal, mineral character of Clare Valley Cabernet is on full display here — precise, cool-climate, and built for the cellar. Drink from 2030–2048+. Decant for a minimum of 3 hours if opening in the near term.

Food Pairing

The fine-boned structure and cassis-driven depth of the 2021 Wendouree Cabernet Sauvignon make it a superb match for Australian Grass-Fed Premium Lamb Shank from My Meat Man. The wine's grippy tannins and savoury, ferrous character complement the rich, gelatinous texture of slow-braised lamb beautifully — whether braised low and slow with red wine and herbs, roasted bone-in until falling off the bone, or served with a rich jus and root vegetables.

Why This Is a Smart Buy

At HK$1,099, this is a genuinely rare opportunity to acquire a straight Wendouree Cabernet Sauvignon — a wine that simply does not appear on the open market with any regularity. Comparable Clare Valley Cabernets of this pedigree and age-worthiness from top estates command HK$1,500–2,500+ when available. For collectors and serious Cabernet lovers, this is a must.

Looking for a Different Style?

2018 Grosset Gaia Clare Valley Cabernet Blend — elegant, polished Clare Valley Cabernet-led blend from a regional icon
2015 Eldredge Louie Cabernet Sauvignon — structured Clare Valley Cabernet with great regional character and cellar potential
2020 Sevenhill Saint Ignatius Dry Red — a classic Clare Valley red blend with depth, history, and outstanding value