This year, 20 superb 2018 vintage Cabernets from the world’s finest producing regions were presented with commentary on each bracket from the most noted speakers from the wine trade and media.

Here are the wines that were served (in this order)

Bracket One

Yarra Yering Dry Red No.1 (Yarra Valley, VIC)

Ornellaia (Bolgheri, Tuscany)

Cullen Diana Madelaine (Margaret River, WA)

Juniper The Tribute (Margaret River, WA)

Ch. Léoville-Poyferré (Saint-Julien, Bordeaux)

Deep Woods Reserve (Margaret River, WA)

Penfolds Bin 707 (Multi region bend, South Australia)

Bracket Two

Henschke Cyril Henschke (Eden Valley, SA)

Devils Lair (Margaret River, WA)

Ch. Haut-Bailly (Graves, Bordeaux)

Mount Mary Quintet (Yarra Valley, VIC)

McHenry Hohnen Hazel’s Vineyard (Margaret River, WA)

Ch. Léoville-Las Cases (Saint-Julien, Bordeaux)

Spottswoode (St Helena, Napa Valley)

Bracket Three

Xanadu Stevens Road (Margaret River, WA)

Ch. Giscours (Margaux, Bordeaux)

Cape Mentelle (Margaret River, WA)

Ch. Rauzan-Ségla (Margaux, Bordeaux)

Vasse Felix Tom Cullity (Margaret River, WA)

Ch. Lafite Rothschild (Pauillac, Bordeaux)

The Juniper ‘Tribute’ 2018 was tasted in the first bracket. The wine was made from a single parcel of fruit hand-picked on 12^thApril from Block 7; the blend is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and was matured in French barriques for 18 months of which half were new. Only 69 dozen bottles made.

Roger Hill was passionate about Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon, and the principle aim at Juniper when he was running the business, was to consistently make Cabernets that would rank with the best that the region - and beyond - had to offer.

Continuing in this vein, after his passing, we released a Cabernet that we named ‘The Tribute’ from the 2013 vintage in recognition of his contribution, of the site itself and of Mark Messenger’s efforts to realise the dream. The Tribute is only released in exceptional vintages, and the have only been two previous releases – both made in similar volumes.

The 2018 is a rare wine of exceptional pedigree and cellaring potential which will be released in 2023.

In the meantime, the 2016 vintage of 'The Tribute' has just been released and is availablehere.