The 2020 Cloudburst Cabernet Sauvignon represents one of the most critically acclaimed releases in the estate’s brief history, attracting extraordinary scores from Decanter and James Suckling alongside acknowledgement from multiple leading commentators that Will Berliner has produced something genuinely exceptional in a challenging vintage defined by the widespread bushfire events of the 2019-20 Australian summer. Margaret River’s coastal location and the Wilyabrup sub-region’s distance from the worst affected areas provided natural insulation from the smoke events, and Berliner’s instinctive understanding of his land allowed him to navigate the season’s complexities with characteristic equanimity.

The 2020 vintage produced a Cloudburst Cabernet of remarkable concentration and elegance, described by Decanter as an “an absolute knockout with a gentle touch,” with the midweight palate showing fine-grained tannins and a silken mouthfeel where “earth and fruit are seamlessly integrated.” James Suckling’s team awarded the wine 96 points, praising its “array of ripe purple and blue fruits... cassis and black cherry with a stony, chalky mineral edge,” while noting the wine’s characteristic “nicely polished, even and juicy” character that “personifies harmonious, drinkable Cabernet at its best.” The wine was produced at approximately 13.5% alcohol, in line with Berliner’s consistent commitment to restraint.

Decanter awarded the 2020 Cloudburst 97 points and James Suckling 96, the highest combined scores for any vintage of this wine at the time of release. The estate’s Place de Bordeaux distribution ensures it reaches collectors in Singapore, Hong Kong, the UK, France and the United States, though the primary allocation route remains the estate mailing list, on which demand continues to significantly outstrip the available production of a wine that rarely exceeds 2,500 to 3,000 bottles. The 2020 is widely regarded as a defining vintage for the estate and for Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon more broadly.

Deep ruby with a complex nose of cassis, dark cherry, tobacco, earth, dried herbs and a characteristic chalky mineral thread from the biodynamic Wilyabrup terroir. Medium-bodied and beautifully integrated on the palate with fine-grained tannins, luminous acidity and a long, complex finish of exceptional purity. Best from 2026 through 2042.

Soft and delicate yet powerful and refined. An absolute knockout with a gentle touch. The midweight palate has fine-grained tannins and a silken mouthfeel, earth and fruit seamlessly integrated.  — Decanter

An array of ripe purple and blue fruits with plenty of cassis and black cherry with a stony, chalky mineral edge. Really nicely polished, even and juicy. Harmonious, drinkable Cabernet at its best.  — James Suckling