Deep Woods Reserve Chardonnay crowned No. 1 Wine in Australia and No. 25 in James Suckling's Top 100 Wines of the World

The James Suckling Top 100 Wines of the World were announced today, with the Deep Woods Estate 2021 Reserve Chardonnay ranked as the 25th best wine in the world, scoring 98 points with James comparing it to "a top young Burgundy". 

Not only that, but the 2021 Reserve Chardonnay was also the highest ranked Australian wine in the Top 100 and crowned as Suckling's Top Australian Wine for 2022. 

Suckling also recently listed this wine in the Top 100 Best Value Wines of the World, coming in at number 20. 

With over 32,000 wines tasted by James Suckling and his team this year, there were six Australian wines listed in his Top 100, with two of these from Margaret River. We are immensely proud to have Deep Woods Estate listed alongside the iconic wines of the world and for the tiny Margaret River wine region to be reflected amongst the world's best wines once again.

James completed his annual tour of Australia last month and following his visit to Margaret River said: "Last week I spent time in Australia’s Margaret River region tasting and rating more than 600 wines with two of my editors/tasters. The region is best known for its top Bordeaux blends as well, but I fell in love with a number of its chardonnays, particularly the reserves of Deep Woods Estate. The whites have the power and intensity of a top grand cru Burgundy, but they show vivid acidity at the end of the palate. It’s surprising that the best chardonnays from the region are still under the radar for many."

James also published incredible reviews for a number of our other wines, which can be read below:

Deep Woods Estate

Deep Woods Estate 2021 Reserve Chardonnay

• 98 points
• A tight and full-bodied white with flint, stone, sliced apples and pears. Really minerally undertone. Seashells, too. It’s so tight and focused with lots of structure. Long and intense. Powerful gunpowder and spice and sea salt. This is impressive to drink now like a top young Burgundy (Chevalier-Montrachet) but will deliver so much more in the future.

Deep Woods Estate 2020 Reserve Chardonnay

• 98 points
• Margaret River chardonnay at its rich, piercing and powerful best here. This has such breathtaking fruit intensity with yellow-citrus, peach and green-mango fruit all intertwined and laced up with toasty oak, gun flint and spiced cream. Ripe citrus fruit and peaches explode in the mouth and wash waves of creamy, ripe fruit flesh deep through the finish.

Deep Woods Estate 2018 Reserve Chardonnay

• 98 points
• A perfumed nose of lemon curd, hazelnut, crushed thyme, fresh hay and lemongrass. Medium-bodied with bright, driving acidity that adds definition and energy to the melding fresh and savory fruits. Textured and densely packed, but not heavy. Subtle tannin structure keeps things focused through the generous finish. Zest acidity at the end. Wonderful.

Deep Woods Estate 2016 Reserve Chardonnay

• 97 points
• This has aromas of white grapefruits, flint stones, peach stones, salted almonds and dried lemons. Tangy and vibrant with a medium body and swathes of white citrus fruit. Then the flinty minerality kicks in. Wakes you up. Showing beautifully.

Deep Woods Estate 2020 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

• 95 points
• The aromas of lead pencil, graphite, blackberries, and blueberries as well as iron and violets is captivating. Medium-bodied with wonderfully curated tannins that are so fine and beautiful. Lovely to drink now, but will age beautifully. Racy at the finish.

Deep Woods 2018 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

• 98 points
• A lovely nose of red and black currant, cocoa powder, tobacco leaf, grated nutmeg and freshly ground coffee. Full-bodied with velvety tannins. Succulent. A host of red and black fruit washes over the palate with leafy herbs and subtle savory spices adding depth and complexity. Layered with fine-tuned intensity. Long, steady and refined. Fantastic structure and depth. Delicious already but five years of bottle will bring it around later.

Deep Woods Estate 2021 Single Vineyard Chardonnay

• 96 points
• Fantastic aromas of sliced cooked lemons and apple with flint, crushed stone, nutmeg and spiced pear. Medium to full body. Crisp acidity. Razor sharp. Oyster shells. Steely undertones. Tangy acidity.

Deep Woods Estate 2020 Single G2 Cabernet Sauvignon

• 96 points
• A deep and dark centre palate of crushed blackcurrants, spices and walnuts. Medium to full body, creamy tannins and a stone, oyster shell and iodine undertone to the composed fruit finish. Really dark fruit in the centre palate. Solid Cabernet Sauvignon.

Evans & Tate

Evans & Tate 2018 Redbrook Reserve Chardonnay

• 92 points
• A flinty nose of baked lemons, grapefruit, white peaches and sweet herbs. Medium-bodied with subtle saline, mineral notes articulating the crisp citrus and apple fruit on the palate. Succulent. 

Evans & Tate 2018 Redbrook Estate Cabernet Merlot

• 93 points
• A rich and layered red with blackcurrants and hints of chocolate. Full-bodied. Round tannins and a freshness and brightness at the end. Drinkable, but better in two or three years. 

Evans & Tate 2019 Redbrook Estate Chardonnay

• 92 points
• Dried grapefruit, smoked almonds, brioche, sea shells and wild herbs. Flint and hints of straw. Medium-bodied and intense with a smoky, toasty edge.

Evans & Tate 2020 Single Vineyard Shiraz Cabernet

• 93 points
• A medium-bodied red with creamy and round tannins that have some tension and focus. Blackberry, dark chocolate and dried chili. Hits of tobacco and fresh herbs. 

Evans & Tate 2018 Single Vineyard Chardonnay

• 92 points
• White grapefruit, sea shells, flint and salted butter on the nose. It’s compact and creamy with vibrant acidity and a flinty, saline undertone. Lengthy and bright. 

Evans & Tate 2020 Single Vineyard Malbec

• 93 points
• A delicious red with lots of dark plums, black olives and burnt lemon on the nose and palate. Medium chewy tannins. Flavorful finish. 

Evans & Tate 2019 Single Vineyard Cabernets

• 90 points
• A fruity and juicy red with redcurrants, plums and cherries. Some vanilla. Full-bodied, layered and soft. Crunchy at the end. Drink now.

Lowestoft

Lowestoft 2019 Chardonnay 

• 92 points
• Sliced mangoes, pears, spiced apples and praline on the nose with lemons. It’s medium-bodied with vibrant acidity. Toasty and nutty elements on a tangy finish.

Lowestoft 2020 Pinot Noir

• 93 points
• A bright, elegant pinot with aromas of raspberries, peppercorns, red cherries, rosemary and red tea. Very fine, silky tannins here. Fragrant and medium-bodied with a lengthy finish.

Lowestoft 2020 Single Vineyard Pinot Noir

• 92 points
• Open and transparent pinot with aromas of red cherries, sliced strawberries, button mushrooms and rooibos tea. Some nutmeg. Creamy, silky tannins, with a medium body and succulent finish.

Millbrook Winery

Millbrook 2021 Estate Viognier

• 91 points
• This has aromas of grilled pears, buttered toast, salted nuts, apricot stones and lemons. Medium to full body with bright acidity and buttery layers. Tasty sweet and sour notes. 

Millbrook 2020 Estate Shiraz Viognier

• 93 points
• Aromas of blackberries, dark chocolate, terra cotta and dust follows through to a full body with layered tannins and a savory, delicious finish. Juicy.

Smithbrook

Smithbrook 2020 Single Vineyard Chardonnay

• 92 points
• Sliced green apples and white peaches with some honeysuckle and peach stone character. Full-bodied, layered and flavorful with lots of crushed stone and matchstick to the citrus fruit. 

Smithbrook 2019 Single Vineyard Nebbiolo

• 91 points
• A spicy nebbiolo with aromas of charred bark, dried spices, tar, mocha, plums and cherries. Firm, integrated tannins. Medium-bodied with dark fruit and toasty spice all in balance. Drink now or hold.

Smithbrook 2021 Single Vineyard Pinot Noir

• 92 points
• Aromas of sliced strawberries, grated nutmeg, moss and chicory root. Medium-bodied with silky tannins and texture. Bright and fresh with strawberry and cherry character. A hint of porcini at the finish. Subtle length here. Refreshing.

A huge congratulations to all of the winemaking and vineyard teams on these wonderful reviews.

To read the full James Suckling Top 100 Wines of the World article, click here. To read his Top 100 Wines of Australia, click here.