2022 Stella Bella Suckfizzle Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2022 Suckfizzle Cabernet is a serious bit of kit – bold, layered, and built to last. From one of Margaret River’s most southerly vineyards, this wine captures the full force of its cool, coastal site. Sea breezes, lean soils and a long ripening season all come together to shape a Cabernet that’s both powerful and finely tuned.

It opens with a punch of blackcurrant, dark cherry and mulberry, wrapped in savoury notes of nori, olive brine, smoked herbs and black spice. There’s real density to the fruit here, but the structure keeps things tight – silky tannins, bright acidity, and oak that adds spice without smothering the fruit. It’s generous, but never blowsy.

This is the kind of Cabernet that manages to feel classic and distinctive at once – unmistakably Margaret River, but with a bit more edge and intrigue thanks to that far-south vineyard site. You could happily tuck into it now with a good decant, but there’s clearly years of development ahead for those with patience.

A proper flagship red, and one of the strongest releases from Stella Bella’s top-tier label in recent memory.

95 points
"Awash with sweet mulberries, cassis and currants... savoury characters of nori, black olives and Dutch licorice... smooth, supple tannins and lots of them."
- Jane Faulkner (Halliday Wine Companion)

95 points
"Lifted aromas of mulberry, blackberry and bramble... Cassis, earth, graphite, briar and firm tannins... the length is textured and has fabulous persistence."
- Aaron Brasher (The Real Review)

95 points
"Layer upon layer, woodsmoke oak spice, cinnamon, clove, leafy herbals and fruit are moulded together by firm tannins... generous but not too much, dense and lush but structured, too, and ultimately, elegant."
- Jeni Port (Wine Pilot)

95 points
"Saturated in dense Cabernet flavors of cassis and bramble, arnica/mint, black pepper, raspberry compote and licorice... the tannins are close-knit and chewy."
- Erin Larkin (The Wine Advocate)

93 points
"Samphire and nori umami things, blackcurrant and blueberry... smoky mezcal quality... intense black fruit and chocolate cake on a finish of excellent length."
- Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)