Hand picked over 2 passes, whole-berry wild ferment. 20 months in French oak (40% new). The cooler 2017 vintage has birthed a wine of savoury spice, leather strapping, cassis and bramble. Tasted side by side with the lauded 2018, the 2017 lens reveals more restraint, less volume, and a heightened sense of minerality in the finish. The verdict? A supple, lingering and refined cabernet with a much softer voice than its younger sibling. It whispers, rather than shouts.

94 points, Wine Companion (March 2021)

Classic Margaret River, but with the density and darkness that 2017 seems to have brought to the table. Dark chocolate, black fruit, a smattering of mint and bay leaf, sweet spices too. It’s medium-bodied, deep and packed with dark berries, sage leaf perfume, fresh acidity, more of the cocoa powder, fine sooty tannin, and a good long finish. Excellent wine. Likely good with a few more years under its belt too.

94 points, The Wine Front (November 2020)

From a top vintage in Margaret River (what year isn’t?), and again from the Wilyabrup sub-region, this is my pick of the current wines (as was an older release of their cabernet sauvignon when I looked at the wines last time). It’s wonderful stuff – dry herbs, tobacco leaf, a little chocolate and black fruits. French oak also shines through, but it has integrated seamlessly, and the aromas are intoxicating. The wine is complex, concentrated and shows great length with the fruit intensity maintained on top of balanced, cashmere tannins. It has decades to go, if you can keep your hands off it – love it. After a day’s tasting, this was the bottle put aside for dinner.

95 points, Wine Pilot (November 2020)

Is taking its time to settle down and get on with the business of development. When it does, it will be a medium-bodied cabernet, with elegance, balance and cassis its playing cards.

93 points, Wine Companion (December 2019)

This was a good vintage in Margaret River, with tannin management the key to the best wines. Cath Oates has done this so well, creating an elegant wine of impecccable balance. Blackcurrant richness with a little bay leaf and oyster shell influence. Tannins are well integrated, and the oak sits harmoniously within.

95 points, The West Australian Wine Guide 2020

The colour isn't deep, but the hue is excellent; there's a lot to please in the wine, notably its freshness and varietal expression; the tannins are fine and persistent, as they should be. A stylish medium-bodied cabernet that takes you by grace, not storm.

95 points, Wine Companion (October 2017)

Even keeled, finely formed cabernet of distinguished feel. Attractive bouquet suggests all things Margaret River in blue berries, light plumminess, bay leaf, a smidge of black olive with scents of toasty oak amongst it all. There’s fine ribbons of tannin clenching dark fruit, spice and more dried bayleaf in the palate – a long, even flow of medium weight elegance. The finish comes with a lacy flourish of tannin and freshness. It’s serious stuff, structured and detailed, well hewn, ‘classic’-feeling. An impressive release. Where were you for Oates Ends first releases..?

94 points, The Wine Front (November 2017)

Impressive Cabernet from this great vintage in Margaret River. The fruit comes from Wilyabrup. So much to like from this excellent cabernet. Touch of blackcurrant, a little black olive and even a trace of graphite. It is all together engaging with an integrated palate of grainy tannins and fine-grained French oak. Effortless through to the long finish.

93 points, The West Australian Wine Guide 2018