Product Description:
A precision-built Cabernet from Wilyabrup’s gravelly heartland—refined, structured, and deeply expressive.
The 2020 Morus is the flagship Cabernet Sauvignon from Domaine Naturaliste, and it shows Bruce Dukes at full tilt. Sourced from 35-year-old Houghton clone vines planted in ironstone gravel soils flanked by Jarrah hardwood trees—an indicator of ideal Cabernet terroir—this wine channels the essence of Wilyabrup. For the first time, Morus 2020 is sealed under Stelvin, offering an extra degree of purity and focus.
This is Margaret River Cabernet in high resolution. A dense core of blackcurrant and mulberry carries through layers of tobacco leaf, graphite, dark chocolate and black olive, lifted by fine blue-fruit florals. The oak is assertive but woven in—adding spice, structure and a long, gravelly line of tannin. Decant now for plush intensity or cellar with confidence over the next 20+ years.
Maker
Bruce Dukes is a winemaker who thinks like a scientist but works with the sensitivity of an artist. With a background in Agricultural Science from the University of Western Australia and a master’s in Viticulture and Oenology from UC Davis, Bruce brings academic depth and a farmer’s intuition to every bottle. His career spans international and local experience—from Francis Ford Coppola’s Niebaum-Coppola estate in California to a pivotal role at Pierro in Margaret River—shaping a style that’s precise, thoughtful, and grounded in nature.
At Domaine Naturaliste, Bruce channels this dual mindset into wines that balance purity and complexity. He’s a firm believer in the idea that great wine is made vine by vine, berry by berry. His reputation as one of Australia’s most technically skilled yet quietly creative winemakers is reflected in every release—wines with fragrance, structure and a tangible sense of place.
Philosophy
Domaine Naturaliste’s ethos is rooted in regenerative farming and minimal intervention winemaking. Bruce’s philosophy is grounded in the belief that sustainability isn’t just a choice—it’s a responsibility. By understanding the soil profile, microclimate, and energy of each vineyard block, he cultivates vines that are naturally resilient and expressive. His team’s stewardship of the land aims to improve its health with each passing season.
The Wilyabrup vineyard, just seven kilometres from the Indian Ocean, benefits from ancient gravelly loam soils and a maritime climate that moderates extremes. These conditions allow for slow, even ripening—critical to Bruce’s style, which champions texture, balance, and clarity. Every decision, from vineyard management to oak selection, is calibrated to showcase the fruit’s inherent character. The result is wines that feel effortless but are the product of deliberate, deeply considered choices—a quiet mastery of terroir and time.
Tasting Notes
NOSE
– Dark and layered
Mulberry, plum compote, blackcurrant and blue florals with hints of nori, eucalyptus and tobacco.
PALATE
– Concentrated and poised
Black olive, dark chocolate, cedar spice and graphite with a savoury undercurrent of oyster shell.
FINISH
– Long and mineral
Firm yet fine tannins stretch through a sustained, gravel-edged finish.
Reviews & Accolades
A wine that twists and turns with new nuances and riches… A super wine. – Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot, 97 Points
Sharper vision, more distinct flavours… the freshness of the fruit is a thing to behold. – Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate, 96+ Points
Sumptuous, rich and a bit old school, but it has poise and a certain flair. – Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion, 95 Points
Finer Details
Style: Red Wine
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Country: Australia
Region: Margaret River, Western Australia
Vintage: 2020
Bottle Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
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