Cabernet sauvignon originated in Bordeaux but has long been the world's most widely planted wine grape. Since it was imported into Australia in 1832, it has been a staple for many Australian producers.
While it is known for being complex and rich, the variety is also versatile – it is often blended with merlot and shiraz, and it produces bottles that could be opened and enjoyed straightaway, or would be perfect for cellaring for a few years.
Any of the 12 bottles listed below would be a great wine to enjoy with your hearty winter dinners, so make sure you have a read through each wine's Halliday tasting notes, and click the 'buy now' links to shop directly from the producers.
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Cabernet sauvignon & blends to try
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Yeringberg
Yeringberg 2023
Yarra ValleyA blend of 61/13/12/8/6% cabernet sauvignon/merlot/cabernet franc/malbec/petit verdot from vines planted at this historic site from 1969–2000. A bright crimson purple. A wonderfully complex and perfumed bouquet redolent of blackcurrants and wild blackberry together with new pencil box shavings, sweet spice and crushed violets. Medium bodied, in the best sense of the term, with the fruit, oak and seamless tannins coming together as one. It may not be the most long-lived Yeringberg ever, but it will provide an enormous amount of enjoyment over the next 10–15 years. -
Pepper Tree Wines
Single Vineyard Block 21A Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
WrattonbullyA very small and succinct vintage, the smallest yields since 2000. West-facing blocks from Stonefields vineyard in Wrattonbully. Matured in French barriques, 25% new. This sits in a new dimension of spice; first up – cassis and black cherries. Then an army of black peppercorns approaches, with juniper and nigella seeds marching in tow. Shockingly concentrated. The wine shows its slippery side with fresh acidity and powdery, fine tannins. It's quite electric in energy and intensity. A vintage to buy, hold and keep for the long haul. -
Vasse Felix
Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
Margaret RiverThis vintage turned out so many elegant, compelling wines – both red and white – and here’s another to add to the collection. A deep, dark garnet, with all the best aromas and flavours the variety can muster, yet there’s a restraint to this. It’s classy with finely shaped tannins and lithe acidity. Drinking beautifully today and won’t disappoint those who want to cellar it. -
Yalumba
The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2018
BarossaSince its first release in 1962, The Signature has been Yalumba's deep dive into the classic Australian blend from the Barossa and one that honors the people who have enhanced the traditions and culture of Yalumba. There is a resonance and depth to this release that I really like. Wonderfully pure and concentrated blackberry and plum fruits, layered with spice, dark chocolate, earth, cedar and oak nuance. Succulent and sinewy in the mouth, it flexes considerable muscle, yet remains purely fruited and approachable even at this stage of its evolution. Rich and balanced with fine, ripe tannin and plenty of energy for such depth of fruit. Lovely. -
Aravina Estate
Wildwood Ridge Reserve Stella BDX 2023
Margaret RiverThe flagship red, and it’s a long way off from being ready, but the journey looks promising. Lots of cassis and currants, baking spices, tapenade, a floral lift and oak, not too much, just right. It is full bodied but contained, with powerful tannins and good acidity throughout. Pop this in the cellar for a few years if you can, or get some hearty fare ready today. -
Domaine Naturaliste
Morus Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Margaret RiverA structured, rich style, yet there’s the unique Margaret River elegance at play, too, which is pleasing. Deep, dark purple, with baking spices, licorice, mint-infused mulberries and blackberries, with the cedary oak integrated yet adding tannins as much as flavour. There’s a whiff of boot polish and a touch of bitter green walnut on the finish, which detracts slightly. Full bodied, with plentiful, velvety tannins, this has a presence that needs more time to settle or can be decanted now. -
Domaine Naturaliste
Rebus Cabernet Sauvignon 2024
Margaret RiverSuch a consistently excellent wine in terms of quality and price. While this is a tad nervy from youth, it opens beautifully in the glass; all the elements are there for this to age well. It also has a decent glug, from the 10% cabernet franc in the mix. Opens with mulberries and cassis, all rich and ripe with a dusting of baking spices, dark chocolate, some freshly roasted coffee beans and cedary oak, too. It's concentrated, yet the full-bodied palate is supple and smooth, with finely tuned textural tannins. -
KT
Watervale Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Clare Valley -
Mountadam Vineyards
Milton Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
High EdenCabernet sauvignon sourced from Block 21 in the Mountadam estate at 550m above sea level; matured for 20 months in seasoned French oak. Bright magenta/crimson with uber-pure blackberry, blackcurrant and black cherry fruits. Hints of mixed spice, violets, briar, licorice, cedar, bay leaf and vanilla bean. Mountadam is really getting some superb purity and detail out of its fruit lately and this wine is a worthy follow-up to the stellar '21 release. Plenty of cellaring upside here, too. -
Summerfield
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2024
PyreneesThis wine sits in a good place between ripeness and refinement. Its hallmark is a delicately juicy blackberry core that is intense and flavoursome yet sits comfortably within the body of the wine and doesn't dominate. The oak is perfectly balanced, and there's appropriate tension from acidity. It has a beautiful flow, satisfying from beginning to end. -
Metala
William Formby Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Langhorne CreekAs with its shiraz sibling, this is no wallflower. It’s a powerful, rich rendition, and yet, everything is in place. The ripe, dark fruit, the spices, the note of iodine, the sweet, spicy oak and the choc-mint are all on show. The full-bodied palate comes drenched in plush, suave tannins, and the finish lingers nicely. -
Mount Horrocks
Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
Clare ValleyChoc-mint, cola, dark cherry, some leafy Italian herbal stuff, some malt, Vegemite notes and cinnamon toast; just a lick of the latter things, which add savouriness. Supple texture, a saline mineral charm, sweet cedar and clove oak well integrated. A smooth, long finish follows. Utterly charming and comfortable and great.
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