The distinguished cabernet sauvignon and its blends rank second only to shiraz as Australia’s top-performing variety this year. Flying solo, the dominance of Margaret River is complete, claiming more than half of the coveted positions in our best-of line up.
Second and third places rightly go to Coonawarra and Yarra Valley respectively, albeit both well behind Margaret River in sheer numbers. Hence it was an unexpected and refreshing outcome that the three contenders to come forward in our final judging would hail from Langhorne Creek, Pyrenees and the Yarra Valley. Even more surprising that the single Langhorne Creek listing in our top 28 should rise all the way to the top. No surprise at all for anyone who’s avidly following the rise and rise of 2018 Winemaker of the Year Paul Hotker at Bleasdale.
2023 Best Cabernet Sauvignon of the Year in Australia
Bleasdale Vineyards The Iron Duke Cabernet Sauvignon 2020, Langhorne Creek
98 points | Price when tasted $79
![Blockquote Section Icon](/resources/wc/dist/img/blockquote.png)
A best-barrel selection, and oh my, it's a beautifully structured and textured cabernet sauvignon akin to those of Wynns Coonawarra Estate, which also explores 13.5% alc. Here cassis has the purity and sparkle of wine which you could drink tonight or in 30 years time. – James Halliday
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More top-rated cabernet sauvignon from the 2024 Companion
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Bleasdale Vineyards
The Iron Duke Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Langhorne Creek -
Cherubino
Cherubino Budworth Riversdale Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Frankland River -
Brand & Sons
Sanctuary Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Coonawarra -
Cherubino
Cherubino Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Margaret River -
De Iuliis
Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Hilltops -
Deep Woods Estate
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Margaret River -
Deep Woods Estate
Single Vineyard G2 Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Margaret River -
Flametree
S.R.S. Wilyabrup Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Margaret River -
HOOSEGG
Double Happy Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Orange -
Joshua Cooper Wines
Balgownie Vineyard 1970 Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Bendigo -
Juniper
Cornerstone Wilyabrup Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Margaret River -
Leeuwin Estate
Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Margaret River -
Mandoon Estate
Reserve Research Station Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Margaret River -
Oakridge Wines
864 Single Block Release Winery Block Oakridge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Yarra Valley -
Oakridge Wines
Original Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Yarra Valley -
Parker Coonawarra Estate
First Growth 2019
Coonawarra -
Penfolds
Bin 169 Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Coonawarra -
Pepper Tree Wines
Museum Release Block 21A Single Vineyard Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Wrattonbully -
Punt Road
Napoleone Vineyard Block 3 Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Yarra Valley -
Thompson Estate
The Specialist Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Margaret River -
Woodlands
Ruby Jane Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Margaret River -
Xanadu Wines
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Margaret River -
Yarra Yering
Carrodus Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Yarra Valley -
Balnaves of Coonawarra
Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Coonawarra -
Blue Pyrenees Estate
Richardson Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Pyrenees -
Brand’s Laira Coonawarra
One Seven One Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Coonawarra -
Briar Ridge Vineyard
Big Bully Stonefields Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Wrattonbully -
Brokenwood
Wildwood Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Margaret River -
Cullen Wines
Vanya Full Moon Fruit Day Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Margaret River -
Dalwhinnie
Moonambel Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Pyrenees -
De Bortoli
Melba Amphora Yarra Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Yarra Valley -
Flametree
S.R.S. Wilyabrup Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Margaret River -
Greenock Creek Wines
Roennfeldt Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Barossa Valley -
Hay Shed Hill Wines
Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Margaret River -
Henschke
Cyril Henschke 2018
Eden Valley -
Juniper
Cornerstone Wilyabrup Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Margaret River -
Lindeman's
Coonawarra Trio St George Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Coonawarra -
Mandala
The Mandala Butterfly Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Yarra Valley -
Maverick Wines
Ahrens' Creek Barossa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Barossa Valley -
Mordrelle Wines
Basket Press Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Langhorne Creek -
Nocturne Wines
Sheoak SV Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Margaret River -
Penfolds
Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
South Australia -
Penley Estate
Helios Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Coonawarra -
Penley Estate
Steyning Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Coonawarra -
Penley Estate
Steyning Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Coonawarra -
Pierro
VR Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Margaret River -
Punt Road
Napoleone Vineyard Block 11 Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Yarra Valley -
Rochford Wines
Isabella's Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Yarra Valley -
Singlefile Wines
The Philip Adrian Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Frankland River -
St Huberts
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Yarra Valley -
Stella Bella Wines
Luminosa Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Margaret River -
Tahbilk
Eric Stevens Purbrick Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Nagambie Lakes -
Thompson Estate
The Specialist Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Margaret River -
Tokar Estate
Coldstream Vineyard Yarra Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Yarra Valley -
Vasse Felix
Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Margaret River -
Wynns Coonawarra Estate
Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Coonawarra -
Wynns Coonawarra Estate
Glengyle Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Coonawarra -
Wynns Coonawarra Estate
John Riddoch Limited Release Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Coonawarra -
Xanadu Wines
Stevens Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Margaret River -
Yering Station
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Yarra Valley
The 2023 Halliday Wine Companion is available now. Secure your copy of Australia's most comprehensive wine guide here – and at all good bookstores.
Learn more about cabernet sauvignon in our essential guide.
*This is an edited extract from the 2023 Halliday Wine Companion, with reviews by Dave Brookes, Jane Faulkner, Ned Goodwin MW, James Halliday, Erin Larkin, Jeni Port, Philip Rich and chief editor Tyson Stelzer.
Top image credit: Wine Australia.