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)
This is elegance personified. So smooth, so luscious, so rich and yet it finds levity and a sense of drive. Inky cassis, lavender and violet floral lift, fancy feeling mahogany and new leather elements, clove spice, bay leaf and faint sea spray characters in the mix. It feels quite tightly wound despite its velvety suppleness and flow, tannins in a web of fine, graphite-like mineral accents delivering tension and poise. It's a wine that delivers an experience and visceral pleasure. Drink now after a lusty decant, but save some for long cellaring, too. – Mike Bennie
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Top-rated cabernet sauvignon from the 2025 Companion
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Balnaves of Coonawarra
The Tally Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Coonawarra -
Houghton
Jack Mann Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Frankland River -
Moss Wood
Wilyabrup Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Margaret River -
West Cape Howe Wines
King Billy Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Mount Barker -
Wise Wine
Dr. RW Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Frankland River -
Woodlands
Eleanor Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Margaret River -
Wynns Coonawarra Estate
John Riddoch Limited Release Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Coonawarra -
Yarra Yering
Carrodus Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Yarra Valley -
Ansted & Osicka
1970 Block Balgownie Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Bendigo -
Brokenwood
Wildwood Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Margaret River -
Cullen Wines
Vanya Moon Opposite Saturn Harvest Flower Day Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Margaret River -
Dalwhinnie
Moonambel Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Pyrenees -
Giant Steps
Sexton Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Yarra Valley -
Henschke
Cyril Henschke 2019
Eden Valley -
Houghton
Gladstones Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Margaret River -
Howard Park
Abercrombie Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Margaret River -
Joshua Cooper Wines
Balgownie Vineyard 1970 Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Bendigo -
Mandala
The Mandala Butterfly Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Yarra Valley -
Oakridge Wines
864 Single Block Release Winery Block Oakridge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Yarra Valley -
Oakridge Wines
Original Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Yarra Valley -
Parker Coonawarra Estate
First Growth 2020
Coonawarra -
Penfolds
Bin 169 Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Coonawarra -
Rochford Wines
Isabella's Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Yarra Valley -
Singlefile Wines
The Philip Adrian Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Frankland River -
Stonehaven
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Coonawarra -
Yeringberg
Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Yarra Valley -
Aravina Estate
Wildwood Ridge Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Margaret River -
Brand & Sons
Old Town Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Coonawarra -
Brand & Sons
Sanctuary Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Coonawarra -
Bremerton Wines
Walter's Reserve Cabernet 2019
Langhorne Creek -
Brown Brothers
Patricia Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Victoria -
Clarendon Hills
Sandown Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
McLaren Vale -
Crawford River Wines
Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Henty -
Flametree
S.R.S. Wilyabrup Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Margaret River -
Forest Hill Vineyard
Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Mount Barker -
Fraser Gallop Estate
Palladian Cabernet Sauvignon Wilyabrup 2020
Margaret River -
Fraser Gallop Estate
Parterre Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Margaret River -
Hay Shed Hill Wines
Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Margaret River -
Hentley Farm Wines
von Kasper Barossa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Barossa Valley -
Hickinbotham Clarendon Vineyard
Trueman Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
McLaren Vale -
HOOSEGG
Double Happy Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Orange -
Jim Barry Wines
Spring Farm Block 74 Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Clare Valley -
Juniper
The Tribute Block 7 2018
Margaret River -
Katnook
Odyssey Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Coonawarra -
Leeuwin Estate
Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Margaret River -
Leeuwin Estate
Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Margaret River -
Mayer
Cabernet 2023
Yarra Valley -
Medhurst
Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Yarra Valley -
Moss Wood
Wilyabrup Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Margaret River -
Mount Langi Ghiran
Talus Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Grampians -
Oakridge Wines
Vineyard Series Barkala Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Yarra Valley -
Oakridge Wines
Hyde Park Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Yarra Valley -
Patrick of Coonawarra
Grande Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Coonawarra -
Penfolds
Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Coonawarra Barossa Valley Wrattonbully -
Penfolds
Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Barossa Valley -
Penfolds
Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
South Australia -
Penley Estate
Tolmer Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Coonawarra -
Pepper Tree Wines
P.J.P Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Wrattonbully -
Petaluma
Anova Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Coonawarra -
Robert Stein Vineyard
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Mudgee -
Singlefile Wines
Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Frankland River -
Tahbilk
Eric Stevens Purbrick Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Nagambie Lakes -
Taltarni
Old Vine Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Pyrenees -
Voyager Estate
MJW Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Margaret River -
Wendouree
Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Clare Valley -
Whistling Eagle Vineyard
Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Heathcote -
Windows Estate
La Fenêtre Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Margaret River -
Wynns Coonawarra Estate
Messenger Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Coonawarra -
Wynns Coonawarra Estate
Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Coonawarra -
Yering Station
Single Vineyard Spring Lane Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
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.