This is a category for ‘Bordeaux’ varieties, blends or varietal wines, excluding wines made of cabernet sauvignon only (which has its own category). Houghton C. W. Ferguson Cabernet Malbec 2020, from Frankland River, won the category for its sheer undeniable, plush loveliness, though Grosset’s exquisitely elegant Gaia 2020 (not in the list below), come a very close second. The wines listed below often don’t attract a lot of fuss (with exceptions), but true beauty resides here.
2024 Cabernet and Family of the Year
Houghton C.W. Ferguson Cabernet Malbec 2020, Frankland River
98 points (PD*) | Price when tasted $78
From the plainly named Justin vineyard. A mellow, medium- to fuller-weight expression rippling with choc-raspberry, forest berry coulis, clove, dark chocolate, mint and eucalyptus. All nicely played, balanced and even. A potent flow on the palate, so inky and rich, and a chewy corset of silty, crushed rock tannins. It's a bold strike of cab malbec but finds judicious balance and a sense of vibrancy. It speaks fluently of quality fruit and the finesse of winemaking. – Mike Bennie
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More top-rated cabernet and family from the 2024 Companion
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Houghton
C.W. Ferguson Cabernet Malbec 2020
Frankland River -
Lake Breeze Wines
Arthur's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec Petit Verdot 2020
Langhorne Creek -
Mount Mary
Quintet 2021
Yarra Valley -
Vasse Felix
Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec 2019
Margaret River -
Yarra Yering
Dry Red Wine No. 1 2021
Yarra Valley -
Yeringberg
Yeringberg 2021
Yarra Valley -
Bleasdale Vineyards
Frank Potts 2021
Langhorne Creek -
Cullen Wines
Diana Madeline Wilyabrup 2021
Margaret River -
Mordrelle Wines
The Gaucho Limited Edition Reserva Malbec 2020
Langhorne Creek -
Parker Coonawarra Estate
95 Block 2020
Coonawarra -
Warramunda Estate
Liv Zak Malbec 2021
Yarra Valley -
Carillion Wines
Origins Arbitrage Cabernet Merlot Shiraz 2019
Wrattonbully -
Deep Woods Estate
Single Vineyard Cabernet Malbec 2021
Margaret River -
Dominique Portet
Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec 2021
Yarra Valley -
Frankland Estate
Olmo's Reward 2020
Frankland River -
HOOSEGG
Jade Moon Cabernet Franc 2019
Orange -
Lindeman's
Coonawarra Trio Pyrus Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Malbec 2021
Coonawarra -
McHenry Hohnen Vintners
Rolling Stone 2019
Margaret River -
Mordrelle Wines
Cellar Release The Gaucho Basket Press Malbec 2017
Langhorne Creek -
Mordrelle Wines
The Gaucho Basket Press Malbec 2021
Langhorne Creek -
Rob Hall Wines
Cabernets 2022
Yarra Valley -
Ross Hill Wines
Pinnacle Series Griffin Road Vineyard Orange Cabernet Franc 2021
Orange -
Serengale Vineyard
Merlot Cabernet 2019
Beechworth -
Squitchy Lane Vineyard
Yarra Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc Merlot 2019
Yarra Valley -
Tapanappa
Whalebone Vineyard Merlot Cabernet Franc 2019
Wrattonbully -
Woodlands
Margaret 2019
Margaret River -
Yarra Edge
Edward Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc Merlot 2021
Yarra Valley -
Yarra Yering
Agincourt Cabernet Malbec 2021
Yarra Valley
The 2024 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 and family.
This is an edited extract from the 2024 Halliday Wine Companion, with reviews by James Halliday, Campbell Mattinson, Dave Brookes, Jane Faulkner, Jeni Port, Mike Bennie, Ned Goodwin MW, Philip Rich and Shanteh Wale. Cover art by Ka Mo.
*Panel decision – score awarded by the Halliday Tasting Team at the annual Awards judging.
