The stylish Margaret River accord of Cabernet and Merlot, with a timely inclusion of the rakish Petit Verdot. The Swings & Roundabouts team purposely leave the fruit to ripen on the vine for the longest time allowed by nature, encouraging the development of fully developed tannins and sugars alongside heightened varietal characters. They then have to fight with the kangaroos over possession of these deeply flavoured grapes. A vigorous red wine to match aged cheddars, stronger cuts of meat or well prepared game.

Streicker make single estate wines of great distinction, from fruit grown to elite sites along Margaret River. Established 2002 by John Streicker after his acquisition of the Yallingup Protea farm and vineyards, the estate now operates two other distinguished sites, the elite Bridgeland and Ironstone Vineyards, with a total of 153 hectares currently under vine. The holy grail of balance of power, balance and finesse in Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon, the finished Ironstone is treated to eighteen months in a high proportion of the finest new French oak barriques.

Margaret River is Australia's premier Cabernet appellation and Cabernet Sauvignon is without doubt Margaret River's great vinous endowment. Fine Cabernet should be perfumed yet poised, and meticulous site selection is critical to achieving these qualities. Stella Bella is a mostly Cabernet wine with a third of Merlot, all sourced from several select vineyard sites located centrally around the township of Margaret River and north to Cowaramup, in an endeavour to capture ripe fruit flavours yet retain the distinctive perfume of Margaret River Cabernet.

Another compelling edition in the splendid succession of tremendous vintages Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon, redesigned and relaunched after Sandalford returned to vinifying nothing but their own, exclusively estate grown fruit. These dry grown, forty year old vines are extremely low yielding, translating into wines of power and finesse. It may come as no surprise that leading Margaret River brands buy their finest parcels of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from Sandalford.

The stylish and hospitable west coast accord of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, from parcels of choice grapes, grown to some of the finest vineyards in Margaret River and Valley Swan. Generously proportioned yet judiciously supple, lovely sweet berry characters are seasoned by aromatic herbaceousness, a balance between perfumed fruit and background oak, Element is drinking beautifully now, immensely food friendly and can be counted on to match beautifully with pink lamb or sticky belly of pork.

Western Australia's rugged southwest coastline is littered with shipwrecks, the Ringbolt is one of them, sunk in the late 1800s at Ringbolt Bay. Just off Margaret River and adjacent to Cape Leeuwin, within view of the Ringbolt shipwreck, vines planted to sandy, laterite gravel soils within the premier viticultural precinct of Wilyabrup, struggle to grow limited yields of intensely flavoured grapes. Balmy maritime winds and a long slow ripening achieve harvests of fragrantly perfumed berries, for the most splendid vintages of Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon.

The Redgate property is one of the southernmost vineyards on Margaret River, situated just three kilometres from the Indian Ocean. The family owned and operated wineworks at Redgate create impressive red wines endowed with the characteristic nose and flavour of Margaret River. Bin 588 was first made in 1988 and has always included harvests of grapes sourced from good local vineyards. This stylish cepage of Merlot with Cabernet Sauvignon is medium bodied with a delicious burst of of ripe dark fruits, plum and blackberry aromas.

The signature red wine style of Margaret River, from one of the region's most opportune microclimes. Cabernet Sauvignon for sound structure and good flavour, rich dark berry fruit character and aromatic complexity, is backed by firm varietal tannins. The Willyabrup district is home to Margaret River's most distinguished estates, it delivers a quality of Cabernet that's unmatched anywhere else in Australia. The inclusion of Merlot adds wonderful mid palate fleshiness, achieving a sweet fruit centre and exquiste early drinkability to the wine.

A key to the success of Ribbon Vale is an astute understanding of how tannins develop through skin contact and fermentation. Through tasting, the right balance between fruit, tannin and the correct time to press is struck. Merlot is a contrary beast, the goldilocks of grapes and the porridge has to be just right. The inclusion of Cabernet Franc fulfills a long time ambition to, fashion Ribbon Vale in the style of the great right bank wines of Bordeaux. Delicious drinking now, for those who prefer the plump young flavours of Medoc in its youth.

Exceptional Langtons Classification. Established 1969 by the Pannell family, Moss Wood's Wilyabrup Vineyard is one of the finest and most picturesque in Australia. The winemaking at Moss Wood is all very scientific, countless measurements are taken as refinements and adjustments are made from year to year, attending to the vagaries of mother nature and preserving the unique personality of vintage. The profoundly silky tannins frame a wine of remarkable density and controlled power, exquisite balance and endless length of brightly lit, vigorously perfumed fruit.

Moss Wood was destined from it's very genesis to be one of the Margaret River's great Cabernet Sauvignon. Excellence is the estate's raison d'etre, all decisions made in the vineyard or at the winery are based on the effect they will ultimately have on the wine. Experimentation in the vineyard has been matched in the vinification and Moss Wood has undergone subtle refinements from year to year. The wines are given longer skin contact time during fermentation, whilst the backbone of Cabernet is enhanced by small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

The Moss Wood team perceive a commonality between vintages 2003 and 1983. Warm years and early vintage. Perhaps the only notable difference is the inclusion of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc in 2003. These add lively fragrances to the nose and additional length and structure to the palate.

Exceptional Langtons Classification. Moss Wood includes portions of Cabernet Franc for its cherry and Petit Verdot which contributes bright berry perfumes and a firmer structure. Moss Wood's Cabernet Franc shows less leafiness than Cabernet and can be picked earlier, when the fruit shows ripe berry flavour, similar to summer pudding. Further ripening tends to produce dark plum notes. While still slightly green, Moss Wood's Petit Verdot has an herbal note, more coriander than leaf, an ethereal, aromatic lift, redolent of violets and sweet berries.

A base of Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller components of Petit Verdot, Malbec or Merlot. As the vineyards that supply these grapes have matured, the yields of the different varieties have varied and so the percentages in the finished wines have also changed. The makeup of the vineyard is important in resolving two key issues, seasonal variations, dictated by mother nature and style, controlled by winemakers. Cabernet produces the best wine, but the other Bordeaux varietals can play an important role in maximising quality of the finished wine.

Moss Wood were destined from their very genesis to be one of the new world's great marques in Cabernet Sauvignon. Excellence is the estate's raison d'etre, all work amongst the vines and throughout the vinification demands a no expense spared production, aimed at crafting the most statuesque vintages of Cabernet Sauvignon. Malbec contributes rich red currant notes, Petit Verdot adds confection, Merlot is all cherries and summer pudding. Luxury oak in support with toasty, coffee bean flavours and vanilla tannin for gentle, flattering grip.

One of the more profound Margaret River constructs of the complex Bordeaux blend, a cépage of Merlot and Malbec, Cabernet and Petit Verdot. Combines the blueberry and blackcurrant fruit characters of Yallingup with the perfumed violets and toothsome red currants of Cowaramup, generous fruit depth with soft oak influence, in fine support with a toasty, spiced background. Full body and sweet round flavours of cherry and other dark fruits, as well as melted chocolate, make Amy instantly appealing and oh so easy to enjoy.

Since the genesis of Western Australia as a world class wine region, Moondah Brook have led the way with a conspicuous quality of Cabernet Sauvignon. Moondah Brook know how to bring out the flavour of good Cabernet, the most rigorous standards of viticulture and a natural, minimalist vinification are essential. The perfect food wine, an intensely regional expression of Cabernet at its very best, the vibrant dark currant and bramble flavours make Moondah Brook the wine of choice alongside to succulent roast rib, venison or duck.

Mandoon are a Swan Valley operation of great provenance, their homestead vineyard being an ancient block established on the first rural grant in Western Australia, circa 1929 at a property named Sandalford. Always on the lookout for exceptional parcels of fruit, the highly decorated Mandoon team have focused on a northern block of Research Station Vineyard in Margaret River. A scrupulous excise of the most rigorous pick, is treated to the most exacting standards of vinification and a term of age in the finest coopered French oak.

Named for the Chapel district of Lenton in Nottingham, Brae is Scottish for a small hill, which is what the Lenton Brae vineyard is situated on. Fortuitously placed within the very epicenter for superior Margaret River Cabernet, the site was planted after advisement from the proprietors of nearby Moss Wood, with which it shares a similar terroir and microclime. The inaugural vintage of Cabernet won Lenton Brae a place in the pantheon of great Margaret River estates when it claimed two trophies, including best of show, at the WA winemakers exhibition.

Prelude can lay claim to the most praiseworthy vineyards in Margaret River, for a world class Cabernet Merlot wine which measures up to, or surpasses it's sibling rivals in the Medoc. Margaret River can boast of a rare confluence of topography and terroir which form a mesoclime very like Bordeaux, along with a rare consistency of weather patterns each year, to deliver the quality of wine which Bordeaux can offer only in the finest vintages. An elegantly poised Cabernet Merlot accord with exciting graphite mineral complexity at the finish.

Distinguished Langtons Classification. One of Leeuwin Estate's crowning achievements, a statuesque, opulent yet graceful rendering of Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon. The cépage may vary somewhat from vintage to vintage, as inclusions of Petit Verdot or Malbec may serve to flesh out the generously proportioned Bordeaux styling. The highly accomplished team mobilize the fundamentals of vineyard and vinification to assemble a fully endowed Cabernet wine that's so much greater than the sum of parts.

A real crowd pleaser and a great choice for everyday drinking, Cabernet, Merlot and Shiraz, seamlessly melded into a fruit filled wine, rich with plum and bramble flavours, seasoned by just the right touch of spice and supported by a length of soft easy tannins. A treat of a wine to be enjoyed as aperitif and un unmitigated pleasure when served alongside good food. Kiss Chasey is made for the young at heart, fashioned from the pick of West Australian fruit to achieve a seriously made red wine of generous flavour and solid structure, with fun in mind.

Situated in the warmer, northern districts of Margaret River, Willyabrup yields the richest Cabernet Sauvignon wines, some of which are Australian flagships that rival the hegemony of Bordeaux. Originally established to process grapes and provide the best service to local growers, Howling Wolves now collate the most exceptional parcels of Margaret River fruit to be vinified under their own label. An alluringly scented Cabernet wine with long blackberry fruit characters, fragrant regional mint and lightly spiced oak before a satisfying, gentle tannin finish.

The majority of vineyard blocks contributing fruit for Howling Wolves are bordered by towering eucalypt trees that influence the grapes to develop distinctive qualities which are a trademark of Margaret River. This is particularly recognizable in the red varietals which take on unique mint and gum leaf characters. A spell of ageing under fine French oak further infuses the palate with vanilla bean and light spice.

An assemblage of the best parcels from the Lange vineyard in Frankland River, established in the late 1990s. Howard Park's Scotsdale property is located at the foothills of the ancient Porongurup range. At 200 to 380 metres above sea level, it is among the highest vineyard sites in all Western Australia. The soils are lateritic gravelly/sandy loams over granite, yields are quite low, the vines are fastidiously maintained and gingerly nurtured with extraordinary attention to detail. Dividends arrive in the form of the most exceptional vintages to be found anywhere in the Australian west.

Howard Park is always the result of the most stringent selection criteria all the way from vineyard to bottle, only the finest fruit and most perfect ferments are included. Extremely high quality parcels of fruit were identified on the vine, two harvests of Great Southern and Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon, assembled alongside a small block of exceptional Pemberton Merlot.

Howard Park's Great Southern vineyards again yielded a harvest of the most richly textured Cabernet Sauvignon, providing the structural backbone. A choice parcel from Margaret River has made a splendid contribution without dominating. Long, long, long! An elegant savoury wine with excellent structure, smells of cassis and cedar oak, luscious and appetising in the mouth, resolves on a finish of dusty herb tannins, lip smacking jube flavours and dulcetly perfumed oak.

Outstanding Langtons Classification. Abercrombie is the flagship Cabernet Sauvignon of Howard Park, noted for its outstanding structure, elegance and complexity. Abercrombie combines the austere dusty earth and blackcurrant aromas from Mount Barker, with the classic rich fruit and chocolate palette of Margaret River. Together they produce an elegantly balanced Cabernet wine with ripe, mature tannins backed up by quality French oak. Produced from the top 1% of fruit and only ever made in years when grapes of extraordinarily high quality are harvested.

The Wisdom range draws on the deep knowledge and wise words of one of the nation's founding winemakers, the late great Jack Mann, who asserted that you can exist without wine but you cannot live! Wisdom is vinified from some of the finest parcels of Cabernet Sauvignon to be found in Margaret River. A sensational construct of west coast Cabernet, by one of the new world's most monumental winemakers. Enjoy alongside barbecued beef, venison steaks or a red wine and tarragon braise of succulent osso bucco.

Excellent Langtons Classification. The icon wine of Houghton, from the elite Justin Vineyard at Frankland River, powerful and complex, crafted in dutiful honour of the late Jack Mann, father of Houghton Wines and sage of the Australian wine industry. Jack Mann contributed more to West Australian wine than any one else. He created styles, often way ahead of their time, yet insisted nature was the only true winemaker. From 1922 Mann made fifty one consecutive vintages at Houghton, ever challenging the standards of his day and leading by example.

Oustanding Langtons Classification. Jack Mann was one of Australia's most innovative and influential winemakers. He immersed himself in the single pursuit of producing the most stately wines while at Houghton throughout a half century of memorable vintages. Cuvee Jack Mann is Houghton's finest wine and Western Australia's most iconic Cabernet. Small amounts of peerless quality grapes, an original Houghton clone developed by Jack Mann himself, are hand picked from the very heart of a distinguished vineyard and individually considered for inclusion.

Born at Guildford, very near the Houghton Swan Valley wineworks, Dr John Gladstones was an internationally acclaimed scientist who identified the Margaret River in 1965 as being world class for planting vines and growing grapes. Dr Gladstones also played a role in the development of the Frankland River region, Pemberton and Manjimup. A prolific gold medal winner which honours his contribution to West Australian viticulture, this glorious wine offers a profound structure and generous palate, epitomising the peerlesss quality of Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon at its finest.

It was Charles William Ferguson who established Houghton as a national brand and lead the way for Jack Mann to advance West Australian viticulture into a leading global winegrowing region. The most exquisite parcels of Frankland River Cabernet Sauvignon are vinified in traditional open top fermenters and filled to a high proportion of new Bordeaux coopered French oak barriques for sixteen months. The inclusion of a large component Malbec makes CW Ferguson a sensationally well rounded Cabernet style, wrapped in a muslin of seamless, velvet tannins.

Crofters were Scottish tenant farmers who shared the proceeds of harvest with their landlord. Still functional at the Houghton wineworks, is a restored historical homestead of Crofter design. Today, the Houghton team remains at the forefront of viticultural expansion and innovation throughout the premiere winegrowing precincts of Western Australia. It's a well kept secret that Frankland River yields a quality of Cabernet Sauvignon that's world class and second to none. Crofter sings in complete harmony with it's resonant fruit and long delving finish.

The historic Houghton wineworks have been famous for producing regional benchmark wines ever since the inaugural release of 1859. Today, Houghton continues the tradition by consistently delivering award winning efforts of outstanding quality and affable regional charm. The very Australian mix of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz, collated from some of the finest vineyards in West Australia, is assembled into a generously proportioned, stylishly well rounded and approachable red wine.

Hay Shed Hill is a mature old vineyard at the heart of Willyabrup Valley, the premier sub region where Margaret River's first vines were planted and the great local traditions of Cabernet Sauvignon established. The mission is to produce world class wines which reflect the place of origin, wines of depth and flavour that are true to the season and mesoclime. The vines were originally planted right, the right varieties on the right slopes to the right soils. Cabernet grown to the Hay Shed Hill property rank alongside the most splendid editions of Margaret River.

Dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon with a fifth of Merlot off the Hay Shed Hill estate vineyard on Harmans Mill Road at Wilyabrup. Grapes are all de stemmed into open topped fermenters for a traditional course of hand pumpovers on skins, followed by a year's French oak maturation. Blooming with intense berry fruits, cassis and chocolate mint notes over bramble and cedar oak. In well defined Margaret River Cab Merlot styling, an indulgent array of ripe, juicy blue fruit flavours over a fine length of melt in the mouth, carob tannins.