The Halliday Wine Companion Awards celebrate the best wines in Australia – as chosen by the Halliday Tasting Team. Below, you'll find Australia's best cabernet and blends, along with their scores. Members can also click through to find each wine's detailed review.
The very best cabernet-dominant blends are listed here. This is an evocative list of Australian icons, and it represents both regional stalwarts and newcomers. But the common thread is resounding quality.
We congratulate Yarra Yering on this win, the second time they’ve taken out this award for their distinguished Dry Red Wine No. 1.
2026 Cabernet and Blends of the Year
Yarra Yering Dry Red Wine No. 1 2023, Yarra Valley
99 points | Price when tasted $160
A blend of 58/23/15/4% cabernet sauvignon/merlot/malbec/petit verdot, the cabernet coming from the original '69-planted vineyard. Matured in barrique (35% new). A deep, bright purple. Classic cool-climate cabernet aromas of black cherry, blackcurrants, cedar, licorice and subtle iodine. The palate is simultaneously concentrated, structured and refined, finishing with an ironstone minerality. Approachable now with food, but anyone who buys some will want to make sure they still have a bottle, or three, 10 to 15 years from now. – Philip Rich
Join Halliday Wine Club to drink the very best of Australian wine
Are you an explorer, enthusiast or collector? No matter the Halliday Wine Club plan you choose, each month we'll deliver two bottles of 95+ point wines direct to your door. From $89 per month. You can skip, pause or cancel anytime. Join now.The 2026 Halliday Wine Companion is available now. Secure your copy of Australia's most comprehensive wine guide directly from us, or sign up to receive one as part of your Vintage Halliday membership.
This is an edited extract from the 2026 Halliday Wine Companion, with reviews by Dave Brookes, Jane Faulkner, Jeni Port, Katrina Butler, Marcus Ellis, Mike Bennie, Philip Rich, Shanteh Wale and Toni Paterson MW. Cover art by James Coe.
This score was a panel decision – awarded by the Halliday Tasting Team at the annual Awards judging.
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The best cabernet & blends from the 2026 Companion
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Yarra Yering
Dry Red Wine No. 1 2023
Yarra Valley -
Yalumba
The Caley Cabernet Shiraz 2021
Barossa Valley -
Bleasdale Vineyards
Inveniam Viam Cabernet Malbec 2020
Langhorne Creek -
Dominique Portet
Réserve de Famille 2022
Yarra Valley -
Levantine Hill
Samantha's Paddock Mélange Traditionnel 2019
Yarra Valley -
Mount Mary
Quintet 2023
Yarra Valley -
Wantirna Estate
Amelia Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2022
Yarra Valley -
Yering Station
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
Yarra Valley -
Yeringberg
Yeringberg 2023
Yarra Valley -
Forest Hill Vineyard
Cabernet Malbec 2023
Mount Barker -
Moss Wood
Ribbon Vale Wilyabrup Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Margaret River -
Penfolds
Bin 180 Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2021
Coonawarra -
Penley Estate
Eos Cabernet Shiraz 2022
Coonawarra -
Primo Estate
Joseph Moda Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2022
McLaren Vale -
Redman
The Redman 2021
Coonawarra -
Tapanappa
Whalebone Vineyard Blend 2021
Wrattonbully -
Utopos
Cabernet Shiraz 2022
Barossa Valley -
Windows Estate
Petit Lot Violette 2022
Margaret River -
Yalumba
The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2022
Barossa Valley
Learn more about cabernet.
Join Halliday Wine Club to drink the very best of Australian wine
Are you an explorer, enthusiast or collector? No matter the Halliday Wine Club plan you choose, each month we'll deliver two bottles of 95+ point wines direct to your door. From $89 per month. You can skip, pause or cancel anytime. Join now.The 2025 Halliday Wine Companion is available now. Secure your copy of Australia's most comprehensive wine guide at all good bookstores.
This is an edited extract from the 2025 Halliday Wine Companion, with reviews by James Halliday, Campbell Mattinson, Dave Brookes, Jane Faulkner, Jeni Port, Marcus Ellis, Mike Bennie, Philip Rich, Shanteh Wale and Toni Paterson MW. Cover art by Vera Babida.
