2025 Halliday Top Rated

Top Rated: Cabernet Shiraz Blends

By The Tasting Team

As we note in the introduction to this edition, classics are classics for a reason. There’s more to the list of wines here than blends of cabernet and shiraz but this classic combination is the backbone here. Bleasdale has been on an amazing run of good form in recent years and, again here, it’s ripped out another beauty.

2024 Cabernet Shiraz Blends of the Year

Bleasdale Vineyards Wellington Road Shiraz Cabernet 2021, Langhorne Creek

98 points (PD*) | Price when tasted $32


Bleasdale Vineyards Wellington Road Shiraz Cabernet 2021, Langhorne Creek

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A blend of 52/48 per cent shiraz (destemmed) and cabernet sauvignon (crushed); eight to 12 days on skins and 12 months in French puncheons (25 per cent new). Winemaker Paul Hotker made full use of a brilliant growing season and harvest, with a juicy and sleek palate redolent with red and black fruits that caress every time you return to the supple mouthfeel and lingering finish. – James Halliday

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 sauvignon and shiraz.

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.