The land

Margaret River sits in the far southwest corner of Western Australia, on a peninsula between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin. The climate is maritime, similar in some ways to Bordeaux but with significantly more sunshine and less rainfall during the growing season. The soils are predominantly gravelly loam over granite and gneiss — well-drained, low in fertility, and ideal for premium grape varieties. The region was effectively established as a wine zone in the 1960s and 1970s, making it one of the youngest premium wine regions in the world.

Style of the wines

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon is the regional flagship — and arguably the most consistent Cabernet zone outside Bordeaux’s Left Bank. The wines combine the structured tannic backbone of classic Cabernet with the fruit ripeness of warm-climate production, but without the jammy excess of warmer Australian zones. Cabernet-Merlot blends in the Bordeaux template are widely made. Chardonnay is the second great variety — Margaret River Chardonnay is some of the most respected New World Chardonnay in the world. Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon-Sémillon blends round out the lineup.

Vintages to know

2021 — outstanding. 2018 — exceptional. 2014 — superb. 2010 — legendary.

Producers we know

Cullen Wines (especially Diana Madeline Cabernet — one of the great Margaret River Cabernets, biodynamic), Leeuwin Estate (especially the Art Series Chardonnay and Cabernet — both reference wines), Vasse Felix, Moss Wood, Pierro, Cape Mentelle, Voyager Estate, Howard Park, Devil’s Lair.