Cabernet and family embraces cabernet-dominant blends as well as other Bordeaux varieties and their blends. Again this year, Margaret River is all over this class, putting forward almost as many highlights as every other region put together. In our Awards judging, Cullen's Diana Madeline and Mount Mary's Quintet sprinted into a strong lead, with very little between them. Mount Mary took the prize on a count of first place votes.
2023 Cabernet and Family of the Year
Mount Mary Quintet 2020, Yarra Valley
98 points | Price when tasted $165
A blend of 47/28/15/6/4 per cent cabernet sauvignon/merlot/cabernet franc/petit verdot/malbec. Fermented with whole berries and at different temperatures, depending on the variety. All varieties are matured in both barriques and 1600L foudres for 12 months then racked into barriques (35% new) for another 10 months before blending and bottling. A deep, bright, crimson ruby. Brooding with classic dark cherries, blackcurrant, iodine, violets and fresh lead pencil shavings. Saturates the palate without being remotely heavy. The tannins are muscular, very persistent and in perfect harmony with the fruit. A magnificent wine that will provide enormous enjoyment over the next two decades. – Philip Rich
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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.
