2024 Warramate Cabernets, Yarra Valley

Trophy for Best Cabernet blend at the 2026 Yarra Valley Wine Show

A blend of 45/20/15/15/5% cabernet sauvignon/malbec/merlot/petit verdot/cabernet franc. A bright, medium crimson. A perfumed bouquet of blackcurrant, crushed violets and gentle cedar notes. Medium bodied, gently juicy and, despite some persistent, fine-grained tannins, this is cabernet you can drink and enjoy now. Drink to 2030.

94 points Special Value Philip Rich for Halliday Wine Companion, August 2026

This wine is a true expression of Warramate, drawing on five varieties across nine vineyard blocks, with some of the vines dating to 1990.

The handpicked grapes were sorted and destemmed at the winery into small batch fermenters. The Malbec, Merlot and Petit Verdot were kept as whole berries for enhanced fruitiness and plushness, while the Cabernet Sauvignon berries were lightly crushed for tannin extraction and the Cabernet Franc fermented in clay amphora. The batches were hand plunged throughout the fermentation for good extraction of colour, flavour and texture.

Another great value offer from this label that drinks well on release. While this might not be a long-term cellaring proposition, it offers a perfumed and fresh modern-day claret experience that would keep well in bottle over a couple of years.

About this producer

Established by the Church family in 1970, the well-regarded Warramate vineyard has since 2011 been part of neighbouring Yarra Yering, a Yarra Valley icon established in 1969 by Sydney-born Dr Bailey Carrodus. Yarra local Andrew Gorge has led the team looking after the vineyards since 2012, with Brokenwood alumna Sarah Crowe joining as his counterpart at the winery a year later.