NOW EXPERIENCING:Meet the wines that will have you falling in love with the Margaret River wine region
Vine Guide|Wine|Chardonnay|Winery

Meet the wines that will have you falling in love with the Margaret River wine region

Read time 5 Mins

Posted 09 Mar 2023

By
Madeleine Horrigan

Discover the region’s signature styles and varieties with these five fantastic bottles.

Despite being one of Australia’s youngest wine regions, Margaret River has earned an international reputation for elegant, high quality wines ‒ especially its chardonnays, cabernets and sauvignon blanc semillon blends. And with more than  150 different estates producing these top drops, Margs has us positively spoilt for choice. That’s why we’ve put together a list of five wines to try that truly represent this magical region.
A bottle of Cullen Mangan Sauvignon Blanc Semillon wine

Click image to shop

1. Cullen Mangan Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc Semillon

The Cullen Mangan Sauvignon Blanc Semillon ‒ SBS for short ‒ is a classic Margaret River blend from an iconic producer. Established by Kevin and Diana Cullen in 1971, Cullen Wines is one of the founding family-owned wineries in Margaret River. Today, the estate and winemaking are overseen by daughter Vanya, a pioneer within the Australian wine industry. She  was among the first in Margaret River to transition to biodynamic practices and  also drove Cullen to become  the country’s first 100% carbon-neutral winery. 

Planted with sauvignon blanc, semillon and verdelho vines, the Mangan vineyard is certified biodynamic and carbon positive, making this SBS not only extremely delicious but also sustainable, too. The grapes are handpicked, crushed and left to soak on skins overnight, producing a lovely texture and depth on the palate to complement the wine's naturally bright acidity. Brimming with citrus, tropical fruits and a touch of saline minerality, it’s fantastic fresh from the fridge on a warm summer's day.

2. Deep Woods Hillside Chardonnay

Chardonnay is one of the varietal heroes of the Margaret River wine scene, recognised for its elegance, concentration and distinctive style, typically showing a touch more weight and richness than varietal counterparts to the east. And while there are many fantastic examples, the Deep Woods Hillside Chardonnay is a particularly tasty embodiment of this style. Made from low-yielding fruit grown on steep sun-soaked slopes, this wine offers complexity and intensity in spades. Lush nectarine and grapefruit burst from the glass, along with hints of vanilla and spice from time in oak. The palate is clean and lively, with ripe stone fruit and savoury hints of almond meal and orange pith that flow on to the long, vibrant finish.
A bottle of Deep Woods Hillside Chardonnay wine

Click image to shop

A bottle of Well Frankie’s Garden Rosé wine

Click image to shop

3. Once and Well Frankie’s Garden Rosé

If you’re lucky enough to have spent some time in Margaret River, you’ll know the vibe is all about sunshine, seaside and good times. And which wine better embodies all these things than a crisp, refreshing rosé? One of our favourites is the Once and Well Frankie’s Garden Rosé, a premium pink from winemaker Freya ‘Frankie’ Hohnen. A gorgeous pale blush, this wine practically bursts from the glass with a symphony of fresh summer berries and rosewater, zesty acidity and a long, dry finish. Utter perfection fresh from the ice bucket on a clear, sunny afternoon, it’s a great wine to have on hand for picnics, barbecues or sharing over Sunday lunch with friends and family.

4. Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon

If chardonnay is Margaret River’s superstar white variety, then cabernet sauvignon is the  rockstar red. For a classic example, you can’t go past  Xanadu. One of the region’s first vineyards, established in 1977, Xanadu has a long history of crafting outstanding wines that capture the region’s character, and  their cabernet sauvignon is considered the estate’s flagship variety. Modelled after a traditional Bordeaux blend of cabernet sauvignon (89%), malbec (8%) and petit verdot (3%), this iconic wine  is generously perfumed, virtually spilling over with blackberry fruit, licorice and mocha. The palate is full-bodied yet refined, with an inky core of dark fruit layered with soft, silky tannins and fresh acidity. The finish is long, tinged with dark chocolate and mint ‒ a hallmark of Margaret River cab. Drinking beautifully now with plenty of plush, youthful fruit, this wine also has great ageing potential and will only increase in complexity with time. Now that’s what we call  a win-win!
A bottle of Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon wine

Click image to shop

A bottle of Vasse Felix Syrah wine

Click image to shop

5. Vasse Felix Syrah

Meet Margaret River’s other red variety. You may know this grape better as shiraz, but here in Margs, it’s more common to come across its cool-climate alter-ego: syrah. As Margaret River’s original estate, Vasse Felix was among the first to explore this grape variety’s potential in WA, and has made it one of their signature offerings. Made using fruit sourced from one of the estate’s best parcels of southern Margaret River syrah, this wine is a stunning, fine-boned example  with dark fruit, fragrant spice and oodles of complexity. It’s the perfect counterpoint to brooding, structural cabernets that typically need some extra time in the bottle, making it ideal to enjoy now while you stash the cabs in the cellar for safe keeping.
After more intel on Margaret River? Check out our Margaret River Guide for everything you need to know about this fabulous wine region, including the low-down on the best wines, food and cellar doors.
Shop related products
CullenMangan Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc Semillon
  • product badge
Mangan Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc Semillon
$34.99 each
 
Deep WoodsHillside Chardonnay
Hillside Chardonnay
Member Offer
$20 per bottle Non-Member: $24.99 each
 
Once & WellFrankies Garden Rosé
Frankies Garden Rosé
$16.99 Each
 
XanaduMargaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
$39.99 each
 
Vasse FelixShiraz
Shiraz
$37.99 each
 
Authour image
Madeleine HorriganMadeleine Horrigan is a Melbourne-based writer and all-round drinks enthusiast. When her nose isn't in a glass, it's in a travel guide planning her next adventure in a wine region.
Tags
Vine GuideMargaret RiverCabernet SauvignonChardonnayRed WineWhite WineWineryVine GuideTravelSemillon Sauvignon BlancWine RegionsWine
Related Articles