13 West Australian Wines to Drink on #CabernetDay 2016

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock (or had a few too many wines perhaps) you probably know International Cabernet Day is nearly upon us for 2016. Twitter guru, Rick Bakas came up with the concept of #CabernetDay back in 2010 to celebrate how great the beloved Cabernet Sauvignon grape is around the world. Every year Cab Day is held on the Thursday before the US Labor Day which makes it Thursday 1st of September this year. So I thought I would put together a list of some fab WA Cabernet’s to get the ball rolling, if you’re planning on sipping on a Western Australian Cab this Thursday then be sure to let us know!

In WA we have some awesome Cab Sauvs, we truly are very lucky! The Margaret River wine region is world-renowned for their quality Cabs and to be honest there are plenty more around the state which will make your palate dance with joy too. Actually I’ve come across many stunners from the Great Southern, Swan Valley, Perth Hills, Geographe, Blackwood Valley and Peel!

Cabernet Sauvingon is typically a full-bodied red wine. Over here in Australia I commonly find flavours of black fruits and dark chocolate which is quite typical of warmer climates. Our Cabs seem to be quite fruit forward wines with a decent oomph of alcohol and ripe-tasting tannins. And here’s some interesting wine geek trivia for you:

Cabernet Sauvingon is a natural cross between the Cabernet Franc grape and Sauvingon Blanc grape. Cab Sauv first appeared in Bordeaux, France in the mid-1600s. It’s now the most widely planted wine grape in the world with Australia being the 4th biggest grower after France, Chile and the USA. – Wine Folly Book

Cabernet Sauvignon can also be blended with other grapes like Merlot, Shiraz, Cabernet Franc and more. Below there are a number of straight Cab Sauv’s alongside a couple of blends where Cab Sauv is the dominant variety. Enjoy!

The best thing about winter has to be red wine! This 2014 Cab is from Warner Glen Estate in Margaret River and retails for about $20 which makes it perfect for #tcweekdaywine! Inky garnet colour on the eye. The nose is full of blackberries, cooling menthol and chocolate. The blackberries flow through to the palate alongside a nice oomph of tobacco and earthiness. It has lovely balanced tannins and a dry finish. Not to mention an interesting textural mouth puckering flavour. All opinions are based on my own taste buds. Wine is subjective, so make sure you drink what you enjoy! #tcweekdaywine #mediasample #warnerglenestate #margaretriverwine #cabernet #wine #winetasting

A photo posted by Travelling Corkscrew Wine Blog (@travellingcorkscrew) on Jun 16, 2016 at 4:48pm PDT

Recently a few larrikins turned up on my doorstep and I couldn’t be happier about it! @larrikins_of_margaret_river was established in 2001 and produce quality Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Cabernet on the property. The red dirt and blue sky label symbolises the family’s balance of hard work, good times and family connections. On the eye it’s a juicy plummy red colour. The nose reminds me of vanilla cigars and blackberries – it has a certain smooth creaminess to it! The palate is smooth, juicy and elegant. Mr Spittoon is not typically a big Cab fan but he was absolutely wooing over this! All opinions are based on my own taste buds. Wine is subjective, so make sure you drink what you enjoy! #tcweekdaywine #mediasample #larrikinsmargaretriver #larrikinswine #cabernet #wine

A photo posted by Travelling Corkscrew Wine Blog (@travellingcorkscrew) on Jun 13, 2016 at 4:04am PDT

Steak night! You can’t go wrong with steak and red wine – they are the epitome of the perfect relationship. A big thanks to the @alkoomiwines team for sending over their latest releases to try. This 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon from the Frankland River is a silky deep red-black colour on the eye. It’s highly perfumed on the nose with black plums, blackberries, vanilla and dark choc emerging from the glass for me. (When tasting this I actually went straight from analysing the colour to tasting it, forgetting the nose – purely because I just couldn’t wait to get stuck in). On the palate flavours of plum and coffee dominate for me. I love the intensely long finish, sooo good. I struggle to put words to this one because I doubt my words can do it justice. I need more of this wine in my life! All opinions are based on my own taste buds. Wine is subjective, so make sure you drink what you enjoy! #tcweekdaywine #mediasample #perthwine #perthblogger #greatsouthernwine #winetourist #gtwine #wine #thisiswa #alkoomiwines #steaknight #westernaustraliawines #wadrinks #wineblog

A photo posted by Travelling Corkscrew Wine Blog (@travellingcorkscrew) on May 26, 2016 at 2:08pm PDT

It’s red season and I’m loving it! I’ve been hanging out to get stuck into this 2012 Swan Valley Cabernet from Upper Reach since I purchased a few bottles many months ago. $30 from the cellar door. Mulberry wood colour on the eye. Black berries and currants, Christmas cake, leather, pencil sharpenings and violets come through on the nose for me. Juicy vibrant berry fruit flavours on the palate, medium bodied, subtle smooth tannins, elegant finish. Thoroughly enjoyable and a great alternative to the heater in terms of warming me up! All opinions are based on my own taste buds. Wine is subjective, so make sure you drink what you enjoy! #TCWeekdayWine #swanvalley #perthwine #perthblogger #alwaysthirsty #wineblog #upperreachwinery #cabernet #winetasting #winetime #winelover #wine? #wineporn #wineoclock #winestagram #winenot #perthdrinks #perthisok #perthlife #perthgram

A photo posted by Travelling Corkscrew Wine Blog (@travellingcorkscrew) on May 3, 2016 at 2:12pm PDT

This was part of my Vinomofo Salvation case. I hadn’t tried any Cape Vale wines yet so I was excited about getting stuck into it. Garnet colour on the eye with aromas of black cherries, leather and cedar on the nose. Juicy with a distinct coffee bitterness from the tannins on the palate. Blackberry and dark chocolate flavours stand out to me. It’s definitely not a shy vino ? All opinions are based on my own taste buds. Don’t forget, wine is subjective #gifted #TCWeekdayWine #margaretriverwine #capevale #vinomofo #cabernet

A photo posted by Travelling Corkscrew Wine Blog (@travellingcorkscrew) on Apr 14, 2016 at 2:40pm PDT

This was another beaut from the Salvation case from Vinomofo.com.au Deep brick red on the eye (however this was in poor lighting). On the nose I pick up blackcurrant leaf, violets and a touch of white pepper. The palate is smooth and full bodied with integrated tannins, a clean finish and flavours of blackcurrant and hints of mint standing out for me. This wine suits a bubble bath and good book! All opinions are based on my own taste buds. Don’t forget, wine is subjective #gifted #TCWeekdayWine #margaretriverwine #vinomofo #sandalfordwinery #cabernet

A photo posted by Travelling Corkscrew Wine Blog (@travellingcorkscrew) on Apr 11, 2016 at 2:36pm PDT

If you have to do a double take like I did, well your eyes aren’t deceiving you the label does say ‘Cabernets’ with an S! This is to signify this wine is a blend of Cabernet grapes and I think you’ll find the 2014 is a blend of Cab Sauv and Cab Franc. I’d say the majority of the blend is Cab Sauv with the addition of the lighter coloured Cab Franc to add aromatics – this is typically the case in Bordeaux. A deep dark plum-garnet colour on the eye with a tobacco leaf, violet & flint infused nose sprinkled with a dusting of vanilla. The palate has some savouriness to it however I’m loving the smooth fruity notes of blackberries & black cherries coming through. It seems a very refreshing tipple which is weird for a red I know, however it just seems to work – perhaps it’s the wine saying ”hey I’m a cool climate Cabernet’. It’s young for a Cabernet yet still very approachable right now – it’ll be interesting to try it in a couple of years. A big thanks to @joanne3drops for sending this sample over. All opinions are based on my own taste buds #gifted #tcweekdaywine #wine #greatsouthernwine #perthwine #drinklocalwa #3dropswinery #cabernets

A photo posted by Travelling Corkscrew Wine Blog (@travellingcorkscrew) on Jan 14, 2016 at 1:37pm PST

A big thanks to Billie from @windance_estate in Margaret River for sending over this sample to try! It was the perfect wine for a 40 degree day when you have the aircon set at 18 degrees inside and are all rugged up ? Deep ruby red colour on the eye. Gorgeous aromatics of berry fruits, cedar oak, vanilla and black jelly beans. Juicy, flavoursome and fruit driven palate. Flavours of black plums, chocolate and coffee beans stand out for me. It has a super smooth texture in the mouth and good tannins suggesting longevity. All opinions are based on my own taste buds #TCWeekdayWine #gifted #margaretriver #windanceestate #cabernetmerlot

A photo posted by Travelling Corkscrew Wine Blog (@travellingcorkscrew) on Feb 11, 2016 at 1:02pm PST

Firetail was another random cellar door that Dad decided we should stop at on our recent Margaret River trip, and it was a favourite all round! He sure does pick them! Top quality vinos, awesome service and a beautiful Samoyed called Cara. It was also rather funny that the hubby was from the same small town in NZ that I was born in! There were 2 Cab’s for taste at the cellar door when we visited, a 2010 and the 2012 which Dad and I both fell in love with. It’s the colour of black Doris plums on the eye. Scents of newly polished leather shoes & horse saddles plus cinnamon and orange peel rise from the glass. The palate gives you a ‘smack in the upper lip’ as my Dad put it – but that’s in a good way! Full bodied, full of texture and a super long finish with flavours of tobacco, roasted coffee and dark berries entertaining the palate. RRP $28 All opinions are based on my own (and Dads) taste buds #TCWeekdayWine #australianwine #wawine #perthwine #margaretriver #firetailwines #cabernet

A photo posted by Travelling Corkscrew Wine Blog (@travellingcorkscrew) on Oct 21, 2015 at 2:18pm PDT

This Margaret River cab is a black cherry/deep garnet colour on the eye. On the nose there’s plentiful whiffs of blackberry, tobacco/cigar smoke, old saddle leather, 2-day old cut grass and anise wheels. On the palate those blackberry flavours shine through, alongside boysenberry flavours with a touch of white pepper and liquorice. Lovely long lingering tannins that make you crave a good cut of beef. RRP $32 A big thanks to the Killerby team for this product sample. As always, all opinions are based on my own taste buds #TCWeekdayWine #wine #margaretriver #cabernet #perthwine #wineblog #killerbywines

A photo posted by Travelling Corkscrew Wine Blog (@travellingcorkscrew) on Oct 11, 2015 at 2:35pm PDT

Fuddling Cup is a boutique producer from down south who I came across at the 2014 City Wine festival. They produce only Cabs and SSB’s. This 2010 Cab actually won a silver medal at the 2012 Decanter World Wine Awards which is big stuff in the wine world! Deep nearly opaque garnet on the eye with black and red cherry aromas, leather and coffee beans. Definitely a hearty blend! On the palate its juicy and mouth watering with silky lingering tannins and flavours of cassis and dark chocolate. A thoroughly enjoyable Margaret River cab! I picked up 2 bottles at the festival for $23 each – bargain! All opinions are based on my own taste buds. #TCWeekdayWine #wine #margaretriver #cabernet #fuddlingcup #perthwine

A photo posted by Travelling Corkscrew Wine Blog (@travellingcorkscrew) on Sep 17, 2015 at 2:11pm PDT

I loved visiting Twin Hill Wines on Great Northern Highway in the Swan Valley. Super friendly service and a free cheese and olive tasting to accompany the vino tasting was an added bonus! This Cab Merlot is a bright scarlet red colour in the glass with aromas of black currant leaf, green capsicum and a touch of anise, On the palate it’s super easy drinking, with flavours of ribena and wood smoked jerky. It has a nice balance of fruit and savouriness. Great everyday drinking red at $15 a pop. #TCWeekdayWine #swanvalley #wine #perthwine #twinhillwines #cabmerlot #tcwineblog

A photo posted by Travelling Corkscrew Wine Blog (@travellingcorkscrew) on Sep 16, 2015 at 2:09pm PDT

I fell in love with the @dormilonawines Cab at UnWined 2014 and seeing as the 2015 festival is just around the corner I thought International Cabernet Day would be a good time to crack it. Plus I’m feeling a bit like a lazy bones (aka ‘Dormilona’ in Spanish slang) tonight so it’s rather fitting! Gorgeous cherry red on the eye with tantalising black currant, toffee apple (or as Mr.Spittoon put it ‘caramel-y’) and vanilla on the nose. On the palate it’s oh so cuddly (check out my post on the SV Wine Awards dinner for the story on that descriptor) – round, smooth with silky tannins and I want it to come in a never ending bottle! No more writing this tasting note as this vino in my lovely Riedel Cab glass deserves my undivided attention! #wine #margaretriver #TCWeekdayWine #cabernetday #dormilona #thirstythursday #westernaustralia #wawine

A photo posted by Travelling Corkscrew Wine Blog (@travellingcorkscrew) on Sep 3, 2015 at 6:20am PDT

Don’t forget to add all the other important 2016 wine days to your calendar!