Driving south through the burnished red landscape and relative lushness of Perth city to its nearest and dearest wine region - Margaret River - is a feast for the eyes and the tastebuds. 

I returned less than a week ago from a first-ever visit to this great wine region, in which I found myself for a very old friend's wedding rather than an in-depth wine tour but both were on my agenda.

This was my pick of the wines I was able to try while there. More to come as there will be many other visits. 

Vasse Felix is famously the first winery established in Margaret River and this wine of the week is one of the world's great expressions of Cabernet Sauvignon. 

PS: Swan River is technically the closest wine region to Perth but is dwarfed by Margaret River, both in size and in perception.

19/20
2023 Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon RRP $65-ish (AU $56)

There's plenty to love in this wine from its impressive, age worthy structure for the long haul to its rewardingly smooth, complex, savoury flavours right now - provided it's served in a large glass and relaxed environment. The dark brooding velvety appeal of Malbec, which makes up 14% of this blend, combines beautifully with the ripe but elegant depths of Western Australian Cabernet Sauvignon, which undoubtedly benefits from the arid dry climate and cool south westerly Fremantle Doctor sea breeze (also known as the 'Freo doctor'). Both grapes bring a complex array of aromas and smooth dry flavours of black plums, a hint of dried blueberries and impressive earthy notes to this full bodied wine, which was fermented with wild yeasts and 100% whole berries.

This outstanding Western Australian Cabernet Sauvignon is made from some of the very first vines planted in this exceptionally far flung and exceptionally high quality wine region, three and a half hours' drive south of Perth - one of the most isolated cities in the world and worth every second of the magnificent coastal drive to get there. 

Photos taken by yours truly in February 2026 - another of the continuous blue sky days in Margaret River (and Western Australia in general) with the approach to the winery after parking - I love the eucalyptus against the sky. 

Below is an image of the winery's Idée Fixe Brut Rosé with a platter of deliciousness while watching over the ripe dark grapes soon to be harvested.