Shiraz Cabernet

Shiraz Cabernet: Australia's Great Red Blend

Two great grapes, one brilliant idea and it happened here. In the 1950s, Penfolds winemaker Max Schubert combined Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon in a way that French appellation law would never allow. The result was a full-bodied, fruit-driven, deeply Australian red that winemakers around the world still try to replicate. We call it Shiraz Cabernet, and it is one of the finest things this country makes.

If you want a red wine that delivers ripe dark fruit, warming spice, and enough structure to sit alongside a great meal -- this is the blend. Whether you are after an easy Tuesday night pour or a cellar-worthy bottle with serious pedigree, Australian Shiraz Cabernet has a place at every table.

Why Shiraz and Cabernet Work So Well Together

Cabernet Sauvignon brings the architecture: firm tannins, a long finish, and blackcurrant depth that ages beautifully. Shiraz brings the life: ripe plum and blackberry fruit, a warm mid-palate richness, and that signature Australian generosity. Separately, each grape is remarkable. Together, they make something complete.

The blend ratio matters more than most people realise. A Shiraz-dominant wine (60-70% Shiraz) is approachable young think blackberry jam, pepper, and soft tannins you can enjoy tonight. Flip the balance toward Cabernet Sauvignon and you get a more structured, age-worthy bottle that rewards patience. Knowing this helps you buy smarter.

Australian Regions, Australian Styles

Where a Shiraz Cabernet comes from shapes everything about how it tastes. Australia's major red wine regions each bring something different to the blend.

Barossa Valley

The Barossa is Shiraz heartland. Its Shiraz Cabernet blends are opulent, full-bodied, and rich with dark plum, blackberry, and vanilla oak. These are generous, warming wines built to impress. Shop our Barossa Valley wines to explore the range.

Coonawarra and Limestone Coast

Terra rossa soils and a cooler climate produce something leaner and more elegant. Coonawarra Shiraz Cabernet leans into blackcurrant, cedar, and fine-grained tannins -- a food wine first and foremost, and one of the best styles to cellar.

McLaren Vale

Velvety and plummy with a touch of dark chocolate on the finish. McLaren Vale's Mediterranean warmth produces Shiraz Cabernet with a silky, approachable character that converts people on the first sip. Browse our McLaren Vale wines for the best of the region.

Clare Valley

Expect something brighter and medium-weight: red fruit, spice, and lively acidity that keeps the wine fresh and food-friendly. Clare Valley Shiraz Cabernet consistently delivers excellent value.

Drink Tonight or Cellar for Later?

Everyday bottles in the $10-$20 range are made for immediate drinking -- open, pour, and enjoy. The fruit is forward, the tannins are soft, and there is no reason to wait.

Step up to a premium bottle ($30 and above) and the calculus changes. Cabernet's structure means these wines improve with 3-7 years in the cellar as tannins soften and the Shiraz fruit integrates into something more complex. At the far end of the spectrum, museum releases like Penfolds Grange are designed to age for decades.

A well-chosen Shiraz Cabernet also makes an outstanding gift. A bottle from the Barossa or Coonawarra at the $40-$80 mark says "I know wine" without saying a word.

What to Eat with Shiraz Cabernet

This is a red wine that loves bold food. The classics are classic for good reason -- slow-roasted lamb shoulder with rosemary and garlic, beef brisket from the smoker, or a grass-fed ribeye with cracked pepper butter. Shiraz Cabernet stands up to char and fat without missing a beat.

Go further and you will find it handles the modern Australian table beautifully. Try it alongside Korean galbi short ribs, slow-cooked lamb biryani, or Peking duck pancakes. The wine's dark fruit and spice play off the complexity of these dishes every time. Aged cheddar or manchego alongside a glass is one of the great low-effort pairings in wine. Browse our full range of red wines online for more inspiration.

Buy Shiraz Cabernet Wine Online

In recent years, Shiraz Cabernet wines have become a specialty of the Australian wine industry. Although both Syrah (as Shiraz is called in France) and Cabernet Sauvignon are renowned French grape varieties, the appellation law in France does not allow the blending together of these two varieties. The New World is free of all these stylistic constraints, allowing winemakers to experiment with all kinds of grape varieties the way they want. The Shiraz Cabernet blend was born in Australia when Penfolds’ Max Schubert crafted his iconic Bin 60A during the mid-20th century.

Bordeaux Valley is notably regarded for the remarkable quality of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes it produces, while Shiraz grows best on the steep and windy slopes of the Rhone Valley region. Both these fruit driven and rich grape varieties fuse together to form complex and full-bodied red wines that have won hearts all over the world! The two are often blended with Merlot as well to create Cabernet Shiraz Merlot - a classic Bordeaux-style blend.

During the 1970s, this unique blend became quite popular in the Australian wine market. Gradually, as more fashionable grape varieties like Viognier and Grenache emerged as blending partners for Shiraz wine, the Shiraz Cabernet wine experienced a downfall in sales. But in recent years, the blend has resurfaced and is rapidly making its way to the initial fame it experienced, appropriately being dubbed the ‘Great Australian Red Blend’.

Although Shiraz Cabernet pairing might not have been immediately obvious to winemakers, these two varieties actually make for the perfect partners for each other. The depth, structure and complexity that is characteristic to the Cabernet Sauvignon variety gets balanced and brightened up by the ripe, velvety and exciting infusion of Shiraz grapes. Cabernet Sauvignon is often criticized for lacking in its mid-palate, commonly referred to as the doughnut effect. This is where Shiraz saves the day! Australian Shiraz grapes are known for their ripe and jammy fruit flavours that fill up throughout the wine and provide intense, rich and lively fruit flavours of exceptional quality and finesse. Oak maturation is often employed for these blends to enhance the spiciness and complexity of the resultant wine. The best food matches for these exquisite Shiraz Cabernet blends include beef teriyaki, field mushrooms with grilled parmesan, and roasted lamb rack served with garlic and rosemary. Buy Shiraz Cabernet wines online from Just Wines to choose from a range of marvellous wines hailing from the best of Australian wineries (like the award-winning Jacob’s creek Shiraz cabernet) and regions.

Top Shiraz Cabernet Brands to Explore:

Shiraz-Cabernet is a great choice for red wine enthusiasts looking for strong flavours. These wines provide a versatile and satisfying experience. These wines have powerful fruit and spice notes while young, but such aged wines acquire deep and more subtle flavours. ust Wines has top brands of Shiraz Cabernet to explore, perfectly blending with all your preferences. Several well-known Australian brands are: Jacobs Creek Shiraz Cabernet 2022 SEA, Natures Element Bookpurnong Shiraz Cabernet 2021, Jacobs Creek St Hugo Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, Bimbadgen Ridge Shiraz Cabernet 2017 Orange and Inkberry Mountain Estate Central Ranges Shiraz Cabernet 2019, you will get everything you need! For more savings and discounts on your next order, you can give a try to our JW membership or check out our daily and weekly online wine deals!

Explore More Shiraz  Varieties with Just Wines

• Cabernet Merlot – A classic favorite among wine lovers, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon’s bold tannins and depth with Merlot’s soft and velvety finish, resulting in a well-structured and balanced red blend wine.

• GSM (Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre) – A French-inspired blend that is preferred among wine lovers for its juicy flavors, spice, and earthy complexity, altogether it offers a layered and food-friendly profile.

• Grenache Shiraz – A  rich and vibrant blend highlighting Grenache’s refined and smooth profile with Shiraz’s rich and fuller-bodied flavors, offering both lively and bold character on the palate.

• Merlot Malbec – A fruit-forward blend that combines Merlot’s velvety yet rich character and Malbec’s dark and balanced structure, creating a flavorful and expressive red wine blend.

FAQs

1. What is Shiraz Cabernet wine?

Shiraz Cabernet is one of the most preferred Australian red blends, and is mostly celebrated for its bold, spicy, and fruity character of Shiraz with the structure, depth, and richness of Cabernet Sauvignon. Skillfully mixed together, these varietals make a brilliant red wine that is both powerful and balanced.

2. Is Shiraz Cabernet sweet or dry?

In general, Shiraz Cabernet wines are dry. They feature rich fruit flavours like cherry and blackberry, which are defined by Cabernet Sauvignon tannins, oak, and spice. Even though they are full-bodied and rich, the dryness offers a smooth, well-structured finish that suits those who like red wines that are bold but elegant.

3. What foods pair best with Shiraz Cabernet?

To pair Cabernet Shiraz wines, you can try them with roasted lamb, grilled meats, rich pasta dishes, barbecues, and aged cheeses. This excellent red blend wine complements hearty dishes, making it perfect for winter special treats and cosy decadent desserts.

4. Can I buy Shiraz Cabernet wine online?

Yes, Just Wines makes it easier to buy Shiraz Cabernet red wines online in Australia. Here you’ll find a premium range of  Cabernet Shiraz blends from top Australian regions like Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, and Coonawarra. With our amazing wine deals, offers, and competitive pricing on top-quality wines, it’s the best way to stock up on your fave drops.

5. How long does Shiraz Cabernet age?

Everyday bottles under $20 are best enjoyed within 2-3 years of vintage. Premium bottles ($30-$100+) benefit from 3-7 years of cellaring as the Cabernet tannins soften and the blend integrates. Museum releases like Penfolds Grange are made to age for decades.