Kirk’s Top Picks 2026
Best Western Australian Red Wines in 2026
I taste a lot of Western Australian wine through the year, so this is not a random list and it is not just a list of the most expensive bottles either. These are my own personal top 5 WA red wines in 2026 – the reds I would be happiest recommending to customers, opening at home, or pointing people towards if they asked me where the real standouts are right now. Some are outstanding value, some are more serious cellar-worthy wines, and all five show a different side of what Western Australia does so well. If you are looking for the best Western Australian red wines to buy now, these are the bottles I would start with.
#1 | My Best WA Red Under $30
Faber Vineyard Malbec Frankland River 2023
If someone asked me what the best red wine under $30 in Western Australia is right now, this is probably where I would start. It has all the flavour and generosity people want from Malbec, but it never feels clumsy or heavy. There is plenty of plush dark fruit here, but also freshness, shape and that velvety drinkability that makes you want another glass.
What I especially like is the balance. The fruit comes from Frankland River and Donnybrook, which gives the wine both structure and generosity, and the oak adds texture without taking over. This is not trying to be a huge blockbuster red. It is just seriously good drinking and very easy to recommend.
#2 | Benchmark WA Pinot Noir
Picardy Pinot Noir 2023
This is the Pinot on my list because it feels complete. It has all the perfume, poise and finesse you want from great Pinot Noir, but it also has real drive and presence. The 2023 vintage sounds beautifully expressive, with red fruits, truffle, spice and that silky, effortless feel that makes top Pinot so compelling.
Picardy has long been one of the serious names for Pinot in Western Australia, and this release looks like another reminder of that. If I wanted to show someone how good WA Pinot Noir can be, this is one of the first bottles I would pull out. It is elegant, but it still has authority.
#3 | Serious Frankland River Shiraz
Hay Shed Hill K+B Shiraz 2023
This is the Shiraz on my list because it has that lovely mix of power and polish. It is rich, dark and structured, but it is not brutish. The Frankland River fruit gives it depth and purity, while the oak regime and winemaking pedigree keep everything feeling composed and properly built.
I also like the story behind it. This is a collaboration between Michael Kerrigan and Gavin Berry, two hugely respected WA winemakers, and it reads like a wine made with real intent. If you love Shiraz with dark cherry fruit, spice, chocolate and structure, but you still want refinement, this is a very strong pick.
#4 | Best Value Alternative Red
Millbrook Regional Tempranillo 2023
This is the bottle on the list that I think more people should be buying. At this price point, it is ridiculously easy to like. It is juicy, plush, medium-bodied and full of flavour, but it also has the freshness and food-friendliness that make Tempranillo such a smart everyday red.
There is a reason this style keeps winning people over. It works brilliantly with casual food, it suits a lot of palates, and it gives you something a bit more interesting than defaulting to Shiraz every time. For me, this is one of the best-value alternative reds in WA right now.
#5 | Arguably the Best WA Cabernet Under $70
Woodlands Margaret Cabernet 2019
If someone asked me for a serious Western Australian Cabernet under $70, this would be right near the top of the conversation. In fact, I would argue it is one of the very best buys in that space. It has all the things I want from top Margaret River Cabernet: depth, graphite, dark fruit, structure, detail and proper cellaring potential.
This is not an everyday easy red, and that is exactly the point. It is a statement wine. The blend, the Wilyabrup pedigree and the overall shape of the wine all say class. If you want a bottle that shows why Margaret River Cabernet has such a strong reputation, this is one of the smartest ways to spend your money.
Why These Five Made My List
What I like about this top 5 is that it is not all one region, one price point or one style. There is a plush Malbec that overdelivers for the money, a benchmark Pinot Noir, a serious Frankland River Shiraz, a hugely drinkable Tempranillo, and a proper Margaret River Cabernet for people who want something more cellar-worthy.
That says a lot about Western Australian red wine in 2026. We are not just talking about one hero variety anymore. WA does world-class Cabernet and Pinot Noir, but it is also producing excellent Malbec, Tempranillo and Shiraz with real regional identity and value. That breadth is part of what makes Western Australian wine so exciting to recommend.
Explore More WA Red Wines
These are my current top 5, but there is a lot more to discover across the WA red wine range. Browse the full collection or get in touch at info@partnersinwine.com.au if you want a more tailored recommendation.
