Kirk’s picks
One of the questions I am asked most often is, “What is your favourite wine?” Closely followed by, “What are you drinking right now?”
The honest answer is that I love all sorts of wine, so my favourite usually depends on the day of the week, what is for dinner and, quite possibly, the location of the moon.
Still, some bottles have kept finding their way back into my glass throughout 2026. These are my personal standouts, with one Favourite – Best and one Favourite – Value pick for each style. “Best” is the bottle I reach for when I want something special. “Value” is the wine I think delivers far more than its price suggests.
A quick note
These are favourites, not a rigid ranking
Wine is far too enjoyable to reduce to one permanent winner. These are the bottles that have impressed me most for their quality, personality and drinkability in 2026. Every wine here is made in Western Australia, and every one is a bottle I would happily recommend to a customer, a friend or anyone standing close enough to hear me talking about wine.
Celebration bottles
My favourite sparkling wines of 2026
One for the serious Champagne lover and one that proves excellent Western Australian sparkling does not need to be saved for a very special occasion.
Favourite – Best
Vasse Felix Idée Fixe Premier Brut 2023
- A refined Margaret River Blanc de Blancs made entirely from handpicked Chardonnay.
- Zesty lemon, green apple, subtle brioche and a long, chalky mineral finish.
- Traditional-method sparkling with more than 19 months on lees for texture and complexity.
- Why it is my pick: fine, poised and properly serious, while still being a pleasure to drink.
Favourite – Value
Howard Park Petit Jeté Sparkling NV
- A bright, elegant Great Southern sparkling made from 100% Chardonnay.
- Fresh citrus, Pink Lady apple and pear, with floral notes and a gentle pastry character.
- Accolade: Gold Medal at the 2018 Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships.
- Why it is my pick: fine bubbles, real character and terrific quality for the money.
White wine
My favourite Chardonnay wines of 2026
Margaret River Chardonnay is one of Western Australia’s great strengths. These two show how the variety can deliver both serious complexity and exceptional everyday value.
Favourite – Best
Domaine Naturaliste Artus Chardonnay 2023
- A powerful yet precise Margaret River Chardonnay with peach, cashew, creamed honey and grapefruit.
- Rich and layered, with bright acidity keeping the creamy texture and savoury oak beautifully balanced.
- Accolades: 96 points from Halliday Wine Companion and Ray Jordan; 95 from Gary Walsh, Winefront.
- Why it is my pick: a Chardonnay with tremendous flavour, detail and length that will reward time in the cellar.
Favourite – Value
Deep Woods Estate Chardonnay 2025
- Classic Margaret River Chardonnay made with the region’s celebrated Gin Gin clone.
- Ripe stone fruit, grapefruit and preserved lemon, with a fresh coastal saline edge.
- Wild fermented, minimally fined and made without acid additions for a pure expression of fruit and place.
- Why it is my pick: generous without being heavy, and remarkably polished at its price.
Beyond Chardonnay
My other favourite white wines of 2026
A Margaret River classic with a little touch of Chardonnay and a beautifully serious Swan Valley Chenin Blanc from historic vines.
Favourite – Best
Pierro LTC ‘Little Touch of Chardonnay’ 2025
- A clever blend of Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and 7% Chardonnay.
- Bright citrus, pear, green apple and melon, with freshness, texture and genuine ageing potential.
- Pedigree: an Australian pioneer of the style with more than 40 years of history and sustained critical acclaim.
- Why it is my pick: distinctive, complex and timeless—there is nothing else quite like LTC.
Favourite – Value
Sittella Avant Garde Chenin Blanc 2025
- Made from one of the Swan Valley’s historic Chenin Blanc vineyards, planted at the original Houghton vineyard in 1965.
- White pear, green apple, delicate florals and citrus, with subtle lees texture and a long, controlled finish.
- Accolade: 95 points from Ray Jordan.
- Why it is my pick: vibrant now, capable of ageing and a brilliant reminder of how good Swan Valley Chenin can be.
Red wine
My favourite Shiraz wines of 2026
These two prove there is far more to Western Australian Shiraz than one regional expression: a decorated boutique release from Donnybrook and a remarkably affordable Margaret River Gold Medal winner.
Favourite – Best
Smallwater Estate Shiraz 2023
- Rich dark plum, blackberry and cherry, lifted by spice, gentle pepper and savoury complexity.
- Smooth and generous, with polished tannins and a long, satisfying finish.
- Accolades: Trophy and Gold at the 2024 Wine Show of WA; Gold at Winewise 2025 and the 2025 Great Australian Shiraz Challenge.
- Why it is my pick: serious show-winning quality from a small Donnybrook producer, without losing its warmth or drinkability.
Favourite – Value
Miles From Nowhere Best Blocks Shiraz 2023
- Dark plum, blackberry and blueberry layered with spice, chocolate and subtle oak.
- Smooth, generous and approachable, but with enough depth to feel like a genuine step up.
- Accolade: Gold Medal and 95 points at the 2026 Cairns Wine Show.
- Why it is my pick: a 95-point Margaret River Shiraz that dramatically overdelivers for its price.
Classic Cabernet
My favourite Cabernet wines of 2026
One beautifully mature Great Southern Cabernet and one young Margaret River wine that might be among the smartest Cabernet buys of the year.
Favourite – Best
Rockcliffe Single Site Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
- A single-site Great Southern Cabernet with blackcurrant, black cherry, plum, subtle mint and dark chocolate.
- Firm but polished, with fine chalky tannins, savoury depth and a long, mouthwatering finish.
- Extra appeal: the 2018 vintage has already gained valuable bottle age, adding complexity without sacrificing structure.
- Why it is my pick: mature, composed Cabernet with genuine drive and the structure to continue developing.
Favourite – Value
Domaine Naturaliste Rebus Cabernet Sauvignon 2024
- Glazed cherry, violet and graphite aromas over blackberry, liquorice, cacao and slate.
- Concentrated and structured, yet supple and smooth, with beautifully fine tannins.
- Accolades: 95 points from Halliday Wine Companion and 96 points from Partners in Wine WA.
- Why it is my pick: a serious Margaret River Cabernet that tastes considerably more expensive than it is.
Cool-climate reds
My favourite Pinot Noir wines of 2026
Western Australian Pinot Noir continues to become more exciting. My two favourites come from Pemberton and the Great Southern, and both capture the elegance and detail I want from the variety.
Favourite – Best
Picardy Pinot Noir 2023
- Fragrant raspberry, cherry and red fruit with truffle, subtle earth and a fine limestone character.
- Silky, poised and quietly powerful, with exceptional length and cellaring potential.
- Accolade: 97 points from Ray Jordan.
- Why it is my pick: a benchmark Pemberton Pinot Noir that combines real power with remarkable finesse.
Favourite – Value
Out On A Limb Pinot Noir 2023
- Vibrant red fruit, subtle spice and earthy complexity in an elegant Great Southern style.
- Estate grown from premium Burgundy clones 115 and 777 using low-impact viticulture.
- Small production: only 2,000 bottles were made.
- Why it is my pick: delicate but full of character, with far more detail than you normally find at this price.
Something different
My other favourite red wines of 2026
Tempranillo is wonderfully food friendly and particularly well suited to anyone who enjoys medium-bodied reds with savoury spice. These are two very different but equally enjoyable expressions.
Favourite – Best
Singlefile Great Southern Tempranillo 2025
- Medium bodied, silky and juicy, with red and dark berries, black cherry, earthy spice and a subtle leafy lift.
- Bright acidity and supple tannins make it serious enough for the cellar but highly drinkable now.
- Accolade: 95 points from Ray Jordan.
- Why it is my pick: polished, vibrant and a compelling example of how well Tempranillo suits the Great Southern.
Favourite – Value
Woodgate Tempranillo Shiraz 2023
- A Manjimup blend of 70% Tempranillo and 30% Shiraz.
- Cherry and plum meet dark berries, pepper, savoury earth and spice.
- The Tempranillo brings freshness and savoury character, while Shiraz adds depth and generosity.
- Why it is my pick: bold, smooth, versatile and exceptionally easy to enjoy with food—or without it.
So, what am I drinking tonight?
That still depends on the weather, the food and the previously mentioned moon. If it is warm, there is every chance the Sittella Chenin Blanc or Howard Park Petit Jeté will be open. If there is steak involved, the Rebus Cabernet will be difficult to overlook. On a cooler night, I could very happily settle in with the Smallwater Shiraz.
The good news is that there is no wrong place to start. Every wine on this list earned its position because it offers something memorable—whether that is sheer quality, genuine value or simply the ability to make me look forward to the next glass.
Find your own favourite
You can shop every bottle featured above through Partners in Wine WA. Mix any six wines and receive an automatic 5% discount, with free personal delivery available across Perth metro on orders over $75.
Explore Western Australian wines
Not sure which one suits you? Email info@partnersinwine.com.au. Tell me what you normally drink and what you would like to spend, and I will happily point you in the right direction.
