CorkCork

Great Southern

Australia

About Great Southern

Great Southern is the cool corner of Western Australia and the country's largest wine region by area, with five distinct sub-regions to its name. Albany and Denmark sit on the wild south coast and lean maritime; Mount Barker and Frankland River sit inland and lean continental; Porongurup climbs the granite slopes of its namesake range. The regional headliner is Riesling - lean, lime-driven and built to age, with Frankland Estate and Plantagenet long set as the benchmarks. Cool-climate Shiraz is the other speciality (peppery, medium-bodied), with Pinot Noir from the coastal fringe and Cabernet from inland filling out the picture. Less famous than Margaret River up the coast, but a region the trade has been quietly betting on for years.

Vintage Ratings

Rating:
95+
90-94
85-89
80-84
<80
PeakReadyHold
Year20242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005
Red
White

Outstanding Great Southern Vintages

The best recent vintages rated excellent or exceptional.

Red

2024

Ready
95Exceptional

Early reports point to a high-quality, even vintage across Great Southern. Riesling looks particularly precise and cool-climate Shiraz shows fine structure.

2023

Ready
94Excellent

Cool, late season with a mild summer. Rieslings are lean and long, while Shiraz and Pinot Noir show fragrance and fine tannin.

2022

Ready
96Exceptional

Outstanding vintage across Western Australia. Long, dry ripening produced concentrated Riesling and structured, age-worthy Cabernet and Shiraz.

2021

Ready
95Exceptional

Excellent season with even ripening and low disease pressure. Riesling is taut and citrus-driven; reds show depth and balance.

2020

Ready
94Excellent

Smaller crop after a dry winter. Wines are concentrated and well-structured, particularly Cabernet from Mount Barker and Frankland River.

2019

Ready
93Excellent

Warm, dry growing season. Riper, more generous reds with plenty of fruit weight; Riesling slightly riper in style than the regional norm.

2018

Ready
96Exceptional

Excellent vintage. Long, even ripening produced powerful yet balanced Shiraz and Cabernet, with classic taut Riesling.

2017

Ready
95Exceptional

Cool, late season favoured by traditionalists. Lower alcohols, bright acidity and fragrant cool-climate Shiraz and Pinot Noir.

2016

Ready
93Excellent

Warm vintage with generous yields. Ripe, plush reds and slightly fuller Riesling; approachable earlier than 2018 or 2022.

2015

Ready
94Excellent

Smaller crop, high quality. Riesling is concentrated with classic lime and slate lift; reds are structured and ageing well.

White

2024

Ready
95Exceptional

Early reports point to a high-quality, even vintage across Great Southern. Riesling looks particularly precise and cool-climate Shiraz shows fine structure.

2023

Ready
94Excellent

Cool, late season with a mild summer. Rieslings are lean and long, while Shiraz and Pinot Noir show fragrance and fine tannin.

2022

Ready
96Exceptional

Outstanding vintage across Western Australia. Long, dry ripening produced concentrated Riesling and structured, age-worthy Cabernet and Shiraz.

2021

Ready
95Exceptional

Excellent season with even ripening and low disease pressure. Riesling is taut and citrus-driven; reds show depth and balance.

2020

Ready
94Excellent

Smaller crop after a dry winter. Wines are concentrated and well-structured, particularly Cabernet from Mount Barker and Frankland River.

2019

Ready
93Excellent

Warm, dry growing season. Riper, more generous reds with plenty of fruit weight; Riesling slightly riper in style than the regional norm.

2018

Ready
96Exceptional

Excellent vintage. Long, even ripening produced powerful yet balanced Shiraz and Cabernet, with classic taut Riesling.

2017

Ready
95Exceptional

Cool, late season favoured by traditionalists. Lower alcohols, bright acidity and fragrant cool-climate Shiraz and Pinot Noir.

2016

Ready
93Excellent

Warm vintage with generous yields. Ripe, plush reds and slightly fuller Riesling; approachable earlier than 2018 or 2022.

2015

Ready
94Excellent

Smaller crop, high quality. Riesling is concentrated with classic lime and slate lift; reds are structured and ageing well.

Curious about Great Southern? Save it to your Discoveries and tick it off when you taste your first wine.

Sub-regions

Loading map...

Terroir & Character

Climate

CoolMaritime to continentalLong ripeningDiverse

Terroir

GravelGraniteLoamLaterite

Typical Aromas

LimeSlateBlack pepperForest fruitsMushroomEucalyptus
Explore the aroma wheel

Map data: Wine Australia GI Register (CC BY 4.0)