Australia

Great Southern

Australia wine regions

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.

Australia wine regions

Vintages

40 · 2005–2024

Rating:

95+

90-94

85-89

80-84

<80

PeakReadyHold

Year	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012	2011	2010	2009	2008	2007	2006	2005
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.

Sub-regions

Climate

CoolMaritime to continentalLong ripeningDiverse

The sub-regions split the weather between them: cool, damp Southern Ocean air on the Albany and Denmark coast, warm days and cold nights in the drier inland reaches around Frankland River. Everywhere the season is long and the ripening gentle, with ocean winds pushing surprisingly far across the low, open landscape.

Terroir

GravelGraniteLoamLaterite

Lateritic gravel over clay loam is the regional signature, the same ancient weathered profile that runs through so much of Western Australia. The Porongurup adds some of the oldest granite on earth, with vines rooted in the coarse sandy soils shed from its domes, while the karri and marri forest country near the coast gives richer loams.

Typical Aromas

LimeSlateBlack pepperForest fruitsMushroomEucalyptus

Explore the aroma wheel