Melbourne Cabernet Challenge

Melbourne welcomed 36 enthusiastic wine lovers to ANTARA 128 Dining in the city—a fantastic venue with great service, which I hope to make a regular spot for future events. A few tweaks, like a bit more food, may be needed, but those will come with time.

With an event of this size, hosting can be challenging, which is why I team up with Leigh (@lifebehindglass), an absolute legend, to help deliver an exceptional experience for everyone. Tasting through 12 Cabernets is no small feat, but when you’re sipping quality wine, it’s definitely manageable. Each wine is scored out of 20 in four brackets of three, keeping everyone engaged without overwhelming.

The tasting is blind—while guests know which wines are on pour, they never know the order. I reveal one wine per bracket to keep the excitement alive, offering enough hints to spark conversation without giving too much away. Creating an interactive, lively environment is one of my main goals, and having Leigh on board helps make that happen. Together, we cover all bases, able to engage with every type of wine lover, blending both knowledge and fun to suit each guest.

The results this round were impressive for Margaret River, with WA’s finest Cabs on full display. Vasse Felix Tom Cullity took the top spot, closely followed by Woodlands Xavier, while Wynns John Riddoch secured third, ensuring Coonawarra wasn’t left behind.

It’s important to note just how close these scores were—each wine held its own, with only slight differences across the board. With 50 guests in Perth about to cast their votes, the title could go to any of these 12 exceptional wines.

What’s next? I’m thinking a Chardonnay Challenge Part 2, where we’ll bring together Australia’s standout Chardonnays for a face-off with icons like Kevin John, Giaconda, and Tolpuddle. Let me know what you’d love to see on the tasting list!