Greg Norman Shiraz Cabernet

Greg Norman Shiraz Cabernet is an Australian red blend of 80% Shiraz and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Limestone Coast, bottled at 13.5% ABV in a 750ml format. The 2019 vintage earned 89 points from Wine Enthusiast, and earlier vintages collected a Platinum Award at the 2015 Sommelier Challenge International Wine Competition and Silver medals at both the International Wine & Spirit Competition and the Sydney Royal Competitions.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Limestone Coast, South Australia  |  Style: Shiraz-Cabernet Blend  |  Producer: Greg Norman Estates

Production & Heritage

Greg Norman Estates is the wine label of Australian golfing legend Greg Norman, focused on producing varietal-driven wines that express Australia's premier growing regions. The Shiraz Cabernet is sourced from the Limestone Coast, a cool-climate zone in southeastern South Australia known for its terra rossa soils and extended growing seasons that allow red varieties to ripen slowly and develop concentrated flavor. The wine undergoes oak maturation that contributes cedar, vanilla, and mocha characters to the final blend, with the high proportion of Shiraz driving the fruit-forward personality while the Cabernet Sauvignon adds structural tannin and depth.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with rich dark fruit—blackberry jam, mulberry, and black cherry—layered over Szechuan peppercorn, clove, and a whisper of mint. Underneath the fruit, oak-derived notes of chocolate, coconut, and cedar add complexity.

Taste: On entry, the palate is fuller-bodied than many wines in this price tier, delivering ripe plum, boysenberry, and cherry flavors with a cola-tinged oak backbone. The mid-palate reveals fresh pomegranate and red fruit acidity that keeps the wine lively. Taut, silky tannins from the Cabernet component provide structure without astringency.

Finish: The finish is long and lingering, carrying dark berry compote and a faint peppery spice. Finely balanced acidity extends the close and leaves the palate clean.

How to Drink Greg Norman Shiraz Cabernet

This blend drinks well at cellar temperature, around 60–65°F, poured into a large-bowled glass that lets the spice and fruit aromatics open up. Decanting for 20–30 minutes can soften the tannins and amplify the chocolate and berry layers.

• Red Wine Sangria — the bold dark fruit and spice translate naturally into a sangria base with sliced stone fruit and a splash of brandy.
• Kalimotxo — the wine's ripe berry sweetness and structured tannin pair surprisingly well with cola in this classic Spanish two-ingredient serve.
• Mulled Wine — existing clove and cinnamon-adjacent spice notes mean less seasoning is needed, letting the wine's fruit character stay front and center.

Best For

• Weeknight dinner alongside grilled lamb or beef
• Introducing someone to bold Australian red blends
• Casual entertaining when a crowd-pleasing red is needed
• Building an everyday Australian wine rotation at accessible quality

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Greg Norman Shiraz Cabernet taste like? It delivers ripe blackberry, plum, and cherry fruit with undertones of chocolate, cola oak, and cracked pepper. The palate is full-bodied with silky tannins and balanced acidity that keeps the wine fresh.

How does Greg Norman Shiraz Cabernet compare to Jacob's Creek Shiraz Cabernet? Both are classic Australian Shiraz-Cabernet blends at a similar price point, but the Greg Norman bottling sources specifically from the cooler Limestone Coast, which tends to produce slightly more structured tannins and spice complexity. Jacob's Creek draws from broader South Eastern Australia fruit and generally shows a softer, more immediately approachable style.

Is Greg Norman Shiraz Cabernet good for beginners? Yes—its ripe fruit profile and smooth tannins make it approachable for new red wine drinkers, while enough oak and spice complexity keep experienced palates engaged.

Where is Greg Norman Shiraz Cabernet made? It is produced by Greg Norman Estates from vineyards in the Limestone Coast wine region of South Australia, a cool-climate zone south of Adelaide known for terra rossa soils and long, slow ripening seasons.

What foods pair well with Greg Norman Shiraz Cabernet? Grilled lamb chops benefit from the wine's peppery spice; slow-smoked beef brisket matches its rich dark fruit; aged cheddar echoes the wine's oak and tannin structure; eggplant parmigiana complements its plum and berry weight; and dark chocolate desserts mirror the mocha oak notes.

What sizes does Greg Norman Shiraz Cabernet come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Greg Norman Shiraz Cabernet worth the price? It positions as a value-tier Australian blend that consistently punches above its weight—an 89-point Wine Enthusiast score and multiple international medals place it among the stronger performers in the everyday red wine category.

Why Greg Norman Shiraz Cabernet?

The Limestone Coast sourcing gives this blend a cooler-climate backbone that sets it apart from many mass-market Australian reds blended from warmer inland zones. The 80/20 Shiraz-to-Cabernet ratio strikes a balance between fruit generosity and structural grip that rewards both casual drinking and thoughtful food pairing. Multiple competition medals—including Platinum at the Sommelier Challenge and Silver at the IWSC—validate its quality beyond the celebrity label. For drinkers seeking a reliable Australian red with genuine regional character, this blend consistently delivers more complexity than its price tier suggests.