96 POINTS // $70
Yalumba
The Signature
Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2021
The expression of Cabernet in the Barossa’s coolest seasons is something to behold, and Yalumba has captured this with particular fragrance and textbook varietal definition in the stunning 2021 vintage, putting forth a benchmark Signature of beautifully refined and pristine purity. Bright, cool season acidity and refined, beautifully fine-grained tannins promise grand longevity. One of the greats in the distinguished lineage of The Signature.
96 POINTS // $200
Torbreck
Les Amis
2021
A Grenache of profound complexity and depth, capturing the presence of deep-set fruit in a rich kaleidoscope of black and red fruits, underlined with liquorice and dark chocolate. A fine-woven web of tannins lace everything together seamlessly, carrying a finish of profound line and length. A dramatic Les Amis that stands tall among the finest to date.
95 POINTS // $50
St Hugo
Barossa
Grenache Shiraz Mataro 2023
This is serious GSM for the long-haul, crafted with all the fine-tuned engineering of the Jacob’s Creek red winemaking team. Two-thirds Grenache provides the raspberry and wild strawberry core, while almost one-third Shiraz lends a dense overlay of black cherry and satsuma plum, with a dash of Mataro bringing depth to its firm, fine tannin profile. High class oak rises to the challenge, confirming its endurance.
94 POINTS // $90
Paisley Wines
Texture Series
Angaston Shiraz 2019
This cool, high vineyard in Angaston has made for a bright and vibrant Shiraz that transcends its warm and dry vintage. Spicy black fruits are underlined by sarsaparilla, cola and liquorice. Fine, confident tannins promise a great future in the cellar.
93 POINTS // $32
Hatch
Flaxman's
Eden Valley Riesling 2023
True to the 2023 season, there’s a subtle exoticism to Chris Hatcher’s inaugural eponymous Riesling. From a single vineyard high in Flaxman’s Valley, it’s cut with purity of lime and lemon, fleshed out with the juicy spiciness of golden kiwi and kaffir lime. This makes it approachably fleshy from the outset, with the fine acid structure for the medium-term.
93 POINTS // $30
Camino
Grenache Rosé
2023
From the 1912 Hemera vineyard in Lyndoch, this is an elegantly pale and dry Rosé, finely textured by wild fermentation and six months maturation on full lees. I love its strawberry hull and pink grapefruit tang, its finely textured grip and its sophisticated, bone dry finish. Serious Rosé.
93 POINTS // $7560
Kaesler
Avignon
GSM 2021
Ninety four year old Grenache and Mourvèdre, and 59-year-old Shiraz vines unite with magnificent harmony in a blend of stature and distinction. It delivers all the depth and impact that we expect of Kaesler, brightened and refined by the cool 2021 season and masterfully polished by Tim Dolan.
92 POINTS // $50
Craft vs Science
Shiraz
2021
Sourced from Stuart Bloomfield’s favourite vineyard of his father-in-law Robert Schrapel, the brightness of the 2021 harvest makes for a fine-grained and bright Bethany Shiraz layered with blueberry, blackberry and plum fruit, backed confidently with milk and dark chocolate. Fine tannins trace a long finish.
97 POINTS // $315
Henschke
Mount Edelstone Shiraz 2013
The 61st vintage from these 101 year old vines was long one of my favourite Mount Edelstones and it’s exciting to see it re-released for a rousing encore! Another six years in the Henschke cellars have slowly elevated its savoury, spicy and dark chocolate complexity, without diminishing its bountiful core of dark berry fruits of all kinds. Fine tannin confidence promises many more years of potential still. A glorious Mount Edelstone!
94 POINTS // $40
Eden Hall Wines
Reserve Eden Valley Riesling 2022
A Riesling built for the long haul, there is concentration here of kaffir lime, white pepper and granny smith apple, set to a high tensile structure of cool season Eden Valley acidity. Impressive persistence confirms great potential.
94 POINTS // $36
The Willows Vineyard
G Seven Grenache 2023
These 1969 vines in Light Pass are sensitively tended by the Scholz family, and the elegant definition of their fruits are well preserved in old demi-muids. I love the resulting brightness of its red fruits, finely textured tannins and gentle, spicy allure. A Grenache of grace and class. Value, too.
94 POINTS // $45
Turkey Flat Vineyards
Grenache 2022
Turkey Flat has been a benchmark of Barossa Grenache since long before it became trendy, and stands out as a distinctive and definitive style. The cool 2022 season and a touch of whole bunches unite to lift the spicy, herbal, rose hip and rhubarb complexity that brings lift and interest to its signature raspberry core. Firm, fine tannins and bright acidity promise an exciting future. A great vintage for Turkey Flat.
94 POINTS // $60
Penfolds
Bin 138 Barossa Valley Grenache Shiraz Mataro 2022
There’s a wonderful integration and effortless, fine-boned integrity to this blend in the excellent, cool 2022 season. The supple red fruits of Grenache are intricately woven with the black fruit depth of Shiraz and the savoury mood and fine-grained tannin structure of Mataro. Outstanding fruit purity and enduring longevity set apart another great Bin 138.
94 POINTS // $37
Teusner
Joshua Grenache Mataro Shiraz 2023
Joshua has become the benchmark of unoaked Barossa GMS, and I love the way the cool 2023 season lifts its fragrance, spice and tang. Thrity seven per cent Mataro is a strong inclusion, and it holds it impeccably, presenting the fine, confident tannin structure to stand strong in the absence of oak. A core of elegant, cool season red and black berry fruits carry a long finish. All class.
93 POINTS // $49
Grant Burge
Corryton Park Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
The great Corryton Park is in a strong place in the cool 2021 season, drawing out the blackcurrant and cassis depth of Cabernet Sauvignon and lifting it with bright acidity. Fine-grained fruit tannins are well emphasised by impressive dark chocolate French oak, carrying a long and harmonious finish that will confidently take the next two decades in its stride.
93 POINTS // $95
Charles Melton
Grains of Paradise Shiraz 2021
From a core of 1927 vines in Rowland Flat, this is a Shiraz of spicy depth, contrasting with the nutty influence of more than two years in French oak barrels, enlivened with the tang of the cool and classic 2021 season. At once plush and lively, it will blossom with a few years in the cellar.
92 POINTS // $41
Gibson
Duke Grenache 2022
An accurate expression of Barossa Grenache, layered with red cherry, strawberry and blackberry fruits, structured with fine-grained tannins. Lingering herbal and rose hip complexity defines an appealing style.
92 POINTS // $33
Barr-Eden Estate
Dream of Gold Shiraz 2022
Classic Eden Valley, juxtaposing depth of spicy, black berry fruits with the vibrancy of cool season tang. At once dark and deep and yet bright and lively, it’s confidently supported equally by energetic, crunchy acidity and medium-grained tannins.
92 POINTS // $45
John Duval Wines
Plexus Shiraz Grenache Mourvèdre 2022
Led by an almost equal majority of Shiraz and Grenache, this is a full-bodied, black-fruited blend enlivened by the bright, tangy acidity of the cool 2022 season. Fifteen months maturation in French oak barrels weaves everything together. It will appreciate some years of bottle age for its firm, fine tannins to harmonise.
91 POINTS // $28
Stage Door Wine Co
Eden Valley Riesling 2022
Sourced from the Eden Hall vineyard, fruit picked at full ripeness furnishes a contrast of intense concentration with the tension and energy of the cool 2022 season. Rich and spicy baked apple fruit is cut with tangy lime and lemon.