98 POINTS // $349
YALUMBA
the caley
COONAWARRA & BAROSSA
CABERNET
& SHIRAZ 2014
The third release of Yalumba’s superstar proves the sheer consistency of the great Australian blend to transcend its seasons. A superstar in superb purity, fine-tuned tannins and tremendous persistence. It’s beautifully fragrant, eloquently effortless and promises an enduring future. Benchmark.
97 POINTS // $130
WOLF BLASS
black label
CABERNET SHIRAZ 2017
To pack such density of black fruits into a chassis so streamlined and structured yet perfectly polished is a monumental achievement indeed, rocketing this Cuvée to the front of the pack as the winner of The Great Australian Red 2019. Its purity, energy and super fine tannins will sustain it for decades. Hands-down the greatest Black Label I have ever tasted.
97 POINTS // $390
HENSCHKE
HILL OF ROSES
EDEN VALLEY SHIRAZ 2015
Hill of Roses is young vine (currently 27 years old) Hill of Grace, and 2015 is infused with all of the fragrant floral perfume and exotic Chinese five spice that denotes this legendary site. An effortless core of red fruits is underscored by finely textured tannins and impeccably supported by dark chocolate oak. With outstanding line and length, this goes down as the greatest Hill of Roses yet, and must surely leave Stephen Henschke pondering how soon these vines might graduate to the big boy.
96 POINTS // $165
HENSCHKE
CYRIL HENSCHKE
EDEN VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2015
A benchmark and definitive Cyril, with an air of dry Eden Valley grass tossing in the hot north wind, and of Hutton Vale lamb, set with the concentration of the tiniest blackcurrants conceivable. A triumph of a legendary vintage, set to go down as one of the greats.
95 POINTS // $65
YALUMBA
The Signature
Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2015
The 46th release of Yalumba’s historic blend unites centuries of experience with all the brilliance that was 2015 in the Barossa. It’s densely packed with crunchy berry fruits, eloquently boosted with dark chocolate oak and framed in magnificently fine tannins. One of the greats.
95 POINTS // $35
pepperjack
CERTIFIED
SHIRAZ CABERNET 2017
With gorgeous Shiraz succulence at the fore, seamlessly meshed with Cabernet’s backbone and skilfully understated dark chocolate oak, it’s little wonder that this blend has won a coveted hat-trick of trophies in The Great Australian Red competition three years running. It’s impeccably assembled and downright delicious.
94 POINTS // $200
Turkey flat vineyards
the ancestor
shiraz
2016
All the deep, brooding power of 1847 vines in a dry season build grand concentration of satsuma plum, liquorice and black olive, underlined by confidently supportive dark chocolate oak. It holds its proportions with dignity, framed in fine-ground tannins of graceful confidence.
94 POINTS // $95
TUESNER
RIGHTEOUS
MATARO
2015
The black jube succulence of Mataro at full ripeness marries with the fine dark chocolate of French oak, sustained and energised in equal measure by tense, sappy acidity and firm, fine tannin structure. Even at a full 15% on the Richter scale, it is built with the acid poise and tannin endurance to age long.
93 POINTS // $25
turkey flat vineyards
barossa valley
White marsanne viogner
roussanne
2018
A super sophisticated and masterfully crafted blend that seamlessly fuses crunchy, slippery white fruits with a dash of classy new French oak and just the right amount of phenolic grip (thanks to skilfully executed extended skin contact) to keep the finish upright and lively.
93 POINTS // $22
turkey flat vineyards
rosÉ 2019
Now 100% Grenache, this famous label looks more refined, more fragrant, more textural, more persistent and more sophisticated with each passing vintage. A pale salmon hue heralds an effortless and pitch-perfect unity between red fruits, savoury allure and finely structured mouthfeel. For all it represents, a triumph, and hands-down the best yet.
93 POINTS // $45
henschke
julius
eden valley riesling
2019
A precise and immediately endearing vintage for Julius, this is a Riesling that leads out with cool tension of granny smith apple and lime, yet with balanced ripeness and harmonious rather than searing acidity. Subtle guava complexity makes for early appeal, yet with great promise for the medium-term.
93 POINTS // $35
yalumba
vine vale
barossa valley
grenache 2017
Yalumba has long been a leader in Barossa Grenache, and this is a delightfully lighter style in their hallowed halls. It encapsulates all the red fruits and exotic spice that distinguish this variety, with a wonderfully floral fragrance, fine, soft tannins and vibrant acid line. A delicious Grenache and consumately versatile on the table.
92 POINTS // $70
JOHN DUVAL WINES
ANNEXUS
BAROSSA
GRENACHE 2017
Old vine, low yielding Barossa Grenache finds tang, vibrancy and tension in the cool 2017 season, clocking in at refreshingly low alcohol. It brims with spice and vibrant red berry fruits, structured with an impressively confident, fine cage of tannins that promise surprising longevity. Patience.
92 POINTS // $40
Turkey Flat Vineyards
Grenache 2018
Turkey Flat has long been a standout in Barossa Grenache. Sourced from vines predominantly more than a century of age, this is a ripe vintage that balances raspberry jam and wild strawberry personality with finely structured tannins and just the right level of crunch and bite.
92 POINTS // $35
TUESNER
THE DOG
STRANGLER
MATARO
2017
By stark contrast to its name, this is a particularly tame Mataro, with the freshness of crunchy rhubarb over a succulent core of strawberry and raspberry fruit. True to its aspiration, this is a soft style of gentle, cuddly tannins, well freshened by lively acidity. It concludes long and enticing. Versatile in food-matching dexterity, it will improve for the medium-term. Impressive.
92 POINTS // $27
TUESNER
THE RIEBKE
BAROSSA VALLEY SHIRAZ
2017
Teusner’s bargain Barossa Shiraz rises to the cool 2017 vintage, more tangy and spicy that ever, accented with rhubarb and spicy berries, while upholding its inimitable core of Barossa milk chocolate, fine tannins and signature balance.
92 POINTS // $12
JACOB'S CREEK
CLASSIC RIESLING 2019
Varietal, refreshing, tense, focused and delicious, even a dry, low-yielding harvest has done nothing to hinder the stamina and confidence of the best uber-bargain Riesling on the planet. It’s packed with classic kaffir lime, granny smith apple and lemon, charged with great concentration, energy – and it will age, too! Set to go down among the greats, and I can’t say I’ve ever said that of a wine at this price (and frequently discounted by half!).
91 POINTS // $27.50
Paisley Wines
DENIM MATARO 2017
Mataro comes alive in the cool 2017 season, more peppery, spicy, tangy, vibrant and characterful than ever. A lively acid line unites with sensitively tamed tannins to define a long, refreshing and particularly food-friendly finish. It will age, too.
91 POINTS // $25
BETHANY
FIRST VILLAGE
BAROSSA VALLEY GSM
2018
A smart new rebrand for Bethany tastes as good as it looks. Long a Grenache specialist, equal parts of Shiraz and Mataro build structure and depth to the vibrant red fruits and spice of old vine Grenache. The result is fresh, flamboyant, fruity and enticing.
89 POINTS // $25
henschke
peggy's hill
eden valley riesling
2019
2019 is a generous and juicy vintage for Peggy’s, making for a Riesling ready to drink right away. Orange blossom, guava and mandarin mark out a ripe style, accented by exotic complexity, ready for fusion cuisine action.