Wine Enthusiast – 19.5+/20
- (99 Points) “When a wine has this degree of deliciousness, extraordinary build quality, and perhaps most importantly, a
massive emotional hook, it does its job perfectly. Made from the finest parcel of fruit in Ben’s Ebenezer
vineyard, this is a wine that does not waver from its mission to graffiti Ben’s bane on your palate with
indelible Shiraz ink. The volume of fruit is staggering, but its delivery is incredibly measured and even, and this
is the trick. Rã is not a monster wine but a monstrously long wine. It is perfectly polished and amazingly
spicy, with never-ending layers of fruit and immense class. It is also drinking well, which is a surprise, but the
vintage is generous with seamless fruit and unique allure. I feel it will maintain its welcoming and rewarding
attitude for two decades, so you are in no hurry to pop a cork! While this icon wine has an iconic flavour, I
must urge you to seek it out. Imagine all of Ben’s experience and skill in just one bottle - Rã is it.” - 19.5+/20
- (99 Points) Matthew Jukes
Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – 98 Points - "The 2018 The Eye of Ra Shiraz is wildly aromatic: blood plum, pastrami, cracked peppercorns, clove bud, mountain herbs (alpine mint?), boysenberry, blackberry (actually, every black berry you can name), dark
chocolate, squid ink, blueberry, resin and char. In the mouth, the wine is velvety and concentrated, with a
surprising amount of detail embedded and embossed into the folds of tannin that shape the wine. This is very
big, make no mistake, but also balanced between its sweet and savory sides. A galaxy of complexity exists in
this glass. It shows the 2018 vintage off to its best effect: ripe, dense, concentrated, fresh and beguiling.
Super good. The drinking window is conservative, however, as I prefer a modicum of primary fruit. It's
important to note that it will age gracefully beyond that point, so it is up to you... The fruit for this cuvée is
from Ebenezer, largely from Adrian Hoffman. Diverse soil types in the vineyard allow for diversity in picking
and fruit flavors; this here is from the sandy/free-draining sections of the Ebenezer vineyard—from four
blocks in the vineyard. It was handpicked, and picked based on flavor, then crushed, destemmed and cold
fermented, barrel selection. It matured in 300-liter hogsheads for 14-16 months, in a combination of French
oak coopers (100% new). Packaged in a black metal box, under natural cork and wax, this is a superstar." (98
points. Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate April 2023)
James Halliday – From the sixth-generation Riebke growers, deeply coloured and unashamedly full-bodied, gritty tannins standing guard over wild blackberry fruit. A degree of patience is absolutely essential, but will be rewarded thanks to the overall balance of the wine.
The Wine Front – Shiraz from Greenock and Stonewell in the Barossa Valley. Open fermented, basket pressed, no new oak, bottled unfined and unfiltered. Old school Barossa, in a new school way.
Barossa shiraz is such a pleasurable beast when it’s allowed to run free. This is the famous fruit in all its deep, dark, blackberried glory. It’s fresh but intense, simple in a straight-shooting way, intricately tannic and lengthy. I’d reckon they’ve nailed it. It’s sturdy but pretty; it drinks ever-so-well.
Sweet and ripe. This is luscious red wine drinking. Tar, honey, baked plums and dried herbs. It loads up the palate with flavour, all sweet and loose and delicious.
James Halliday – "Hailing from a single Marananga vineyard, concentrated grapes saw an extended maceration and a complex oak regime: all French, divvied across barrel formats of different sizes and ages. The result: full-bodied and plush, sure; but beautifully fresh and boasting a stream of boysenberry, lilac, anise, Asian spice and satsuma plum scents, curtailed by oak tannins, nicely applied." Ned Goodwin, Halliday Wine Companion
The Wine Front – Gary Walsh - 94 Points - So purple. So good. It’s spicy, floral, liquorice, dark fruits and boysenberry, with a bloody ‘mineral’ character from the Mataro. Light grip of open-weave tannin, freshness and vigour, and a long shapely finish. Wonderful expression of Barossa here.
James Halliday – 45/35/25% grenache, shiraz and mataro; vines up to 80yo; small open fermenters, wild yeast, 10% whole bunch; 2-week ferment, hand-plunged. The rich bouquet, hinting at luscious fruits, doesn't deceive. A vibrant, supple cherry/plum/raspberry trifecta.
James Halliday Wine Companion 2023, 3 August, 2022
Wine production in Australia boasts a rich history that dates back to the 18th century. From its humble beginnings, the wine industry in the country has flourished, leveraging the varied climatic zones to cultivate a diverse array of grape varieties. While regions like Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, and Hunter Valley might ring familiar to many, there are over 60 wine regions in Australia, each with its unique terroir and specialties.
One of the standout features of Australian winemaking is the innovative spirit. From pioneering new viticultural techniques to experimenting with grape varieties not traditionally associated with the Australian terroir, winemakers consistently push boundaries. This zeal for innovation is balanced by a deep respect for tradition, resulting in wines that are both groundbreaking and deeply rooted in the country's winemaking legacy.
Shiraz might be the grape most synonymous with Australian wine, but the country also produces exceptional Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Riesling, among others. The complexity, depth, and character of Australian wines make them a favorite on the global stage, celebrated for their uniqueness and authenticity.
Wine grapes arrived in Australia in 1788 with its first colonists. However, experts credit James Busby for popularising viticulture in the country in 1833, when he brought many wine grapes to Australia, including the now-famous Shiraz (AKA Syrah). Wine production exists in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania. Most vineyards are near the coast, where the grapevines benefit from the oceanic cooling breeze, while irrigated regions inland are also a significant source of wine. Australia has both warm and cold wine regions. Some are a few miles from the seashore, and others are on the mountains.
Shiraz is Australia’s flagship grape. The French variety feels right at home in the country, especially in South Australia (the country’s most important wine region.) Shiraz is the most planted varietal in Australia, followed closely by Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. Other grapes with significant plantings include Merlot, Pinot Noir, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and those used to make GSM blends along with Shiraz — Grenache and Mourvedre. You’ll also be surprised to find rare grapes in Australia, from Italian Nebbiolo to Spanish Tempranillo. Of course, these wines are hard to find but worth seeking.
For types of wine, the most popular wine styles in Australia are youthful red wines made with Syrah, oak-aged Chardonnay, age-worthy Shiraz and Cabernet, and elegant Pinot Noir. Fragrant Riesling and refreshing Sauvignon and Semillon are famous, too! Fortified wines were once the most celebrated wine style in Australia. Although the category still exists, it has fallen out of fashion as dry table wines dominate the global wine market. And let’s not forget about the refreshing sparkling wines produced in several Australian regions, most notably in Tasmania — they are amongst the best in the world.
Wine is a noble drink. You usually get what you pay for. Fine wine is expensive to make, and it’s often produced in small quantities. That means that the best wines in Australia are not cheap. Having said that, Australia is a source of extraordinarily well-priced wine, and the quality-price ratio is very convenient, especially for everyday wines. The most age-worthy red wines from prestigious regions like Barossa and Eden Valley can go for a few hundred dollars, while inexpensive Shiraz or Chardonnay from the irrigated area inland are often inexpensive.
The best Australian wines are the ones you like the most. The good news? Australian winemakers produce all types of wine to satisfy your every need. Look for Australian wine in World Wine and choose your favourite. From collector’s items to lovely weeknight sippers. Australia has it all!
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
Delivery Times
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 3-6 working days.
Quality Guarantee
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
Sending a Gift
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 3-6 working days.
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.