James Halliday – "Glorious wine. Untold depths of the richest blackberry and plum fruit with a magically bright finish ex livewire acidity." 99 Points - James Halliday, The Weekend Australian
Wine Enthusiast – "Medium deep crimson. Intense blackberry, mulberry praline aromas with mocha sage herb garden notes. Superbly concentrated wine with deep set pure blackberry, dark plum, mulberry fruits, fine slinky tannins, attractive mid-palate richness and underlying mocha, vanilla notes. Finishes firm with chinotto, hint marzipan notes. Superb mineral length, vigour and extract."
(99 points, Andrew Caillard MW,
The Vintage Journal)
Decanter – Delivers a soft perfume with a puff of talc and a slim flavour profile. It’s alluringly feminine; soft and elegant, piqued with pretty notes of lemon pith and a pinch of perfumed bath salts. Seductive.
James Suckling – 2018 Vintage Review - “This is so very complex and fragrant with such impressive Eden Valley spice and blueberry fruit, as well as dark-stone nuances. The blueberry flavors are so pure and essence-like and silky tannins carry the flavors so deep and vivid. Seamless. Drink over the next fifteen years.” - Nick Stock, James Suckling’s Top 100 Australian Wines of 2021
Decanter – Everything great about Eden Valley Riesling is captured here – a magical, effortless swirl of fresh citrus enveloped by the sharp mineral lick of wet granite and amplified by a burst of bright acidity. The mid-palate shows luscious lime syrup rolling along on a gentle acid tide, and exceptionally long flavours extend all the way to a sustained final note. It’s gorgeous in its youth but with all the right attributes to flourish for decades in the cellar. Outstanding.
The Wine Front – Clean and pure, lemon and lime squeezed into mineral water, a lavender perfume, ultra-fine crushed rock texture, and a cool and very long slaty finish. Very fine Eden Riesling. No coarseness. High class. Say no more.
The Wine Front – Super value, as ever.
Lillies and lemon barley, lime and grapefruit, punch and sure-footed, some crunch and chalkiness in texture, and a refreshing, slightly bitter, that reminds of gin and tonic with a good hit of lime. Delicious. Good now too.
James Halliday – Matured for almost 2 years in French hogsheads (40% new). An impressive follow-on from the '15, with an unusual
lacquered palate of a panoply of black fruits and spices. It flows evenly and without hurry along toasty oak without a breath
of alcohol heat, the cedary aromas and flavours of the French oak slotting into the finish and aftertaste. This wine has had
balance from the word go, its long term future gold-plated.
James Halliday – From two blocks on the Avon Brae vineyard
in the Eden Valley and a single vineyard
in the Barossa Valley, open-fermented,
matured in French barriques (15% new)
for almost 2 years before blending.
The Reynell clone has for many, many
years been regarded as awesome
when used with French oak, this one
of innumerable examples. the wine is
very complex, with a suite of flavours
inching to the spice/licorice of cool
grown shiraz. A snap at the price.
James Halliday – “This is a beautiful wine, its aroma, its palate, its weight, its varietal and regional expression giving rise to a continuous stream of velvety pleasure. Flawless”
James Halliday – "... I love the transparency of the Barossa’s cooler seasons, in such articulate detail here that all 4 varieties are clearly visible in all their glory. Unashamedly medium bodied, refreshing and enticing, yet in no way underpowered, simplistic or short lived. Crunchy berry fruits, fine-ground tannins and vibrant acidity unite to marvellous effect and outstanding line and length. It takes some skill, dexterity and humility in the winery to allow fruit of such elegance to really sing. A classic Barossa blend with a long future before it.”
13 AUGUST 2021 - Tyson Stelzer, Halliday Wine Companion
Huon Hooke – This blend of shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and merlot has a track record of consistency, and ages beautifully. It’s labelled Barossa, a zone that embraces Eden Valley as well as Barossa Valley proper.
It certainly tastes like a Henschke Eden Valley red, with tell-tale raspberry and sage among various dried-herb and spice aromas, floral and earthy nuances too. It’s deliciously fruit-sweet, almost lush in the mouth, the masses of fine, subtly drying tannins keeping the finish and aftertaste neat and disciplined. A lovely wine, approachable already but certainly built to last and will be reward even a few years in the cellar. (Screwcap)
James Halliday – Has the same felicitous oak handling as its
Shiraz sibling, even staring down the challenge
of cabernet sauvignon. Mind you, it is a
powerful cabernet, with a depth and range of
cassis/blackcurrant/mulberry flavours tied to
its bedrock of tannin, and does need patience.
James Suckling – This aged-release 2015 has developed toasty lemon and lime-peel aromas, as well as a vividly fresh palate that has teflon-like restraint and purity. A late developer, this has scintillating length and drive. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
James Suckling – "An elegant impression with fine, stony minerals, apples, lemons and grapefruit. The palate has a very sleek and freshly contained feel with succulent, juicy lemon and white-peach flavors. Tight finish. Drink now. Screw cap." James Suckling
James Halliday – Halliday Wine Companion
I must admit, I have a soft spot for off-dry riesling. Disclaimer: I'm a Kiwi and a fan of German wines so this makes sense, but I've always enjoyed the Prima. Those fresh lime and crunchy apple notes are there, sluiced with soft spice and heady blossom notes, but I love the dance between sweetness and acid, the tension, and the tempering effect of the acidity on the perception of sweetness. It's about balance and the Prima gets it right, especially in the impressive 2021 vintage.
Dave Brookes
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.