Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – "Spicy and pert, this 2020 The Eagle Shiraz incorporates a small component of whole bunch (about 15%), and
this elevates the spice component untold. It is a great inclusion, along with the subtle lacing of orange peel,
white pepper, blood orange, cinnamon, and blueberry. It's eminently classy, refined and electric, in its way. The
wine speaks eloquently of its place in the Victorian hills, but it also expounds fragrance, finesse and energy. It's
a super wine. You can drink this now, but it borders on frisky. I love it as is, but the wine will only gain in stature,
complexity and nuance as it ages. Five years from release might be a good rule of thumb, but you go your own
way. A good wine is good at every age." - Erin Larkin (The Wine Advocate)
James Halliday – Fabulous wine. Powerful, complex and long. Pure plum into meaty spice into forest berries into fragrant herbs.
You can taste the fruit, the soil and the wood, but it all presents as one. And then there's the finish. What a
finish. Structured, textural, flavoursome and long. This wine is the complete package.- Cambell Mattinson
Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – Powered by scents of pepper-studded smoked meat, mulberries and mocha, the 2016 Lieu-dit Malakoff Shiraz is a smooth, supple beauty. It's full-bodied without seeming overly rich, heavy or alcoholic, lined by silky, fine-grained tannins and showing impressive length on the finish. Yes, it's on the savory side of things, but that just provides a point of difference when it's tasted against many of its Australian peers.
James Halliday – Bright, full purple-crimson; tasted immediately post-bottling, and the tannins were exercising themselves. Once they've
settled down - and they will in a year to so - this could be a special wine as abundant cassis takes centre stage.
James Halliday – It's easy enough to list the flavours: spearmint, boysenberry, dark chocolate and pure blackcurrant, but it's the arrangement and more so the flamboyant flourish of them that really impresses. This is Dalwhinnie in dynamic good form. Integrated tannin ripples through the back half of the wine, as do sweet woodsmoke characters, and the finish is full of running and then some. - Campbell Mattinson (Halliday Wine Companion)
James Halliday – Raciness and flavour, combined with aplomb. Citrus, pear, slate and flint characters launch from the outset,
candied fruit and cedar notes emerging as it travels through the mouth. There's nothing lacking about this
wine, and yet it seems zippy and refreshing; it will build flesh as it matures and be better again for it.- Campbell Mattinson
James Halliday – "Dalwhinnie seldom misses the target, and certainly didn't in '15. This has Rolls Royce power, with no need to flaunt it. Black fruits of all descriptions have a (fruit) sweet edge that is quite delicious, the mouthfeel supple the palate of effortless length, French oak just a cog in the engine." - James Halliday (Halliday Wine Companion)
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.