Australia & NZ
These far-flung wine regions may be referred to ‘new’ when compared against the historic European wine regions, but they have a long winemaking history. Spared from Phylloxera, Australia in particular has world's highest concentration of venerable vines and legendary producers such as Penfolds, Henschke and Tyrell’s have been around for over 150 years. Though for many years piggybacking on Europe’s successes, branding their own wines as ‘Chablis’, ‘Hermitage’ etc., Australia now have created a real identity of their own, making inimitable styles like Coonawarra Cabernet or Hunter Valley Semillon.
New Zealand doesn’t quite have as an extensive history but has established itself in an astonishingly short amount of time as a reliable source of whistle clean, distinctive examples of varietals like Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc.
Australia & NZ
![Australia and New Zealand wine](https://media.cruworldwine.com/media/resized/500_300/catalog/category/australian-wine.jpg)
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Halliday Wine Companion (96)
Hand-picked and sorted, gently destemmed, partial whole berry adherence for stems, 4 days cold soak, wild-fermented, 14 days on skins, pressed to tight-grain puncheons for 8 months maturation. A layered palate interleaving velvety fruit and hints of forest on the long, medium-bodied palate. Trophy Best Pinot Noir Mornington Peninsula Wine Show.Inc. TAX€612.23 -
James Suckling (98)
This is a strong cross-regional combination. Immense depth of olives, cassis, blue plums and iodine with blackberries, earthy nuances, fragrant baking spices and chocolate. The palate is beautifully assembled with deep-set tannins that carry long and majestic. Rich dark-fruit flavors. A landmark first release that will drink well for decades. Drink from 2024.Inc. TAX€911.20 -
Matthew Jukes (19.5+)
2013 is a powerhouse, with density, structure and presence, but it is not a heavy wine! Instead, this is a cerebral, through-provoking number with layer upon layer of savoury, noble fruit. The differences between the yin and yang of these two vintages is also evident in the blend. 2012 was made of 79% Cabernet (of which 27% was Barossan and the lion’s share was from Coonawarra) and 21% Barossa Shiraz. In 2013 KG marries 55% Coonawarra Cabernet with 45% Barossa Shiraz. This is a more ‘historical-Aussie-claret-shaped’ wine and the extra splash of Barossa Shiraz helps to bring flesh to the upright, masterful Cabernet.Inc. TAX€1,002.40 -
The Real Review (98)
This wine is continuing to build, and is now showing a glorious perfume, the aromatics similar to the 2012, which set a very high standard that this vintage reaches and arguably surpasses. Spicy and ultra-complex, with shiraz and Barossa both evident in the wine. It's very intense, taut and concentrated, as well as finely-textured and incredibly long in the mouth. A great wine of wonderful purity and harmony. (74% Coonawarra cabernet, 26% Barossa shiraz)Inc. TAX€654.40 -
Matthew Jukes (20++)
You have seen my MoneyWeek article above and this time that is all you are getting. This wine WILL feature in my 100 Best Australian Wines Report 2021-22, which WILL be released this year. Forgive me for the capitals, but I have had enough of this pandemic and so I am pressing on regardless. You already know my score, but here it is again and it certainly bears repeating. But before I type this perfect number again I would like to inform you that I tasted 450 bottles of 2020 En Primeur Bordeaux this year and I would, of course, love you to download this Report from this website. The reason for mentioning this is that none of them warranted a perfect score, so I hope that this underlines just how remarkable it is that The Caley has done this twice in five years and also, with an average of 19.6/20, this accounts for my lofty headline at the top of this article.Inc. TAX€725.20 -
The Real Review (99)
Good depth and hue of colour it's still purple-tinted at this age. The bouquet is fresh and bold, replete with forest-floor/mint and dried-herb nuances, while the palate is very powerful, concentrated, full-bodied and firmly constructed. Deep-set cassis fruit as well, still partially in hiding. This is a dense, power-packed cabernet-driven red with abundant tannins. Tremendously long finish. A magnificent wine, which has what it takes to age and reward cellaring for the long term. (80% Coonawarra cabernet, 20% Barossa shiraz)Inc. TAX€1,900.42 -
James Suckling (96)
This has a very attractive, blackberry and red-plum nose with some leafy elements, as well as plenty of oak spice and hints of black tea. This has a fleshy, supple, bold and round palate. Very supple, sleek and long. Silky, yet sturdy. Very drinkable now and will last a good two decades. A vinous slam dunk! Drink or hold.Inc. TAX€437.58 -
James Suckling (96)
A very youthful vintage, this is taut and will age very well. Aromas of blackcurrants, tar, blackberries and baking spices lead to a palate that has such an intense, gently smoky thread with a succulent, juicy red-plum, berry and spice finish. Light espresso. Super long-aging Signature here. A blend of Barossa cabernet sauvignon and shiraz. Try from 2024.Inc. TAX€351.18 -
Halliday Wine Companion (97)
A stellar viognier. A wine that fans of the northern Rhone, such as myself, increasingly hold in great esteem. A complete understanding of the physiological tendencies of the variety is apparent: a salubrious texture. Unafraid of viscosity, weight and phenolics. Then, the aroma! Apricot, orange blossom, cumquat, honeysuckle and crystalline ginger. Long, slippery and yet not out of hand. A gentle chew and impeccable oak management reining it all in across the seams. Very fine.Inc. TAX€280.38 -
Inc. TAX€406.38
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Halliday Wine Companion (97)
Planted in 1946 on a sand dune in the cooler, elevated northeast of McLaren Vale. Hand-picked and sorted in the winery, the fermentation is wild. It is a glorious example of grenache picked earlier than in the past, retaining all the freshness of red cherries/berries, spices starting to build, tannins beautifully shaped.Inc. TAX€265.98 -
Halliday Wine Companion (95)
Relatively bright but light colour; a super-elegant, supple palate and spotless bouquet; natural acidity gives the wine its special brightness and length; new French oak and tannins play a pure support role to a classy wine which has tremendous length.Inc. TAX€908.77 -
Inc. TAX€755.74
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Halliday Wine Companion (96)
Hand-picked and sorted, gently destemmed, partial whole berry adherence for stems, 4 days cold soak, wild-fermented, 14 days on skins, pressed to tight-grain puncheons for 8 months maturation. A layered palate interleaving velvety fruit and hints of forest on the long, medium-bodied palate. Trophy Best Pinot Noir Mornington Peninsula Wine Show.In Bond€488.00 -
James Suckling (98)
This is a strong cross-regional combination. Immense depth of olives, cassis, blue plums and iodine with blackberries, earthy nuances, fragrant baking spices and chocolate. The palate is beautifully assembled with deep-set tannins that carry long and majestic. Rich dark-fruit flavors. A landmark first release that will drink well for decades. Drink from 2024.In Bond€750.00 -
Matthew Jukes (19.5+)
2013 is a powerhouse, with density, structure and presence, but it is not a heavy wine! Instead, this is a cerebral, through-provoking number with layer upon layer of savoury, noble fruit. The differences between the yin and yang of these two vintages is also evident in the blend. 2012 was made of 79% Cabernet (of which 27% was Barossan and the lion’s share was from Coonawarra) and 21% Barossa Shiraz. In 2013 KG marries 55% Coonawarra Cabernet with 45% Barossa Shiraz. This is a more ‘historical-Aussie-claret-shaped’ wine and the extra splash of Barossa Shiraz helps to bring flesh to the upright, masterful Cabernet.In Bond€826.00 -
The Real Review (98)
This wine is continuing to build, and is now showing a glorious perfume, the aromatics similar to the 2012, which set a very high standard that this vintage reaches and arguably surpasses. Spicy and ultra-complex, with shiraz and Barossa both evident in the wine. It's very intense, taut and concentrated, as well as finely-textured and incredibly long in the mouth. A great wine of wonderful purity and harmony. (74% Coonawarra cabernet, 26% Barossa shiraz)In Bond€536.00 -
Matthew Jukes (20++)
You have seen my MoneyWeek article above and this time that is all you are getting. This wine WILL feature in my 100 Best Australian Wines Report 2021-22, which WILL be released this year. Forgive me for the capitals, but I have had enough of this pandemic and so I am pressing on regardless. You already know my score, but here it is again and it certainly bears repeating. But before I type this perfect number again I would like to inform you that I tasted 450 bottles of 2020 En Primeur Bordeaux this year and I would, of course, love you to download this Report from this website. The reason for mentioning this is that none of them warranted a perfect score, so I hope that this underlines just how remarkable it is that The Caley has done this twice in five years and also, with an average of 19.6/20, this accounts for my lofty headline at the top of this article.In Bond€595.00 -
The Real Review (99)
Good depth and hue of colour it's still purple-tinted at this age. The bouquet is fresh and bold, replete with forest-floor/mint and dried-herb nuances, while the palate is very powerful, concentrated, full-bodied and firmly constructed. Deep-set cassis fruit as well, still partially in hiding. This is a dense, power-packed cabernet-driven red with abundant tannins. Tremendously long finish. A magnificent wine, which has what it takes to age and reward cellaring for the long term. (80% Coonawarra cabernet, 20% Barossa shiraz)In Bond€1,565.00 -
James Suckling (96)
This has a very attractive, blackberry and red-plum nose with some leafy elements, as well as plenty of oak spice and hints of black tea. This has a fleshy, supple, bold and round palate. Very supple, sleek and long. Silky, yet sturdy. Very drinkable now and will last a good two decades. A vinous slam dunk! Drink or hold.In Bond€346.00 -
James Suckling (96)
A very youthful vintage, this is taut and will age very well. Aromas of blackcurrants, tar, blackberries and baking spices lead to a palate that has such an intense, gently smoky thread with a succulent, juicy red-plum, berry and spice finish. Light espresso. Super long-aging Signature here. A blend of Barossa cabernet sauvignon and shiraz. Try from 2024.In Bond€274.00 -
Halliday Wine Companion (97)
A stellar viognier. A wine that fans of the northern Rhone, such as myself, increasingly hold in great esteem. A complete understanding of the physiological tendencies of the variety is apparent: a salubrious texture. Unafraid of viscosity, weight and phenolics. Then, the aroma! Apricot, orange blossom, cumquat, honeysuckle and crystalline ginger. Long, slippery and yet not out of hand. A gentle chew and impeccable oak management reining it all in across the seams. Very fine.In Bond€215.00 -
In Bond€320.00
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Halliday Wine Companion (97)
Planted in 1946 on a sand dune in the cooler, elevated northeast of McLaren Vale. Hand-picked and sorted in the winery, the fermentation is wild. It is a glorious example of grenache picked earlier than in the past, retaining all the freshness of red cherries/berries, spices starting to build, tannins beautifully shaped.In Bond€203.00 -
Halliday Wine Companion (95)
Relatively bright but light colour; a super-elegant, supple palate and spotless bouquet; natural acidity gives the wine its special brightness and length; new French oak and tannins play a pure support role to a classy wine which has tremendous length.In Bond€720.00 -
In Bond€585.00