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
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Victoria | 1 | 98 (HWC) | $352.00 | |||||
Halliday Wine Companion (98)Clones 76, 277, P58, Mendoza, I10V1; the first two are the Bernard/Dijon clones, which are new additions to the vineyard. Hand-picked, destemmed direct to the press, specific yeast selection, fermented and matured in French oak (25-30% new) from various coopers for 11 months. The wine is positively electric/alive with pinpoint precision and length. Mouthwatering, glorious, and will live for decades. |
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Victoria | 1 | 97 (HWC) | $548.00 | |||||
Halliday Wine Companion (97)100% destemmed and fermented with as many whole berries as possible. Left to soak for four days, pre-fermentation with one pump over per day, then plunged three times per day. 15 months in French barriques (25% new). A bright crimson red. Perfumed and seductive even at this early stage. Aromas of wild red berries, gentle spice, dark rose and bracken. Concentrated and structured with very fine, sinewy and savoury tannins. A brilliant, non-mainstream Yarra Valley pinot that's been built to go the distance. |
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Victoria | 1 | 94 (HWC) | $2,105.00 | |||||
Halliday Wine Companion (94)Good colour; considerable depth and power to the array of cassis, blackcurrant and blackberry fruit; very good texture and structure; abundant fine tannins and controlled oak. Cork. |
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Victoria | 1 | 97+ (WA) | $587.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (97+)I saw this wine blind recently (in a largely international tasting) and could not place the variety or region. I can see why here today: the fruit in the 2017 Quintet is almost unbelievably red fruited. It is buoyant and supple and speaks eloquently of raspberry seed, black cherry, red apple skins, blond tobacco, hints of sweet roasted meats (distant wafts only), enoki mushroom and red miso; the experience is inchoate and thrilling in equal measure. In isolation, perhaps, it may be easy to assume that the wine, given its age versus purity quotient, is simple. But given what we know about the capacity for aging carried by this vineyard/cuvée, I'd say you were grievously mistaken to judge it in that manner. This is a sleeper wine and one that hasn't even started to show us what it is capable of. It's a superstar. 13% alcohol, sealed under natural cork. |
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Victoria | 1 | 99 (HWC) | $574.00 | |||||
Halliday Wine Companion (99)Stands proudly at the head of the Mount Mary portfolio. A blend of 44% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 16% cabernet franc and 5% each of malbec and petit verdot, each variety handled according to its structure. Open/static fermenters, wood/stainless steel, 10-14 days on skins, 35% new oak from a range of coopers and forests, 16-20 months in barrel. Mesmerisingly silky, with a kaleidoscope of fruit and secondary flavours. |
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New South Wales | 1 | 99 (HWC) | $180.00 | |||||
Halliday Wine Companion (99)'Arguably, one of the greatest red vintages in living memory', says Mount Pleasant. The flagship wine. Destemmed and crushed, short cold soak, open-fermented, matured in large format French oak (30% new) for 18 months. Has the gently throbbing power of a Rolls Royce; superb, deep crimson-purple hue, itself rare in the Hunter Valley. Countless layers of black fruits have absorbed the oak and put the undoubted tannins into limbo land. O'Shea would have died a happy man had this been his last wine. Dissecting it now is an academic exercise at best, so great is its future. This is as close to a 100-year potential as you are ever likely to find. |
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Central Otago | 1 | - | $102.00 | |||||
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The Mt Difficulty Pinot Noir Long Gully 2010 exemplifies the pinnacle of Martinborough’s esteemed viticulture. Grown in the renowned Long Gully vineyard, this Pinot Noir benefits from the region’s unique terroir—rich alluvial soils and a temperate climate that foster optimal grape maturation. Hand-harvested with meticulous care, the grapes undergo gentle fermentation in stainless steel tanks to preserve their delicate aromas and vibrant fruit character. The wine is then aged for 12 months in French French oak barrels, imparting subtle complexity without overshadowing its intrinsic elegance. On the palate, the Mt Difficulty Pinot Noir Long Gully 2010 reveals layers of ripe cherry, plum, and earthy undertones, complemented by fine tannins and a lingering finish. Produced by the esteemed Mt Difficulty winery, known for their commitment to sustainable practices and artisanal craftsmanship, this vintage stands as a testament to their expertise and passion for fine wine. Perfect for discerning connoisseurs, it promises an exquisite experience with every sip. |
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Victoria | 1 | 96 (HWC) | $222.00 | |||||
Halliday Wine Companion (96)Barrel fermented with full solids, no mlf, matured in 25% new French barriques and puncheons. A bright green gold. Opens with aromas of white nectarine and peach, lemon verbena and grapefruit pith before revealing attractive savoury, nutty notes. There's real drive and persistence on the palate, too, which culminates in a long, mineral and chalky finish. Excellent. |
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South Australia | 1 | - | $103.00 | |||||
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The Murdoch Hill Apollo Pinot Noir Piccadilly Valley 2021 epitomises elegance and complexity from one of Australia’s premier cool-climate regions. Grown in the pristine terroir of Piccadilly Valley, the vineyards benefit from maritime influences and well-drained soils, fostering the delicate balance essential for exceptional Pinot Noir. Handpicked at optimal ripeness, the grapes undergo meticulous fermentation using indigenous yeasts, enhancing the wine’s nuanced character. A portion of the wine is aged in French oak barrels, imparting subtle tannins and a refined structure without overshadowing the varietal’s inherent finesse. This 2021 vintage reveals vibrant aromas of cherry, raspberry, and earthy undertones, complemented by a silky texture and a lingering finish. Murdoch Hill, renowned for their commitment to sustainable viticulture and artisanal winemaking, presents this Pinot Noir as a testament to their dedication to quality and expression of place. Perfect for discerning palates seeking sophistication and depth in every sip. |
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South Australia | 16 | 94 (WA) | $250.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (94)The 2019 Grenache-Shiraz-Mataro comprises 60% Grenache, 20% Shiraz and 20% Mataro. This is spicy and mid-weight, with cranberry and pink peppercorns, star anise and clove and layers of tobacco and brine. The wine is savory but delicately so, with pressed roses, crushed rocks and strawberries. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under natural cork. |
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Nelson | 2 | 95 (VN) | $441.00 | |||||
Vinous (95)The 2023 Chardonnay Home Block Moutere is 100% Mendoza clone. The wine soaks up its oak like a sponge. It is richly fruited and concentrated with excellent density. This is a wine of substance and sinew. Its combination of phenolics and acidity provides satisfying tension and texture that makes the wine persist and adds drag. |
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Nelson | 2 | - | $214.00 | |||||
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South Australia | 1 | 96 (WA) | $269.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (96)The 2016 Eclipse is 87% Grenache, 8% Graciano and 5% Shiraz, all off the McLaren Vale estate vineyard. As it almost seems to, it boasts gorgeous aromas of raspberries, accented by a range of herbs and spices that include notes of orange zest, bay leaf and rose petals. It's full-bodied, with assertive but silky tannins that should help preserve the wine's freshness as it ages. Although full-bodied, it handles its alcohol well, showing just a trace of warmth on the lingering finish. |
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South Australia | 1 | - | $159.00 | |||||
