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Top 12 Australian fine wines
A new free trade agreement with Korea and “global renewed interest” in its fine wines has made Australia hit the headlines of late. But what are the names to look out for?
In a recent Wine Classification seminar in Hong Kong by Langton’s, founder Andrew Caillard guided members of the trade through the highest-rated wines as considered by Langton’s, based on auction demands and track records since its establishment in 1989.
During the seminar, Caillard commented: “Australia is really making its best wine now. We’re seeing iconic vintages year after year and Asia, especially China, is leading the demand for top-end wine. We’ve always kept our prices competitive too so that buyers know they’re getting excellent wine at a decent price.
“Things are changing a lot. Going way back in the past, the amount of investment in fine wine which was a result of advancement in viticulture, such as Guyot vine training just increased exponentially. It allowed vine regions to scale up and get more international attention.
“Australia is reinvesting in its fine wine narrative. I think that Australia hasn’t had a chance to tell its true wine story yet, but that is changing.”
Below are a selection of 12 wines deemed by Langton’s to be the very best examples of their style and region with subsequent quotes from Langton’s’ descriptions.. To be included in the Langton’s Classification, each wine must have a minimum of 10 vintages and are ranked “Excellent”, “Outstanding” or “Exceptional”.
12. Coldstream Hills Reserve Pinot Noir 2013
Rating: Excellent
Top vintages: 2013, 2012, 2010, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2002, 2000, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1992
Region: Yarra Valley, Victoria
Kicking off our top wines, Coldstream Hills’ estate grown Pinot is looked after by celebrated wine maker, Andrew Fleming in the Yarra Vallery.
It has seen 9-11 months in new and seasoned French oak barriques and puncheons and “shows dark cherry and ginger aromas and flavours.”
Rather poetically, Langton’s also describes a “peacock’s tail finish and a long, elegant and flavoursome flourish.”
11. Bindi Original Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013
Rating: Outstanding
Top vintages: 2012, 2010, 2009, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 1997, 1996, 1994
Region: Macedon Ranges, Victoria
One of Victoria’s most renowned small wine producers, Bindi Winegrowers has its vines on shattered quartz and alluvial salts – soils “which have the strength of character to talk through the wine.”
Using Burgundian-style vinification, the wine shows a “fragrant, spicy style characterized by perfume, harmony and excellence.”
10. Mount Mary Pinot Noir 2010
Rating: Outstanding
Top vintages: 2012, 2010, 2008, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1996, 1994, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1988, 1986
Region: Yarra Valley, Victoria
With the vinestock including clone MV6 “the mother of all Pinot Noirs”, winemaker Sam Middleton takes a relatively simplistic approach with a short seven-to-10 day fermentation on skins in open stainless-steel vats.
“An essentially fruit-driven wine that builds up complexity and interest over time; it reveals a fragrant strawberry and cherry aromas with a supple evenly proportioned palate,” says Langton’s.
9. Domaine A Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Rating: Outstanding
Top vintages: 2012, 2010, 2008, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2001, 2000, 1998, 1994, 1992, 1991
Region: Coal River Valley, Tasmania
Planted on the 11 hectare north-east facing Stoney Vineyard – the oldest in the Coal River Valley – the fruit is batch-vinified in stainless-steel tanks before maturation in new oak for between 2-3 years.
“Pervaded by a country garden of violets, roses and blackcurrants, the wine provides fine grain tannins and beautiful freshness.”
8. Wendouree Shiraz Mataro 2013
Rating: Outstanding
Top vintages: 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2004, 2002, 1998, 1994, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1986
Region: Clare Valley, South Australia
Matured in fine-grained, new (20%) and used Seguin Moreau oak for 12 months, the wine retains a high skin-to-juice ratio and seed content.
Langton’s describes it as “bigger berried and medium-bodied” compared to other blocks and displays “an aromatic nose of vanilla and spice.”
7. Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2011
Rating: Outstanding
Top vintages: 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2004, 2002, 1999, 1998, 1996, 1994, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1986, 1983, 1982, 1976, 1971, 1966, 1965, 1964, 1962, 1957
Region: South Australia
St Henri was created in the 1950s by legendary winemaker, John Davoren and nowadays, is a multi-district blend drawing Shiraz from the Barossa Valley, Eden Valley, McClaren Vale, Clare Valley and Langhorne Creek.
“Fresh mulberry, blueberry, dark chocolate and licorice aromas and flavours, typifies the St Henri style”, says Langton’s.
6. Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2010
Rating: Exceptional
Top vintages: 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2001, 1998, 1997, 1995, 1994
Region: Canberra District, New South Wales
Described by Langton’s as “ethereal and evocative”, Clonakilla’s unusual blend of Shiraz and Viognier is sourced from two adjacent estate owned vineyards.
Medium to full-bodied, it displays “black cherry, ginger, white pepper and apricot fruit with underlying French oak and fine silky tannins.”
5. Henschke Mount Edelstone Shiraz 2010
Rating: Exceptional
Top vintages: 2010, 2009, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2002, 1999, 1998, 1996, 1994, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1986, 1978, 1972, 1971, 1967, 1966, 1963, 1962, 1959, 1958
Region: Eden Valley, South Australia
Mount Edelstone is one of Australia’s most renowned single-vineyard wines. Planted in 1912, the vines are believed to be derived from the original James Busby collection.
Reaching optimum maturity after five to 15 years, the wine demonstrates “blackberry, sage andpepper aromas with an underlying savoury complexity.”
4. Brokenwood Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz 2011
Rating: Exceptional
Top vintages: 2011, 2009, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2003, 2000, 1998, 1966, 1994, 1993, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1986, 1983
Region: Hunter Valley, New South Wales
The Graveyard vineyard, planted to Shiraz in 1968, was bought in 1978 and by the mid 1980s was producing a premium single vineyard wine. Since Langton’s was established in 1989, the Brokenwood Graveyard Shiraz has remained, the highest-placed Hunter Valley Shiraz.
“The intensely perfumed, sumptuous and seductive Brokenwood Graveyard articulates the very best of Hunter Shiraz.”
3. Torbreck RunRig Shiraz 2010
Rating: Exceptional
Top vintages: 2012, 2010, 2009, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2002, 2001, 1998, 1996, 1995
Region: Barossa Valley, South Australia
Renowned for its powerful, structured and fragrant style similar to that of Côte Rôtie, RunRig is made with traditional winemaking techniques, including batch-vinification in open, concrete fermenters.
“Gorgeously opulent, perfumed and densely concentrated,” says Langton’s.
2. Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Rating: Exceptional
Top vintages: 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2003, 2001, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1983, 1980, 1979, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974
Region: Margaret River, Western Australia
Established in Wilyabrup, Margaret River In 1969, Moss Wood has become one of Australia’s most iconic wines with a reputation for excellent ageing in the cellars. Longer skin contact time during fermentation and the inclusion of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Merlot has increased the perfume and texture of recent vintages.
“Intensely perfumed and finely structured with cassis-blackcurrant aromas, hints of cedar and touches of violet.”
1. Wynns John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Rating: Exceptional
Top vintages: 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2004, 1999, 1998, 1996, 1994, 1991, 1990, 1986, 1982
Region: Coonawarra, South Australia
To finish off our roundup, Wynns is the Coonawarra regions’s most recognized wine producer and was founded in 1896 by Coonawarra Fruit Colony founder, John Riddoch and is now masterminded by viticulturist Allen Jenkins and winemaker Sue Hodder.
“The palate is concentrated with blackcurrant and mocha flavours, rich chocolatey tannins and underlying new oak,” says Langton’s.