Looking for the perfect stocking filler this Christmas? Look no further! We’ve put together a list of some of our ‘Top of the Tree’ wines that have recently made a big splash on the Australian wine scene. Whether it be excited diners ready to celebrate a special night out, or shoppers looking for a festive gift, these impressive wines are the best of the best for our favourite holiday!
2011 Stefano Lubiana Grande Vintage Brut Derwent Valley, Tasmania
A 50/50% blend of estate-grown chardonnay and pinot noir, the vineyard certified organic in conversion to biodynamic. It spent 10 years on yeast lees, and has a fine mousse and a golden yellow hue attesting to the age. It hits the nail on the head with the perfect precision of the bouquet and palate. 97 points. James Halliday, The Australian Nov 2023
2021 Lowestoft La Meilleure Chardonnay Derwent Valley, Tasmania
Pale straw in the glass with aromas of white peach, nectarine and grapefruit with a nicely dialled-in struck match/sulphide nuance and hints of soft spice, oatmeal, white flowers, nougat, lemon curd and clotted cream. There is impressive detail, clarity and composition here with a long, wonderfully expressive pure flow across the palate on rails of mineral and stone, not a hair out of place, a picture of tension and release. Beautiful drinking. 97 points. Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion 2023
2021 TWR Clayvin Pinot Noir SV 5096 Marlborough, NZ
This is totally seductive on the nose… followed by a richly textured palate offering exceptional drive and persistency. A profound offering with density and power, yet with no hard edges, finishing magnificently long and flatteringly classy. 99 points. Sam Kim, Wine Orbit Nov 2023
2021 Scorpo Old Cherry Orchard Pinot Noir Mornington Peninsula, VIC
This is up there as one of the finest pinots from the peninsula this vintage. Its beautiful and stately at the same time. Deep flavours of cherries and pips, blood orange and Angostura bitters, mint and spicy oak just mingling in the background. Persuasive tannins, textural and lithe join up with refreshing acidity to ensure the finish is long and satisfying. Yep, a humdinger. 97 points. Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion Jul 2023
2021 S.C. Pannell Old McDonald Grenache McLaren Vale, SA
A gloriously detailed, focussed and concentrated rendition of Grenache, this has a punchy and energetically youthful stance. The nose has such fresh and vivid raspberries and boysenberries, together with some red plums, floral bursts and a gently sappy edge. Such pure fruit here. The palate has a smooth outer layer that glazes compact, fine and layered tannins seamlessly. Super-fresh finish with bright acidity. The fruit power here is supercharged. 99 points. James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 2023
2021 Punt Road Block 3 Cabernet Sauvignon Yarra Valley, VIC
Sourced from 1984-planted vines. A natural-yeast, whole-berry ferment with 21 days on skins before being pressed to French oak barriques (25% new). Matured for 18 months before bottling. A deep crimson red. Gorgeous aromatics from the first whiff with its complex array of red and black fruits, violets, cedar and a dusting of black cocoa powder. This is simultaneously concentrated, elegant and textured and while already a pleasure to drink, those perfectly judged, fine-grained tannins will ensure a long life ahead. Fully deserving of its trophy for Best Cabernet Sauvignon at the 2022 Yarra Valley Wine Show. 97 points. Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion Aug 2023
2021 Balnaves ‘The Tally’ Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Coonawarra, SA
Includes 9% petit verdot. On skins for 30 days; matured for 13 months in Taransaud barriques (39% new). While very intense, its perfect balance makes it light on its feet. Cassis in abundance leads the palate, pirouetting through the tannins on the lingering finish. 98 points. James Halliday, The Australian Nov 2023
2021 Deep Woods ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon Margaret River, WA
From the earliest plantings (in 1987) of the estate. It begins piling on points with the bright, clear colour, and doesn’t stop with the bouquet of blackcurrant, bay leaf and airy spices, then flowing on in elegant, medium-bodied mode to a perfectly balanced and mouth-watering finish. Something quite special in its Margaret River context. 98 points. James Halliday, The Australian Nov 2023
2020 Frankland Estate Olmo’s Reward Frankland River, WA
Among my favorite domestic clarets because it is simply so gorgeous young, while boasting the propensity to reward the faithful after long-term cellaring. Mid-weighted, detailed, impeccably restrained and so fresh. A sumptuous nose of pencil lead, cassis, crushed tea tree leaves, sage and marjoram. A dab of varnish, a smear of black olive and a waft of graphite, straying long across the mouth and into the mirage of the mind. Stunning wine. Drinkable now, but best from 2026. From organically grown grapes. 97 points. Ned Goodwin MW, JamesSuckling.com 2023
2021 Glaetzer Amon-Ra Shiraz Barossa Valley, SA
The Amon-Ra is a wine that’s well know for its graceful aging capacity, and so, in a vintage like 2021 (long, cooler than the horrendously low-yielding and drought-addled 2020 and 2019 prior), the release is eagerly anticipated. The 2021 Amon-Ra Shiraz is complete, in a word. The purple and red berries in the mouth are fresh and supple, the flow of flavor across the tongue feels unbroken and svelte, and the aftertaste is padded by chewy, pliable tannins. This is a real pleasure, and not just now – it will be later, too. 97 points. Erin Larkin, Robert Parker Wine Advocate Aug 2023