Top 10 Wines of 2022

Heirloom Vineyards McLaren Vale Shiraz 

Coming in at number ten is HeirloomVineyards McLaren Vale Shiraz! ‘Low yields, very careful fruit selection, hands-on winemaking with whole bunches and open fermentation and the use of high quality French and Bulgarian oak have conspired again to produce a stunningly intense McLaren Vale Shiraz.'

Kilikanoon Meyman's Riesling

Coming in at number nine is Kilikanoon Meyman's Riesling! A glorious Riesling from one of the great vintages made by one of Clare’s finest producers. This stunning Clare Riesling is built around lemons and limes, offering minerality, brilliant length and intensity.

Leconfield Syn Cuvée Blanc

Coming in at number eight is Leconfield Coonawarra Syn Cuvée Blanc! A remarkably fresh sparkling white made from a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir fruit from the Coonawarra. Enjoy it now in all its youthful glory as an aperitif, or with shellfish and seafood. Syn(ful) indeed!

First Creek Hunter Valley Chardonnay

Coming in at number seven is First Creek Wines Hunter Valley Chardonnay! Opening on the nose of this ripping Chardonnay is a toasty, buttery almond character that never gets flinty. This hits all the right spots, buttery but not too rich, textural but not over bloated, lovely melon and stonefruit flavour with a delicious hint of bitter blood orange rounded off with a cleansing acidity.

Dandelion Vineyards Lionheart of the Barossa Shiraz

Coming in at number six is Dandelion Vineyards Lionheart of the Barossa Shiraz! We reckon this is pretty flash, with gorgeously cedary French oak framing a palate awash with sticky black and blue fruits, cigar box, Chrissie pudding spices and dark chocolate.

Zontes Footstep Chocolate Factory Shiraz

Coming in at number five is Zontes Footstep Chocolate Factory Shiraz!

We are massive fans of Zonte’s Chocolate Factory and this vintage shows the wine continuing to improve with a trophy and 7 gold medals already. It is black, concentrated and decadent, offering milk chocolate, black cherries and blueberries along with Christmas cake spices. Superb and beautifully polished on opening, it is even better 24 hours after opening.

Curtis Family Vineyards Heritage Shiraz

Coming in at number four of our top ten purchased wines of 2022 is Curtis Family Vineyards Heritage Shiraz!

A big and bold and black-strappy Shiraz fashioned to enjoy now or over the next few years. It’s black with plenty of sweet fruit and fluffy furry tannins to finish. Pair it up with some braised lamb or roast beef.

Chateau Yaldara Grand Cuvée Shiraz

Coming in at number three is Chateau Yaldara Grand Cuvée Cabernet Shiraz! A staggeringly deep and complex expression of the best bits of the Barossa Valley. Dark chocolate, tobacco leaf, cedar, cassis, plums, cherries, spice and vanilla. This is supple, velvety, long and finished with supple, waxy, mouthcoating tannins. Incredible. 

Martins Vineyard Limited Shiraz

Coming in at number two is Curtis Family Vineyards Martins Vineyard Limited Shiraz! Fruits are blacks and blues, with blueberries, blackberries, olive tapenade, cedar and vanilla populating a powerful and long palate. The tannins are polished, waxy and plentiful. The overall package is outstanding! 

Pasha McLaren Vale Shiraz

Our top-selling wine for 2022 was... drum roll please... Curtis Family Vineyards Pasha McLaren Vale Shiraz! This is thrilling! It’s old-school but perfectly balanced. ‘Tis packed with uber ripe, suppurating black fruits, dark cherry, compote, notes of furniture polish and spice, black pepper, chocolate, tobacco, and leather. The richness is tamed with good acidity, providing a backbone for all that expressiveness to hang on to and in so doing, show to best effect. Stunning!

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