Best Australian Red Wine to Drink in 2024

Australian red wine, despite being relatively new to the wine world (compared with, say, French red wine) is known for its quality and exceptional flavour, and has become increasingly sought out by wine lovers all around the world. 

Some of the most popular Australian red wine varietals are Shiraz, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir, but there are plenty of lesser-known varietals and blends that are widely considered to be some of the best red wines in the world. 

So to help you navigate the extensive choices available to you, we’re sharing our favourite Australian red wines to buy right now, and if you’re looking for more information on Aussie red wine varietals and regions (so you can impress everyone at your next dinner party), we’re breaking that down, too.

In This Article

Our Top Ten Australian Red Wines

Coming from 40-year-old vines, this Barossa Valley Shiraz is an absolute powerhouse, crafted with care using traditional winemaking techniques. After an 18-month sleep in A-grade French oak barrels, it delivers rich flavours — think ripe black fruits, silky chocolate, juicy figs, cherries, and a hint of vanilla. The texture is smooth and the finish lingers beautifully. 

If you love the bold, full-bodied character of a Barossa Shiraz, this one will definitely hit the spot.  

Drink now or hold on to it until 2034 for even more depth and complexity. 

Martins Vineyard Limited Shiraz 2020 (RRP $150 - our price $100)

Drawing on Shiraz plantings from the 1950s, this McLaren Vale Shiraz is a small-batch wine (each release is only about 600 barrels) that frequently earns medals, points and accolades - this 2020 vintage has collected a gold medal, 97 points from Sam Kim and 96 points from Ken Gargett. It exhibits plenty of fresh black and blue fruits without any jamminess, all balanced by oak. 

Our customers rate it a perfect five stars, calling it a ‘top-shelf winner’.

Drink now, or age for up to 20 years. 

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Curtis Small Batch Grenache 2022 (RRP $85 - our price $60)

The Curtis family history of winemaking began in Italy where, in 1499, the Cardinal de Medici charged Paolo Curtis with looking after the papal lands around Cervaro, including the establishment of vineyards and olive groves. Members of the Curtis family still farm in the area today, while others moved to Australia and began making wine in McLaren Vale in the 1970s. 

This Grenache is crafted from 120+ year old vines, and treads the fine line between power and finesse, with candied raspberries dancing around a core of dark fruits filled with cherries. An underlying richness leads to a length that doesn’t outstay its welcome. 

Cellar for up to a decade.

This stunning Touriga from the Geographe region in Western Australia is a true gem, showcasing the aromatic intensity of this classic Portuguese variety. 

It’s lush and aromatic with vibrant flavours of blueberry, blackberry, plum, and hints of cocoa, red fruits, and a touch of cinnamon spice. The balance is spot-on, making it a great choice to enjoy at room temperature, or pop it in the fridge for 20 minutes for a slightly cooler, refreshing experience. Trust us, it’s delicious either way. 

Boho Farm Queen Bee Reserve Pinot Noir 2021 (RRP $60 - our price $55)

Boho Farm in South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula is a 35-year-old vineyard that Geoff Hardy planted back in 1988. High elevation and cool climate, with plenty of iron in the soil and a maritime influence, makes for a good spot to grow Pinot, which they do exceedingly well.

Their 2021 Pinot Noir is an intriguing wine made with a reserve selection from their best vines, offering structure and powerful depth of flavour. This is a wine that will improve with cellaring, with a drinking window from now till 2030. Definitely worth decanting.

Our customers rate it a solid five stars, saying ‘if you love Pinots, you must try this.’ We wholeheartedly agree.

Kilikanoon Meymans Shiraz 2020 (RRP $50 - our price $35)

From the Clare Valley, this Shiraz impresses with its depth and concentration. Despite a tough growing season, the fruit quality is exceptional, and the wine is both complex and refined. 

Expect dark cherries, red plums, a dash of liquorice, dried herbs, and a fine quality French oak influence that adds sophistication. The acidity is lively, and the tannins are perfectly balanced, making it a great choice to drink now or cellar for the next decade. 

Selected from Heirloom’s premium McLaren Vale vineyard, this red blend is made up of 60% Grenache, 25% Touriga, and 15% Tempranillo, and it’s nothing short of exceptional. 

The wine reveals layers of musk, plum skin, spice, cherries, and earthiness, with nuances of Earl Grey tea, blackberries, and a touch of black pepper. The wine is both complex and charming, with a finish that’s soft and dusted with fine, powdery tannins. Truly magical. 

Drink now. 

We couldn’t miss the chance to highlight this Grenache. 

Dandelion’s McLaren Vale Grenache is from a single biodynamically run vineyard perched atop an ancient ridge overlooking McLaren Vale the Willunga escarpment and the Gulf St Vincent. Still showing the signature Grenache trademarks on the nose with aromatic dark raspberries and red cherries, the fruit was fermented for 7 days, before careful basket pressing into French oak. 

In this three-time gold medal winning 2021 Treasure Trove of McLaren Vale Grenache, expect juicy red berry fruits and oh so subtle hints of vanilla with a touch of toasted cocoa even, little gifts given from the French Oak. Have a bit of fun and chill slightly in the warmer months! 

Drink now till 2032 

Showblock Cellar Reserve Rosie's Blend Cabernet Shiraz 2019 (RRP $85 - our price $80)

The Showblock Cellar Reserve Rosie’s Blend Cabernet Shiraz from McLaren Vale is a true gem that showcases the exceptional quality of the region’s fruit. This unique blend is crafted with meticulous care, using the finest parcels of Cabernet and Shiraz.  

Complex and elegant, this wine delivers a powerful combination of ripe blackberries, plum, and a touch of dark chocolate, beautifully complemented by the influence of high-quality French and American oak. The wine’s balanced acidity and fine, integrated tannins add structure, ensuring it will continue to evolve and improve in the cellar for many years to come. 

While it’s a standout in its own right, this wine’s exceptional quality has led it to be compared to some of Australia’s finest — with praise from critics such as Sam Kim, who awarded it 95 points. A must-try for collectors and those seeking a wine that offers both refinement and power. 

Cape Jaffa Shiraz Cabernet 2021 (RRP $35 - our price $30)

The Cape Jaffa Shiraz Cabernet 2021 is a standout example of the exceptional fruit and winemaking craft from South Australia’s Limestone Coast. This blend of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon strikes a balance between the bold, rich fruit character of Shiraz and the structured, complex tannins of Cabernet, creating a wine that is both approachable and sophisticated. 

On the palate, you’ll experience layers of dark berries, plum, and a hint of spice, rounded out by subtle oak influence and a touch of mint from the Cabernet. The wine’s vibrant acidity and well-structured tannins give it both freshness and depth, making it incredibly versatile for food pairings—perfect with grilled meats, rich pasta dishes, or even a hearty cheese board. 

While the Cape Jaffa Shiraz Cabernet 2021 is a wine that can be enjoyed now, it will age beautifully for several years to come, developing even more complexity over time. A superb offering from this iconic region, this wine is sure to impress anyone who appreciates the distinctive characteristics of South Australian reds. 

Australian Red Wine Varietals

There are over 160 grape varieties grown in Australia, so we won’t be listing all of the reds, but the most commonly-grown red varietals are Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Grenache, and Pinot Noir

Luckily for us, there are plenty of producers around Australia also growing lesser-known grape varieties, with incredible results. 

Some of the rarer red wines that are starting to grow in popularity in Australia are Barbera, Durif, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese and Tempranillo, but that’s by no means an extensive list!

Australia is also known for its blends. Wines like GSM (Grenache Shiraz Mataro) are popular in Australia, and provide a rich combination of flavours that you wouldn’t get from a single varietal.

Australian Red Wine Regions

As proud South Aussies, we could talk your ear off about how incredible the red wine regions on our doorstep are. We’ve got the Barossa Valley, famous for its Shiraz; McLaren Vale, which excels at Grenache; the Coonawarra, renowned for Cabernet; and the Adelaide Hills, which grows exceptional cool climate Pinot Noir. Plus there’s the Clare Valley, Eden Valley, Fleurieu Peninsula… you get the idea. 

But there are plenty of Australian red wine regions outside our beloved state, too. Western Australia’s Margaret River produces noteworthy Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, Victoria’s Yarra Valley makes world-class Pinot Noir, and New South Wales boasts the Hunter Valley, which grows, among other varietals, some wonderful Shiraz. 

Take a look at our full list of wine regions to learn more about each one.

Best Recipes to Pair With Your Aussie Red Wine

Not sure which Australian wine to pair with your dinner? We make recommendations for every wine we stock – head over to our red wines selection, and check out the food pairing suggestions under the wine specs section of each wine. 

To help with some top-line ideas, though, here are three recipe ideas to pair with each of Australia’s four biggest red wine varietals. 

Food to pair with Australian Shiraz

Beef cheek ragu  

Steak tacos 

Slow cooked beef cheeks and kangaroo in red wine  

Food to pair with Australian Grenache

Pork and black pudding burger  

Panzanella salad 

BBQ Korean chicken  

Food to pair with Australian Pinot Noir

Wild mushroom risotto 

Crispy skin duck breast  

Moroccan meatballs with roasted cauliflower  

Food to pair with Australian Cabernet

Easy carve lamb 

Korean steak tacos 

Grilled lamb and roasted veg salad 

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