2023 Decoded Wine Awards: Dan Murphy’s winning wines from South Australia and – they’re almost all under $25
Struggle to pick a good bottle of wine that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg? We’re here to help – check out a dozen great wines that nearly all sell for less than $25.
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Searching for SA’s best value wine? Look no further than bottle shop Dan Murphy’s and their annual Decoded Wine Awards.
Forget the baffling tasting notes, a panel of experts have simplified their selections to give wine lovers their top choices – and they’re almost all under $25.
The process of selection was carried out over four days of blind tastings. The 12 judges tried over 1000 wines from across Australia and New Zealand, whittling it down to 13 winners and 13 value picks across 13 different categories.
Not surprisingly, South Australia was the big winner, securing a nod or rating a mention in 12 categories. Check out every SA winner below:
Lighter White – Under $25
WINNER – Pikes Traditionale riesling $21.90
State: SA
Region: Clare
Tasting Notes: The product of an outstanding vintage from a famous producer – energetic, spritzy, spicy lemon characters that carry on forever. A virtuoso performance.
Food match: Pasta vongole
Fuller White – Under $25
Best Value –Yalumba Y Series Viognier $11.90
State: SA
Tasting Notes: Vroom, vroom, Viognier. This one hits the road with the agility of a sports car. Exotic florals, elements of tropical fruit, apricots and a lick of ginger get the blood racing.
Food match: Grilled sardines
Fuller White – Over $25
Best Value – Chapel Hill The MV Gorge Block Chardonnay $27.90
State: SA
Region: McLaren Vale
Tasting Notes: Oh, what a lovely wine! Careful fruit management and brilliant hands-on winemaking have produced a full flavoured, multi-pronged wine with exceptional class. Applause, please!
Food match: Pan fried King George Whiting
Lighter Red – Under $25
Best Value –The Ethereal One Grenache $15.90
State: SA
Region: McLaren Vale
Tasting Notes: Ethereal Grenache has been sweeping all before it. A very contemporaneous version of grenache, deceptively light, with scrumptious, food-friendly flavours.
Food match: Vegetable pastie
Fuller Red – Under $25
WINNER – Cat Amongst The Pigeons GSM $14.90 (Grenache, Shiraz, Mataro)
State: SA
Region: Barossa
Tasting Notes: What a cracker! Plum and dark cherry, savoury edged, delicatessen meat, deeply flavoured, exceptionally lush and balanced, silky, seamless, hints of “cherry ripe chocolate bar”. The drinkability factor is sky high!
Food match: Charcuterie platter
Best Value – Wynns Shiraz $13.90
State: SA
Region: Coonawarra
Tasting Notes: How do they produce wines of this quality at such a bargain price? Such a surprise, when unmasked, to discover it wasn’t a more expensive wine. Perfectly ripened fruit, seamless texture, lightly peppery, violet nose, blackberry. An absolute gem!
Food match: Moussaka
Fuller Red – Over $25
WINNER – Grant Burge Filsell 2021 $40.90
State: SA
Region: Barossa
Tasting Notes: A classic Barossa shiraz, this wine is effortless and sweet-fruited, beautifully perfumed with a texture that’s both supple and succulent.
Food match: Osso buco
Rose
Best Value – Chapel Hill Sangiovese Rose $15.90
State: SA
Region: Adelaide Hills
Tasting Notes: A perennial favourite with our judges. Savoury red fruited Sangiovese made with delicacy and care. A great “food wine” and just as enjoyable on its own.
Food match: Salad Lyonnais
Sparkling
Best Pet Nat – Sherrah Pet Nat $30.90
State: SA
Region: McLaren Vale
Tasting Notes: Funky, fresh and fun. Lively and lovely. Savoury biscuit note. It’s good to be alive.
Food pairing: Quiche
Fortified & Vermouth
WINNER – Grant Burge Black Apera PX $98.90
State: SA
Region: Barossa
Tasting Notes: Luxuriously leathery, black fig liqueur, dark toffee and wonderful. Deeply decadent.
Food pairing: Chocolate and walnut
Low & Lighter Alcohol
WINNER – Pewsey Vale Eden Valley 9% Lighter riesling $18.90
State: SA
Region: Eden Valley
Tasting Notes: Retains all of the usual delightful “rizza” citrus flavours while coming in at a “better for you” 9% alcohol.
Food pairing: Shell fish
Best Value – Tread Softly pinot noir $12.90
State: SA
Tasting Notes: Light, easy drinking soft red fruits – chillable. Lighter reds are the “buzz” at the moment. Lovely red berry notes.
Food pairing: Mushroom arancini
Zero Alcohol (*contains not more than 0.5% ALC/VOL)
WINNER – Grant Burge prosecco Zero $17.90
State: SA
Tasting Notes: Zesty, refreshing, energy-packed. A remarkably well made zero alcohol offering.
Food pairing: Cheese gougere
Best Value – Banrock Station Shiraz $10.90
State: SA
Tasting Notes: Good zero alcohol reds are hard to come by. Banrock have succeeded in producing a convincing medium bodied red with authentic shiraz character.
Food pairing: Meat pie
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