Our favourite Australian wines of 2025 feature Yarra chardonnay, Barossa shiraz, Clare Valley riesling, Tasmanian pinot noir and WA cabernet sauvignon
Blockbuster wines and less familiar varietals to enjoy with your favourite people over the festive season.
As we head into the festive season, I’ve looked through our cellar and pulled together my favourites from the year.
The blockbusters are there – premium Barossa and McLaren shiraz (RRPs up to $95) and crackerjack chardonnay – but Australian winemakers are also exploring new territory so I’ve included a couple of less familiar varietals that I’d love you to try.
There’s also an accent on lighter reds that you can enjoy with your favourite meals over summer.
Enjoy this special time of year with your favourite people – and favourite wines. And best wishes for 2026.
Rob Dolan White Label Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2022
My favourites dozen must include at least one “bigger chardonnay” and this fits the bill nicely. Rich but balanced. Lavish creamy nougat notes on the nose, along with nectarine and almonds. The creaminess is there in the mouth too, part of a rich and rounded palate studded with nectarine and apricot flavours, lemon pith and toasty oak. 95 points, Halliday Wine Companion. 13.5% alc; RRP $40.
SPECIALS $35.99 in any dozen; $25.99 in 2025 Favourites dozen.
Margan White Label Timbervines Hunter Valley Chardonnay 2021
Finely calibrated style from Andrew Margan. Fruit intensity delivered with elegance. Created from a 53-year-old vineyard, this is packed with ripe stone fruits characters, quince, dried mango and a hint of vanilla but has a lightness in the mouth. 95 points, Halliday Wine Companion. 12% alc; RRP $70.
SPECIALS $55.99 in any dozen; $25.99 in 2025 Favourites dozen.
Lloyd Brothers Adelaide Hills Estate Picpoul 2023
Picpoul, a native of southern France, has become a huge hit in the UK and is finding a following here thanks to pioneers like Lloyd Brothers in the Adelaide Hills. Tangy and salivatingly crisp, this lower-alcohol style (10.5%) is made for hot summer days. Scents of lime and sea spray. The palate is awash with lemon, lime and green apples. Refreshment plus. 10.5% alc; RRP $26.
SPECIALS $22.99 in any dozen; $25.99 in 2025 Favourites dozen.
Taylors St Andrews Clare Valley Riesling 2020
If picpoul is my new summer go-to, ice-cold Clare riesling remains my trusted antidote to sweltering days. This five-year-old Trophy winner fuses the Clare signature of lemon and lime with hints of orange marmalade and orange blossom. Classy. 95 points, Royal Sydney Wine Show. 12.5% alc; RRP $45.
SPECIALS $42.99 in any dozen; $25.99 in 2025 Favourites dozen.
The Hedonist McLaren Vale Fiano 2024
This southern Italian variety has been climbing in popularity. You’ll find stone fruits, floral notes and a touch of honey on the nose. Subtle grapefruit, citrus and apple flavours keep it fresh. Perfect for a fish lunch on the deck. 94 points, Halliday Wine Companion. 12.5% alc; RRP $28.
SPECIALS $26.99 in any dozen; $25.99 in 2025 Favourites dozen.
Thistledown Gorgeous Grenache Rose 2025
This cult McLaren Vale grenache specialist has become a personal favourite, with their single-vineyard grenache wines a must-try. I’ve chosen their less serious but seriously good rose for this dozen. Intense aromatics beckon: scents of jasmine and sweet mandarin as well as strawberries, cranberries and some spice. Tangy flavours of strawberry, nectarine and mandarin. Dangerous. 13.5% alc; RRP $26.
SPECIALS $21.25 in any dozen; $25.99 in 2025 Favourites dozen.
Penny’s Hill Footprint McLaren Vale Shiraz 2021
A standout shiraz. Lavish blackberry and cherry aromas invite attention, with a swirl of vanilla, chocolate, liquorice and a hint of black olive and smoked meats. Generous black and red fruits wash across the mouth; savoury notes offer complexity. Soft, velvety tannins. 96 points, Wine Orbit. 14.5% alc; RRP $65.
SPECIALS $62.99 in any dozen; $25.99 in 2025 Favourites dozen.
Schild Estate Narrow Road Barossa Valley Shiraz 2021
The Schild family are the custodians of some of the southern Barossa’s most treasured ancestor vines. An excellent vintage delivers Barossa gold here: brimming with dark rich fruit, leavened with hints of clove, dark chocolate, roasting meats and licorice. A feast for lovers of shiraz. 95 points, Winepilot. 14% alc; RRP $95.
SPECIALS $89.99 in any dozen; $25.99 in 2025 Favourites dozen.
Plantagenet Aquitaine Great Southern Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Every favourites collection needs a WA cabernet. Remote Great Southern has produced a keenly priced cabernet here, built with structure and poise. Aromas of blackcurrant, plum and cherry rise, lead to a palate of vibrant dark fruit characters, with tobacco and toasted cedar notes. 95 points, The Real Review. 14% alc; RRP $45.
SPECIALS $39.99 in any dozen; $25.99 in 2025 Favourites dozen.
Vanguardist OENO McLaren Vale Grenache 2023
From one of McLaren’s grenache heroes. Michael Corbett brings forth aromas of red fruits and garden herbs, rolling into the tang of cranberries, redcurrants and dried orange peel on the palate. Sprinkle in a touch of tamarind and caraway and you’re off to the promised land. 95 points, Nick Ryan. 13.4% alc; RRP $42.
SPECIALS $25.99 in 2025 Favourites dozen.
Lost Farm Tasmania Pinot Noir 2023
High-quality Tasmanian pinot is becoming more affordable. This Tamar Valley example shows off aromas of red cherries, wild strawberries and raspberries, mingling with hints of spice and subtle oak. You’ll enjoy a silky palate with pure fruits woven together with savoury nuances. 94 points, Melbourne International Wine Show. 13.5% alc; RRP $48.
SPECIALS $41.99 in any dozen; $25.99 in 2025 Favourites dozen.
Angullong Fossil Hill Orange Barbera 2023
The Crossing family have been perfecting the making of wines from Italian varieties like barbera since the 1990s. Juicy fruit in a medium-bodied frame makes this an ideal lunch guest. Cherries and raspberries rise from the glass, with hints of vanilla, spice, aniseed and earthy notes following. Throw in the fridge for 10 minutes while you finish barbecuing the lamb. 14.5% alc; RRP $30.
SPECIALS $23.99 in any dozen; $25.99 in 2025 Favourites dozen.
FAVOURITES MIXED DOZENOne bottle of each wine above for $25.99 a bottle. SAVE $248.12
FAVOURITES WHITES Two bottles of each white above (including rose) for $25.99 a bottle. SAVE $158.12
FAVOURITES REDS Two bottles of each red above for $25.99 a bottle. SAVE $338.12
Order online or phone 1300 765 359 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm AEDT and quote ‘ACGM’. The Australian Wine Club is a commercial partnership with Laithwaites Wine, LIQP770016550.
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