The best value Australian reds and whites of 2023 from five-star wineries and leading family winemakers
Here’s my pick of the top value wines of 2023: 12 Australian whites and reds from five-star wineries and leading family winemakers. Explore a galaxy of tastes for $19.99 a bottle.
Australian wine is a glorious thing. For consistent quality, variety of styles and sheer value for money, we at least match any wine producing country in the world.
I’ve been fortunate to taste more than 300 wines for The Australian Wine club in 2023 and here’s my pick of 12 favourites that I believe offer exceptional value - even before our club discounts.
Behind the labels, you’ll find five-star wineries, gold medal winners, prestigious winemakers and a galaxy of tastes to be enjoyed with your dearest.
The Australian Wine club is offering this mixed dozen of whites and reds for only $19.99 a bottle. You can also choose to buy 12 whites (two bottles of each selection below) or 12 reds (two bottles of each selection). Happy New Year!
Whites & Sparkling
Pikes Traditionale Clare Valley Riesling 2022
My go-to riesling for sunny afternoons. Clare’s excellent 2022 vintage delivered another cracking Traditionale: juicy, zingy and flowing with green apples and tangy limes. Savour the fresh citrus blossom and jasmine aromas; settle back; be happy. Red star for exceptional value in Halliday Wine Companion. 12% alc; RRP $28 a bottle.
Sidewood Estate Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Must stake a claim for Australia’s most consistent sauvignon blanc. Leap-from-the-glass aromas of gooseberry, citrus, passionfruit and freshly cut grass lead to a fresh palate singing with an array of tropical fruits. 95 points from James Halliday. 12% alc; RRP $22 a bottle.
Russell & Suitor Son of a Bull Tasmanian Pinot Gris 2022
From Pipers River in northern Tasmania, the Son of a Bull comes in clean, fresh and juicy; studded with poached pear and citrus flavours, layered with a dab of cream and a sprinkle of spice. Quality gris, made for summer. 13.1% alc; RRP $29 a bottle.
Mountadam Vineyards High Eden Estate Chardonnay 2020
From one of my favourite Barossa wineries, high in the clouds at Eden Valley. Bright citrus, white peach, nectarine, fig and vanilla cream characters slide seamlessly together in a triumph of fruit purity, minerality and oak integration. Fermented in 50 per cent new French oak. For lovers of full-bodied chardonnay. An utter bargain here. 13.5% alc; RRP $40 a bottle.
McGuigan Bin 9000 Hunter Valley Semillon 2018
A world-class wine. For me, the wonder of Hunter Valley semillon comes to the fore with a few years in bottle. The 2018 Bin 9000 is now sitting in the sweet spot where hints of honey and toast are arriving, meeting those delicate early flavours of lime, fresh citrus and apple. An utter delight. Scored 95 points and Gold at this year’s Sydney Royal Wine Show. 11.5% alc; RRP $30 a bottle.
Howard Vineyard Adelaide Hills Sparkling Pinot Chardonnay 2023
Winemaker Tom Northcott jokes that his wife married him for his sparkling. That’s understandable. Strawberries, raspberries and cherry stream into green apples, citrus and stone fruit. The creamy palate leads to a refreshing citrus burst on the finish. 12.5% alc. RRP $30 a bottle.
Red wines
Tscharke A Thing of Beauty Grenache 2021
Damien Tscharke’s aptly named grenache could have been made by fairies: pretty aromas of rose petals, cherries and ripe strawberries lift from the glass, complemented by savoury hints. The palate surprises with its seriousness: concentrated strawberry flavours give way to spicy, savoury tones, with a touch of orange rind and aniseed. Complexity, finesse and power. 14.6% alc; RRP $28 a bottle.
Bleasdale Frank Potts Langhorne Creek Cabernet Blend 2018
From the Halliday Wine Companion’s Winery of the Year. This Bordeaux-style blend offers soft fruit flavours flecked with savoury details: a finely honed fusion of blackcurrants and blackberries, leather, pencil shavings, earthiness and spicy vanillin cedar. 95 Halliday points. 14% alc; RRP $39 a bottle.
Tahbilk Estate Old Vines Cabernet Shiraz 2018
A Victorian icon, Tahbilk always over-delivers on value. You’ll find a delicious blend of blackberries, blueberries and vanilla, with touches of baked earth, eucalypt and spice. Super drinkable. Absolute bargain in this deal. 95 Halliday points. 14.5% alc; RRP $47 a bottle.
Howard Park Leston Margaret River Shiraz 2018
From a five-star winery run by the Burch family, a founding member of Australia’s First Families of Wine. Aromas of plum and burnt toffee along with touches of raspberry, choc-mint and black pepper. Concentrated flavours of plums, aniseed, coffee and tobacco. Elegance personified. 14.5% alc; RRP $40 a bottle.
Elderton Estate Barossa Shiraz 2020
Classic, generous Barossa shiraz. Lifted aromas of ripe plums and toasty vanilla lead to silky-soft dark fruits. All estate-grown fruit from Greenock, Nuriootpa and Craneford. As James Halliday wrote, “Big, bold and beautiful.” 94 points. 14.8% alc. RRP $35.
Pikes Los Companeros Clare Valley Shiraz Tempranillo 2020
Such is the popularity of this 80%/20% blend, it is produced in bigger volumes than any other Pikes red. Juicy raspberry and cherry flavours, with hints of anise, mint and white pepper filling our frame. Chill slightly if you feel like it. Halliday red star for exceptional value. 14.5% alc; RRP $25 a bottle.
TOP VALUE DOZEN One bottle of each wine above for $19.99 a bottle. SAVE $153 a dozen.
TOP VALUE WHITE DOZEN Two bottles of each white above for $19.99 a bottle.
TOP VALUE RED DOZEN Two bottles of each red above for $19.99 a bottle.
Order online or telephone 1300 765 359 Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm AEST. Deals are available only while stocks last. The Australian Wine Club is a commercial partnership with Laithwaites Wine, LIQP770016550. John Lehmann is the Cellar Director of The Australian Wine Club.
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