Diversifying tastes and evolving climate are driving extensive experimentation with different varieties and blends, making this category an exciting and dynamic space – but also one riddled with lowlights to dodge. Stick with our highlights and you’re in more than safe territory! Our eleven nominees for the top gong represent eleven different varieties and blends, with a worthy winner that prompted its nominator Ned Goodwin MW to ask the question, ‘Why were we not planting this 100 years ago?’ Find out more about the winning wine below.
2019 SC Pannell Aglianico
A classic Australian blend with a multi-regional twist: 65/35% Hunter Valley shiraz/McLaren Vale cabernet sauvignon. The wine is powerful and assertive, with a glorious, bright, deep colour. Bursting with ripe mulberries, chocolate, fragrant anise, and spice, displaying a good mix of richness and freshness. Supporting the fleshy palate is a defined frame of plentiful, papery tannins, setting the wine up for a long future. – Toni Paterson MW
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The best other reds & blends from the 2026 Companion
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Tyrrell’s Wines
Vat 8 Winemaker's Selection Shiraz Cabernet 2023
Hunter Valley McLaren Vale -
The Standish Wine Company
The Relic Single Vineyard Shiraz Viognier 2022
Barossa Valley -
Charles Melton Wines
Nine Popes 2021
Barossa -
Giaconda
Nebbiolo 2021
Beechworth -
Torbreck Vintners
RunRig 2022
Barossa Valley -
Yarra Yering
Dry Red Wine No. 3 2023
Yarra Valley -
Anderson
Cellar Block Durif 2019
Rutherglen -
Anderson & Marsh
Parell Tempranillo 2023
Alpine Valleys -
Bleasdale Vineyards
Frank Potts 2023
Langhorne Creek -
Bubb + Pooley
Syrah Viognier 2023
Tasmania -
Coriole
Sandalwood Sangiovese 2023
McLaren Vale -
Dal Zotto Wines
L'Immigrante Nebbiolo 2018
King Valley -
Dandelion Vineyards
Moonrise Kingdom of McLaren Vale Shiraz Grenache Petite Syrah 2023
McLaren Vale -
d'Arenberg
The Old Bloke & The Three Young Blondes Shiraz Roussanne Viognier Marsanne 2019
McLaren Vale -
Eldorado Road
Riserva Nero d'Avola 2023
North East Victoria Zone -
Fighting Gully Road
Block 02 Sangiovese 2022
Beechworth -
Fighting Gully Road
Sangiovese 2023
Beechworth -
Frankland Estate
Olmo's Reward 2022
Frankland River -
Gentle Folk
Onkaparinga Valley Sangiovese 2023
Adelaide Hills -
Grounded Cru
Kardi Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
McLaren Vale -
Heirloom Vineyards
Anevo Fortress Grenache Touriga Tempranillo 2024
McLaren Vale -
Hentley Farm Wines
H Block Shiraz Cabernet 2022
Barossa Valley -
Hugh Hamilton Wines
Jekyll & Hyde Shiraz Viognier 2022
McLaren Vale -
John Duval Wines
Annexus Mataro 2023
Barossa Valley -
Lowe Family Wine Co
Reserve Zinfandel 2018
Mudgee -
Mayford Wines
Porepunkah Tempranillo 2023
Alpine Valleys -
Mitolo Wines
Cinquecento Sangiovese 2023
McLaren Vale -
Mordrelle Wines
The Gaucho Limited Edition Reserva Malbec 2022
Langhorne Creek -
Mt Pilot Estate
Durif 2021
North East Victoria Zone -
Paralian Wines
Mataro 2024
McLaren Vale -
Paralian Wines
Springs Hill Shiraz Mataro 2024
McLaren Vale -
Silkman Wines
Reserve Shiraz Pinot Noir 2023
Hunter Valley -
Spinifex
Indigene 2022
Barossa Valley -
Sweetwater Wines
Shiraz Cabernet 2023
Hunter Valley -
The Islander Estate Vineyards
The Investigator Cabernet Franc 2019
Kangaroo Island -
Torbreck Vintners
Descendant 2022
Barossa Valley -
tripe.Iscariot
Soeur Cabernet Franc 2023
Margaret River -
Wantirna Estate
Hannah Cabernet Franc Merlot 2022
Yarra Valley -
Wines by KT
Kerri Thompson Howarth Vineyard Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Clare Valley -
Yarra Yering
Light Dry Red Pinot Shiraz 2024
Yarra Valley -
Yarra Yering
Amphora Shiraz Cabernet 2023
Yarra Valley
*This is an edited extract from the 2022 Halliday Wine Companion, with reviews by Jane Faulkner, James Halliday, Erin Larkin, Tony Love, Ned Goodwin MW, Jeni Port and chief editor Tyson Stelzer.
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