The Top 5 Australian Wines, 2026 Edition

[felixp21]

So, what are the top five Australian wines right now?
No, not the one-off, special bins, not the fad wine that has been around for the past four vintages, not the 100-case productions that nobody sees.
Just, the greatest wine, which has a proven track record and is available for purchase, although access may be difficult.
For me, I have included wines I don't necessarily drink, but certainly admire. Wines that do our country proud.

1. Penfolds Grange Shiraz (Hermitage)
No argument from me, its the GOAT. 70+ year track record, World-famous, and put Australia on the World Wine Map.

2. Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay
Incredible consistency from a wine I consider the greatest Chardonnay outside Burgundy. Even the poorest of vintages are excellent, at least, and often superb. The top vintages are mind-blowing.

3. Henschke Hill of Grace
Australia's greatest Single Vineyard red wine, a masterpiece in refined Barossa shiraz that has continually stuck to the same viticulture/oenology princples and practices, ignoring ever-changing trends, to craft a wine true to vintage and terroir.

4. Tyrrells Vat 1 Semillon
I guess this is where the controversy starts, lols, but a white steeped in history, and a wine style uniquely Australian. IMO, it bears no resemblance to it's European cousins, particularly Bordeaux, and represents a flavour profile not really seen outside our country. Love it or hate it, this is another Aussie masterpiece.

5. Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon
It is becoming clearer by the decade that Margaret River is the premier region in Australia for Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varietals. There are so many to choose from, but this wine, along with Cullen, was a founding member of the region. Unashamedly inspired by Pichon Lalande, Moss Wood regularly churns out superb, lithe, complex and age-worthy wines that its Bordeaux cousin would be proud of. Another masterpiece reflective of this wonderful piece of land.

apologies to Giaconda, Sorrenberg, Mount Mary, Lakes Folly, etc etc
love to hear your thoughts!!!

[Hacker]

For me Grange has been overtaken by others. I find its model of so called consistency, and its sources from multiple areas, old and irrelevant today. The other choices I agree with. I’m tempted to suggest Sami Odi HD as well, but I’ll see what others think.

[felixp21]

totally agree with Sami Odi, but it is still in its relative infancy. I would expect it will be competing for a spot in another 10 years.
I admire Grange, but no longer drink it and certainly do not buy it. However, with its history and performance over decades, it remains the Don Bradman of Aussie wines (IMHO)

[Mike Hawkins]

So, what are the top five Australian wines right now?
No, not the one-off, special bins, not the fad wine that has been around for the past four vintages, not the 100-case productions that nobody sees.
Just, the greatest wine, which has a proven track record and is available for purchase, although access may be difficult.
For me, I have included wines I don't necessarily drink, but certainly admire. Wines that do our country proud.

1. Penfolds Grange Shiraz (Hermitage)
No argument from me, its the GOAT. 70+ year track record, World-famous, and put Australia on the World Wine Map.

2. Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay
Incredible consistency from a wine I consider the greatest Chardonnay outside Burgundy. Even the poorest of vintages are excellent, at least, and often superb. The top vintages are mind-blowing.

3. Henschke Hill of Grace
Australia's greatest Single Vineyard red wine, a masterpiece in refined Barossa shiraz that has continually stuck to the same viticulture/oenology princples and practices, ignoring ever-changing trends, to craft a wine true to vintage and terroir.

4. Tyrrells Vat 1 Semillon
I guess this is where the controversy starts, lols, but a white steeped in history, and a wine style uniquely Australian. IMO, it bears no resemblance to it's European cousins, particularly Bordeaux, and represents a flavour profile not really seen outside our country. Love it or hate it, this is another Aussie masterpiece.

5. Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon
It is becoming clearer by the decade that Margaret River is the premier region in Australia for Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varietals. There are so many to choose from, but this wine, along with Cullen, was a founding member of the region. Unashamedly inspired by Pichon Lalande, Moss Wood regularly churns out superb, lithe, complex and age-worthy wines that its Bordeaux cousin would be proud of. Another masterpiece reflective of this wonderful piece of land.

apologies to Giaconda, Sorrenberg, Mount Mary, Lakes Folly, etc etc
love to hear your thoughts!!!

I’m ok with the first four but don’t think MW has reached its former heights in the past decade. I’ll be an outlier here, but throw in Grosset Polish Hill. At 15 years of age it really shines. Just outside my top five would be Mt Ed. It competes strongly with HoG most years

[mjs]

felixp21 - great list

Agree with the first four, not sure about Moss Wood, reckon Mt Ed would have to be up there. In terms of proven track record though, with 60+ vintages, always good, very ofter very good and occasionally great, hard to go past Wynns Black Label for me.

Apologies to Mount Mary Quintet, Deep Woods Estate Cab (track record too short), Rockford BP, Sami-Odi HD (track record too short) and Wynns JR

[Con J]

I agree with Grange and Hill of Grace for iconic status.

Leeuwin Estate yes I’d say Australia’s best Chardonnay, haven’t had many lately but drank heaps from the mid 90s to around 2010 vintage.

There’s a few Cabernets that could be up here but Moss Wood has been the most consistent in quality and enjoyment. I get very little pleasure from young Cabernet.

The last one for me would be Seppelts Sparkling Reds, there’s something special about these wines.

Cheers Con.

[phillisc]

There are a heap of Rieslings
Does Coonawarra and Yarra Valley even rate these days?
Great Western, Bin 0, Langi, St Peters
Elephant in the room ...dear old Wendouree??

Cheers Craig

[mjs]

I agree with Grange and Hill of Grace for iconic status.

Leeuwin Estate yes I’d say Australia’s best Chardonnay, haven’t had many lately but drank heaps from the mid 90s to around 2010 vintage.

There’s a few Cabernets that could be up here but Moss Wood has been the most consistent in quality and enjoyment. I get very little pleasure from young Cabernet.

The last one for me would be Seppelts Sparkling Reds, there’s something special about these wines.

Cheers Con.

Con, great comments, trust you are well
cheers, Malcolm

[VinoEd]

It’s a really good list.

I think the other contenders are Mt Ed, Mount Mary Quintet, Giaconda Chardonnay, Rockford BP, Wendouree Shiraz and maybe at a pinch Wynns JR and Penfolds St Henri.

Cheers Es

[Hacker]

totally agree with Sami Odi, but it is still in its relative infancy. I would expect it will be competing for a spot in another 10 years.
I admire Grange, but no longer drink it and certainly do not buy it. However, with its history and performance over decades, it remains the Don Bradman of Aussie wines (IMHO)

Maybe I’m missing the point. I am referring to 2026 as per the thread heading. I do not think Grange is number one in 2026. In the past few decades yes. This year, no. Shoot me down, but I will hold my ground.
Sami Odi has had roughly 15 years of vintages to be judged by. Surely that is enough to form an opinion.
Following a few night sessions at the AO I’m thinking of another category which is solely dominated by Aperol.

[JamieAdelaide]

You don’t see much about how vintage Sami Odi’s drink online more just endless chatter of the allocation process & FOMO.

Why don’t the Sammi Odi drinkers from the online community get together and hold a vertical?

[JamieAdelaide]

So, what are the top five Australian wines right now?
No, not the one-off, special bins, not the fad wine that has been around for the past four vintages, not the 100-case productions that nobody sees.

1. Penfolds Grange Shiraz (Hermitage)

Indisputable for mine. What’s that clause the financial community warns of? Past performance is no indication of future performance? Will the 90 be as good as the 71? Haven’t seen that yet .

2. Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay
I agree but wouldn’t have until I started drinking them at 20 year old from stelvin against GC Burgundy. Different but unbelievable.

3. Henschke Hill of Grace

Mt Edelstone came first and pips HoG with age about 25% of the time in my experience. Deserves a joint HofG/Mt Ed and I’d put it ahead of LeEAS.


4. Tyrrells Vat 1 Semillon
Unique and stelvin will bring world wide attention at some stage .

5. Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon An Aussie cab deserving here. I’ll pull out some old Moss Wood on Australia Day to go with the lamb chops so I rest my verdict til then.

[Mike Hawkins]

You don’t see much about how vintage Sami Odi’s drink online more just endless chatter of the allocation process & FOMO.

Why don’t the Sammi Odi drinkers from the online community get together and hold a vertical?

I’d be interested to read this. I have a few of the vintages but dropped off the list (like I did for quite a few wineries) over CV19. I’m not convinced that it is quite as outstanding as the superlatives applied to it… but still a very good wine(s).

[Ian S]

I really couldn't offer up any opinion:
- I've only tasted 3 out of the 5 listed, and each many years ago
- I don't believe in top 5s, 10s, 100s in matters of taste.
- My own tastes diverge significantly from leading Aussie critics, most notably in their continued love for Barossa / McLaren Vale, and mine for cooler region wines.

However, isn't this what the Langtons classification set out to assess, based on sale prices on the secondary market? It's about as objective as it comes in terms of judging how the market values wines, even if each of us individually may well see differing value.

One small thought to throw into the mix though, 100yo Para Port. Definitely not a flash in the pan newcomer, and it's something exceptional to lay a barrel down for a century before release.

[Sean]

Interesting to think about, thanks Felix.
I was thinking along the same lines as Hacker, ie. what you pick for the 2026 edition rather than solely based on past glory.

In 2026 maybe Grange shouldn’t be included.
Grange is a caricature of what it was. They have stuck with it, because it is still central to the Penfolds story and marketing.
You will find the 2021 vintage in garish red Lunar New Year packaging currently selling for $885 at Dan Murphy’s.
The wine itself is a Frankenstein freak of nature.
The 100% new American oak and multi-region fruit is out of step these days too. Not sure “Grange class” fruit from anywhere in SA cuts it anymore.
Not even their very best wine, Penfolds has many special bins rolling off the assembly line these days.
If you can still afford Grange and cellar it for 20 yrs, or lucky enough to be drinking old vintages of it, good on you.
Personally I rather have St Henri. The use of old casks (rather than new barrels) makes it an outlier in the Penfolds line-up. I like it as an aged wine and that’s why I have multiple bottles of it in the wine fridge.
I drank a 2018 vintage of Grange last year that cost me $990. A good (not great) wine and definitely in the Grange mould. But unexciting. Not the wow factor I might have felt even 10 years ago drinking a Grange.
This year the 2022 Grange will be released, just can’t see anyone getting too excited about that.
This is the year you don’t include Grange.
Now I can hear all the old farts coming after me with their pitchforks. Or battered old copies of Rewards of Patience in their gnarly fists.

Wine #1 Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz
Truly represents where it comes from (the region) and a track record of unquestionable authenticity.
First produced in 1958 when the vines were already 100 years old and still going strong.
Thanks to the winemaking team Stephen and Prue Henschke.
A compelling reason to drink old vine Australian shiraz.

Wine #2 Rockford Basket Press Shiraz
I wanted to include Sami-Odi Hoffmann Dallwitz Syrah. But feels like it is impossible to get if you aren’t on the mailing list.
Gets more excitement on here now than long-established names like Rockford Basket Press and Wendouree.
What’s “new” and exciting can be a criteria I think, otherwise you end up with a cellar full of wines you aren’t interested in drinking.
If you are including a wine that is keenly sought after and has a great reputation, this is it.
Fraser McKinley is bringing a fresh reset to old vine Barossa shiraz.
But this is the reason Rockford BP is included instead. It has been done before.
The Rockford story started years ago (first vintage in 1984) and is still going.
Shows reverence for the Barossa in the wines, the BP in particular.
Helps if you are a Stonewaller if you want this wine. But it’s not totally unavailable if you are keen to get it.
Look after their long-time customers, which still means something.

Wine #3 Houghton Jack Mann Cabernet Sauvignon
Sourced from Frankland River in WA, which is remote. Mostly the old Jacks vineyard.
Also made with the original Houghton clone of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Named after Jack Mann who did 51 vintages at Houghton.
The big question is - Does the wine survive after him?
In this case yes (well so far), which is why I picked it.
Feel like blind Freddy not picking a Cabernet from Margaret River.
Any of them could be on this list on their day, eg. Cape Mentelle Cabernet Sauvignon, Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon, Vasse Felix Tom Cullity, Xanadu Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.
For me it is Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon.
Remember trying back vintages at the cellar door on a trip to MR and thinking, Why haven’t I been buying this? Fixed that and got a number of different vintages now.
Same thing happened at Xanadu, then Cape Mentelle, well you see where I am going with this.
Chanced on the Houghton Jack Mann at the Brookland Valley cellar door. We had lunch there, then did a tasting incl a number of back vintages of Jack Mann.
It is an out of this world wine when you have been tasting some classy Margaret River Cabs for two days. Got my attention anyway.
Get two bottles of Jack Mann this year. One to drink and one to keep 20 years.

Wine #4 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay
A long pedigree of quality year in, year out setting the benchmark for all Chardonnay in this country.
Also putting Margaret River on the world map for Chardonnay, just don’t bother comparing it to Burgundy. You would be missing the point.
A far flung peninsula in the twixt of the warm Indian Ocean and cold Southern Ocean. Gin Gin clone in MR which has its own distinct character.
Power (not just fruit intensity), elegance, endless length.
On a stellar run in recent years and this year will be no different.

Wine #5 Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon
What the hell is a big company, big volume wine doing on the list?
They make enough of this to fill a tank farm just on its own.
A long pedigree over many years.
The first vintage in 1954, it was actually a white label in the early years. The 60th release was the 2015 vintage and definitely in a purple patch since then under the current winemaking team.
Not a fan of the latest tacky label change. But it is the wine in the bottle that counts most.
Red dirt Coonawarra Cabernet in this bottle.
There is only one Coonawarra in the world, and this is the wine.
Get it under $30 and you feel like you got a bargain.
Do you pick the Wynns JR or the BL?
Get the BL every year, and in the best vintages get the JR too.
Maybe that’s the point, often it is too close to call when you drink them enough times.

[ticklenow1]

The first 4 on Felix's list are no brainers. The Moss Wood would be the one up for debate.

So many great wines with history and some great suggestions above. Some I see merit in, others not so much.

Maurice O'Shea Shiraz would be in my thoughts but has gone off the boil a bit recently. Seppelt Show Reserve Sparkling Shiraz is another. Very hard to choose. Quite a few are more than worthy.

As for Sami Odi, I had a 2012 Dallwitz recently and it was absolutely stunning with plenty of life left and everything I want from a Barossa Shiraz. Will it age like some of the icons? I'm not sure it's made in a style to age 30 years, but you'd have to speak to Fraser about that. All I know is I love drinking them more than pretty much all other Shiraz bar possibly Standish Lamella. More recent Standish Schubert Therom would be my pick to age long term of the current Barossa Shiraz's that people clamour over and I think in years to come will be a wine on this list.

Cheers
Ian

[Ian S]

I love your thinking Sean, and FWIW I absolutely agree on the Wynns Black label being both a legend, and very surprisingly not destroyed by the marketing team / decision makers at TWE.

I do like the Jack Mann as well, another that risked getting destroyed in corporate shenanigans, yet it's still going strong, even if it remains somewhat under the radar when we think of 'prestige' wines.

Grange feels like it's relying heavily on its reputation as the #1 Aussie wine in the broader public eye. i.e. if you asked an ordinary punter to name the 'top' Aussie wine, they'd probably still mostly say Grange, even if they'd never tasted it. Outside of that, it's proved a useful investment in the past, motivating some to buy it for that reason alone. I'm not sure if the secondary market supports the current release pricing in the same way though?

[JamieAdelaide]

I recently bought a bunch of Jack Mann magnums from auctions. They were the 98,99,2000 and 2001. Provenance may be a factor as I didn’t find the wines good enough to be near the top 5. The jarrah coffins they came in are beautiful.

Block 42 has been wonderful on my experience but doesn’t fit the category here. I spent a few hours in the cellar yesterday, until the back gave up, moving boxes put in high places by a a younger man many years ago, and found a few mixed cases of Moss Wood.

So for Australia Day 2mrw I’ve got the 99 and 04 to see if I’m convinced enough to put MW at spot #5. It’s going to be hot cooking the lamb, so on thought I’d find an old Vat 1, but in by Moss Wood boxes I found some of their semillon.

Still think it’s fair to jointly praise HofG and Mt Ed. Edelstone was four vintages earlier than HofG, in the 54 and the 56 put single vineyard Shiraz on the map with all its gongs and praise. The 56 drank well last year! As did a bunch of sixties Mt Ed’s in a dinner I organised in Hong Kong.

[mjs]

Couple of comments

Wine #5 Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon
What the hell is a big company, big volume wine doing on the list?
They make enough of this to fill a tank farm just on its own.

Think I mentioned my agreement with Wynns BL being on this list, particularly in terms of long term provenance, value and quality. I have heard the number 100,000 dozen being bandied about in terms of production, but I guess it varies with the vintage. That fact they can produce such quality wine in such volume is remarkable,

Personally I rather have St Henri. The use of old casks (rather than new barrels) makes it an outlier in the Penfolds line-up. I like it as an aged wine and that’s why I have multiple bottles of it in the wine fridge.

I probably agree with Grange being on the list, because, well, it's Grange, but it wouldn't be my drink of choice. Instead, I would go with St Henri every time.

Block 42 has been wonderful on my experience but doesn’t fit the category here. I spent a few hours in the cellar yesterday, until the back gave up, moving boxes put in high places by a a younger man many years ago, and found a few mixed cases of Moss Wood.

If not the St Henri, then I would go the special bins. I've had some sublime Block42 (96 and 04), similarly 2008 Bin 620, 2010 Bin 169, 1990 Bin90A and Bin920 as well as the remarkable 2004 Bin60A, arguably these wines are at the pinnacle of winemaking in Australia, or at least Penfolds interpretation of same, but they are special niche wines, somewhat hard to procure and never get made in quantities to make this list

You don’t see much about how vintage Sami Odi’s drink online more just endless chatter of the allocation process & FOMO.

Been thinking again about Sami-Odi. I bought some HD in this years offering and have had a few bottles over time, does it deserve to be on this list? I agree with Jamie, there is a lot of hype about the mailing list and the waitlist, but not a lot of discussion about the wines

[Andrew Jordan]

You don’t see much about how vintage Sami Odi’s drink online more just endless chatter of the allocation process & FOMO.

Why don’t the Sammi Odi drinkers from the online community get together and hold a vertical?

I’d be interested to read this. I have a few of the vintages but dropped off the list (like I did for quite a few wineries) over CV19. I’m not convinced that it is quite as outstanding as the superlatives applied to it… but still a very good wine(s).

You were on the list??? Really?!? Last we spoke you were not impressed with Sami Odi wines ... and not a fan.