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In this post, we conclude our list of the best wines we tried in 2019. In total, these represent the rest of the 50-odd best of the over 2,000+ wines we tried in 2019. We highly recommend all of these extraordinary wines (and are affiliated (sadly) with none of their makers 😊 We pick back up with the rest of the best Shiraz:
Shiraz (… continued) – With its varied geographies, it is always a good year for Australia’s favourite grape, and 2019 was no exception. Geez did we find some delicious ones, with Heathcote in particular showing in spades.
* Langmeil Winery 2016 Orphan Bank Shiraz – An extraordinary Shiraz that is somehow deep and polished (always good) but interestingly suggests memories of trodden yet dusty roads at the same time (engaging, a bonus). Powerful yet nuanced fruit expression with the distinction coming more from the fruit than texture. We rarely tout $60 bottles, but this one is well worth it.
* She Oak Hill Vineyard 2015 Shiraz – Where to begin describing a soaring wine such as this? The quintessential Heathcote Shiraz. Restrained power, layers and layers of flavour with the perfect textural balance. Ultimately satisfying but more than that – inspiring – magic and beauty in a bottle. Probably the best Shiraz value we found in 2019.
* Silver Spoon Estate 2016 East Meets West Shiraz – Perfectly captures an impeccable textural balance that few wines achieve while delivering a long-finishing dose of polished dark fruit (and hints of mocha) flavour. A slick Shiraz experience; we certainly applaud!
* Sittella 2017 Swan Valley Reserve Shiraz. Yes, you read that right, we loved Sittella’s Swan Shiraz better than its brothers in the Sittella line-up from the Margaret and Frankland River regions. Plush dark fruit and delicate florals abound, teased by distant flecks of cracked pepper. If you want a revelation about what Swan Valley can achieve with Shiraz (think layers, texture, and restraint), try this bottle!
Under Appreciated Reds Varieties and Styles – Always frustrating to hear things like “I only drink Pinot”, or “I only do Shiraz”… Such stunning beauty in the wines below. It should be a crime to miss them.
* Chambers Rosewood Winery Old Vine Muscat – It’s a shame some narrow-minded people won’t try fortified wines. They’ll never understand what they’ve missed in a gem like this, with its breath-taking cornucopia of toasted autumn spices, swirling nut, and even floral flavours. Words really can’t explain it; must be experienced. Unbelievable at $25.
* De Lisio Wines Sangiovese – such a plump, juicy and polished Sangiovese that transcends the cherry-flavoured traps into which so many Sangioveses fall. This one is dark, mysterious, and awesome. It really hits the “juicy” and particularly “polished” notes in a way too few other more rustic Sangioveses could even come close to.
* Faber Vineyard Petit Verdot – Such a warm and inviting wine swirling with lifted blueberry and floral notes. Neither light nor heavy, but rather just right. One of those rare wines that would thoroughly satisfy novices and critics alike.
* Heathvale Wines 2017 Belief Sagrantino – Probably the most balanced AUS Sagrantino we have ever had (it still packs a punch!), which is the most critical but so rarely achieved key element for this powerful and peppery varietal. You couldn’t find much better in Italy. We don’t see near enough Sagrantino in AUS; drink this one and you’ll understand what we mean!
* Izway Wines 2017 Angelo Aglianico – A remarkable acid backbone underpins a field upon which dance a field of violets. A linear and elegant wine. Really a superb food wine that would be exquisite with and worthy of only the most opulent dinner. Although the flavour notes might be classed as “feminine”, this is a wine of ample power, elegantly restrained.
* Kerr Farm Wine Jaison 2013 Pinotage (Kumeu, NZ) – Such a refreshingly unique mishmash of flavours and savour in this rich and satisfying wine. Mulberries, green bramble, fall foliage, supple blackberry and more, all neatly arranged and sure to inspire in this liquid freight train. What would you expect from NZ’s oldest Pinotage vines?
* Vineyard Road Cellar Door 2015 Sangiovese – This one made the list last year (and is the first wine to hit this list two years running!), but we swear the wine got even better this year. More than just a typical Sangiovese black cherry, a powerful depth of polished grape flavour underpins this wine. No edge at all; just a smooth, deep, slow, incredibly well-rounded and wonderful flavour experience. (Did they accidentally bottle a stray vat of a Super-Tuscan? 🙂 One of the best Sangioveses we’ve ever had.
* Virago Beechworth Nebbiolo 2015 Nebbiolo – An oh so delicate Nebb, and when we say delicate, we mean it with a Nebb sensibility 😉 Plenty of power, but balanced on a razor’s edge. This is truly a magical wine; such an elegant and beautiful Nebbiolo. Broad character is tenderly delivered with focus and great poise. A gypsy dancing lithely across the palate as its casts its spell. A wine of great wonder.
A Few Whites – There is no question that our tastes have (sadly) veered redder and redder in recent years, and as we’ve tried to increase our quantities of wines tasted, we have begun skipping some wines (where we never would have in the past) to make it through longer days of tasting. With that in mind, I suppose one might believe the white wines offered below to be doubly exceptional.
* Burke & Wills Winery Gewurztraminer – We don’t see enough of this complex varietal in Australia. B&W’s take offers something completely new and rewarding to the white spectrum. Think florals, spice and a touch of pine; plump palate, dry finish – versatile, awesome!
* Clonakilla Wines 2018 Viognier – This one is a powerful and potent Viognier of great depth, featuring all the best Viognier flavour profiles, but restrained power above all else – a velvet sledge hammer. A true statement wine. We challenge any red drinker not to love this white!
* Domaine Asmara Vineyard 2017 Viognier – Perfect balance of lush melon and peach against powerful Viognier complexity – sure to be loved by newbies and experts alike.
* Gapsted Wines 2018 Ballerina Canopy Chardonnay – Very serious nose of oak and mystery. Seasoned oak, buttery popcorn, peach, fresh and juicy citrus – nails all the good taste notes down the line.
* Gapsted Wines King Valley Prosecco – 2019 was a great year for AUS bubbles, and at $20 a bottle, this livewire wine defines that statement. It’s simply alive with fresh fruit flavours and finely textures bubbles needling them across the palate. If you put the best of Spring and Autumn flavours into a magical blender, this would be the product.
* Jane Brook Estate Wines Traditional Method Sparkling White – One of the most rewarding glasses of fizz we’ve had from Australia recently (and a real surprise coming from WA!) Great depth and superb balance. Elements of honeysuckle and scone – not just the honey part of honeysuckle but also those delicate and beautiful floral notes. Plenty of that glorious Champagne yeastiness, but not overbearing. Kissed with the slightest hint of sweetness. (Margaret River fruit!)
* Jim Barry Wines Florita 2018 Riesling – Real, true promise is achieved in this glorious wine. Deep, powerful, and alive. A truly pure Riesling. If this doesn’t make you believe in the varietal, nothing will. ‘Nough said.
* The Lane Vineyard 2013 Cuvee Helen – Yum! A gorgeous sparkling with just the right levels of brioche and yeastiness. This Blanc de Blanc starts fresh but meanders across the palate with increasing and intriguing complexity. Will please all lovers of sparkling.
* Mudbrick Vineyard & Restaurant 2019 Reserve Pinot Gris – Shocking depth and power to such a young wine. This one retains its fruit vibrancy (ginger, quince, and ripe peach and pear) and shines free of the oil film that can obscure the beautiful flavour in such deep Gris as this. Incredible that this is only a 2019 vintage wine. Probably a promising future, but no reason in this world not to drink now!
* Rutherglen Estates 2018 Pinot Grigio – Such a delicious Pinot Grigio, with all the focused acidity and fresh flavours we want with this varietal. Cashew, pear, almond, honey, and a dash of light Thai spice. Yum, yum, yum. At under $20, we could drink this all day.
* Sutton Grange Winery Estate Viognier – An unusually pretty Viognier. Not perfumed, but this medium-bodied wine dances the palate lithely like a wine half its weight, weaving a paradoxically linear intensity of soft minerality. Pretty, interesting, and yum. Jasmine flower, honeysuckle, and creamy peach – delivered softly but deeply.
* Virgil 2018 Chardonnay – Our tasting notes on the day with no editing 😊 : “Can a nose be perfumed popcorn? Indeed. Jesus, a transcendental deep creek floor Chardonnay. So balanced and confidently poised on its tight rope perch. Assertiveness, but floating in a child’s bubble. So special … “
Hats off to all our 2019 Wines of the Year!!! #WhyWeLoveWine