Just announced, and published on December 13 2024, James Suckling’s Associate editor Ryan Montgomery, listed his Top 100 Wines of Australia for 2024. Sharing his Top 100 Wines of Australia Ryan includes 51 red wines, with 45 whites; and they are joined by two sparkling, one fortified, and one dessert wine. Forty-one are from the state of Victoria, 30 from South Australia, 16 from Western Australia, 10 from Tasmania and three from New South Wales.
This year’s Top 100 highlights the steady evolution of the country’s top offerings, which have continued to impress with their elegance, balance and regional character. Despite the challenges brought by La Niña weather patterns over the past three years, with unpredictable growing conditions in south eastern Australia, the country’s produced exceptional wines, showing resilience and refinement.
Ryan tasted more than 2,200 Australian wines during his Spring visit to the country, arriving in Beechworth in late September-October. Ryan immersed himself in the vineyards and cellars of our unique region. The Top 100 list includes nine wines from eight Beechworth vignerons, all except for one wine was sourced from Beechworth fruit. A great result compared to the 2023’s list from James Suckling’s previous editor, which only included four wines from the region.
This year’s tasting journey across Australia extended beyond the classics – those iconic shiraz, chardonnay and riesling wines that define Australia’s global reputation – to uncover many new, exciting and unique offerings. From emerging producers and alternative varieties to off-the-beaten-path vineyards with a profound sense of place, this Top 100 list showcases the extraordinary diversity to be found among the finest examples of Australian wine…
View the full Top 100 list as follows:
[1-20]
- STEFANO LUBIANA PINOT NOIR TASMANIA LA ROCCIA 2022
- TYRRELL’S SHIRAZ HUNTER VALLEY OLD PATCH 2023
- FRANKLAND ESTATE RIESLING FRANKLAND RIVER ISOLATION RIDGE 2022
- POOLEY RIESLING TASMANIA MARGARET POOLEY TRIBUTE 2022
- THE STANDISH WINE COMPANY BAROSSA VALLEY THE RELIC 2022
- BINDI PINOT NOIR MACEDON RANGES ORIGINAL VINEYARD 2023
- MOUNT MARY YARRA VALLEY QUINTET 2022
- RIESLINGFREAK RIESLING EDEN VALLEY NO. 4 2024
- ALL SAINTS ESTATE MUSCAT RUTHERGLEN RARE
- SAMI-ODI SHIRAZ BAROSSA VALLEY HOFFMANN DALLWITZ 2023
- PENFOLDS CABERNET SAUVIGNON COONAWARRA BIN 169 2022
- GIACONDA ESTATE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY, BEECHWORTH 2022: “The nose is mineral- and saline-driven, with expressive stone fruit aromas supported by notes of flint, grapefruit pith, shortbread cookies and graphite. The palate is giving and expressive, with high-tension acidity, a generous mouthfeel and a long-lasting finish. Exceptionally well balanced, with a high level of sophistication. Excellent. Drink or hold. Screw cap – 98 points.”
- JASPER HILL SHIRAZ HEATHCOTE GEORGIA’S PADDOCK 2022
- MICHAEL HALL SYRAH EDEN VALLEY FLAXMAN’S VALLEY 2022
- DOMENICA ESTATE SHIRAZ, BEECHWORTH 2022: “An address sitting pretty amidst the regional firmament, supported by an excellent 2022 syrah. Superlative aromas of mace, charcuterie, tapenade and florals. The fruit, blue and savory, is really not the point. It is more about the lithe framework of structural attributes, from the precise acidity, sinuous tannins and impeccably integrated whole bunches. I’d be happy to breach this mid-weighter with an aggressive decant, or hold for greater complexity across the mid-term. Very fine syrah. Drink or hold. Screw cap – 97 points.”
- SERRAT SHIRAZ VIOGNIER YARRA VALLEY 2023
- VANGUARDIST WINES GRENACHE MCLAREN VALE 202,
- SERRAT CHARDONNAY YARRA VALLEY 2023
- DEEP WOODS ESTATE CHARDONNAY MARGARET RIVER RESERVE 2023
- GIANT STEPS CHARDONNAY YARRA VALLEY SEXTON VINEYARD 2023
[21-40]
- YABBY LAKE PINOT NOIR COAL RIVER VALLEY SINGLE VINEYARD 2023
- CHATTO PINOT NOIR HUON VALLEY ISLE 2023
- GROSSET RIESLING CLARE VALLEY G110 2023
- VASSE FELIX CHARDONNAY MARGARET RIVER HEYTESBURY 2023
- KOERNER SAVAGNIN ADELAIDE HILLS DEANERY VINEYARD 2023
- BK WINES CHARDONNAY ADELAIDE HILLS ARCHER BEAU 2022
- YERINGBERG YARRA VALLEY 2022
- BANNOCKBURN CHARDONNAY GEELONG S.R.H. 2023
- SAILOR SEEKS HORSE CHARDONNAY TASMANIA CLONE 96 HULDUFOLK 2022
- YANGARRA ROUSSANNE MCLAREN VALE ROUX BEAUTÉ 2022
- SAVATERRE RESERVE PINOT NOIR, BEECHWORTH 2022: “Very lifted and perfumed, with notes of dark cherries, dried herbs, tobacco and truffles. The palate is medium-bodied with focused acidity and integrated tannins, giving notes of potpourri, orange rind and cedar. A true pinot noir with all the character that people want from the top pinots around the world. Excellent. Drink or hold. Screw cap – 97 points.”
- TOLPUDDLE CHARDONNAY TASMANIA 2023
- CULLEN MARGARET RIVER DIANA MADELINE 2022
- SHAW + SMITH CHARDONNAY ADELAIDE HILLS LENSWOOD VINEYARD 2022
- S.C. PANNELL GRENACHE MCLAREN VALE LITTLE BRANCH 2022
- TORBRECK SHIRAZ BAROSSA THE STRUIE 2022
- CULLEN CHARDONNAY MARGARET RIVER KEVIN JOHN 2023
- CLARENDON HILLS GRENACHE MCLAREN VALE BLEWITT SPRINGS ROMAS 2022
- LEEUWIN ESTATE CHARDONNAY MARGARET RIVER ART SERIES 2021
- VASSE FELIX CABERNET SAUVIGNON MALBEC MARGARET RIVER TOM CULLITY 2020
[41-60]
- HOUSE OF ARRAS TASMANIA LATE DISGORGED BRUT 2009
- CLOUDBURST CHARDONNAY MARGARET RIVER 2022
- YARRA YERING CABERNET SAUVIGNON YARRA VALLEY CARRODUS 2022
- BASS PHILLIP PINOT NOIR GIPPSLAND PREMIUM 2022
- BROKENWOOD SHIRAZ HUNTER VALLEY GRAVEYARD VINEYARD 2023
- CHRIS RINGLAND SHIRAZ BAROSSA VALLEY HOFFMAN VINEYARD 2013
- DALWHINNIE CHARDONNAY PYRENEES MOONAMBEL 2022
- CRAIGLEE SHIRAZ SUNBURY 2020
- FIGHTING GULLY ROAD BLOCK 02 SANGIOVESE, BEECHWORTH 2022: “Floral and red-fruit focused, with aromas of cherries, mocha and rose petals. The palate is medium-bodied with finely integrated tannins and bright acidity, giving notes of red currants, tobacco leaves and wet stones. Very well balanced and focused, with an underlying tension. Drink or hold. Screw cap – 95 points.”
- CASTAGNA CHENIN BLANC, BEECHWORTH 2021: “The nose is incredibly enticing and flirtatious, with mineral-driven aromas of flint, lemon curd and river stones. The palate is wonderfully complex and fresh, giving notes of grapefruit rind, shortbread, talcum powder and orange zest. Sophisticated, fresh and powerful. Excellent. Drink or hold – 96 points.”
- PIANO PIANO SOPHIE’S BLOCK CHARDONNAY, BEECHWORTH 2022: “A reticent nose sheds its reduction with a good workout in the glass, delivering glazed quince, canned peach, truffle and stone fruits, underlined by a pithy, stony finish. Incisive mineral tension drives exceptional length. A mid-weighted chardonnay of pedigree, post code and immense class, befitting the well versed Burgundy drinker seeking a point of difference. Drinkable now, but best from 2027. Screw cap – 95 points.”
- DE BORTOLI SEMILLON RUTHERGLEN NOBLE ONE 2020
- BEST’S RIESLING GREAT WESTERN FOUDRE FERMENT 2023
- MARCO LUBIANA CHARDONNAY DERWENT VALLEY ONE TERROIR 2023
- MOOROODUC ESTATE CHARDONNAY MORNINGTON PENINSULA THE MOOROODUC MCINTYRE 2022
- OCHOTA BARRELS GRENACHE MCLAREN VALE FUGAZI VINEYARD 2024
- HICKINBOTHAM CABERNET SAUVIGNON MCLAREN VALE TRUEMAN 2022
- WINDOWS ESTATE CHARDONNAY MARGARET RIVER PETIT LOT 2023
- MURDOCH HILL CHARDONNAY ADELAIDE HILLS ROCKET 2023
- TERRE À TERRE CHARDONNAY PICCADILLY VALLEY DAOSA BLANC DE BLANCS 2019
[61-80]
- SORRENBERG GAMAY, BEECHWORTH 2023: “Layers of red fruit, dried rose petals, earth and graphite on the nose. The palate is high tension with focused acidity and fine tannins, giving notes of blackberries, cassia bark and spices. Excellent example of gamay on the world stage. Drink or hold – 96 points.”
- VINEA MARSON ALPINE VALLEYS GRAZIA 2021
- BRASH HIGGINS RIESLING SEMILLON MCLAREN VALE RSM SADDLEBAGS HILL VINEYARD 2022
- GEMTREE FIANO MCLAREN VALE SMALL BATCH 2023
- NOCTURNE CHARDONNAY MARGARET RIVER FORREST VINEYARD 2023
- LETHBRIDGE CHARDONNAY GEELONG ALLEGRA 2018
- TAPANAPPA CHARDONNAY ADELAIDE HILLS PICCADILLY VALLEY TIERS VINEYARD 1.5M 2023
- SONS OF EDEN TEMPRANILLO BAROSSA VALLEY SELENE 2019
- HENSCHKE RIESLING EDEN VALLEY JULIUS 2024
- VOYAGER ESTATE CHARDONNAY MARGARET RIVER MJW 2022
- SAVATERRE FRÈRE CADET CHARDONNAY, BEECHWORTH 2022: “Damn this is reductive, demanding an aggressive decant, or an eagle eye in the cellar and plenty of patience. Yet the material lurking behind this flinty, terse carapace is thoroughly impressive: pithy stone fruits, anise, glazed quince and citrus marmalade. Thrilling levels of sheer extract, intensity and length, to boot. Trust me. WAIT! Drinkable now, but best from 2027. Screw cap – 96 points.”
- BEKKERS SYRAH GRENACHE MCLAREN VALE 2022
- HOWARD PARK CABERNET SAUVIGNON WESTERN AUSTRALIA ABERCROMBIE 2022
- WIRRA WIRRA SHIRAZ MCLAREN VALE CHOOK BLOCK 2021
- CLONAKILLA SHIRAZ VIOGNIER CANBERRA DISTRICT 2023
- ALKINA GRENACHE BAROSSA VALLEY POLYGON NO. 3 2022
- HEATHCOTE ESTATE SHIRAZ HEATHCOTE BLOCK C 2022
- PARINGA ESTATE CHARDONNAY MORNINGTON PENINSULA THE PARINGA 2022
- MAYER PINOT NOIR YARRA VALLEY DR. MAYER 2023
- WILLIAM DOWNIE PINOT NOIR GIPPSLAND BULL SWAMP 2023
[81-100]
- LYONS WILL ESTATE CHARDONNAY MACEDON RANGES 2023
- DOMAINE NATURALISTE CHARDONNAY MARGARET RIVER PURUS 2023
- MEADOWBANK PINOT NOIR TASMANIA 2023
- JOHN DUVAL WINES GRENACHE BAROSSA ANNEXUS 2023
- FLAMETREE CABERNET SAUVIGNON MARGARET RIVER S.R.S. 2022
- A. RODDA WILLOWLAKE CHARDONNAY, YARRA VALLEY 2023: “The nose is rich and giving with a mineral edge and notes of lemon pith, talcum powder and flint. The medium-bodied palate has fresh acidity and generous texture, showing nectarines, graphite and grapefruit. Very good. Drink or hold. Screw cap – 95 points.”
- HANDPICKED CHARDONNAY YARRA VALLEY HIGHBOW HILL VINEYARD 2021
- STARGAZER CHARDONNAY DERWENT VALLEY 2023
- OCHOTA BARRELS CHARDONNAY ADELAIDE HILLS +5V OV 2024
- KOOYONG CHARDONNAY MORNINGTON PENINSULA FARRAGO 2022
- DOMAINE TERLATO AND CHAPOUTIER SHIRAZ PYRENEES L-BLOCK 2022
- BANNOCKBURN PINOT NOIR GEELONG DE LA TERRE 2019
- CURLY FLAT PINOT NOIR MACEDON RANGES 2022
- SEPPELTSFIELD SHIRAZ BAROSSA THE WESTING 2022
- POLPERRO CHARDONNAY MORNINGTON PENINSULA TALLAND HILL 2022
- BLACKJACK BENDIGO MR. RAMOY 2019
- SCOTCHMANS HILL SYRAH BELLARINE PENINSULA CORNELIUS SPRAY FARM VINEYARD 2017
- XANADU CABERNET SAUVIGNON MARGARET RIVER RESERVE 2022
- FRASER GALLOP ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON MARGARET RIVER PALLADIAN 2021
- TEN MINUTES BY TRACTOR CHARDONNAY MORNINGTON PENINSULA TRAHERE 2022
All of those BOLDED are produced by Beechworth Vignerons, which ends up being just shy of 10% of the Top 100 wines featured – an exceptional result for our small region.