There’s something special about being recognised for doing what you love, vintage after vintage. Fighting Gully Road’s Sangiovese has once again earned a place among Australia’s best, with the 2025 vintage scoring 96 points and features in the Halliday Top 100 Wines of 2026.
Reviewed by Jeni Port, the $38 Beechworth Sangiovese was praised for its depth, complexity and distinctly savoury character. Redcurrant, cherry and red plum sit alongside dried herbs, black pepper, sun-dried tomato and earthy notes, with a light Campari-like bitterness bringing classic Sangiovese character to the finish.
As Jeni puts it, “Think you know sangiovese? Think again.”
It’s another outstanding result for Mark Walpole, whose long-standing passion for the variety has helped establish Fighting Gully Road as one of Australia’s benchmark Sangiovese producers. With previous vintages also recognised in the Halliday Top 100, this latest inclusion reinforces the consistency and quality coming out of Beechworth.
At $38 a bottle, it’s a reminder that exceptional Australian wine doesn’t always need a hefty price tag.
Jeni’s review:
Think of the first Australian sangiovese you ever tried and then try this – the two are worlds apart. The fruit sweetness, so obvious back then, is now one layer of many, a multi-cast member that includes dried herbs, black pepper, sun-dried tomato, leaf and earth among redcurrant, cherry and red plum fruits. And ripe fruits are joined by a savoury, light Campari note that shows some sangiovese attitude, finishing cherry-pip dry. Think you know sangiovese? Think again”
