James Suckling: Top 100 Wines of Australia

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James Suckling’s Associate editor Ryan Montgomery, recently published the Top 100 Wines of Australia: December 13 2024. Listing the Top 100 Wines of Australia Ryan’s list 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 Wines of Australia 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 ranks our 2022 Fighting Gully Road Block 02 Sangiovese in 49th spot. A fantastic result for FGR, but also for Beechworth Vignerons: nine entries in the Top 100*, eight of from Beechworth fruit.

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…

49. FIGHTING GULLY ROAD SANGIOVESE BEECHWORTH BLOCK 02 2022 – 95 points by Ryan Montgomery for James Suckling’s Top 100 Wines of Australia:

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.”

View the Top 100 list below:

  1. STEFANO LUBIANA PINOT NOIR TASMANIA LA ROCCIA 2022
  2. TYRRELL’S SHIRAZ HUNTER VALLEY OLD PATCH 2023
  3. FRANKLAND ESTATE RIESLING FRANKLAND RIVER ISOLATION RIDGE 2022
  4. POOLEY RIESLING TASMANIA MARGARET POOLEY TRIBUTE 2022
  5. THE STANDISH WINE COMPANY BAROSSA VALLEY THE RELIC 2022
  6. BINDI PINOT NOIR MACEDON RANGES ORIGINAL VINEYARD 2023
  7. MOUNT MARY YARRA VALLEY QUINTET 2022
  8. RIESLINGFREAK RIESLING EDEN VALLEY NO. 4 2024
  9. ALL SAINTS ESTATE MUSCAT RUTHERGLEN RARE
  10. SAMI-ODI SHIRAZ BAROSSA VALLEY HOFFMANN DALLWITZ 2023
  11. PENFOLDS CABERNET SAUVIGNON COONAWARRA BIN 169 2022
  12. GIACONDA ESTATE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY, BEECHWORTH  2022*
  13. JASPER HILL SHIRAZ HEATHCOTE GEORGIA’S PADDOCK 2022
  14. MICHAEL HALL SYRAH EDEN VALLEY FLAXMAN’S VALLEY 2022
  15. DOMENICA ESTATE SHIRAZ, BEECHWORTH 2022*
  16. SERRAT SHIRAZ VIOGNIER YARRA VALLEY 2023
  17. VANGUARDIST WINES GRENACHE MCLAREN VALE 2022
  18. SERRAT CHARDONNAY YARRA VALLEY 2023
  19. DEEP WOODS ESTATE CHARDONNAY MARGARET RIVER RESERVE 2023
  20. GIANT STEPS CHARDONNAY YARRA VALLEY SEXTON VINEYARD 2023
  21. YABBY LAKE PINOT NOIR COAL RIVER VALLEY SINGLE VINEYARD 2023
  22. CHATTO PINOT NOIR HUON VALLEY ISLE 2023
  23. GROSSET RIESLING CLARE VALLEY G110 2023
  24. VASSE FELIX CHARDONNAY MARGARET RIVER HEYTESBURY 2023
  25. KOERNER SAVAGNIN ADELAIDE HILLS DEANERY VINEYARD 2023
  26. BK WINES CHARDONNAY ADELAIDE HILLS ARCHER BEAU 2022
  27. YERINGBERG YARRA VALLEY 2022
  28. BANNOCKBURN CHARDONNAY GEELONG S.R.H. 2023
  29. SAILOR SEEKS HORSE CHARDONNAY TASMANIA CLONE 96 HULDUFOLK 2022
  30. YANGARRA ROUSSANNE MCLAREN VALE ROUX BEAUTÉ 2022
  31. SAVATERRE RESERVE PINOT NOIR, BEECHWORTH 2022*
  32. TOLPUDDLE CHARDONNAY TASMANIA 2023
  33. CULLEN MARGARET RIVER DIANA MADELINE 2022
  34. SHAW + SMITH CHARDONNAY ADELAIDE HILLS LENSWOOD VINEYARD 2022
  35. S.C. PANNELL GRENACHE MCLAREN VALE LITTLE BRANCH 2022
  36. TORBRECK SHIRAZ BAROSSA THE STRUIE 2022
  37. CULLEN CHARDONNAY MARGARET RIVER KEVIN JOHN 2023
  38. CLARENDON HILLS GRENACHE MCLAREN VALE BLEWITT SPRINGS ROMAS 2022
  39. LEEUWIN ESTATE CHARDONNAY MARGARET RIVER ART SERIES 2021
  40. VASSE FELIX CABERNET SAUVIGNON MALBEC MARGARET RIVER TOM CULLITY 2020
  41. HOUSE OF ARRAS TASMANIA LATE DISGORGED BRUT 2009
  42. CLOUDBURST CHARDONNAY MARGARET RIVER 2022
  43. YARRA YERING CABERNET SAUVIGNON YARRA VALLEY CARRODUS 2022
  44. BASS PHILLIP PINOT NOIR GIPPSLAND PREMIUM 2022
  45. BROKENWOOD SHIRAZ HUNTER VALLEY GRAVEYARD VINEYARD 2023
  46. CHRIS RINGLAND SHIRAZ BAROSSA VALLEY HOFFMAN VINEYARD 2013
  47. DALWHINNIE CHARDONNAY PYRENEES MOONAMBEL 2022
  48. CRAIGLEE SHIRAZ SUNBURY 2020
  49. FIGHTING GULLY ROAD BLOCK 02 SANGIOVESE, BEECHWORTH 2022
  50. CASTAGNA CHENIN BLANC, BEECHWORTH 2021*
  51. PIANO PIANO SOPHIE’S BLOCK CHARDONNAY, BEECHWORTH 2022*
  52. DE BORTOLI SEMILLON RUTHERGLEN NOBLE ONE 2020
  53. BEST’S RIESLING GREAT WESTERN FOUDRE FERMENT 2023
  54. MARCO LUBIANA CHARDONNAY DERWENT VALLEY ONE TERROIR 2023
  55. MOOROODUC ESTATE CHARDONNAY MORNINGTON PENINSULA THE MOOROODUC MCINTYRE 2022
  56. OCHOTA BARRELS GRENACHE MCLAREN VALE FUGAZI VINEYARD 2024
  57. HICKINBOTHAM CABERNET SAUVIGNON MCLAREN VALE TRUEMAN 2022
  58. WINDOWS ESTATE CHARDONNAY MARGARET RIVER PETIT LOT 2023
  59. MURDOCH HILL CHARDONNAY ADELAIDE HILLS ROCKET 2023
  60. TERRE À TERRE CHARDONNAY PICCADILLY VALLEY DAOSA BLANC DE BLANCS 2019
  61. SORRENBERG GAMAY, BEECHWORTH 2023*
  62. VINEA MARSON ALPINE VALLEYS GRAZIA 2021
  63. BRASH HIGGINS RIESLING SEMILLON MCLAREN VALE RSM SADDLEBAGS HILL VINEYARD 2022
  64. GEMTREE FIANO MCLAREN VALE SMALL BATCH 2023
  65. NOCTURNE CHARDONNAY MARGARET RIVER FORREST VINEYARD 2023
  66. LETHBRIDGE CHARDONNAY GEELONG ALLEGRA 2018
  67. TAPANAPPA CHARDONNAY ADELAIDE HILLS PICCADILLY VALLEY TIERS VINEYARD 1.5M 2023
  68. SONS OF EDEN TEMPRANILLO BAROSSA VALLEY SELENE 2019
  69. HENSCHKE RIESLING EDEN VALLEY JULIUS 2024
  70. VOYAGER ESTATE CHARDONNAY MARGARET RIVER MJW 2022
  71. SAVATERRE FRÈRE CADET CHARDONNAY, BEECHWORTH 2022*
  72. BEKKERS SYRAH GRENACHE MCLAREN VALE 2022
  73. HOWARD PARK CABERNET SAUVIGNON WESTERN AUSTRALIA ABERCROMBIE 2022
  74. WIRRA WIRRA SHIRAZ MCLAREN VALE CHOOK BLOCK 2021
  75. CLONAKILLA SHIRAZ VIOGNIER CANBERRA DISTRICT 2023
  76. ALKINA GRENACHE BAROSSA VALLEY POLYGON NO. 3 2022
  77. HEATHCOTE ESTATE SHIRAZ HEATHCOTE BLOCK C 2022
  78. PARINGA ESTATE CHARDONNAY MORNINGTON PENINSULA THE PARINGA 2022
  79. MAYER PINOT NOIR YARRA VALLEY DR. MAYER 2023
  80. WILLIAM DOWNIE PINOT NOIR GIPPSLAND BULL SWAMP 2023
  81. LYONS WILL ESTATE CHARDONNAY MACEDON RANGES 2023
  82. DOMAINE NATURALISTE CHARDONNAY MARGARET RIVER PURUS 2023
  83. MEADOWBANK PINOT NOIR TASMANIA 2023
  84. JOHN DUVAL WINES GRENACHE BAROSSA ANNEXUS 2023
  85. FLAMETREE CABERNET SAUVIGNON MARGARET RIVER S.R.S. 2022
  86. A. RODDA WILLOWLAKE CHARDONNAY, YARRA VALLEY  2023*
  87. HANDPICKED CHARDONNAY YARRA VALLEY HIGHBOW HILL VINEYARD 2021
  88. STARGAZER CHARDONNAY DERWENT VALLEY 2023
  89. OCHOTA BARRELS CHARDONNAY ADELAIDE HILLS +5V OV 2024
  90. KOOYONG CHARDONNAY MORNINGTON PENINSULA FARRAGO 2022
  91. DOMAINE TERLATO AND CHAPOUTIER SHIRAZ PYRENEES L-BLOCK 2022
  92. BANNOCKBURN PINOT NOIR GEELONG DE LA TERRE 2019
  93. CURLY FLAT PINOT NOIR MACEDON RANGES 2022
  94. SEPPELTSFIELD SHIRAZ BAROSSA THE WESTING 2022
  95. POLPERRO CHARDONNAY MORNINGTON PENINSULA TALLAND HILL 2022
  96. BLACKJACK BENDIGO MR. RAMOY 2019
  97. SCOTCHMANS HILL SYRAH BELLARINE PENINSULA CORNELIUS SPRAY FARM VINEYARD 2017
  98. XANADU CABERNET SAUVIGNON MARGARET RIVER RESERVE 2022
  99. FRASER GALLOP ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON MARGARET RIVER PALLADIAN 2021
  100. TEN MINUTES BY TRACTOR CHARDONNAY MORNINGTON PENINSULA TRAHERE 2022

*All of those produced by Beechworth Vignerons = just shy of 10%, which is a great result for the region.

Read the full article here.