James Suckling - Old Vines, New Vision: How Barossa’s Heritage Grapes Are Shaping Australia’s Wine Future
James Suckling is an American wine and cigar critic and former Senior Editor and European Bureau Chief of Wine Spectator. He established jamessuckling.com in 2010 and is one of the world’s most influential reviewers. His wines in Australia are reviewed by Ryan Montgomery.
Each year, James Suckling releases a Top 100 Wines of Australia. We were featured in the list for 2023, but did not submit wines for the 2024 list. But as part of a recent visit, a very good article was written on Old Vines, New Vision: How Barossa’s Heritage Grapes Are Shaping Australia’s Wine Future. Many of these wines will be featured in the Top 100 list for 2025. 334 Tasting notes were published as part of this article. All our wines received 93 or more, with 3 wines receiving 95 Points or more. 2021 Block 15 received 97 Points back in 2023, and the 2022 backed it up with 97 Points. Personally, I love the 2022 so was excited to see this recognition. I was also very happy to see the recently bottled 2023s doing so well. The Estate Block 9 and Block 1 once again performed very well. The list is really impressive list of the who’s who of Barossa Wine. It was very exciting to say the least. And all the reviewed wines are still available via our website.
2022 Block 15 Shiraz - 97 Points - A deep, dense, textural, finely grained and lively shiraz. The nose shows dark plums, cocoa, coconut flakes, roasted meat and warm spices. It's full-bodied with ultra-fine tannins. Layered, with a refined texture, caressing edges and a silky stream of berries, spices and chocolate on the palate. Vivid. precise, chiseled and composed. Intense but always in control, with an incredibly fine texture. Long finish. Drink or hold.
2022 Hillside Shiraz - 95 Points - A spectacular, textural, intense and composed shiraz. It has aromas of dark plums, mulberries, dried herbs, dark chocolate, warm spices and some leather. Full-bodied with finely grained tannins. Plenty of weight, with a fine texture at the edges. Driven and vviid at the center thanks to a stream of peppercorns and dried herbs. Peppery and flavorful with a long, focused, linear finish. Drink or hold.
2023 Estate Block 9 Shiraz - 95 Points - Well composed, in control, textural and driven, this shiraz impresses with dark cherries, plums, warm herbs, baking spices and a touch of bark on the nose. It's medium- to full-bodied with finely grained tannins. A dense and velvety core of berries on the palate, with control and poise. Well made and linear, with a long, precise, vibrant finish. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
2023 Estate Block 1 Shiraz - 93 Points - A well-crafted, balanced and chiseled shiraz showing aromas of mulberries, wild currants, dried peppercorns and wild herbs. Full-bodied with fine, firm tannins. A seductive texture with a dense and linear core of dark berries and spices at the center. Plenty of drive, with structure and focus. A flavorful and intense finish with length. Drink or hold. Screw cap
And a couple of our members only wines.
2021 Koonunga Shiraz - 94 Points - A layered, textured and well-driven shiraz with aromas of mulberries, chocolate, dried herbs and a hint of dried coffee grounds. It's medium- to full-bodied with finely grained tannins. Focused and well made, with a subtle texture shaping the mid-palate. Peppery and lively, with a long finish. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
2022 Hutton Vale Farm Eden Valley Shiraz - 93 Points - A solid, well-made and precise shiraz with aromas of blackberries, dried herbs, bay leaves and some forest floor. Full-bodied with fine, firm tannins. Plenty of texture and structure. Driven and serious, with a focused, compact and flavorful finish of length. Try after 2026. Screw cap.