Shiraz isn’t just Australia’s most planted grape – it’s the heart and soul of the country’s wine industry, offering a rich, bold expression of place, with regions like the Barossa, Eden and Clare Valleys as well as McLaren Vale producing some of the best renditions.
Before the 1950s, Australian producers mostly used shiraz for blending and for fortified wines, but then the variety’s reputation took off, led by Penfolds’ Grange. While Australian shiraz is still typically more fruit-forward, rich and soft compared with the earthier syrah expressions of France’s Rhone Valley, some of the best wines are superbly refined and structured, with lighter oak use and improved management of very old vines.
The wines on this list are fantastic examples at 94 points and above, all priced under $100. From the warm Barossa Valley, the Yalumba Shiraz Barossa Valley The Steeple 2018 is a tribute to classic Australian reds of the last century. It’s made from biodynamically grown grapes from vines planted in 1919, and it’s deeply rich yet vibrant, with muscular tannins and a long, velvety finish, giving it excellent potential to develop.
