Halliday Wine Companion's 'Best of the Best' – referred to in the 2022 Companion as Halliday 'Top Rated' – encompasses the most outstanding styles, blends and varieties the country has to offer. In 2021 we honoured more than 200 highly-rated wines that exemplified the best that our amazing local producers have to offer.
As we prepare to unveil this year's cohort on Thursday August 12, we're checking in on the next generation of 2021's award-winning wines. The following selection come with an enviable pedigree – plus, they're perfect for right now. Enjoy them with paired with delicious seasonal dishes or just on their own.
Drinking recommendation:The 2020 Sauvage is a unique expression of sauvignon blanc, with elements of creaminess and texture that make it an amazing partner to roast chicken, grilled veal chops and fresh bread with salted butter.
RRP $33 | Drink to 2026 | Find out more
Drinking recommendation:The Stargazer Tupelo is a remarkably versatile wine – perfect with Tasmanian Angasi oysters or scallops as an aperitif style, but with enough generosity and spice to also work well with Asian curries or Korean fried chicken and kimchi.
RRP $35 | Drink to 2028 | Find out more
Drinking recommendation:The Flowstone Queen of the Earth is a serious expression of sauvignon blanc, that can be enjoyed year round. This elegant styles makes for the prefect accompaniment to panfried crab cakes, classic roast chicken, seared lobster with wild mushrooms and slow roast tomatoes or aged chevre.
RRP $55 | Drink to 2031 | Find out more
Drinking recommendation: A great drop after a hard day, this wine has a subtle tannin structure and toasty French oak notes that partner beautifully with a classic summer barbecue, braised beef in winter or a delicious cheese platter with an aged hard gouda.
RRP $29 | Drink to 2030 | Find out more
Drinking recommendation: Enhanced texture and complexity from three months on lees results in a wine that can be enjoyed alone or with a range of dishes. With summer on the approach, the long and clean finish perfectly suits a Abrolhos scallop sashimi, freshly shucked oysters or seasonal green vegetables such as asparagus and artichoke.
RRP $25 | Drink to 2025 | Find out more
*This article was produced in partnership with the featured wineries.
As we prepare to unveil this year's cohort on Thursday August 12, we're checking in on the next generation of 2021's award-winning wines. The following selection come with an enviable pedigree – plus, they're perfect for right now. Enjoy them with paired with delicious seasonal dishes or just on their own.
2020 Domaine Naturaliste Sauvage Sauvignon Blanc
Bold aromas of red currant, passionfruit and orange blossom laced with exotic notes of lychee and clove. A creamy, mouth-filling palate delights the senses with an unexpected richness and depth of flavour.Drinking recommendation:The 2020 Sauvage is a unique expression of sauvignon blanc, with elements of creaminess and texture that make it an amazing partner to roast chicken, grilled veal chops and fresh bread with salted butter.
RRP $33 | Drink to 2026 | Find out more
2021 Stargazer Tupelo Pinot Gris, Riesling and Gewürztraminer
Heady aromatics of rosewater and lychee, combined with spice and citrus on the nose. The palate is generous and round with a touch of residual sugar balanced by lovely clean acidity. The finish is refreshing, lively and full of energy.Drinking recommendation:The Stargazer Tupelo is a remarkably versatile wine – perfect with Tasmanian Angasi oysters or scallops as an aperitif style, but with enough generosity and spice to also work well with Asian curries or Korean fried chicken and kimchi.
RRP $35 | Drink to 2028 | Find out more
2019 Flowstone Queen of the Earth Sauvignon Blanc
Focused, elegant, yet intense with notes of elderflowers, guava, whole passionfruit, and a subtle underlying creaminess. There is a finesse, but great length of flavour, and the palate continues to build.Drinking recommendation:The Flowstone Queen of the Earth is a serious expression of sauvignon blanc, that can be enjoyed year round. This elegant styles makes for the prefect accompaniment to panfried crab cakes, classic roast chicken, seared lobster with wild mushrooms and slow roast tomatoes or aged chevre.
RRP $55 | Drink to 2031 | Find out more
2020 Windance Estate Shiraz
Enticing ripe plum and mulberry on the nose with hints of vanilla. There is this moreish confectionery appeal with a balanced acidity. Sweet mulberry and chocolate lead to a refreshing red fruits character exciting your tastebuds and urging you to take another sip.Drinking recommendation: A great drop after a hard day, this wine has a subtle tannin structure and toasty French oak notes that partner beautifully with a classic summer barbecue, braised beef in winter or a delicious cheese platter with an aged hard gouda.
RRP $29 | Drink to 2030 | Find out more
2021 Snake + Herring Perfect Day Sauvignon Blanc Semillon
Punchy aromas of lime-skin, bay leaf, grapefruit and guava fruit leap from the glass. Karridale semillon provides a powerful lemon pith mid-palate, which complements and extends the sauvignon blanc profile. The first sip shows the linear structure: citrus acidity with slight toasted hazelnut barrel ferment texture.Drinking recommendation: Enhanced texture and complexity from three months on lees results in a wine that can be enjoyed alone or with a range of dishes. With summer on the approach, the long and clean finish perfectly suits a Abrolhos scallop sashimi, freshly shucked oysters or seasonal green vegetables such as asparagus and artichoke.
RRP $25 | Drink to 2025 | Find out more
*This article was produced in partnership with the featured wineries.
