The depth and breadth of the top end of other white varieties in Australia is exemplified in a final role call of no fewer than 12 different varieties and blends hailing from eight regions. Our final judging exemplified this diversity, with a Hunter albariño, Yarra marsanne, Mornington savagnin and Tasmanian gris rising to the top. Indicative of the importance in this category of building texture and complexity in the winery, our winner enjoyed wild fermentation, skin contact, partial barrel fermentation and lees age.
2023 Other Whites and Blends of the Year
Briar Ridge Vineyard Albariño 2021, Hunter Valley
95 points | Price when tasted $30
Oh how I’ve missed Kroos, as Remi Guise didn’t make a ‘21 and ’22 because the fruit wasn’t to his exacting standards. Well hello ’23 and welcome back. This is a classy, complex yet delicious chenin blanc. It has the tantalising and distinct lemon-ginger infusion flavour with red apples, quince and an oyster shell brininess. The palate has texture, with the creamiest lees, yet everything reined-in by pure, exhilarating acidity. A cracking wine. – Jane Faulkner
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The best other whites & blends from the 2026 Companion
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tripe.Iscariot
Kroos Chenin Blanc 2023
Margaret River -
Coriole
Rubato Reserve Fiano 2024
McLaren Vale -
MMAD Vineyard
Blewitt Springs Chenin Blanc 2023
McLaren Vale -
Mount Mary
Triolet 2023
Yarra Valley -
Yangarra Estate Vineyard
Roux Beaute Roussanne 2023
McLaren Vale -
Yangarra Estate Vineyard
Ovitelli Blanc 2023
McLaren Vale -
Yeringberg
Marsanne Roussanne 2023
Yarra Valley -
Coriole
Sandalwood 2024
McLaren Vale -
Crittenden
Cri de Coeur Sous Voile Savagnin 2020
Mornington Peninsula -
Eldorado Road
Dreamfields Fiano 2024
Alpine Valleys -
Entropy Wines
Willow Grove Vineyard Savagnin 2023
Gippsland -
Giaconda
Estate Vineyard Roussanne 2022
Beechworth -
Hoddles Creek Estate
Junior Pinot Blanc 2023
Yarra Valley -
L.A.S. Vino
CBDB Chenin Blanc Dynamic Blend 2023
Margaret River -
Tyrrell’s Wines
Vat 63 Winemaker's Selection Chardonnay Semillon 2024
Hunter Valley -
Vino Volta
Funky And Fearless Chenin Blanc 2023
Swan Valley -
Windows Estate
Petit Lot Chenin Blanc 2024
Margaret River -
Yalumba
The Virgilius Viognier 2023
Eden Valley -
Yarra Yering
Carrodus Viognier 2023
Yarra Valley -
Yeringberg
Viognier 2023
Yarra Valley
The 2023 Halliday Wine Companion is available now. Secure your copy of Australia's most comprehensive wine guide here – and at all good bookstores.
*This is an edited extract from the 2023 Halliday Wine Companion, with reviews by Dave Brookes, Jane Faulkner, Ned Goodwin MW, James Halliday, Erin Larkin, Jeni Port, Philip Rich and chief editor Tyson Stelzer.
Top image credit: Wine Australia.
