We’ve long asked the question, ‘How do we categorise the outliers?’ Of the many wines that pass over the desks of the Halliday Tasting Team, there are quite a few that don’t find a place in a category that defines them well. Enter, Wildcard.
Wildcard is our effort to best advocate for the lesser known; whether it be variety, technique, style or region, there is room for these wines here.
"The lineup sparked the liveliest conversation at judging, and it was decided that a Red and White Wildcard must be selected, given the breadth of quality. This is the second win for Geelong’s Lethbridge in this category. Philip Rich calls the pinot gris/grecco skin-contact white ‘incredibly vibrant and fascinating’. Ballandean Estate’s Saperavi, from the Granite Belt, takes the prize for Wildcard Red, an outstanding win for a region wild at heart." – Katrina Butler
2027 Wildcard Red of the Year
Ballandean Estate Wines Saperavi 2023, Granite Belt
95 points | Price when tasted $55
