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Barossa Valley Wine
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The warm and dry Barossa Valley is, from both the domestic and foreign perspective, the center of production of Australian wine.
As early as the 1870's the area was well established as a winemaking region. Scores of German immigrants, coming from cultures with very long wine drinking traditions, naturally incorporated winemaking into their general farming practices. A large proportion of Australia's best known companies are direct descendants of these early winemakers: Wolf Blass, Penfolds, Henschke, and Seppelt to name a few. It was in the years after 1951 that the region gained the international name recognition that it enjoys today. Max Schuber, winemaker for Penfolds, sought to create a red wine that could hold up to the depth and ageworthiness of the very best red Bordeaux. What he came up with, the “Grand Hermitage,” now simply called Grange, achieved this feat in only a few vintages after the first batch. It was not long after that once unthinkable comparisons of Barossa to the classic old world red wine regions were validated in the eyes of of the international wine drinking public.
The Barossa is also a very special place because of this long history. Today, it is home to some of the oldest vines anywhere in the world, and more over 100 years old than even the Medoc. The incomparably concentrated wines that these vines produce guarantees that Barossa wine never fails to impress. From super-specialized boutiques, to mega-gigantic international wine operations, it is the picture of consistently high quality wine production.
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Henschke's Hill of Grace: A prototype for the blockbuster Australian Shiraz |
In the Barossa Valley vineyards are situated in two main areas: on the valley floor along the Para River, and within the cool hills to the east. The primarily hot and dry valley floor is a place where sunshine and warmth are abundant, making it prime real estate for the production of ripe, intense red wines. These are for the most part the deep and lush, high alcohol Shiraz for which the region is famed. But there is far more variety within this category of Australian wine than one may normally assume; thanks to the regional tradition of blending from many different vineyards, Barossa wine makers are able to craft wines that are focused toward qualities of their choosing. A good number of them go for the straightforward steamroller Shiraz which has been popular with so many American wine drinkers, but others go intently toward ageability and complexity. Penfolds Grange and Henschke's Hill of Grace perhaps exemplify best this class of Barossa wine. They are dense with the lfavors of the fruit, but often combined with new American oak, they produce lushly complex aromas of licorice, chocolate, stewed plum, vanilla, and clove. With time, these wines become more and more concentrated, more complex, and they will reveal new surprises with each passing year. Some well aged bottled have been described as having the character of a rich, many flavored Christmas cake.
In the Barossa's eastern hilly region,
the area of Eden Valley is best known for its sweetly perfumed white
wines made from Riesling and Semillon. Many of these smell of of a
citrus grove in full bloom, and can realistically challenge
Australia's internationally approved superstar, Clare Valley
Riesling. The hills of High Eden and the Eden
Valley are also home to the region's strong, well oaked Chardonnays.
In addition, the Palomino (used in the production of Sherry in Spain) and Pedro Ximenez are used for the production of fortified wines, a style of wine with a firm tradition in the Barossa Valley. Barossa Vally Ports and Sherries have been at an exceptionally high level for years. The greatest examples of these can be found at Seppelt, Kellermeister, and Yalumba.
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Shiraz
Barossa Valley Estate 'E & E' Black Pepper Shiraz
Grant Burge Meshach Shiraz
Elderton Command Shiraz
Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz
Mount Edelstone Shiraz
Peter Lehmann Stonewell Shiraz
Charles Melton Nine Popes
Shiraz
Mountadam Patriarch Shiraz
Penfolds Grange
Rockford Basket Press Shiraz
St Hallett Old Block Shiraz
Torbreck RunRig
Veritas Hanisch Vineyard Shiraz
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Although the names still sound authentic, Wolf Blass, Seppelt, Leo Buring, the most successful winemakers in the Barossa Valley today are actually smaller parts of huge wine conglomerates. Names like Southcorp, the French Pernod-Ricard, and Beringer-Blass are behind the operation of most of these wineries. But in the true Australian style these wineries are still no less efficient, or in any way lacking in quality. A newcomer to Barossa wine will find that there are plenty of excellent wines to try from these companies which have a hand in an overwhelming proportion of the region's output.
Grant Burge Meshach Shiraz
$85-100
Grapes: 100% Shiraz
Description: Dark hued purple, and rich with a whole platter of dark fruit flavors: blackcurrant, molasses, stewed plum. Full too with aromatics: thyme, sage, white pepper. The palate is endlessly complex, with the elite “christmas cake” like sensation, on top of heady, earthy aromas of leather and oak.
Comment: This wine gets its name from Burge's great grandfather, Meshach William Burge, and is without a doubt meant to be this winery's flagship offering. The fruit is entirely picked from very old vines by hand from Burge's Filsell Vineyard in Barossa. It is fermented in American and French oak barrels, and then matured in the same barrels for 20 months. After bottling, the wine is then kept for another two and a half years before release.
Food pairing: grilled meats | duck | rack of lamb | hearty stews | earthy entrees
When to drink: Wait at least a couple years before drinking, or keep for over 20 years
Service temperature: 18°C | 64°F

Grapes: 100% Shiraz
Description: Rich, dense, intense. Heavy purple color with spice, stewed cherry, ripe blackberries, gunpowder.
Comment: This just may be the wine to go for when looking to try a prototypical blockbuster Australian Shiraz. Aptly named for Amon-Ra, the King of All Gods in Egyptian Mythology, whose temple is said to be the place where commercial winemaking first began. It comes from 100-110 year old vines, matured on lees in oak for 15 months.
Food pairing: grilled meats | duck | peppery entrees | hearty pastas
When to drink: Drink 3-5 years after release, keep for up to 8
Service temperature: 18°C | 64°F

Grapes: 100% Shiraz
Description: So deeply purple that it can appear black, and packed with complementary aromas of leather, licorice, dark chocolate, and mint.
Comment: The Stonewell is arguably Peter Lehmann's most intense and muscular Shiraz. No more than twelve vineyards are chosen each year to provide the fruit. Usually there are some in there with vines dating way back to 1885, and flavors they impart into the wine are as dense and powerful as old Shiraz vines can provide. Aged in 90% French, 10% American oak for 18 months prior to bottling
Food pairing: hard cheeses | rich game | truffles | aromatic pastas
When to drink: Wait 2-5 years after release, and keep for up to 20
Service temperature: 18°C | 64°F
Jacob's Creek Steingarten Riesling $25
Grapes: 100% Riesling
Description: Pale green straw color, with strong up front citrus flavors of lemon, lime, and mandarin. White flower floral notes accompany a soft background minerality, giving the wine a crisp, refreshing finish.
Comment: The fruit for this wine is actually harvested over a two week period, where the berries are only plucked when they reach their optimum ripeness and acidity. Terribly easy to drink, easy to find, and always at a reasonable price.
Food pairing: seafood | fruit | oysters | papaya salad
When to drink:
Wait 2-5 years after release, and keep for up to 20
Service temperature: 8°C | 46°F
Barossa Valley Estate E&E Black Pepper Shiraz $85
Grapes: 100% Shiraz
Description: Deep red and purple, with harmonious notes of dark chocolate, stewed cherry, spiced coffee, and dark, ripe blackberries. The oaking is light and subtle, but it gives pleasant toasty wood notes and vanilla that add greatly to the wine's complexity. Full bodied in the mouth
Comment: The grapes are selected from the best lots from among up to 80 growers in the Barossa Valley Estate Cooperative. Mostly it comes from old, dry farmed vines (non-irrigated) in the north of the region, whose berries are tiny, densely packed bombs of fruit flavor. It received 18 months of maturing in 50% French and 50% American oak, which is 30% new.
Food pairing: red meats | mature cheeses | duck | lamb | earthy entrees
When to drink: Drink on release, and keep for up to 10 years
Service temperature: 18°C | 64°F

Grapes: Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, blended by vintage
Description: Deep, dark red and opening up immediately with aromas of super ripe blackberries, stewed plums, and milky chocolate. Notes of dark ripe cherries and blackcurrant on the palate, along with earthy wafts of leather.
Comment: A blend that Yalumba first released in 1962, each year this wine is their offering of the best of the vintage. The oaking recipe is quite intense, requiring up to eight different types of barrels, but all in all it totals 22 months of maturation.
Food pairing: rich cheeses | peppered steak | game | truffles
When to drink: Drink between 8-12 years after release
Service temperature: 18°C | 64°F
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97 Yalumba Museum Reserve Muscat $19
93 Trevor Jones Jonesy Port $11 ****
92 Dutschke Willow Bend Single Vineyard Merlot- Shiraz-Cabernet Red Blend Barossa Valley $20
91 Charles Melton Rosé Blend Barossa Valley $15
91 Ross Estate Old Vine Grenache Barossa Valley $20
91 Torbreck Juveniles Rhône Red Blend Barossa Valley $19
90 Kurtz Family oundary Row Grenache-Shiraz-Mataro G-S-M Barossa Valley $20
90 Torbreck Saignée Rosé Blend Barossa Valley $20
90 Schild Estate Old Bush Vine Grenache-Mataro- Shiraz GMS Rhône Red Blend Barossa $17
89 Yalumba The Scribbler Cabernet Sauvignon- Shiraz Barossa $19
89 Craneford Allyson Parsons Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Valley $18
89 Haan Hanenhof Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon-Cabernet Franc Bordeaux Blend Barossa Valley $20
89 Peter Lehmann The Seven Surveys Old Vines G-S-M Barossa $15
89 Two Hands Brilliant Disguise Moscato Barossa Valley $19
89 Yalumba NV Antique Tawny Port Barossa Valley $17
88 Peter Lehmann Clancy's Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon- Merlot Red Blend Barossa $16
88 Turkey Flat Rosé Rosé Blend Barossa Valley $19
88 Peter Lehmann Chardonnay Barossa $11
88 Yalumba Bush Vine Grenache Barossa $16
88 Hentley Farm Fools Bay Dirty Bliss Grenache- Shiraz Barossa Valley $15
88 Kurtz Family Seven Sleepers Red Blend Barossa Valley $17
87 Craneford Allyson Parsons Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Valley $17
87 Loose End Grenache Shiraz Mouvedre Barossa $17
87 Hewitson Miss Harry Dry Grown & Ancient G-S-M Barossa Valley $20
87 Rolf Binder Heinrich Shiraz- Grenache-Mataro Rhône Red Blend Barossa Valley $14
87 Loose End NV Sparkling MSM Red Blend Barossa $20
87 Langmeil Three Gardens SGM Rhône Red Blend Barossa Valley $16
85 Peter Lehmann Clancy's Red Blend Barossa $16
85 Loose End Rosé Grenache Barossa $15
84 Yalumba Bush Vine Grenache Barossa $17
93 Langmeil The Blacksmith Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Valley $20
93 Grant Burge Shadrach Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa $25
92 Rolf Binder Heinrich Shiraz- Mataro-Grenache Rhône Red Blend Barossa Valley $28
92 Kaesler Avignon Rhône Red Blend Barossa Valley $30
92 Yalumba Hand Picked Tricentenary Vines Grenache Barossa $30
92 Kaesler Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Valley $22
92 Groom Bush Block Zinfandel $28
91 Kalleske Clarry's Grenache- Shiraz Barossa Valley $30
91 Jenke Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa $29
91 Tait Wines Basket Pressed Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Valley $30
91 Henschke Henry's 7 Red Table $30
90 Yalumba Hand Picked m/g/s Rhône Red Blend Barossa $32
90 Cigale Grenache-Mourvèdre- Shiraz Rhône Red Blend Barossa Valley $23
90 Schild Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa $24
90 Elderton Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa $26
90 Stanley Lambert Thoroughbred Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Valley $25
89 Charles Melton Rosé of Virginia Rosé Blend Barossa Valley $23
89 Massena The Moonlight Run Red Blend Barossa Valley $30
89 Creed of Barossa The Pretty Miss Shiraz-Cabernet Franc-Viognier Red Blend Barossa $21
89 Turkey Flat Butchers Block S-G-M Rhône Red Blend Barossa Valley $24
89 Teusner Joshua Rhône Red Blend Barossa Valley $30
89 The Colonial Estate Enchanteur Rosé Grenache Barossa Valley $25
89 Winter Creek The Old Barossa Blend Grenache- Shiraz Barossa $25
88 Tait Wines Basket Pressed Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Valley $30
88 Schild Estate GMS Red Blend Barossa Valley $22
88 Yalumba Hand Picked Tempranillo-Grenache-Viognier Red Blend Barossa $32
88 Hewitson Miss Harry G-S-M Barossa Valley $22
88 Penfolds Bin 138 Old Vine G-S-M Barossa Valley $22
88 Craneford John Zilm Grenache Barossa Valley $27
88 Langmeil Blacksmith Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Valley $23
87 Haan Hanenhof Merlot- Cabernet Franc Barossa Valley $22
87 Penfolds Bin 138 G-S-M Barossa Valley $23
87 Turkey Flat Grenache Barossa Valley $29
87 Jenke Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa $25
87 Ross Estate Lynedoch Bordeaux Blend Barossa Valley $27
86 Penfolds Bin 138 Old Vine GSM Red Blend Barossa Valley $22
86 Ross Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Valley $27
85 The Colonial Estate Etranger Cabernet Sauvignon- Shiraz Barossa Valley $30
94 Rockford Rifle Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Valley $40
93 Massena The Howling Dog Petite Sirah Barossa Valley $32
93 Charles Melton Nine Popes Rhône Red Blend Barossa Valley $50
93 Yalumba The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz Barossa $50
92 Teusner Avatar Rhône Red Blend Barossa Valley $40
92 Torbreck The Steading Rhône Red Blend Barossa Valley $35
92 Hewitson Old Garden Mourvèdre Barossa Valley $41
92 The Colonial Estate Etranger Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Valley $33
92 Yalumba Port Galway Pipe $37 *****
91 Peter Lehmann Mentor Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa $38
90 Henschke Henry's Seven Red Blend Barossa $32
90 John Duval Wines Plexus S-G-M Rhône Red Blend Barossa Valley $35
90 Old School Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Valley $34
90 Lunar Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Valley $47
90 Haan Wilhelmus Bordeaux Blend
Barossa Valley $48
90 Yalumba The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon- Shiraz
Barossa $50
90 Old School Graduates Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Valley $40
89 Henschke Keyneton Estate Euphonium Red Blend Barossa $45
89 Dutschke Sami Two Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa-Langhorne Creek $35
88 Henschke Johann's Garden Rhône Red Blend Barossa Valley $38
88 Haan Prestige Merlot Barossa Valley $48
88 Two Hands Yesterday's Hero Grenache Barossa Valley $45
87 Yalumba Tricentenary Vines Grenache Barossa Valley $32
87 The Colonial Estate Envoy G-S-M Barossa Valley $35
87 Turkey Flat Mourvèdre Barossa Valley $38
87 Stanley Lambert Silent Partner Individual Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Valley $50
85 Charles Melton Nine Popes Red Blend Barossa Valley $37
85 Craneford John Zilm Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Valley $33
95 Penfolds NV Great Grandfather Rare Old Liqueur Tawny Rhône Red Blend Barossa Valley $70
92 Elderton Ashmead Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa $79
91 The Colonial Estate Émigré Red Blend Barossa Valley $80
91 Cirillo 1850 Old Vine Grenache Barossa Valley $80
90 Gibson's Barossa Vale Australian Old Vine Collection Grenache McLaren Vale $100
89 The Colonial Estate John Speke Single Vineyard Barossa Valley $60
97 Penfolds Block 42 Kalimna Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Valley $225
94 Torbreck The Pict Mataro Barossa Valley $145
93 Torbreck Les Amis Grenache Barossa Valley $145
91 Branson Coach House Greenock Coach House Block Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Valley $105
90 JCP Maltus EXILE Red Blend Barossa Valley $200
90 Two Hands Aerope Grenache Barossa Valley $102
89 Two Hands Aphrodite Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Valley $159
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93 Pirathon Shiraz Barossa Valley $30
93 Hewitson Ned and Henrys Shiraz $24
87 Cigale Shiraz Barossa Valley $24
93 Glen Eldon Dry Bore Shiraz Barossa $27
92 Yalumba Hand Picked Shiraz- Viognier Barossa $30
92 Rolf Binder Heinrich Shiraz- Mataro-Grenache Rhône Red Blend Barossa Valley $28
92 Kurtz Family Boundary Row Shiraz Barossa Valley $27
91 Rolf Binder Halliwell Shiraz- Grenache Barossa Valley $22
91 Kalleske Clarry's Grenache- Shiraz Barossa Valley $30
90 Wolf Blass Gold Label Shiraz Barossa Valley $25
90 Schild Estate Sparkling Shiraz Barossa $24
90 Langmeil Hangin' Snakes Shiraz-Viognier Barossa Valley $22
90 Hewitson Ned & Henry's Shiraz Barossa Valley $22
90 Hentley Farm Shiraz Barossa Valley $25
90 Glaetzer Wallace Shiraz- Grenache Barossa Valley $25
90 Cigale Grenache-Mourvèdre-Shiraz Rhône Blend Barossa Valley $23
90 Archetype Old Vine Reserve Shiraz $25
89 Winter Creek The Old Barossa Blend Grenache- Shiraz Barossa $25
89 Teusner The Riebke Ebenezer Road Shiraz Barossa Valley $25
89 Sieber Rd Ernest Shiraz Barossa Valley $25
89 Elderton Shiraz Barossa $29
89 Creed of Barossa The Pretty Miss Shiraz-Cabernet Franc-Viognier Red Blend Barossa $21
88 Wolf Blass Gold Label Shiraz Barossa $25
88 The Willows Shiraz Barossa Valley $30
88 Tempus Two Vine Vale Shiraz Barossa Valley $25
88 Steve Hoff Shiraz Barossa $29
88 Loose End Shiraz Barossa $21
88 Langmeil Valley Floor Shiraz Barossa Valley $23
95 Greenock Creek Alices Shiraz Barossa Valley $50
94 Turkey Flat Shiraz Barossa Valley $48
94 Schild Estate Ben Schild Reserve Shiraz Barossa $48
94 Mitolo Reiver Shiraz Barossa Valley $47
94 Kilikanoon Testament Shiraz Barossa Valley $40
93 Yalumba The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon- Shiraz Barossa $50
93 Torbreck The Struie Shiraz Barossa $50
93 Rolf Binder Heysen Shiraz Barossa Valley $45
93 Massena The Eleventh Hour Shiraz Barossa Valley $42
93 Dutschke St. Jakobi Single Vineyard Shiraz Barossa Valley $40
92 Two Hands Gnarly Dudes Shiraz $40
92 Steve Hoff Rossco's Shiraz Barossa Valley $47
92 Kalleske Greenock Shiraz Barossa Valley $40
92 John Duval Wines Entity Shiraz Barossa Valley $40
92 Charles Cimicky The Autograph Shiraz Barossa Valley $45
91 Yalumba Hand Picked Shiraz-Viognier Barossa $32
91 St. Hallett Blackwell Shiraz Barossa $35
91 Jacob's Creek Centenary Hill Shiraz Barossa Valley $33
91 Groom Shiraz $38
91 Gibson's BarossaVale Shiraz Barossa $50
91 Charles Melton Shiraz Barossa Valley $40
91 Elderton Ode to Lorraine Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz-Merlot Barossa $44
91 Archetype Old Vine Reserve Shiraz Barossa Valley $35
90 The Colonial Estate Explorateur Old Vine Shiraz Barossa Valley $35
90 Mitolo Reiver Shiraz Barossa Valley $50
89 Two Hands Brave Faces Shiraz- Grenache Barossa Valley $36
89 Tait Wines Basket Pressed Shiraz Barossa Valley $40
89 Glaetzer Bishop Shiraz Barossa Valley $45
89 Grant Burge Filsell Shiraz Barossa $31
96 John Duval Wines Eligo Shiraz Barossa Valley $100
95 Glaetzer Amon-Ra Unfiltered Shiraz Barossa Valley $80
95 Kilikanoon R Reserve Shiraz Barossa Valley $60
95 Elderton Command Shiraz Barossa $83
94 Dutschke Oscar Semmler Single Vineyard Reserve Shiraz Barossa Valley $60
94 Hentley Farm The Beauty Shiraz Barossa Valley $55
93 Henschke Edelstone Shiraz $90
93 Kaesler The Bogan Shiraz Barossa Valley $65
93 Wolf Blass Platinum Label Shiraz Barossa $85
93 Greenock Creek Apricot Block Shiraz Barossa Valley $55
92 Two Hands Bella's Garden Shiraz Barossa Valley $60
92 Wolf Blass Platinum Label Shiraz Barossa $85
92 Kaesler Old Vine Shiraz Barossa Valley $56
92 Teusner Albert Shiraz Barossa Valley $60
92 Barossa Valley Estate E&E Black Pepper Shiraz Barossa Valley $85
91 The Colonial Estate Mungo Park Single Vineyard Shiraz Barossa $65
91 Henschke Tappa Pass Shiraz Barossa $$65
91 Greenock Creek Seven Acre Shiraz Barossa Valley $75
91 Two Hands Bella's Garden Shiraz Barossa Valley $60
91 Peter Lehmann Stonewell Shiraz Barossa $90
91 Two Hands The Bull and the Bear Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Valley $55
90 Penfolds RWT Shiraz Barossa Valley $75
90 Butting Heads Shiraz Barossa Valley $66
90 The Willows Bonesetter Shiraz Barossa $64
90 Hentley Farm The Beast Shiraz Barossa Valley $90
88 St. Hallett Old Block Shiraz Barossa $70
98 Torbreck RunRig Shiraz- Viognier Barossa Valley $220
97 Torbreck The Factor Shiraz Barossa Valley $105
95 Torbreck Descendant Shiraz-Viognier Barossa Valley $105
95 Kaesler Old Bastard Shiraz Barossa Valley $140
94 Hundred Acre Ancient Way Vineyard Summer's Blocks Shiraz Barossa Valley $200
94 Yalumba The Octavius Shiraz Barossa $110
94 Torbreck The Factor Shiraz Barossa Valley $105
94 Glaetzer Godolphin Shiraz- Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Valley $60
93 Yalumba The Octavius Shiraz Barossa $100
93 Barossa Old Vine Company Shiraz Barossa $105
93 Two Hands Ares Shiraz Barossa Valley $150
92 The Colonial Estate Exile Shiraz Barossa Valley $160
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89 Craneford Chardonnay Barossa Valley $18
89 Peter Lehmann Sémillon Barossa Valley $11
89 Schild Estate Riesling Barossa $15
88 Simon Hackett Brightview Sémillon Barossa Valley $15
87 Grant Burge Kraft Sauvignon Blanc Barossa Valley $16
87 Kaesler Old Vine Sémillon Barossa Valley $17
87 St. Hallett Poacher's Blend Semillon- Sauvignon Blanc Barossa $12
87 Grant Burge Summers Eden Valley Chardonnay Barossa Valley $18
87 Barossa Valley Estate E Minor Chardonnay Barossa Valley $13
86 Elderton Riverina Botrytis Sémillon Barossa Valley $17
86 Grant Burge Barossa Vines Chardonnay Barossa Valley $11
86 Barossa Valley Estate Spires Chardonnay Barossa Valley $12
85 Schild Estate Sémillon Barossa Valley $18
84 Schild Estate Unwooded Chardonnay Barossa $17
83 Grant Burge Barossa Vines Unwooded Chardonnay Barossa $11
92 Henschke Julius Eden Valley Riesling $25
89 Jenke Chardonnay Barossa $25
88 The Colonial Estate Expatrié Reserve Sémillon Barossa $30
88 Bethany Riesling Barossa $25
84 Bethany Chardonnay Barossa $23
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