Riesling
Ashton Hills
Crawford River
Frankland Estate
Grosset Polish Hill
Mitchelton Blackwood Park
Orlando Steingarten
Petaluma
Pewsey Vale
Pipers Brook
Richmond Grove Watervale

Semillon
McWilliam's Elizabeth/ Lovedale
Tim Adams
Tyrrell's Vat 1

Chardonnay
Giaconda
Leeuwin Estate
Tarrawarra
Tyrrell's Vat 47

Other White
Tahbilk Marsanne

Cabernet
Cape Mentelle
Cullen Cabernet Merlot
Grosset Gaia
Penfolds Bin 707
Petaluma Coonawarra
Te Mata Estate Coleraine

Shiraz
Brokenwood Graveyard
Henschke Hill of Grace
Mount Langi Ghiran Langi
Penfolds Grange
Peter Lehmann Stonewell
Rockford Basket Press
Rosemount Estate Balmoral
Seppelt Great Western
Wendouree

Pinot Noir
Ata Rangi
Diamond Valley
Lenswood Vineyards
Martinborough Vineyards

Sweet White
De Bortoli Noble One

Fortified
Morris Muscat & Tokay
Seppeltsfield Port & Sherry

The Origin of the Classics

In celebrating our 100th issue in October 2001, we decided to dedicate the issue to the wines that we considered the best in Australia and New Zealand at that time. The concept of Winewise Classics was simply our means of recognising wines that had continually impressed us over a long period and which had also aged gracefully.

The Winewise Classics were the result of much deliberation and tasting. We considered only wines with a record of ten years or more with a consistent high quality over that period, with reasonable allowance for vintage conditions.

The major tool in our decision making was our 'blind' tastings over those past ten years. By following that course we cut back on bias factors as much as possible. We then conducted vertical 'blind' tastings of possibles and probables to select the final list.

Of course subjectivity can never be eliminated from judgment of wine, and our list, therefore, reflects the wines we enjoy drinking.

We considered all the notable wines (by reputation at least) up to that point in time so, if your favourite didn't make the cut, it simply didn't stand up to our criteria. Having said that, a number of really good wines, particularly those from emerging wineries and those which, at that time did not have a ten year track record, missed out but would today almost certainly qualify.

A Revised List - Coming Soon

As we approach our 150th issue, we will revise the Classics list to bring it up to date, adding and subtracting to take account of the major developments over the last eight years.

It would be interesting to speculate which new wines might make the list. Next year, we will ask our readers to nominate their suggestions, again using the original criteria.

My view is that, by and large, the list has stood the test of time and is testimony to the continued consistency of the wines in question. However, there have been many changes in recent years with new cool climate styles, more refined wines, alternative varieties and the advent of the screwcap as the enclosure of choice.

Perhaps one of the biggest leaps in qualitative terms has been the improvement in Chardonnay - less oak, less fruit bombs, more finesse, greater length and texture and the emergence of chablis styles. How could one leave out Michael Brajkovich's stunning Kumeu River Chardonnays from Auckland?

What about cool climate shiraz: Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier, Yering Station Shiraz Viognier and Paringa Estate Shiraz to name a few wines that have consistently starred in our International Shiraz Tastings.

Speaking of Paringa Estate, how could one now not nominate its Pinot Noir, probably the most consistent performer in the Winewise Small Vigneron Awards over the past five years. While Ata Rangi continues its top form even today, one cannot overlook producers like Felton Road from Central Otago whose wines get better every year.

Then there are the Sangioveses from Coriole and Pizzini and the list goes on......

There will be much debate and deliberation by the Winewise panel over the next year when, in October 2009, we announce the revised Winewise Classics list. We trust you will join us then for this special occasion.

Len Sorbello