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Australia is not a wine monolith: It's a vast country that makes wines from a wide variety of regions, climates and grapes. Today's selection explores this diversity with reds from four distinct grapes and a few in between. Whether you prefer a juicy Grenache or a robust Cabernet, Australia has something for you—no 22-hour flight required.
CHAPEL HILL Grenache McLaren Vale Bush Vine 2016
WS Review: A generous, fragrant and juicy mix of sandalwood, blackberry and wild raspberry flavors on a velvety frame, featuring notes of underbrush and black tea. Offers a juicy edge to the fruit core, with tannins firming on the finish. Drink now through 2030. 500 cases imported.
Why It's of Note: While Grenache is better known for the wines of Spain and southern France, it has been grown in Australia since the 18th century, and was the country's primary red grape until the 1960s. This Grenache from Chapel Hill offers a particularly rich version of the grape, and shows the influence of its time spent in French oak.
HANDPICKED Pinot Noir Tasmania 2015
WS Review: An elegant, fresh expression of Pinot Noir, with wild strawberry, cherry and rhubarb flavors set against dried herb, loam and tobacco accents. The supple texture and harmonious finish are impressive. Drink now through 2023. 700 cases imported.
Why It's of Note: Tasmania has several unique climates across the island. The maritime climate of its eastern regions is perfectly suited to Pinot Noir. This expressive Pinot from Handpicked is made from fruit sourced in eastern Tasmania's Tamar Valley and Pipers River areas.
BOXHEAD Shiraz South Australia 2017
WS Review: Focused, with cassis and Earl Grey tea notes that have plenty of precision on a thick frame. White pepper and loam details linger. Drink now through 2027. 8,000 cases imported.
Why It's of Note: Shiraz is one of Australia's most widely planted varieties, and has become the country's signature grape. But there is no end to the diversity of styles made across the country. This version from McLaren Vale–based Boxhead leans toward spice and earth, and would be a perfect accompaniment to smoked charcuterie or roast lamb.
MISFIT Cycle Buff Beauty South Australia 2017
WS Review: Bursting with notes of wild blueberry, this is appealing for the plush, velvety frame, showing plenty of charm, with a supple texture, vibrant focus and accents of black walnut and chai tea. Shiraz and Malbec. Drink now through 2030. 3,000 cases imported.
Why It's of Note: Malbec has had a tricky history in Australia. Many Malbec vines were uprooted there in the 20th century, leaving few acres by the mid-1990s. But there's been a recent resurgence, with producers making single-variety Malbecs, or including it in blends. This blend from Misfit is predominantly Shiraz, but contains some Malbec sourced from a single vineyard in the Clare Valley.
TWO HANDS Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale Sexy Beast 2017
WS Review: Juicy, vivid blackberry and blueberry flavors have an appealing juicy side in this red, with plenty of herb and fresh earth notes and a good dash of Kalamata olive detail. Fresh, with tight tannins on the finish, but plenty of verve. Drink now through 2030. 5,000 cases imported.
Why It's of Note: Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz founded Two Hands in 1999. The winery works with multiple grapes, such as Sémillon and Shiraz, sourced from a wide range of sites. This Cabernet hails from several parcels in McLaren Vale.
D'ARENBERG The Stump Jump Red McLaren Vale 2016
WS Review: Tangy berry and cherry flavors are juicy and crisp on a firm frame, with accents of toasted herb and cedar. Details of chai tea linger on the finish, where a fresh, loamy earth note picks up. Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre. Drink now through 2028. 8,000 cases imported.
Why It's of Note: Australia is well-known for its Rhône-style wines, including so-called "GSM" blends of Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre, like this version from d'Arenberg. The winery was founded in 1912, and today sources its grapes exclusively from organically and biodynamically farmed vineyards. The Stump Jump would sing with flank steak and mushroom sauce.
NINTH ISLAND Pinot Noir Tasmania 2017
WS Review: There's a prominent herbal note that helps define this red, adding a green edge to the crisp cherry and pomegranate flavors, with toast and spice details coming in on the firm finish. Drink now through 2025. 1,000 cases imported.
Why It's of Note: Many styles of Pinot are made in Tasmania, with some highlighting the grape's ripe fruit, and others aiming to draw out its spice and savory qualities, like this example from Ninth Island. It's made from vineyards in Pipers Brook and on the Tamar River's west bank.