Wines of the Year 2025: Australia, New Zealand & South Africa
Wines from young, new wave talent across Australia, New Zealand and South Africa have really shone in 2025, says regional editor Julie Sheppard.
Choosing just three bottles to represent the dynamism and diversity of Australian wine right now was made even harder by the calibre of the contenders.
Penfolds, for example, had 15 wines scoring 95 points or more in Decanter tastings in 2025, with two vintages of Grange (1990 and 2021) awarded 99pts.
It’s exemplified by Alkina, founded in 2015, whose detailed, plot-specific wines are rewriting the script for Barossa Shiraz and scooped two top spots in David Sly’s 2023 vintage report.
Flametree, established in 2007, joined Margaret River royalty in Cassandra Charlick’s top 2023 Chardonnays – from a vintage dubbed one of the region’s greatest ever. Chief winemaker Cliff Royle’s SRS (Sub-Regional Series) showcased a single exceptional site in Wallcliffe.
And Ed Carr’s stunning Late Disgorged cuvée is proof of the synergy between Tasmanian terroir and sparkling wine; no comparisons with Champagne necessary. Head east across the Tasman sea to New Zealand, however, and Bell Hill Vineyard in Waikari does bring to mind the limestone soils of both Champagne and Burgundy.
Chardonnay accounted for just 9% of the country’s vineyard in 2024, but as Emma Jenkins MW argues, wines such as the Bell Hill Chardonnay are its best-kept secret.
It’s no secret, though, that South Africa’s Hemel-en-Aarde Valley is producing world-class Chardonnay, such as the year’s top-scoring Seascape Reserve from Whalehaven, which Roger Jones praised for its Meursault-like focus.
Wines of the year 2025: Australia, New Zealand & South Africa
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House of Arras, EJ Carr Late Disgorged, Tasmania, Australia, 2006
With 14 years on lees, now sitting at 18 years of age and tasted from magnum; this is the whole package. Ed Carr is unquestionably...
2006
House of Arras
Flametree, SRS Wallcliffe Chardonnay, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia, 2023
Plenty of flint, lemon pith and sea spray, with white blossom and delicate perfume. The palate shows volume, clarity and power that's streamlined, not forceful....
2023
FlametreeMargaret River
Bell Hill, Chardonnay, North Canterbury, Canterbury, New Zealand, 2019
Hard to find but well worth the hunt. A subtle wine, with dried lemon, tangerine, lime flowers and delicate bran biscuit notes, plus a distinctive...
2019
Bell HillNorth Canterbury
Whalehaven, Seascape Reserve Chardonnay, Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Walker Bay, South Africa, 2023
Established in 1995, Whalehaven was an early name in the Hemel-en-Aarde valley, taking its moniker from the avidly watched sea creatures that frequent nearby Walker...
2023
WhalehavenUpper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
Alkina, Polygon No 1, Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia, 2023
Serious old-vine Shiraz doesn’t have to be weighed down by bulk – and Alkina has a sprightly championship contender here, showing tight, lean muscle but...
2023
AlkinaBarossa Valley
