Below we introduce you to 12 McLaren Vale wines that are new editions to Wine Companion. They've each been tasted for the upcoming 2025 Halliday Wine Companion, which will be released in August.
Our Tasting Team has scored the wines between 91 and 96 points, placing each of them in the 'highly recommended' or 'outstanding' brackets.
McLaren Vale is just a 45-minute drive from Adelaide's CBD. The region sits on the Fleurieu Peninsula, between the Gulf St Vincent and the Mount Lofty Ranges, which provides a Mediterranean climate that is ideal for McLaren Vale's key varietals.
While shiraz is McLaren Vale's flagship grape, the region is celebrated for its brilliant grenache (and grenache-based blends) and cabernet sauvignon, but the South Australian region is also home to lesser-known varietals including graciano and nero d'Avola.
Find your new favourite below – there's a mix of ready to drink and perfect to cellar wines – with price points varying from between $26 and $125.
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MCLAREN VALE WINES TO TRY
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Kay Brothers
Block 6 McLaren Vale Shiraz 2021
McLaren Vale -
Coriole
Estate Grown Grenache 2023
McLaren Vale -
Coriole
Sandalwood 2023
McLaren Vale -
Kay Brothers
Cuthbert Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
McLaren Vale -
Mr Riggs Wine Company
The Chap 2018
McLaren Vale -
Beresford
Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
McLaren Vale -
Chalk Hill
Graciano 2022
McLaren Vale -
Gemtree Wines
Cinnabar Grenache Shiraz Mataro 2022
McLaren Vale -
Penny's Hill
Skeleton Key Shiraz 2021
McLaren Vale -
Curtis Family Vineyards
Small Batch Grenache 2022
McLaren Vale -
Grant Nash
Mourvèdre Grenache Shiraz 2022
McLaren Vale -
Chalk Hill
Small Batch Release Nero d'Avola 2022
McLaren Vale
Image credit: Kay Brothers.
