Wine Lists

Wines from the 2025 Companion: Reds for $50 or less

By Halliday Promotion

2 days ago

We know how important quality, bang-for-you-buck wines are. These seven wines will cost you a pineapple or less, and have all been rated 'outstanding' or 'exceptional' by the Tasting Team.

There are just weeks until we reveal the 2025 Halliday Wine Companion. It's jam-packed with more than 5000 tasting notes, with additional notes released online. Before the Companion launches on August 8, we wanted to give you a sneak peek into some of the wines – particularly red wines for $50 or less.

We're starting at De Bortoli in the Yarra Valley. The 2022 Riorret Lusatia Park Pinot Noir is $44.95 and has been awarded 97 points by Philip Rich. "Fans out beautifully on the gently textured palate, finishing with drop dead gorgeous, silky tannins. Tops."

The 2021 Wood Park Reserve Zinfandel from the King Valley is "alive and kicking into a bright future", according to Jeni Port. The zinfandel is $48 and 96 points. Over in Western Australia, we take you to Battles Wine for its 2023 Shiraz. It's a blend of fruit from Geographe and Perth Hills, and the $38 wine is 95 points. Jane Faulkner calls it, "very good indeed."

Staying in WA, but this time in Margaret River, for McHenry Hohnen Vintners' 2022 Ironstone Ridge Grenache Tempranillo. The 95-point blend is $35 and Jane says it's "full bodied, sandy, textural tannins...with deliciously bright acidity cracking the whip to a long finish."

Still in Margaret River, comes the 2022 Walsh & Sons Roi Cabernet Sauvignon. Jane says it's a cabernet she likes drinking. "A lovely cabernet with such a different feel to the palate, all velvety and plush." The Roi is $50 and rated 95 points.

Rounding out Margaret River is Aravina Estate's 'outstanding' 2023 The A Collection Cabernet Merlot Malbec. Jane gives her tick of approval, writing: "I reckon this is the best value little cabernet blend around." The A Collection red blend is a steal at $22 and has scored 94 points.

Back down on the Mornington Peninsula, Lindenderry Estate's 2023 Shiraz is an 'outstanding' 94 points. "Give this air to open, it’ll then reveal cola, licorice, sweet dark plums, star anise and Middle Eastern spices plus pepper. The palate is rather supple and smooth..." writes Jane. Lindenderry's 2023 Shiraz is $45.