Xanadu 2023 Margaret River Reserve Chardonnay scored a big 98 points from Tyson Stelzer in the May/June edition of WBM – Australia’s Wine Business Magazine.
It is one of the great Chardonnays of Australia and the world, Stelzer says.
Stelzer and Mike Bennie independently review 50 wines each for WBM.
Highlights of their reviews for the May/June 2026 edition…
Xanadu Margaret River Reserve Chardonnay 2023
98 points
Tyson Stelzer writes, “Sixteen consecutive releases confirm this as one of the great Chardonnays of Australia and the world, and the 43-year-old vines of the Lagan Estate vineyard have put forth one of their stunning highlights in the mild, late 2023 harvest. The crystalline energy of magnificent lemon/grapefruit tension is illuminated in radiant brilliance by malic acidity. Pristine white peach and fig are seamlessly intertwined with perfectly wielded French oak (just 20 percent new). A masterfully crafted standout of a legendary site.” 13.0%. $130.
Skillogalee Trevarrick Clare Valley Riesling 2025
96 points
Tyson Stelzer writes, “I love the cool restraint and effortless elegance achieved by these vines on the top contours at 470m in the Skillogalee vineyard, even in the extreme drought and heat of 2025. The result is a miniscule production of just 200 bottles of pristine definition of kaffir lime, lime drops, lemon and granny smith apple with seamless flow and enduring persistence. Low pH brings gently mineral texture. A standout of the harvest.” 11.5%. $65.
Teusner Avatar Barossa Valley 2024
95 points
Tyson Stelzer writes, “Avatar has been a benchmark of Barossa GMS since long before the blend was trendy, and the cool 2024 season has produced a highlight in its hallowed lineage. I love the way Kym Teusner has seamlessly woven these three varieties, delivering bright, tangy red berry fruits, beautifully supported by fine-grained tannins. A masterpiece.” 14.5%. $45.
Wirra Wirra Church Block McLaren Vale Shiraz 2023
91 points
Tyson Stelzer writes, “The Church Block blend has been famous for more than 50 years and now – for the first time – it’s also a single varietal wine.I admire the way it both embraces the structural endurance and fine-boned tannin frame of the blend and the dark berry fruit body and depth of McLaren Vale Shiraz, making this both a delicious and immediate bargain quaffer and a red you could confidently pop in the cellar.” 14.5%. $25.
Grosset Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir 2025
95 points
Tyson Stelzer writes, “I love the brightness, delicacy, accuracy and detail in Jeffrey Grosset’s approach to all of his wines, and to achieve such fragrant beauty in Pinot Noir in a season as hot and dry as 2025 makes this a true exemplar of his craft. It transcends both season and region in its wonderfully lifted violet and rose petal perfume, its morello cherry tang and its core of black cherry beauty. A benchmark, by any standards.” 14.0%. $97.
Penfolds Superblend 802.B 2022
97 points
Tyson Stelzer writes, “Penfolds’ first Superblend release since the inaugural 2018 represents a powerful and confidently structured wine engineered for the long haul. The ‘B’ edition is co-matured (unusual for Penfolds) in new and used French oak hogsheads, bringing a wonderful synergy to Cabernet (69 percent) and Shiraz. A classic core of Cabernet blackcurrant and Shiraz blueberry is wrapped in deep folds of dark chocolate oak. Fine tannins deliver tremendous structure and enormous endurance.” 14.5%. $900.
Brokenwood Graveyard Vineyard Hunter Valley Shiraz 2024
95 points
Tyson Stelzer writes, “From vines of now 56 years of age, the warm, early and small harvest of 2024 has given birth to a Graveyard of density and structure. Blackberries meet black pepper, coal dust and liquorice in a powerfully concentrated Hunter Shiraz, well supported by strong, fine-grained tannins and bright, tangy acid line. With impressive line and persistence, this is a Graveyard not to be dug up for a long time.” 14.0%. $500.
Curtis Family Vineyards Gladiator McLaren Vale Shiraz 2022
95 points
Mike Bennie writes, “A bold, full-flavoured Shiraz of heft and high five glory. It wears its regional character proudly and distinctly, unctuous, ripe, soft, bold. Blackberry, plum, liquorice and woody spice notes surge across the palate and through the fog of the bouquet. Rich and generous, lush, yet framed by thick, firm tannins and then finishes with curious blood orange freshness. A hearty, satisfying wine that delivers flavour without apology. ” 14.5%. $228.
De Bortoli Melba Vineyard Yarra Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
95 points
Tyson Stelzer writes, “From the original vines planted between 1971 and 1990 on the Melba vineyard at Dixon’s Creek, this is a beautiful expression of what endears Cabernet Sauvignon to the Yarra: fragrance, elegance and understated, confident endurance. Rose hip aromatics grace a core of redcurrants and sage, beautifully framed in firm, fine tannins and bright acidity. A vintage for the long haul.” 13.5%. $90.
Murray Street Aria Barossa Valley 2022
95 points
Mike Bennie writes, “Whoowee, this feels fancy. A polished and layered red showing dark berries, plum, baking spices and hints of dark chocolate and sweet turned earth. Richly flavoured but well composed with supple tannins threading through the fruit, spice and faintly minerally and smoky qualities here. There’s power and depth yet enough freshness to keep it all engaging and balanced. Serious stuff.” 14.2%. $125.
Apogee Tasmania Alto Pinot Noir 2024
94 points
Mike Bennie writes, “Elegant and finely detailed, this is another stellar release offering up red cherry, dried cranberry and subtle, woody spice notes threaded through a silky frame and a dash of dried herbs for good measure. The palate carries freshness, persistence and a savoury nuance within ribs of silty tannin. A delicate wine, a softly spoken Pinot Noir of refinement and grace. Master at work.” 13.5%. $75.
Curtis Family Vineyards Cavaliere McLaren Vale Shiraz 2022
94 points
Mike Bennie writes, “A generously proportioned heartland Shiraz that’s packed with blackberry, plum, mocha and spice with all the fleshy, pulpy textural trimmings. The palate is rich and plush, framed by ripe, soft tannins and whipped fresh with orangey acidity. Full of flavour, muscularity, density, it delivers a satisfying expression of regional oomph while maintaining composure and drinkability. Line up.” 14.5%. $70.
Hewitson Ungrafted Barossa Valley Grenache 2024
94 points
Mike Bennie writes, “A beautifully bold, rich, thunderous Grenache showing stewed red berries, a quiver of dried herbs, choc-mint, new leather and floral perfume and flavours in abundance. Texture is supple, the bright ripple through the palate a sense of the energetic and finely detailed nuance of the wine in fruit, spice, smoky oak and minerality. Very much of the place, unashamed to be upfront and lush. Rip in.” 13.5%. $50.
Knappstein Clare Valley 1878 Transcendence Riesling 2025
94 points
Tyson Stelzer writes, “The Knappstein team have done well to identify parcels of freshness, vibrancy and low pH, preserving purity and energy through long, cold fermentation to produce a Riesling of tension and endurance, even in the extreme drought of the hot and sunny 2025 season. Kaffir lime, wild lemon, lemon myrtle and lemon grass are the themes of a style of focus and purity with all the power and presence of a warm season, cut with natural acidity. A standout of the vintage with a medium-term future before it.” 11.0%. $70.
Murray Street Greenock Marsanne Rousanne Viognier 2024
94 points
Mike Bennie writes, “Evidently a Rhône-inspired blend and one that delivers on that promise with character. Dried apricot, citrus, honeysuckle and gentle spice mingle through a textured, granular palate. Richness is present but checked by lemony freshness and fine chalky grip. A layered, expressive white that offers both interest and long life cellaring in equal measure.” 12.6%. $50.
Shaw + Smith M3 Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2025
94 points
Tyson Stelzer writes, “There is a confidence and restraint to M3, even in a season as warm and dry as 2025. Purity of white peach and fig are the themes, set to a backbone of grapefruit, supported by perfectly integrated French oak. It’s ready to drink now and will hold effortlessly for the medium term.” 13.0%. $59.
Sisu Tasmania Chardonnay 2024
94 points
Mike Bennie writes, “A tearaway producer right now, showing us a lot of flex. A focused, energetic Chardonnay where citrus and white stone fruit meet subtle nougat and hazelnut complexity. The palate combines freshness with filigree to texture, revealing a wine that feels vibrant, savoury, cool fruited and complete. Elegant and composed, it delivers on a promise of fancy. And then some.” 12.7%. $55.
Victory Point Margaret River Chardonnay 2023
94 points
Mike Bennie writes, “Quite the fine wine here. Offers up zesty, just-ripe peach and pear, some lemon balm and flinty minerality, dashes of cinnamon, a lick of sugared almond. The palate and bouquet in accord. The wine is carrying freshness and persistence alongside gentle oak complexity in a wrap that speaks of finesse winemaking. A stylish Chardonnay that balances generosity and restraint with admirable ease.” 13.5%. $60.
Barwang Hilltops Tempranillo 2025
93 points
Mike Bennie writes, “A vibrant, juicy Tempranillo, joven-esque in style with red berries, cola, tart plum, salted liquorice and gentle, sweet spice notes doubling back through palate and bouquet. It sits at medium bodied and does a good job of subtle savoury character, though the wine is fruity and upfront for sure. Super gluggable, give it a chill, watch it fly.” 13.0%. $25.
Curtis Family Vineyards Enigma McLaren Vale Shiraz 2024
93 points
Mike Bennie writes, “A fragrant, juicy expression of Shiraz with brashness on its side but wonderful uplift and charm. Bouquet and palate do dark berries, violets and spice in abundance. The palate feels energetic and plush at once, carrying attractive fruit sweetness balanced by savoury, nutty detail. Approachable and vibrant, this is a wine built around immediate enjoyment and generosity.” 14.5%. $60.
Curtis Family Vineyards Small Batch Durif 2025
93 points
Mike Bennie writes, “Durif’s signature intensity is on full display here – right on. Dense black fruits, chocolate, lavish sweet spice and dashes of cocoa powder and figs. All this bold in perfume, wrapped in firm tannins and delivered with substantial texture. Hang on, freshness keeps things moving. A bold, deeply flavoured wine with plenty of personality and admirable balance.” 14.5%. $80.
Gibson The Prospect Barossa Shiraz Montepulciano 2023
93 points
Mike Bennie writes, “A charismatic blend of Shiraz, lending dark fruit and spice, while Montepulciano brings earthy depth, red cherry and a touch of dusty chew. Mulberries, black cherries, dried herbs and cocoa notes rumble through well. Plush yet energetic, it carries plenty of richness but remains lively, savoury and deliciously drinkable. Complexity writ large.” 13.9%. $40.
McWilliams Tumbarumba Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2024
93 points
Mike Bennie writes,”This jumped out of left field. Pure-fruited and expressive, delivering nectarine, limey citrus and gentle vanilla-creamy notes gently waving across a finely balanced yet juicy palate. Touches of talc-like texture lend shape, perky acidity does the uplift. Some oakiness rolls through the finish, but it feels neat in the drive of the wine. Pretty polished in its feel too. A good turn for the stalwart producer.” 12.5%. $40.
Victory Point Margaret River Cabernet Franc 2025
93 points
Mike Bennie writes,”Youthful expression, nailed. A lively and fragrant Cabernet Franc showing raspberry, redcurrant, violet and leafy herbal notes. The palate is medium bodied, fresh and gently savoury with fine tannins providing shape and a little pucker. Bright, energetic and highly food-friendly, it captures the variety’s charm with confidence and balance. Yes yes.” 14.0%. $40.
DeBortoli Pepper And Spice Shiraz 2024
91 points
Mike Bennie writes,”A curious wine for its intent, but seems to nail it. True to name, this is fragrant and lively, packed with black pepper, dark berries and warming spice. The palate is medium weight and energetic rather than heavy with savoury undertones and fine tannins giving shape. That spicy note does run riot, but in that, you see this fun, directed to steak night and generally just a good rendering of alternative thinking in wine marketing.” 14.5%. $19.95.
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