Australia is one of the world’s top wine production countries. From the Barossa’s rolling hills to the Hunter’s fertile plains, Australia has rightfully earned its place as a winemaking paradise. Given that the country has so many incredible wine regions producing such high class grapes, it’s only natural that buyers from London to Shanghai and across to New York love getting their hands on some of our collectible bottles.
Whether you’re into a Henschke Hill of Grace, a Cullen Vanya Cabernet Sauvignon or a Penfolds Grange, here are five of Australia’s most collectible wines.
- Henschke Hill of Grace
Current vintage: 2015
Henschke has long stood as one of Australia’s most revered wineries, founded in 1868 and remaining family-owned to this day. Fifth generation winemaker Stephen Henschke now runs the operation with his wife, Prue, a viticulturist. The rare husband-wife combination, with their portfolio based on Eden Valley vineyards, creates wines from the Barossa Valley and Adelaide Hills. The Henschke Hill of Grace is a robust yet elegant single vineyard shiraz, first produced by Stephen’s father back in 1958. This wine ages for at least 35 years and earns a rightful price of around AUD $1,000 per bottle.
- Cullen Vanya Cabernet Sauvignon
Current vintage: 2017
Some say it’s the finest vintage ever experienced in the Margaret River, and perhaps one of the best wines ever produced in the country, with a certified biodynamic process creating a beautifully intense, flawless drop, fast earning outstanding praise throughout the winemaking world. A true future collectible with bottles going for around AUD $450.
- Penfold’s Grange
Current vintage: 2016
Since its inception in 1951, Grange has never missed a vintage release. This is partly what makes it such a legendary collectible across the world. Penfold’s winemakers have the ability to blend across South Australian regions and vineyards, and this allows them the opportunity to produce this wine every year in varying quantities. Penfold’s Grange is typically based on the Barossa Valley, with top class vintages being the 1955, 62, 66, 71 and 83. Penfold’s Grange is truly one of the world’s great collectibles, however its investment potential has suffered due to rises in release price. It’s a powerful, strongly-oaked drop, one that stays with the drinker for some time after. Bottles typically sit around the AUD $700 mark.
- Penfold’s Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon
Current vintage: 2018
Penfold’s Grange was unable to be made from cabernet for its inception in 1951, as there was little availability of the grape to make the amount needed for distribution. There was a single Grange Cabernet produced in 1953, with Bin 707 coming some 11 years later. Bin 707, unlike the Grange, is not produced every year, but like the Grange it is a regional blend and South Australian vineyard. Based on Block 42 of Penfold’s Kalimna vineyard, Bin 707 enjoys particular demand from Chinese buyers and sells for around AUD AUD $600 a bottle.
- Torbreck Vintners RunRig
Current vintage: 2017
Torbreck has been around for just over 20 years, with the first RunRig being produced in 1995. Torbreck founder Dave Powell was fast to build Torbreck’s status based on the world famous Barossa Valley reds. Californian Pete Kight is now at the helm, with chief winemaker Ian Hongell coming across from another Barossa benchmark, Peter Lehmann wines. RunRig is sourced from a range of Western Ridge growers. A small amount of viognier is put in the mix before bottling. RunRig has been surpassed as Torbreck’s most expensive wine but still remains a serious collectible with bottles going for around AUD $300.
