The Top Wines
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2021 Brackenwood Barbera, Adelaide Hills $42 RRP
Checkley, Iga, Lorenzato, Letur, and Scarcebrook all selected this wine in their top six from the blind tasting. Checkley called it her number one pick for its nostalgic whiff of Iced VoVo and memories of the tea shop near her old high school: “The nose bursts with jasmine tea, raspberry liquorice, and a clean mineral note of sea salt – perfumed and inviting,” she described. “There’s a hint of resinous stalkiness on the palate, but this adds texture rather than green bitterness. The wine strikes a lovely balance of zippy acidity, fruit weight, and soft velvety tannins – a truly delightful and fun wine to enjoy.” Iga noted “a gleaming black ruby in the glass. Notes of sweet oak, charcoal, and vanilla rise immediately. Yet in Piedmont, when the harvest yields exceptional barbera fruit, it’s not uncommon to mature the resulting wine carefully in new oak. The fruit is deep and concentrated – blueberry and a kind of ume note, with a rare sweet-sour balance. This would be superb with chargrilled dishes.” Lorenzato found “a juicy, intense purple barbera with jammy notes of plum, strawberry, and cherry, rounded by herbs and a touch of vanilla spice. The palate brings more cherry, with elegant, tangy acidity reminiscent of mandarin zest. This is barbera in its classic Italian form – balanced, elegant, tasty, and true to style.” Letur described “a shiny ruby colour that attracts the eye and starts this wine’s charm offensive. The nose offers a perfectly tuned balance between fruit notes – think sour cherries, blackberries and raspberries – and a savoury, dry earth character.” Scarcebrook found it “wild and dark, showing an inkiness and deep spice, alongside black fruits of cassis and blackberries. Soft and mellow on the palate, with velvety round tannins and dark fruit characters.”
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2022 Barrecas Barbera, Geographe $27 RRP
Moriconi, Williamson, Lorenzato, and Scarcebrook all included this wine in their top six from the blind tasting. Moriconi called it “a really gastronomic wine – not obviously fruity at first. There are cherry notes to be found, and cured meats, clove spice, walnut kernel and some subtle vanilla come to play on the palate as well – but the real core of this wine is in its herbal thyme and lightly bitter medicinal notes. Definitely more savoury than your regular barbera, and therefore very versatile for matching with food.” Williamson found it opening “with blackberry and blackberry leaf, underpinned by a savoury umami edge. It has a nice weight to it, with sweet blackcurrant and blueberry flavours. New oak suits this wine pleasantly, adding vanilla and ginger notes. With tannins resembling Earl Grey tea and pepper, this wine is viscous and a little oily – but is lightened by its bright, fresh fruit character.” Lorenzato described it as “dark and deeply purple, glossy in the glass. The aromas are savoury and meaty – think roast meat with caramelised onion, bay leaf, and juniper berries, cooked plums and dark berries. I would surely bring this wine to a Sunday roast with family. Robust, satisfying, and soulful.” Scarcebrook noted it as “vibrant and fresh, showing mature ripe red fruits: wild strawberries, black cherries, and blood plum. Bold and juicy – not super-heavy and dense, but showing ripe bold dark fruits and supple tannins on the palate.”
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2022 Vigna Bottin Barbera, McLaren Vale $44 RRP
Checkley, Lorenzato, Letur, and Iga all chose this wine in their top six from the blind tasting. Checkley’s first impression was that this wine has life. “Like a breath of fresh air through a sun-dappled forest, it offers spicy, resiny goodness,” she described. “The nose is evocative: hairy raspberries fresh off the vine, a touch of raspberry leaf, sweet baking spices, black tea, tamari, and herbal anise. On the palate, it lingers sweetly and juicily, with soft tannic grip, delicate oak, and seamless integration.” Lorenzato found “medium-deep purple, with a fresh herbal lift on the nose – eucalyptus and wild herbs, layered with macerated fruit like cherry and raspberry. Reminds me of the berry sauce that goes alongside a traditional Bavarian pork roast dish that I love – and a glass of this barbera would be perfect with that roast, too.” Letur noted this barbera charmed him over its immediate competition just by virtue of its captivating ruby and garnet colour. “Its nose marries fresh fruit and leatheriness in one complex bouquet,” he observed. “The wine shows smooth and full texture, with lightly grippy tannins – the acidity holding the fruit together and keeping the finish alive just long enough.” Iga described “a gentle gradient of reddish-purple leading to a rim with slightly brownish tones. There’s a smoky, spicy aroma layered with vanilla and bright dried herbs – the oak use here feels dignified. This wine has a Piedmontese feel to it, with complex structure and tannins supported by lively acidity.”
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2022 Mordrelle ‘Basket Press’ Barbera, Langhorne Creek $38 RRP
Baxter, Lazariuc, and Moriconi all selected this wine in their top six from the blind tasting. Baxter called this “an example of barbera given the justice it deserves. The ripe blackcurrants, dark plum and savoury characters of Christmas cherry pie filling are balanced by fresh, luscious Virginian tobacco – think a warming campfire in a spring rainforest. These are incredibly complex and dynamic flavours, yet the wine manages to meld them together seamlessly. The palate is silky, dark and plummy – the rich juiciness and an almost-earthy Guinness note kept in check by an edge of cedar wood and a warming, smoky finish.” Lazariuc found “this barbera bursts with plum, chocolate, and a whisper of vanilla over a blood-red core. Its sharp-but-gentle acidity and silky mid-palate give balance and charm. Exciting without overreaching, it’s a wine designed to accompany shared laughter at your next wood-fired pizza night.” Moriconi described “a rich and moreish wine. On the nose, it shows plum jam, chocolate, peach yoghurt, and a whiff of coconut – if you like Rioja, you are going to love this one! Despite the generous use of oak on display here, this wine retains its refreshing acidity – making it nicely balanced, not clunky.”
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2024 Serafino ‘Bellissimo’ Barbera, McLaren Vale $28 RRP
Iga, Moriconi, and Lorenzato all included this wine in their top six from the blind tasting. Iga found “a ruby colour, with dark hues of deep purple. There’s a dusty, stony character that rises from the glass immediately – a fresh and slightly pungent minerality. The nose is rich with violets and ripe fruits – think blueberries and cherry jam. On the palate, the wine offers ripe, generous fruit while still maintaining barbera’s hallmark acidity, making it bright and drinkable. There’s a liveliness almost reminiscent of fruit punch or fruit candy, but it’s not just the acidity that’s dancing here – everything is in balance.” Moriconi noted “there is a coolness about this wine – the fruit profile is dark, and there’s a slight smell of the forest about it. On the nose: blood plums, forest floor, green peppercorn, and peppermint. On the palate, the fruit is plush, and warm spices and herbal elements on the back-palate bring great complexity and depth.” Lorenzato described “deep purple with floral lift – roses and cherry – backed by herbs, pink pepper, and a savoury, meaty note. A wine calling out for creamy porcini pasta with sage, butter, and plenty of cracked pepper.”
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2023 First Ridge Barbera, Mudgee $45 RRP
Lazariuc and Iga both chose this wine in their top six from the blind tasting. Lazariuc found “this barbera struts in with no need for compliments – it knows it’s the real deal. Sour cherry and blackberry with a dried-herb edge tumble out of the glass, setting the stage for a palate that’s juicy yet composed. Structured, long, and self-assured, it’s a wine that speaks with conviction. Perfect for a long Sunday lunch with roasted lamb, rosemary potatoes, and good friends – it shines without needing applause.” Iga described “a radiant ruby with a gentle gradation towards the rim. The nose is peppery and floral – it reminds me of the scent of spring. Alongside blueberry and blackberry notes, there’s a beautiful expression of soil-driven complexity here. On the palate, it shows stewed berry fruits, seamlessly integrated with its acidity, and fine, powdery tannins. There’s both structure and softness – this is a wine that balances juiciness with brightness and earthy depth.”
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2022 King River Estate Barbera, King Valley $32 RRP
Checkley and Lorenzato both had this wine in their top six from the blind tasting. Checkley found “this wine enticed me in ways hard to articulate – perhaps the macerated strawberries, red apple skin, Allen’s raspberry lollies, and apple blossom on the nose? Maybe the hint of cola, sweet vanilla custard, or woody thyme stalk? Or maybe it was the electric acidity on the tongue that saved the wine from feeling too heady, giving it lift and keeping it vibrant? All I know is that this barbera was so obviously handled with finesse in the winery, and it shows in the glass.” Lorenzato described “deep ruby with granite flashes, this wine leans into wood and oxidative charm. The nose swirls with smoky tones: dried apricot, hazelnuts, dark chocolate, black tea, raisins, and Marasca cherries in liqueur. On the palate it’s bold, yet cut through with elegant acidity that refreshes and keeps things lively. A bold-yet-lifted style that begs for cheese.”
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2023 Michelini ‘Italian Selection’ Barbera, Alpine Valleys $28 RRP
Williamson, Baxter, and Lorenzato all selected this wine in their top six from the blind tasting. Williamson found it “bursting with aromas of violets, liquorice spice, forest floor, rich blackberry, and black cherry – a darker, brooding style layered with vanilla and biscuit notes. Powdery tannins and a leathery grip add texture, while subtle umami hints – reminiscent of chicken broth – sit in the background without overwhelming the fruit.” Baxter called it “a perfect patio pounder. Rich, ripe blackberries, blackcurrants and luscious cherries are caressed by Irish pipe tobacco, struck match, and a perfume of lavender and purple flowers. The palate is like biting into a ripe black plum – silken in flesh, pithy in texture, and full of rich juice that fills the mouth.” Lorenzato described “an oxidative beauty: chocolate, sponge cake soaked in Marsala, dried apricot, nuts, and raisins – all wrapped in an intense purple robe. Long, persistent, and full of character, this wine feels festive. Comforting, generous, and celebratory.”
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2021 Petronio ‘Whitfield Vineyard’ Barbera, King Valley $38 RRP
Letur and Scarcebrook both included this wine in their top six from the blind tasting. Letur found this barbera showing “an elegant ruby colour with a hint of pale garnet. On the nose, it’s nicely balanced between sweet, ripe fruit – think black cherries and blackberries – and a touch of gaminess. The wine’s acidity keeps it lively, bringing out crunchy, fresh fruit flavours – mostly rich cherries. With its mouth-watering freshness, a tight finish, and lovely touch of minerality, it’s a very enjoyable wine that quickly became one of my favourites from the lineup.” Scarcebrook described “macerated strawberries, salty rhubarb, and a very slightly sweet pickled meat character reminiscent of bulgogi-flavoured beef jerky. On the light side in terms of weight, showing maturity and mellow tannins. Dry on the palate, with a savoury undercurrent reminiscent of sweet and umami meats.”
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2024 Golden Grove Barbera, Granite Belt $35 RRP
Williamson, Baxter, and Moriconi all chose this wine in their top six from the blind tasting. Williamson found “this wine smells of blackcurrants and soy sauce, with warm baking spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon. On the palate, it is restrained yet complex, with a nice balance of sweet fruit – think dark cherry and blackberry – and a biscuity, nutty umami note reminiscent of Vegemite. A vibrant and bouncy acid-driven finish gives the wine lift.” Baxter called it “a pie in a glass. Think the juicy fillings of huckleberry, boysenberry and Christmas cherry pies – alongside a soothing cup of tea, leaves and all, that warms the soul and cools the nerves. The palate is vibrant, blueberry-laden and concentrated, with a finish that stays with you long after you empty the glass.” Moriconi noted this barbera “has got some serious salinity to it – think salted blackberry, violets, seaweed, sea salt, and crushed white pepper. Light- to medium-bodied, the palate is zippy and refreshing, with a really cleansing finish.”
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2023 David Hook ‘Central Ranges’ Barbera, Central Ranges $38 RRP
Moriconi, Lazariuc, and Letur all had this wine in their top six from the blind tasting. Moriconi found it “very much on the classic spectrum of aromas for this variety. The nose is, as you might expect, all about the fruit and flowers – think crushed fresh blueberries and violet petals. So unapologetically fun and vibrant! The palate carries that same elegance and vitality – and the wine’s acidity and slight saltiness will make your mouth water for a long time after the wine is gone.” Lazariuc described “this wine’s colour whispers restraint, but the nose speaks volumes – dark fruit with supportive oak, sexy and inviting. The palate surges with plum, caramel, and truffle, bold and assured. With a little time, it will blossom into something profound.” Letur noted “finally, a barbera that offers a mixture of aromas from both the red and black berry spectrums, with prominent notes of cherries, raspberries, and blueberries. While it may not have been the most complex wine of the day, this is a wine that made my palate feel alive.”
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2023 Amadio ‘Evanescence Range’ Barbera, Adelaide Hills $50 RRP
Checkley, Lazariuc, and Iga all featured this wine in their top six from the blind tasting. Checkley noted “what I love about Barbera is that it’s a grape that inevitably showcases varietal character over winemaking. This wine, however, showed a touch more winemaking: subdued old oak and its gentle tannins, alongside time on gross lees, building weight and texture. Shortbread with frosted violets comes to mind. On the palate: stewed morello cherries, cranberry-driven acidity, and vanilla crème. I adore how perfumed and undeniably pretty barbera can be – and therefore entirely gluggable – and this wine reminded me exactly why.” Lazariuc found “with its brick-red glow and youthful pulse, this wine offers wild berries, autumn forest and incense stick aromas. The palate moves gracefully from juicy raspberry and strawberry to a subtle elegance, balanced and engaging. It’s a bottle for crisp evenings – best with roast game or mushroom risotto.” Iga described “a delicate gradation toward a pale rim. Clear, pure herbal notes – think dill and fennel – rise up in a fresh and precise way. The red fruit notes are wonderfully fresh. The acidity is plump and sweet-sour, with chewy red berry notes and a subtle toastiness lurking in the background.”
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2021 Dal Zotto ‘L’Immigrante’ Barbera, King Valley $85 RRP
Letur selected this wine in his top six from the blind tasting. “This barbera shows a light ruby colour, with hints of garnet and orange,” he described. “On the nose, it’s got a strong leather scent, with a bit of smokiness and a shy berry note. The palate is captivating – ripe, slightly bruised strawberries balanced by black pepper, dried herbs and earthy flavours. It has a nice, lingering finish that highlights its ‘gourmand’ side – light and elegant, with smooth, balanced tannins and a dry aftertaste. It’s the kind of wine that makes you want to pour yourself another glass and enjoy the experience of tasting it all over again.”
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2024 Vinea Marson Barbera, Heathcote $38 RRP
Scarcebrook chose this wine in his top six from the blind tasting. “Deep and focused – redolent of dense but not overripe red fruits, stewed plums, and cherries, alongside very subtle floral hints of roses and violets,” he described. “Not heavy, despite its density – instead, it’s vibrant and juicy, with well-managed acidity keeping it very drinkable and friendly. Nice dried fruits and just the lightest hint of sweet spices on the palate. A wine of distinct personality without bombast.”
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2023 Tumblong Hills ‘Table of Plenty’ Barbera, Gundagai $26 RRP
Baxter included this wine in his top six from the blind tasting. “This wine is unrestrained in its power and its presence – the bouquet practically punches the nose with a whole punnet of blueberries, alongside dried lavender, cacao nib, and a tinge of campfire,” he noted. “This lush perfume leads into a intensely juicy palate, structured around grippy tannins and an extremely long, powerful finish. Pair it with good company, a nice balmy spring day, and your favourite bistro or wine bar – you’d already be reaching for the second bottle.”
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2024 Hastwell & Lightfoot Barbera, McLaren Vale $35 RRP
Moriconi and Checkley both had this wine in their top six from the blind tasting. Moriconi found “a seductive and immediate wine, showing ripe red cherry and sweet peach blossom, with a white pepper note that gives a little spicy edge. Definitely one for the warmer months – chill in the fridge, gather some friends, go to the park, and enjoy this burst of fruitiness balanced by refreshing acidity.” Checkley was emphatic: “For the love of all that is good in this world, throw this barbera at food. This is a wine that sparks heavy conversations in candle-lit darkness. Mercurial, it is at once juicy, plump, and heady, yet also reminiscent of the intense saltiness of beef stock. There’s anise, but it’s the dried fennel seed kind of sweetness. This again shows how diverse barbera can be. I’ll wholeheartedly raise a glass to this style!”
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2024 Zerella ‘La Gita’ Barbera, McLaren Vale $35 RRP
Scarcebrook featured this wine in his top six from the blind tasting. “Fairly serious – deep and refined,” he observed. “A supple nose of purple and red fruits – wild plums, black cherries, and earthy, soft blackberry jam. Fresh, vibrant and round, with a fine balance and interplay between fruit and structure. Alcohol very supportive here – this wine shows the work of a deft hand in softening the fruits tannins and acids without losing any of its character.”
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2021 Nacre Barbera, Alpine Valleys $34 RRP
Baxter selected this wine in his top six from the blind tasting. “A wine that tells tales of the earth, sky and wind for those who will listen,” he described. “Savoury tomato and tart blue and black berry notes dance on the nose, alongside smoked paperbark, dried Italian herbs, and summer forest floor. The palate is decidedly savoury, showing tomato leaf and wild mulberry branch characters, yet is accompanied by juicy mulberry fruit that creates depth and vibrancy to the wine. A perfect mid-week meal in a glass – with trashy TV on in the background, and tomato pasta on your fork.”
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2024 Mercer Barbera, Orange $32 RRP
Williamson and Letur both chose this wine in their top six from the blind tasting. Williamson found “blueberries and vanilla leading on the nose, with an alluring smokiness. The wine is punchy and leathery, with a dry, dusty red-earth note carried nicely by the bright acidity. It has dark cherries, blueberries, a little cranberry, a lick of liquorice, and an umami element resembling savoury yeast flakes. The finish is long and satisfying.” Letur described “a vibrant ruby colour indicating that this is a relatively young wine. This barbera displays aromas of red and dark berries – a mix of sour cherries, blueberries, and young plums – alongside violets and a mineral note. Delicious and gourmand, this is a brilliant wine that doesn’t need to force its talents – and one whose fresh, laid-back charms could easily please young wine drinkers.”
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2023 TarraWarra Barbera, Yarra Valley $40 RRP
Williamson had this wine in her top six from the blind tasting. “This smells of five-spice duck cooking away on the stove!” she noted. “Lots of blackberry and cherry aromas, as well as a touch of vanilla and some lovely floral violets. The palate is bright and energetic, with bright acidity that makes the wine both generous and elegant. A gentle savouriness and supple grip balance its prettiness. It’s approachable and versatile – a bottle to happily place on the table alongside many meals, and one likely to disappear with ease.”
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2023 Billy Button ‘The Affable’ Barbera, Alpine Valleys $38 RRP
Lazariuc included this wine in his top six from the blind tasting. “Vibrant red and utterly inviting, this barbera greets with roses, perfume, boysenberry, and nutmeg – an aromatic kaleidoscope,” he described. “The fruit is clear and purposeful, carried by structure that keeps everything in harmony. Balanced but provocative, it dares you to expand your sensory vocabulary. A wine that excites and intrigues, for lively dinners and big conversations – it keeps you guessing, keeps you engaged, and refuses to be ordinary.”
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2024 Alpha Box & Dice ‘Enigma’ Barbera, Adelaide Hills $36 RRP
Lazariuc featured this wine in his top six from the blind tasting. “This Barbera is a stunner – blood-red and captivating,” he observed. “The nose buzzes with tension: zesty apricot, clove, and anise in perfect balance. On the palate, fruit unfolds slowly, layer by layer, keeping you hooked. Each return to the glass brings a new surprise, a wine that never stops flirting.”
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2025 Collector ‘Overland’ Barbera, Hilltops $34 RRP
Checkley and Baxter both selected this wine in their top six from the blind tasting. Checkley noted “this barbera is here for a good time, not for a long time – and that’s perfectly fine. It’s the kind of wine you want free-flowing, drunk on conversation, with the dreamy notes of ‘Harvest Moon’ drifting from the record player. It’s flirty: think strawberry shake syrup and fresh red plum flesh. Slightly stalky, with some whole-bunch character lending phenolic crunch, and a dash of new oak that’s a little over-pronounced – but the super-juicy acidity keeps it fun and approachable.” Baxter found “spring is here – and this will be in my hand for my next picnic. Lush and dark summer berries burst onto the nose, sweetened by black roses and sun-kissed California plums. The palate is juicy, with warming alcohol levels and a racy tannic line. The structure makes it perfect for a cheeky spin in the esky – chill it slightly to take off the edge, and you have in your hands the key to the best spring barbecue day.”
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2024 Longview ‘Jupiter’ Barbera, Adelaide Hills $40 RRP
Iga chose this wine in his top six from the blind tasting. “A beautiful gradation from deep purple sapphire to ruby,” he described. “The wine feels vibrant and fresh, with a subtly dusty, stony minerality. It’s richly scented, with floral notes of wild violets alongside hints of tea leaf and fresh herbs such as thyme. There’s also a flowing juiciness on the palate – crushed berry fruit sweetness, with soft notes of blueberry, raspberry, and cherry. The acidity is elegant and refreshing. Wouldn’t this go well with Peking duck?”
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2023 Dal Zotto Barbera, King Valley $36 RRP
Scarcebrook had this wine in his top six from the blind tasting. “Sarsaparilla, creaming soda, cinnamon, cola-bottle lollies and some ginger notes on the nose,” he observed. “Aromas here are more spicy and confected than fruity – if anything, there’s some raspberry blackcurrant candy, alongside a bit of beef jerky and leather character that I suspect comes from bottle age. Supple and fairly elegant, it shows more fruit on the palate. With its soft and mellow structure, this wine has some length to it – but it’s fundamentally all about drinkability and food-friendliness.”
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2024 Coulter Wines Barbera, Adelaide Hills $37 RRP
Williamson featured this wine in her top six from the blind tasting. “This wine has an expressive purple-fruited nose of blueberries and dark cherries, lifted by floral lavender and violet,” she noted. “On the palate, it shows bright, lifted acidity, with blueberries, Cherry Ripe, and a little cinnamon and star anise. Those pretty violet notes remain nicely lifted throughout, with a subtle soy-sauce element adding depth to the long finish.”