Photo: The 2024 Limestone Coast Wine Show winners
As the festive season approaches, Limestone Coast vignerons have launched a curated selection of 51 top wines, perfect for Christmas celebrations. This list (included in full below this article), inspired by the standout entries of the 2024 Limestone Coast Wine Show, includes options that promise to enhance any holiday gathering.
The highlight of this year’s wine show was the 2021 Sanctum Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon from Yalumba, which, for the second consecutive year, stole the show out of 423 entries. Priced at under $30, this wine has been acclaimed by Chief of Judges Philip Rich for its impeccable balance of “classic old-school Coonawarra with modern viticulture and winemaking.”
Sarah Pidgeon from the Limestone Coast Wine Show committee said “The Limestone Coast is clearly punching above its dollar value in terms of quality and our unique landscape offers real variety in wine styles.” This diversity ensures that there is a suitable option for every festive need, from Christmas morning refreshments to tasteful gifts and perfect pairings for traditional meals.
Among the wines recommended for the holiday are sparkling options like the Grey-Smith Coonawarra Blanc de Blancs, retailing at $35, and topping the ‘Festive Sparkling’ category. For those with a preference for sweeter wines, the Leconfield Wines 2021 Noble Riesling, priced at $36, has been distinguished in the ‘Something Sweet’ category.
Those enjoying rosé will find superb value in Reschke’s 2024 R-Series Rose Limestone Coast, exceptionally priced at $20. For lovers of aromatic white wines, Patrick of Coonawarra’s 2024 Two Blocks Riesling is a go-to option costing $25 a bottle, while Majella Wines offers its 2024 Coonawarra Riesling at an even more accessible price of $19.
The exploration of unique varieties and styles extends to the Padthaway region, known for its ‘Textural Chardonnay’. Labels like Landaire and Browns of Padthaway are leaders in this segment. The coast’s influence is evident in the rise of ‘Different Reds’, such as Carmenere and Dolcetto, with Wangolina’s offerings leading this category. Additionally, Pinot noir from Woodsoak Wines and Karatta Wines has received high praise.
For those looking to splurge on special gifts, the Pepper Tree’s Block 21A Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Wrattonbully 2013, priced at $140, and Wynns Coonawarra Estate John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon Coonawarra 2019 at $150, are considered excellent investments in the ‘World Class Cabernet’ category. Also, the 2023 Wynns Coonawarra Estate Shiraz, another trophy winner, is a fantastic buy at $18.
This comprehensive guide not only showcases the best of the Limestone Coast’s offerings but also ensures there is a wine to suit every taste and budget, making holiday wine shopping an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Whether as a gift or for personal enjoyment, these selections promise to bring additional cheer to this festive season.
51 top drops for Christmas
A gold medal award in any category is a mark of absolute excellence in the style. 17 of these wines then went through extra rigorous judging to be named the very best in their class and have been awarded trophies. Happy Shopping!
Festive Sparkling
Grey-Smith Coonawarra Blanc de Blancs Trophy $35
Eight at the Gate Jillian Pearl Blanc de blanc $58
Cuvée-Co Wines Ivy Elliot Rosé $45
Something sweet
Leconfield Wines Noble Riesling 2021 Trophy $36
Ripper Rose
Reschke R-Series Rose Limestone Coast 2024 Trophy $20
Stonehaven Stepping Stone Rose Limestone Coast 2024 $22
Fresh aromatic whites
Patrick of Coonawarra Two Blocks Riesling Coonawarra/Wrattonbully 2024 Trophy $25
Ladbroke Grove Riesling School House Block Coonawarra 2019 $25
DiGiorgio Family Wines Kongorong Riesling Mount Gambier $25
Majella Wines Riesling Coonawarra 2024 $19
Patrick of Coonawarra P series by Patrick Sauvignon Blanc Limestone Coast 2024 $20
Ottelia Pinot Gris Limestone Coast 2024 $28
Textural Chardonnay
Landaire Chardonnay Padthaway 2023 2 Trophies $42
Browns of Padthaway Melba FR Chardonnay Padthaway 2017 Trophy $28
Different Reds
Woodsoak Wines Pyaar Pinot Noir Robe 2024 Trophy $30
Wangolina A-Series Carmenere Limestone Coast 2022 Trophy $28
Wangolina A-Series Dolcetto Limestone Coast 2023 Trophy $28
Bloomfield Wine Mencia Limestone Coast 2024 Trophy $35
Karatta Wines Hares Tail Pinot Noir Robe 2024 $50
Leconfield Wines Petit Verdot Coonawarra 2022 $36
Reschke Merlot 2024 Limestone Coast $25
Beautiful Blends
Farmer’s Leap Pillar Box Red Shiraz Cabernet Padthaway 2023 Trophy
Majella Wines The Musician Cabernet Shiraz Coonawarra 2022
Lindemans Wines Pyrus red blend Coonawarra 2022 $70
Smith & Hooper Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Wrattonbully 2022
Brands Laira Blockers Cabernet Merlot Coonawarra 2022
Gorgeous Shiraz
Wynns Coonawarra Estate Shiraz Coonawarra 2023 Trophy $18
Wild Folk Nouveau Shiraz Padthaway 2023 $19
Wynns Coonawarra Estate Old Vines Shiraz Coonawarra 2022 $38
Katnook Estate Prodigy Shiraz Coonawarra 2022 $100
Pinnacle Drinks Riddoch The Author Shiraz Coonawarra 2022 $65
St Hugo DR3 Shiraz Coonawarra 2022 $80
Wynns Coonawarra Estate Michael Shiraz Coonawarra 2021 $150
Eight at the Gate single vineyard shiraz Wrattonbully 2021 $28
Reschke Wines Shiraz Limestone Coast 2020 $25
Malone Wines Shiraz Wrattonbully 2019 $28
World Class Cabernet
Yalumba The Sanctum Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon Coonawarra 2021 3 Trophies $25
Wynns Coonawarra Estate black label Cabernet Sauvignon Coonawarra 2022 Trophy $38
Wynns Coonawarra Estate Glengyle single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Coonawarra 2021 Trophy $80
Reschke Bos Cabernet Sauvignon Coonawarra 2016 Trophy $55
Redman Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Coonawarra 2022 $35
Taylors Wines Well Natured Organic Cabernet Sauvignon Wrattonbully 2022 $18
St Hugo single vineyard Flint Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 $85
St Hugo DR3 Cabernet Sauvignon Coonawarra 2022 $80
Majella Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Coonawarra 2021 $35
Lindemans Wines St George Cabernet Sauvignon Coonawarra 2021 $70
Leconfield Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Coonawarra 2021 $36
Brands Laira Blockers Cabernet Sauvignon Coonawarra 2021 $22
Wynns Coonawarra Estate John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon Coonawarra 2019 $150
Yalumba The Menzies Cabernet Sauvignon Coonawarra 2019 Trophy $60
Pepper Tree Block 21A single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Wrattonbully 2013 $140
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