Out of the thousands of wines they collectively review each year, the Halliday Tasting Team is allowed to select just one as their Taster’s Pick for the Halliday Top 100.
The Taster’s Pick category, introduced for the first time in 2024, contains the final 10 wines in the Halliday Top 100. The other categories include Australian Sparkling, White Wines Under $40, White Wines Over $40, Red Wines Under $50, and Red Wines Over $50.
Below, the tasters reveal why each wine was their highlight from the past 12 months, share serving suggestions and more.
Toni Paterson MW: 2023 Brokenwood Verona Vineyard Shiraz
This is the ninth release of Verona as a single-vineyard wine. It is a gorgeous, inviting, medium-weight red bursting with charm, integrity and flavour. It is a classic Hunter Valley shiraz, and the vibrancy, density and finesse of the fruit gives the wine true contemporary appeal.
With its distinctive personality and striking fruit purity, the vineyard's stature as a significant site is clear. In the hands of the talented Brokenwood team, its signature shines brightly.
The south-facing, gently sloping vineyard on McDonalds Road, Pokolbin, was planted in 1968 with cuttings from old vineyards, with subsequent plantings in 2002. The soils are similar to those of the Graveyard Vineyard, with the southerly aspect resulting in pronounced floral notes – the hallmark of the wine.
After a three to four day soak, the grapes were fermented at around 25 degrees, then matured in seasoned French oak puncheons. The absence of new oak allows the signature florals to shine. It drinks beautifully on opening, though decanting will enhance its fragrance and layers.
The best way to enjoy this wine: I recommend serving the Verona Vineyard Shiraz at a celebration dinner with wine-loving friends. And my ideal food pairing would have to be porchetta.
