If you love taking in everything that Australian wine has to offer, this may be the best – and best value – mixed dozen of the year.

The Australian Wine Club’s Premium Annual Dozen of 2023 offers a ticket to the complete show.

From “lipsmacking” Adelaide Hills sauvignon blanc, pristine 95-point Eden Valley riesling and five-star Yarra chardonnay to luxurious Barossa shiraz, “plump and pleasurable” Clare Valley grenache and a soft-hearted cabernet blend from the Halliday Wine Companion’s Winery of the Year, there is something for all occasions.

Six whites and six reds make up our Premium Dozen at just $21.49 a bottle but, if you favour one colour over another, feel free to double down on red or white. And there’s a bonus gift with every purchase (see below).

James Halliday, our club president, helped select the line-up and gives his seal of approval: “Quality is outstanding, and just look at the savings too.”

For those who enjoy tripping across different regions to experience varietal variances, the dozen also gives rise to a tale of two shirazes.

While the Elderton Estate Shiraz 2020 offers a “big, bold and beautiful” Barossan experience, the Howard Park Leston Margaret River Shiraz 2018 is a study in contrasts: bursting with flavour but balanced by a refreshing minerally energy.

Nic Bowen, the winemaker at Howard Park in Margaret River. Picture: Supplied

“That 2018 vintage was something very special – all the planets aligned and the shiraz produced was Margaret River at its best,’’ says Rich Burch, whose family owns Howard Park.

The two shirazes remind me of something Halliday once said when I asked why Australian shiraz had been so consistent across regions and vintages. “The reason shiraz is so dominant is that it is the greatest traveller,” he said. “You could grow shiraz on a telegraph pole in Pitt Street and still produce great grapes.

“We produce different styles of shiraz across different regions but they keep their varietal integrity.”

As this column has noted many times, the quality offered by Australian wine across so many varieties compares favourably with any other wine-producing country.

Here’s a few of my favourites from our smorgasbord of Australian wine. You can check out the full details of the Premium Dozen here.

Sidewood Estate Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2022

Must stake a claim for Australia’s most consistent sauvignon blanc, with seven 95-point scores and two 94-point scores over the past nine vintages in the Halliday Wine Companion. Leap-from-the-glass aromas of gooseberry, citrus, passionfruit and freshly cut grass lead to a zingy fresh palate singing with an array of tropical fruits.

“The finish is crisp and lipsmacking,” says Halliday, who handed out a 95-point rating and red star for exceptional value. 12% alc; RRP $22 a bottle.

SPECIALS $21.49 a bottle in Premium Dozen

Sorby Adams Jellicoe Eden Valley Riesling 2022

Sourced from 30-year-old riesling vines at around 475m above sea level. Classic Eden aromas of freshly squeezed lime and crunchy green apple. Lemons and grapefruit pith on the palate drive along a minerally acid line.

“Focused, true and just lovely to drink,” Halliday critic David Brookes says. 95 points; red star for exceptional value. 11.5% alc; RRP $35 a bottle.

SPECIALS $30 a bottle in any dozen; $21.49 a bottle in Premium Dozen

TarraWarra Estate Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2018

Hand-picked, whole bunch-pressed with about half the fruit fermented in tank for freshness and the other in new and seasoned French oak for texture. Great intensity with stone fruits, a touch of citrus and underlying cashew nut flavours.

Creamy texture. 95 points from Team Halliday. 13.2% alc; RRP $35 a bottle

SPECIALS $29.99 a bottle in any dozen; $21.49 a bottle in Premium Dozen

Elderton Estate Barossa Shiraz 2020

From one of the Barossa’s most consistent family-owned producers. Stunning depth of flavour, combining rich Barossa floor fruit (Greenock and Nuriootpa) with cool-climate Eden Valley grapes (Craneford).

“Big, bold and beautiful,” writes Halliday. 94 points and red star for exceptional value. 14.8% alc; RRP $35 a bottle.

SPECIALS $29.99 a bottle in any dozen; $21.49 a bottle in Premium Dozen

Howard Park Leston Margaret River Shiraz 2018

From vineyards at Wilyabrup in the heart of Margaret River. Aromas of plum and burnt toffee along with touches of raspberry, choc-mint and black pepper. Concentrated flavours of plums, aniseed, coffee and tobacco.

“The tannins have a cooling, minerally flow that shape the palate, making for really quite elegant drinking,” writes Erin Larkin. 93 Halliday points. 14.5% alc; RRP $40 a bottle.

SPECIALS $35.99 a bottle in any dozen; $21.49 a bottle in Premium Dozen

Kilikanoon Prodigal Clare Valley Grenache 2020

Hedonistic drinking pleasure. Raspberry, red apple skin, fruit pies and rhubarb aromas draw you towards red fruits and spice wrapped in velvety tannins. “This is a beautiful wine! Totally buoyant, plump and pleasurable.

“Get some,” Larkin writes in the Wine Companion. 95 Halliday points. 14.5% alc; RRP $40 a bottle.

SPECIALS $29.99 a bottle in any dozen; $21.49 a bottle in Premium Dozen.

PREMIUM DOZEN Six whites and six reds for $21.49 a bottle. SAVE $165 a dozen. Straight dozen of whites or reds also available.

PLUS Enjoy a complimentary bottle of Bleasdale Generations Langhorne Creek Shiraz 2019 (RRP $35 a bottle) when you purchase the Premium Dozen.

Order by simply clicking the links to our online store or telephone 1300 765 359 Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm AEST. Deals are available only while stocks last. The Australian Wine Club is a commercial partnership with Laithwaites Wine, LIQP770016550. Stockhead is partnering with The Australian Wine Club on this offer.

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