What makes a wine iconic? It’s not just excellence in the glass, but its influence and its impact. These wines shape styles, set standards, and inspire winemakers and drinkers alike. They demonstrate how, in the right hands, nature and nurture can combine to create something enduring.  Sometimes it’s because they broke the mold, establishing a new order, smashing trends, helping define what is possible, and others because they represent the highest expression of terroir, tradition, and time, establishing benchmarks for the rest to look up to.

With that in mind, we have put together a cracking collection of icons and stars of the wine world to get you through June. There are some brilliant drops from some of Australia’s most respected and lauded winemakers and producers. They hail from all corners of the land and cover a plethora of classic styles, some so unique you will never see them outside of Australia.

Of course, we have made sure to include some international stars in the list. These household names cover  France, Italy, New Zealand, and even a brilliant little treat from Greece that we think you will love.

We've made sure to keep the wines perfect for a little mid-season drinking with some textural whites, crunchy reds, and mid-weight beauties.

It's a wonderful selection of Icons and stars to enjoy through April.

SPECIAL VALUE - Pale straw in the glass with a youthful flash of green and aromas of juicy, freshly squeezed limes, green apple and grapefruit with crushed stone, meadow flowers, citrus blossom, lemongrass and makrut lime. Sleek, with just a squeak of pithy texture, beautiful limey fruit, a long, dry, focused finish and a velocity and cadence that is perfectly composed. (95) DAVE BROOKES, Halliday Wine Companion

Fantastic riesling. Slatey and intense. Lemon, lime, chalk and blackcurrant-bud characters put on a delicious show before finishing dry, textural and long. Great buying/drinking. (94) CAMPBELL MATTINSON, The Wine Front

Pale straw, bright in the glass and vibrant. There’s some really pretty and lifted aromas of bath salts, lemon pith, jasmine, wet slate and citrus drops. The palate is pithy, powerful, textured and mouth-filling, with lovely purity, line and presence. Lime, lemon and tangy grapefruit flavours are all at play and the acidity plays its role superbly, delivering snap, crunch and texture. (96) AARON BRASHER, The Real Review 

Dr John Vickery is a legend of the Clare Valley, widely regarded as one of the architects of classic Clare Riesling. From the Polish Hill subregion, this is a belter of a wine—pure, structured and long-lived. His legacy lives on through wines that continue to define the style and precision of the region. 

SPECIAL VALUE - An outstanding classic semillon, with flavour, weight and presence. Pristine aromas of ripe lemon accented with fragrant quinine and grapefruit pith. The palate has a pure citrus core, subtle mid-palate softness, a cleansing wet-stone undercurrent and soft acidity on the close. Tremendous value.(93) TONI PATTERSON, Halliday Wine Companion 

One of the original families of wine in Australia, Tyrrell’s is an absolute legend. With roots dating back to 1858, they produce ridiculously high-quality wines across the spectrum—from everyday drinking to some of the country’s most revered bottlings. Semillon is their calling card, but everything they touch shows class and pedigree. 

A legendary Greek winery, Thymiopoulos is producing benchmark wines that have helped redefine the modern image of Greek wine. Working primarily with Xinomavro, they deliver incredible value and quality, combining old vine material with thoughtful, low-intervention winemaking. These are wines of purity, structure and growing international acclaim. 

If I were blunt enough to categorise some wineries as leaders, rather than followers, then Coriole would be in the former category. I’ve been a little poorly over the past week, hence the dearth of reviews (and ever increasing pile of samples). In short, Sisyphus is back in business.

Green melon, grapefruit, aniseed, chamomile, a slight but pleasant smokiness. It’s fleshy, pulpy, a little waxy, texture is grainy and powdery, ripe lemon and raw almond, a little green herb perfume, balanced acidity, with a nutty finish of excellent length. Varietal and very nice. And on the nice scale, this does very well indeed. (94) GARY WALSH, The Wine Front

SPECIAL VALUE - Mostly in tank, but also some complex-making nuances, with a small fraction seeing concrete ferment, some with a day or so on skins, a little in older oak – bit parts, perhaps, but all contributing meaningfully. Golden apples, fragrantly lilting orchard blossoms, quince, peach, green pear, citrus pith, both lemon and orange-skinned citrus, a mandarin/tangerine vein. It’s an effortless thing, easily textural, yet also crisp, with a lot of love to give. (94) MARCUS ELLIS, Halliday Wine Companion

Coriole is a true McLaren Vale stalwart, family owned and operated since its founding in 1967. Long before it was fashionable, they placed a focus on Italian varieties and remain a leader in that regard, helping shape Australia’s understanding of grapes like Sangiovese and Fiano. There’s a sense of tradition and quiet innovation here, with wines that balance Mediterranean influence and classic Vale generosity.

Yalumba certainly gets this viognier caper. From the entry-level Samuel's Garden we have here right through to the iconic Virgilius, there is a pathway to discover for those who wish to investigate the variety. Light straw with characters of citrus and stone fruits; softly spiced with hints of clotted cream, white flowers, crushed stone, white pepper and ozone. Just a touch of pithy flesh on the palate. Finishes dry, with a tension between richness and savouriness and a bright mineral line. (93) DAVE BROOKES, Halliday Wine Companion 

Another first family of Australian wine, Yalumba remains proudly family owned. With a history dating back to 1849, they have played a pivotal role in shaping the Australian wine landscape. As a Viognier specialist, it’s no surprise how much bang for your buck this wine delivers—textural, aromatic and consistently impressive. 

Straightforward fruit power, upfront juiciness with plenty of lime and grapefruit zest, sweet-sour green apple, peach sorbet, pomelo, a light hint of toast and pithy finish. Turbocharged with juicy fruit and zingy freshness. Good value. (92) KASIA SOBIESIAK, The Wine Front 

Bruce Dukes has cemented himself as one of Margaret River’s best, combining technical precision with a deep understanding of site. Domaine Naturaliste has quickly risen through the ranks, producing wines that showcase purity, structure and detail. With experience at Pierro and in Bordeaux, Dukes crafts wines that feel both globally informed and distinctly regional.

Clear ruby with a violet hue. A softly-perfumed, crunchy gamay with raspberry candy and banana peel flavours trimmed in fine, chalky tannins and carrying a hint of cranberry alongside fragrant rosemary. The light-weight flavours and tangy finish suit a slight chill to bring out its vibrant fruity personality. Enjoy over the coming year or two. THE REAL REVIEW 

A Kiwi classic from Hawke’s Bay, Te Mata is one of New Zealand’s oldest wineries, with a reputation built on consistency and excellence. Better known for their Cabernet and Syrah, this Gamay is a sure-fire hit and a nod to their foresight in shaping the Kiwi wine industry. Elegant, bright and approachable, it highlights their versatility. 

SPECIAL VALUE - Whole berries seeded with a pied de cuve, with the ferment gently plunged twice daily; maturation in seasoned oak. Sangiovese is in a great place in this country at present, from juicy vins de soif to wines of real gravitas. This sits somewhere in the middle, and what a great space that is. Fruit pure, mid-weight and linear, with generosity of flavour but no fat. Abundant cherries – glossy red, sour, liqueur – cranberry, dried hardy herbs and hints of pepper, star anise and cassia. Etched with classically savoury tannins and energising acidity, this is made for now and the table, and it delivers with class. (93+) MARCUS ELLIS, Halliday Wine Companion 

At the forefront of organic and biodynamic viticulture, Paxton is one of McLaren Vale’s most progressive estates. Their wines are expressive, vibrant and very drinkable, reflecting both the health of their vineyards and a lighter touch in the winery. Sustainability is at the core here, and it shows in the clarity and energy of the wines. 

Known as “the twig wine,” Zaccagnini has become an Italian classic and an instantly recognisable bottle on shelves around the world. Hailing from Abruzzo, the wines are approachable, fruit-driven and undeniably delicious. It’s a producer that combines tradition with accessibility, making it a perennial favourite.

Grape-destemming, soft pressing under vacuum to extract the free-run juice and fermentation of the clear fraction only at low temperature for 10 days. Aging in stainless steel tanks for 3 months and subsequent bottling.
Lush, spiced fruits waft up from the glass, sprinkled with a little white pepper and dried herbs. It flows with sweet forresty fruits, plump at first but tightens nicely with fesh, cruchy aciduty and soft tannins that give this a little extra complexity. Just staight up tasty gear.

Château Fontarèche is an old and respected estate from France’s southern reaches, with history dating back centuries. Situated in Corbières, it delivers high quality, great value wines that punch well above their weight. The estate blends traditional Languedoc character with a refined touch, producing wines that are generous, expressive and effortlessly drinkable. 

What can we say—who doesn’t know Torbreck? A champion of the Barossa Valley, Torbreck has built its reputation on powerful, expressive wines sourced from old vines. With a strong Rhône influence, they craft wines that balance richness with structure, firmly placing them among Australia’s most recognisable and respected producers.

Crimson with black cherry core. An alluring nose of red and black fruits such as dried red currant, black cherry and red plum. There’s inviting secondary notes of Chinese five spice, charcuterie and white pepper. Soft and enveloping, the silky tannins provides a warm and supple mouthfeel offering excellent length and depth. Enjoy from release or cellar for 5-10 years. Serve at 16C/64F and match with most cuisines.

Torbreck Woodcutter’s Shiraz is sourced from younger Barossa Valley vineyards and showcases the region’s hallmark richness in a more approachable style. Grapes are hand-harvested and fermented in small open-top fermenters with daily pump-overs to enhance colour and structure. After basket pressing, the wine is matured for 12 months in a combination of seasoned French oak barriques and foudres. Bottled unfined and unfiltered, Woodcutter’s Shiraz is plush and expressive, with dark berry fruit, subtle spice, and a rounded, velvety finish. 

SPECIAL VALUE - Estate fruit. Maturation in (30% new) oak for 14 months. Blackberries on the bush, blackcurrants and juniper berries. Baked red clay, driftwood and dried bush greens. Bay leaf and caperberry. There is a crackle of dried leaves to the sound this wine gives out. It's as Australian as ’dry as a bone’. Cedar, tea brewing in a billy and all the nostalgia. Oak and saltbush are part of the fabric of the wine. Just splendid. (95) SHANTEH WALE, Halliday Wine Companion

Youthful and bright in the glass. Aromas of eucalyptus, blackberry, spearmint and tobacco. Firm, savoury and structured on the palate. There's a leafy lift to the dark fruits and the acidity delivers zip and cut. A little linear at the moment, stick it away for a few years. AARON BRASHER, The Real Review 

A Coonawarra classic that has never skipped a beat, Parker Estate has long been synonymous with the region’s finest Cabernet Sauvignon. With vineyards planted on the famed terra rossa soils, the wines deliver structure, longevity and unmistakable regional character. It’s a benchmark producer that continues to perform year in, year out.