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 Spain, France, and Italy and are all perfectly styled for a little cold-weather drinking. From lush Rhone whites, sunny Midi reds, Spain’s most famous export in Rioja and of course a personal favourite from Pieropan in Soave. 

It's a wonderful selection of Icons and stars to enjoy through the month of June.

Its history as the birthplace of fine Australian table wine makes Mount Pleasant Australia’s most important wine estate. CAMPBELL MATTINSON 

Mount Pleasant is a winery that, for over 100 years, has challenged conventions and set the standard for modern Australian winemaking. HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION

‘Cellar Aged Semillon’, 2018 is the current release as of 2024 and it seems time does well for Elizabeth. I read through the reviews of previous vintages and there were a few comments on the ‘spritz’ in wine. This one has it in the tiniest amount and it’s not un-pleasant. Very pleasant, indeed.

Quite an intense colour, and very appetising perfume, there’s shortbread, a hint of vanilla custard, melon skin, yellow apple. It’s ripe and spicy, full in flavour, feels somewhat broad and generous but with lovely detail and it glides through the palate, not being heavy at all. Texture and bitter grip come with yellow fruit skins, ginger, wild honey and crushed cumin aftertaste. Drinks very well now but Elizabeth surprises with time too. (93+) KASIA SOBIESIAK, The Wine Front

SPECIAL VALUE - There's an approachability to this wine, a juiciness and freshness that says early appeal. Loaded with lime-lemon of the Splice ice cream kind with green apple, a touch of ginger and a splash of pink grapefruit wriggling through. Energetic, super delicious, just enough tension to make it feel fancy and a puff of talc-like minerality in there, too. The drinkability is off the charts. Sure, not overly complex or detailed, but this is an absolute ripper of a drink. MIKE BENNIE, Halliday Wine Companion

Pale, bright and really youthful in the glass. Lifted aromas of bath salts, wet stone, lemon pith, talc and white flowers. Punchy, crunchy and tangy in flavour. There’s a pure drive of citrus and pithy acidity and there’s a lovely line and length. AARON BRASHER, The Real Review

Lemons, limes, wet slate and red apples. It’s pretty classic and it’s pretty good. Intensity of flavour is upper middle, so to speak, and the finish is well sustained, with a touch of tonic water there. There’s a ripe feel to the fruit even though it’s measured and cool. There’s excellent drinking to be had here. CAMPBELL MATTINSON, The Wine Front

As a whole, you can’t go wrong with this estate and the quality is incredibly high, as well as consistent across the entire range. THE WINE ADVOCATE

Delas Frères continues to fire on all cylinders under the guidance of Jacques Granges... unquestionably, the top wines here are world-class in every way. JEB DUNNUCK

Plenty of candied lemons, white peaches and fresh almonds. Bright and lively on the very harmonious, medium-bodied palate, which is less creamy than many examples of this appellation, but is refreshing and very well balanced at the animating finish. A cuvee based on grenache blanc with viognier, roussanne, marsanne and clairette. Drink now. STUART PIGOTT, JamesSuckling.com 

Delas Frères is one of the most respected and historic producers in the Rhône Valley, with roots dating back to 1835. Based in Tain-l’Hermitage, in the heart of the northern Rhône, Delas has long been a key ambassador for the region’s most prestigious appellations, including Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Cornas, and Saint-Joseph.

Under the revitalized leadership of winemaker Jacques Grange since the early 2000s, Delas has experienced a remarkable renaissance, elevating quality across both its estate-grown and négociant wines. Today, Delas Frères stands as a benchmark producer in the Rhône, combining centuries of tradition with modern winemaking expertise to produce wines that faithfully express the character and diversity of this historic French region.

Pieropan is one of the great names in Soave. ANTONIO GALLONI, Vinous

You can’t speak of Soave’s greatest producers without including Pieropan. ERIC GUIDO, Vinous

Leonildo ‘Nino’ Pieropan, who sadly passed away in 2018, was the first to show the world just how great Garganega, and Italian white wine, can be. He recognised the importance of terroir early on, acquiring various hillside vineyards (including Pigno, Becco, Boiolo, Tondo, Palestrello and La Santa) and expanding the prestigious Calvarino and La Rocca vineyards, first made as single vineyard crus in 1971 and 1978 respectively. 

Today, sons Dario (winemaker) and Andrea (viticulturist) continue the family tradition. The brothers have converted all of their vineyards to organic and are overseeing the new winery being built amongst the vineyards just outside the village. 

Mostly Garganega with about 10-15% Trebbiano di Soave, this is wonderfully aromatic - not a common feature of Soave - with floral notes (cherry blossom), citrus, stone fruit and almond. The palate is delicate and focussed, with excellent depth and lovely overall balance.

If you can taste history, duty, and family pride in a glass, it’s there in the Kumeu River Chardonnays. LISA PEROTTI-BROWN, The Wine Advocate

Kumeu River has long been the spearhead for New Zealand Chardonnay. REBECCA GIBB, Vinous

Expect lively lime and lemon aromas, complemented by a flinty, mineral palate with notes of fig and white peach. This vintage is 30% fermented in old French oak barrels to add richness without overwhelming the fruit.

The first vintage of Village Chardonnay I tasted was from the 2002 vintage and it has been my "house Chardonnay" ever since. BOB CAMPBELL MW

Yering Station holds a foundational place in the history of Australian wine, proudly recognized as the first vineyard established in Victoria, with plantings dating back to 1838. Located in the heart of the Yarra Valley, Yering Station is a cornerstone of the region’s wine identity and a symbol of its rebirth as one of Australia’s premier cool-climate wine regions.

Blending deep heritage with contemporary excellence, the Rathbone family has carefully steered the estate since the 1990s, revitalizing its historic roots while building a reputation for innovation and quality. Today, Yering Station is internationally renowned for its elegant, expressive wines—particularly Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Shiraz Viognier blends—that reflect the finesse and character of the Yarra’s unique terroir.

As both a viticultural pioneer and a modern benchmark, Yering Station continues to shape the narrative of the Yarra Valley, pairing historic significance with a forward-thinking approach to winemaking, sustainability, and hospitality.

Matured for 10 months in 15% new, 500L French oak barrels. A bright, light crimson purple. A fragrant melange of bright red fruits, floral notes and a little earthiness. A gentle fleshiness together with supple tannins make this an attractive and well-priced wine to enjoy now and over the next three to five years. (93) PHILIP RICH, Halliday Wine Companion 

…They are truly marvelous wines that mainline the terroir in McLaren Vale via a light hand. Poised, expressive, powerful and fine. Hyperbole is not a thing. ERIN LARKIN, The Wine Advocate

Yangarra remains one of the key trailblazers in McLaren Vale... ANGUS HUGHSON, Vinous

This is a nice foil to the Old Vine bottling, showing what relatively youthful vines can do on this great site. There’s an open red-berried and cherry fruitfulness, with red florals supported by savoury spice and a foundation of purposeful natural tannin. This doesn’t have the mineral depth of the Old Vine, but the fruit vibrancy and exuberance yield their own rewards. (95) MARCUS ELLIS, Halliday Wine Companion 

Best’s winery and vineyards date back to 1866. Best’s consistently produces elegant, supple wines; the Bin No. 0 is a classic, the Thomson Family Shiraz is magnificent. Best's were awarded Wine of the Year in '17 and '23, and Best Value Winery '21. -JAMES HALLIDAY

SPECIAL VALUE - This release is on song. Black pepper and peppercorn characters float through cherry and plum fruit flavour. It's lively, it has enough depth, it finishes well and it charms throughout. The fine-grained, savoury aspect of the tannin here is of particular note. If you like the Great Western style, you can buy this with confidence. CAMPBELL MATTINSON, Halliday Wine Companion

Medium-full red with just a faint tint of purple remaining, the bouquet peppery, bunchy and quite complex, spicy and dried-herby, with a definite influence of grape stems. Medium-full bodied with a gently chewy texture, and earthy tannins close out the finish. Good potential and value. An elegant shiraz. HUON HOOKE, The Real Review

The Kalleske family has been growing and selling grapes on a mixed farming property at Greenock for over 170 years. Sixth-generation Troy Kalleske, with brother Tony, established the winery and created the Kalleske label in '99. The vines vary in age, with the oldest dating back to 1875. All are grown biodynamically. JAMES HALLIDAY

Kalleske Wines are stalwart Barossa producers that have been doing their thing and doing it very well for generations. With a cult following for many of their wines, they have never rested on their laurels, continuing a pursuit of excellence from winemaking to viticultural practices. Today, that includes several alternative varietal bottlings that they see as an important future for the winery as the landscape and climate irrevocably change. At the same time, they are exploring more periphery styles, experimenting with skin contact whites and low-sulphur wines. They are also huge proponents of organics and bio-dynamics, being followers of these principles long before it was cool.

The Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro blocks were harvested over a 6-week period from February 26th to April 9th.   All varieties were fermented separately in open top fermenters with hand pump-overs twice a day during fermentation.  After seven to fourteen days on skins the fermented grapes were traditionally pressed.  To preserve the superb fresh fruit flavours of the Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro, wines were only aged in very old oak hogsheads and only for a limited time of ten months.  On completion of maturation, components were blended for balanced flavour, texture, and complexity.

The bouquet is an enticing medley of dark rose florals, musk, sweet spice, and strawberry, enriched by nuanced layers of dried herbs, forest floor, and a subtle hint of choc mint. On the palate, this medium-bodied wine bursts with vibrant, juicy fruit flavours, including cherry and raspberry, complemented by a rustic, savoury undertone that adds depth and balance. Gentle tannins provide structure, while seasoned barrel maturation lends a polished sophistication, elevating the wine’s exquisite fruit profile.  The finish is long and satisfying.

The wines are invariably excellent, often outstanding. Coonawarra at its best. The Balnaves family, Coonawarra and Cabernet Sauvignon are concentric circles, indivisible from one another.  JAMES HALLIDAY

SPECIAL VALUE - A blend of 67/26/4/3% cabernet sauvignon/merlot/petit verdot/cabernet franc; matured in 18% new French oak for 12 months. This offers a medium-weight serve of black- and red-berried fruit flavour, though there are also plenty of leafier, more savoury aspects around the edges along with eucalypt and smoky oak notes. It's drinking well young, but it has all the sturdiness required to last well into the future. Balnaves always seems to over deliver on quality, and this is another example. CAMPBELL MATTINSON, Halliday Wine Companion

A juicy and well-balanced Rioja with spiced plums and a touch of chocolate. Slightly light but crunchy, with a medium body and a juicy, medium-long finish extended by creamy wood spices. A nice, friendly Rioja crianza. Drink now. ZEKUN SHUAI, JamesSuckling.com 

Conde de Valdemar stands as a beacon of Rioja winemaking, embodying over 130 years of dedication and innovation by the Martínez Bujanda family. Established in the 1980s by Jesús Martínez Bujanda, the estate has consistently pushed boundaries, introducing pioneering practices such as the first barrel-fermented white wine in Rioja and the revival of nearly extinct grape varieties like Maturana. Today, under the stewardship of Ana and Jesús Martínez Bujanda, the fifth generation continues this legacy, blending tradition with modernity to produce wines of exceptional character .

Innovation remains at the heart of Conde de Valdemar's philosophy. The winery has embraced sustainable practices, focusing on reducing carbon footprints and utilizing renewable energies. Their dedication to excellence and environmental responsibility ensures that each wine not only delights the palate but also honors the land from which it originates

The Fontarèche property, at the heart of Corbiere in Languedoc-Roussillon, has a long, illustrious and noble history dating back to 1201. Current proprietor, Jacques de Lamy took over from his father, Count Edouard de Lamy in 1957 where the de Lamy family has been in charge of the property since 1682. The estate works with 17 grape varieties, but Carignan is their jewel in the crown. The vines are planted to the semi-desert Mediterranean climate trapped between the Atlantic and Mediterranean. The Atlantic breezes funnel through the mountain ranges that form the backdrop of the region and help to temper the summer heat in the vineyards retaining freshness and vibrancy in the wines.

Wonderfully lifted notes of violets, mulberry and blue fruits all underlined with gentle minerality. The palate is brimming with a core of dark fruits that come together nicely with a focused and energetic finish. It really is surprising the level of subtle complexity at this price point that remains so easy to drink at the same time