For those who may be new here, the final pack of the year is all about celebratory drinking for the silly season. We are not trying to hit some fancy theme or wine challenge to test the metal of our tasting team. There are just two rules for the wines in this pack: they have to be flippin' delicious and they have to be great value. Nailed it!

We've made sure there are plenty of bright and crunchy whites for the warmer weather and this year they are hailing from Austria, Italy, along with some local goodies from Margaret River and McLaren Vale. For the reds think juicy, packed with flavour, and perfect for whatever comes off the BBQ and out of the oven. Some cracking rose, of course, and some brilliant bubbles to pop the cork on when you need a little pick-me-up to get you through to dinner on Christmas day

This pack is crammed full of delicious drinking and of course. as we like to do, we have thrown in a magnum for good measure, and, once again, this year the Guigal Cotes du Rhone has secured its rightful spot in this years pack. Pulling this bad boy out for the family or friends is always so much fun. How can you not enjoy that?

These are the perfect packs to keep around and dip into with a little something for everyone and for any occasion over the holiday season. They're so good that you might as well get two! 

We hope you enjoy and wish you all a happy holiday and season's greetings whatever way you celebrate.

Delicate aromas of white spring flower, citrus and exotic fruit lead the nose. The dry palate offers white peach, nectarine and candied almond alongside fresh acidity. KERIN O’KEEFE

Notes of apple blossom, crushed rocks and ripe pears provide immediate pleasure. The palate is finely composed of airy flavours – lemon sherbert and apples take the lead, alongside slatey minerally flavours. Just when you think it's going to finish a saline twist on the finish delights. It’s a delightful prosecco that will make your afternoon catchup with friends. GABRIELLE POY

This fragrant, graceful Prosecco is the fruit of a selection of grapes from the finest vineyards in the zone of Cordignano, Sarmede, and Cappella Maggiore in the hills of Treviso. The bouquet is generous, with emphatic notes of Golden Delicious apple, peach, and wisteria, displaying a wonderful balance between fragrance and refreshing crispness. The palate is fruit-forward and smooth, full-bodied and well-structured; overall, it is a harmonious and elegant wine. 

It's an impressively modern affair here with state-of-the-art equipment and winemaking facilities. However, the team here is committed to making what they see as the traditional expressions of the wines of the region while embracing contemporary craftsmanship. That includes very little oak if any at all and steel tank, temperature controlled ferments to preserve freshness and vitality.

These are impressive wines that capture the warmth, heart, and soul of the region with modern styling and a nod to the many generations of quality wine producers that came before them.

Stift Goettweig Messwein Grüner Veltliner comes from an estate that has been engaged in wine-growing in the Kremstal region since the 11th century – though it can be said to be in the form of its life, with 2020 Winemaker of the Year Fritz Miesbauer doing a great job at the helm.

The Göttweiger Messwein, or altar wine, has been an institution in this Benedictine monastery for centuries. Grüner Veltliner and rosé (from Pinot Noir) are vinified as light, dry wines. From the nature-friendly cultivation of the vineyards to the care and processing of the grapes and wine, the “Reinheitsgebot”, or purity law, of the church must be obeyed. Messwein cannot be produced without the permission of the bishop, and it must be only natural and unaltered. With its lowish alcohol, Messwein is the lightest wine – very easy and drinkable.

Yum! Bit of citrus and red apple with that telltale green herbs and white pepper lift. At this level, it delivers plenty of crunchy, punchy fruit, pears, apples and tinge of orange peel too. Lots of zing here as well but buffered by lovely lush fruits. Go to summer wine we are thinking.

SPECIAL VALUE

A Portuguese transplant, arinto is looking like it will settle into McLaren Vale with some ease. This, a case in point. Free run, a little of the light pressings, and wild fermented in steel. Pear and dried apple lashed with brine, savoury-spiked with parsley seed and fennel frond, a water-splashed-concrete mineral note accenting. There’s a nice little plump of texture and fruit weight, accosted and stewarded into line by satisfyingly natural acidity and faintly seasoning grip. (93) MARCUS ELLIS, Halliday Wine Companion

TOP 100 Wines Of 2024

Acidity is e lifeblood of all the wines we drink, and in the warmer reaches of Australia, finding varieties that hold on to that natural acidity in hot, dry seasons is vital for success. Arinto, a Portuguese native, is panted sparsely here but a wine could be very persuasive in changing that. There's a lemon sherbert quality to it, a tongue tickling energy of almost obscene refreshment. NICK RYAN, The Weekend Australia

Flag waivers for future proof varieties, the crew at Lino Ramble have chosen to work with growers who have a preference for organic and biodynamic farming. Endeavouring to make wines which display characters that at once tie them to their European originals with the saline, textural nuance of where they are grown In the winery we take a minimal intervention approach and texture is king. Turning tiny parcels of excellent fruit into varietal wines reflective of the characters inherent to each grape and a good dose of McLaren Vale’s unique Mediterranean/Australian terroir.

Before I tell you that Bruce Dukes' career has spanned over 3 decades and that he's had years of experience both locally and abroad, it's likely a good idea to start at the finish: Bruce Dukes is wholly talented, and while he makes high-quality acclaimed wines for his own estate - Domaine Naturaliste - he also does this for a raft of other, smaller producers in Margaret River and Geographe. His winemaking style is one of fresh, pure fruit over obvious or intrusive winemaking artifact, and the wines routinely possess a polish and eminent drinkability. ERIN LARKIN

Aromas of crushed stones, lemon peel, sliced pink grapefruit and subtle ground spice. Medium-bodied with a lot of pleasant white tea character. Jasmine and leafy herbs come through. Drink now. JAMES SUCKLING 

Tasting with Bruce is a pretty remarkable experience. The guy knows his business and he knows he is getting things done, better than most. He is a crazy character though. You have to strap in and get ready for the ride. He runs from jovial and humorous through to intense and stern. Kind of like his wines. Some of them are driven, intense and focused things, some are a little more uplifting and joyous. This one definitely sits somewhere in the middle and we love it! 

This is textbook rosé from a relatively new label from wine importers David Matters and Tristan Habeck, with a pretty stellar track record of bringing in a range of brilliant wines from all over Europe, New Zealand and North America. In other words, they know their stuff and this is the perfect example of what refreshingly dry Provençal pink can be bringing together grenache and cinsault with a touch or syrah for good measure.

A little quartzy and white pepper spice to greet you while the glass delights in bright new season raspberry and wild strawberry fruits. A vibrant and zesty entry with juicy red fruits to the fore  edged with citrus and orange rind to complement. There is lovely energy here and a great balance of sweet fruit and crunchy acidity. It's not light but it feels light on its feet. This is everything you need in gluggable summer rose.

This is a new venture for winemaker Chris Kennedy. He has planted 20 hectares Pinot noir, Chardonnay and small amount of Syrah in Gruyere, Yara Valley.  Great site and while he sells most of the fruit he wanted to put something fun together. What he has done is made one of the best value pinot we have seen. Some of it comes of the property in Gruyere while the rest is sourced from King Valley. He has made this for mid-week drinking. Only a light oak treatment, well seasoned, predominantly 3, 4 and 5 year old barrels so it lets all the brilliant fruit shine!

A beautiful open nose with mixed berries, forest fruits, wild strawberries and a whole cornucopia of sweet spice that rockets out of the glass. Pretty inviting stuff here! Long and lush palate that delivers everything we just got on the nose. It got plenty of ripe fruit but doesn't lose any of that vibrancy that a good pinot delivers. Wow! Hard to believe this is the price it is but we will take it! Great stuff.

Mostly Sangiovese with 21% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Merlot.

Medium-bodied, pomegranate-themed juice but with depth and a vermouth tang, bitter herbs and some nice supple softness to it all, black cherry and bitter almond with a black olive twist. Chalky texture. Goodie. KASIA SOBIESIAK, The Wine Front

This release of Alto! Alto!! is right in the zone of where we want it to be. Fruit, deliciousness, and aromatic intrigue balanced by structure and unravelling layers of savoury complexity. Also made by one of our great fiends and somm about town Liam O'Brien. Thanks for this delicious drop Liam!
 
Bright purple/ruby. Medium weight, juicy, smashable palate, just the right amount of sour cherry and fine tannins. Sangiovese leads the way with red cherries and terracotta dust; Cab Sauv follows with blackcurrant, blackberry and a hint of cedar; Merlot fills out the finish with persistent fruit and an attractive tea leaf character.

2021 was a fine vintage in the Barossa. There is no doubt that this wine will improve but damn it's delicious now. Deep plum and cherry fruits, plenty of spicy depth with hints of licorice, dark chocolate and earth. It's plush yet has crunch and cadence as it races off with memories of maraschino cherries, spice and roasting meats. (94) DAVE BROOKES, Halliday Wine Companion

Barossa and Eden Valley, raised in seasoned French oak. It’s been a while between milks here at TWF, the last one reviewed was the 2017.

Dark cherry, blackberry and blueberry, kind of like a pie of those fruits, with a little spicy crust, and gentle tarry earthiness. It’s medium to full-bodied, plenty of juicy dark fruit, a little sage and savoury stuff, supple tannin, and a finish of good length. Vibrant and fruity. Easy to get into. GARY WALSH, The Wine Front

This is really good Barossa shiraz. It has all that Barossa charm with satsuma plumb, sweet blackberry conserve and hints of maraschino cherry too, while staying vibrant and lifted. Plenty of depth and concentration on the pallet and it doesn't shy away from its origins but it does it deftly by remaining light on its feet, cut with fine tannin and that fans out gently into subtle, chocalaty, framing oak. Really well done

SPECIAL VALUE

A splash of malbec makes its way into this wine. Succulent and refreshing red, bright with blueberry and mulberry fruit character, some violet floral lift, minty herbs, clove, black olive and licorice. A feast for the senses in the scents. The palate rolls similarly, supple and bright in texture, medium to fuller weight but lively and energetic with each mouthful. A coolness in the wine perhaps, at least a restraint that seems to defy the price point. And we're good with that. Brilliant value. MIKE BENNIE, Halliday Wine Companion 

We love the wines of Forest Hill. These are one of the regions unsung heroes in our minds. Every time we try through the wines we are thoroughly impressed. Their riesling is on song and their shiraz is delightful. This year though, we were taken aback by the quality of the cabernet. This wine is a cracker and I doubt that you could find anything this good in Margs at this price. Everything you could want in a lush buy midweight style of cabernet. So, so good!

We love this little bad-biy from Navarra. It's all you could want and more from a wine of this ilk. Silky fruit profile, packed with fruit, cut with some crunchy tannin too to keep it all humming along. We have stocked almost every vintage of this wine since it started coming into the country and there is a reason why... its delicious!

A 50/50 blend of Tempranillo and Garnacha grown on the north-facing slopes of Valdizarbe in DO Navarra. The two varieties are made separately with cold maceration for about 5 days, followed by at least 10 more at fermentation temperature, which never exceeds 28ºC. A bright 'Joven' style wine, Toma Tinto marries the cherry of Tempranillo and the purple vibrancy of Garnacha. Its aromatic profile is all about bell peppers, squishy red fruits and spice while the palate is rounded and succulent. Deliciously direct, this is one of the best entry points into the world of Spanish reds. 

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE 2020 IS AN UPDATED VINTAGE FROM THE ORIGINAL PACKS

A rocking little gem in the making, the 2020 Côtes Du Rhône has a round, elegant, incredibly satisfying profile as well as textbook blackberry and black raspberry fruits supported by pepper and floral notes. It should be outstanding and well worth a few bottles. JEB DUNNUCK

Wines of the Year 2023: Value category and top scorers
Modern, lifted and a bit heady, but attractive and evocative. Black cherry inkiness segues into a dense palate where all the fruit is crammed into a structured body with drying tannins. Herbs and stones hemmed in by a firm grip. A good all rounder DECANTER

An impressive Cotes-du-Rhone with stacks of blackberry and black raspberry fruit wrapped around a core of moderately dry tannins on the bold palate. Long self-confidently dry finish. A cuvee of 50% syrah, 45% grenache and 5% mourvedre. Drink now. JAMES SUCKLING

The medium to full-bodied 2020 Cotes du Rhone will see plenty of more time in tank, yet it's already drinking well, with hints of garrigue and black olives adding nuance to the blackberry and cherry fruit. Silky and clean, it's delightfully easy to drink. THE WINE ADVOCATE