The Real Review Wine Classification comprises the greatest wines of Australia and New Zealand that display an outstanding track record of a decade or longer. Each wine has demonstrated its quality in our blind tastings over a period of at least ten years and many of the wines in our Classification have earned their place over several decades.
This year, there were 63 new entrants to the Wine Classification of Australia, with 2 three Merits, 16 two Merits and 45 one Merits appearing for the first time. This brings the total number of Merit wines in Australia to 602.
Below are some highlights from the new entrants, with some familiar names along with some lesser known wineries that deservedly get their time in the sun.
Two-Merit wines are those that achieve gold and high silver ribbons in recent vintages, with top vintages achieving 96 points or more.
In the two-Merit category, there were 16 newly classified wines, with a broad array of regions, styles and varieties getting the nod. Stargazer from the Coal River Valley in southern Tasmania has two entries, with their Stargazer Riesling and Stargazer Chardonnay making a much-deserved appearance. Both wines now have reviews stretching back 10 years and their consistently high scores have delivered them the two-Merit rating.
