We recently counted down our best-of-2024 in a 12 days of Christmas posting on socials. It’s hard to choose just a dozen wines from the astonishing set of producers that we are fortunate to have working with us at Alepat, and we agree, there are many great wines we distribute that we’ve not mentioned in this list. However, we’ve been blowing the horn consistently for this bunch over the last year. There are some collector’s icon wines, value achievers and dark horses in here, but they all have one thing in common – you drink them, you will love them. So, without further ado, and in no specific order…
Howard Park Abercrombie Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Howard Park has had a massive year, and although we had originally earmarked their Jeté Rosé as our celebratory pre-Christmas recommendation, the Abercrombie was just awarded a slot in the James Suckling top 100 of Australia, meaning it’s now in 4 top media best-of compilations this year and now in ours too.
96 points, Top 100 Wines of Australia, James Suckling.
94+ points, Kasia Sobiesiak, The Wine Front
98 points, Ray Jordan
97 points, Halliday Awards Top Rated 2025, Halliday Wine Companion
94+ Points, Tom Kline, Wine Pilot
97 points, Tyson Stelzer’s Top 250 Wines, 2024
93 points, Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate
Matthew Jukes’ 100 Best Australian Wines 2025
Marchand & Burch Mount Barrow Pinot Noir 2023
Drink now, gift it or put it in the cellar – this is serious gear. Warning, will be hard to share. “This is such a brilliant pinot with the structure, the prettiness and the palate feel you seek with this variety. The palate is deceptively powerful, almost belying its light colour. A tight thread of fine tannins weaves through supporting the intense red fruits. This is a high-class wine showing just how good this region is.” Ray Jordan | “It stands apart from many Australian Pinots for its elegance and Old World-esque flavours that will extend well beyond the flirty berries of youth.” Nicole Bilson, Winepilot
97 points, Ray Jordan
95 Points, Nicole Bilson, Winepilot
94 points, Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion
94 points, Gold + Best of Region, Australian Pinot Noir Challenge 2024
93 Points, Kasia Sobiesiak, Wine Front
93 Points, Regan Drew, Vino Notebook
Pasqua Hey French (you could have made this but you didn’t) III
Soave upside-down, it all works well for us. This new generation of super-bianco thumbs its nose at the neighbours and now sits at the top end of Pasqua’s whites. “So many layers here, with a crystalline texture and also hints of bread and nuts on the finish. The packaging may be playful, but the wine is serious.” Jamie Goode | “It breaks a number of ‘rules’ but it’s a quality play, not just a quirky play. It’s rich, textural, a touch smoky and generally, pretty damn good.” Campbell Mattinson | “Despite the controversy evoked by its name, this is one of the more interesting and original wines made by Pasqua” Monica Larner
92 Points, James Suckling
94 points, Jamie Goode, Wine Anorak
92 points, Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate
93 points, Campbell Mattinson, Winefront
Tscharke ‘A Thing of Beauty’ 2021
The folks at Barossa’s Tshcarke wines definitely know their Grenache – this is ethereal stuff and just represents astounding value. And, it’s organic, biodynamic and vegan to boot. “Airy, diaphanous and beautifully perfumed with spicy red plum, redcurrant and raspberry notes that mesh with Asian spice, blossom, red licorice and gingerbread. Just lovely drinking with plenty of detail and clarity. Don’t be afraid to pop this one in the fridge to take the edge off.” Dave Brookes
TROPHY – Best Chillable Red, Australian Organic Wine Awards 2023 & Gold Medal
Gold, 95 points, James Halliday Grenache Challenge 2023
93 points, Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
Alta Mora Etna Bianco 2022
This wine has shown us that Chablis doesn’t have an exclusivity on deeply mineral, terroir-driven, textured whites with angular backbones. The 2021 was just as good, but it’s just rolled vintage and we’re not complaining. “From three vineyards, this is Carricante fermented in stainless steel. Spicy, vivid, smoky and mineral with vivid pear and peach fruit. The palate is firm and direct, mineral and powerful with notes of pear, peach and aniseed. Lovely depth and concentration. Bold and pithy on the finish.” Jamie Goode | “The award-winning Etna Bianco 2022 is expressive and elegant in its floral and citrus aromas, with intriguing smoky notes and fresh, savory fruit.” Gambero Rosso
92 points, Wine Enthusiast
93 points, Jamie Goode, Wine Anorak
93 points, James Suckling
92 pts, Guida Essenziale ai Vini d’Italia 2024 by Doctor Wine
Corona e TOP 300 by Vinibuoni d’Italia 2024
Gold Medal WOW! 2023 by Civiltà del Bere
2 bicchieri, Gambero Rosso
Serafino Bellissimo Fiano 2024
We can’t believe this wine’s only been out a couple of months? It’s become our easy go-to for crowd pleasing value, for its potent flavour and perfume backed by lovely balanced acidity. With its versatile nature, it’s the perfect match to summer…
Judges’ Trophy, McLaren Vale Wine Show 2024
Trophy – Best White – 2024 RASQ Australian Mediterranean Varieties Wine show.
Gold, Royal Queensland Wine Show 2024
Top Value Rating, The Real Review
Bronze, Melbourne Royal Wine Show 2024
Villa Rosa Gran Selezione Chianti Classico DOCG 2019
Accolade to price ratio is pretty sharp on this lovely Chianti Classico. Most are thrilled to get one of Gambero Rosso’s bicchiere ratings, let alone three. And when you consider the site, age of the vines, the viticulture, the vinification and the packaging, there’s a whole lot of special in this 750ml of wine. “Raspberries, currants, pomegranate and lemon peel are the primary scents of this Sangiovese made in Chianti Classico in the Gallo Nero category. Medium to full bodied, light tannins and a finale of optimum craftsmanship. Drink now or hold.” Winescritic.com
3 Bicchieri, Gambero Rosso
93 points, James Suckling
94 points, Vinum Magazin
Gold, Winehunter.it
93 points, Jeb Dunnuck
94 points, Winescritic.com
Majella ‘The Musician’ Cabernet Shiraz 2021
Party red sorted. Not expensive, tastes smashing. “This wine always delivers an even, satisfying flow of currant and plum flavours, and it’s on good form again here. Cabernet’s leafy persona is clearly evident but then, so too is the cuddliness of shiraz. The dryness of the finish is noteworthy as well; everything here is in good shape.” Campbell Mattinson
Best in class, (5-stars) Winewise Championship 2024
Trophy Best Dry Red Blend, Cowra Wine Show 2023
Trophy Best Traditional Australian Red Blend, Royal Adelaide Wine Show 2023
… along with 5 more Golds elsewhere on the wine show circuit.
92 points, Campbell Mattinson, Halliday Wine Companion
Cusumano Nero d’Avola 2021
Nero d’Avola’s pretty hot right now, and this little number is a bundle of fruit and flavour with some terrific terroir influence thrown in. It’s just the kind of red to start you down your Sicilian wine rabbit hole.
“Shows soft dark fruit and black cherry over a medium-weight mouthfeel. This entry-level red is super fresh and lively with cherry, baked plum and toasted cinnamon.” Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate
“Umami notes of soy sauce and black olives, a bit of mossy underbrush and berries swirl together on the nose of the Cusumano estate Nero d’Avola. The palate pops with the snap of cherry and sour plum skin, the astringency of bark and top soil, angular tannins and lively acid.” Danielle Callegari, Wine Enthusiast
“A ton of blackberries and delicate herb and spice notes. Beautiful balance, thanks to the lively acidity and fresh tannins. Long, licorice finish. Drink or hold.” James Suckling
The DSC duo from Charles Melton Wines
A little cheeky, but to get the only two wines in a range, and of both colours, in the Halliday awards is a bit of a feat. We love Charlie Melton’s wines, but his daughter Sophie is now stepping into the spotlight. There’s plenty of proof here that winemaking skill is running thick in Melton blood. Can’t wait to see what she comes up with next year too.
Charles Melton DSC GSR 2022 “I like the freshness of this wine. Look. I think I might be going bonkers, but I’m sure I can see some lime in that bright acid profile. Which would make sense. Outside of that, the fruit – all red cherry, cranberry and red, plummy stuff – is gorgeous. Dotted with spice and citrus blossom tones, some nice space and detail within, with gentle tannins and that fresh acidity livening this up and providing velocity. Great medium-bodied drinking.” Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion Top 100, 2024
Charles Melton DSC Riesling 2023 “Those who spent endless hours in the vineyards were rewarded with synergistic, highly expressive, and healthy fruit. The result is that classic mix of citrus and Granny Smith apple on a deliriously long palate.” 96 points, James Halliday Awards Top Rated, Halliday Wine Companion
Howard Park Allingham Chardonnay 2023
A second entry for Howard Park, but it’s just too good not to shout about. This is quickly becoming one of Australia’s most accoladed Chardonnays, and it’s nowhere near the price of some of the premiums elsewhere in the country. “There’s been a real shift in the Howard Park wines since chief winemaker Nic Bowen joined in ’21 and now with ‘his’ vintages coming to fruition, it’s wonderful to witness. This is excellent.” Jane Faulkner | “An outstanding chardonnay… It is so exquisitely integrated and woven together with such subtlety and precision.” Ray Jordan | “A benchmark vintage that is built to last.” Angus Hughson | “This is the very best Allingham I can recall seeing. It is superb.” Erin Larkin
98 points, Ray Jordan
96 Points, Erin Larkin, Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate
96 points, Jane Faulkner, Halliday wine Companion
96 Points, Aaron Brasher, The Real Review
96 Points, Tom Kline, Wine Pilot
94 Points, James Suckling
Medici Ermete Phermento DOC Secco 2022
Medici Ermete’s authentic Italian pet nat has just found itself at number 12 on the Wine Enthusiast top 100 wines of 2024. Apart from being naturally fermented (Rifermentato) it’s also organic. And all at FAR less than Champagne prices.
“A wine of history and pure joy, this watermelon Jolly Rancher-colored sparkling wine bursts out of the glass with aromas of wild strawberry, green herbs and candied rose petals. The bracing palate pops with electric acidity, tart lime, watermelon and saline. A bottle for all occasions.” 94 points, Jeff Porter, #12 in the Top 100 of 2024, Wine Enthusiast
Feel free to jump onto our socials and see the full rundowns here.
