A New World of extraordinary character
Our selection of Australian red wines represents a fascinating journey into one of the most dynamic and innovative wine-producing regions in the world. Australia, a vast and geologically ancient continent, has developed its own distinctive wine identity in just over two centuries, combining respect for European traditions with a pragmatic and innovative approach to viticulture and winemaking. This land of contrasts, home to some of the oldest soils on the planet and an extraordinary diversity of microclimates, has been able to enhance both international grape varieties, reinterpreted in a local key, and varieties that have found a second home here, developing unique characteristics. Our collection celebrates both the iconic producers who have brought Australian wines to the world stage and the new generation of winemakers who are redefining the country's winemaking style, with a growing focus on sustainability, terroir expression and a less interventionist approach in the winery. From the warm Barossa Valley, home to legendary Shiraz, to the cool hills of Tasmania where Pinot Noir reaches surprising heights of quality; from the historic areas of Coonawarra with its “red earth” Cabernets to emerging cool-climate areas such as the Yarra Valley and Adelaide Hills, each bottle tells the story not only of a grape variety or production technique, but of the very essence of a territory that has been able to transform its oenological youth into a strength, creating an unmistakable style that has revolutionised the world of wine.
Shiraz: the emblem of Australian character
The undisputed star of our selection is Shiraz (the French Syrah, here called by its historical name), a grape variety that has found a second home in Australia and developed a distinctive style recognised throughout the world. The different expressions of this grape variety, selected for our collection, reflect the extraordinary variety of territories in which it is grown: from the powerful and opulent Shiraz wines of the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale, with their aromatic intensity of black fruit jam, chocolate, sweet spices, eucalyptus and an imposing structure supported by velvety tannins and a remarkable alcohol content; to the more elegant and peppery interpretations of Shiraz from cooler regions such as Heathcote, Great Western and Grampians, where the grape variety develops a profile closer to the expressions of the Rhône Valley, with notes of spices, black pepper, black olives and greater freshness. Particular attention is paid to the legendary Shiraz wines from historic single vineyards, often from pre-phylloxera vines that are over a hundred years old (some of the oldest in the world still in production), iconic wines that represent the pinnacle of Australian winemaking and are among the most sought-after by international collectors. Our selection includes both traditional interpretations, with long ageing in new wood that enriches the Shiraz with further complexity, and more modern versions that focus on greater freshness and finesse, an expression of a wine-producing Australia in constant stylistic evolution.
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot: the elegance of red soil
Alongside the celebrated Shiraz, our collection explores the fascinating Australian expressions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, varieties that have found ideal conditions especially in the “red soil” of Coonawarra, one of the country's most distinctive appellations. This narrow strip of land in South Australia, characterised by ferrous red soil (terra rossa) on a limestone substrate, produces Cabernets of extraordinary elegance and longevity, characterised by an unmistakable aromatic profile combining blackcurrant, eucalyptus, mint, cassis and notes of graphite, supported by a refined tannic structure and a surprising freshness for the latitude. Our selection highlights both the historic producers who defined the style of Coonawarra Cabernet and interpretations from other regions such as Margaret River in Western Australia, where the maritime climate gives the wines a finesse and elegance that often recalls the great Bordeaux wines. Particular attention is also paid to Bordeaux blends, where Cabernet Sauvignon is traditionally combined with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and sometimes Petit Verdot, creating wines of great complexity and ageing potential. There is no shortage of refined expressions of pure Merlot, a variety that has struggled to find its identity in Australia but which, in the hands of the best producers and in the most suitable terroirs, offers wines of surprising character and depth, with notes of plum, dark chocolate and sweet spices, supported by a silky and enveloping structure.
Pinot Noir: the new frontier of Australian elegance
One of the most exciting revelations in contemporary Australian winemaking, widely represented in our collection, is Pinot Noir, a variety that is achieving surprising results in terms of quality in the cooler regions of the country. Tasmania, with its cool, oceanic climate, is now considered the outpost of excellence for this demanding grape variety, producing wines of extraordinary finesse and elegance, with an aromatic profile that combines crisp red fruits, floral notes of rose and violet, delicate spices and a characteristic minerality, supported by a silky tannic texture and vibrant acidity that gives it remarkable longevity. Our selection also explores expressions of Pinot Noir from other cool regions such as the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, Adelaide Hills and Geelong, each with its own distinctive interpretation of the variety. These wines represent the new frontier of Australian winemaking, moving away from the stereotype of powerful, concentrated wines to embrace a more elegant, terroir-driven style that has captured the attention of international critics and opened new horizons for Australian wine. Our collection includes both historic producers who were pioneers in believing in the potential of Australian Pinot Noir, and the new generation of winemakers who are taking this variety to unprecedented levels of quality.
GSM and innovative blends: Australian creative freedom
One of the most fascinating features of Australian winemaking, well represented in our collection, is the creative freedom in blending different varieties, often combining European traditions with an innovative and pragmatic approach. GSM blends (Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvèdre), inspired by the classic blends of the southern Rhône Valley, are one of the most successful examples of this philosophy, especially in the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale where Grenache has found ideal conditions, often coming from old ungrafted vines that produce grapes of extraordinary concentration and complexity. These wines combine the spice and red fruits of Grenache, the power and black fruits of Shiraz and the tannic structure and wild notes of Mourvèdre, creating wines of great character and versatility. Our selection also highlights more unusual blends that represent the experimental nature of Australian winemaking: from combinations of Italian varieties such as Sangiovese, Nebbiolo and Barbera, grown with increasing success in cooler regions, to blends that combine Portuguese varieties such as Touriga Nacional and Tinta Cão with French varieties, to true experiments such as the combination of Shiraz and Viognier, a technique inspired by the Côte-Rôtie tradition but taken to new levels by Australian producers. These wines express the most authentic essence of the Australian approach to viticulture: respect for tradition without dogmatism, and a constant search for the highest quality expression regardless of convention.
The new Australia: naturalness, terroir and a return to its roots
After decades dominated by a powerful and concentrated style that conquered international markets, Australian viticulture is now undergoing a profound transformation, which our collection recounts in all its nuances. A new generation of producers is rediscovering a more natural approach to winemaking, with minimal intervention in the cellar, reduced use of new wood, spontaneous fermentation and a general trend towards wines of greater finesse and balance. Our selection explores this “new Australia”, with a particular focus on producers who are rediscovering and promoting old abandoned vineyards, often planted with unusual varieties or in areas considered marginal, which today, thanks in part to climate change, are revealing unexpected potential. Special focus is given to organic, biodynamic and “natural” wines, a rapidly growing movement that is contributing significantly to redefining the contemporary identity of Australian wine. There is no shortage of producers experimenting with alternative winemaking techniques, such as the use of amphorae, concrete or large wooden barrels for fermentation and ageing, seeking greater expression of the terroir and less human intervention. These wines represent the cutting edge of Australian winemaking and are gradually changing the international perception of the continent's wines, demonstrating that Australian wine is a much more complex and multifaceted reality than stereotypes might suggest.
