Top sparkling
by James Halliday
19 Nov, 2022
Australia is a world-class producer of sparkling wine. Here are eight of the country's best, as selected by James Halliday.
"Six vintage dated, two non vintage; all made using the traditional method of fermentation in the bottle in which it was fermented, and received its dosage. Labour intensive and expensive."
The following wines were chosen from a total of 59 submitted.
2017 Seppelt Salinger Methode Traditionnelle Henty Vintage Cuvee
A 52/42/6 per cent blend of pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot meunier that trumpets the ultra cool region, spending four years on tirage. The vintage was wet and cool, but disease-free. The wine has developed yet more intensity to its Meyer lemon fruit base, the length of the palate exceptional. Bargain of the year.96 points | $30 | Cork | 10.5% alc. | Drink to 2026 | Halliday profile | Seppelt
NV Jansz Tasmania Non Vintage Premium Rosé
A pale, blush pink blend of pinot noir (77 per cent) and chardonnay (23 per cent) that spends a minimum of 18 months on tirage. A fragrant and fresh bouquet leads into a strawberry-infused palate that is both well balanced and long. The dosage has been the masterstroke for a wine bred to please.92 points | $30 | Diam | 12% alc. | Drink to 2024 | Halliday profile | Jansz Tasmania
2015 Sidewood Estate Methode Traditionelle Adelaide Hills Chloe Cuvee
Bright quartz-green hue. A 60/40 per cent blend of chardonnay and pinot noir, both Dijon clones, traditional method, minimum of 36 months on lees. Its bouquet offers evocative cherry and mandarin blossom, the palate with a fresh vibrant finish. The very upmarket packaging adds to its appeal across both still and sparkling.94 points | $32 | Diam | 12% alc. | Drink to 2024 | Halliday profile | Sidewood Estate
NV Pirie Traditional Method Non Vintage
A 55/45 per cent blend of chardonnay and pinot noir sourced from the Tamar Valley with small amounts from earlier vintages matured in used French oak. Second fermentation in bottle with two years on lees prior to disgorgement. It's as fresh as a daisy, the palate long, the finish and aftertaste nodding their heads in agreement.94 points | $35 | Diam | 12% alc. | Drink to 2027 | Halliday profile | Tamar Ridge
2016 Chandon Australia Vintage Blanc de Blancs
Largely estate-grown fruit; 71 per cent from Whitlands, 20 per cent from Strathbogie, and 9 per cent from the Upper Yarra. A traditional method that spent 42 months on lees, disgorged Mar ’20. Has developed superbly since first tasted in September ’20, filling out a little, yet with cool-grown chardonnay; fresh grapefruit nuances; clean finish; good dosage.96 points | $39 | Diam | 12.5% alc. | Drink to 2024 | Halliday profile | Chandon
2017 Kreglinger Vintage Brut
An estate-grown blend of pinot noir (60 per cent) and chardonnay (40 per cent); hand-picked and whole bunch-pressed, fermented in barrel with mlf; secondary ferment and maturation in bottle for over three years. Pure and wonderfully racy, it's as ready as it is today, and will be in another five years.95 points | $60 | Cork | 12.5% alc. | Drink to 2030 | Halliday profile | Kreglinger Wine Estates
2015 Bellebonne Natalie Fryar Blanc de Blancs
Natalie Fryar was the winemaker at Jansz (part of the Yalumba group) for 14 years, squirrelling away micro releases of wine made from sites across the Pipers River district. This is a mouth-filling, luscious and wholly seductive array of brioche, lemon tart and citrus, given structure by fresh acidity.96 points | $110 | Diam | 12% alc. | Drink to 2026 | Halliday profile | Bellebonne
2007 House of Arras EJ Carr Late Disgorged
Disgorged February ’22, the price eminently fair and reasonable. The wine is at the peak of Australia's sparkling wine category, its complexity riveting, its line and length likewise. It deserves a place at the top of the wine lists of the best restaurants, but can double up as an aperitif thanks to its perfectly balanced acidity.99 points | $266 | Cork | 12.5% alc. | Drink to 2027 | Halliday profile | House of Arras
See the complete list of Top 100 wines.
Shop wines from the 2022 Top 100 at Sense of Taste.
Join us at Sydney's Campbell's Stores on November 29 to celebrate James Halliday's Top 100. Taste some of the wines crowned in the Top 100, along with other standout offerings from the wineries. Speak to the winemakers, and purchase directly from the producers. Tickets are $149 (+ booking fee) and are available from Eventbrite.
James Halliday’s Top 100 features in The Weekend Australian Magazine on November 19.
Some wines in this year's selection also feature on this site with notes by other Tasting Team members – as reviewed for Halliday Wine Companion.
Image credit: Ewen Bell/Wine Australia.
