2023 is almost at an end and I wanted to share some highlights of the great wines I’ve enjoyed throughout the year. There have been plenty of incredible wines with too many to put into one list. But I wanted to share a round-up of some of my personal favourites. So here it is: The Cheeky Vino top wines of 2023.
I say this every year, but 2023 was a year of seriously amazing wine. Each year I discover more wineries I love, and it looking back reminds me of how much fun I have sharing these wines with you. It was so hard to make this list – seriously I deliberated on it for over a month. I hope you get some value out of it and find some favourites in there too!
So without further ado, let’s get stuck into The Cheeky Vino top wines of 2023!
Top value buy for 2023: Nimble Vintner Pinot Gris 2022
It was hard to choose just one wine to put as the top value buy for 2023 from Nimble Vitner because I loved all their wines! I love that they showcase small parcels in a direct business model so we can drink delicious wine at affordable prices. The wines are well-priced for how delicious they are, and it’s a great choice if you’re looking to find good drinking wines that don’t break the bank. I ended up settling on the Pinot Gris because it was one of my favourites.
On the nose, the Nimble Vintner Pinot Gris 2022 is packed full of classic aromas of pear, apple and lemon. These lovely notes follow through into the palate and has a thirst-quenching, crisp acidity that makes it oh-so-perfect for Summer. The fruit notes are delicate and nicely balanced making this wine the kind that you keep going back to. It’s not hard to imagine polishing this one off quite quickly in warmer weather. It delivers everything you want in a refreshing white all wrapped up in a great price tag!
Read my review here.
Top splurge wine for 2023: Levantine Hill Colleen’s Paddock Pinot Noir 2017
The Levantine Hill Colleen’s Paddock Pinot Noir 2017 is the kind of wine that makes you pinch yourself in disbelief at how special it is. I’ve been eager to try the wines from this renowned Australian winery for a while, and the moment finally arrived. This Pinot Noir is the epitome of excellence and quickly earned a spot among the best wines I’ve enjoyed this year. This wine has a higher price point but it is a great choice if you’re after something special that you can enjoy now or cellar.
This Pinot Noir is a sensory journey with each sip. It’s earthy and powerful, yet maintains a perfect balance. The nose reveals dark cherry, raspberry, and a touch of chocolate, while the palate delivers an exquisite blend of savoury and sweet notes, complemented by subtle hints of mushroom, earthiness, and a touch of spice. Integrated tannins and precise acidity create a satisfying, lasting finish.
Read my review here.
Top Red wine for 2023: Small Victories Old Vine Grenache
I’ve been a fan of Small Victories for a while now, and looking back on the red wines I had this year this one really stood out to me. Their wines are always delicious and the Small Victories Old Vine Grenache is consistently awesome. Beyond the bright and colourful label, this wine really stands out with its fresh and vibrant profile. It may be a heavy hitter but drinks a lot lighter, making it wonderfully dangerous. It’s the kind of red that is all too easy to drink, which shows that there really is so much more to discover in the Barossa.
On the nose, the Small Victories Old Vine Grenache has notes of raspberry and a hint of musk. This follows through into the approachable palate which is juicy upfront yet has a lovely hint of savoury notes to balance this out. A hint of creaminess too which adds complexity and balances out the fruit. The finish is fresh, the palate is vibrant. It’s the kind of wine you can enjoy young and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
Read my review here.
Top Red wine honourable mention: Berrigan Wines 2021 Sangiovese
I love a good Sangiovese, and the Berrigan Wines 2021 Sangiovese is absolutely delicious! I hadn’t had a Sangiovese from Adelaide Hills before so I was pretty excited to try it. And let me tell you, it’s a really good one! If you’re after a food-friendly wine that delivers complexity and flavour, this wine is for you. It has those classic Sangiovese characteristics that make it oh-so-delicious alongside a big bowl of pasta, pizza, or steak. Or all of the above!
On the nose, the Berrigan Wines 2021 Sangiovese has beautiful notes of raspberry, cherry and a hint of dried herbs and tomato. This follows through into the palate that has a lovely balance between fruit-driven notes of tart cherry and raspberry balanced by spice and those herbal notes, alongside a hint of chocolate. It’s the kind of wine that has so many delicious flavours to unpack sip after sip. It’s wonderfully bright yet soft at the same time, and complex yet beautifully balanced. Versatile, delicious and sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Read my review here.
Top White wine for 2023: Mercer Wines Limited Release Chardonnay
After visiting Tumbarumba last year I was really excited to try a number of wines from the region earlier this year. And one of my favourites had to be the Mercer Wines Limited Release Chardonnay. It had everything I’ve come to love about Tumba Chardonnay with beautiful balance and the purity of fruit really showcase with careful winemaking. If you love a bit of everything in your Chardonnay, you’re going to love this one.
On the nose, the Mercer Wines Limited Release Chardonnay has lovely vanilla notes along with lemon. This follows through into the palate which has flavours of lemon curd, vanilla and lovely brioche. It really delivers the best of both Chardonnay camps, with nice fruit notes balanced by oak influence. This wine is complex with plenty of flavours to unpack, yet so beautifully balanced.
Read my review here.
Top White wine honourable mention: Pike & Joyce Ceder Riesling
I’ve really been getting into Riesling this year, and so I had to share one of my favourites from the year which was the Pike & Joyce Ceder Riesling. This wine is so crisp, refreshing and simply delicious. It’s got plenty to unpack all wrapped up in a nicely balanced and bright wine. I mean, what more could you want from a nice, crisp Riesling?
On the nose, the Pike & Joyce Ceder Riesling is nicely aromatic with plenty to unpack. I love the play between green apple, floral notes and a slight hint of musk – a winning combo I didn’t know I needed. The palate bursts with green apple and lemon with delicious crunchy acidity. It’s bright and balanced with a hint of minerality on the finish, alongside lovely refreshing crispness. This wine is simply a joy to sip on and is sure to hit the spot if you’re after something refreshing.
Read my review here.
Top Rosé wine for 2023: Break Free Wines Rosé 2022
I didn’t actually review that many Rosé’s this year which is shocking to me, but of the ones that I did, the the Break Free Wines Rosé 2022 stood out. This Rosé is perfect if you’re after a thirst quencher for warmer days. Pair it with a lovely sunset and charcuterie, and you have a winning combo!
The Break Free Wines Rosé 2022 is made using Shiraz grapes which offers something different to what you might be used to with your Rosé. On the nose, notes of cherry and floral come through, and the cherry follows through into a cherry and strawberry dominant palate. These notes are nicely balanced by the texture of the wine which has a nice crunch of acidity to balance the fruitiness perfectly. It’s refined, balanced and oh-so-refreshing. This wine is sure to tick all the boxes for Summer sipping and is definitely a wine you could go back for another glass of!
Read my review here.
Top Sparkling wine for 2023: Saltire Estate ‘Claremont’ Blanc de Blanc 2009
This wine blew me away with how delicious it is as well as how affordable it is for traditional method bubbles. I wasn’t sure about what a Hunter Valley sparkling would be like, but I adored this wine, and it’s perfect for celebrations of all kinds!
The Saltire Estate ‘Claremont’ Blanc de Blanc 2009 delivers those aged Champagne flavours you know and love without breaking the bank. On the nose, it’s quite fragrant with lovely notes of nectarine and honey. The palate has lovely brioche notes that come from lees contact alongside apricots and lemons. It’s a dream to sip on and the sort of sparkling that makes any moment a little bit fancier. This would be perfectly paired with celebrations like Christmas, New Year’s, birthdays, and graduations. But honestly can’t any moment become a celebration with great wine? Pop this open on a Tuesday night and hey! It’s just gotten more magical.
Read my review here.
In summary: The Cheeky Vino top wines of 2023
I hope you’ve enjoyed this list of the top wines of 2023. It was hard to write this list because honestly there have been so many incredible wines I’ve had the privilege of tasting this year. This list scratches the surface of the amazing wines I’ve enjoyed discovering this year. If you want more inspiration, head back through the archives to see the rest of the wines I reviewed this year!