While the American tradition of celebrating Halloween on October 31 has never been a huge part of our country’s culture, it’s a fun excuse to dress up in costume or binge your favourite horror films.
Whether you celebrate or not, the following 12 standout wines present perfect options for spooky-themed drops, and they all come with the nod of approval from the Halliday Tasting Team.
A bold and powerful Barossa shiraz built on the might of Ebenezer. Deep black plum, blackberry and licorice fruit is met head-on by dark chocolate French oak. TS
RRP $85 | Drink to 2028
Gemtree Wines The Phantom Red
The fruit, sappy, lively and just ripe enough to confer freshness: maraschino cherry, tamarillo, hedgerow and redcurrant flavours scurry long. Again, such promise in store. NG
RRP $50 | Drink to 2030
Devil’s Lair Dance with the Devil Margaret River Chardonnay
It's easy to take this level of chardonnay for granted, but that's the gift of a climate that is so reliable for crystal-clear varietal expression. JH
RRP $25 | Drink to 2025
Vinaceous Wines Voodoo Moon Margaret River Malbec
The oak is actually playing quite a firm role in proceedings, showing up on both nose and palate as a sweet, vanilla pod/cedar character. Briar, bramble, blackcurrant and strawberry make up the balance. EL
RRP $25 | Drink to 2025
Tyrrell’s Wines Lunatiq Heathcote Shiraz
Sweet sappy aromas: red cherry, Dr. Pepper, mace, iodine and clove. The oak, more sensitively applied than in the past. Long, forceful and a bit OTT. NG
RRP $40 | Drink to 2029
House of Cards Dead Man’s Hand Margaret River Shiraz
So far, the 2019 reds are showing high spice aromas and detail/nuance on the palate. As does this wine, bolstered by a juicy succulence and bounce from 60% whole bunches. Very attractive. EL
RRP $26 | Drink to 2028
Delatite Deadman’s Hill Gewurztraminer
A resinous yellow segues to punchy notes of rose water, lychee and orange blossom. Ginger, even. Dutifully fresh, but more importantly, texturally detailed with sound use of oak. Long and eminently satisfying. NG
RRP $28 | Drink to 2024
SC Pannell Dead End McLaren Vale Tempranillo
A bind of firm, gritty tannins – charcoal, bitter chocolate and coffee grind – weld a slew of dark-cherry and root-spice aromas into a ripe, round and energetic palate. All in the here and now. Delicious drinking! NG
RRP $28 | Drink to 2022
Giant Steps Harry’s Monster
This is a classy, medium-bodied rendition that will unfurl and garner more complexity given more time. Today, it’s almost pretty, with its array of red and blue fruits, finely chiselled tannins and a smooth texture across the palate. JF
RRP $55 | Drink to 2034
Riposte The Dagger Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir
The result is a a carriage of sour plum, rhubarb and strawberry scents, careening along tracks of bright acidity and scratchy tannins. NG
RRP $22 | Drink to 2021
Longview Vineyard Devil’s Elbow Adelaide Hills Cabernet Sauvignon
Unmistakable cabernet aromas, leafy leathery notes and compote blackberries all nicely crafted as a mix of fruits and savouries. Neatly dusted with fine tannins. TL
RRP $30 | Drink to 2028
Gaelic Cemetery Premium Clare Valley
A beautifully poised, medium-bodied interpretation of Clare's classic blend. Cabernet's redcurrants and red capsicum are graced with the savoury, dried thyme nuances of malbec... TL
RRP $48 | Drink to 2033
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