Langton’s unveils latest ranking

Australian wine auctioneer Langton’s has released its latest ranking of what it considers Australia’s most collectable fine wines.

The 2018 Langton’s Classification is the seventh such listing and includes 136 wines, 13 of them new entrants.

The list is composed, as Langton’s explains: “By analysing the track record of fine wine in Australia’s leading wine auction market, including prices and volume of demand over a long period of time,” and the wines ranked in three categories, ‘Exceptional’ (being the best), ‘Outstanding’ and ‘Excellent’.

Penfolds’ ‘Grange’ – as one might suppose – tops the list and South Australia in general, largely thanks to the influence of the Barossa Valley, is the leading Australian region with 75 wines on the list.

Wines from Margaret River, Clare Valley, Coonawarra, McLaren Vale, Yarra Valley, Hunter Valley and Canberra are all included and there are a number of Chardonnays that have been recognised – three of them new additions: Cullen Kevin John Chardonnay, Oakridge Estate 864 Chardonnay and Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay.

Leeuwin Estate’s ‘Art Series’ Chardonnay has also been recognized for its “historic influence” and is included in a new category, the ‘Heritage Five’ which takes the leading five labels from the topmost ‘Exceptional’ category.

The Heritage Five are: Penfolds Grange, Henschke Hill of Grace, Leeuwin Art Series Chardonnay, Mount Mary Quintet Cabernet Blend and Wendouree Shiraz.

Andrew Caillard MW, Langton’s co-founder, said, “The purpose of Langton’s Classification is to generate consumer confidence in Australian fine wine by highlighting the auction performance and reputation of the country’s leading collectible or cellaring style wines. It has followed the progress of the ultra-fine Australian wine scene since 1990 and provides collectors with a unique insight into the market.”

Tamara Grischy, Langton’s Head of Wine Auctions, said: “The release of the 7^th Edition marks 30 years of Langton’s Classification of Australian Wine. This is a landmark achievement, reflecting three decades of building a secondary market for fine Australian wine. Classification VII also tells the story of our heritage, the significance of vineyard sites and the progression of generations. It is also a form guide for avid collectors and everyday wine drinkers who are looking to buy and enjoy Australia’s most revered wines.”

Twenty-two wines are listed as ‘Exceptional’, they are:

Penfolds Bin 95 Grange Shiraz, South Australia

Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz, Eden Valley South Australia

Mount Mary Quintet Cabernet Blend, Yarra Valley Victoria

Wendouree Shiraz, Clare Valley South Australia

Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay, Margaret River Western Australia

Bass Philip Reserve Pinot Noir, South Gippsland Victoria

Best’s Thomson Family Great Western Shiraz, Grampians Victoria

Brokenwood Wines Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz, Hunter Valley

Chris Ringland Shiraz, Barossa South Australia

Clarendon Hilla Astralis Syrah, McLaren Vale South Australia

Clonakilla Shiraz-Viognier, Canberra District New South Wales

Cullen Diana Madeline Cabernet-Merlot, Margaret River Western Australia Giaconda Chardonnay, Beechworth Victoria

Grosset Polish Hill Riesling, Clare Valley South Australia

Henschke Mount Edelstone Shiraz, Eden Valley South Australia

Im Barry The Armagh Shiraz, Clare Valley South Australia

Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River Western Australia

Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon, South Australia

Rockford Basket Press Shiraz, Barossa Valley South Australia

Seppeltsfield 100 Year Old Para Vintage Tawny, Barossa Valley, South Australia

Torbreck RunRig Shiraz, Barossa Valley South Australia

Wynns Coonawarra Estate John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra South Australia

The full classification can be read here.