Your definitive guide to the highest-rated Shiraz from Australia's premier wine region
McLaren Vale continues its reign as Australia's undisputed Shiraz capital, with wine enthusiasts on Vivino consistently rating the region's wines among the world's most exceptional. Based on the latest user ratings and reviews updated through October 2025, here are the top 25 McLaren Vale Shiraz wines captivating palates and earning rave reviews from wine lovers across the globe.
Rankings based on current Vivino user ratings as of October 2025 • Updated weekly to reflect evolving preferences and new vintages
The Elite Top 5
1. Mollydooker Velvet Glove Shiraz 2017
⭐ 4.6/5 | Price: ~A$230-450
The undisputed king of McLaren Vale Shiraz holds its throne with unwavering authority. This exceptional wine from the trailblazing Mollydooker winery epitomises bold, fruit-forward Australian winemaking excellence. With its legendary "wow factor" philosophy and signature velvety texture, the Velvet Glove remains the gold standard for premium McLaren Vale Shiraz worldwide.
Why it's exceptional: Mollydooker's unique "Sparky & Sarah way" of winemaking creates wines with incredible fruit purity and richness. The 2017 vintage showcases perfectly ripe fruit from low-yielding vines.
Website: mollydookerwines.com
2. Clarendon Hills Astralis 2018
⭐ 4.5/5 | Price: ~A$220-450
A stunning single-vineyard masterpiece from Clarendon Hills that demonstrates the heights McLaren Vale Shiraz can achieve. Roman Bratasiuk's revolutionary single-vineyard approach creates wines of extraordinary depth and terroir expression that have captured Vivino users' imagination.
Why it's exceptional: Produced from 50-year-old vines on ancient Biscay soils, this wine represents pure terroir expression with minimal intervention winemaking.
Website: clarendonhills.com.au
3. Bec Hardy Pertaringa The Yeoman 2021
⭐ 4.4/5 | Price: ~A$90-120
A newer entrant making waves in the top rankings, this wine showcases modern McLaren Vale winemaking at its finest. Bec Hardy's approach balances tradition with innovation, creating wines that resonate with contemporary palates.
Why it's exceptional: Sourced from premium vineyard sites and crafted with meticulous attention to detail, The Yeoman represents the new generation of McLaren Vale excellence.
4. Mollydooker Carnival of Love Shiraz 2021
⭐ 4.4/5 | Price: ~A$90-110
Mollydooker's consistent excellence continues with their Carnival of Love, showcasing the winery's ability to maintain exceptional quality across different vintages. This recent release perfectly demonstrates the evolution and refinement that has made Mollydooker a global phenomenon.
Why it's exceptional: Bold, generous, and unapologetically fruit-forward, this wine delivers the Mollydooker signature style at a more accessible price point than the Velvet Glove.
Website: mollydookerwines.com
5. Pirramimma The Earl Shiraz 2021
⭐ 4.3/5 | Price: ~A$85-110
From one of McLaren Vale's most venerable family-owned wineries (established 1892), The Earl represents the sublime marriage of generational wisdom and uncompromising quality. Pirramimma's profound heritage and intimate terroir knowledge manifest brilliantly in this premium offering.
Why it's exceptional: Over 130 years of family winemaking expertise concentrated in every bottle, with fruit from the estate's finest vineyard blocks.
Website: pirramimma.com.au
The Outstanding Dozen (Ratings 4.2-4.3★)
6. Cape Barren Rare Bird Shiraz 2018
⭐ 4.3/5 | Price: ~A$95-120
This boutique powerhouse continues to exceed expectations, with the Rare Bird vintage showcasing exceptional vineyard site selection and meticulous winemaking. The wine has resonated strongly with Vivino users seeking distinctive character and authentic terroir expression.
7. The Group The Siege Shiraz
⭐ 4.3/5 | Price: Not widely listed
A masterful modern interpretation of McLaren Vale Shiraz that achieves perfect balance between power and elegance. The Siege has solidified its position among the elite through consistent quality and unmistakable character.
8. Martins Vineyard Limited Series Shiraz 2020
⭐ 4.3/5 | Price: ~A$140-160
From a boutique producer focusing on limited production, this wine showcases the attention to detail and quality that comes with small-batch winemaking and represents the artisanal approach to McLaren Vale Shiraz.
9. Pasha Shiraz 2018
⭐ 4.3/5 | Price: ~A$95-110
Continuing the exceptional 4.3-star tier, this wine exemplifies the rich, full-bodied character that McLaren Vale is renowned for, delivering complexity and depth that justifies its premium positioning.
10. Curtis Family Cavaliere Shiraz 2020
⭐ 4.3/5 | Price: ~A$100-130
Italian heritage meets McLaren Vale terroir in this exceptional wine from Curtis Family Vineyards. The family has been making wine in McLaren Vale since 1973, with winemaking heritage tracing back to Italy in 1499.
Website: curtisfamilyvineyards.com
11. Curtis Family Martins Vineyard Limited Series Shiraz 2020
⭐ 4.3/5 | Price: ~A$140-160
Another stellar offering from Curtis Family Vineyards, showcasing their mastery across different vineyard sites and wine expressions.
12. Curtis Family Pasha Shiraz 2018
⭐ 4.3/5 | Price: ~A$95-110
Curtis Family Vineyards' strong showing continues with three wines in the elite top tier, demonstrating remarkable consistency and quality across their portfolio.
13. Two Hands Lily's Garden Shiraz 2020
⭐ 4.2/5 | Price: ~A$65-75
From Australia's acclaimed Shiraz specialists, this wine offers exceptional quality at a compelling price point. Two Hands focuses on showcasing the diversity of Australian Shiraz across different regions.
Why it's great value: Premium quality from a respected producer at an accessible price – this is everyday luxury.
Website: twohandswines.com
14. Cape Barren Flying Goose Shiraz 2020
⭐ 4.2/5 | Price: ~A$70-90
Another exceptional offering from Cape Barren, demonstrating their mastery of McLaren Vale terroir across different wine expressions and vineyard sites.
15. Curtis Family Limited Series Shiraz 2016
⭐ 4.2/5 | Price: ~A$80-100
An older vintage showing excellent aging potential, this wine demonstrates how well-made McLaren Vale Shiraz develops complexity and elegance over time.
16. Kay Brothers Hillside Shiraz 2018
⭐ 4.2/5 | Price: ~A$80-95
From McLaren Vale's oldest family winery still in the founding family's hands (established 1890), this wine represents over 130 years of accumulated winemaking wisdom and tradition.
Website: kaybrothers.com.au
17. Curtis Family Small Batch Shiraz 2021
⭐ 4.2/5 | Price: ~A$75-85
A testament to small-batch winemaking and the attention to detail that Curtis Family Vineyards brings to every bottling.
The Excellent Selection (Ratings 4.1★)
18. Mollydooker The Boxer Shiraz 2023
⭐ 4.1/5 | Price: ~A$40-50
Exceptional value from a premium producer, making quality McLaren Vale Shiraz accessible while maintaining the Mollydooker "wow factor" that defines their brand globally. This is your everyday Mollydooker!
19. Oliver's Taranga Shiraz 2022
⭐ 4.1/5 | Price: ~A$40-50
From a historic vineyard site representing six generations of dedicated family winemaking, this wine embodies the essence of McLaren Vale terroir and multigenerational tradition.
Website: oliverstranga.com
20. Château Reynella Basket Pressed Shiraz 2019
⭐ 4.1/5 | Price: ~A$45-55
Outstanding value that makes premium McLaren Vale Shiraz accessible to more wine lovers. This historic estate (established 1838) brings serious heritage to an approachable price point.
Website: chateaureynella.com.au
21. Pirramimma White Label Shiraz 2021
⭐ 4.1/5 | Price: ~A$30-40
Consistent quality and traditional winemaking excellence from this family operation, offering outstanding everyday drinking from one of the region's most respected producers.
Website: pirramimma.com.au
22. Clarendon Hills Piggott Range Vineyard Syrah 2015
⭐ 4.1/5 | Price: ~A$180-220
A single-vineyard expression from Clarendon Hills' portfolio of exceptional terroir-driven wines, showing beautiful development from the 2015 vintage.
23. Di Fabio Estate Reserve Shiraz Bush 2016
⭐ 4.1/5 | Price: ~A$55-70
A boutique producer's premium offering that showcases meticulous vineyard management and thoughtful winemaking, representing the artisanal side of McLaren Vale's diverse production landscape.
24. d'Arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz 2017
⭐ 4.1/5 | Price: ~A$70-85
From one of McLaren Vale's most iconic and innovative wineries, this wine showcases the creativity and quality that d'Arenberg brings to everything they produce.
Website: darenberg.com.au
25. Ulithorne Paternus Shiraz 2018
⭐ 4.1/5 | Price: ~A$70-90
A boutique producer's premium offering that showcases careful vineyard management and thoughtful winemaking, rounding out our top 25 with elegance and finesse.
October 2025 Trends & Insights
🏆 Producer Highlights
Mollydooker dominance continues with three wines in the top 25, including the unbeaten #1 position. Their fruit-forward, bold style continues to resonate globally with wine enthusiasts.
Curtis Family Vineyards impressive showing with five entries demonstrates their remarkable consistency across different vineyard sites and price points, from small-batch offerings to limited series releases.
Boutique excellence is represented by producers like Cape Barren, The Group, and Ulithorne, proving that smaller-scale production can compete with established names.
📊 Rating Patterns
The 4.1 to 4.6-star range dominates the rankings, indicating consistent excellence across McLaren Vale's diverse producer base. The concentration of wines in the 4.2-4.3 range shows the region's reliable quality.
💰 Price Accessibility
Prices range from under A$40 to over A$450, reflecting McLaren Vale's broad appeal:
- Value champions (A$30-50): Mollydooker The Boxer, Pirramimma White Label, Oliver's Taranga
- Premium everyday (A$65-100): Two Hands Lily's Garden, Curtis Small Batch, Kay Brothers Hillside
- Collector tier (A$140+): Velvet Glove, Astralis, Martins Vineyard Limited Series
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