LANGTONS reveals Australia's most highly sought-after wines in the country today

LANGTONS, Australia's premier destination for fine wine, has unveiled the 8th edition of the LANGTONS Classification of Australian Wine.

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In the most dramatic shake-up to the LANGTONS Classification, since it was first published in 1990, the new (8th) edition of the Classification shows how drastically Australian collectors’ tastes and interests have evolved since the previous edition, five years ago. 

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The pinnacle of recognition for Australian wineries and producers, the LANGTONS Classification of Australian Wine is the go-to guide to Australia’s most highly sought-after wines. 

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Head of Auctions and Secondary Market Michael Anderson said it reflects consumer demand, collectability, and prices fetched at auction. 

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“The 8th edition of the LANGTONS Classification of Australian Wine represents a seismic shift in the purchasing, drinking and investing habits of Australia's top fine wine buyers,” he said. 

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“We can see a movement away from the hedonistic, full-bodied reds, with a shift towards lighter styles from cooler climates and a sprinkling of top tier, vibrant whites too.” 

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The new Classification comprises a total of 100 wines across 60 wineries. The wines are given the title of ‘Classified’, reflecting their demand and performance in the secondary market (at auction). 

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A special designation of ‘1st Classified’ is reserved for a small cohort of wines representing the most desirable wines in Australia that compete with the world’s finest. The ‘1st Classified’ name is a homage to the Premier Cru (First Growth) wines that sit atop the 1855 Bordeaux Classification, which was the original inspiration for the LANGTONS Classification. 

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This new edition shows the biggest change in the history of the LANGTONS Classification with clear trends towards elegance and distinction. Driving this change, the new guard illustrates the trend for Australia’s wine scene in an international context where fine wine moves into the realm of luxury. 

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19 new wines have joined the ranks, including The Relic Shiraz Viognier and The Schubert Theorem Shiraz (The Standish Wine Company), Hoffmann Dallwitz and Little Wine Shiraz (Sami-Odi), Tolpuddle Vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (Tolpuddle), and Quartz Chardonnay (Bindi) underlining a clear new direction to more elegant styles of Shiraz and southeast regions featuring pinot noir and chardonnay.

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To make it into the LANGTONS Classification, each wine must have been released for at least ten vintages and have a strong track record in the secondary market. Icons of Australian fine wine lead the line, including Penfolds Grange, Henschke Hill of Grace, Wendouree Shiraz, Rockford Basket Press Shiraz, and Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay. These stalwarts have graced LANGTONS Classification year after year and embody the pinnacle of Australian fine wine with demand for blue chip wines and producers another key trend. 

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Regionally, South Australia continues to lead the Classification with 38 wines, largely thanks to the continued ascendancy of Barossa wines. The state-based distribution of top-performing wines is as follows: 

South Australia: 48 

Victoria: 27 

Western Australia: 11 

New South Wales: 9 

Tasmania: 4 

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‘Being recognised on the LANGTONS Classification is about more than just making great wine. It ensures that those included are considered by critics, collectors and fine wine aficionados alike as at the very top of their game,” he said. 

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“The Classification is data-led and based on consistency, quality, clearance and tradability in the market. Internationally the Classification offers winemakers and winemaking regions the opportunity to benchmark themselves against the greatest and most traded wines in Australia. A stylistic form guide for what styles and techniques are hot and what names to keep an eye out for.’ 

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To celebrate the launch, LANGTONS will be hosting a multi-state series of masterclasses in June 2024. To discover the full list of Classified wines presented in the 8th Edition of the LANGTONS Classification of Australian Wine, visit https://langtons.com.au/classification. 

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About LANGTONS: 

Since 1988, LANGTONS has been home to extraordinary fine wine. Beginning as a specialist wine auction house, LANGTONS has since established itself as Australia’s premier luxury fine wine destination. Representing the most engaged and affluent wine collectors in Australia, LANGTONS unites those with a passion for fine wine and impeccable taste to enjoy the pleasures of the finest luxury brands, unrivalled experiences, moments and services; enhanced by the expertise of the LANGTONS team. To shop at LANGTONS is to enjoy an experience like no other. LANGTONS is a unique business model of online retail, auctions, events and client services.