The Real Review has unveiled the 2025 update to its Wine Classification of Australia, with six wines joining the top tier of the collection.

Blind-tasted by The Real Reviews’ international expert tasting team, wines are awarded one, two or three Merits based on their performance over time. In the 2025 update to the Classification, 63 new wines have been admitted, lifting the total to 603 Australian wines recognised.

The Real Review’s Wine Classification is awarded solely on the history and performance of a wine’s reviews. To qualify, wines must have at least ten vintages reviewed by the team (or, in the case of non-vintage, sparkling and fortified wines, at least 10 consecutive years of reviews).

As part of the highly selective standards upheld by The Real Review, its Classification system awards only 0.5% of all wines on the market a three Merit Classification. To achieve this, a wine must consistently see its top vintages score 98 points or more.

Principal Wine Writer Huon Hooke (above) said: “The Real Review’s Classification is a demonstration in consistent wine excellence. It’s very different from other globally recognised systems in that it is not determined or directed by resale value or region.

“The wines are blind-tasted and assessed solely on a decade of quality alone. Only the very best wines in Australia can claim a Merit.”

Wines that were promoted from two to three Merits include:

• Henschke Mount Edelstone Shiraz
• Bindi Block 5 Pinot Noir
• Flametree S.R.S. Wallcliffe Chardonnay
• Oakridge 864 Drive Block Funder & Diamond Chardonnay
• Yangarra Estate Vineyard High Sands Grenache
• Yeringberg ‘Yeringberg’

To celebrate the 2025 Classifications, The Real Review will host a five-course dinner at Morena Restaurant, Sydney, on 23 September. Curated Hooke, the evening will showcase 12 outstanding Merited wines, each matched to the menu.

Visit www.therealreview.com to view the full Wine Classification of Australia and for further details about the dinner.