Great Change: Explore the latest 8th Edition of Langtons Classification.

December 15, 2023 Echo Ren

‘The Classification Has Been The North Star For Wine Collectors In Australia For Three Decades’

On 14th Dec 2023, Langtons announced the release of its 8th edition!

The Langtons Classification of Australian Wine stands as the ultimate recognition for wineries and producers in Australia. It serves as the primary guide to the most sought-after wines, indicating consumer demand, collectability, and auction prices.

The Classification comprises the most sought-after Australian fine wines based on their strong track record at auction. The latest edition marks a significant milestone in the history of the Langtons Classification with clear trends towards elegance and distinction.

Classification Redefined

The new edition brings with it a simplified system, bidding farewell to the three tiers of its historic incarnation. Comprising 100 wines, every wine is LANGTONS Classified, with a select honour roll therein marked as 1st Classified. This epithet is a homage to the Premier Cru (First Growth) wines that sit atop the 1855 Bordeaux Classification, the original inspiration for the Langtons Classification.

The Two Tiers Explained:

FIRST CLASSIFIED

The most highly prized of all Australian fine wines. Representing generations of effort and character of place.

CLASSIFIED

The best of Australian winemaking practices, vineyard provenance and regional voice.

The latest 8th edition of the Langtons Classification represents the most significant change since its inception, illustrating the remarkable evolution of Australian collectors' tastes and interests over the past five years since the last edition.

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.

This Langton classification is the result of five years of extensive analysis of secondary market transactions. Auction shoppers determine the price and value of Australian wines, which in turn determines their position in the classification list. Therefore, the wines selected are determined by market data - there is no doubt about this outcome, and market data is witnessing the boom in Australian boutique wines during this period.

1^st Classified (In Alphabetical Order)

BASS PHILLIP Reserve Pinot Noir, South Gippsland
BEST'S GREAT WESTERN Thomson Family Shiraz, Grampians
BINDI Block 5 Pinot Noir, Macedon Ranges (Upgraded from Outstanding)
BROKENWOOD Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz, Hunter Valley
CULLEN Diana Madeline Cabernet Merlot, Margaret River
GIACONDA Estate Vineyard Chardonnay, Beechworth
HENSCHKE Hill of Grace Shiraz, Eden Valley
HENSCHKE Mount Edelstone Shiraz, Eden Valley
LEEUWIN ESTATE Art Series Chardonnay, Margaret River
MOUNT MARY Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley (Upgraded from Outstanding)
MOUNT MARY Quintet Cabernet Blend, Yarra Valley
PENFOLDS Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, South Australia (Upgraded from Outstanding)
PENFOLDS Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon, South Australia
PENFOLDS Bin 95 Grange Shiraz, South Australia
PENFOLDS Bin 144 Yattarna Chardonnay, South Eastern Australia (Upgraded from Outstanding)
ROCKFORD Basket Press Shiraz, Barossa Valley
TORBRECK RunRig Shiraz, Barossa Valley
TYRRELL'S Vat 1 Semillon, Hunter Valley (Upgraded from Outstanding)
WENDOUREE Shiraz, Clare Valley
WYNNS COONAWARRA ESTATE John Riddoch, Coonawarra
YARRA YERING Dry Red Wine No.1 Cabernet, Yarra Valley (Upgraded from Outstanding)

Classified (In Alphabetical Order)

Arras E.J. Carr Late Disgorged,Tasmania (New to Langtons Classified)
BALNAVES OF COONAWARRA The Tally Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra
BASS PHILLIP Premium Chardonnay, South Gippsland (New)
BASS PHILLIP Premium Pinot Noir, South Gippsland
BEST'S GREAT WESTERN Bin O Shiraz, Grampians
BINDI Original Vineyard Pinot Noir, Macedon Ranges
Bindi Quartz Chardonnay, Macedon Ranges (New)
BY FARR Sangreal Pinot Noir, Geelong
BY FARR Tout Pres Pinot Noir, Geelong (Upgraded from Excellent)
CAPE MENTELLE Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River (Upgraded from Excellent)
CASTAGNA Genesis Syrah, Beechworth (Upgraded from Excellent)
CHARLES MELTON Nine Popes Shiraz Grenache Mourvèdre, Barossa Valley
CHRIS RINGLAND Dy Grown Barossa Ranges Shiraz, Barossa Valley (Downgrade from Exceptional)
CLARENDON HILLS Astralis Syrah, McLaren Vale (Downgrade from Exceptional)
CLONAKILLA Shiraz Viognier, Canberra District（Downgrade from Exceptional)
CORIOLE Lloyd Reserve Shiraz, McLaren Vale (Upgraded from Excellent)
CRAIGLEE Shiraz, Sunbury (Upgraded from Excellent)
CRAWFORD RIVER Riesling, Henty (Upgraded from Excellent)
CULLEN Kevin John Chardonnay, Margaret River (Upgraded from Excellent)
Curly Flat Pinot Noir, Macedon Ranges (New)
D'ARENBERG The Dead Arm Shiraz, McLaren Vale
DEEP WOODS ESTATE Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River (Upgraded from Excellent)
DE BORTOLI Noble One Botrytis Semillon, Riverina (Upgraded from Excellent)
DOMAINE A Cabernet Sauvignon, Coal River Valley Tasmania
GIACONDA Estate Vineyard Shiraz, Beechworth (Upgraded from Excellent)
GRANT BURGE Meshach Shiraz, Barossa Valley
GROSSET Polish Hill Riesling, Clare Valley (Downgraded from Exceptional)
HARDYS Eileen Hardy Shiraz, South Australia (Upgraded from Excellent)
HENSCHKE Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon, Eden Valley
Henschke Hill Of Roses Shiraz, Eden Valley (New)
HENSCHKE Keyneton Euphonium Shiraz Cabernet Merlot Blend, Barossa Valley
JIM BARRY The Armagh Shiraz, Clare Valley (Downgraded from Exceptional)
JOHN DUVAL WINES Plexus Grenache Shiraz/Mourvèdre, Barossa Valley (Upgraded from Excellent)
KATNOOK ESTATE Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra (Upgraded from Excellent)
LAKE'S FOLLY Cabernet Blend, Hunter Valley (Upgraded from Excellent)
LEEUWIN ESTATE Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River
MAIN RIDGE ESTATE Half Acre Pinot Noir, Mornington Peninsula
MAJELLA The Malleea Cabernet Shiraz, Coonawarra (Upgraded from Excellent)
MOSS WOOD Chardonnay, Margaret River (New)
MOSS WOOD Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River (Downgraded from Exceptional)
MOUNT LANGI GHIRAN Langi Shiraz, Grampians (Upgraded from Excellent)
MOUNT MARY Chardonnay, Yarra Valley (Upgraded from Excellent)
MOUNT PLEASANT Lovedale Semillon, Hunter Valley (Upgraded from Excellent)
MOUNT PLEASANT Maurice O'Shea Shiraz, Hunter Valley (Upgraded from Excellent)
OAKRIDGE 864 Chardonnay, Yarra Valley (Upgraded from Excellent)
PARINGA ESTATE The Paringa Pinot Noir, Mornington Peninsula (Upgraded from Excellent)
PENFOLDS Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon, South Australia (Upgraded from Excellent)
PENFOLDS RWT Shiraz, BarossaValley
Penfolds Reserve Bin A Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills (New)
PENFOLDS St Henri Shiraz, South Australia
PETER LEHMANN Stonewell Shiraz, Barossa Valley
ROCKFORD Sparkling Black Shiraz, Barossa Valley
Rockford Rifle Range Cabernet Sauvignon, Barossa Valley (New)
Sami-Odi Hoffmann Dallwitz Syrah, Barossa Valley (New)
Sami-Odi Little Wine Shiraz, Barossa Valley (New)
Serrat Close Planted Shiraz Viognier, Yarra Valley (New)
THE STANDISH WINE COMPANY The Relic Single Vineyard Shiraz Viognier, Barossa Valley (New)
THE STANDISH WINE COMPANY The Schubert Theorem Shiraz, Barossa Valley (New)
THE STANDISH WINE COMPANY The Standish Single Vineyard Shiraz, Barossa Valley (Upgraded from Excellent)
Tolpuddle Vineyard Chardonnay, Coal River Valley, Tasmania (New)
Tolpuddle Vineyard Pinot Noir, Tasmania (New)
Torbreck The Steading GSM, Barossa Valley (New)
TURKEY FLAT Shiraz, Barossa Valley (Upgraded from Excellent)
TYRRELL'S 4 Acres Shiraz, Hunter Valley (New)
TYRRELL'S Vat 47 Chardonnay, Hunter Valley (Upgraded from Excellent)
VASSE FELIX Heytesbury Chardonnay, Margaret River (Upgraded from Excellent)
VASSE FELIX Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec, Margaret River
WENDOUREE Cabernet Malbec, Clare Valley
WENDOUREE Cabernet Sauvignon, Clare Valley
WENDOUREE Shiraz Malbec, Clare Valley
WENDOUREE Shiraz Mataro, Clare Valley
WOODLANDS FAMILY SERIES Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River
WYNNS COONAWARRA ESTATE Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra (Upgraded from Excellent)
WYNNS COONAWARRA ESTATE Michael Shiraz, Coonawarra (Upgraded from Excellent)
XANADU Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River (Upgraded from Excellent)
YALUMBA The Octavius Old Vine Shiraz, Barossa Valley (Upgraded from Excellent)
YALUMBA The Signature Cabernet Shiraz, Barossa Valley
YARRA YERING Dry Red Wine No.2 Shiraz, Yarra Valley (Upgraded from Excellent)
YERINGBERG Cabernet Blend, Yarra Valley

The biggest changes in the 2023 Langton Classification 8th Edition compared to the 2018 Langton 7th Edition are as follows:

Firstly, the 1st Classified, the top of this edition of the Langton Classification, has changed very little in number, just from 22 to 21, but six of these wines have been newly upgraded from Outstanding, while simultaneously six wines previously rated Exceptional have been downgraded to the Classified, and even one wine was removed from the whole list.

Upgraded from Outstanding to 1^st Classified:

BINDI Block 5 Pinot Noir, Macedon Ranges
MOUNT MARY Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley
PENFOLDS Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, South Australia
PENFOLDS Bin 144 Yattarna Chardonnay, South Eastern Australia
TYRRELL'S Vat 1 Semillon, Hunter Valley
YARRA YERING Dry Red Wine No.1 Cabernet, Yarra Valley

Downgraded from Exceptional to Classified:

CHRIS RINGLAND Dy Grown Barossa Ranges Shiraz, Barossa Valley
CLARENDON HILLS Astralis Syrah, McLaren Vale
CLONAKILLA Shiraz Viognier, Canberra District
GROSSET Polish Hill Riesling, Clare Valley
JIM BARRY The Armagh Shiraz, Clare Valley
MOSS WOOD Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River

Removed from Langtons Classification:

SEPPELTSFIELD 100 Year Old Para Vintage Tawny, Barossa Valley

Second, the changes to the Classified are very dramatic, with a substantial number of wines that were previously Outstanding and Excellent being removed from the list. 79 wines are currently in the classification, 19 of which are new to the Langtons Classification, plus 6 wines downgraded from Exceptional, and 31 wines upgraded from Excellent, meaning that only 23 of the original Outstanding wines have been retained at Classified, and 17 have been removed. A whopping 37 wines from the former Excellent classifications were removed, a removal rate up to 55%.

Taking a closer look at the new edition's alterations, 55 wines have disappeared from the entire list and 19 new ones have been added, a change rate of 54%, which implies that one out of every two wines rated by Langton in the last four or five years has changed their position due to market influences, and it remains to be seen exactly how such changes will affect their prices and sales in the market in the future.

Notably, the trend of Chardonnay's position on the list is upward. In the 7th edition, there were only 9 Chardonnays out of 136 wines, whereas in the 8th edition, there were a total of 14 Chardonnays out of 100 wines, a significant increase in the proportion. Three chardonnays are 1st classified, five are new to the Langton classification, and all five of the original excellent chardonnays have been retained. These results suggest that the popularity of premium Chardonnay wines is experiencing a measurable surge in Australia, which is probably driven by a combination of factors, including climate.

Overall, the entire Lambton selection has been cut from 136 wines in the 7th edition straight down to 100 in the 8th edition, the sharpest drop since Lambton's eight revisions since its inception in 1990. And the classification has been further streamlined, from three tiers to two tiers. In addition, the change rate of up to 54% is unprecedented. The underlying market status is worth pondering: 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.

‘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. 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.’

–Michael Anderson, Head of Auctions and Secondary Market.