Our 13 Acre Block is the first block you pass coming down the drive. It was planted in the early 1980 to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and a couple of rows of Petit Verdot. Made in only the best years, it shows what great wines are possible from this small patch.
Pinot Meunier is among the oldest vines planted at our Concongella vineyard, dating back to 1868. Planted as Miller Burgundy, it was used to blend with other varieties until 1967, when Viv Thomson convinced his father to make a single varietal wine. That first single varietal vintage was so good, it's been made that way ever since and now has a cult following for the limited parcels that we release. Along with the historical Shiraz planted beside it, these wines show great balance, length and fruit breadth, with an ability to age exceeding well.
Shiraz has been the hallmark variety of Best's since the first vines were planted back in the 1868. Our Bin 0 has been around since the beginning, as well as the top grade of wine produced. Picked off the Concongella vineyard here at the winery, these wines show balance and length with a generous and rounded fruit structure, and have a natural ability to age.
Best’s Bin 0 Shiraz is produced from the four original Shiraz plantings in the low yielding blocks of the historic Concongella vineyard at Great Western. This includes nineteenth century and mid twentieth century plantings of Shiraz which result in very low yielding vines that produce intense flavours.
Best’s Bin No. 0 Shiraz is produced from the four original Shiraz plantings in the low yielding blocks of the historic Concongella vineyard at Great Western. This includes nineteenth century and mid twentieth century plantings of Shiraz which result in very low yielding vines that produce intense flavours.
Released in our 150th year, this wine celebrates Best’s history. Sparky’s Block is a special parcel of Shiraz on some of the best soil in the Concongella Vineyard. Sparky is the nickname of Marcus Thomson, the youngest of the Thomson siblings, who was born in 1970. This wine was made in the traditional style, open fermented and aged in large oak. It shows dark fruit and spices, with long lean tannins that will reward those who are patient.
Released in our 150th year, this wine celebrates Best’s history. The Concongella is a replica of the original red styles made in Great Western with the resultant wine greater than its varietal components. We took fruit from our original 1868 plantings of Pinot Meunier, Shiraz and Dolcetto, which were co-fermented and macerated over several weeks during the 2013 vintage, before being basket pressed and matured in oak. The use of a cork with a wax seal forms a part of the style and its evolution.
The Thomson Family Shiraz is produced from Henry Best’s original 1868 Shiraz plantings, and is only produced in exceptional years. The vines crop at less than two tonnes per acre (four tonnes per hectare). The first vintage was 1992, released in 1993 to celebrate 100 years of the Thomson family making wine in the area.
