Halliday | Dave Brookes

"An established wine journalist, Dave contributes to a range of publications here and overseas. Originally from New Zealand, Dave lived in South Australia’s Barossa for many years and has almost 30 years’ experience working in the wine industry across a range of sectors; including retail, wholesale, wineries, the secondary market and brand management. Dave was awarded Dux of the prestigious Len Evans Tutorial in 2011 and is sought-after as a judge and panel chair on the wine show circuit, having judged at more than 70 wine shows around Australia and internationally." - Wine Companion

THE SINGLE VINEYARD SERIES

2023 Yacca Block - 96 points
Mengers Hill, Eden Valley Shiraz
"Shiraz sourced from Menglers Hill; shallow, skeletal grey sand loam with quartz gravel over weathered rock and yellow clay. Deep magenta/crimson with characters of ripe satsuma plum and dark and red cherry fruits cut with hints of baking spices, roasting meats, crushed quartz, violets, bay leaf, cold tea, sage, dark chocolate and earth. Full bodied, with a fine, bright acid driveline, powdered granitic tannins and wonderfully ripe plum and cherry fruits on the finish that stretch out nicely, showing impressive sustain and structural integrity." Dave Brookes, Published 03 February 2026

2023 Secret Block - 95 points
Wildlife Road, Moppa Hills, Barossa Valley Shiraz
"A deeply coloured, powerful shiraz from the northern subregion of Moppa, with its deep grey-red loams studded with coarse quartz and ironstone gravel over clay; matured for 18 months in French oak, up to 50% new. Deep, impenetrable crimson with aromas of blackberry, damson plum and blueberry fruits with underlying baking spices, olive tapenade, blackforest cake, dark chocolate bullets, pan juices, ironstone and earth. Full bodied, with a sleek cremé-de-cassis fruit flow, compact, silty, ferruginous-edged tannins and a blackberry pastille brightness to the acidity." Dave Brookes, Published 03 February 2026

THE GARDEN SERIES

2024 Bella's Garden - 94 points
Barossa Valley Shiraz
 "An elegant, supple shiraz with fruit characters of red and dark plum, red cherry, cranberry and a murmur of red apple bite. Hints of five-spice, citrus, tobacco, vanilla bean, charcuterie, fruit-and-nut chocolate and earth, with plenty of detail, superfine chalky tannins and a poised savoury lean as it trails off. It really is a lovely drink." Dave Brookes, Published 10 February 2026 

THE PICTURE SERIES

2024 Gnarly Dudes - 92 points
Barossa Valley Shiraz
"Always solid value is this wine. Magenta-splashed crimson with juicy plum, blueberry, dark cherry and boysenberry fruits along with hints of Christmas cake, olive tapenade, brown spice, dark chocolate, pan juices, panforte, violets and earth. It's at the lighter end of full bodied with a bright driveline, fine, sandy tannins and a light savoury lean to its travel on the back end." Dave Brookes, Published 03 February 2026

2024 Brave Faces - 92 points
Barossa Valley GMS
"This year, the Brave Face's sees a blend of 81/16/3% grenache/mourvèdre/shiraz. As per usual, it's great value if you seek a medium-bodied red blend with plenty of space and detail. Lifted red cherry and red plum fruits, five-spice, gingerbread, citrus blossom, rose petals, cranberry and dried meats are all on display, with fine, silty tannins and a sweep of sour cherry on the back end." Dave Brookes, Published 03 February 2026