Yes, it’s out already and James has played it safe by naming Penfolds his winery of the year. No bargains there. In fact, we would’ve given Penfolds the GREED IS GOOD, MORE GREED IS BETTER award.

His top lists include quite a few wines under $25. They’re all 96 points unless it says otherwise:

Knappstein hand-picked Riesling 2012                                                                                

$17 at Winestar, haven’t tried it, gets 94 points from Stelzer and Stock

Petaluma Hanlin Hill Riesling 2012                                                                                         

$23 at Dan M’s, not one of our top Rieslings – squeaky clean as usual

Frogmore Creek Chardonnay 2011                                                                          

We’ve listed this as one of our stand-outs, $23 at My Cellars

Mountadam High Eden Chardonnay 2011                                                            

$26 WinesDirect  or $26 at Winestar

Fraser Gallop Estate Parterre 2012                                                                          

The 2011 was terrific, and the 2012 is just out –  $26 at WineOnline

Peter Lehmann Margaret Semillon 2007                                                              

This is also on our Best Wines under $25 list. $24 at Kemenys. Great alternative to Hunter Semillons

Chateau Francois Pokolbin Semillon 2007                                                           

Don Francois is still making great Semillons at bargain prices that you can only buy from the winery by mail order.

Terre a Terra Down to Earth Sauvignon Blanc 2012                                          

New label from Wrattonbully. The vineyard is next to Brian Croser’s Tappanappa’s Whalebone vineyard, the wine is made by Christian Bizot (ex-Bollinger) who happens to be married to Brian Croser’s daughter Lucy. The wine is $20 at Winestar.

Delatite Dead Man’s Hill Gewuerztraminer 2012                                             

Long a favourite of ours, it’s just $21 at Dan M’s

The bargain reds are far fewer in number, not sure why

Castle Rock Estate Pinot Noir 2011

From the Great Southern in W.A. We haven’t tried it but it gets 96 from Halliday, 95 from Ray Jordan and 94 from the Winefront. $26 at MyCellars

Belgravia Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

From a great winery near Orange, NSW. The wine is about $22 if you can find any – I couldn’t, not even at the winery.

Evans and Tate Metricup Road Cabernet Merlot 2011

I was surprised to see this $16 wine listed ahead of Vasse Felix Heytesbury and Penfolds Bin 389 but, as we keep telling you: 2011 was a tough year in most of Australia, except for the Hunter Valley and the West – Margaret River had perfect vintage conditions for Cabernet and Merlot. When we tasted it, we were not as impressed as JH. We’d probably rate it 91/92. It has good fruit but lacks depth and length.

Purple Hands Old Vine Grenache 2012 – $23 at MyCellars

From a great year in the Barossa, made by a 5-star outfit. Should be good.

Ducks in a Row Tempranillo Graciano Mataro 2011 – $25 at MyCellars

Not such a great year, but this wine still gets 96 from JH.