What Are Halliday Wine Scores? How They Work & Why They Matter
James Halliday is Australia’s most respected wine critic, and his Wine Companion is the go-to source for wine ratings. Each year, Halliday and his panel review thousands of Australian wines, scoring them out of 100. But what do those scores actually mean, and why should you care?
Understanding the Halliday 100-Point System
- 95–100 points: Outstanding – wines of the highest quality
- 90–94 points: Highly recommended
- 85–89 points: Good to very good
- Below 85: Acceptable but may lack balance or character
Why Halliday Scores Matter
When you see a wine scored 95+ by Halliday, you know it’s passed a tough, independent tasting process. These scores give buyers confidence and help you discover Australia’s best winemaking talent.
Shop Halliday-Rated Wines at Wine Simple
- Henschke Tappa Pass Shiraz – A powerhouse Shiraz with consistently high Halliday scores.
- Teusner Albert Shiraz – Halliday-rated and full of Barossa character.
- Purple Hands Planta Circa Cabernet Sauvignon – A 95+ point wine with old-vine prestige.
Stay tuned as we break down Halliday’s top picks and explore the best wines to try in 2025. Want to get ahead of the awards? Explore Wine Simple and taste the quality now.