2024 Mystery Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir Deal No. 58

In years gone by, there was something in the wine world we liked to call the Parker Effect.

A bolt from the blue. Some up-and-comer scores big with the world’s foremost wine critic, and overnight, like blue-chip stocks in a bull market, the price goes through the roof.

Demand outstrips the meagre supply (those pesky, low-yielding, ancient-vine grapes), and the secondary market kicks into gear. Where once you had a $40 Shiraz, now you’d be lucky to find a bottle for under $100.

While the era of hype and FOMO-fuelled pricing has mostly passed, every now and then a wine catches the eye of Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate - and the feeding frenzy begins.

Enter: the 2024 Mystery Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir.

You know the wine. It’s been around for years and has long set the benchmark for best-value Pinot in the country. Made by a legend (who's name graces the front cover) Halliday even gave it a Top 100 gong and 96 points in past vintages. Not bad for a $22 red.

In 2024, the hype has gone next-level, thanks to a glowing review from our tariff-happy American friends at Wine Advocate. Well, Erin Larkin at least - a homegrown Aussie writing for them.

94 points.

"There's impressive concentration and density of flavour, but it's never at the expense of balance or elegance. This is so good! It's the best <redacted> yet for <redacted>"

Now. Read that again. Then look at the price.

There’s $200 Bordeaux from the grandest Chateaux that would kill for a 94-point score.

Closer to home - Tolpuddle, Picardy, Yarra Yering. None of their Pinots cracked higher than 94 points in their latest releases.

Yet here we are. A sub-$20 mystery Pinot, made by a winemaking legend, with 94 of your finest Wine Advocate points.

And yes - it’s worth it. One sip and you'll taste it. This vintage has something extra. The amps are turned up to 11. A nose as perfumed as a spice shop. Vivid watercolour reds and pinks in the glass. A slippery, seductive Pinot that’s devilishly charming.

Make no mistake. This will sell out. People will talk. Prices will rise. And if you didn’t grab a bottle? Well, you might just be left wondering...

Did I miss the next cult classic?