Payten & Jones
Payten & Jones produces wines from Victoria, Australia, drawing on the region's cool-climate potential across multiple varietals. The winery's portfolio centers on three flagship expressions: Major Kong Syrah, a Shiraz that earned a 92.5 prestige rating from Decanter; Valley Vignerons Pinot Noir, rated 91.0; and Leuconoe Sangiovese, assessed at 90.0. The range reflects a willingness to work beyond the traditional Australian canon, pairing Shiraz—the country's signature varietal—with Old World grapes like Pinot Noir and Sangiovese. Victoria's maritime influence and varied terroir support this stylistic breadth, enabling producers to craft wines with both depth and precision. Decanter's assessments of these releases underscore their technical merit across the lineup.
Critics
Decanter