E.J. McDougall Earns Two 97-Point Wines in Outstanding 2026 Robert Parker Debut

Three Wines. Two Nineties-Sevens. One Unforgettable Debut.

Erin Larkin of Robert Parker Wine Advocate places E.J. McDougall among Australia's most exciting new producers — awarding outstanding scores across the entire 2026 release.

When Robert Parker Wine Advocate scores a debut collection, the wine world takes notice. When it awards two wines 97 points and a third 96 — all from the same producer, all in the same vintage — it signals something rarer still: the arrival of a label built to last.

E.J. McDougall's 2026 release was personally selected by Erin Larkin as a standout highlight in her curated April 2026 Australian round-up — making the publication the first in the world to review these new vintages. The result was a sweep of outstanding scores across all three wines: the 2025 Margaret River Chardonnay, the 2024 McLaren Vale Old Vine Shiraz, and the 2024 McLaren Vale Old Vine Grenache.

MCLAREN VALE · BLEWITT SPRINGS · SOUTH AUSTRALIA

2024 Old Vine Shiraz                                       97 pts

Drink 2026–2039  ·  14.5% alc  ·  Reviewed March 18, 2026

“An excellent, modern, sophisticated example of Australian Shiraz — delicate and fresh, dark-fruited and exotic. There’s vibrancy here that lifts up above the density of fruit, and the tannins speak more of asphalt and graphite than drying or overbearing. Framed and shaped by the inherently exotic and spicy overtones of McLaren Vale. From vines planted in 1939 and 1942.”\

Few Bottles Remaining - Enquire Now

MCLAREN VALE · BLEWITT SPRINGS · SOUTH AUSTRALIA

2024 Old Vine Grenache                                   96 pts

Drink 2026–2039  ·  14.5% alc  ·  Reviewed March 18, 2026

“Perfumed and floral, leading with rose petals and graphite, sweet tobacco and tapenade. The fruit in the mouth is capacious and measured, persistent and long through the finish. This is a wine of place, first and foremost. McLaren Vale Grenache is one of Australia’s most exciting wine styles right now, and this is an excellent example.”

Opening Soon, Join the waitlist

MARGARET RIVER · WESTERN AUSTRALIA

2025 Margaret River Chardonnay                         97 pts

Drink 2026–2040  ·  13.8% alc  ·  Reviewed March 18, 2026

“Silky, precise, wide on the palate and detailed, with a long finish. Aromatically leads with pink grapefruit, white flowers, a hint of lychee, summer fig, white peach, pepper, and brine. The naturally very high acidity is softened by a complex mouthfeel. To be released August 10, 2026.”

Releasing August 2026

“This 2026 release represents everything we have worked towards — wines of authentic provenance, classical structure, and genuine regional expression. We are just beginning.”

The Shiraz, in particular, carries a sense of urgency — with only a small number of bottles remaining, it represents the final opportunity to secure this extraordinary debut vintage from one of McLaren Vale’s oldest surviving blocks. The Grenache and Chardonnay will open to new collectors soon; those wishing to be among the first are encouraged to register their interest now.