Halliday Wine Companion
“Unsung Hero: Why Philip Rich thinks James Thomas’ Heroes is one to watch”
“James Thomas has been making wine in the Otways for almost a decade, but he’s flown under the radar – until now. Discover why Halliday taster Philip Rich was blown away by both his operation and his wines after a visit to his Heroes Vineyard…
“…Over eight vintages, subtle evolutions have occurred. He’s picking slightly earlier now, preserving acidity while trusting tannin ripeness at lower alcohols. Whole-bunch use has decreased marginally and extraction has shortened, but with more frequent plunging to build structure…
“…This rigorous approach – both in the vineyard and winery – has produced wines of singular quality. He also makes the well-priced Anti Heroes range from vineyards he manages or purchases fruit from, with the same level of detail and care…
“…I was blown away by the entire range of 2024s. From the dry and off-dry rieslings to the barrel-fermented sauvignon blanc and chardonnay to the truly exceptional pinot noir, these are wines worth seeking out. That they range from $40 to $75 for the pinot – of which there are only 180 dozen – is a bonus. Like the protagonists in the Bowie song that gave Heroes its name, James and Eloise have found where they belong.” By Philip Rich, 10 Dec 2025.
Heroes Otway Hinterland Pinot Noir 2024
97 pts, Halliday Wine Companion
“…A medium, bright ruby red. With its aromas of pure red fruits, floral scents, allspice and a hint of autumn leaves, this soars effortlessly from the glass. The palate is medium bodied, with pitch-perfect silky and persistent tannins and bright acidity…” Philip Rich, 2 Dec 2025
(Read the review at Wine Companion.)
Heroes Otway Hinterland Chardonnay 2024
96 pts, Halliday Wine Companion
“…The bouquet features white nectarine, quince, beeswax and a fleck of grilled nuts. On the palate, there’s real weight and intensity, with a fine thread of acidity keeping it taut and very well balanced…” Philip Rich, 9 Dec 2025
(Read the review at Wine Companion)
Heroes Otway Hinterland Dry Riesling 2024
95+ pts, Halliday Wine Companion
“..A fragrant and delicate bouquet of Meyer lemon, jasmine, orange blossom and lime zest. Textural and beautifully balanced on the palate, with a fine thread of acidity in harmony with the fruit…” Philip Rich, 9 Dec 2025
(Read the review at Wine Companion)
Heroes Otway Hinterland Sauvignon Blanc 2024
95 pts, Halliday Wine Companion
“…Brightly coloured with aromas of stone fruits, confit lemon and elderflower and with the oak sitting discreetly in the background. Gently textured, harmonious, chalky and long on the palate…” Philip Rich, 9 Dec 2025
(Read the review at Wine Companion.)
Anti-Hero Yeowarra Hill Pinot Noir 2024
95+ pts, Halliday Wine Companion
“…A bright, medium-deep cherry red. This instantly invites you in with its aromas of red and black fruits, bramble, spices and herbs such as thyme and nutmeg. Medium bodied, with firm yet svelte tannins…” Philip Rich, 2 Dec 2025
(Read the review at Wine Companion.)
Anti-Hero Pinot Meunier 2024
95 pts, Halliday Wine Companion
“…A light, bright crimson. With its bouquet of red cherries, poached strawberries and summer flowers, this is an extremely pretty and well-crafted example. A delicious, light- to medium-bodied wine, finishing with silky tannins and bright acidity…” Philip Rich, 9 Dec
(Read the review at Wine Companion.)
Anti-Hero Yeowarra Hill Chardonnay 2024
94 pts, Halliday Wine Companion
“…A luminous green gold. An expressive bouquet of yellow fruits, grilled walnuts and marine scents. On the palate this is mouth-filling, in a good way, with the intensity of fruit balanced by the wine’s bright acidity…” Philip Rich, 9 Dec 2025
(Read the review at Wine Companion.)
Heroes Das Helden Riesling 2024
93 pts, Halliday Wine Companion
“A very bright, light green gold. James Thomas’ ode to German Kabinett-style riesling, and a good one at that. Aromas of red apple, lemon sherbet, feijoa and talc precede the gently sweet, appetising and well-balanced palate…” Philip Rich, 1 Dec 2025
(Read the review at Wine Companion.)
Anti-Hero Coola Road Chardonnay 2024
93+ pts, Halliday Wine Companion
“…A very bright green gold. Aromas of stone fruits, honeysuckle and just a little struck match lead onto the well-balanced, well-structured and saline palate. It’s ready to go now, but I can also see this rewarding another three to five years in the cellar.…” Philip Rich, 9 Dec 2025
(Read the review at Wine Companion.)Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy
Tom Kline
2019 Heroes Pinot Noir
“…Nutmeg, a whisper of clove, cinnamon stick, and mushroom lead into autumnal and earthy sois bois with an underpinning of elegant cherry and cranberry fruit. Very classy and fine aromatically with masterful restraint, detail and precision…” Tom Kline. Tasted Feb 2025.
2021 Heroes Pinot Noir
“Spicy and delicately nutty on opening, with nutmeg and toasted hazelnut making way for dark cherry, a mineral life, gentle forest floor, and red rose. It’s a moreish amalgam as it all comes together…” Tom Kline. Tasted Feb 2025.
2022 Heroes Pinot Noir
“…Red cherry, cherry pit, earth, red rose, nutmeg. A filagree weave of gossamer tannins and red fruited acidity take it home to a finish of poise and elegance…” Tom Kline. Tasted Feb 2025.
2022 Heroes Chardonnay
“Lovely restraint on show here. Sweet line and Meyer lemon notes push through cedar to start, followed by pear, yellow apple and a seasoning of cinnamon spice. The palate has a round though elegant texture…” Tom Kline. Tasted Feb 2025.
(Read more at Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy Instagram.)(Or with subscription.)
Australian Wine Review
Andrew Graham
A New Hero 2024 Pinot from the Otways
“…Ex-Clyde Park winemaker James Thomas runs this mature 10-acre plot, with Pinot, Riesling, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc among the plantings and farmed organically (but not certified).
All promising stuff. This Heroes Vineyard Pinot Noir 2024 is spot on, too. It leans into fleshy and quite ripe plum fruit, a little mushroom and earth. A plush thing, but with a coolness and mediumness that feels about right. There’s a flash of oak lifting up the plum and red berry fruit, and this lovely mushroomy savoury line and lightly tart acidity is spot on. Unsurprisingly, this looks like the good bits of Geelong Pinot (and it’s very tasty)… Score (out of 20): 18.5…” December 7, 2025.