350 products

Fortifieds

    The Lark Distillery Para Cask Finish Single Malt Australian Whisky & 1992 Para Liqueur (500ml + 100ml)
    Tasmania, AUSTRALIA
    $399. 00
    Bottle
    $4788.00 Dozen

    Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product pictured.

    While exploring the Seppeltsfield archives, Lark's Head Distiller discovered sixteen special tawny port casks which subsequently made their way to Tasmania as finishing vessels for their famous peated single malt. Lark commemorated their 30th anniversary with this special collaboration to create a rich, deep and incredibly complex whisky, born from the character and history of the 30 year old Para casks. This anniversary set includes a 100ml bottle of Seppeltsfield Vintage 1992 Tawny Para Liqueur (22% ABV).

    Tio Pepe Fino Sherry
    Jerez, SPAIN
    $32. 99
    Bottle
    $395.88 Dozen
    Closure: Cork

    The world’s best-selling Fino, uncompromisingly dry, always served cold, fantastic with food – especially savoury nibbles such as Jamon Iberico, chorizo, olives, nuts, Manchego cheese and bread and oil.

     

    The story behind Tio Pepe, one of the world's great fino sherries is a colourful one.Translated, “Tio Pepe” means “Uncle Joe.” Joe was a wine trader who raised his young nephew, Manuel Gonzalez Angel after Manuel’s father died leaving a wife and seven children. Manuel himself later became a prominent exporter of sherry and his cellars were frequented by his benefactor who was particularly partial to one barrel of fino. Delighting in this, Manuel had the words “Tio Pepe” branded on the butt ensuring that it would always be available for when his uncle visited. However, news spread quickly and soon everyone wanted to dip into Uncle Joe’s reserve. There was only one solution - the rest is history. Today annual production has soared to a staggering nine million bottles!

    Tasting note: Made from 100% Palomino grapes and aged for an average of seven years using the traditional Solera system. Deep pale golden colour. Pungent bouquet with yeast dominating. The perfectly balanced palate is full and round displaying mixed nuts and attractive flor yeast character. Very dry, crisp clean finish that lingers long in the mouth. Remains a classic in its genre as an ideal aperitif. Serve chilled with shellfish.

    • Nick's Import
    • Reduced
    Tio Pepe Fino Sherry (1000ml)
    Jerez, SPAIN
    Reduced from $32.99
    $19. 99
    Bottle
    $239.88 Dozen
    ABV: 15%
    Closure: Cork

    SPECIAL DIRECT IMPORT PRICING -
    NOW $19.99 for a 1 LITRE bottle!

    The world’s best-selling Fino, uncompromisingly dry, always served cold, fantastic with food – especially savoury nibbles such as Jamon Iberico, chorizo, olives, nuts, Manchego cheese and bread and oil.

    The story behind Tio Pepe, one of the world's great fino sherries is a colourful one.Translated, “Tio Pepe” means “Uncle Joe.” Joe was a wine trader who raised his young nephew, Manuel Gonzalez Angel after Manuel’s father died leaving a wife and seven children. Manuel himself later became a prominent exporter of sherry and his cellars were frequented by his benefactor who was particularly partial to one barrel of fino. Delighting in this, Manuel had the words “Tio Pepe” branded on the butt ensuring that it would always be available for when his uncle visited. However, news spread quickly and soon everyone wanted to dip into Uncle Joe’s reserve. There was only one solution - the rest is history. Today annual production has soared to a staggering nine million bottles!

    Tasting note: Made from 100% Palomino grapes and aged for an average of seven years using the traditional Solera system. Deep pale golden colour. Pungent bouquet with yeast dominating. The perfectly balanced palate is full and round displaying mixed nuts and attractive flor yeast character. Very dry, crisp clean finish that lingers long in the mouth. Remains a classic in its genre as an ideal aperitif. Serve chilled with shellfish.

    • 92
    • 94
    • 92
    Valdespino Inocente Fino (375ml)
    Jerez, SPAIN
    $22. 99
    Bottle
    $275.88 Dozen
    ABV: 15%
    Closure: Cork

    Other Reviews...
    The NV Fino Inocente must be one of the few wines in Jerez that is still fermented in 600-liter American oak botas, which is an incredible amount of work compared with fermenting tens of thousands of kilos of grapes (or even more) in a big stainless steel tank. This method was the norm of yesteryear, but is so labor intense that it was discontinued in most wineries, and gives a big diversity of wines, as each barrel has its own character, which contributes to the complexity of the blend. Furthermore, the bottled wine is on average 8 to 10 years old. One other thing that makes it apart from other Finos is that the grapes are exclusively from the high part of the Macharnudo vineyard, so this is a single-vineyard Fino. The nose is very complex, showing the effect of the long lees contact: chalk, dried hay, aromatic herbs and salty almonds. The palate is full, but at the same time elegant and balanced, powerful and fine, with the texture of a Meursault rather than a Puligny. A very complex wine, that manages to be both powerful and elegant. Inocente is great value for money. Drink 2013-2016.
    I’ve often called Valdespino “the Romanee-Conti of Jerez.” Well, there, I’ve said it. To me they represent quality and tradition at the very top of the Sherry hierarchy. The winery, soleras and brands are old, registered in 1875, but with documentation about their commercial and winegrowing activities going back to the 13th century. Their recent history starts in 1999, when Jose Estevez purchases the company from the Valdespino family. Today Valdespino is the jewel in the crown of the Grupo Estevez, which also includes Real Tesoro and La Guita, who stock and age 35,000 botas of Sherry and own 800 hectares of vineyards, 56 of which come from the Pago Macharnudo, on pure white albariza soil, one of the best vineyards in the Marco de Jerez, and 17 hectares from the heart of Macharnudo are still fermented in bota today and form the core of brands like Inocente, Tio Diego, CP or Cardenal. All the wines were carefully and slowly moved to the new facilities of the Grupo Estevez on the outskirts of Jerez, where they continue their development under the supervision of Eduardo Ojeda, technical director, winemaker, who as a wine-lover is very aware of his role preserving these old soleras, wines and traditions.
    94 Points
    Luis Gutiérrez - Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate (August 2013)

    High-pitched, featuring talc, chamomile, chalk and jicama notes, followed by a pure, stone-tinged finish. Very graceful, lacy and long. Drink now. 2,500 cases made.
    92 Points
    James Molesworth - The Wine Spectator (October 2013)

    A complex, fresh fino that has aromas of dried wood, hazelnuts, apples and smoked nuts. The palate offers a smoothly rendered, fresh and seamless delivery of savory, creamy style. Finishes fresh. Drink now.
    92 Points
    JamesSuckling.com (December 2020)

    Vinhos Barbeito Boal Reserve Velha 10 Year Old Madeira
    Madeira, PORTUGAL
    $89. 99
    Bottle
    $1079.88 Dozen
    ABV: 19%
    Closure: Cork

    Vinhos Barbeito are one of the most forward-thinking companies on Madeira as well as being one of the youngest, being founded in the 1940s by Mário Barbeito. Barbeito are attempting to redefine the popular notion of Madeira to a generally slightly drier, more food-oriented wine. As well as careful selection, long ageing and the absence of caramel, the wines are not de-acidified, so they retain much more freshness and tang than many Madeiras. At this level, Barbeito are leading the way in making complex, fine Madeiras as naturally as possible.

    Boal is a medium rich wine amongst the range from Barbeito, and is excellent as a digestif, or to match with richer dishes such as Christmas pudding, Foie-gras, chocolate, candied fruits and cheese. You should serve this at 13-14 degrees celsius, and can be kept in a cool place for several months after opening. As this is filtered it does not require decanting.

    • 98
    Vinhos Barbeito 10 Y.O. Old Reserve Malvasia Madeira
    Madeira, PORTUGAL
    $89. 99
    Bottle
    $1079.88 Dozen
    ABV: 19%
    Closure: Cork

    An exceptional taste experience, which does not come cheaply. Made from the Malvasia grape, the wines have been aged for ten years in French Oak. Deep caramel colour, with sienna brown overtones and deep green olive edges. Superb aroma of toffee, caramel, roast nut and rancio, followed by hazelnut endnotes. Mouthfilling – powerful concentrated flavour of toffee, caramel, honey and old spirit, with strong rancio background. Exceptional length, perfect balance with very long aftertaste of honey, toffee and caramel.
    ONLY 12 BOTTLES AVAILABLE.





    Click here to learn more about Madeira

    • 95
    2005 Warrabilla Reserve Vintage Port
    Rutherglen, Victoria, AUSTRALIA
    $24. 99
    Bottle
    $299.88 Dozen
    Cellar: 10 - 10 Years (2024-2024)
    ABV: 19%
    Closure: Cork
    Produced from Durif grapes. Outstanding impenetrable midnight black colour with a very deep black crimson hue. Scents of liquorice, black cherry and black plum arise from the glass followed by some raisin and light leather nuances. On the palate rich morello cherry and liquorice flavours combine with beautifully integrated fine old brandy spirit finishing with a touch of raisins and some spice. Dryish finish with solidly built but very fine grained tannins. Long morello cherry, liquorice, spicy fine brandy spirit and raisin aftertaste.
    Cellar 10 plus years.
    Alc 19%
    • 94
    Warrabilla Archers Old Tawny
    Rutherglen, Victoria, AUSTRALIA
    $21. 99
    Bottle
    $263.88 Dozen
    ABV: 18%
    Closure: Stelvin
    This tawny is based on a 2002 Cabernet Tawny Port with some aged brandy spirit derived from the wine being aged in some really old Tarac brandy barrels.
    Semi translucent dark red sienna brown colour with onion brown hue. The nose displays aromas of raisins and marzipan followed by some Christmas cake, almond and old brandy spirit. Rich luscious raisin and marzipan flavours are intermixed with honeyed Christmas cake like characters and some nuttiness on the dry finish. The brandy spirit is relatively well integrated although there is a touch of heat present. Long aftertaste of raisins, marzipan, honey and almond.
    Alc 18%
    • 95
    Warrabilla Reserve Muscat
    Rutherglen, Victoria, AUSTRALIA
    $37. 99
    Bottle
    $455.88 Dozen
    ABV: 18.5%
    Closure: Stelvin
    Deep dark red sienna brown colour with some green olive present around the rim. Aromas of honeyed raisins, fine brandy spirit, marzipan and light spice. Thick luscious texture with tremendous richness the palate features viscous flavours of raisins, honey, marzipan and toffee. Very well integrated fine brandy spirit with long luscious aftertaste of raisins, honey, marzipan and toffee.
    Alc 18.5%
    • 97
    2006 Warrabilla Reserve Vintage Port
    Rutherglen, Victoria, AUSTRALIA
    $24. 99
    Bottle
    $299.88 Dozen
    Cellar: 10 - 15 Years (2024-2029)
    ABV: 19.5%
    Closure: Cork

    Warrabilla’s vintage ports are produced from 100% Durif grapes. Winemaker Andrew Sutherland Smith explains his preference for the variety in vintage port production with his typical eloquence.

    “Both the 06 and 05 are very dry style (around 3 Be) massive big 100% Durif wines with mountains of colour, and huge tannin structure. I’m not a fan of the modern day Australian VP style (which is actually a poor copy of a Portuguese Ruby), using Portuguese varieties. Issue being the Portuguese get a choice of thousands of vineyards, we have a handful of vineyards planted to these varieties, and just maybe they are in the right spot. Probably not! I remember the Gayfer Durif Vintage Ports that were made at Chiltern from Durif (and the Fairfield ones at Rutherglen I played with in the 90’s). These are Australia’s answer to true Vintage style. Colour/flavour/Tannin. End of rant!”

    Totally opaque inky black dark red colour with black dark red hue. The nose has a shade more intensity than the 2005 vintage with aromas of morello cherries, black cherries and liquorice emanating from the glass. Nuances of marzipan, light leather and spice follow. Rich and very concentrated with perfect spirit integration the palate delivers mouthfilling morello cherry, liquorice and black cherry flavours that fill every corner of the palate followed by some marzipan vanillin characters and light spice. Firm solidly constructed tannins are virtually overwhelmed by the richness of fruit. Very long and powerful aftertaste of morello cherry, liquorice, marzipan, vanilla and spice.

    Cellar 10-15 years.

    • 91
    Williams & Humbert Walnut Brown Rare Sherry
    Jerez,
    $16. 99
    Bottle
    $203.88 Dozen
    Closure: Cork

    Walnut Brown is a rich sherry produced from Palomino, Pedro Ximenez and Moscatel. Deep sienna brown colour, with edges of onion brown and green olive. The nose is impressive, with aroma of raisins, toffee, treacle and an end note reminiscent of cold tea. Mouthfilling palate, with flavours of raisins, toffee and honey. Creamy texture followed by long aftertaste of raisins, toffee and treacle. Enjoy.

    RATING: 91/100

    Williams & Humbert Alegria Manzanilla Sherry
    Sanlucar de Barrameda, SPAIN
    $16. 99
    Bottle
    $203.88 Dozen
    ABV: 15%
    Closure: Cork

    Manzanilla Sherry is a fantastic summer drink. The higher the temperature climbs, the more refreshing these wines become. Served well chilled, Manzanilla is also a perfect match with fresh seafood, sushi and sashimi.
    Almost certainly this supremely dry, pale wine, which is made around and matured in the sea town of San Lucar de Barrameda, gets its name from a wine-producing village situated between Huelva and Seville, many miles further north. It is averred that the pleasant bitter/dry tang these sherries possess is due to the salt sea air which blows into the Sanlucar bodegas from the Atlantic, and that they lose this characteristic when matured inland. (The conjecture that the word “Manzanilla” has anything to do with small apples or crab apples is incorrect. “Manzanita” is the diminutive of apple, not man zanilla -though this word is Spanish for camomile, which again has nothing to do with the derivation.)
    15% Alc./Vol.
    No tasting notes available.



     Click here to learn more about Spanish Sherry.

    • 95
    Williams Humbert Dry Sack Medium Dry Sherry
    Jerez,
    $16. 99
    Bottle
    $203.88 Dozen
    Closure: Cork

    Dry Sack Sherry comes curiously packaged in its own brown hessian sack (not shown here). The sack packaging was added to the brand by Carl Williams in 1906, the second-generation director of Williams & Humbert, the producers of Dry Sack. Mr. Williams’ inspiration for this gimmick is somewhat of a mystery. In wine terms, the word “sack” has no real relevance to any particular style but probably comes from a sweet full drink that was known as “Sherris Sack”. Suffice to say, the bag has no purpose other than to catch the eye.

    The Williams Humbert Dry Sack is made from a blend of Amontillado, Oloroso and Pedro Ximinez sherries. Bright, tawny onion brown colour with green hue. Excellent nose, with aroma of walnut, salted almonds and flor yeast. The palate is a surprise with its distinct rancio character over layers of almond, walnut and yeast lees. Excellent length, with just a hint of salt re-emerging on the back palate, followed by a very long yeast lees, rancio aftertaste.
    Drink (2002)
    Alc/Vol: 19.5%

    RATING: 95/100

    VALUE: XXXX/5

    • 99
    Yalumba 50 Year Old Museum Release Tawny Port (375ml)
    Barossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA
    $150. 00
    Bottle
    $1800.00 Dozen
    Closure: Cork

    Tasted: 6/4/2001: This is a very rare wine with only 20 cases available. Made shortly after the end of World War II, the wine is a historical treasure and drinking the wine is a journey back in time. Made from Shiraz, Grenache, Dolcetto Mourvedre and Muscadelle grapes. The colour of the wine reveals its age immediately, with its translucent caramel and green olive hues. The nose is magnificent with very intense aromas of marmalade, raisins, fine old brandy and powerful rancio character. Wonderful, wonderful sniffing! The palate is an explosion of flavours dominated by caramel and toffee over a very powerful rancio background, intermeshed with flavours of old brandy and marmalade. Incredible depth and intensity. Clean spirit finish followed by exceptionally long aftertaste. A superb experience. (375ml bottle)
    99 points 

    Robert Parker Review:
    Yalumba is a fabulous source of antique fortifieds that often sell for a song. The non-vintage Museum 50 Year Old Antique Tawny is spectacular. Readers who love the smell and taste of maple syrup, melted caramel, toffee, and pruny, berry fruit will adore this fragrant, medium amber-colored, full-bodied, unctuous, fortified treasure. None of these Australian fortifieds improve in the bottle, but they rarely change and can be kept for a long time. Once opened, they should be consumed within 4-7 days.
    (Notes Sourced from Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #155)
    ROBERT PARKER'S RATING: 98 points