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2022 Alamos MalbecMendoza, ARGENTINA$16. 99Bottle$203.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2023-2027)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinAlamos is the entry level label for Argentinian giant Catena offering the best of Mendoza’s high altitude vineyards at an incredible price. Grown on foothills of the Andes Mountains at elevations of 3,000 to 5,000 feet, the intense sunlight, cool evening temperatures and mineral-rich irrigation from melted mountain snow translates to a rich wine with intense flavour characteristics.
Inky black heart with a bright dark red black tinged hue. Delightful violet, blueberry, plum and liquorice scents sail from the glass trailed by some dried herb and earthy incense like notes. Rich ripe blueberry, liquorice and plum fruits slide effortlessly across the juicy palate underscored by spicy dried herbs and earthy incense infusions. Polished fine grained tannins. Showing ample freshness it concludes with a gorgeous succulence.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
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2022 Alamos TorrontesSalta, ARGENTINA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: Drink now (2023)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinAlthough Malbec and Mendoza are the best known names in Argentine winemaking, Torrontés is taking centre stage a few hundred miles to the northwest, in the Cafayate region of Salta. It is believed that varietal was brought to the country by Spanish Jesuits in the 18th century. Torrontés is found in the world’s highest vineyards, resting at 5,000 to 6,000 feet above sea level in Argentina. The high altitude growing conditions translate beautifully to bright floral aromas and delightfully crisp acidity in the wine.
Brilliant water like colour with greenish tinged edges. Intense lime zest and Granny Smith apple scents infused with fresh herbs leap from the glass followed by some lychee and saline mineral like notes. Scrumptious lime, green apple and lychee flavours engulf the mouth with infusions of fresh herbs and flinty mineral characters adding further nuance. Excellent concentration with a dry finish and crunchy acidity leading into a long zesty aftertaste.
Drink now.
Alc. 13% -
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2020 Alheit Vineyards Cartology Chenin Blanc SemillonWestern Cape, SOUTH AFRICA$79. 99Bottle$959.88 DozenABV: 13.3%Closure: CorkCartology means the study of maps or charts and the wine itself can be seen as a vinous map or tapestry of the Cape. It’s intended to be a picture of the Cape seen through the lens of her old vineyards in a given vintage. The cuveé is composed of parcels of mature dryland bushvines of heritage grapes, namely Chenin Blanc (93%) and Sémillon (7%). The Chenin comes from parcels in the Skurfberg, Perdeberg, Upper Blaauwklippen, False Bay and Tygerberg. The Sémillon comes from the old La Colline block in Franschhoek.
The grapes were hand sorted and whole bunch pressed. The resulting juice was very lightly settled with no additions and wild fermented in either cements eggs, clay pots, foudres or old barrels of various sizes. After fermentation the wine was kept on lees for around twelve months, then rested in tank on fine lees without fining for a further six months prior to bottling.Other Reviews....
The 2020 Cartology is blended with 7% Semillon and is essentially an amalgam of Alheit's vineyards, whole bunch pressed and kept on the lees for 12 months. It has a very different nose compared to the "Hereafter Here": more minerality, touches of white tea and broom filtering through the citrus fruit. The palate is very harmonious, spicy and focused, gently building in the mouth towards that finish with a dab of saffron and stem ginger. Wonderful persistence and just a wine that grabs you, demands attention. This is simply outstanding. Drink 2023-2040.
95 points
Neal Martin - VinousThis racy white delivers macerated raspberry and apricot fruit accented by delicate dried chamomile and milled white pepper notes. Light- to medium-bodied, with a backbone of rapierlike acidity wrapped in a honeyed, lightly mouth-coating texture. Minerally finish. Chenin Blanc and Sémillon. Drink now through 2027. 972 cases made.
92 points
Wine Spectator -
- 89
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2020 Alheit Vineyards Hereafter Here Chenin BlancWestern Cape, SOUTH AFRICA$59. 99Bottle$719.88 DozenABV: 13.7%Closure: CorkThe maiden vintage of Hereafter Here (intentionally similar sounding to year after year, denoting the passage of time) is based on two young vine blocks in Stellenbosch. The main contributor is the Baby Duck vineyard, planted on granite soils on a gentle southern slope in the Polkadraai Hills ward, while the second vineyard is planted in the Upper Blaauwklippen Valley on deep red soil.
The grapes were hand sorted and whole bunch pressed. The resulting juice was very lightly settled with no additions and wild fermented in old barrels of various sizes. After fermentation, the wine was kept on lees for around twelve months, then rested in tank on fine lees without fining for a further six months prior to bottling.Other Reviews....
The 2020 Hereafter Here comes from vines under 10 years augmented by some lots from Alheit's other vineyards. It has a fragrant nose with yellow plum, almond and vanilla - very seductive. The palate is well balanced with a lightly spiced entry, a little honeyed in texture with ginger and orange rind towards the finish. Lovely, though perhaps a couple of paces behind Alheit's other label. Drink: 2022-2032.
89 points
Neal Martin - VinousThis silky white offers a mix of vanilla, orange curd, poached apricot and lanolin notes, which show good integration with a refreshing streak of salinity and well-cut acidity. Long and expansive on the lively finish, echoing the fruit notes and exuding a rich hint of toffee. Drink now through 2027. 753 cases made.
91 points
Wine Spectator -
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2020 Alheit Vineyards Hemelrand Vine GardenWestern Cape, SOUTH AFRICA$74. 99Bottle$899.88 DozenABV: 13.1%Closure: CorkHemelrand Vine Garden is a white field blend that changes every year depending on the vintage conditions, as the idea behind is to bottle a wine just as the vineyard produces it. The Hemelrand vineyard, situated on the Hemel & Aarde Ridge at 360 meters above sea level on gravelly clay and Sandstone, was planted in 2010 to Chardonnay, Roussanne, Verdelho, Chenin blanc and Muscat Blanc a petit grain. As mentioned, the proportions of the different grapes produced significantly varies each vintage. The 2020 release is composed of 32% Chardonnay, 25% Roussanne, 25% Chenin, 13% Verdelho and 5% Muscat.
The grapes were hand sorted in the vineyard and whole bunch pressed. The resulting juice was very lightly settled with no additions and wild fermented in old barrels of various sizes. After fermentation, the wine was kept on lees for around twelve months, then rested in tank on fine lees without fining for a further six months prior to bottling.Other Reviews....
The 2020 Hemelrand Vine Garden comes from a field blend albeit planted in rows that makes it easier to manage. It is aged on the gross lees for 12 months. It has a wonderful bouquet with yellow plum, honeysuckle and a very slight petrolly scent, all supremely well defined. The palate is very well balanced with a saline entry, fine tension with a pithy, lightly spiced finish that lingers with touches of stem ginger and fennel. Maybe my pick of Alheit's 2020s? This is a profound white Rhône blend that will be fascinating to watch age in bottle. Drink: 2023-2038.
95 points
Neal Martin - VinousA vivid white, revealing rapierlike acidity enmeshed with flavors of white raspberry and peach, dried thyme and pickled ginger, with minerally stone and saline accents. Tightly meshed and linear, but opens nicely on the palate, layering the fruit character with a rich hint of graham cracker on the juicy finish. Chardonnay, Roussanne, Chenin Blanc, Verdelho and Muscat. Drink now through 2030. 687 cases made.
92 points
Wine Spectator -
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2022 Allegrini Corte Giara Pinot GrigioDelle Venezie, ITALY$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2023-2025)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinThe Corte Giara range is an offspring of the famous Allegrini family in the Valpolicella region. Together with a few select winegrowers, they created a concept centred around modern and eclectic wines, representing great value for money, with international varietals through to Amarone, Recioto and other classic wines of the Veneto region.
Brilliant pale straw colour with a watery hue. Nosing reveals lifted scents of pear and red apple followed by a faint whiff of honeysuckle, musk and wet stone notes. Generous mouthfeel with delicious pear and red apple fruits gliding across the palate with a silken texture. Subtle dried honey and wet stone characters linger through the back half. Excellent intensity finishing dry, fresh and moreish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 95
2015 Amrut Single Cask #3897 Australian Exclusive Ex-Oloroso Sherry Butt 7 Year Old Single Malt Indian Whisky (700ml)Bangalore, INDIA$199. 00Bottle$2388.00 DozenABV: 60%In countries of warmer climes you don't have to wait too long for good whisky to mature. That doesn't mean great whisky is easily come by. Every barrel is different. Only a handful attain a singular classification - and that's if you can find and bottle them at just the right time. When Amrut's Head of Distilling, Ashok Chokalingam visited with a sample of 'Sherry butt #38977', it was clear it had become something of a pet project. Mollycoddled until the end, he didn't want to filter the whisky but didn't want all of the sediment either, so he 'dripped in' the required amount of water to cut it to 60%, one drop at a time over three days. The water pulled the sediment to the bottom and the liquid was syphoned into bottles. Utmost care was taken to retain all of the fats and oils that would have been lost via filtration, which is what gives this such a terrific mouthfeel. The rest is down to an extraordinary barrel. One taste and it dawns on you why Ashok and the importers fell in love with this particular cask: Sherry almost hits perfection. The aroma opens with classic Oloroso notes of fig and raisin before roasted nuts and cocoa become palpable as the fruit sweetness fades. The flavour explosion happens in slow motion, with Oloroso carried on a wave of creamy malt, capped off by mixed peels, orange chocolate, leather, walnut cake and a fanfare of allspice. A biscuity-saline edge adds interest (possibly from the lightly peated barley) before the sherry gets a second wind, significantly extending the aftertaste. Not only encapsulating the general excellence of this distillery, Butt #3897 demonstrates how some single casks - regardless of age - justify a premium when they outperform bottlings with much bigger age statements. Filled in July 2015 and decanted in December 2022, 216 bottles are on offer exclusively to Australia. 60% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
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Amrut Spectrum 004 Single Malt Indian Whisky (700ml)Bangalore, INDIAReduced from $240.00$199. 99Bottle$2399.88 DozenABV: 50%If you like old-fashioned Edradour, Glengoyne or heavily sherried malts of similar ilk, this Indian flavour-bomb is sure to put a smile on your face.
Another innovation from Amrut. If you've not heard about it yet, Spectrum has been talked up as "pushing the boundaries" even "History making" - in short, one of the world's most innovative takes on the spirit to date. It's an imaginative experiment in maturation that's seen Amrut's spirit aged in reconstituted barrels composed of different oaks. The 004 release was originally limited to 1800 bottles in 2017. It's closer to 6000 bottles now. That's still tiny by global standards meaning it will continue to be hard to get. Once again, it's a combined stave cask including new American Oak (char #3), new French Oak (lightly toasted), ex-Oloroso Sherry and ex-Pedro Ximenez Sherry. Due to copyright issues, the Bond-themed “004” subtitle has been covered up on the packaging this time around. We have a small allocation.
From the first sniff, our tasting revealed a sherry extravaganza, boasting all of the baking spices, fruit cake and dense malt notes that are typical of the most expressive in this genre. Combined, they give it an almost Amaro-like aroma, and while the initial entry is low-definition, Spectrum balances the equation in a finish that is impossibly wound-up, sweetly oaky and drenched in fruity sherry, exotic spices and bitter peel with an aftertaste that lasts for close to a minute. If your preference is for older Edradour, Glengoyne or even well-aged Demerara rums, this should be one of the easiest buying decisions of the year. Our 50ml sample benefited greatly from air contact, so we recommend pouring a glass and returning to it over several hours.
Mark Gillespie from www.whiskycast.com explains the original concept: "...the Indian single malt was originally matured in Amrut’s Bangalore warehouse in ex-Bourbon casks for three years. Then, in an experiment that could only be described as Frankenstinian in nature, five separate finishing casks were created at an undisclosed location in Europe from new American oak, new Spanish oak, and new French oak, along with previously used Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso. Staves from each cask were then removed and replaced with staves from each of the other four casks to create five complete casks with five different types of wood in each one. The barrels were then taken to Bangalore, where the whisky was filled into them to mature for an additional three and a half years before bottling."
To quote Ingvar Ronde, Editor of Sweden's Malt Whisky Year Book, Amrut Spectrum is, “One of the most innovative whiskies I´ve tried in a long time and one of the best this year... I can´t remember when I last experienced such a complexity of flavours in one whisky and at the same time, everything was in balance. I got coffee, chocolate, tobacco, cinnamon, cardamom, clove, orange preserve, sandalwood, walnuts, pecans, stracciatella and cocoa. This is pushing boundaries and whisky making at its best and I love it!”
Other reviews... The sherry is a bit more concentrated on the nose than the 2017 release, with brighter, punchy notes of stewed dark fruits and almond paste. While its predecessor showed more sultry, damp oak and smoke, this is definitely more fruit-forward and lively with secondary notes of fresh ground clove, coffee beans, and rose oil. The palate reflects a similar contrast with a more youthful and sweet sherry character. Layers of rum raisin, berry jam, orange oil, and dark roast coffee ride atop an oily, vibrant body. A gentle warmth builds into the syrupy finish, which sees a bit of astringency as all those different oak influences battle for your last bit of attention, teasing for the next sip with notes of candied citrus and stone fruit. While I prefer the 2017 bottling, which was a bit more balanced on the sherry front, this latest release is still a worthy addition to the Spectrum lineage. - drinkhacker.com
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2021 Santa Cristina ToscanaTuscany, ITALY$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2023-2027)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinA delicious entry level blend from Antinori produced from Sangiovese, Merlot, Syrah and Petit Verdot.
Totally opaque black dark red colour with a youthful looking purple red hue. Nosing offers up aromas of red currant and red cherries which combine with dusty earth and spicy fresh herb notes. Savoury and generous, ripe red currant and red to dark cherry fruits carry good flesh over an inky earth, fresh herb and spice back drop. Slightly grainy tannins finishing with ample freshness and an expressive spicy red to dark fruited aftertaste.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 14% -
- Nick's Import
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Ardbeg Smoketrails Manzanilla Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1000ml)Islay, SCOTLANDReduced from $310.00$269. 99Bottle$3239.88 DozenABV: 46%The first edition in Ardbeg’s inaugural travel retail series. One litre, 46% NCF.
'Smoketrails' is the name for Ardbeg's new and first-ever collection of single malts exclusively dedicated to the travel market. Launched in late 2022 with annual batches in the pipeline, each edition will be a marriage of Ardbeg aged in American oak with Ardbeg matured in secondary casks sourced from around the world. This is the first edition, employing Manzanilla (dry) Sherry casks from Sanlúcar de Barrameda on Spain’s Atlantic coast. Light and fresh in style, Manzanilla sherries are aged close to the sea and are typically bone dry with a salty tang - well matched to Ardbeg's island profile.
Distillery Manager, Colin Gordon says, “For each Smoketrails release we’ll pack our suitcase and zig zag across the globe in search of new flavour adventures...With a unique batch code on this and future bottlings, we hope Ardbeggians will jump at the chance to get their hands on this delectable, collectable dram when they are on their travels.”
Ardbeg’s Master Distiller, Dr Bill Lumsden adds “In Ardbeg Smoketrails Manzanilla Edition, salty sea spray and deep, nutty notes mingle with pungent aromas of soot, dark chocolate and Brazil nuts. Clouds of pine and fennel fill the senses with notes of saddle soap and aniseed trailing gently behind. All I have to say to anybody who lays their hands on a bottle is… get ready for a smoky blast!” Available at selected airports around the globe, we've sourced a small parcel for Australian devotees who might otherwise miss out. 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... I've just seen that this one is still available in travel retail, for a price that's much lower than in regular shops. They were having dozens at Basel airport just last week, for example. It is a vatting of ex-American oak (Heaven Hill?) and ex-manzanilla casks. I remember some superb ex-fino Ardbeg around Feis 2005, but I'm not sure we've already tried some ex-manzanilla 'beg. But was Dr Bill's idea to add saltiness to saltiness? Let's see, while it's mentioned on the label that it should display some 'saddle soap'… Remember horses are another specialty of Jerez… Colour: straw. Nose: frankly, the territory of an (unsherried, ha) Ardbeg and that of some manzanilla are so close to each other that I'm finding this nose particularly tautological. Fresh walnuts shouting out, green apples and lemons, some chalk, a touch of mustard, sea spray, fresh almonds and chalk, then only a wee touch of mutton suet or something like that. Having said all that and while it's classic Ardbeg in my book, it is not really 'big'. Mouth: perhaps a little too much grittiness, fresh oak at first, making it bitterish (bell pepper, walnut skin), but also loads of salt, as expected. It feels young for sure. Cold ashes, lemon skin, tart cider apples, lemon jellybeans… I find it relatively simple, but Ardbeggy enough. Finish: rather long, still salty. Or, let's say it triggers a lot of saltiness. Walnuts and mustard in the aftertaste. Comments: now, what to do with a litre of this, if you've also got a bottle of the superior Ten in your cabinet? And I'm afraid I couldn't recognise any notes of saddle soap, but that is me. Don't get me wrong, it's some very good Ardbeg that we could quaff with langoustines on the shore of the Guadalquivir, in Sanlucar. 86 points - whiskyfun.com
Notes from the producers... Nose: Lemon peel. Gentle smoke, not too peaty, more bonfire than medical. Some fruity notes. Taste: Sweet, toffee notes, milk chocolate, then the citric notes from the nose are coming back. Smoke is rather gentle. Finish: Long. Now reconcilable peaty, yet sweet.
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Ardbeg Heavy Vapours Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Islay, SCOTLAND$250. 00Bottle$3000.00 DozenABV: 46%Ardbeg's latest annual offering comes with a curious title that's due to a production modification. Head of Whisky Creation, Bill Lumsden removed the purifier, which typically catches the heaviest vapours from the distillation process. The purifier is also responsible for Ardbeg’s balance between extreme peat and floral fruitiness. The resulting whisky is "all peat". In fact, Ardbeg says that it's their most full-blown expression ever with an intensity of flavour that's unmatched. A spokesperson for the brand describes the flavour profile as, "Defined by a distinctive pungent earthiness, aromatic clouds of dark chocolate, a billow of aniseed and cinnamon, and a lingering tang of sharp peppermint." Dramface.com add "According to an interview Lumsden participated in for WhiskyCast, the experiment which gave birth to this year’s release was conducted 12 years ago. Even allowing for time of year and the time taken to dump casks, blend, package and distribute, it’s safe to assume this bottling is at least 11 years old, given that Lumsden claims the experiment was only ever conducted in one batch." We've just received our allocation. The whisky's unusual conception is brought to life with accompanying graphics created by celebrated comic artist and illustrator, Dilraj Mann.
The nose is slightly reticent while the flavour profile leans towards smokey dark chocolate, oily malt, chimney soot and white pepper followed by a dried herbal quality. The aftertaste is ashy, drying, medium long and vaguely fruity in a mezcal kind of way. Like last year's Ardbeg Day release (Ardcore), Heavy Vapours is not quite as intense or complex as anticipated, although it does taste slightly more mature and feels like the texture is amplified, particularly at the finish where cured meats and a salt'n'pepper tang recall middle-weight Caol Ilas. In a word, more elegant than "extreme". 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... I don’t know enough about the role of the purifier in distillation to predict for myself how the lack of one might impact a finished whisky, but damn if I’m not willing to give it a try. So let’s sally forth. Reviewed here is the standard release at 92 proof. The Committee Release is bottled at 100.4 proof. Extremely light in color, even for Ardbeg, the whisky looks innocuous enough in the glass. The classic aroma of beach bonfire smoke of Ardbeg wafts immediately from the glass, tempered by light touches of milk chocolate, overripe fruit, and some salted caramel — though these are all difficult to parse in the wake of a moderately intense blast of peat. The palate does see a more complex complement of flavors coming into focus, including mint, a clearer tropical note — pineapples and some coconut — with plenty of ashy dustiness waiting in the wings. Strangely, all of this works together in a bizarrely compelling fashion, the peat becoming earthy and smoldering, any overt smokiness taking a back seat as fruity sweetness makes a stronger impact. A briny quality offers a surprising level of refreshment on the finish, pairing well with both fruit and lingering smokiness. For my money, this is considerably more classically balanced than the standard Ardbeg bottlings — though what exactly is meant by “balance” in the world of peated Scotch is open for interpretation. All told, this is a decidedly delicious representation of Ardbeg. I say take that purifier and throw it out, Bill! - drinkhacker.com
...More NAS and more stories. I mean, really, stories, about that purifier we keep mentioning here too, and a certain 'agent 46'.. There's a QR code on the presentation box and bottle that should have allowed us to follow that 'agent 46' but from France it seems that we're just led to the generic Ardbeg website. Anyway, this is young Ardbeg that's been distilled 'without' the purifier on, as many batches have in the past already, but this very one is supposed to be 'the most full-blown Ardbeg ever'. Let's check that now… Colour: very pale white wine. Nose: very pure and feeling ultra-young, totally on mash, smoked beer, green pears, stewed turnip, creosote, petrichor and our new favourite since we've tried some in the Schwarzwald only two days ago, topinambour (Jerusalem artichoke) eau-de-vie or Schnaps, which is very rooty and earthy indeed. Mouth: excellent, if a tad rough and probably immature. More Jerusalem artichoke and turnip, smoky mashes and washes, a feinty side indeed and then certainly more fruitiness (so much for the purifier been shunted). Apples, lemon liqueur, light honey (acacia), liquorice allsorts and a drop of pastis. A moderate saltiness and notes of sweet beetroot too. Finish: pretty longer, fruity and salty. Comments: did they not just invent peated pastis? As a matter of fact, it would take a lot of water with resolve and even desire (what?) but it's not really heavy, I'd have called it 'Mizuwari Reserve' or 'Islay Pastis' instead. Do the advertising agencies taste the products? 88 points - whiskyfun.com
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2020 Argiano Rosso di MontalcinoTuscany, ITALY$39. 99Bottle$479.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2023-2029)ABV: 14.5%Closure: Diam CorkMade from 100% Sangiovese from vines ranging in age from 12 to 22 years old with maturation taking place in French oak for a few months.
Dark red core with black shaded edges and a red hue. Delightful red currant and red liquorice aromas infused with rose petals drift out of the glass complimented by some earth, dried herb and spicy tobacco notes. Rich red currant and red cherry fruits show excellent intensity and flesh across the mid weighted palate with earthy dried herb, tobacco and spice characters also chiming in. Perfectly integrated, vibrant acidity and slightly grippy tannins provide the framework. Concludes long, supple and savoury with some rusticity adding further interest.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5% -
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2020 Argiano NC Non Confunditur Toscana RossoTuscany, ITALY$34. 99Bottle$419.88 DozenCellar: 4 - 5 Years (2027-2028)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinA blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 25% Sangiovese from younger vines this is a generously endowed baby super Tuscan. Aging took place in older French oak for just a few months. Totally opaque black dark red colour with a dark red hue. Fragrant ripe black currant and dark cherry aromas drift out of the glass followed by some dusty earth, tobacco and delicate spicy cedar notes. Rich blackcurrant fruit carries plenty of weight across the palate with notions of earthy cedar, tobacco and spice lying underneath. Firmish yet nicely integrated tannins provide a sturdy structure and robust feel to the long generously fruited conclusion.
Cellar 4-5 years.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews….
Blackberry with some asphalt and black-cherry aromas follow through to a medium body with firm, polished tannins and a crisp and clean finish. Cabernet sauvignon, syrah, merlot and a splash of sangiovese. Drink or hold.
92 points
JamesSuckling.com -
- 94
2020 Arnaud Lambert Terres Rouges Lieu-Dit Saumur ChampignySaumur, Loire Valley, FRANCE$42. 99Bottle$515.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2023-2028)ABV: 13.5%Closure: Diam CorkArnaud Lambert is considered to be one of the most talented winemakers in Loire regularly producing what are amongst the best wines in and around Saumur. Practicing bio-dynamic viticulture and bringing a Burgundian approach to his winemaking, his Cabernet Francs are perfumed, fresh and make for delicious drinking.
A 100% Cabernet Franc from vines averaging 45 years old planted on clayey-sandy silt over limestone (90cms below) with a warmer west facing exposition. 100% de-stemmed and fermented with partial whole berries with indigenous yeast in tank after separating free run and press juices with no SO2 for ageing and just 1 mg SO2 at bottling after 8 months in tank.
Totally opaque black dark red colour with a vibrant red purple hue. Alluring red currant and red cherry scents infused with aromatic herbs intermingle with violets, subtle tobacco and dusty earth notes. Mid weighted and charming, juicy red currant and red cherry fruits are delivered with ample intensity and fruit richness overlaying a back drop of fresh herbs, tobacco and spicy earth. Loaded with freshness it has fine grained tannins and concludes with a vibrant red fruited finish that’s very savoury.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
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2022 Artigiano GrilloSicily, ITALYReduced from $19.99$16. 99Bottle$203.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2023-2025)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinGrillo is a grape variety native to Sicily which traditionally was used for the production of Marsala. It’s a late ripening varietal, typically grown on bush vines, and needs a warm to hot climate to prosper – it is therefore no surprise that it has thrived on the sundrenched hills of Sicily for over 2000 years. More recently its potential for creating refreshing dry whites bursting with flavour has come to the fore.
Brilliant very pale straw colour with a glimmer of green skirting the edges and a watery hue. Lifted aromas of delicately spiced pear, lime and green apple are intermeshed with some fresh Mediterranean herb and slatey mineral notes. Sprawling across the mouth watering palate are crunchy lime and green apple fruits infused with a mix of Mediterranean herbs, wet slate and flinty minerals. Zesty acidity finishing long, dry and snappy.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
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2021 ATR Wines Chockstone Grampians ShirazGrampians, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$23. 99Bottle$287.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2023-2029)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinOwner and winemaker Adam Richardson has a wide and varied career in the industry, including most recently, chief winemaker for Treasury Wine Estates Americas and vice president of international winemaking for the major California-based The Wine Group. In these roles, Adam was fortunate enough to visit and produce wines from almost every major wine appellation around the world and by the end of his career saw his name on the back label of about 70 million bottles of wine!
Complexity aplenty in this rich yet savoury Grampians Shiraz.
Aged in selected older American and French oak barrels. Impenetrable inky black in colour with a deep dark red black hue. A mix of red to dark plum and liquorice scents infused with dried herbs sail through the olfactory senses with plenty of intensity followed by some smoked meats, fennel and peppered earth notes. Showing impressive concentration, richness and density the medium to full bodied palate is engulfed with dark plum and liquorice fruits which overlay a complex back drop of clove, fennel, smoked meats and peppered earth characteristics. Silky mid palate feel with a polished yet sturdy tannin structure. Possessing excellent power and depth it has a long plush finish that’s both highly savoury and peppery.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews….
This is where the fun starts. Silken texture, wild flings of spice, sweet/ripe cherry-plum fruit flavour and a long finish, replete with roasted nut, ripe fruit and savoury nuances. Grade A Grampians shiraz, open, sweet-fruited and accessible but with a lot going besides. Drink by 2030.
95 points
Campbell Mattinson – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 94
- Organic
2022 Bannockburn 1314 ChardonnayGeelong, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2023-2028)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinBannockburn’s 1314 Chardonnay is made from a blend of fruit grown on their organically farmed vineyards; the oldest vines planted in 1976, through to the most recent 2016 planting. The fruit was whole-bunch pressed and settled overnight with wild yeast fermentation in French oak hogsheads of which approximately 20% is new, followed by partial malolactic fermentation. The wine was left on lees unstirred for 8 months prior to blending and bottling.
Brilliant pale straw colour with greenish tinted edges and a watery hue. Aromas of white peach and pear combine with subtle dried honey, roasted almond and spicy nougat notes. The mid weighted palate features rich peach, pear and dried honey flavours over a delicate crème brulee, roasted almond and spicy nougat back drop. Creamy textured and beautifully balanced it finishes with a lick of freshness and a long, refined aftertaste.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
- 96
- Nick's Import
2013 Bauchet Saint Nicaise Vintage Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$120. 00Bottle$1440.00 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2021-2026)ABV: 12.5%Closure: CorkNamed after the 11th Bishop of Reims, Saint-Nicaise is Bauchet’s flagship Champagne. A 100% Chardonnay blend sourced from Premier Cru vineyards in the Cote des Blancs (Grauves) and the Montagne de Reims (Bisseuil), it’s aged for a minimum of 5 years before disgorgement.
Pours with a frothy white mousse that holds well over a pale straw, pale gold tinged base that has a fine persistent bead flowing through it. The nose presents a classic Champagne sniff with alluring scents of baked bread, yeast lees and toasty citrus like notes engulfing the senses. Brioche and subtle dried honey aromas ensue. Sculptured yet rich, citrus, yeast lees and baked bread characters form the core of the flavour profile which is underpinned by a spine of vivid acidity that lends tension to the long brisk finish. Adding complexity are notions of roasted almond, faint honeyed characters and a chalky oyster shell like salinity. Concludes long, crisp and chiselled.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 94
- Nick's Import
Bauchet Contraste Blanc de Pinot Noir Extra Brut ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$59. 99Bottle$719.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2019-2024)ABV: 12.5%Closure: CorkMade with a low dosage from 100% Pinot Noir, 25% being reserve wines, Contraste sees a minimum of 24 months ageing before being disgorged. Good foamy mousse with a pale straw, pale gold coloured base finely threaded by a very persistent bead. Rich, toasty yeast lees aromas merge into baked bread notes with subtle winter strawberry, citrus and brioche also evident. Slightly tighter and leaner as well as drier than the Origine, the palate features a complex flavour profile of oily baked bread, yeast lees, citrus, subtle toasty characters and pear within an elegant airy mouthfeel. Very dry, racy and tightly knit finish with a sculptured medium to long aftertaste.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 95
- 95
- 94
2020 Best’s Great Western LSV ShirazGreat Western, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2023-2029)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinInspired by the great Shiraz wines of the Northern Rhone in France, this wine contains Shiraz from the best elevated vineyards in Great Western and is co-fermented with a small amount of Viognier (2%). The viognier helps brighten the colour, lift the aromatics and polish the Shiraz flavours on the palate.
Very deep dark red black shaded colour with a dark red hue. Spicy plum and liquorice aromas are intermeshed with smoked meats, dried herb and peppered earth notes. Delicious plum, blueberry and liquorice fruits carry a succulent feel across the mid weighted palate and show excellent intensity. Notions of spicy clove, light honeysuckle and peppered dried meat characters line the back half. Silky smooth tannins concluding with great length, polish and refinement.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14%Other Reviews…..
A co-ferment with a small amount of viognier, brings forth a complex and fragrant wine. Viognier helps lift the bouquet in violet, anise, pepper and briar with black fruits and blueberry. The palate stretches out across the palate in fine, lithe tannins. Fabulous flavour concentration and deliciousness for the price. Drink by 2033.
95 points
Jeni Port – James Halliday’s Australian Wine CompanionAn elegant and beautifully structured shiraz with floral notes as well as subtle red berry and orange fruit, plus just a hint of spice. The very polished tannin structure drives this along at the long, cool and mineral finish. A blend of shiraz with a small amount of viognier. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
94 points
JamesSuckling.com -
- 95
- 95
2023 Best’s Great Western RieslingGreat Western, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2023-2031)ABV: 11.5%Closure: StelvinRiesling vines were first planted as part of Henry Best’s ‘Nursery Block’ vineyard in the 1860s. Subsequent plantings followed in 1944 (since removed), 1978 and 1998. Always very flavoursome and very age worthy, the Best’s Great Western Rieslings are renown for their beautiful balance, texture and aromatics.
The 2023 vintage was long and late with the first Riesling grapes being harvested in early March. This long cool vintage allowed fruit flavours to mature, while natural acidity was retained.
Brilliant water like core with highlights of green around the outskirts. The nose offers up a symphony of lime, red apple and orange blossom aromas which are trailed by hints of honeysuckle and delicate spice. Intensely flavoured, lime, red apple and mandarin fruits are underscored by zippy acidity with some honeysuckle and flinty mineral characters unwinding across the back half. Finishes dry to off dry with a long zesty aftertaste.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 11.5%
Other Reviews....
Victoria’s Great Western region is firmly established as one of the most consistent riesling growers (outside of traditional regions). Whiplash-fast out of the blocks, with its mix of citrus, apple and slate to the fore, this wine will coast through to 2034.
95 points
James Halliday's Top 100 Wines 2023 -
- 95
- 96
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- 94
Billecart-Salmon Brut Rose ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$149. 99Bottle$1799.88 DozenABV: 12%Closure: CorkA blend of 40% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir and 30% Pinot Meunier aged on lees for 36 months with the inclusion of 40% reserve wines.
A frothy white mousse holds well over a salmon pink coloured base that has a very fine and persistent bead flowing through it. Streaming out of the glass are delightful aromas of peach and strawberry which are followed by hints of brioche, yeast lees and ginger. Racy pear, strawberry and yeast lees flavours meld into subtle baked bread and mineral characters. The satiny textured mid palate counterpointed by crisp nervy acidity on the finish which lends a vividly refreshing effect to the long aftertaste.
Alc. 12%Other Reviews….
The NV Champagne Brut Rose is an attractive pale salmon hue, with a fresh perfume of wild strawberry, ripe peach, white and red flowers, a hint of tropical fruit, and grapefruit. The palate is rounded, with fruit up front and through the mid-palate, and it has a silky and fresh lift. There is a wonderful ease and drinkability to this wine, which delivers balance and finesse. Drink 2022-2037.
94 points
Audrey Frick – JebDunnuck.comBillecart-Salmon is one of my favorite Champagne houses, and their non-vintage Rose (Lot #L85547401905M) is a consistent winner. A delicate pink color is accompanied by gorgeous sweet cherry, strawberry, and mineral-like scents, assertive medium-bodied flavors, a delicate, crisp personality, and surprising depth as well as persistence. A beautiful berry character in the finish adds to this impeccable rose’s captivating style.
94 points
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate #162 (Dec 2005)Composed with 30 per cent from each of pinot noir and pinot meunier, and 40 per cent chardonnay. It has 40 per cent reserve wine, and spends three years on tirage. It is the go-to rosé for wine professionals, with nuances of juicy/poached red berry fruits, yet finishes dry and fresh.
96 points
James Halliday's Top 100 Wines of 2022 -
- 93
2021 Billy Button The Versatile VermentinoAlpine Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$24. 99Bottle$299.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2023-2024)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinThe Alpine Valleys region boasts a proud Italian community, many of them second or third generation who have followed their parents into crop growing. Tobacco used to be a significant industry here but as it declined, many took to growing grapes and as a result the area has a wide array of Italian grape varieties. The fruit for this Vermintino comes from the Ferraro Vineyard at Myrtleford. Growing this sun loving variety in a cool climate means that the fruit can be picked a little riper while still retaining good acidity. This results in a richer, more textural style.
Brilliant water like colour with a faint tinge of green around the outskirts. Elevated tropical fruit, lime and green apple scents infused with fresh herbs are followed by some stony mineral notes. Textural and intensely flavoured the mouth watering palate is laden with juicy pear, lime and green apple fruits which overlay a stony mineral back drop. Dry crisp finish with some spicy fresh herb infusions sneaking their way onto the long delicious aftertaste.
Drink over the next year.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 96
- 95
2021 Bleasdale Generations MalbecLanghorne Creek, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$26. 99Bottle$323.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2023-2029)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinBleasdale has been growing Malbec since the late 1800’s and produced the regions first Malbec table wine in 1961. Today they are one of the leading exponents of this variety. The fruit for their Generations Malbec was sourced from two estate vineyard blocks and two specialist growers with maturation taking place in a mix of new (10%) and seasoned French oak puncheons.
A delicious spicy red to blue fruit laden Malbec that has a refined, juicy feel.
Dense inky black in colour with a vibrant dark purple hue. Perfumed like scents of violets, dark cherries, red currants, red liquorice and blueberries sail out of the glass with some earthy incense, fresh herb and spice notes also evident. Rich red to dark cherry, red currant, blueberry and red liquorice fruits are layered across the mid weighted palate with a refined, juicy feel. Lying underneath are earthy incense characters and infusions of fresh herbs. Finishes fresh and spicy with a polished yet sturdy tannin structure. Concludes with a long delicious spicy red to blue fruit laden aftertaste.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14%Other Reviews….
This won gold medals at the Melbourne and Perth Royal Wine Awards, and the Royal Adelaide and Hobart Wine Shows, all in 2022. It has all the attributes of its Second Innings sibling, but is even more intense, with terrific line and length.
97 points
James Halliday – Australian Wine CompanionIt's like picking up a bunch of malbec grapes and chomping straight into them, such is the purity, the juiciness, the out-and-out grapeyness of this release. Earth, mulberry, loganberry and plum flavours swing persuasively through the palate here, the word authenticity whispered every step of the way. Stalk, violet and clove-like notes here are at one with the fruit. This wine seems unadorned in the best and most natural of ways. Drink by 2023.
95 points
Campbell Mattinson – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 96
- 95
2020 Bleasdale Frank Potts Cabernet BlendLanghorne Creek, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$31. 99Bottle$383.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2023-2029)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinThe founder, the highly inventive, industrious and resourceful Frank Potts (1815 - 1890), to whom this wine is dedicated, was a 19th century genius, and a pioneer who has been described as being “made of the right stuff and well worthy of the grand old land that gave him birth.” He arrived in Australia as a 21 year old, having set sail from Plymouth England, and landing late in 1836. By the 1860’s, he had planted the original 30 acres of vineyard on the banks of the Bremmer Creek. Potts was highly admired - “One meets with extraordinary characters through life, but I doubt whether his equal could be found. In appearance a stranger would take him to be a poor labourer, with a thin, spare figure and long unkempt hair and invariably wearing his shirt sleeves tucked up. Although a most uncouth-looking person, and yet this man is a perfect genius! There is not a single thing mechanical or otherwise undertaken by him which he does not succeed in...” So remarked Inspector Tolmer, who was later to become Commissioner of Police, South Australia. Frank was one of the first to recognise the benefits of red gum. After building several houses for himself, he made tools and a bullock dray to cut down and haul these massive timbers in order to construct a gigantic twin wine press and several enormous wine vats. He also created the irrigation system that's still in place today. What little spare time he might have had was spent building a piano and various race winning yachts!
Richly fruited yet wonderfully refined, finishing long and eloquent.
A blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Malbec, 7% Petit Verdot and 2% Merlot, with maturation taking place in French oak puncheons and hogsheads (25% new) for a period of 12 months.
Dense black as night dark red in colour with a deep dark red hue. Intense blackcurrant, mulberry and red liquorice scents sail through the olfactory senses followed by some dusty vanillin cedar, tobacco and spicy bay leaf notes. Richly fruited yet refined the mid weighted palate is blessed with red to black currant, plum and red liquorice flavours. Tobacco, spicy cedar and bay leaf characters sit underneath. Fine, polished tannins finishing long and eloquent. Top Gold at the 2022 Sydney Royal Wine Show.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14%Other Reviews….
A 76/15/7/2% blend of cabernet sauvignon, malbec, petit verdot and merlot. Bright, near vivid, crimson; an elegant cabernet-driven wine, with notes of cedar, cigar box and cassis on the bouquet and palate alike. It's medium bodied and lithe, an English gentleman's claret. Drink by 2030.
95 points
James Halliday – Australian Wine Companion -
- 94
Bleasdale Sparkling ShirazLanghorne Creek, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$23. 99Bottle$287.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2020-2025)ABV: 13.5%Closure: Diam CorkA multi vintage Sparkling Shiraz that contains reserve wines going back to 1997, Bleasdale freshening up the base blend every Spring by adding a portion of new vintage Shiraz to it. Fermentation takes place in open vats before maturation in a mixture of seasoned oak barrels and stainless steel tanks.
A plush, richly flavoured sparkling Shiraz.
A frothy purple tinge mousse shows good hold over a black dark coloured base wine that’s finely threaded by a nibble stream of tiny bubbles. Lifted blackberry, dark chocolate and liquorice scents combine with vanilla, light toast and traces of earth. Rich, full and satiny, the palate is awash with blackberry and liquorice fruits which create a luscious textural feel. Vanillin oak, subtle dark chocolate and earth elements also chime in. Excellent depth and concentration with a long succulent aftertaste. A great match for the Christmas Turkey.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
- 97
2010 Boll & Cie Grand Cru Extra Brut ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$150. 00Bottle$1800.00 DozenCellar: 5 - 6 Years (2023-2024)ABV: 12.5%Closure: CorkA Blanc de Blancs Champagne sourced from Grand Cru vineyards located in Oger and Le Mesnil-Sur-Oger. Spends a minimum 5 years on lees. A generous lacy white mousse sits over a pale straw to straw coloured base wine that has pale gold edges. Exceptionally fine bead showing great persistence. Pronounced yet refined aromas of baked bread and yeast lees tied to citrus and brioche hold sway over oily toast like characters and hints of honeyed cashew. Richly flavoured with an oily like textural feel yet simultaneously refreshing and vibrant, the palate is filled with oily baked bread and yeast lees characters underscored by subtlety honeyed toast, citrus and roasted almonds. Dry crisp finish. Superb length with a long oily baked bread, yeast lees, honeyed toast and roasted almond aftertaste.
Cellar 5-6 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 97
Boll & Cie Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2018-2024)ABV: 12.5%Closure: CorkA Blanc de Blanc (100% Chardonnay), multi-parceled Champagne from 3 different vineyards: Montgeux, Vindey and Mesnil sur Oger that spends a minimum 5 years on lees.
A fine, plentiful white mousse shows excellent hold over a pale straw, pale gold edged base wine that’s finely threaded by an exceptionally persistent bead. Wonderfully rich aromatics of oily baked bread, citrus and yeasty lees flow out of the glass followed by cashew, notions of dried honey and toast. The richness of the nose is reflected in the mouth with concentrated flavours of baked bread, yeast lees and citrus sitting over dried honey, brioche and roast nut like elements. Oily, creamy like textural feel finishing dry with refreshing acidity. Excellent power with a long oily baked bread, yeast lees, cashew, dried honey and roasted almond aftertaste. A rich, creamy Blanc de Blancs Champagne.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 98
- 98
- 98
- 95
- 97
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- 97
2014 Bollinger La Grande Annee ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$275. 00Bottle$3300.00 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2022-2030)ABV: 12%Closure: CorkPowerful and complex this is a stunning rendition of Bollinger’s La Grande Annee
A blend of 61% Pinot Noir and 39% Chardonnay sourced from 19 different crus, mainly Ay and Verzenay for the Pinot Noir whilst for the Chardonnay Chouilly and Oiry. Fermented entirely in aged oak barrels.
A fine, satiny mousse slowly recedes to reveal a pale straw gold tinged coloured base that has a nibble stream of delicate bubbles flowing through it. The nose is magnificent, complex aromatics of baked bread, yeast lees and brioche soar from the glass with cashew, subtle citrus, hazelnut and ginger ensuing. On the palate Bollinger’s hallmark richness and power are shaped by vivid acidity with mouth filling flavours of baked bread, citrus, yeast lees and cashew trailed by some brioche and almond like characters. Dry chalk tinged finish with a long airy yet sculptured aftertaste.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 12%Other Reviews....
Offering up complex aromas of crisp yellow orchard fruit, confit citrus, frangipane, walnuts, dried white flowers and subtle hints of iodine, Bollinger's 2014 Brut La Grande Année is medium to full-bodied, pillowy and vinous, with an elegantly fleshy core of fruit that's underpinned by racy acids and complemented by a pretty pinpoint mousse. Concluding with a long, chalky finish, this is a charming but precise Grande Année that's more giving and demonstrative than its immediate predecessor, the 2012, but which attains a very similar level of quality in a more challenging vintage—testimony to the serious viticulture that underpins Bollinger's contemporary excellence. Drink 2021 - 2045.
95 points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Mar 2022)The 2014 La Grande Année is stunning. In fact, it is one of the best recent editions I can remember tasting. What comes through most is the wine’s sizzling energy and tension, qualities that aren’t often associated with Bollinger, where the Champagnes tend to show more breadth and volume. In 2014, readers will find a Grande Année built on linear intensity and drive.
The 2014 is a blend taken from 19 villages, 61% Pinot Noir and 39% Chardonnay instead of the more typical 70/30 mix. For the second time in two decades (the first was 2007), Verzenay takes the lead in the Pinots over Aÿ, more or less an inverse from the norm. Verzenay, a north-facing village in the Montagne de Reims that saw less rain than Aÿ and most of the Vallée de la Marne, yields Pinots of energy more than volume. That, married with Chardonnays mostly from the Côtes des Blancs (predominantly Chouilly, Vertus, Oiry and Cramant), results in a truly magical Grande Année that will delight Champagne fans for several decades. I can’t recommend the 2014 highly enough. It’s a total knock-out. Disgorged: April, 2021. Dosage: 8 grams per liter. Drink 2024-2044.
98 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousRacy acidity drives this mouthwatering Champagne, enlivening the rich panoply of flavors. Features a fine and creamy mousse that's still a lively springboard for aromas and flavors of crème de cassis, glazed tangerine, roasted hazelnut, ground coffee, pickled ginger and white blossoms. Long and satiny, with minerally salt and chalk notes gaining momentum on the lasting finish. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Disgorged July 2021. Drink now through 2037.
97 points
Alison Napjus - Wine Spectator
With the hallmark Bollinger richness that is derived from fermentation in wood and a high percentage of Pinot Noir in the blend, this grand wine is ripe, full of apple and spice flavors. It is drinkable now, but still young. Keep until 2024.
97 points
Wine Enthusiast
This classic blend of pinot noir and chardonnay (61/39 per cent) is drawn from 19 crus, the base wine fermented in oak on tirage until disgorged October ’21. Superb wine, with ultimate balance between the robust pinot noir and airy freshness of the chardonnay; great length. Drink until 2024.
98 points
James Halliday's Top 100 Wines of 2022
The 2014 Champagne La Grande Annee Brut is 61% Pinot Noir and the rest Chardonnay, with 7 grams per liter dosage, and sees more fruit coming from Verzenay. I loved this wine last year, and it did not disappoint at this tasting either. Perfumed and mineral-tinged notes of saline and lemon custard lift from the glass, and it’s medium to full bodied on the palate, taking on a more focused and linear feel while remaining quite powerful, with salty minerality. I love the tension this brings, with a long, persistent spine of acidity, and it’s aging at a very slow rate. Drink 2024-2044. Disgorged in February 2023.
96 points
Audrey Frick - JebDunnuck.com -
- 95
2021 Bowen Estate Coonawarra Cabernet SauvignonCoonawarra, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenCellar: 6 - 8 Years (2028-2030)ABV: 14.3%Closure: CorkStill family owned and operated, this small Coonawarra vineyard has been evolving over the past 40+ years and now involves their daughter, Emma who has taken on the winemaking role whilst Doug is looking after the viticultural side of things. The Estate consists of 33 hectares of vines planted on the prized Coonawarra Terra Rosa soils. Established in 1972, the first vintage in 1975 was greeted with considerable enthusiasm.
Typically pitch black heart with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Pronounced red to black currant and mulberry scents escape from the glass followed by some vanillin cedar, light tobacco, graphite and a whiff of bay leaf. The palate continues the trend of recent vintages moving away from the black fruit zone of the flavour spectrum and more towards the red side. Mid weighted red currant and mulberry fruits carry ample richness and power yet are far from heavy. Vanillin cedar, tobacco, subtle earthy graphite characters and infusions of bay leaf lie underneath. Finishes with plenty of freshness, polished yet structural tannins and a long, elegant aftertaste.
Cellar 6-8 years.
Alc. 14.3% -
- 95
- 94
- Organic
- Biodynamic
2019 Brancaia Chianti Classico DOCG RiservaTuscany, ITALY$79. 99Bottle$959.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2022-2028)ABV: 14%Closure: CorkPodere La Brancaia is located in the heart of the Chianti Classico zone at Poppi in Radda with its vineyards planted on ideal south facing hillside locations at elevations of between 230-400 metres. Their Chianti Classico Riserva is a selection of their best Sangiovese along with 20% Merlot with the Sangiovese aged in tonneaux for 16 months and the Merlot in barriques.
Totally opaque dark red black colour with a dark red hue. Fragrant spicy dark cherry and red currant aromas meld into earth, tobacco, dried herb, dusty cedar and faint leather notes. Medium bodied red to dark currant and red cherry fruits stretch across the palate with earth, tobacco, dried herb, spicy cedar and leather characters adding complexity. Nicely integrated fine yet robust tannin structure with bright acidity and a long savoury, slightly rustic aftertaste.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14%Other Reviews….
This has a classic nose of sour cherries, redcurrants, lemon peel, bark and tomato leaves. Medium-bodied with tight-grained tannins and bright acidity. Fresh and light-footed, yet persistent, long and evolving. Very elegant. Drink after 2023.
94 points
JamesSuckling.com -
- 95
2018 Brand's Laira Blockers Cabernet SauvignonCoonawarra, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$17. 99Bottle$215.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2023-2029)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinEstablished by Captain Stentiford in 1893 the Laira Vineyards was purchased by Eric Brand and his wife Nancy in 1950. Throughout the 1950’s and 1960’s they sold their fruit to larger wineries before releasing the first Brand's Laira wine in 1966. Eric and his sons continued to produce wine at Brand’s Laira until 1994 when the McWilliam’s family purchased the property. Casella wines now own the vineyard.
A rich, expressive Coonawarra Cabernet that delivers exceptional value.
Midnight black heart with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Drifting through the nostrils are red to black currant and mulberry scents which intermingle with some subtle cedary tobacco and spicy bay leaf notes. Rich blackcurrant, liquorice and mulberry fruits show excellent depth and concentration across the mid weighted palate with notions of dusty vanillin cedar, tobacco, black olive and spicy bay leaf lingering through the back half. Texturally polished with seamlessly integrated, fine grained tannins, it finishes long, refined and generously fruited.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5% -
- 96
2021 Brockenchack Zip Line Single Vineyard ShirazEden Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2023-2029)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinA relative new comer to the Barossa wine scene, long time Barossa enthusiasts Trevor and Marilyn Hatch purchased an established vineyard in Eden Valley’s Keyneton region in 2007. The long time Sunshine Coast residents made many visits to the Barossa Valley over the years and fell in love with the wines so much so that they purchased the historic Tanunda Cellars bottle shop in the late 1990’s. Trevor also became involved in wholesale and retail sales of Barossa wines in Queensland. With a farming background in avocado and persimmon Trevor decided to combine this with his experience and knowledge of the wine industry and purchased a vineyard to produce his own wine. The property, a working vineyard for well over a century boasts what is believed to be some of the oldest Riesling vines in Australia - planted back in 1896. The Shiraz vines planted in in the 1930’s and 1950’s have previously supplied fruit that has gone into making Yalumba’s flagship Octavius Shiraz.
Resistance will prove futile to this plush, seductively rich and complex Eden Valley Shiraz.
The Zip Line Shiraz fruit comes from a mixture of vines planted in 1927, the mid 1980’s and some younger vines planted in 2008. Dense inky black heart with a deep dark red black hue. Captivating the olfactory senses are dark plum, liquorice and fennel aromas which are complimented by vanillin cedar, dried herb, hints of mocha and spice. Rich, concentrated and silky textured the medium to full bodied palate is saturated with cascading waves of dark plum and liquorice fruit. Notions of vanillin cedar, fennel and peppered dried herbs lend further interest. Boasting outstanding power, its plush and opulent, has cashmere like tannins and finishes long, sleek and lavish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5% -
- 94
2021 Bruno Rocca Trifole Dolcetto d’AlbaPiedmont, ITALY$34. 99Bottle$419.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2022-2026)ABV: 13.5%Closure: CorkFruit was sourced from Bruno Rocca’s estate vineyards that have an average age of 40 years old, located in the village of Barbaresco where the Trifole’ vineyard borders Rabajà. Maturation taking place in stainless steel.
Midnight black dark red core with a bright purple red hue. Emanating from the glass are fragrant aromatics of dark plum, raspberry and liquorice which meld into inky earth, rose petal and spice notes. Juicy dark cherry, freshly crushed blackberry and liquorice flavours intermingle with inky earth and spice characters. Chewy tannins and lively acidity combine to lend some light grip to the fresh, savoury aftertaste.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
- 94
2019 Bud Burst GSMBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$17. 99Bottle$215.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2021-2025)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinA blend of 46% Grenache, 44% Shiraz and 10% Mataro sourced from low yielding Barossa Valley vineyards. Each variety was fermented separately and then matured in a combination of new and seasoned oak hogsheads. Totally opaque dark red black colour with a dark red hue. Elevated dark plum, raspberry and liquorice aromas intermingle with dark chocolate and vanillin spice. Rich dark raspberry, liquorice and dark plum fruits have a plush feel with notions of earthy dark chocolate and spicy vanillin oak lying underneath. Good depth and power with velvety tannins and a long opulent conclusion.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 14.5% -
- 95
- 94
2021 Bull Lane Heathcote ShirazHeathcote, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$27. 99Bottle$335.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2023-2029)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinSimon Osicka (of Heathcote's longest running producer Paul Osicka) started Bull Lane Wine Company with his partner Alison Phillips in 2011. Simon has made wine both in Australia as well as France, Germany, Italy and Canada whilst Alison has extensive viticultural experience both in Australia and the United States.
Fruit is sourced from 8 rows from a single vineyard on the eastern side of the Mt Camel Range. This part of the vineyard is located half way up the hill where the red soil in less deep, which naturally reduces the yield.
Dense black as night heart with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Elevated scents of dark plum, liquorice and blackberry fill the nostrils with hints of choc mint, vanillin oak and spicy earth also evident. Rich succulent blackberry, liquorice, dark plum and dark chocolate flavours engulf the full bodied palate. Subtlety toasted vanillin oak, earthy fennel and spice characters lie underneath. Plush and opulently textured it possesses velvet smooth tannins and concludes long, deeply fruited and seductive.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5%
Other Reviews....
Very Australian aromatically, with red pastilles, peppermint after-dinner mint and menthol notes. Yet the tannins are svelte and plush, conferring class and an element of impressive refinement to what initially comes across as a burly, four-square wine. With that in mind, this is a large-framed wine of two parts: the Aussie attack and the burlesque finish, all satin velour and linger. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
94 points
JamesSuckling.com -
- 97
Cadenhead's Old Raj Dry Gin (700ml)$115. 00Bottle$1380.00 DozenABV: 55%Closure: Screw CapCadenhead's Old Raj Dry Gin is one of the most intensely flavoured Gins available on the market today. Gin lovers note, while Old Raj is bottled at 55%, and carries some heat, it is in harmony with the extra flavour that Raj offers. No doubt it will be too much for some.
"What's so impressive about this breathtaking gin is that from start to finish, the 110 proof acts only as a sublime foundation for the botanicals rather than as a star performer; as delicious and comely as I could ever imagine British gin".- F.Paul Pacault - 5 Stars, The Highest Recommendation. Tasting note: Distinctive, yet very pale straw coloured tinge. Heavy, penetrating aromas exude out of the glass offering an exotic amalgam of coriander seed, saffron, white pepper, tumeric and clove with some citrus zest notes adding freshness. A rich, clean, oily mouth feel delivers an enormous attack of saffron, coriander seed, aniseed and lemon tart carried by a spicy power wave, with the flavour profile reverberating into an exceptionally long, off-dry aftertaste of indian spices and lemon tart. This extraordinary offering guarantees a stunning Gin experience. 55% Alc./Vol.Other reviews... This is the lower-proof version of the classic Old Raj. Lovely, complex gin bouquet offers aromas of coriander, juniper, anise, orris root, ground pepper, lemon peel, lead pencil, earth and tree bark. Palate entry is creamy, fruity, spicy and minty; midpalate offers layers of botanical complexity over the core juniper taste. Finishes with a wonderful rush of mint and baking spice. Fabulous. (2/1/2009)
96-100: Classic/Highest Recommendation - www.wineenthusiast.comClick here to learn more about Gin.
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Caffo Vecchio Amaro del Capo Digestif Liqueur (700ml)ITALYReduced from $64.99$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenABV: 35%Giuseppe Caffo built his small distillery in 1915 with the intention of creating the finest liqueurs from native Italian aromatic fruits and medicinal herbs. Over the decades, the operation has expanded considerably while remaining owned and operated by the family, who still employ traditional production methods and adhere to the highest quality ingredients.
The company's 'del Capo' brand of Amaro is considered the premier expression from Calabria. While standard amaro ingredients include some combination of juniper berries, laurel leaves, ginger, orange peel, anise, mint, elder (sambuco), cardamom, saffron, gentian, cinchona, citrus zest, bitter orange, sage, angelica, licorice, chamomile, cloves and cinnamon, this particular blend employs 29 herbs and roots and is slightly less bitter than most Amaros. The intense, earthy notes of herb and quinine make it ideal as a refreshing aperitif or digestif.
Serve it on ice with a twist or mix with soda as a "Cola Calabrese". 35% Alc./Vol.Other reviews... Made using a mix of 29 Calabrian herbs and roots, this ruddy amaro is herbal and seductive, mixing root beer-like notes with honey and vanilla sweetness, all enlivened by a spicy accent on the finish. Versatile enough to mix into cocktails before dinner or to sip with dessert afterward. 94 points - wineenthusiast.com
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- 93
2021 Campos de Luz GarnachaSPAIN$16. 99Bottle$203.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2023-2025)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinThe Campos de Luz range of wines is sourced from the North East of Spain and aim to deliver highly flavoursome wines at a great price. Unoaked, this delicious Garnacha features a deep dark red black core along with a dark red hue. Elevated dark raspberry, black cherry and liquorice scents intermix with dried herbs, earth and spice. Medium bodied juicy dark cherry and dark raspberry fruits overlay dried cherries, Mediterranean herbs, earth and spice. Gently chewy yet fleshy mouth feel with slightly dryish tannins and a generously fruited spicy finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 13.5%Other Reviews…..
Grenache, or Garnacha when it hails from its home in Spain, has finally elevated itself from workhorse to superstar. This one is from the northeast provinces in Spain and we are told has been blended with some other Iberian varietals. Who doesn’t enjoy a mystery! Deep maroon in colour. Big and bold and oozing flavour, we have notes of black cherries, spices, dry herbs, blackberries, deep fruit aromas, chocolate and coffee grinds plus a hint of aniseed and some plummy touches. This is a little darker in fruit and flavours than many Grenache/Garnacha. Supple and sleek, there is quite bright acidity here, nice length and fine tannins. Delicious now and should remain so for the next four to six years. Great food style. Drink 2022-2028.
92 points
Ken Gargett – winepilot.com -
- 94
- Organic
- Biodynamic
2021 Cantina San Salvatore 1988 del Porconero FianoCampania, ITALY$24. 99Bottle$299.88 DozenCellar: Drink now (2023)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinFounded in 1988, San Salvatore is certified organic and has 23.5 hectares under vine.
Brilliant pale straw colour with a faint tinge of green around the edges and a watery hue. Aromatic scents of lime and green apple infused with fresh herbs drift through the nostrils followed by some wet slate and flinty mineral notes. Mouth watering lime, pear and green apple flavours have a rounded river stone like feel across the palate with wet slate and mineral characters lingering on the crisp, dry and highly scrumptious finish.
Drink now.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 94
2021 Cantina Santadi Villa Solais Vermentino di SardegnaSardinia, ITALY$24. 99Bottle$299.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2022-2023)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinCantina Santadi, from Sardinia’s southwestern coastal region known as Sulcis, was founded in 1960 as a cooperative of local growers. Under the guidance of Antonello Pilloni, Santadi has become one of Sardinia’s finest wineries today made up of more than 200 growers farming 600 hectares.
This Vermentino is made with 10% Nuragus, another local variety, and is matured for a few months on lees in stainless steel to provide the wine with an extra dimension of texture and flavour. A brilliant water like core is surrounded by a distinct greenish tinged outskirts. Jumping out of the glass are scents of lime and green apple infused with fresh herbs followed by some wet slate and mineral notes. Mouth filling flavours of freshly sliced pear, lime and green apple sit over a bed of fresh herb infusions and wet slate. Texturally full and concentrated it finishes dry with crisp acidity and a long scrumptious saline mineral like laced aftertaste.
Drink over the next year.
Alc. 13% -
- 97
- Biodynamic
2017 Castagna La ChiaveBeechworth, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$74. 99Bottle$899.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2022-2028)ABV: 14.5%Closure: Diam CorkA world class Sangiovese that’s rich, deep and savoury.
Biodynamic certified estate grown Sangiovese. Deep black dark red colour with a dark red hue. Emanating from the glass are spicy red currant and dark cherry scents which are complimented by earth, dried herb and leathery tobacco like notes. Rich and intensely concentrated with plenty of volume in the mouth, red to black currant, subtle liquorice and dark cherry fruits engulf the palate. Earthy tobacco, dried herb and spicy cedar characters ensue. Excellent drive with fresh acidity and a sturdy yet well integrated tannin structure lending a subtle chewy feel to the long expressive aftertaste.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5% -
- 95
- 92
2021 Catena High Mountain Vines ChardonnayMendoza, ARGENTINA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2023-2027)ABV: 13.5%Closure: Diam CorkFor over four generations, the Catena family has grown vines in the foothills of the Andes Mountains in Mendoza, Argentina. Laura Catena, great-granddaughter of winery founder Nicola Catena, is currently at the helm. Produced from a blend of four vineyards harvested at different times, this excellent fuller style Chardonnay is matured for 6-8 months in French oak barrels of varying ages.
A beautifully balanced Mendoza Chardonnay that delivers great value.
Brilliant pale straw to straw colour with a watery hue. Showing plenty of intensity out of the glass are aromas of ripe peach, honeycomb and crème brulee which are followed by hints of bacon fat and spicy nougat. Rich mouth coating flavours of peach, apricot, honeycomb and crème brulee wrap themselves around the palate with a voluminous feel. Excellent concentration with notions of bacon fat, nougat and wet stone elements also chiming in. Finishes with good freshness and a long creamy textured aftertaste.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13.5%Other Reviews….
Peaches, baked apples, apricot pie and lemon curd on the nose. Medium-bodied with fresh acidity and a creamy, succulent palate. Clean and fresh. Sustainable. Drink now.
92 points
JamesSuckling.com -
- 94
- 92
2020 Catena High Mountain Vines Chardonnay - Last StocksMendoza, ARGENTINA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2022-2026)ABV: 13.5%Closure: Diam CorkFor over four generations, the Catena family has grown vines in the foothills of the Andes Mountains in Mendoza, Argentina. Laura Catena, great-granddaughter of winery founder Nicola Catena, is currently at the helm. Produced from a blend of four vineyards harvested at different times, this excellent fuller style Chardonnay is matured for 6-8 months in French oak barrels of varying ages.
Bright pale straw colour with straw green tinged edges and a watery hue. The nose is filled with ripe peach, honeycomb and crème brulee scents which meld into some nougat and spice notes. Rich ripe peach, honeycomb and crème brulee flavours have a creamy textural feel with notions of citrusy nougat, traces of bacon fat and spice lurking underneath. Finishes with a nicely balanced freshness and a long mouth filling aftertaste.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13.5%Other Reviews….
Ripe peach, dried mango, dried jasmine and buttered toast. It’s full-bodied with crisp acidity. Concentrated layers of ripe and dried fruit and a vivid, subtly smoky finish. Drink or hold.
92 points
JamesSuckling.com -
- 96
- 96
- 94
Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$94. 99Bottle$1139.88 DozenABV: 12%Closure: CorkThis blend of 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Meunier is sourced from up to 60 different Crus in order to maximise complexity and is made up of 50% reserve wines, many of them more than 10 years old to provide additional richness. Pours well with a creamy white mousse and pale gold base wine colour. Very fine delicate bead showing excellent persistence. Refined aromas of yeast lees and brioche are overlaid by some toastiness with following notes of baked bread and cashew. Showing both richness and finesse the palate has seamlessly integrated flavours of baked bread, yeast lees and toastiness over some almond and brioche. Clean dry finish with a moderately creamy mouthfeel. Long aftertaste of baked bread, yeast lees, cashew and toasty brioche.
Drink this outstanding Champagne over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 12%
Other Reviews....
Charles Heidsieck might be nicknamed Poor Man’s Krug given the astonishing number of vintages in the reserve wines, their age (10 years in tank), and the seven years the wine spends on lees once blended and bottled. It is an exceptional wine in the mouth, supple, layered, complex and long.
96 points
James Halliday - Australian Wine Companion
Remarkable depth of mature aromas - tons of candied lemon peel, dried pear and brioche - plus wonderful textural richness on the palate make this stand out amongst the regular Brut NVs. Then comes the intense and very long, mineral finish to crown this prince of the category. Based on 2016 base wines, but with 52% reserve wines, almost a third of which were 10 to 20 years of age. Drink or hold.
94 points
JamesSuckling.com -
- 95
Charles Heidsieck Rose Reserve ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$130. 00Bottle$1560.00 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2018-2022)ABV: 12%Closure: CorkThis excellent Rose Champagne is typically composed of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay grapes from a single vintage which makes up 80% of the blend. The remaining 20% is made up of reserve wines with an average age of 5 years.
A salmon pink base, interspersed by an exceptionally fine and persistent bead, carries a buoyant lacy mousse well. On the nose delicate peach and winter strawberry aromas meld into elements of toast, yeasty baked bread and citrus notes. Very refined and long there’s a subtle creaminess to the winter strawberry, peach, toast, baked bread, yeast lees and citrus flavours. Crisp acidity lends itself to a dry refreshing finish. Long winter strawberry, peach, citrus, baked bread, light toast and yeast lees aftertaste.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 12% -
- 94
- Organic
- Biodynamic
2022 Chateau des Ferrages Roumery RoseProvence, FRANCE$24. 99Bottle$299.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2023-2025)ABV: 12.5%Closure: CorkFrom the Chapoutier stable this has to be one of the best value Provence rose’s on the market. Produced from a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah, Rolle and Clairette. Pale salmon pink in colour, alluring scents of peach, raspberry and pomegranate drift from the glass followed by some musk and wet stone notes. Slippery textured, delicious peach, raspberry and strawberry fruits make a beautifully rounded entrance onto the palate. Notions of musk and wet stone ensue. Dry and brisk it finishes long, silky smooth and ultra moreish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 94
- Organic
- Biodynamic
- Nick's Import
2022 Chateau Guiraud G Bordeaux Blanc SecBordeaux, FRANCE$36. 99Bottle$443.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2023-2028)ABV: 13%Closure: Diam CorkA certified organic Bordeaux blend of 50% Sauvignon Blanc and 50% Semillon fermented in old Sauternes oak barrels and aged for 7 months on lees to give the wine more volume and textural appeal. The fruit is primarily sourced from a vineyard that was planted to Sauvignon Blanc by accident around 40 years ago. (For their Sauternes, Guiraud were after a Semillon-heavy cuvee - too much Sauvignon Blanc was not considered the right balance for a sweet wine). Instead of selling off the Sauvignon or re-planting, Guiraud decided to create a special dry white and the “G” was born.
Brilliant pale straw colour with a glimmer of green around the outskirts and a watery hue. The nose presents a mix of herbaceous gooseberry, subtle pineapple, citrus, asparagus, pencil shavings and spice. Intense guava, lime, pineapple and gooseberry fruits overlay spicy pencil shavings and delicate herbaceous grassy elements. Beautifully rounded mid palate texture and volume finishing dry and brisk with a penetrating conclusion.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13%
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