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The best of the best at every price point from Australia's most highly curated online wine and spirits list.
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2022 Shiraz by FarrGeelong, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2024-2032)ABV: 14%Closure: Diam CorkThe Shiraz fruit comes from the original By Farr vineyard, planted in 1994. It lies on a north-facing slope, and the red volcanic soil has a base of limestone with deep-set sandstone. All fruit is hand-picked from the VSP trellising, with 20 per cent left as whole bunches in the fermentation. Most years between 2 and 4 per cent viognier is co-ferment with the shiraz. Fermentation is started by indigenous yeast, with the fruit macerating in the tank for 19 days before pressing. The wine is matured for 18 months in French oak (20% being new oak) and is bottled under vacuum.
Deep black dark red colour with a vibrant dark red hue. Sailing out of the glass are aromas of red plum and red liquorice infused with a combination of smoked meats, dried herbs and blackpepper. Some scorched earth and spice notes are also apparent. Delicious red plum, dark cherry and red liquorice fruits are sprawled across the elegant mid weighted palate. Smoked meat, vanillin cedar, earth and peppered dried clove characters ensue. Fresh and structured it has a meaty yet quite polished feel with fine grained tannins. Finishes long, refined and spicy.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 14% -
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2022 Farrside by Farr Pinot NoirGeelong, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 10 Years (2024-2034)ABV: 13.5%Closure: Diam CorkThe Farrside vineyard consists of black volcanic soil over limestone on a northeast- facing slope. The vine rows run east to west to shade the fruit from over exposure. It’s a mixture of 114, 115, 777, 667 and MV6 clones. Although the Farrside and Sangreal vineyards are only 300m apart, the differing conditions mean that this vineyard is picked 10 to 12 days later. The fruit is hand-picked and sorted in the vineyard, then fermented in an open-top fermenter. Roughly 40-50% of the fruit will be destemmed and then cold soaked for four days. Winemaker Nick Farr uses only the natural yeast for the fermentation process, which takes roughly 12 days. Grape-stomping (known as pigeage) will occur two to three times a day depending on the amount of extraction required, and the wine is then placed in 50-60% new Allier barrels by gravity. It is racked by gas after secondary fermentation, then again at 18 months to be bottled.
Semi translucent red core with dark red toned edges and a light red hue. Soaring out of the glass with a perfumed like intensity are aromatics of violet, sour and red cherries, winter strawberries and dried clove which are trailed by some brambly rhubarb like notes, forest floor and spicy cedar. Light in body yet possessing terrific power, expansive red cherry and winter strawberry fruits are layered across the palate with a supple feel. Structured yet beautifully rendered fine grained tannins impart an underlying muscularity. Lending further sophistication are notions of rhubarb, a dash sour cherries, clove, brambly cedar, forest floor and spicy dried meat characters. Finishes fresh, exceptionally long and highly complex.
Drink over the next 8-10 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
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2022 Fat Bastard ChardonnayCalifornia, UNITED STATESReduced from $14.99$13. 99Bottle$167.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2024-2026)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinThe Fat Bastard brings welcome relief to those looking for a bigger, fuller style of Chardonnay amidst the current market trend of lighter, fresher and more elegant styles. Filling a gap in the market and delivering incredible value for money has made this our best selling Chardonnay over the last 8 years.
Bright pale straw to straw colour with a glimmer of green around the edges and a watery hue. Elevated ripe peach, honeycomb and crème brulee aromas are trailed by hints of butterscotch, bacon fat and spice. Rich, full and creamy textured the palate is layered with luscious peach, crème brulee and butterscotch flavours with toasty oak and spicy cinnamon nuances lying underneath. Nicely balanced acidity with a long mouth filling finish. A much improved Fat Bastard after the disappointing 2021.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
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2023 Felton Road Bannockburn Pinot NoirCentral Otago, NEW ZEALAND$79. 99Bottle$959.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2024-2032)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinFelton Road's vineyards are managed using organic and biodynamic viticulture, ensuring the highest quality fruit arrives at the winery. From there winemaking is intentionally hands off with gravity flow, wild yeasts, wild malo, and an avoidance of fining and filtration to help preserve the expression of its terroir. Felton Road farms four properties totalling 32 ha in the Bannockburn sub-region of Central Otago. The fruit for this wine is a blend of four vineyards; Cornish Point, Calvert, MacMuir and The Elms.
Aged for 13 months in 25% new French oak barrels with 20% whole clusters included in the ferment.
Deep dark red black tinged colour with a dark purple hue. Intense ripe dark cherry, dark plum and anise aromas leap from the glass with hints of violet, spicy cedar, fresh herbs and forest floor also evident. Rich and juicy yet possessing an underlying firmness, a power wave of delicious dark cherry, anise and dark plum fruits are delivered with terrific concentration. Infusions of fresh herbs, lightly toasted cedar, forest floor and spice characters ensue. Fresh and expansive in its feel it has sturdy yet relatively polished tannin structure. Concludes long, generously fruited and spicy.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
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2017 Fonseca Vintage PortDouro Valley, PORTUGAL$199. 00Bottle$2388.00 DozenCellar: 10 - 20 Years (2032-2042)ABV: 20%Closure: CorkMagnificent colour displaying an impenetrable inky black core with an equally dense hue. Still a touch reticent the nose slowly opens to reveal alluring liquorice and confectionary scents which meld into a mix of morello cherry, well integrated spirit and spice notes. Rich, luscious morello cherry and liquorice flavours are backed by rugged, muscly tannins which lend firmness and structure for the long haul. Marzipan, infusions of vanilla and spice ensue. Exceptionally intense and powerful it finishes long, dense and robust.
Cellar 10-20+ years.
Alc. 20%Other Reviews....
The 2017 Vintage Port, not quite bottled when seen but the final blend, is a field blend (with typical grapes like Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesca, Tinto Cão, Tinta Roriz and Tinta Barroca) aged for approximately 20 months in used French oak. It comes in with 98 grams of residual sugar, a little drier on paper than its Taylor sibling this year. Sappy and sensational in flavor and fruit, this seemingly has moderate tannins around the edges on first taste, velvety texture and a long finish. Despite the first impression of moderation, there is plenty of power here. As it got some aeration, it showed nothing but power and closed down fairly hard. The combination of great fruit and fine structure makes this a potentially great Fonseca, but right now it is obviously immature and not showing everything it has. I'd recommend some patience here.
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Mark Squires - Wine Advocate (July 2019)Picking began at Quinta do Panascal on September 6, the two other quintas in Pinhão that form the 2017 Fonseca Vintage Port, Cruzeiro and Santo António picked on 10 and 17 September respectively. One of the deepest, most opaque color amongst the new Port alumni, it has one of the most backward, almost recalcitrant noses that demands a lot of aeration. It gradually opens to reveal blackberry, melted tar, thyme, clove and violet aromas that are well defined, if maybe just missing the same breeding as Taylor’s. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin. This is fresh and detailed, a slightly more structured Fonseca than expected, quite strict at first with good grip and a lightly spiced, precise finish. Powerful and long on the aftertaste, you can feel this Fonseca 60 seconds after the wine has exited. It deserves 10-15 years in bottle. Excellent, but patience required. The most enigmatic of the 2017 Vintage Ports. Total production is 8,100 cases.
95 points
Neal Martin - VinousRipe and soft with loads of plummy, smoky and earthy character. Full body. Very sweet. Round and very soft textured. Flavorful finish. Drink in 2025 and onwards.
95 points
jamessuckling.comDark and dense, with fig bread, baker's chocolate and tar notes leading off before the core flavors of plum, black currant and blackberry paste finally start to emerge. The wild, spirited finish shows cast iron, licorice snap and roasted alder elements, delivering a decidedly chewy feel. A big, old-school, throwback Port that will age at a glacial pace. Best from 2035 through 2060.
97 points
James Molesworth - Wine SpectatorThe wine's fine perfumed black plum fruits give a wonderful jammy character while bringing out a fresh edge. These are balanced by the dry core of this beautiful wine with its rich, generous tannins. It will all come together from 2030 in a very fine, integrated wine.
98 points
Roger Voss - Wine EnthusiastAlready beautifully integrated, this is showing great purity and poise. It's open and in its first bloom of youth, with lovely aromatic red berry fruit and floral aromas, plus a touch of leafiness. It's soft and fleshy initially, seemingly not as big as its stablemate Taylor's - and not quite so deep in colour - though with dark chocolate concentration and mid-palate firmness. Lovely full, ripe tannins mass in the mouth, well defined, with fresh berry fruit remerging on the broad, expansive finish.
95 points
Richard Mayson - DecanterDeepest purple. Wild, perfectly ripe small black berries like elderberry but also the lush sweetness of ripe blackberries plus a stony, rocky edge and just a touch charry. Lush, plush and exotic on the palate, deep-pile, compact, smooth tannins, just enough freshness to balance the rich generosity. The finish is beautifully dry-tasting, the tannins melting on the long finish.
17.5/20 points
Julia Harding MW - jancisrobinson.com -
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Fonseca Porto Bin No. 27 Finest Reserve PortDouro Valley, PORTUGALReduced from $44.99$39. 99Bottle$479.88 DozenABV: 20%Closure: CorkMade in a vintage Port style displaying luscious liquorice like characters this is blended from reserve wines selected for their superb fruit.
Opaque purple dark crimson colour with purple crimson hue. The nose is a little restrained displaying aromas of liquorice, blackberry, marzipan and very fine brandy spirit. The palate displays strong concentrated flavours of liquorice, marzipan and aniseed with a fine brandy spirit background that’s beautifully integrated. Excellent length with aftertaste of liquorice, aniseed, marzipan and spice.
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2023 Forest Hill Vineyard RieslingMount Barker, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2023-2031)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinAn exceptionally powerful and intensely flavoured Riesling with sizzling acidity lending laser like precision.
Sourced from two sites on the Forest Hill Vineyard with vine age of 20 and 48 years old respectively. Brilliant water like colour with greenish toned edges. Lime and lemon scents jump out of the glass followed by some orange rind, wet steel and chalky mineral notes. Crunchy lime, lemon and Granny Smith apple fruits engulf the mouth providing it with good textural volume which is counterpointed by sizzlingly crisp acidity. Some wet steel, orange rind and flinty mineral characters linger through the long, concentrated and zippy finish.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 12%Other Reviews…..
A blend of Block 2 (planted 1975) and the youngest Highbury Fields site. Its lime and apple blossom fragrance leads the way for the palate with a delicate framework of acidity. The overall balance and length can't be faulted.
95 points
James Halliday – The Weekend Australian Magazine -
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2021 Forest Hill Vineyard Cabernet SauvignonMount Barker, Western Australia, AUSTRALIAReduced from $29.99$27. 99Bottle$335.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2024-2032)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinSourced from older plantings on the Forest Hill estate, this excellent Cabernet includes a portion of Malbec with maturation taking place in French oak (20% new) for a period of 12 months.
Midnight black heart with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Rising from the glass with plenty of intensity are red to black currant aromas infused with bay leaf followed by some mulberry, dusty earth, tobacco, black olive and subtle spicy vanillin cedar notes. Lashings of rich blackcurrant fruit are layered across the mid weighted palate with liquorice, mulberry, vanillin cedar, earthy tobacco, black olive and spicy bay leaf characters lending further complexity through the back half. Sturdy yet polished tannin structure finishing long and deeply fruited yet refined. Trophy for Best Cabernet Sauvignon of Region – Halliday Cabernet Sauvignon Challenge.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
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2020 Fraser Gallop Estate Parterre Cabernet SauvignonMargaret River, Western Australia, AUSTRALIAReduced from $49.99$44. 99Bottle$539.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 10 Years (2024-2034)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinA blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Malbec matured for 18 months in a mix one third new French oak and seasoned French barrels. Totally opaque midnight black dark red colour with a dark red hue. Red to black currant aromas infused with a combination of cigar box, black olive, earth, bay leaf and spice notes sail through the nostrils. Flowing across the mid weighted palate with plenty of flesh and drive are rich blackcurrant and ripe mulberry fruits. Spicy vanillin cedar, subtle earthy tobacco, delicate black olive and infusions of bay leaf echo through the back half. Seamlessly integrated, finely grained tannins provide the underlying structure. The long, refined conclusion gorgeously layered with fruit.
Drink over the next 8-10 years.
Alc. 14%Other Reviews….
This is predominantly cabernet but smaller percentages of petit verdot, cabernet franc and malbec contribute. Powerful and controlled cabernet displaying a lot of the black fruit character of this part of Margaret River. On the nose you get a terrific mix of bay leaf, black olive and varietal blackcurrant. There's a pronounced oyster shell minerality bursting through supported by a chalky tannin feel. Integrated and vibrant, it's a wine of energy and drive.
96 points
Ray JordanAs usual, a tiptop Parterre with enticing florals giving way to mulberries and boysenberries, dried herbs, choc-mint and more besides. It’s medium bodied and wonderfully savoury with powdery tannins and great length. And it will age gracefully. Drink by 2040.
95 points
Jane Faulkner – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
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2022 Fraser Gallop Estate Innovation Cabernet SauvignonMargaret River, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2024-2032)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinThe Innovation Range is a new series of wines for Fraser Gallop which encourages their winemaking team to combine tradition with technology to refine and push the boundaries of wine-making techniques.
A blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Petit Verdot matured in second use French oak barrels for a period of 18 months. Midnight black heart with a dark red black tinged hue. Intense red to black currant and ripe mulberry scents sail through the nostrils trailed by some cedary tobacco, red liquorice, faint black olive and bay leaf notes. Refined and elegant yet amply fruited, the mid weighted palate sports red to black currant, mulberry and red liquorice fruits which are complimented by vanillin cedar, tobacco, dusty earth and bay leaf characters. Fine grained tannins concluding long and finessed.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 14% -
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2024 Freycinet Vineyard RieslingTasmania, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2024-2032)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinEstablished in 1979 by Geoff and Susan Bull, Freycinet was the first commercial winery on the East Coast of Tasmania. Today daughter Lindy and partner Claudio Radenti who both have extensive winemaking experience from their travels around the world carry on the tradition. 2024 was a standout vintage delivering fruit of exceptional quality with concentrated flavours and ripe, juicy acidity.
A magnificently sculptured and pure Tassie Riesling that boasts explosive power and intensity
Brilliant water like colour with a distinctive glimmer of green around the outskirts. Leaping out of the glass are powerful aromatics of lime, lemon and Granny Smith apple followed by some hints of orange rind, talc and chalky mineral notes. The palate is a combination of terrific intensity, drive and tension delivering sculptured, yet texturally engulfing flavours of lime, lemon and orange rind underpinned by mouth watering acidity. Lining the back half are green apple, chalky talc, wet steel and flinty mineral characters. Zingy in its feel it finishes exceptionally long, concentrated and super scrumptious.
Hard to resist now but will also cellar up to 6-8 years.
Alc. 12.5%
Other Reviews.....
A taut, high-tensile East Coast riesling that's all velocity and lip-smackingly pure lime and lemon fruits with hints of sea spray, crushed stone, lemongrass, grapefruit pith, citrus blossom and thirst-slaking good times. It's got a wicked minerally cadence as it cuts across the palate; a touch of clover blossom in there, too, if we're getting picky. But we're not getting picky and this is just a delicious, focused Tassie riesling. Drink by 2034.
96 points
Dave Brookes - James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion -
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2022 G.D. Vajra Langhe RossoPiedmont, ITALY$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2024-2028)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinVajra’s Rosso is made from Nebbiolo, Barbera and Dolcetto grapes with small inputs of Freisa, Albarossa and Pinot Noir also included.
Deep dark red black tinged core with a vibrant red to dark red hue. Sailing out of the glass is an intriguing mix of dark cherry, ripe red currant and red liquorice scents which intermix with subtle tobacco, earthy incense and dried herb notes. Juicy dark cherry, ripe red to black currant, red liquorice and plum fruits are layered across the mid weighted palate. Notions of dried herbs, earthy tobacco characters and spice lend further nuance. Fleshy and polished in its feel it has well integrated tannins, finishing slightly chewy, long and delicious.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
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2023 Giant Steps Tarraford Vineyard ChardonnayYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$84. 99Bottle$1019.88 DozenABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinOther Reviews....
Planted on a cool, south-facing slope in Tarrawarra. Whole-bunch pressed and barrel fermented in seasoned French puncheons and one ceramic egg. A vibrant green gold. Immediately appealing with its aromas of stone fruits, yellow apple, some lemon confiture and a touch of brine. Chalky textured, slippery and with a certain openness but finely detailed and structured too. Grapefruit pithy on the long, beautifully balanced finish. Drink 2024-2030.
97 Points
Philip Rich - James Halliday's Australian Wine CompanionA bright, sunny personality is underlined by bright golden colour and lively tropical notes atop a pithy citrus body. It’s an honest reflection of site – mostly clone P58 Chardonnay planted at 100m elevation along south- and east-facing slopes on grey clay loam – with the cool location providing lively acidity that ensures good intensity and drive. Drink 2024 - 2032.
94 Points
David Sly - DecanterTarraford is the lowest and theoretically the warmest of Giant Steps single vineyard sites, though altitude isn’t everything when it comes to temperature. I used to live across the road from a steep, hillside vineyard where it was noticeably warmer at the top than it was at the bottom, a phenomenon known as temperature inversion, I believe. I digress.
I looked at this over the course of 24 hours and over that time the wine’s grapefruit characters became more and more dominant. That’s a very good thing. It also tastes of custard apples, cedar-spice, pear and white peach, a pistachio ice-cream character in there too, but the drive of grapefruit here is the wave on which everything else surfs. Tip top release. Well fruited but then dry and pebbly to close. Drink 2024 - 2032+
96 Points
Campbell Mattinson - The Wine FrontMajority P58 clone. White grapefruit, winter melon and lemongrass. Blue stone, chalk and raw pancake batter. Lemon aspen and lilly pilly fruit. The wine has a coolness, not just in its refreshing quality but in its textural feel. Like a coconut milk based iced tea. Long lines of natural and unforced acidity, with power but no trace of heft. Raw cashew on the finish.The wine is shaped like an acute triangle with its tapering acidity funnelled down the palate. In the glass on the day, this is the wine that was drinking at its best now with plenty of precision and detail. Tarraford has its dedicated fans and this is one of the best yet. Drink now or cellar for 5 years or so and serve with pan seaweed King George whiting fillets.
97 Points
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2023 Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Pinot NoirYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$94. 99Bottle$1139.88 DozenABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinOther Reviews....
From the Sexton vineyard in Gruyere; 10% whole bunches and matured nine months in French barriques (25% new). A deep ruby. Aromas of kirsch, damson plums, licorice root and spices; this heady, concentrated wine has a lot of meat on the bones, with ripe, persistent tannins boding well for the future. A great contrast to the more delicate Giant Steps wines such as Bastard Hill and Primavera. Drink 2024-2030.
97 Points
Philip Rich - James Halliday's Australian Wine CompanionA longer ripening period during the 2023 vintage has amplified aromas, with shades of violet at the edge of ripe blood plum and dark cherry. The ripeness is also reflected in bright, luscious blood plum and dark cherry flavours in the front palate; while the combination of MV6, G5V15 and Abel clones provides a keen savoury note, with earthy bite and graphite notes. Chewy tannins give a moreish finish to a wine that already appears resolved and complete. Drink 2024 - 2032.
94 Points
David Sly - DecanterThe Sexton vineyard was planted in 1997. It’s a north-facing, exposed site.
It might be north-facing and exposed but there’s a coolness to this release. It tastes of forest berries and boysenberries with toast and sprays of alpine herbs. It’s not overtly minty but it has that cooling feel. There’s a sweetness to the spice and a general impression of completeness, the latter aided by a full suite of ripe, grainy, meaty tannin. The finish of this wine has a fan to it; forever quality’s best marker. Drink 2027 - 2033+
94+ Points
Campbell Mattinson - The Wine FrontThe final blend of this wine is around 21% whole bunch fermented. A quiet wine in the glass that needs a bit of time before it reveals itself, be patient as this wine unfurls and gains momentum. It is deeply pigmented in garnet hues and shows black raspberries, cherries and rose petals. Woodsy herbs like rosemary stem, thyme, clove and sesame. Front to middle palate tannins are grainy and astute. There are granite-like immoveable foundations to this wine that will allow it to live a long time. So too is there significant turbidity and viscosity to this wine. Drink now or cellar for 8 years. A perfect wine for blackened skinned cod.
96 Points
Shanteh Wale - WinePilot.com -
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2023 Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard ChardonnayYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$84. 99Bottle$1019.88 DozenABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinOther Reviews....
Made from a 50/50% blend of Gingin and Bernard clones planted between 100 and 200m in Gruyere. Whole-bunch pressed to French puncheons (25% new oak) with 15% mlf. Right now, this is the most salivating and seductive of Giant Step's superb array of single-vineyard chardonnays from '23. Perfectly ripened white peach, pear and some marine scents lead onto the palate, which is gently textured, saline and structured. The finish is energetic, nutty and long. Drink 2024-2030.
97 Points
Philip Rich - James Halliday's Australian Wine CompanionA cold, wet spring and cooler summer has given power and drive to bright, lively flavours from the high-elevation (200m) Sexton Vineyard. Lifted aromas show dark tones of exotic tropical fruits – grilled pineapple, yuzu and guava – with some fresh grated ginger. The palate entry is focused and tightly bound, although this taut and proud wine benefits from 20% malolactic fermentation and some battonage post-fermentation to add roundness to the mouthfeel. It has exuberance to match its serious power and drive. Drink 2024 - 2032.
96 Points
David Sly - DecanterThere’s genuine intensity of chardonnay fruit flavour here and a keen bite that goes with it. Sweet pear, white peach and citrus characters lead to a finish of green pineapple, grapefruit and brine, every step along the way both deliberate and powerful. No meanderings allowed here. Nougat oak teams it all seamlessly together, the finish long and resounding. General view would be that this is good to drink now but for me it needs at least another year in bottle. Drink 2025 - 2032+
96 Points
Campbell Mattinson - The Wine FrontThe north facing Sexton vineyard planted in late 90’s is Giant Steps home base. In the planted 30Ha of chardonnay, Mel Chester has her pick of the patchwork vineyard pulling from Gingin, Mendoza and Bernard clones. Here we see about 50% Gingin. This wine has character. You cannot or will ever say it’s a wallflower. Driven by its intensity of orchard fruit, nectarine and white peach, backed by some of the spiciest back up singers. Turmeric, curry leaf, dandelion and cumin. It’s muscular, powerful and yet graceful, like the stride of an outside centre in rugby, Mark Ella, perhaps. A hint of churned butter and glace pineapple on the finish. Acidity hums along nicely. There is something for everyone’s palate here and this vintage is singing in perfect harmony. Drink now and will cellar well upwards of 8 years. This would be a belter served with homemade cornbread and fried chicken.
98 Points
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2023 Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Pinot NoirYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenABV: 13.2%Closure: StelvinPlanted in the upper Yarra Valley on a dramatic slope which allows for a cooler and extended growing season, the Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir is regularly one of the highlights of Giant Steps single vineyard releases. Applejack Pinot Noir has a very strong track record of accolades, including last year being awarded 2024 Halliday Wine Companion Pinot Noir of the Year.
Other Reviews....
Pinot Noir of the Year. Named after the Applejack eucalypts that surround the vineyard, which was planted at Gladysdale in 1997 by Ray Guerin. Seven clones comprising 114, 115, MV6, D2V5, D5V15, Pommard and Abel. Whole bunches (40%) and 20–25% new French barriques. 2022 was a hard act to follow, but this superb wine gives it a shake. Exotic, aromatic and pure with its bouquet of wild strawberries, dark cherries, quince, spices and flowers. Densley packed, this saturates the palate, but, as always, it's light on its feet at the same time. Seamless tannins round out another benchmark for what's already a benchmark wine. Drink 2024-2030.
98 Points
Philip Rich - James Halliday's Australian Wine CompanionA complex story unfolds along the palate – reflective of the complex plantings of MV6, G5V15, 114 and Pommard clones across the steep Applejack Vineyard, that rises sharply from 180m to almost 300m in the upper Yarra Valley. A moreish juiciness is celebrated thanks to 40% whole-bunch fruit in the fermentation, but the sophisticated flavour profile in this restrained, almost coy expression turns very serious in the back-palate, when a surge of black cherry grunt enters the conversation and leaves you with plenty to contemplate by its powerful closing note. Drink 2024 - 2032.
96 Points
David Sly - DecanterThe Applejack Vineyard at Gladysdale in the Yarra Valley is on an east facing slope on grey soils. There’s a 100 metre drop from the top of the vineyard to the bottom. There’s also significant clonal diversity in this vineyard. It was planted in 1997.
I tasted this wine a few months ago and loved it from the first sip. I have it on the desk now and there it is again, aglimmer in the glass. This wine is no one’s fool. It’s a pure expression of its place in the world and that place happens to be complex. It’s a cool wine with straight trees of tannin, perfumed red and black berries, lines of spice and echoes of woodsmoke. It’s a forest of a wine, a bit lush, a bit wet, a bit woody; verdant. At all times, as you drink it, the fruit comes at you like a swell. When you swallow this wine it flares out like you’ve reached the lookout at the end of a long walk. It’s a good wine. And it’s more than that. Drink 2025 - 2036+
96 Points
Campbell Mattinson - The Wine FrontThe final blend of this wine is around 40% whole bunch fermented from the grey clay soils containing Able, MV6, Pommard, 114 and 115 clones. Red toffee apple, hibiscus, and freshly smeared lipstick. Rosella, beetroot and cassis. Exotically spiced, savoury and earthy. The mid palate has a clarity of Bing cherry that’s astonishing. Followed by prune plums, Quong dong and finishing with amplified acidity. There is an umami note, almost like a delicious msg sprinkle. Some decently weighted tannins keep the palate flavours echoing long into the next sip, its sturdy in its structure ensuring this wine will outlive almost any Aussie pinot noir. It’s bullet proof and worth every cent and more. Drink now or will cellar for 10 years. A wonderful wine to have with sirloin, truffle crisps or drinking alone.
98 Points
Shanteh Wale - WinePilot.com -
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2023 Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard ChardonnayYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$84. 99Bottle$1019.88 DozenABV: 13%Closure: StelvinOther Reviews....
Applejack vineyard was planted at Gladysdale by Ray Guerin in 1997, and only 2ha of its 11ha is planted to chardonnay. It is named for the Applejack eucalypts that surround it. Whole-bunch pressed straight to barrel with full solids and matured in mainly second use puncheons. A very bright green gold. A pure and gently reticent bouquet of stone fruits, lemon verbena and crushed rocks. The palate is tightly coiled, steely, saline and focused. A wine with excellent potential. Drink 2025-2032.
96 Points
Philip Rich - James Halliday's Australian Wine CompanionA focused, sharp line of citrus flavours and aromas is driven by clean, crisp acidity, with tightly wound lemon and sharp green apple notes propelled by measured power. The Chardonnay I10V1 vine clones from this steep, 280m-high site demand different treatment – no malolactic fermentation, no battonage of lees during fermentation in mostly older French oak barrels, then nine months’ maturation. This is just enough to add a savory rim and a hint of roasted hazelnut to the smooth palate line, without intruding on a clean, crisp finish. It’s clean, confident and assured. Drink 2024 - 2032.
97 Points
David Sly - DecanterAnything Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir can do, Applejack Chardonnay can do just as well. This is a ripping chardonnay. It has fruit power up its sleeve and in its wrist bands and everywhere else. And yet it’s tight. And stony. Shot with white peach. And run with apple, sweet cedar, brine and the wet leaves of a lemon tree. There’s some dare to the acidity but it brings flavour with it; it took the risk and it turned out, the reward was worth it. This is an advanced level wine. You drink it, and you know all you need to know. Drink 2025 - 2030+
96 Points
Campbell Mattinson - The Wine FrontThe Applejack vineyard is 1.8ha of Chardonnay, a blend of southern and northern slopes within its east facing site. No battonage and no malolactic fermentation. This vintage is highly aromatic in florals of billy buttons, sunflower and bee pollen. A touch of dandelion, peach stone and mandarin oil. Acidity reaches the zenith whilst the back palate offers shortbread, marzipan and hazelnut paste. I adore the originality of this wine, its showing off its more elevated site whilst an intriguing aromatic profile shines through. Drink now or will cellar well for 5 years. A wine that could handle a rich carbonara or cheesy cauliflower bake.
96 Points
Shanteh Wale - WinePilot.com -
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2024 Gibson Discovery Road FianoBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$23. 99Bottle$287.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2024-2025)ABV: 11.9%Closure: StelvinOriginally of the Campania region of Italy, Fiano was likely the variety that formed the wine known as ‘Apianum’ in Roman times. Brilliant water like core with a faint greenish tinge around the outskirts. Pronounced pear and lime aromas infused with Mediterranean herbs flood the nostrils with some green apple and wet slate notes also evident. Delicious fleshy pear, lime and green apple fruits grace the palate with infusions of fresh herbs and wet stone lying underneath. Gorgeous slippery textural feel. Showing excellent intensity it has crisp acidity and finishes dry, long and refreshing.
Drink over the next year.
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2021 Gibson Discovery Road Shiraz MonteBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$23. 99Bottle$287.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2024-2027)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinA delicious blend of Shiraz and Montepulciano matured in French and American oak puncheons for a period of 18 months. Pitch black heart with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Elevated morello and black cherry scents intermix with liquorice, dark plum, scorched earth, dried herbs and vanillin spice. Rich, juicy and lush the palate is awash with morello to black cherry, liquorice and plum fruit. Fennel, cinnamon spice and subtle scorched earth elements linger underneath. Polished tannins with a long ripe finish.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
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Glen Garioch The Renaissance Third Chapter 17 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$199. 99Bottle$2399.88 DozenABV: 50.8%Closed in 1968, re-opened by the Morrisons (Bowmore et al) then purchased by Beam Suntory in 1994, nowadays Glen Garioch makes largely unpeated malt from short ferments, giving a deep cereal and spice note to the distillate. The new owners have great confidence in the quality of output, with all of its production dedicated to single malt rather than blends. Beginning in 2015, the distillery released a series of 'Chapters'. Like the previous editions, Chapter 3 is a vatting of sherry and bourbon casks with around 12,000 bottles on offer world wide. It starts with a nutty, muesli-like nose that teases with dried citrus peels, dried fruits (apples pears), a little sulphur, pepper and a freshness that's almost coastal. It feels about right at this strength - intense enough to grab you, but with the right balance. Sherry wins out over bourbon with a lovely dry, nutty, Manzanilla / Oloroso feel to the delivery, the spices ramping up at the finish where bittersweet orange zest, minor sulphur and pepper kick in. The length is fabulous, the spices buzzing through the long, tangy finish. Overall, it's at the aperitif end of the whisky spectrum - a style that's rarely encountered which makes this all the more appealing. Adding water accents the sweeter notes. Really lovely stuff. 50.8% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... The 3rd Chapter exhibits a sweet and sophisticated nose of honey, milk chocolate, Brazil nuts, toffee, and ripe peaches. Supple on the palate, with luscious orange and peach notes, vanilla, oak, and subtle spice. Plain chocolate-coated orange confectionery in the finish, with caramel and ginger. Balanced and delicious! 92 points - whiskyadvocate.com, Reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Summer 2018)
...An expression ex-bourbon and sherry that came out three years ago, and which we hadn't noticed. I thought the first Renaissance, a 15 yo, had been rather excellent back in 2014 (WF 85). Colour: gold. Nose: a feeling of oak-aged pear eau-de-vie at first, which I would enjoy, then rather yellow melons and peaches, then a stroll in the woods, with mosses, damp earth, fern, mushrooms and lilies of the valley. Some freshly squeezed blood oranges, that's so good for our immunity! With water: gets a little coastal, on beach sand, then strawberries and mint, a summery combo that's most enticing. Mouth (neat): a little bit of peppery oak at first, reminiscent of the Virgin version, but on a most solid body with caraway, walnutty oloroso, those williams pears, and a little bit of resin and even smoke. Pinecone smoke. With water: lovely resinous oranges, shall we say? Some kind of Spanish cordial. Finish: rather long, on earthy bitter oranges. Very good. Comments: most likeable. Why didn't we notice this one back in 2017? 86 points - whiskyfun.com
Notes from Glen Garioch... Rich Highland toffee, creamy butterscotch, chocolate ginger biscuits and tangy citrus peel lead to honey-glazed baked apricots and cinnamon-spiced orange interlaced with smooth malted caramel and barley sugar, with a ginger marmalade on warm buttered granary toast finish.
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Glen Garioch 15 Year Old Sherry Cask Matured Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLANDReduced from $199.99$179. 99Bottle$2159.88 DozenABV: 53.7%A cask strength oloroso gem. Highest recommendation. Grab some, you won't regret it!
If you're looking for cask strength Oloroso sherry matured malt that's also affordable, and with a decent age statement, this ticks all the boxes. There are lots of very enthusiastic reviews from bloggers and whisky lovers online for this release, with the consensus being it's "A true old-school sherry whisky." So when we were (again) offered a parcel at a price that was impossible to resist, we took everything we could get. Sourced from one of the oldest operating distilleries in Scotland and now discontinued..
From a fresh bottle a touch of sulphur blows off developing beautiful sherry pick up on the nose: Dense and almost nutty, with fruit cake, cinnamon toast, liquorice root and zesty peel freshness. Air contact draws out raisin slice, pepper, dark chocolate and hints of vanilla. Juicy and waxy on entry with impressive sherry definition: Raisin cake, orange zest and baking spices build with the brittle malt in a full bodied attack. The high ABV barely rears its head. Gently bittersweet, the finish turns pleasingly astringent and nutty with lingering cigar box and spice. A big bang-for-your-buck malt from an ever dwindling category. Rewards extended breathing. 53.7% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Initially, whisky produced at the distillery was transported to nearby Aberdeen by horse and cart, to be sold to blenders and wholesalers. The late 1800s saw a large parcel of the company purchased by William Sanderson founder of William Sanderson & Sons, which saw the malt coupled with grain whisky from the North British Distillery and used in the hugely successful Vat 69 blend until the First World War. When the younger staff went to serve in the military, low volume production was maintained throughout the period.
Prior to prohibition in the United States, which saw demand plummet, Sanderson & Sons purchased the remainder of the company. This would later prove to be a fatal mistake. Sanderson & Sons were forced to put the distillery up for sale in 1933 - the same year prohibition ended. Scottish Malt Distillers purchased Glen Garioch in the late '30s, but by the late '60s the distillery was again up for sale, due to frustration with Glen Garioch's limited capacity. In particular, the water source wasn't able to keep up with demand. 1970 saw the purchase of the distillery by Stanley P Morrison Ltd, who immediately started looking for an additional water source in order to expand production.
Glen Garioch's first Single Malt bottling was released in 1972, presumably from material distilled prior to Morrison's acquisition. Readers might recall a recent mention of the Scots being eager to save a dollar, which resulted in the widespread use of American ex-Bourbon casks. This same philosophy lead to Glen Garioch creating enormous greenhouses near the distillery for the cultivation of fruits, vegetables and flowers by employing the excess heat from the distillery. An ingenious environmentally friendly approach that would be applauded today! The greenhouses continued until the early '90s when the project was ceased. It seemed that the marketing of fruit and vegetables was slightly different to whisky, and juggling between the two in an increasingly competitive market place proved difficult. In 1995, following Suntory's purchase, the distillery was mothballed when ownership was transferred to Beam-Suntory's subsidiary 'Morrison Bowmore'.
Following its reawakening in 1997, the distillery released a series of bottlings. Clearly, the new owners have great confidence in the quality of the malt here, with all of its production dedicated to single malt rather than blends. The equipment is now modern. Stainless steel washbacks and short ferments bestow " a deep cereal and spice note to the new spirit which also has a distinctive waxy, tallow-like, character". Until recently, the house style has remained unpeated.
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Glen Scotia Victoriana Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Campbeltown, SCOTLANDReduced from $169.99$129. 99Bottle$1559.88 DozenABV: 54.2%94.5 points from Jim Murray, World's Best No Age Statement Whisky for 2022 / Category Winner 2024, Platinum at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2024... and the list goes on.
2024 isn't the first time significant praise has been lavished on Glen Scotia's 'Victoriana'. The cask strength release also captured the judge's attention at the 2022 World Whisky Awards where it was deemed World's Best No Age Statement Whisky, and before that in 2017, describing it as "An incredible whisky, packed with complexity." Add to that further endorsement from Jim Murray and you have the single malt equivalent of a slam dunk. Created in the vein of Scotch during the mid-to-late 19th century – the reign of Queen Victoria, hence the name - Victoriana is initially matured in ex-bourbon casks after which 30% sees a secondary spell in first-fill Pedro Ximénez (sweet) Sherry casks and 70% is finished in new heavily charred American oak. Weighing in at a generous 54.2%, purists will also love the fact that it's non chill filtered for maximum mouthfeel. There aren't that many single malts that you would consider buying repeatedly, but going by our experience of an earlier batch, this is one. Expect a flavour extravaganza.
Other reviews... n23.5 this has come out as gung-ho crushed hazelnut and barley. The subtlest hint of smoke makes you do a nasal double-take: is it there or not? It is...; t24 a fizzing display of ultra-lively, salivating tannins - a malt revelling in some sublime American oak. And if that isn't juicy enough, the barley pitches in to up the salivation score even further; f23 an elegant climb down. Drier, a little spice but some sexy cocoa notes moving towards praline; b24 as cheerfully bright and breezy a malt as you are likely to find and one bursting with deceptive complexity. If this is trying to depict your average bottle of whisky from Victorian Campbeltown, then it has failed miserably: it was never this good...! 54.2% Alc./Vol. 94.5 points - Jim Murrays Whisky Bible 2024
...I’m glad that Glen Scotia Victoriana does not have artificial caramel coloring because it is gorgeous in the glass, and I would feel a bit cheated knowing that the brilliant hue was artificially created. The time in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks (although we don’t know exactly how long) provides a deep, slightly red, golden color. The nose is complex with slightly sweet caramel, brown sugar, pineapple, mango, and a touch of cinnamon. On the palate, the whisky fairly bursts with a range of flavors that are integrated into a cohesive whole but can be separated out and appreciated individually: crème brûlée, milk chocolate, sea salt, and caramel. Interestingly, the fruit notes that appear on the nose do not translate to the palate. But the whisky is creamy, mouth coating, and rich without being overpowering. A touch of water makes the milk chocolate notes more prominent, and I recommend it. The finish is quite long and introduces a touch of mint and spice that slowly fades along with salted caramel and milk chocolate. This is fantastic Scotch. It is both simply enjoyable and rewards further contemplation. It lacks an age statement, but it makes a statement with its quality and character. - drinkhacker.com
Double Gold - San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2017
Best Campbeltown Single Malt at the World Whisky Awards 2017.
After a period of closure in the mid 1980s Glen Scotia reopened towards the end of that decade. The distillery has always offered two styles of whisky - peated and non peated. Typically the latter is produced for about six weeks annually. Since 1999 it was distilling for only a few weeks of the year, thanks to the team at Springbank. Activity has been stepped up since 2007 with Malt Master, John Paterson at the helm. With just over a kilometre between them, speculation as to whether Glen Scotia will be the next Springbank is inevitable. Given the distillery's versatility and quality of output, the potential is there, but it probably won't balloon anytime soon (then again, just a few years ago many seasoned whisky lovers were oblivious to Springbank...) Place your bets. Right now, here's another perfect excuse to get better acquainted with Glen Scotia.
[51.5% batch tasted] Gleaming polished copper appearance. Momentarily off-key followed by sultry aromas of toasted fruit-bread, pineapple pudding and deep vanillas. Five minutes exposure emphasises dark chocolate and roasted nuts amid flashes of sappy oak and trace sulphur. Exceptional balance. Full bodied yet perfectly rounded. Mid palate is toffee-dense, malt-rich becoming tantalizingly oily / buttery towards the finish. Honey oatmeal, vanilla fudge and resiny oak to close with a wound up, mouth coating stewed fruit / vanilla / creme-caramel and pepper finale. Ends medium long with the honeyed-fruitiness lingering. One for the end of the night. Non chill filtered. 95 points
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- Limit Two per customer
2014 Glenfarclas Single Cask #51 for Nicks Wine Merchants 8 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$325. 00Bottle$3900.00 DozenABV: 59.8%160 bottles available exclusively via Nicks Wine Merchants.
If you ever wondered what the fuss over Glenfarclas' Family casks was all about but couldn't afford to find out, don't hesitate to start here. As much as we'd like to imagine that this whisky will be enjoyed amongst friends, it has all the hallmarks of a collectable: a tiny outturn from a distillery with pedigree, first-rate liquid and a bespoke label. You might drink one and try to keep the other, but our bet is the second bottle is going to prove too tempting. In fact, you could not do much better from any of the distillery's neighbours at this age: Cask #51 buries young Macallan or Glendronach and is almost dripping with sherry, kicking off with juicy dried apricots, dried prunes, raisin cake and cinnamon over hints of chocolate oranges in a caramel setting, wrapped up in a mid palate succulence that's pure and sustained while showing extraordinary balance and mouthfeel. The malt and sherry sweetness gently bitters as the sugars wear off and spices enter. Add water, and the entire profile remains beautifully defined. It's young Speyside malt showing off in an audacious fashion that sets it apart from Glenfarclas' official releases. Distilled in 2014 and filled into a first-fill Sherry hogshead before decanting in November 2022, 160 bottles are available for those fortunate enough to get their hands on one. Anybody who knows about 'AREA 51' from UFO folklore will understand the cryptic label reference - an alien is jealously guarding a cask (word has got around, Glenfarclas make some of the best whisky in the galaxy!) 59.8% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
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Glenfarclas 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLANDReduced from $169.99$129. 99Bottle$1559.88 DozenABV: 46%Famous as one of Speyside’s most masculine whiskies, Glenfarclas 15 is matured in 60% x-Sherry casks, with the remainder x-Bourbon, but with a difference. The latter barrels are shaved back in order to minimise their flavour input, putting the focus almost completely on the sherry. Bottled at 46%, the result is one of most full-bodied in the Glenfarclas stable. It's also one that tasters tend to notice the most batch variation in. Re-tasted in early 2022, the latest bottling takes some time to develop and blow off minor sulphur blemishes. Aromas pick up speed, echoed in attractively sherried flavours of raisin cake, fruit mince pie and digestif biscuits. The finish adds suggestions of pickled ginger and baking spices. Though not long, the flavours are surprisingly intense, well-proportioned and approachable without dilution. Give a freshly opened bottle thirty minutes to begin to show its best. 46% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Some classic sherried Speysider that everyone should have tried. WF 84 last time I had, but that was in… 2006 (feeling shame here at WF Towers). Colour: gold. Nose: not that different from the 10, just cake-ier, more sherried, and rather more complex, with small herbs, a mossy side, and a large chocolate cake. Touches of yeasty porridge in the background. Fresh pumpernickel bread. Mouth: really very cake-y, malty, with raisins and some very lovely touches of spearmint. I’m also finding a delicate wood smoke, as well as the usual walnuts when we’re having a sherried malt such as this one. Goody good. Finish: rather long, and shall I dare mention Christmas cakes? And yet it’s not heavy. Comments: I just couldn’t tell you which one I like best, between the 10 and the 15. Both are top class in their categories. 46% Alc.Vol. 84 points - whiskyfun.com
...Energetic, heady, rich. Wakes up the palate and demands to be heard. The marshmallow note is uncanny and overpowers the rest of the dram at points, but overall this regains its footing, albeit with a somewhat abbreviated finish. All in, a step up from the 12 year old expression and solid value for money. - malt-review.com
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Glenfarclas 105 Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1000ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLANDReduced from $149.99$139. 99Bottle$1679.88 DozenABV: 60%Unquestionably Australia's Best Deal in Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
Cask strength whiskies have not always been available to the general public. In fact, the very idea was incidental, and only materialised in 1968 when a fourth generation member of the Grant family bottled a single cask straight from the warehouse, and sent the bottles to family and friends as Christmas gifts. George S. Grant created a simple, hand written label for the bottles noting only the name of the distillery and the strength of the whisky (which happened to be 105 British Proof.) By the end of January the recipients requested further bottles. George obliged, and since then, Glenfarclas 105 has gone onto become one of the most highly sought after expressions in the Glenfarclas range.
The increasing popularity of cask strength single malts comes as no surprise. They provide an opportunity to taste whisky in its purest and most natural form without visiting a distillery, and conversely, to dilute to your preferred strength rather than the bottler's. Typically, they have minimal or zero filtration which tends to retain more flavour and texture. One has to take the good with the bad. Extreme alcohol can be prickly, and can even anaesthetise the mouth resulting in a less pleasurable experience. A high tax/alcohol ratio also means such spirits can be excessively pricey. If there was a holy grail of malt, then for many it would be the discovery of affordable cask strength whisky that's also achieved balance - to the degree that you can enjoy it undiluted. This is one. There are 'softer' cask strength releases on the market, but rarely in this style and very, very rarely at this price/volume ratio.
Tasting note: Beautiful polished brass / amber gold. Opening pass detects toffee apple, polished leather and juicy, grapey malt. Second pass finds marzipan and toasted oats followed by crunchie bar and intense vanilla. The aromatic range is matched on the palate, delivering a concentrated, medium dry, peppery attack with a delicious interplay between sugar, tannin and spice. Bracing yet balanced. Finishes with flashes of dates, creme-caramel and crunchie bar before drying with oatmeal biscuit, toffee apple and dappled explosions of sweet spice. Those who religiously follow Aberlour's Abunadh will discover similar thrills here. Tremendous whisky. 60% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... long, luxurious, with a pulsing vanilla grape mix and a build up of spices; light oils intensify and elongate. I doubt if any restorative on the planet works quite as well as this one does. Or if any sherry cask whisky is so clean and full of the joys of Jerez. A classic malt which has upped a gear or two and has become exactly what it is: a whisky of pure brilliance. 95.5 points
- Jim Murrays Whisky Bible 2014...This Scotch is named for the proof (105) of a bottle that Chairman John Grant’s father, George S. Grant, bottled in 1968 as a Christmas gift for family and friends. Nut-colored, it has a markedly bold toffee aroma and lots of flavor and drama. Hazelnut, espresso and cocoa flavors linger, with hints of allspice and drying oak tannins. Though it needs more than a splash of water to arrive at a nuanced sippability, don’t hold that against this almost Bourbon-like beauty. 95 points - wineenthusiast.com
...Sweet scents of Boston cream pie, citrus, and fresh forest, growing more fragrant as the liquid rests in the glass. On the palate, the citrus sweetens to baked orange tart and lemon meringue pie, with underpinnings of chocolate malt, raisins, and pepper spice. The mouthfeel is creamy and concentrated, and the finish is like a rich, full, spiced chocolate dessert. Water enhances things, bringing out more spice and chocolate. 93 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: David Fleming 2021
...I'm really following these seminal NASses, the 104-then-105, but last time I tried it that was in 2017 (WF 86). Colour: light gold. Didn't the 105 lose some colour over time? Nose: I seem to remember quite some sherry used to be involved, but this time we're rather on malty and leafy stuff, fruit peelings, honey-glazed vegetable (try that, eggplants, turnips…) and beers. With water: beers, bitters, roasted nuts, pumpernickel. The blackest, moistest breads. Mouth (neat): I find this extremely good, if a little brutal, which was the whole point anyway. Huge maltiness, roasted nuts, concentrated syrups, artichokes and Brussels sprouts, stout… With water: takes water extremely well, it is ready for the 100 metres freestyle at the Tokyo Olympics. Excellent sweeter maltiness, barley syrup... Finish: rather long, perhaps a tad sweet(ish) but all these breads and grains can't be wrong. Comments: gold medal! What a drop, this 105, one day post-Covid we'll go to the distillery and do the largest verticale of 104-105s that's ever been done. For example, this one was maltier, and less sweet than a 2017 batch.
87 points - whiskyfun.com -
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Glenfiddich 15 Year Old Perpetual Collection Vat 03 Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLANDReduced from $199.99$129. 99Bottle$1559.88 DozenABV: 50.2%Glenfiddich as you may never have experienced it before. Elsewhere pay $200+
"epitomically Glenfiddichian... long, on apples, marzipan and amaretti." - whiskyfun.com
Along with Number 4, Vat 03 in Glenfiddich's Travel Retail Perpetual Collection is arguably the more appealing for drinkers, partly because of its age statement and partly because it lands at a higher ABV than numbers one and two. Also created via a Solera vat process which adds continuous layers of flavour by only ever bottling half the whisky in the vats before refilling, this edition was matured in x-sherry European oak and x Bourbon casks. Tasted straight, Vat 03 delivers vibrant orchard fruits and vanillan oak giving the sensation of fruit yoghurt, or perhaps the whisky equivalent of peaches and cream. Adding ice or water instantly emphasises the zero chill filtration, ramping up the juicy, malty mouthfeel and providing a finishing lick of vanilla, baking spice and hints of marzipan. Aimed at showcasing 'Fiddich's signature style, Vat 03 is predictably true to the malt they churn out in large volumes - and for good reason - it’s proved hugely popular and is incredibly accessible, only here there’s more of everything, which means extra bang for your buck. It's yet another delicious, seamless, and dare we say, smashable Glenfiddich. You'll find it hard to stop at one. 50.2% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... There's new oak, bourbon and European oak sherry inside. Colour: gold. Nose: feels bourbony at first, with even a little putty and light varnish, as well as marzipan, before it would become all a matter of apples (and a few pears), something that I've always found epitomically Glenfiddichian. Fresh, stewed, a juice, as compote, even as jam, even as eau-de-vie (some varietals do work, others remain bland). With water: the largest bag of ripe and overripe apples ever, plus a little maraschino and marzipan. Mouth (neat): really sweet. Apple compote with some honey and a cinnamon/nutmeg spice combo. Feels a touch fizzy, like good cider. No problems. With water: water brings a soapiness onto the palate (saponification), a soapiness that takes its time before it would leave us alone. The good news is that after around ten minutes, we're left with more wonderful apples and rather notes of Turkish delights. Finish: long, on apples, marzipan and amaretti. And perhaps an ultra-tiny soapiness remaining in a corner (nope, haven't changed water). Pears in the aftertaste, which makes it even more Glenfiddichian. Comments: very good cuvée but be careful with water. 84 points - whiskyfun.com
Notes from the producers... Nose: Intriguingly complex aroma with sweet heather honey and vanilla fudge combined with rich dark fruits. Taste: Silky smooth revealing layers of sherry oak, marzipan, cinnamon and ginger. Full bodied and bursting with flavour. Finish: Satisfyingly rich with lingering sweetness.
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Glenfiddich Perpetual Collection Vat 01 Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1000ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLANDReduced from $159.99$119. 99Bottle$1439.88 DozenABV: 40%The Perpetual series was unveiled in mid 2022 as travel retail exclusives. Four whiskies showing off the distillery’s signature solera vat maturation process make up the range. The vat system never runs dry. Instead, a portion is removed and the remainder is topped up with fresh liquid. This allows the latest batch to take on some characteristics of the older product. The process originated from Spanish sherry production, which Glenfiddich’s fifth Malt Master, David Stewart adapted in 1998 to produce their core 15-year-old single malt. According to him, it allows whisky from different casks to better integrate. Only half the whisky in Glenfiddich’s large solera vats is bottled at any one time.
Of the four malts in the Perpetual Collection, the most easily approached is Vat 01, a combination of Bourbon and wine cask-matured whiskies that's sweet, soft, and smooth. Aged in Spanish sherry casks, Vat 02 presents a more complex and luscious character. Both have no age statements. The 15-year-old Vat 03 showcases Glenfiddich’s signature style. Matured in European oak sherry and Bourbon casks, it's silky and full-bodied delivering warm notes of spice, nutty marzipan, and dried figs. The final in the series is also deemed the most extravagant. Vat 04 is treated in oloroso sherry and Bourbon casks for 18 years for a deeper profile.
Notes from the producers... Beautifully fragrant and floral. Summer blossom notes with hints of creamy vanilla toffee and subtle oakiness. A touch of zesty citrus in the background. TASTE: Very soft and mellow with a lovely balance of oak and the trademark Glenfiddich character. Layers of sweetness and spice with hints of freshly ground pepper. FINISH: Delicate and smooth.
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Glenlivet 13 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLANDReduced from $120.00$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenABV: 40%Since about 1900, the foundation of Scotch whisky maturation has been and remains American white oak. Even many ex-sherry casks used in the industry are actually American oak. Grown in the eastern US and parts of Canada, this dense wood contains vanillins which contribute vanilla, chocolate and coconut-like notes to whisky. Used judiciously in a combination of first-fill or refill alternatives, the wood can create a perfect harmony between oak and spirit, adding richness without overpowering. A great example is the whisky in question. At an unusual age statement for single malt, first-fill American oak delivers a Glenlivet of elegance: Sweet but not too sweet, light on its feet yet not light on flavour and with a finely-honed balance of latent fruity malt and spicy warmth. The distillery's subtle ‘pineapple’ note is also evident - a signature floral, estery character that separates it from heavier Speysiders. Today sherry casks may carry more prestige, but this kind of whisky will never lose favour. Highland single malt at its uncomplicated and elemental best. 40% Alc./Vol. French exclusive bottling.
Notes from the producers... From one of the oldest operational distilleries in Scotland. Colour: Bright amber. Nose: Sweet, notes of honey, toffee, toasted oak. Taste: Multilayered, complex, fresh, notes of orange, pear, chocolate, vanilla. Finish: Long lasting, soft, sweet.
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Glenlivet 15 Year Old French Oak Reserve Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLANDReduced from $169.99$109. 99Bottle$1319.88 DozenABV: 40%"...having been steered on a slightly different course again it is just excellent... An expression that has evolved slowly, but quite beautifully." - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2023
The French Oak Reserve is generally considered one of the better values in the Glenlivet stable. Jim Murray certainly thinks so, giving this mid-range malt a strong recommendation - and he's not the only one. The distillery was one of Scotland's first to employ French oak for ageing whisky. Specifically, Limousin oak, sourced from France’s Dordogne region, the only French forest that is predominantly Quercus Robur. The toughness and coarse (open) grain of the species is a result of nutrient-deficient soils, restricting vertical growth to shorter, wider trunks. It places Limousin oak at one end of the scale in terms of looseness of grain. A consequence is that the release of flavours is aggressive and more oak tannin is extracted than from other oak types, hence, it's used almost exclusively for the maturation of spirits like Cognac rather than wine. In the case of Glenlivet, the whisky is selectively finished in Limousin oak so as not to overpower the fruitiness of the distillate. The wood's low density allows the spirit to cycle deeply in and out of the staves, adding a distinctive and pleasing spiciness that's different to the vanilla-heavy American oak. Bottled at 40%, Glenlivet's French Oak Reserve is not a heavy malt, but at the right price, you do get a terrific everyday drinker.
Other reviews… Many years ago when this first came out it wasn't very good, to be honest. Then it was re-shaped, upped a gear and became a very enjoyable dram, indeed. Now having been steered on a slightly different course again it is just excellent... An expression that has evolved slowly, but quite beautifully. 93 points - Jim Murrays Whisky Bible 2023
...Antique amber color. This whisky maintains the elegance cherished by Glenlivet enthusiasts, but finishing the whisky in limousin oak produces a whisky of deeper wood notes, particularly wood spices (vanilla, sandalwood, perhaps even mint) and floral notes. It's rich, complex, and dry-especially on the finish. 90 points - whiskyadvocate.com
First whiffs pick up scents of fresh pineapple, cedar, and paraffin; later sniffings detect subtle notes of baked pear and sweet oak. Palate entry features a firm, moderately oily, and velvety texture; by midpalate, integrated flavors of ripe peach, pear drops and bran delight the taste buds. Finish is extended, semisweet and coconut-like. Replaces the 12-year-old French Oak Finish. Best Buy. 90-95 points - wineenthusiast.com
...The nose has notes of honey, oak, baked apples, ginger, dark chocolate, and hints of almond and hazelnut. The taste has cinnamon, vanilla, and baked apples, along with hints of pineapple juice and mango that add a fruity touch that lingers through the finish. (May, 2013) 90 points - whiskycast.com
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Glenrothes Whisky Makers Cut Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLANDReduced from $139.99$109. 99Bottle$1319.88 DozenABV: 48.8%"...unspoiled Sherry casks at work. An absolute must for Sherry lovers." - Jim Murrays Whisky Bible 2020
Glenrothes’ owners The Edrington Group are instigating some significant changes at the distillery. An upgrade is scheduled in the coming years and the marketing emphasis has already taken a dramatic shift towards 'ultra premium' bottlings. The ten and twelve-year-olds as well as the Whisky Maker's Cut are all discontinued, at least in Australia, with the range now starting at 18 years. However alternative reports suggest they’ve stopped making them altogether, which is supported by the fact that these products are now archived on the Glenrothes website and listed as sold out at major UK retailers. Whatever the case, knowing the strong following for this distillery, we’ve bought up big and negotiated Australia’s best deals. Opportunity knocks!
In and out of the country over the last few years and at variable pricing, the Whisky Maker's Cut was originally exclusive to an Australian Whisky Club where it sold for $125; elsewhere it's been selling for up to AU$140. We've secured an even better price again with a scoop buy on the last domestic stocks. Matured in first-fill sherry casks, bottled at the Master Distiller's preferred strength and rated 95 points by Jim Murray, this will attract drinkers more than collectors. The aroma wavers to and fro from sweeter notes of fresh prunes, dried apricots and candied orange peel to drier scents of leather handbag, cocoa and light prickles of alcohol. Early oak and baking spice flavours develop before dates and wisps of vanilla. Extra kick from the higher strength adds depth, especially with the spike of intensity at the finish. The final stages turn leaner and spicier, but the balance is good. In short, plenty for Sherry heads to enjoy - and at a very reasonable price. As the undisputed bargain of the Soleo collection, expect it to go fast. 48.8% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... "...a semi-simplistic of happy, dry oloroso dominating... the late sherry trifle, enriched with chocolate sauce is deeply attractive. Unspoiled Sherry casks at work." 95 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2020
...The nose offers rich fruit—plums and sultanas—with milk chocolate and new leather. The palate is silky and luxurious, with medium-sweet sherry, vanilla, blackcurrants, and treacle. Dark berries and black pepper in the lengthy, mildly oaky finish. 90 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: Gavin Smith (Summer 2019)
No age statement, but a considerably higher abv here. That higher alcohol level really makes the sherry pop on the nose, although I also get a bit of a smoky kick here that I didn’t find in any of the other whiskies. On the palate, that smoky element lingers, giving the body a peppery, beefy note that is slightly at odds with the citrus-driven sherry notes. The beefy, smoky elements continue to reign on the finish, alongside a somewhat green note. - drinkhacker.com
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2017 Nicks Secret KG Yarra Valley Cabernet SauvignonYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIAReduced from $34.99$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2024-2026)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinThis secret offer is the personal project of the current Wine Companion’s ‘Winemaker of the Year’ whose CV includes stints at Wirra Wirra, Seppelt, Punt Road and Penley Estate.
A beautifully fleshed Yarra Valley Cabernet that’s in its peak drinking zone.
Deep dark red black colour with a dark red to brick red hue. An intense bouquet of blackcurrant and mulberry floods the nostrils with hints of black olives, earth, spicy cedar, tobacco and dried herbs lending further complexity. Rich dark to black currant and mulberry fruits are layered across the medium bodied palate with a silken feel. Cedary tobacco leaf like characters, dried herb, earth and spicy black olive elements add further interest through the back half. Ripe, velvet smooth tannins concluding long, beautifully fleshed and savoury.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 13%Other Reviews….
Hand-picked, destemmed whole berries, 50% 2 weeks on skins, 50% 4 weeks, blended and matured for 11 months in oak (25% new). A fresh, medium-bodied wine, everything where it should be, including fully ripe cassis-inflected fruit. Drink by 2037.
95 points
James Halliday – Australian Wine Companion -
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Green Spot (Greenspot) Irish Whiskey (700ml)IRELANDReduced from $109.99$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenABV: 40%Note: The outer box/tube is likely to have some lined scuffing. This is due to how the tubes are packaged from the distillery and is unavoidable.
"If this doesn't persuade you to fall in love with Irish pot still whiskey, then nothing will." - whiskyadvocate.com
"... an essay in complex and understated layering." - Jim Murray.
Once upon a time in Ireland, many hundreds of wine merchants would fill their own casks with the spirit from their local distilleries and sell it under their own brand name, occasionally giving mention to the stills where it first bubbled into life. But all that changed when distillers became proprietorial and wished, often with good reason, due to the dubious practises of some merchants, to have complete control over any whiskey which bore their name. As businesses closed or merged, brands were lost. Others decided not to compete with the ever more powerful distillers. Some distillers simply refused to supply the whiskey. In the end there was only one left which can still be found today. That sole survivor is Green Spot. There are no exact records as to when the brand first hit the streets, but certainly by the early 1920s the long-established wine merchants of Mitchell and Son of Kildare Street, Dublin, were annually putting aside 100 sherry hogsheads to be filled at Jameson’s Bow Street distillery. So that the whiskey would not be too overpowered by the wine, half the casks used had held oloroso and other dark sherries; the other half were the former homes of lighter finos.
The Jameson pot still would mature for five years in those casks before being vatted together and then allowed to blend and mature for a further five years in those same butts in Mitchell’s old bonded warehouses in Fitzwilliam Lane. The brand was originally known as Pat Whiskey, with a man looking very much the worse for wear apparently bursting through the label. Behind him was dark green shading. From this image grew the name Green Spot. The popularity of this type of whiskey spread to a seven year old Blue Spot, a Yellow Spot (12) and Red Spot (15). As the costs involved in maturing expensive sherry casks became heavier and heavier, Mitchells reverted to vatting just the single and the original Green version. However, when Jameson switched production from Bow Street to Johns Lane, the make-up of the whiskey altered for the first time in living memory. Mitchell’s maturing stocks were running low, and having no intention of losing their famous brand, the company entered into an agreement with Irish Distillers to produce the whiskey. A stipulation was that the whiskey supplied had to be matured in Midleton’s own casks, but IDG were able to guarantee the future of the brand as pure pot still whiskey.
The current Green Spot is made entirely from seven to ten year old Midleton pot still, a healthy 25% coming from sherry cask, which is quite evident in its aroma and taste. With Irish Distillers producing their own 12 year old pot still, Redbreast, it was understandable they were not willing to produce an older vatting for Mitchell’s. But when Redbreast was taken off the market, Green Spot enjoyed the distinction of being the only and very last, pure Irish Pot Still in existence. Now with Midleton back on the shelves it can no longer claim that, but it does remain the longest running pot still whiskey to continuously remain on the shelves. Only 12,000 bottles are made each year, mostly for the home market. Those bottles represent a very small part of the total Mitchell operation. But for a seventh generation family company which dates back to 1805, it is one they cherish as a vital part of their own history and Ireland’s whiskey heritage.
Tasting note: Wonderfully soft on the nose in a floral-fruity way - stewed apples and cream, developing with light vanilla and trace peppermint freshness. Semi-sweet and mildly oily in the mouth, though never confected, with an effortless grace and elegance. The warm wave of dried apple and stone fruit flavours gets juicier and juicier, tempered by balancing oak, spice and a cooling peppermint note late in the finish. A few drops of water and it's almost sublime the way this rolls around your tongue. Vanilla malt, rock candy and hints of sweet spice carry the aftertaste. The sweetness is perfectly controlled in this off-dry, debonair, and quite beautiful Irish. 40% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... The blend of over-ripe gooseberry, intense malt and sandalwood is mesmerising; a little toffee too, which dulls things slightly; an essay in complex and understated layering... what a beautiful whiskey. If they could cut down on the pointless over-emphasis on the caramel and up the strength, they'd have a contender for World Whiskey of the Year.
95 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2022...What’s inside is a blend of whiskeys aged seven to 10 years in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks....No bones about it, this whiskey is a delight. Loaded with flavor but balanced to a T, Green Spot hits all the classic Irish hallmarks while retaining its sense of balance. The nose is spot on (get it?), rich with unripe banana, light honey, chimney soot, and cut grains. The body is more lovely, with toasted marshmallows, very light citrus, caramel, a touch of chocolate, and a big malty finish that comes across a lot like chocolate malt balls when it’s all said and done. Often thought of as “sweeter” than its compatriots, that’s not exactly the case here. Green Spot has sweetness, but it balances out the more savory components, bringing the body right where it ought to be. The spirit is drying as it fades, almost hinting at licorice, which only invites further exploration as that malt character dies like the sunset. Buy it now. - drinkhacker.com
...Roll out the red carpet, because Green Spot is coming to town. Baked apple, spiced sultanas, lush green lawns, and ripe green fruits greet the nose. It's oily, smothering, and luxuriantly juicy, with a depth of character that tips over the back of the tongue like nectar. That mélange of light vanilla, butterscotch, and creamy rice pudding sprinkled with nutmeg is heavenly. If this doesn't persuade you to fall in love with Irish pot still whiskey, then nothing will. 91 points - whiskyadvocate.com
Nose: The first thing to strike you is the density of the nose; nothing light and flowery here. The pot still appears older than its eight years thanks to a pleasant dustiness (something similar to old Redbreast), and the influence of the sherry. All this is mixed with a curious menthol sub-stratum. Some evidence of bourbon wood around too, but rather overshadowed by this highly unusual cough-sweet, malty effect. Taste: Sweet, rich and full bodied from the very start. It quickly fills the mouth with a glorious spiciness. All the time it somehow remains soft, though the taste buds are constantly tweaked by a harder pot still maltiness. Wonderfully complex and busy. Finish: Very long, dry and malty to start then sweetens and some late spice adds to all the fun. The very last, dying rays are rather cool on the throat, as if the menthol on the nose has returned. Comments: This is a tremendous whiskey, sometimes giving a sweet-honey feel more associated with Perthshire malts from Scotland. But the pot still is confident enough to confirm this as Irish with a maturity greater than the age of the whiskey used. If you see it, grab it. It’s too much of a high class one-off to ignore. - 'Classic Irish Whiskey' by Jim Murray 1994-1997 courtesy of Mitchell and Son Wine Merchants.
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2021 Greenock Creek Alices ShirazBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2023-2029)ABV: 15.5%Closure: CorkFrom vines planted in 1997 with maturation taking place in American oak of which 15% was new. Impenetrable super saturated inky black core with a deep black dark red hue. Potent aromas of ripe blackberry, liquorice, black cherry and fennel engulf the olfactory senses with some smoky vanillin cedar and pepper elements also chiming in. Ultra rich, dense and full bodied the blockbuster palate is a super concentrate of luscious blackberry, liquorice and black cherry fruits. Spicy vanillin oak, fennel, smoky earth and pepper characters are largely concealed beneath the enormous wealth of fruit. Opulently textured with a velvety yet sturdy tannin structure it powers through to a long, plush and decadent finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 15.5%Other Reviews….
Greenock Creek wines always present themselves as intensely concentrated examples of their particular slice of the western Barossa. Initially, there is a quick blast of blackberry pastille in this year's release, which gives way to opulent blackberry and cherry fruits with hints of baking spices, dark chocolate-dipped raspberries and pressed purple flowers. If you peer deep into the distance, there are some liminal leathery/mahogany notes, too, wrapping the ripe, long tannins in a warm embrace. As always, mighty impressive stuff. Drink by 2038.
95 points
Dave Brookes – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
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2022 Greywacke Wild SauvignonMarlborough, NEW ZEALAND$39. 99Bottle$479.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2024-2028)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinFermented predominately in old oak barrels using wild yeast then matured in the same barrels for around 6 months with occasional lees stirring. Approximately two-thirds underwent malolactic fermentation.
Brilliant pale straw colour with greenish tinged edges and a watery hue. Jumping out of the glass is a complex mix of herbaceous gooseberry, guava, citrus, grassy asparagus, pencil shaving and subtle gun flint notes. Mouthfilling gooseberry and passionfruit flavours are delivered with excellent concentration and textural volume across the palate. Lending further interest are notions of herbaceous grassy characters, asparagus and spicy pencil shavings. Enveloping yet refreshing it has crisp acidity finishing dry, long and savoury.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13.5%Other Reviews….
Lots of character to this, with apples, pears, popcorn kernels and blanched nuts. It’s medium-bodied with delicious fruit and a flavorful finish. A serious savuignon blanc for chardonnay lover. Flinty and reductive at the end. Screw cap.
94 Points
JamesSuckling.comA stunning white, aromatic and supple, with wild fennel, quince, pear and green papaya flavors on a creamy frame. Aromatic details of mango and honeysuckle, with a whiff of flint, emerge on the finish, which just goes on and on. Drink now.
94 Points
Wine Spectator -
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2023 Greywacke Sauvignon BlancMarlborough, NEW ZEALAND$26. 99Bottle$323.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2024-2026)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinGreywacke is the Marlborough label of former Cloudy Bay winemaker Kevin Judd, where he presided over that company’s first 25 vintages establishing the reputation that it has today. The name Greywacke was adopted by Kevin and his wife Kimberley for their first Marlborough vineyard in Rapaura, named in recognition of the high prevalence of rounded greywacke river stones in the soils of the vineyard. Kevin registered the name back in 1992 with the vague notion that he might one day want to use it on a wine label of his own.
Fruit was sourced from various prime vineyard sites in Marlborough’s Southern Valleys and the central Wairau Plains with a portion of the juice fermented in old oak barrels.
Brilliant water like core with a faint greenish tinge around the outskirts. Bursting out of the glass are pungent aromas of passionfruit, gooseberry and lime which are complimented by some herbaceous grassy notes, green apple and minerals. Mouth watering passionfruit, gooseberry and green apple flavours are delivered with fantastic intensity and drive whilst also imparting a voluminous feel to the texture. Echoing through the back half are herbaceous grassy characters and flinty mineral elements. Finishes dry with crisp acidity and a long irresistibly scrumptious aftertaste.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 13.5%Other Reviews…..
Aromatic, stylish and distinctive, with honeysuckle, quince, citron and fresh ginger notes on a sleek and mouthwatering frame. Accents of lemon thyme and apple skin linger on the refreshing finish. Drink now.
93 Points
Wine SpectatorLight yellow-green with a fresh lifted gooseberry and feijoa bouquet that is bright and intense and very typical of the grape and region. Intense fruit with a penetrating quality and lingering length. Clean, dry finish without overdone acidity. A fine wine.
95 Points
Huon Hooke – The Real Review -
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2023 Groiss Gruner VeltlinerWeinviertel, AUSTRIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2024-2025)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinAfter a high flying career in marketing Ingrid Groiss returned to her family origins, enrolling in viticulture, oenology and wine marketing at the University of Vienna. During those studies she gained experience with producers such as Domäne Wachau, Birgit Braunstein and Birgit Eichinger. She had to play second fiddle to her chief winemaker dad until in 2010 when she went head-to-head with him in a blind taste-off of their own wines, with the victor being handed the winemaker's reins. Needless to say Ingrid came out on top.
Brilliant pale straw colour with greenish tinged edges and a watery hue. Intense pear, red apple skin and musk aromas flood the nostrils followed by some quince and delicate spice notes. Delicious pear and red apple fruits glide across the palate imparting a slippery feel along the course of their journey. Juicy, crisp acidity lifts the intensity of flavour even further. Quince, lime, infusions of fresh herbs and wet stone elements also chime in. Excellent concentration finishing with an energized zing on the long moreish finish. A wonderful entry level example of Gruner Veltliner.
Drink over the next year.
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2020 Guigal Cotes du RhoneCotes du Rhone, Southern Rhone, FRANCE$24. 99Bottle$299.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2024-2029)ABV: 15%Closure: CorkA model of consistency year in year out and one of Cotes du Rhones best buys, the 2020 vintage is a blend of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre sourced from vines with an average age of 35 years. Maturation takes place in oak casks for a period of 18 months.
Deep dark red black core with a dark red hue. Lifted black raspberry and liquorice aromas intermingle with dark to black cherry, scorched earth and peppered meat notes. Rich and concentrated with an opulent yet chewy feel, the bold palate is awash with black raspberry, liquorice and black cherry fruits. Infusions of herbs du Provence, scorched earth and peppered meat characters lie underneath. Sinewy tannins firm up the lengthy ripe black fruited finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 15%Other Reviews….
Significantly impacted by its elevated Syrah content, Guigal's 2020 Cotes du Rhone boasts expressive aromas of blackberries and blueberries, backed by ample black cherries. It's full-bodied yet supple and fluid, easy to drink and enjoy, with enough black olive and earth notes to ground it and keep it from being a simple fruit bomb. Drink 2024-2030.
90 points
Joe Czerwinski – Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate -
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2023 Hahndorf Hill GRU Gruner VeltlinerAdelaide Hills, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2024-2026)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinThe benchmark for Gruner Veltliner in Australia. Brilliant very pale straw colour with highlights of green around the outskirts and a watery hue. Enticing aromas of pear, lime and green apple are trailed by fresh herb, wet stone and delicate spice notes. Texturally mouth filling and concentrated, the palate is engulfed with fleshy pear, white peach, lime and red apple fruits. Subtle notions of wet stone and spice lie beneath. Excellent drive with juicy acidity and a long moreish finish. Trophy winner at the Australian & New Zealand Boutique Wine Show 2023.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 13%
Other Reviews....
Classy stuff. Quite surprisingly potent in its concentration, layered with delightful spice elements, a savoury undertow of green almond, some pleasing varietal root-vegetable characters in the mix. What a delight! Fragrant with its florals, nashi pear, tonic water and radish notes, similar to taste with a good input of kohlrabi and radish again, a lick of nuttiness continues through the finish. So composed, finishes in the distance, feels top tier. Drink by 2030.
94 points
Mike Bennie - James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion -
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2023 Hahndorf Hill Pinot GrigioAdelaide Hills, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2024-2026)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinMade from hand-harvested grapes that are sourced from three different and varying sites in the Adelaide Hills. Brilliant water like colour with a faint greenish tinge around the outskirts. Intense pear and green to red apple aromas jump out of the glass with some lime, fresh herb and wet stone notes also evident. Lively pear, lime and green apple fruits are layered across the palate with a pure river stone like feel. Infusions of fresh herbs, delicate musk and stony mineral elements lie underneath. Excellent concentration finishing dry with mouth watering acidity and a long delicious aftertaste.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
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2023 Hatch Eden Valley Flaxman Valley RieslingEden Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIAReduced from $32.99$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2024-2032)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinBrilliant very pale straw colour with a distinct glimmer of green around the outskirts and a watery hue. Pronounced lime juice, Granny Smith apple and lemon scents are trailed by wet steel and slatey mineral notes. Searing across the palate with a mouth watering intensity are lime and lemon fruits which are sculptured by a steely core of mineral infused acidity. Some crunchy green apple and wet slate elements lurk underneath. Finishes dry, crunchy and long.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 12%Other Reviews…..
Eden Valley riesling from Flaxman Valley. Pale with green flashes in the glass and aromas of wonderfully perfumed, freshly squeezed lime and grapefruit tones with hints of mineral salts, Christmas lily, frangipani, crushed quartz, lavender and distant hints of marzipan and fennel tops. Pure and true with just a touch of textural pith, sapid mineral-rich acidity and a long draw on the finish. Good cellaring potential here. Drink by 2035.
95 Points
Dave Brookes – James Halliday’s Australian Wine CompanionFlaxman’s Valley is a high altitude sub-region of the Eden Valley and one of our most highly regarded districts for growing great Riesling. Combine that with the stellar 2023 vintage and we are in for something special. Cold fermentation took place in refrigerated stainless steel tanks. A shining pale yellow colour. This is beautifully perfumed with talc, bath salts, lavender, florals and citrus, notably intense limes with fine balance and a lingering finish. There is a fine line of crisp acidity with good intensity. Love this and best at ten to twelve years, with potentially a lot more, ahead of it. Drink 2023-2035.
96 Points
Ken Gargett – WinePilot.com -
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2023 Hatch Watervale RieslingClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIAReduced from $32.99$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2024-2032)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinThe 2023 vintage at Clare Valley produced Riesling fruit with great depth of flavour and wonderful natural acidity. Brilliant water like colour with a distinctive greenish tint to the edges. Intense lemon and lime scents jump out of the glass followed by some Granny Smith apple, orange rind, chalky talc and steely mineral notes. Zesty with a laser like focus the palate has a tightly coiled core of lemon, lime juice and Granny Smith apple fruits wrapped up in a steely structure. Excellent drive and concentration with subtle orange rind, chalky talc and flinty mineral elements lingering through the back half. Finishes dry, long and tense.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 12%Other Reviews….
A classic Clare Valley Riesling, from the famous Watervale sub-region, made by a man with more experience than entire districts of winemakers combined. It is as good as you would imagine it should be and has been crafted with cold fermentation in refrigerated stainless steel tanks. Pale lemon hue, this is all florals and spices, limes and wet slate that are focused and pristine. Cranks up an extra level of intensity on the palate with impressive length and balance showing fine acidity which runs the length. This is elegant and finely perfumed – a superb Clare Riesling with ten to fifteen years of providing pleasure ahead of it, more in top cellars. Drink 2023-2038.
95 Points
Ken Gargett – WinePilot.comExceptional wine that comes from the high altitude vineyards above the Clare Valley. Intense opening of floral lime and citrus on the nose with a slightly talcy character adding complexity. The length is sublime. Intense and powerfully loaded with lively Riesling fruit, it has a lemon, lip-smacking palate which is exceptionally long and lingering with the fruit and structure to support extended ageing. Drink 2023-2040.
95 Points
Ray Jordan – WinePilot.com -
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2022 Hatch Vesey ShirazMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIAReduced from $54.99$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2024-2032)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinChris Hatcher, affectionately known as Hatch, has been a winemaker for almost 50 years including more than 35 years at Wolf Blass where he picked up numerous awards including the Jimmy Watson Trophy and three time IWSC international winemaker of the year. Having recently retired from the corporate winemaking scene Hatch has embarked on his own personal venture for which his first releases have received widespread critical acclaim.
A blend of several vineyards across the Mclaren Vale region, Vesey takes its name from Chris Hatcher’s great-grandfather Alf Vesey who started winemaking at Penfolds in 1883. He worked at Magill for an amazing 69 years and was the Master Winemaker for 47 of those years during which time he famously mentored Max Schubert, the creator of Penfolds Grange.
Matured for 18 months in 59% French oak (11.9% new) and 41% American oak (20.1% new). Magnificent colour featuring an impenetrable inky black heart and a deep dark red black hue. Exuberant ripe blackberry, liquorice, dark plum and mocha aromas waft through the nostrils followed by chocolatey vanillin oak, hints of blueberry and spice notes. Rich opulent blackberry, liquorice and dark plum fruits engulf the mouth with terrific concentration and textural density. Plush, silky feel with notions of blueberry, spicy vanillin oak, subtle mocha and spicy earth adding further interest. Outstanding power and polish with a cashmere like feel to the tannins. Concludes very long, highly seductive and luxurious.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews…..
A thoroughly delicious full and generous Shiraz sourced from McLaren Vale. Has the plump middle palate of the region with finely balanced oak and supporting tannins gently cuddling it through to a long pleasing finish. Loads of spicy plummy fruit with a little liqueur chocolate adding further detail. Excellent wine with structure and poise. Drink 2023-2037.
96 Points
Ray Jordan – WinePilot.comThis wine was named for Chris Hatcher’s great-grandfather, Alf Vesey. Alf started working at Penfolds way back in 1883 and continued on for an incredible 69 years. Of those 69 years, he was their Master Winemaker for 47 of them. While he was there, he mentored a young bloke who went on to do okay – Max Schubert. The fruit for this wine was fermented on skins in small open top fermenters, for five to ten days. A dense vibrant purple, the wine has gorgeous aromas which simply leap from the glass. Blueberries, mocha, spices, coffee beans, dark chocolate and bay leaves. This is rich and ripe and more chocolate flavours emerge on the palate. Generous in style, indeed opulent, with a seductive and soft texture, silky tannins and a long, lingering finish. Notes of coffee grinds and dry herbs then emerge towards the end of the palate. This will easily age and improve for eight to twelve years. Love it. Drink 2023-2035.
96 Points
Ken Gargett – WinePilot.comAlf Vesey, the great-grandfather of winemaker Chris Hatcher, was the master winemaker at Penfolds for 47 years and a mentor to a young, aspiring winemaker called Max Schubert. The Vesey is a plump, plummy, instantly appealing wine with ripe Doris plum, blackberry and cassis tones with hints of layered fruitcake spice, those little bottle-shaped liquor chocolate things, licorice, earth and roasting meats with fine, sandy tannin grip and an extended draw on the finish. Drink by 2035.
95 Points
Dave Brookes – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 96
- 96
2021 Hay Shed Hill Cabernet SauvignonMargaret River, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$24. 99Bottle$299.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2024-2032)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinThis outstanding Cabernet was produced from low yielding, non irrigated vines planted in the 1970’s on Hay Shed Hill’s estate vineyards located in Margaret River’s famed Willyabrup sub region. Maturation took place in French oak barrels for a period of 13 months.
Blessed with gorgeous rich red fruit, this is a wonderfully refined Margaret River Cabernet.
Midnight black core with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Pronounced red to black currant and mulberry aromas stream from the glass with plenty of potency complimented by some vanillin cedar, tobacco, subtle earthy black olive and distinct bay leaf notes. Delicious red to black currant and mulberry fruits show ample richness and flesh across the palate. Adding further interest are elements of red liquorice, vanillin cedar, subtle tobacco, earth and infusions of bay leaf. Elegantly structured and polished, seamlessly integrated fine grained tannins lead into a long, wonderfully refined finish.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 14%Other Reviews…..
Fifty-year-old Margaret River vines deliver a cabernet with deep colour, classy blackcurrant and bay leaf fruit with neatly handled alcohol, fine tannins and a dab of French oak. The value for money is the cream on the cake, as is the way the wine gets better each time you go back to it. Its juicy cassis fruit is faultless. Drink by 2036.
96 points
James Halliday – Australian Wine Companion -
- 96
2022 Hennings Heathcote ShirazHeathcote, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$27. 99Bottle$335.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2024-2030)ABV: 14.9%Closure: StelvinThe Hennings vineyard is part of a family owned farm that was established by Henning Rathjen in 1858. He was the first to plant vines in the Heathcote region producing wines up until the 1920’s when the vineyard was eventually abandoned. It wasn’t until 1998 when Daryl Rathjen decided to replant the 30 acre vineyard on the same original site that production started again. Winemakers David and Liam Anderson from Wild Duck Creek are in charge of winemaking so its no surprise that the resultant wines are hefty, super rich examples of Heathcote Shiraz. Maturation took place in French oak, 15% of which was new for a period of 18 months.
Powerful and expansive with rich, mouth coating flavours melting across the voluptuously textured palate.
Dense super saturated inky black heart with a very deep bright dark red black tinged hue. Wafting through the nostrils are heady ripe blackberry, liquorice, dark plum and dark chocolate scents which are intermeshed with vanillin oak, earthy mocha and spice notes. Cascading across the sumptuous palate with tidal wave like power are lavish blackberry, liquorice and dark plum fruits. Subtlety toasted vanillin oak, fennel, earthy mocha and pepper characters linger across the back half. Rich and concentrated it possesses a voluptuous textural feel and silky smooth tannins. Concludes long, exuberantly fruited and opulent.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.9% -
- 95
- 93
- Reduced
2024 Henschke Peggy’s Hill RieslingEden Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIAReduced from $27.99$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2024-2032)ABV: 11.5%Closure: StelvinThis Riesling takes its name from a local landmark, Peggy’s Hill, located at the top of the range between the villages of Eden Valley and Keyneton. It is produced from a selection of longstanding Eden Valley Riesling growers, whose vines range from 10 to 70 years of age, growing in low-vigour, ancient Cambrian soils at around 500m altitude.
Brilliant very pale straw almost water like colour with a greenish tinged outskirts. Leaping from the glass are intense lime juice and lemon scents which are trailed by some green apple, talc and chalky mineral notes. Mouth watering lime, lemon and green apple fruits are delivered with terrific concentration over a chalky talc and steely mineral back drop. Crisp, laser like acidity pierces its way through the wines core generating a racy feel. Finishes long and zesty.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 11.5%
Other Reviews....
Pale in the glass with a flash of green and unctuous aromas of freshly squeezed lime juice, Christmas lilies, Bickford's lime cordial, green apple sorbet, crushed stone, bath salts, orange blossom and stone. Crisp, dry and sporting a sizzling mineral line, I have to keep repeating to myself not to mention the riesling and value thing as it shines with use, but I mean really. This is a ripper. Drink by 2034.
93 points
Dave Brookes - James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion -
- 96
- 96
2024 Henschke Julius RieslingEden Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$44. 99Bottle$539.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2024-2032)ABV: 11%Closure: StelvinFourth-generation winemaker Cyril Henschke developed the Henschke reputation for premium Riesling wines as early as the 1950’s from the vineyard areas of Eden Valley, Keyneton and Springton in the Eden Valley wine region.
Brilliant water like core with subtle highlights of green around the edges. Soaring out of the glass are intense aromas of lime, lemon and green apple which are followed by some orange rind, talc and chalky mineral notes. Mouth watering flavours of lime, citrus, green apple and orange rind carry a zesty feel across the palate. A steely back drop of chalky talc and flinty mineral elements lies underneath. Tense, focused and driving it possesses crisp acidity and has a long riveting finish that’s crunchy fresh.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 11%
Other Reviews.....
Pale straw in the glass with a flash of green and inviting aromas of Bickford's lime cordial, fresh lime juice, green apple sorbet and grapefruit. Hints of crushed quartz, Christmas lily, citrus blossom, almond paste, ozone, lemongrass and makrut lime. There is a beautiful tubular, porcelain palate shape here, slickly focused and precise with a slight ache of umami as the wine tears across the tongue like a limey Shinkansen, finishing long, dry and beautifully balanced. Drink by 2038.
96 points
Dave Brookes - James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion -
- 96
2021 Henschke Keyneton EuphoniumBarossa, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$56. 99Bottle$683.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2024-2032)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinKeyneton Euphonium is composed of Shiraz sourced from up to 50-year-old vines growing in the Eden and Barossa Valleys, blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot from selected vineyards in both regions. The 2021 vintage is made up of 63% Shiraz, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Merlot matured in a mixture of 82% French and 18% American oak consisting of 11% new French oak puncheons and 89% seasoned French and American oak hogsheads for a period of 18 months.
Dense midnight black core with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Intense ripe blackcurrant, blackberry, liquorice and dark plum aromas stream out of the glass with vanillin cedar, earth and dried herb notes also evident. Rich, seamless and silky, the medium to full bodied palate is layered with blackcurrant, liquorice and blackberry fruits which meld into a plum, vanillin cedar, earth and spice back drop. Beautifully polished tannins finishing long and refined.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 14.5% -
- 97
2021 Hentley Farm The Beast ShirazBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenCellar: 10 - 15 Years (2034-2039)ABV: 15%Closure: StelvinSelected from a single block high on the estate peak, where the soils are shallow and exposure to sunlight is long, the Beast embodies all the classic Barossa attributes of power, concentration, richness and structure. Maturation took place in French oak (60% new and 40% seasoned) for a period of 22 months.
Magnificent colour density featuring a saturated inky black heart and an equally deep black dark red hue. Intense blackberry and liquorice scents engulf the olfactory senses followed by some dark plum, vanillin cedar, fennel and pepper notes. Full bodied the palate is awash with a concentrate of blackberry, liquorice and dark plum fruits which overlay a spicy vanillin cedar, earthy dark chocolate, fennel and blackpepper back drop. Firmly structured with an opulent feel it has ripe yet muscular tannins and bright underlying acidity. Finishes fresh, seductive and powerful.
Cellar 10-15 years.
Alc. 15%
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