Availability:
What's Hot
The best of the best at every price point from Australia's most highly curated online wine and spirits list.
![2020 De Bortoli The Estate Vineyard Chardonnay]()
- 93
- 92
2020 De Bortoli The Estate Vineyard ChardonnayYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 12.7%Closure: StelvinA generously layered, mid weighted Chardonnay that’s gently creamy in its feel and possesses a refined finish.
Produced from mature Chardonnay vines ranging from the oldest which were planted in 1976 to the youngest in 1994. Maturation took place in new and used French oak casks.
Brilliant pale straw colour with a subtle flash of green to the edges and a watery hue. Elevated scents of peach, dried honey and nectarine fill the nostrils with hints of crème brulee, biscuity nougat and spice also evident. Mid weighted, the palate is generously layered with peach, nectarine, biscuity nougat and cashew flavours which carry a gentle creamy feel. Delicate nuances of crème brulee and spice ensue. The long and refined finish underscored by fresh acidity.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 12.7%Other Reviews…..
Hand picked and whole-bunch pressed to new and used French oak casks. A natural-yeast fermentation with around 50% going through mlf. Open and engaging from the start, with its ripe, white nectarine fruit and subtle matchstick. Lots of flavour on the palate, but balanced and finishing with refreshing acidity and good length for a Yarra chardonnay at this modest price. Drink by 2026.
92 points
Philip Rich – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion![2023 Laroche Reserve Chardonnay]()
- 94
- Reduced
2023 Laroche Reserve ChardonnayVin de France, FRANCEReduced from $29.99$26. 99Bottle$323.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2024-2027)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinRenown Chablis producer Domaine Laroche are behind this very affordable Chablis styled Chardonnay. Sourced from cool, high altitude vineyards in the Limoux sector, the wine was vinified in a mix of 60% stainless steel and 40% demi-muid barrels, and aged on fine lees for a period of 6-8 months.
Brilliant pale straw colour with greenish tinged edges and a watery hue. Lifted aromas of pear and lime mix with wet slate, subtle fresh herb and flinty mineral notes. Fleshy pear and lime fruits are delivered with terrific concentration and carry a rounded river stone like textural feel. Stony mineral characters, oyster shell and fresh herb infusions lie underneath. Brisk acidity lends energy to the long stony mineral laced finish. Very Chablis like and great value.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 12.5%![2023 Paul Osicka Majors Creek Vineyard Grenache]()
- 95
- 94
2023 Paul Osicka Majors Creek Vineyard GrenacheHeathcote, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2024-2030)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinProduced from Paul Osicka’s small bush vine Grenache planting, planted on a sandy hill with red/orange clay this delicious Grenache was matured in seasoned oak for a period of 8 months.
Dark red core with black toned edges and a light red hue. Showing wonderful aromatic lift out of the glass are dazzling aromas of red raspberry, cherry and red liquorice gently infused with fresh herbs, scorched earth, vanillin spice and pepper. Juicy red to dark raspberry, ripe cherry and liquorice fruits are piled across the palate with magnificent intensity and a velvety feel. Infusions of crushed rock, fresh herbs and pepper lie underneath. Bursting with energy it has silky tannins and a long flowing finish that’s super succulent.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews…..
The 2022 was minute quantities, a single barrel, maybe not quite that after personal consumption and samples went out – this 2023 release, from a cooler year, was more abundant, though limited by the bush vine vineyard planting likewise. To the end of the 2023 season the vines were farmed organically. It spent 21 days on skins.
It’s got the right mojo. Tension of fine, granitic tannin, a sour-tart cherry fruit spectrum, a sense of botanical/amaro-like pleasing bitterness, a chinotto like strand through the wine. It’s sappy and got some crunch, decidedly savoury, a touch into the pleasing medicinal spectrum almost with a wash of bergamot and black tea characters. It feels just about all about fruit character and quality. So refreshing, medium weight more or less, plenty of a sense of complexity. This is my kind of drinking, but should please a legion of grenache-ophiles in tandem. Drink 2024-2030.
94 points
Mike Bennie – The Wine Front![2022 Pedestal Cabernet Sauvignon]()
- 95
2022 Pedestal Cabernet SauvignonMargaret River, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$21. 99Bottle$263.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2024-2030)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinFruit for this wine is sourced from a range of vineyards located throughout the northern Margaret River region with maturation taking place in a combination of new and 1 to 2 year old French oak barriques for 10 months. Winemaker Larry Cherubino stating that in general terms, Northern Margaret River is better suited to red wines with its slightly warmer Indian Ocean influence whereas southern Margaret River favours white wines due to the cooling influence of the southern Ocean breeze. 2022 was a standout vintage for Cabernet Sauvignon with the wines showing great intensity, ripeness and balanced acidity.
Midnight black heart with a dark red black tinged hue. Showing plenty of elevation out of the glass are blackcurrant and mulberry scents which are complimented by hints of red liquorice, cedary tobacco, earthy black olive and spicy bay leaf notes. Rich blackcurrant and red liquorice fruits fill the mouth with vanillin cedar, mulberry, subtle earthy tobacco and bay leaf accents ensuing. Juicy yet sturdy feel with polished fine grained tannins provide ample structure. Excellent concentration and drive with a long deeply fruited finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5%![2021 Penny’s Hill Single Vineyard Shiraz]()
- 97
2021 Penny’s Hill Single Vineyard ShirazMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$44. 99Bottle$539.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2024-2032)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinSouth Australian vineyard baron and wine mogul Warren Randall recently purchased the Penny’s Hill estate and with it he has undertaken a smart packaging revamp of the brand. Produced from a vineyard planted in 1991, this superb Shiraz was matured in French oak puncheons, of which 26% were new and the remaining 1-3 year old oak for a period of 15 months. Only the best barrels were selected for the final blend.
Plush, powerful and opulent, this is rich, sumptuous McLaren Vale Shiraz at its absolute best.
Impenetrable pitch black heart with a very deep dark red black hue. Soaring from the glass are heady ripe blackberry and liquorice scents which are complimented by some dark plum, gently toasted vanillin cedar, dark chocolate and spicy fennel notes. Rich and lavish in its feel across the palate, opulent blackberry, liquorice, dark chocolate and dark plum flavours engulf the mouth. Vanillin oak, subtle earthy fennel, mocha and spice characters form the underbelly. Boasting fantastic power, textural volume and velvety tannins it concludes very long, plush and seductive.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 14.5%![Signatory Vintage Speyside (GL) 16 Year Old 100 Proof Edition #7 Exceptional Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)]()
- Nick's Import
Signatory Vintage Speyside (GL) 16 Year Old 100 Proof Edition #7 Exceptional Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$139. 99Bottle$1679.88 DozenABV: 57.1%"Big whisky, intensely sherry-forward...And not too dry of an Oloroso influence either... Everything kind of just works". - wordsofwhisky.com
There are true gems to be found in Signatory's 'Exceptional Cask' range, at prices that wouldn’t have been out of place a decade ago. This looks to be one. 'GL' reportedly refers to Glenlivet (but it could be Glenfarclas or Glenrothes...) The whisky was drawn from first-fill oloroso hogsheads and fairly active casks at that, delivering spectacular colour and a big, dried fruit, sherry hit that verges towards venerable Armagnac. Perhaps too much for some, but we know there are those who appreciate - even treasure - these extreme styles. 57.1% Alc./Vol. Non-chill filtered.
Other reviews... Nose: Big whisky, intensely sherry-forward. Hints of toasted bread accompanied with prunes, milk chocolate and dates, as well as sultanas. Also tinges of leather, some furniture polish and even molasses. Not the most complex, but much more balanced than the two malts above. Taste: Lovely stuff. There’s a pinch of pepper alongside figs, dates and rich dark chocolate. Then a tinge of tobacco leaves and cured meats, but also leather again. Finally some black tea and cloves, as well as a sliver of fennel. Finish: Long. More of the above. Syrupy fruits. Very good. I couldn't tell you the distillery, but does it really matter when the cask influence is this overwhelming? Not too much oak, so that's good. And not too dry of an Oloroso influence either, which is good too. Everything kind of just works. - wordsofwhisky.com/
...Cascade of red fruits, strawberry coulis, raspberry puree, tomato soup, apple crumble. After a while, the influence of the wood is felt, it becomes velvety, dark chocolate, ground coffee beans, mocha, soggy leather, smooth caramel, creamy honey, royal jelly. It becomes more and more mellow, nut cakes, olive oil, nougatine. Charcoal. The palate is quite round, soft caramel, coffee liqueur, but very quickly, the spices invade everything, cumin, black pepper, cloves. Finish Powerful and quite long, Viennese coffee with lots of whipped cream, chocolate fondant, some grainy cereals, egg custard. The barrels must have been heavily charred, as they weigh heavily on the flavors, both on the nose and on the palate. This makes for a very woody nose and a very spicy palate. - whiskybase.com
![2007 Signatory Vintage Craigellachie 16 Year Old 100 Proof Edition #4 Exceptional Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)]()
- Nick's Import
2007 Signatory Vintage Craigellachie 16 Year Old 100 Proof Edition #4 Exceptional Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$139. 99Bottle$1679.88 DozenABV: 57.1%"A very strong, flavorful experience... takes lots of water and just smiles and burps." - whiskybase.com
It would seem the 'Exceptional Cask' Signatory selections are the next step up from the entry level 100 proof range. The ABVs are the same, the age statements slightly older, yet the prices aren't that different. Judging by the title, you'd assume these are single-cask offerings, however the label says 'butts'. Distilled in 2007 at the Craigellachie distillery and matured in first fill Oloroso Sherry casks, this is said to be quite a feisty, spiced-up dram, which doesn't surprise us. A strong attack is a common characteristic of Craigellachie. The flipside is that it's said to take water very well. Some tasters say at a 50/50 ratio, it still tastes great. Another way of looking at it is you'll be able to stretch the bottle out, simply because the whisky 'swims' so well. 57.1% alc/vol, non-chill filtered.
Other reviews... Tempted to add another point for how well it takes water. The strong distillate takes lots of water and just smiles and burps. It seems to have taken some fairly active casking just the same way. The sweetness and wood from the sherry casks are just melded into the conquering character of Craigellachie. I find the OB 13yo has a funky beer-y note on the finish, like a funky malty lager or something. The wood and sweetness here don't override that, but rather crank it up to 11, until it becomes almost funky beer syrup. A bit of water mutes that note just right. A very strong, flavorful experience. - whiskybase.com
It's really good and interesting, the Sherry isn't too overpowering, and there's a real identity in the glass. - whiskybase.com
![2021 Sons of Eden Romulus Old Vine Shiraz]()
- 97
- 95
- 96
2021 Sons of Eden Romulus Old Vine ShirazBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$69. 99Bottle$839.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 10 Years (2024-2034)ABV: 14.5%Closure: CorkSons of Eden is a partnership between winemaker Corey Ryan and viticulturist Simon Cowham who both learnt their trades in the vineyards and cellars of Eden Valley. Their labels Romulus and Remus come from the fable of the legendary founders of Ancient Rome. These twins were abandoned at birth and reared by a she-wolf. Romulus murdered his twin Remus in a fit of rage over the naming of Rome, the city which both had built. Legend presents Romulus (Barossa Valley) as the stronger, more powerful of the brothers, while Remus (Eden Valley) was more refined, focussed and elegant.
Fruit was sourced from the Nuriootpa, Light Pass and Menglers Hill sub regions of the Barossa Valley with vines aged between 60-80 years old. Maturation took place in French oak hogsheads of which 45% were new for a period of 18 months.
Impenetrable inky black heart with a very deep dark red black tinged hue. Engulfing the olfactory senses are potent aromas of dark plum, blackberry, liquorice and mocha which are interwoven with vanillin oak, dark chocolate and spice notes. Incredibly deep, rich and powerful, the full bodied palate is layered with opulent dark plum, liquorice and blackberry fruit. Also chiming in are some black cherry, dark chocolate, spicy vanillin oak and earthy mocha like characters. Voluptuously textured yet beautifully poised it has a velvety yet structural framework of tannins. Concludes very long, plush and seductive.
Drink over the next 8-10 years.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews…..
Old-vine, 50-plus-year-old shiraz sourced from several sites across the Barossa Valley. Bright red and dark plummy fruits cut with exotic spice, violet and jasmine top notes, licorice, dark chocolate and Barossa earth. Detail and line are recurring themes in the SoE wines; nothing overblown or over the top, just pure, spicy fruit, a graceful passage across the palate and a distinct regional thumbprint. It's drinking nicely now but will improve with careful cellaring. Drink by 2035.
95 Points
Dave Brookes – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion
A wonderful depth of flavor, with aromas of blood plums, dark cherries, sarsaparilla, olive tapenade, violets and ferric earth. The palate is full-bodied with finely integrated tannins and bright acidity, giving intense notes of sarsaparilla, wild blackberries, sweet spices and mulberries. Structured and generous with an underlying freshness. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
96 points
JamesSuckling.com![That Boutique-y Whisky Company Glenrothes 14 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (500ml) - Batch 13]()
- Reduced
That Boutique-y Whisky Company Glenrothes 14 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (500ml) - Batch 13Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLANDReduced from $169.99$139. 99Bottle$1679.88 DozenABV: 59.6%That Boutique-y Whisky Company has been busy bottling its End of The World series, and seeing as its Glenrothes releases already have a graveyard and a ghost on the label, this 14-year-old malt makes a perfect addition. Originally filled into a single hogshead, it was treated to a finish in a selection of oloroso sherry octaves and a Grim Reaper has been added to the label for bonus doomsday vibes. Batch 13 is a release of 370 bottles at 59.6% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Notes from the bottlers... Nose Sticky dates, honeyed figs, chocolate raisins, and cigar box spice, with sweet, warming cinnamon and nutmeg joining in time. Palate Sticky dried fruits lead the way with juicy raisins and sultanas, fig rolls, and chewy toffee. Finish Rich oak brings a touch of clove and anise, bringing warmth to the sweet sherried fruit.
Australia's most curated online wine & spirits list, regularly updated...
It's not uncommon for long-time customers to comment, "I've never had a bad wine from Nicks" . Part of the reason is that we taste and rate all the wines before you do. In fact, we offer an independent review for most of the wines on this website. Think of the "What's Hot" page as a shortlist - not only of the most highly rated wines from every category and price point - but also many of the best value spirits and liqueurs in Australia. Our selections include the most exciting wine growing regions around Australia as well as imports from around the world. Not sure what to buy? Give us a call on 1800 069 295. Let us know what you've enjoyed in the past and one of our knowledgeable staff will guide you in your choice. Unlike many retailers, we let you mix it up. Order online in straight dozens or make every bottle different to enjoy a new flavour each day. When you order more than $200 worth, get it delivered free to most areas of Australia.