Availability:
What's Hot
The best of the best at every price point from Australia's most highly curated online wine and spirits list.
![2015 Veuve Clicquot Vintage Champagne]()
- 95
- Reduced
2015 Veuve Clicquot Vintage ChampagneChampagne, FRANCEReduced from $160.00$130. 00Bottle$1560.00 DozenABV: 12.5%Closure: Diam CorkA blend of 50% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Meunier sourced from selected Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards with an average of 5 years on lees. A plentiful mousse slowly dissipates to reveal a pale straw coloured base that has pale gold tinged edges. Very persistent and fine bead. Pronounced citrus and yeast lees aromas mingle with baked bread, almond, chalk and subtle toast. Racy and tense the palate is vividly sculptured by crisp acidity with citrus, oily toast and yeast lees characters melding into a dry chalky back drop of oyster shells and minerals. Airy mouth feel finishing long and stimulating.
Alc. 12.5%![W.L. Weller Full Proof Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) - Whiskey Hunt Australia Selection]()
- 95
- Limit One per customer
W.L. Weller Full Proof Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) - Whiskey Hunt Australia SelectionKentucky, UNITED STATES$375. 00Bottle$4500.00 DozenABV: 57%"...a worthy addition to the Weller brand, offering a rich and flavorful pour at a spot-on proof." - breakingbourbon.com
Buffalo Trace's “Wheated” mashbill is absent of rye, instead it includes corn, wheat and malted barley. Ratios are not disclosed. The fact that this forgoes chill filtration to preserve all the naturally occurring residual oils makes it something a little special from the get go. The nose possesses a depth and weight not often encountered in young Bourbon, matched by a mouth filling attack. Cherry chocolate, cola and pepper are underscored by a superb thread of caramel and vanilla. As the heat and oak ramp up, 'harmonious' isn't a descriptor that comes to mind. Nevertheless, this slightly disjointed, high octane whiskey will satisfy those who get a thrill out of incendiary styles. With water, the aroma shifts to oak shavings, pecans and hints of maple syrup, the palate accenting hazelnuts and milk chocolate, while hints of peppermint add freshness to the finish. It's an intimidating Bourbon experience, with non chill filtration clearly benefiting the overall persistence, richness and amplified texture, but also one that needs time to evolve in the glass. 192 bottles produced. 57% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered. Tasted from a 30ml sample.
Notes from the importers... Having a nose of vanilla, dark cherries and caramel. On the palate, there is a balance of caramel and toasted oak. The finish is said to be long, with notes of crème brûlée and chocolate.
![546785487646457_1.jpg]()
- 90
- 94
- Reduced
W.L. Weller Special Reserve Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)Kentucky, UNITED STATESReduced from $119.99$84. 99Bottle$1019.88 DozenABV: 45%"Almost too soft and easy to drink. A thousand kisses in a glass."
94 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2021Weller is a “wheated” bourbon, meaning that it doesn’t have the spicy rye notes found in a more traditional “ryed” bourbon. Originally created by the Stitzel-Weller Distilling Company, the brand is named after William Larue Weller, a distiller who is credited by some as being the first to use wheat as the secondary grain in bourbon as opposed to the more common rye. The style here is softly spoken on the nose, so give it ample time to open up. Threads of vanilla wafer biscuit, honeycombe and caramel nib weave a silky tapestry across the tongue with a seductively sweet, oily, tea biscuit-like finish where oak adds delicate spice. The overall effect feels elegant, understated. In short, a textural Bourbon that whispers and hints, which for some will make it all the more engaging. If you like wheated styles, put this next on your list. 45% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Once a 7 year old product, W.L. Weller Special Reserve no longer carries an age statement, but the wheated bourbon still brings caramel-forward joy and hints of watermelon and fresh-baked bread. Enjoy the short bursts of crème brulee, praline, honey, Jolly Rancher watermelon candy, and a hint of nutmeg, because it’s not there long. You can see the potential. 82 points - maltadvocate.com, reviewed by: Fred Minnick (Spring 2016)
...The bourbon maintains its abundant sweetness on the palate, delivering a tasty yet classic mix of honey, caramel, vanilla, and light fruit. A very slight amount of oak rounds things out. Spice fails to make an appearance, likely a result of the wheated mashbill and relatively low proof, but in doing so, allows the sweet flavors to really come forth. The resulting experience is a nice one, leaving little to complain about aside from its characteristically gentle delivery. - breakingbourbon.com
![2023 Wantirna Estate Lily Pinot Noir]()
- 96
- 96
- 95
- Reduced
2023 Wantirna Estate Lily Pinot NoirYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIAReduced from $110.00$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenABV: 13.6%Closure: Stelvin2025 marks 62 years since the first vines were planted at Wantirna Estate, established in 1963 on an east-facing slope in Melbourne's southeastern outskirts. Once a mix of orchards, bush, and grasslands, the vineyard thrives today under the care of Maryann, Reg's daughter, though Reg remains actively involved. The wines, named after his four grandchildren, feature labels illustrated by Michael Leunig, reflecting each grandchild's personality, a heartfelt touch to this family-run estate.
The vineyard's three distinct Pinot Noir blocks, covering just ten acres, are hand-harvested separately, often with up to two weeks between harvest dates. The mature block, with vines from the early 1970s, contributes savory tones and fine tannins. The Front block adds spice, while the Fruit Tree block offers generous fruitiness. Blended together, these components create the complex Pinot Noir style Wantirna Estate is renowned for.
Other Reviews....
A deep and brightly coloured crimson purple. Both to look at and smell, this is a concentrated and complex Wantirna pinot that's going to need some time. Aromas of black cherry, damson plum and dried red rose petals lead onto the palate, which is densely packed, structured and very long. Have it with food now, for sure, but those who still have some five to ten years from now will be very well rewarded. Drink 2026-2035.
96+ points
Philip Rich - James Halliday's Wine CompanionI visited Wantirna Estate around this time last year, and didn’t taste any wine, rather we had tea and biscuits on the porch. Lovely. It’s a vineyard as a garden, if you take my meaning, The place has a sense of intimacy and it’s a world away from many larger producers. 130 dozen produced using very light weight bottles at that. Yay!
Raspberry, red cherry, mint, cedar, pencils and spice, something of a potpourri perfume too. It’s medium-bodied, all red fruits, a little spicy and autumnal, fresh raspberry crunch to acidity, with a firmness to tannin that offers grainy grip, finishing a little sappy with lively acidity, savoury flavours, and excellent length. Oak still shows a little too much as at now, but this is a strong release, and I like the ‘mineral’ character it offers too. Drink 2027-2034+.
95 points
Gary Walsh - The Wine FrontThe 2023 Lily Pinot Noir leads with cherry and cranberry, moss and tobacco, with layers of damp earth and exotic spice. This is beautiful. In the mouth, the wine is silky, with fine, pliable tannins that shape the course of the fruit across the tongue. The acidity is woven gently throughout and offers a delicacy and laciness that I find highly attractive. This is such a gorgeous wine. 13.6% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Drink 2025-2038.
96 points
Erin Larkin - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate![2015 Warenghem Distillery Armorik Single Cask Australian Exclusive Cask Strength Single Malt French Whisky (700ml)]()
- 95
- Australian Exclusive
2015 Warenghem Distillery Armorik Single Cask Australian Exclusive Cask Strength Single Malt French Whisky (700ml)Brittany, FRANCE$199. 99Bottle$2399.88 DozenABV: 58.7%French whiskies are so rarely encountered here that when they do arrive they come with a sense of mystery. Yet, if there are regional challengers to the malts that emerge from Scotland's Western Highlands, then Northern France would have to be one. Whiskies from Brittany can be hugely flavoursome, capturing a sense of place with the freshness of the seashore and a touch of rusticity that's occasionally augmented by varying degrees of peat. Kornog and Warenghem are standouts, the latter offering whiskies under their Armorik label. When the Australian importers visited Brittany earlier in the year, their barrel selection came with a further French twist: Full-term maturation in a cask that previously held Pineau des Charentes - a speciality aperitif of Cognac, generally categorised as a fortified wine (aka 'mistelle' or 'vin de liqueur' in France, however, being a blend of grape must and eau-de-vie it could be argued that the genre is more akin to a liqueur). There is one cask only, all for Australia and the whisky it yielded continues a theme of beautifully rounded, utterly mouthfilling and wonderfully textural malts from Warenghem, this time with a light honey, fruit compote and sponge cake character in the mix. On the palate, poached fruits work to heighten the succulence of the barley before trailing off with lively spices, vanilla and honey. Hints of brine and pepper add vitality to the finish as does a slightly tart quince or citric note. It's wound up in a beautifully integrated delivery that's dangerously easy to drink uncut. With water the profile loses some of its finer points, but fluffs into a deliciously creamy dram. Distilled in October 2015 and bottled in February 2023, the visual presentation might lack sophistication, however the final result has exceeded the importer's expectations. 150 bottles are on offer. 58.7% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
![2024 West Cape Howe Old School Chardonnay]()
- 94
2024 West Cape Howe Old School ChardonnayMount Barker, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$17. 99Bottle$215.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinA rich, full flavoured style Chardonnay with a creamy textural feel.
The Old School Chardonnay is sourced from specific vineyard blocks in Mount Barker with barrel fermentation and maturation taking place in French oak of which 20% is new for a period of 10 months. Extended lees contact with fortnightly stirring and full malolactic fermentation enhance the wines texture to produce a full flavoured style Chardonnay.
Brilliant pale straw colour with highlights of green around the edges and a watery hue. Elevated aromas of peach, apricot and honeycomb fill the nostrils followed by hints of crème brulee, butterscotch and spice. Rich and mouth filling, the weighty palate is swamped with luscious ripe peach and apricot fruits. Notions of crème brulee, honeycomb and spicy nougat form the underbelly. A full, creamy textural feel counterpointed by a lick of fresh acidity through the long intensely flavoured finish.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 14%![2020 Whistling Eagle Vineyard Eagles Blood Shiraz]()
- 96
- 96
2020 Whistling Eagle Vineyard Eagles Blood ShirazHeathcote, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$54. 99Bottle$659.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinA seductive Heathcote Shiraz that boasts ample power and a plush textural feel.
Renown as one of Heathcote’s leading growers and viticulturalists, Ian Rathjen also produces small parcels of wine under his own label, Whistling Eagle. Matured in French oak (30% new) for a period of 18 months, the Eagles Blood Shiraz is his ultimate expression of the Cambrian terroir displaying spectacular colour, depth and power.
Pitch black core with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Heady aromatics of ripe blackberry, liquorice and dark plum waft out of the glass complimented by some vanillin cedar, fennel and peppered earth notes. A rich, silky flow of opulent blackberry, liquorice and dark plum fruits decorate the full bodied palate. Vanillin oak, subtle earthy mocha and peppered fennel characters also chime in. Boasting ample power and a plush textural feel, it has velvet smooth tannins and a long seductive finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews…..
One sniff and you are standing on the mineral-rich soils of Heathcote, surrounded by the warm, inviting scents of the local bush. This is an evocative wine, of the place, of the dirt, capturing both the natural generosity of Heathcote shiraz and its environment beautifully, artfully. Earth, bush mint, undergrowth, acacia, briar, cassis, black cherry, anise and red licorice join forces with well-mannered oak to seduce. Seduction complete. Drink by 2038.
96 Points
Jeni Port – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion![Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey (1000ml)]()
- 91
- Nick's Import
Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey (1000ml)Kentucky, UNITED STATES$139. 99Bottle$1679.88 DozenABV: 50.5%"Possibly the most overlooked bottle in Wild Turkey’s lineup, barrels of Kentucky Spirit are consistently good, and sometimes fantastic..." - breakingbourbon.com
When it was released in 1994, Kentucky Spirit was at the forefront of Bourbon, reported to be only the second single barrel bourbon to hit the market after Blanton’s.The 101 proof release is drawn from a single barrel, which means no two will be exactly alike. The challenge is to find single barrels that capture the essence of Wild Turkey, while also maintaining a consistency that gives each taste of Kentucky Spirit a similar flavour from batch to batch. Every bottle is handsomely packaged with a label bearing the barrel number, date and warehouse number. In the context of the entire portfolio, this is the bottling that has the potential to bring out the best of Wild Turkey at what is arguably the distillery’s ideal proof. 50.5% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Kentucky Spirit probably won’t be many bourbon drinkers’ first experience with Wild Turkey, but it should hold a place on every more experienced bourbon drinker’s shelf. Given the right barrel and enough attention to its subtle nuances, Kentucky Spirit can offer a glimpse into some of the best the distillery has to offer. - breakingbourbon.com
...bottled at the proof that Wild Turkey was designed to be. A deeply-woody spiced nose featuring cinnamon and caramel advertises a power punch whiskey, but on the palate there's no punch. Instead, it's lush, round, and affable, with deep caramel and cinnamon co-mingling with peanut. The lush, sweet start is well-balanced by cinnamon spice, which ramps up and drives a long spicy finish. This is delicious whiskey. 91 points - whiskyadvocate.com
Beautiful deep amber color. Lavish aromas of a cornucopia of dried fruits, vanilla maple fudge, Demerara sugar, and artisan chocolate toffee with a supple, lightly tannic full body and long,warming anise, toasted grain, and dusty mineral finish. A powerful oak driven, yet elegant bourbon. 94 points (Exceptional)
International Review of Spirits Award: Gold Medal. - tastings.comNose: The most herbal and spicy of the WT range: wild thyme, sage, fennel, coriander, nutmeg, cumin. Also smokier than the rest with notes of molasses, chestnut honey, crème brûlée. Palate: Complex and very soft. Raisin bread, butter, tupelo honey/maple. Finish. Huge and everlasting. Highly complex.Comment. As sexy as Isaac Hayes' Hot Buttered Soul. One to savour all night. 90 points - David Broom, whiskymag.com
![Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell's 70th Anniversary 101 Proof 8 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)]()
- 94
Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell's 70th Anniversary 101 Proof 8 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)Kentucky, UNITED STATES$139. 99Bottle$1679.88 DozenABV: 50.5%"Outstanding... Perfection at 8 years... If there were a single bourbon to best represent Wild Turkey’s signature flavor it would be this bottle." - rarebird101.com
Wild Turkey's latest collector-worthy bourbon celebrates Master Distiller, Jimmy Russell's 70th anniversary at the distillery. The whiskey is an 8 year old with an additional blend of 8 to 9 year old bourbons, hand-selected from a few of Jimmy’s favourite Rickhouses. The bolder, higher-proof expression is one he's always preferred. When many began favouring lighter spirits, Jimmy refused to dilute his bourbon or change the distilling process, embracing a style that he learned from his predecessor, Bill Hughes. That staunch approach helped propel the popularity of many of the distillery’s classics, including Jimmy’s favourite, Wild Turkey 101, proving that a bold Kentucky bourbon would always have a place behind the bar.
Wild Turkey was known as Anderson County Distilling Co. when Jimmy started work. It would soon change its name to J.T.S. Brown & Sons. From his earliest days spent sweeping the floors as an 18 year old rookie, Jimmy moved from job to job as seen fit by his mentor, the pre-prohibition distiller Bill Hughes. Through changes in ownership and shifts in the market, Jimmy rose through the ranks to finally become Master Distiller in 1967. Four years later a company from New York named Austin, Nichols & Co. (a subsidiary of Liggett Myers Tobacco. Co.) purchased the J.T.S. Brown & Sons Distillery to produce their flagship Wild Turkey Bourbon exclusively. The new management kept Jimmy in charge and the rest, as they say, is history. Seventy years working at the same business is an extraordinary accomplishment in anyone's book. It would take a dedicated biography to cover it. "In my eyes, I've never worked a day in my life. The day I do, I'll retire," jokes Jimmy. "Until then, I'm going to continue making the bourbon I love."
Other reviews... This year, master distiller Jimmy Russell celebrated his 70th year at Wild Turkey, a remarkable milestone by any stretch of the imagination (and even more so considering that he still shows up to work most days of the week). In honor of this watershed year, Jimmy’s son Eddie and grandson Bruce created a celebratory bourbon. The nose is chock-full of fresh cherries, cappuccino, vanilla cream, butterscotch, and leather. Baking spice bubbles over on the palate, backed up by toasted coconut and salted caramel, and a lick of bright citrus. Vanilla buttercream, Mounds bar, and black currant end this celebration on a high note. 94 points - whiskyadvocate.com
Outstanding. Jimmy Russell’s 70th Anniversary Release is perfection at eight years. It’s everything it should be and nothing it shouldn’t. If there were a single bourbon to best represent Wild Turkey’s signature flavor it would be this bottle. - rarebird101.com
Notes from the producers... Best served neat or over ice, the bourbon offers rich aromas of oak, honey, cinnamon, and tobacco and a palate marked by sweet cream, butterscotch and black tea notes that transition to bitter chocolate, dark cherry and burnt sugar.
![2024 Wilson Polish Hill River Riesling]()
- 96
2024 Wilson Polish Hill River RieslingClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2025-2033)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinWonderfully concentrated and tense with zingy mineral laced acidity.
Wilson’s Polish Hill River Riesling is sourced from their oldest vineyards planted over 40 years ago. Its miniscule yields typically produce a wine rich in citrus fruits within a steely structure, tight with lots of minerality. Beneath the iron stained clay lies a bed of decomposing slate and scattered quartz. It’s also not unusual to find remnant pottery and agricultural implements from the Polish Settlers who once lived and farmed the area now planted to this small vineyard.
Brilliant water like colour with a faint greenish tinge around the edges. Lime and citrus aromas leap out of the glass trailed by some green apple, hints of orange rind, wet steel and chalky mineral notes. Delivered with fabulous intensity and tension are racy lemon, lime and green apple flavours. Zingy mineral laced acidity with delicate orange rind and wet steel elements also shining through. Dry and chalky it finishes very long and zesty.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 12%![2022 Wirra Wirra Church Block Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Merlot]()
- 94
- 93
- 92
2022 Wirra Wirra Church Block Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz MerlotMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinRich red to black fruits seamlessly integrated within a refined medium bodied structure.
The 2022 vintage marks 50 years of Wirra Wirra Church Block, the first vintage being produced back in 1972. A blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Shiraz and 7% Merlot matured for 12 months in a combination of new and seasoned French and American oak barrels.
Midnight black heart with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Blossoming from the glass are attractive scents of red to black currant, mulberry and red liquorice which are trailed by some vanillin cedar, earth and spice notes. Rich red to black currant, red liquorice and mulberry fruits meld into a vanillin cedar, earth, dried herb and spice back drop. Boasting excellent intensity and a seamlessly integrated fine grained tannin structure it finishes long and refined. One of the best Church Block’s for quite some time.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews…..
A vintage that marks an incoming winemaker and a culling of lesser quality fruit. Cabernet and shiraz, the Aussie archetype. Consummate, medium-bodied and savory, with better tannin management than what I recall of past vintages. Bay leaves, currants and iodine, with licorice tannins serving as gentle directives to good, supple length. An everyday claret for the sophisticate, with a strong maritime feel. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
93 points
JamesSuckling.comCabernet Sauvignon (51%) Shiraz (42%) Merlot (7%).
This release of Wirra Wirra Church Block is on song and in form. It has plenty of flesh and fruit but it’s also firm and dry. It tastes of boysenberry, redcurrant, saltbush and dried herbs, with a gently ferrous-like element running throughout. It’s lovely to drink; solid but supple. Drink 2024-2029+
92 points
Campbell Mattinson – The Wine Front![Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (1000ml) - Whiskey Hunt Australia Selection]()
- 91
- Australian Exclusive
Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (1000ml) - Whiskey Hunt Australia SelectionKentucky, UNITED STATES$149. 99Bottle$1799.88 DozenABV: 45.2%Whiskey Hunt Australia's debut with Woodford Reserve comes courtesy of the distillery's owners, Brown Forman. Guided by Woodford's Brand Ambassador, Andy Tsai, in December 2023 the group were invited to choose from three Woodford select profiles. Unlike most WHA releases which have been single cask picks, the Woodford Personal Selection Program asks customers to preference a bourbon that matches their palate, typically based on three distinct distillery 'profiles'. Jack Daniels (also owned by Brown Forman) have a similar approach. No.2 was judged the winner, showcasing aromas of oak shavings, cherry-dark-chocolate and dried peach, complemented by medium bodied flavours of burnt caramel, subtle smoke, orange spice cake and drying oak. True to the Woodford house style, the whiskey was distilled from a mash bill of 72% corn, 18% rye and 10% malted barley with 180 one-litre bottles imported to Australia. 45.2% Alc./Vol.
![Wray and Nephew White Overproof Rum (700ml)]()
- Nick's Import
Wray and Nephew White Overproof Rum (700ml)Kingston, JAMAICA$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenABV: 63%"made by one company that remembers its roots and continues to distil a real rum." - thelonecaner.com
Ask a native where you could sample J.Wray & Nephew over-proof rum, and they will tell you knock on the door of any household. Such is the legendary status of this spirit that it accounts for 90% of rum sales in Jamaica. Other brands produced under the J.Wray & Nephew name are Captain Morgan, Coruba and the renowned Appleton Estate range. Use this product in classic rum punches with tropical juices. Alternate with flavoured rums and liqueurs for something new. Also great in the traditional Mai Tai and Daiquiri.
Other reviews... This is the flagship rum from Wray and the rum ... familiar instantly on the nose, with a mixture of citrus and petrol notes, very aromatic with florals and the raw alcoholic notes one expects from an overproof rum. The body is a bit tougher and astringent, slightly charcoal-dusted but otherwise intense with fruit, both citrus and tropical, with overtones of overripe banana, bubble gum, and a touch of eucalyptus on the finish. Surprisingly approachable despite the heavy alcohol level. - drinkhacker.com
...I’m not a huge white rum lover but this is as good as I have had. It will give a massive kick to tiki style cocktails, where it is very often used. W&N Overproof is very popular and highly regarded amongst bartenders and mixologists. Rightly so as well. The danger in this drink maybe that at 63% its very drinkable. At the price it is also very good value. W&N Overproof needs to be evaluated on what it is. It is a very good white overproof mixer. It’s availability and price makes it a no-brainer to have on hand. 4/5 stars - thefatrumpirate.com
...I have gained a sort of sneaking appreciation for overproofs, including this one, because while it lacks the subtlety of a more refined 40% variation (subtlety? don’t make me laugh…the thing is like a charging brontosaurus on steroids at rutting time), it makes an intense, strong, powerfully tasting mix with whatever you decide to chase it. Try adding cola to a 40% low-ender and then to the White Overproof and try and tell me this one doesn’t have more character, more taste, more…well, cojones. It absolutely is not afraid to charge the gates and get the hell off the reservation. When you drink J. Wray’s clear hooch, reader, there’s no ifs, ands or buts — you know Elvis has left the building; and didn’t just exit, he took off with rocket-powered, turbo-charged steel-toed boots. And a jet pack.... made by one company that remembers its roots and continues to distil a real rum. - thelonecaner.com
5 Stars - diffordsguide.com
Recipe: Jamaican Rum Punch
1 cup J.Wray and Nephew Over-proof rum
1/2 cup Myer's dark rum
2 1/2 cups pineapple juice
2 1/2 cups orange juice
1/4 cup lime juice
3 tbsp grenadine syrup
Ice cubes![2021 Wynns Coonawarra Estate John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon]()
- 97
- 97
- 98
- 98
- 98
2021 Wynns Coonawarra Estate John Riddoch Cabernet SauvignonCoonawarra, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$150. 00Bottle$1800.00 DozenCellar: Drink now - 15 Years (2025-2040)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinOne of Coonawarra’s benchmark Cabernets from an outstanding vintage.
Renown as one of Coonawarra’s benchmark Cabernets, Wynns John Riddoch is made from parcels of the estates best fruit and is only produced in exceptional vintages.
Outstanding colour featuring an impenetrable inky black heart along with a very deep dark red black hue. Soaring out of the glass are captivating aromas of blackcurrant, liquorice and mulberry which are complimented by vanillin cedar, tobacco, subtle earth, violet and traces of bay leaf. Rich and concentrated yet refined and structured, the medium to full bodied palate is redolent in fleshy red to black currant, liquorice and mulberry fruits. Lending further complexity are spicy vanillin cedar, earth, delicate tobacco and bay leaf accents. Fine grained, sturdily built tannin framework yet quite polished in it’s feel. Marrying finesse with power it finishes very long and eloquent with a deep core of fruit.
Drink over the next 10-15 years.
Alc. 13.5%Other Reviews….
16 months French oak hogsheads and barriques (31% new, the balance one to six years old) and 22 months in bottle prior to release. A cacophony of blackberries, Bing cherries and elderberries. Blackcurrant leaf, acaí and prune skin. Black coffee, vanilla pod, ash and charcoal. Acidity wisps about the palate like magic, a mesh of thread-like tannins pull and draw the focus. A hint of dark chocolate bitters; the wine finishes perky with echoing tunes of granite. It's just so centered and chic. Pure cabernet poise. Drink by 2038.
98 Points
Shanteh Wale – James Halliday’s Australian Wine CompanionThe 2021 John Riddoch Limited Release Cabernet Sauvignon is a brilliant wine. It is achingly intense yet is defined by its levity, which is not a common attribute in Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine expounds the virtues of the red gravel in which the fruit was grown, via its iodine and crushed shells, cassis and blood, sweet marrow and tobacco. It tastes so clearly of the place, which is a wonderful thing. The back palate swells with flavor, framed by the earth and the attuned oak. This is a tribute to the earth, an ode to it. Plentiful tannins bob along on the current of fruit. This will cellar interminably. It's up there in both quality and feel with the 2010, or so I think. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Drink 2024-2051.
98 Points
Erin Larkin – Robert Parker’s The Wine AdvocateOne of the best vintages in Coonawarra for many years. Little wonder this release of the John Riddoch is one of the best since the initial release from the 1982 vintage. Aromas of violets and red berry with a slightly cherry glaze character adding further intrigue. The palate is medium weight and refined but with tremendous power and persistence. A combination of hogsheads and barriques has been used to deliver the perfect level of oak. One of the best of these I can recall. Drink 2024-2054.
98 Points
Ray Jordan – WinePilot.comThis 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Wynns John Riddoch is stylish and built for the long haul. It takes a couple of days to show its true colors. It radiates with blackcurrant, gravel and dried mint aromas, with a dusting of earth all wrapped up in a gentle blanket of French oak. Composed and super refined, the wine is underpinned by a line of seductive yet firm tannins with killer length and balance to finish. It is already very approachable but with serious staying power. Drink 2030-2045.
97 Points
Angus Hughson - Vinous![2022 Yalumba Paradox Shiraz]()
- 97
2022 Yalumba Paradox ShirazBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$46. 99Bottle$563.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2025-2033)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinOne of Yalumba’s distinguished site wines, the Paradox is sourced from the Northern Barossa and is made with an emphasis on velvet like texture and the use of less new oak than many of its counterparts. Maturation taking place in French oak puncheons, with only 8% new oak employed, for a period of 17 months.
Rich, expansive and enveloping, this marries Barossa opulence with a gorgeously refined finish.
Magnificent colour featuring a super saturated inky black core and a deep black dark red hue. Seducing the olfactory senses are captivating blackberry, liquorice and dark plum aromas which interact with delicately smoked vanillin cedar, fennel, dark chocolate and peppered earth notes. Rich, silky and concentrated across the full bodied yet perfectly proportioned palate is a sumptuous flow of blackberry, liquorice and dark plum fruits. Undertones of spicy vanillin cedar, subtle scorched earth, dark chocolate and peppered fennel lend further interest. Boasting fantastic power and depth yet not heavy handed in it’s feel, it has velvet smooth tannins and a long, opulent yet gorgeously refined finish.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 14%![2022 Yalumba The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz]()
- 97
- 96
- 97
2022 Yalumba The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon ShirazBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$59. 99Bottle$719.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 15 Years (2025-2040)ABV: 14.5%Closure: CorkA classic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz first produced in 1962, Yalumba’s Signature pays homage each vintage to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the culture and traditions of Yalumba. The 2022 vintage’s signatory is Yalumba’s Executive Director of Sales for Australia & New Zealand, Paul Midolo. This year’s release marks the 51st vintage of Yalumba The Signature.
From vines with an average age of 49 years the 2021 Signature is a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon and 49% Shiraz with maturation taking place in a combination of French barriques and Hungarian hogsheads (21% of which was new oak) for a period of 18 months.Deep and powerful yet finessed, this is Yalumba Signature at it’s finest.
Inky black heart with a deep dark purple black tinged hue. Unfurling from the glass in what is a wonderful show of both refinement and intensity is a mix of red to black currant, liquorice and mulberry scents trailed by some vanillin cedar, tobacco, earth and faint bay leaf notes. Rich red plum, red to black currant, liquorice and mulberry fruits flow eloquently across the medium to full bodied palate. Piquing further interest and complexity are spicy vanillin cedar, subtle tobacco, earthy dark chocolate and bay leaf accents. Deep and powerful yet finessed it has a sturdy fine grained tannin structure that bodes well for longer term cellaring. Finishes very long, sophisticated and elegant.
Drink over the next 10-15 years.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews....
Yalumba's famous Signature cabernet sauvignon and shiraz blend has a strong pedigree when it comes to cellaring and the 2022 release will certainly carry on long into the future. The fruit density and purity here are impressive. Blackberry, doris plum and black cherry tones, their flow elegant and graceful across the palate with hints of spice, cedar, tobacco, pencil shavings, roasting meats, dried herbs and olive tapenade. Fine-grained tannins are in abundance and there is an extended finish that rolls on and on. It's a super release. Drink by 2054.
96 Points
Dave Brookes – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion
The 2022 The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz is so pretty—floral, red fruited and fine. This is a beautiful iteration of this wine. Ironically, there's a coastal freshness about it—kelp, brine, crushed shells—given it is nowhere near the coast. It's capacious and mineral and so fresh. The tannins are fine and neat, and the wine has incredible focus and line through the long finish. It's very impressive, potentially one of my favorite releases of this wine to date. It has wholly Barossa fruit this vintage. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under natural cork. Drink 2025-2052.
97 points
Erin Larkin - Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate![2024 Yangarra Estate Vineyard Circle Blewitt Springs Field Blend]()
- 94
- Biodynamic
- Organic
2024 Yangarra Estate Vineyard Circle Blewitt Springs Field BlendMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$23. 99Bottle$287.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinA juicy, youthfully vibrant Rhone blend that finishes fresh and succulent.
A blend of 70% Grenache, 17% Carignan, 10% Counoise, 2% Cinsault and 1% Mourvedre. Vibrant dark red core with black toned edges and a bright purple red tinged hue. Alluring red to dark raspberry, red liquorice and plum scents intermingle with whiffs of fresh herbs, vanillin confectionary and delicate peppered earth notes. Light to medium weight, juicy and possessing a youthful vibrancy, red raspberry, red liquorice and red plum fruits overlay dried herb, subtle scorched earth and pepper elements. Smooth, seamlessly integrated tannins finishing fresh and succulent.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13.5%![2024 Yangarra Estate Vineyard Circle Blewitt Springs Grenache]()
- 95
- 95
- Organic
- Biodynamic
2024 Yangarra Estate Vineyard Circle Blewitt Springs GrenacheMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$23. 99Bottle$287.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinYangarra Estate’s Circle Collection is a new range of entry-level wines that focus on Southern Rhone varietals. Made from younger vines they are uber delicious fruit driven wines that deliver fantastic value.
An explosive, super juicy Grenache that makes for highly addictive drinking.
Deep dark purple red core with black shaded edges and a bright purple hue. The wonderfully fragrant nose is singing with red to dark raspberry, violet, red liquorice and blueberry scents. Subtle fresh herb and peppered earth notes are also evident. Super juicy and intensely flavoured, rich red to dark raspberry, red liquorice and cherry fruits explode across the exuberant palate with delicate infusions of dried herbs, scorched earth and pepper the undercard. Magnificent power and silky tannins with fresh acidity lending an energetic feel to the long super succulent finish. Highly addictive drinking over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14%Other Reviews....
This is the younger vine bottling, coming mainly off vines planted in '08. Up to three weeks on skins; maturation in steel and old puncheons and foudre. This is a nice foil to the Old Vine bottling, showing what relatively youthful vines can do on this great site. There’s an open red-berried and cherry fruitfulness, with red florals supported by savoury spice and a foundation of purposeful natural tannin. This doesn’t have the mineral depth of the Old Vine, but the fruit vibrancy and exuberance yield their own rewards. Drink by 2030.
95 Points
Marcus Ellis – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion![1015321_1.jpg]()
- 90
- 87
- 89
- 92
- Nick's Import
- Reduced
Connemara Original Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey (700ml)County Louth, IRELANDReduced from $109.99$69. 99Bottle$839.88 DozenABV: 40%"Seriously sexy peat at work here." - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible
Gilded in peat reek, Connemara's Original is for many tasters, the smokiest of the collection. It's relatively light-bodied, which indicates first and foremost that this is Irish whiskey. The nose carries potpourri-like scents with lavender evident, then deeper notes like orange marmalade, toasty oak and smokey bacon. That follows in a soft, round entry and a sweet grainy burst, a chewy mouthfeel and perfectly harmonised peat that neither dominates nor detracts, finishing drier with vanilla, toffee apple and spice. Hardly your typical peater from Islay, yet this has real complexity and soul - even if it pulls up slightly short. 40% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews… Seriously sexy peat at work here. 89 points. - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2021
Exudes beautiful soft peat notes, barley sugar, and apple-cinnamon granola. Light lemon and honey, with a delightful growth in apple crumble flavors, golden syrup, and more peat smoke and orchard fruits on the finish. Drink this neat. 87 points - whiskyadvocate.com
Smoke bomb alert! Imbibers who love a peaty profile will enjoy this smoky-but-smooth single malt. Pair with assertive flavors, like sausages or charcuterie. 92 points - wineenthusiast.com
...Nose: Sweet, clean peat, vanilla and - floral notes. One of the most profound and complex of Irish noses. Palate: Again very sweet, peaty. Softly honeyed and oily Mild molasses, fabulously smoky. Finish: Becomes drier as some oak bites, but the peat just keeps on rumbling along. Comment: This single malt had suffered from an identity crisis over the last year or so. Some vattings had become slightly off-key, dirty even, and the malt had lost direction. This bottling, however, is back to its brilliant best. 90 points - whiskymag.com
...Golden amber color. Shy aromas of dried fruits, raisins, and nuts have a lightly phenolic edge. Soft and supple entry leads to a dryish medium-bodied palate with delicate nut, buttery dry caramel, and reedy wood with a touch of peat and iodine. Delicately balanced on the fade with peppery and earthy notes. Very easy to drink.
International Review of Spirits Award: Silver Medal
89 points (Highly Recommended) - tastings.comGold Outstanding Irish Whisky - Single Malt - 2019 International Wine & Spirit Competition
![2021 Majella Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon]()
- 96
- 95
2021 Majella Coonawarra Cabernet SauvignonCoonawarra, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2024-2032)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinA success story of long term agricultural diversification, the Majella property was originally owned by Frank Lynn, and bought in 1960 by his nephew, George, for a prime lamb enterprise. Viticulture was not on the agenda until 1968, when George, encouraged by his friend, Eric Brand (of Brand's Laira fame) decided it would complement the sheep. Eric purchased the fruit for Hardy's, but the deal later fell through and for a couple of vintages tonnes of premium grapes were left to rot. The risk ultimately paid off. Majella have since had a long term contract supplying Wynns and today, plantings have continued to expand (150 acres now under vine), with Cabernet the flagship varietal. First produced in 1994, Majella Cabernet Sauvignon has quickly established a reputation as one of Coonawarra’s best.
The 2021 Coonawarra vintage was excellent in both terms of quality and yields. Maturation took place in a mix of new and second use French oak hogsheads for a period of 18 months.Layered with a rich chorus of red to black currant fruit this is a beautifully refined and polished Coonawarra Cabernet.
Magnificent depth of colour featuring a super saturated inky black heart and a very deep black dark red hue. Intense ripe blackcurrant aromas flood the nostrils with some liquorice, mulberry, vanillin cedar, subtle tobacco and bay leaf accents also chiming in. Beautifully refined yet concentrated the mid weighted palate is layered with a rich chorus of red to black currant, mulberry and red liquorice fruits. Spicy vanillin cedar, subtle earthy tobacco and infusions of bay leaf ensue. Showing a delighted red fruited freshness, it possesses a fine grained tannin structure and an elegant, polished feel. Concludes long and highly finessed.
Drink over next 6-8 years.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews….
Black raspberry, red cherry and pomegranate. Burdock root, crushed cumin and pulled paperbark stripped from the tree. Nutmeg and cinnamon. Fresh bay leaf, oregano and pepperberry. The silkiest of palates with ripe red fruit flowing down the centre, wrapped in cabernet berries that weave in and out. A mocha coffee and carob sweetness with a touch of anise and tobacco pouch. Such a grateful palate – it's a dream of a vintage, this one. Drink by 2032.
95 points
Shanteh Wale – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion![2021 Nicks Secret PLL Barossa Shiraz]()
- 95
- Reduced
2021 Nicks Secret PLL Barossa ShirazBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIAReduced from $32.99$14. 99Bottle$179.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinThis latest Nicks Secret Shiraz comes from a relatively new Barossa producer that has hit hard times and needs some fast cash. Made from the spectacular 2021 vintage, fruit was sourced from a number of different growers with maturation taking place in a mixture of French, Hungarian and American oak barrels for a period of 9 months.
Rich, plush Barossa Shiraz selling for a song.
Pitch black heart with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Engulfing the nostrils is a heady wave of liquorice, ripe black cherry and dark plum aromatics which are followed up by some gently smoked vanillin cedar, fennel and peppered earth notes. Rich, plush and concentrated, the weighty palate is seductively layered with a coating of liquorice, ripe black cherry and dark plum fruits. Smoky vanillin cedar, earth and peppered fennel elements the undercard. Velvety textured it has a silky smooth tannins and a long opulent finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 14.5%![2021 Nicks Secret BFD Reserve Barossa Shiraz - Last Stocks]()
- 96
- 98
2021 Nicks Secret BFD Reserve Barossa Shiraz - Last StocksBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$39. 99Bottle$479.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2025-2033)ABV: 15%Closure: CorkThis bold Barossa Shiraz was one of Robert Parker’s darling wines in the early 2000’s meriting scores of up to 99 points. Following hot the heels of the outstanding 2020 vintage, the superb 2021 release lacks nothing in terms of power or intensity on its predecessor yet shows a shade more refinement and has managed to garner even more substantial scores from the critics.
Produced from a selection of only the best barrels utilising the estate’s oldest blocks of Shiraz, this formidable wine is only released in the great vintages and whilst not widely distributed on Australian shores it can be found selling for $150.00 per bottle on the winery's website. Maturation takes place in a mix of new French and American hogsheads for a period of 30 months.
Seductive black and blue fruits wrapped up in a refined opulence are delivered with impressive intensity and power.Dense inky black heart with an equally deep dark red black hue. Dark plum, liquorice and dark chocolate aromas waft out of the glass complimented by some high quality vanillin oak, hints of mocha, blueberry and subtle earth notes. Boasting blockbuster depth and power yet showing a refined opulence and youthful freshness, the full bodied palate is awash with rich, concentrated dark plum, liquorice, blackberry and blueberry fruits. Spicy vanillin oak, mocha, earthy fennel and pepper characters linger across the back half. Velvety tannins have an underlying sturdiness with ample freshness lending a balanced feel to the long seductive finish.
Having only recently been it bottled it could use a few more months to settle but has all the ingredients to make a great Barossa Shiraz.
Drink over the next 6-8 years plus.
Alc. 15%
Other Reviews…..
I have to say that there have been some wonderful wines from this vintage, and this masterpiece is right up there with the best of them. It’s a limited production release and given the quality of the vintage it makes sense it has been created in this season. The low crops have created a wine of tremendous concentration and intensity, but at the same time the balance is superb. Spicy blackberry and plum with a ladling of dark syrup chocolate and subtle coffee grinds. Loving it now. Drink 2025-2045.
98 points
Ray Jordan – WinePilot.com
The team’s Reserve is a barrel selection from the harvest of their oldest blocks of Barossa Shiraz, and only made in the best vintages. 2021 is categorically one of those ‘best vintages’. The oak used to mature the wine will be a mix of new French and American hogsheads and the time spent in them will be up to two and a half years. Under cork. Not surprisingly, there is a serious oak influence in this wine, but it is integrating superbly. An opaque maroon, this is a big, bold and delicious red, Richly flavoured, with mocha, soy, coffee beans, dark chocolate, cassis, beef stock, licorice and axle grease. Fine acidity here, running the length, silky but rather abundant tannins and great length. This is a twenty year proposition. Drink 2025-2045.
96 points
Ken Gargett – WinePilot.com
A powerful rendition; the intense bouquet shows cassis, dark chocolate, olive, toasted spice, cedar, and potpourri aromas, leading to a concentrated palate that's dense and weighty. Substantial and brooding, it's wonderfully structured with layers of fine tannins, finishing immensely long and captivating. At its best: now to 2039.
97 points
Sam Kim![2024 Pierro L.T.C.]()
- 95
- 94
2024 Pierro L.T.C.Margaret River, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinBristling with freshness and wonderfully concentrated with ample textural volume counterpointed by crisp, mineral infused acidity.
In 1979 Mike Peterkin produced Australia’s first Semillon Sauvignon Blanc. Working at Cullen’s at the time, the wine went on to win a trophy at the Perth Royal Show. He never claimed any originality for the idea, he simply borrowed it from the French. In 1980 he was so convinced of the blend’s potential in Margaret River he devoted a third of the Pierro plantings to the varieties.
The 2024 L.T.C. is made up of 55% Sauvignon Blanc, 21% Semillon, 13.5% Chenin Blanc and 10.5% Chardonnay. Twenty five percent of the blend was fermented and matured in new and one & two year-old French oak barrels for a period of 2-3 months with the balance fermented and matured in stainless steel.
Brilliant very pale straw colour with distinctive green tinted edges and a watery hue. Passionfruit and herbaceous gooseberry aromas leap out of the glass with notions of green apple, lime, delicate pencil shavings and spice notes also present. Bristling with freshness, wonderfully concentrated passionfruit, green apple and lime fruits are layered across the scrumptious palate. Ample textural volume is counterpointed by crisp, mineral infused acidity with subtle gooseberry, quince and spice elements the undercard. Long, vivacious finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 13%Other Reviews….
This vintage is 55% Sauvignon Blanc, 21% Semillon, 13.5% Chenin Blanc and 10.5% Chardonnay. So a little touch of two Cs here. Not Les Trois Cuvées, rather Les Quatres Cuvées.
Lime and grapefruit, a little cut grass, green tea, fennel and spice. It’s bright and has some lime and grapefruit tang, though it also has some macadamia nut richness to it and kiwi fruit juiciness. Texture is a little powdery, and it finishes with good length and sort of gin and tonic bite. A very good and interesting wine. As an aside, it looked better after being open for a day. It’s 93 or 94 points, though I’m leaning toward the latter. Drink 2025-2031+.
94 Points
Gary Walsh – The Wine Front
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.