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2020 Wilhelmshof Frankweiler Riesling Kabinett TrockenPfalz, GERMANY$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2024-2030)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinBrilliant pale straw colour with a glistening green tinged outskirts and a watery hue. Aromas of lime and lemon butter have a subtle oily toast like overlay with some delicate bees wax and wet steel notes also evident. Refreshing lime and lemon fruits are underpinned by zingy acidity with some red apple, subtle oily steel and mineral characters lingering in the background. Finishes dry and crisp with a refreshing lime and red apple driven conclusion.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 12% -
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2024 Red Feet Pinot GrigioKing Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$21. 99Bottle$263.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2024-2025)ABV: 12.8%Closure: StelvinBrilliant pale straw colour with a watery hue. Elevated pear and red apple scents are trailed by faint honeysuckle and stony mineral notes. Delicious pear and apple fruits are delivered with excellent intensity across the shapely palate. Some subtle quince and wet stone elements sit in the background. Finishes dry with brisk acidity and a long conclusion that has a gorgeously rounded feel to it.
Drink over the next year.
Alc. 12.8% -
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2022 Hugo Family Estate ShirazMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$23. 99Bottle$287.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2024-2032)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinSourced from blocks planted in 1969, 1988 & 1991 by John and Liz Hugo.
Impenetrable inky black heart with a very deep dark red black tinged hue. Enticing aromas of blackberry and liquorice are interwoven with some ripe plum, vanillin cedar and peppered fennel notes. Rich and fleshy yet quite refined in nature, the medium to full bodied palate is gorgeously layered with blackberry and liquorice fruits. Spicy vanillin cedar, fennel and peppered earth elements lie underneath. Seamlessly integrated velvet smooth tannins. The long juicy conclusion show plenty of pepper as well as finesse.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 14% -
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- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2023 South by South West ChardonnayMargaret River, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$42. 99Bottle$515.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2024-2028)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinFermented and then matured in an even mix of new, one and two year old French oak barrels for a period of 8 months.
Brilliant pale straw colour with a subtle greenish tinge around the edges and a watery hue. Aromas of nectarine and citrus mix with hints of biscuity nougat and dried honey. Vibrant nectarine and grapefruit flavours overlay a gun flint infused back drop of citrus and spice. Fresh acidity with a bright yet texturally pleasing mid length finish.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13% -
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Bellebonne BIS Rose SparklingTasmania, AUSTRALIA$39. 99Bottle$479.88 DozenABV: 12%Closure: Diam CorkAged on lees for up to 2 years. Pours with a foamy white mousse that dissipates to reveal a salmon pink coloured base and nimble, energetic bead. Delightful strawberry, yeast lees and baked bread scents engulf the nostrils followed by some oily toast like notes and brioche. Rich, mouth filling flavours of strawberry, yeast lees and pomegranate are intermeshed with subtle toast, brioche and chalk elements. Airy and creamy like in its feel, if finishes long, full and crisp.
Alc. 12%
Other Reviews….
A sparkling rosé of 68/20/2% pinot noir/chardonnay/pinot meunier; 8.25g/L dosage. Pretty salmon pink with fine, energetic bubbles and notes of red fruits, strawberry and grapefruit with hints of soft spice, almond blossom, red berry pastries and strawberry cream. Beautifully balanced, crisp and fruit forward with a harmonious flow and impressive tension and detail, acidity briney and fine, finishing with a swell of red fruits and minerals.
95 points
Dave Brookes – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion - 2014 Benromach Batch 3 Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$179. 99Bottle$2159.88 DozenABV: 60.6%
If you were exploring the deeper, heavier side of Speyside malts, natural strength Cragellachies and Mortlachs might be your first point of call - if you can find them. Benromach now offers a third way to go, and it's more viable than the other two. Their vintage-dated cask strength editions are released in batches, each promising variations on a theme, each delivering a smorgasbord of whisky flavours: A little smoke in combination with first-fill Bourbon and Sherry sweetness plus a rich, oily texture that's downright delicious. It's as much fun as you're likely to squeeze out of ten year old malt! Batch #3 lands at 60.6% Alc./Vol. Non-chill filtered.
Notes from the producers... Nose: Rich fruitcake aromas. Taste: Stewed plum, marmalade and spicy black pepper. Finish: Lingering smoke and a hint of aniseed.
- Buffalo Trace Traveller Whiskey (700ml)Kentucky, UNITED STATES$79. 99Bottle$959.88 DozenABV: 45%
A collaborative effort from Buffalo Trace Distillery, 'Traveller' brings together the collective artistry of 10X Grammy award-winning artist, Chris Stapleton and Buffalo Trace Distillery Master Distiller, Harlen Wheatley. Over fifty blends were sampled before making Blend No.40 the chosen combination. Little is known about the whiskey, what it's composed of, and whether or not any of the whiskey within the blend was even distilled at Buffalo Trace. However, Sazerac has confirmed that it contains 0% grain neutral spirits and has also stated it is a completely unique combination of whiskeys hand selected from multiple distilleries. 45% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... The first celebrity-themed whiskey associated with Buffalo Trace, Traveller Whiskey offers a unique flavor profile that will appeal to the masses, but leaves more discerning consumers wondering what actually makes up the blend...First and foremost, the flavor profile is unfamiliar, arguably sweet to a fault, but will likely satisfy casual, mainstream whiskey drinkers. It’s mild enough for the masses to sip, while it is light it does offer a degree of creaminess that allows it to take a cube fairly well, and it even holds up well in a cocktail. While its flavor profile may be tuned more into the mainstream drinker than the enthusiast, it’s impossible to ignore the fact that this blended whiskey is unique in a number of ways. - breakingbourbon.com
Notes from the producers... Complex aromas of vanilla, aged fruit and buttery shortbread rounded off by caramel and a touch of oak. The palate has just a touch of sweetness, followed by spice, toasted nut and oak flavors, with a robust finish.
- Bakery Hill Blend Australian Whisky (500ml)Victoria, AUSTRALIA$94. 99Bottle$1139.88 DozenABV: 46%
The first ever blend from Bakery Hill distillery is intended as an “Extra Smooth” everyday sipper. David Baker’s custom formulation includes a unique selection of his own single malts with Australian grain spirit, matured for up to ten years in x-Bourbon casks, resulting in a full-bodied blend with plenty of malt character. Delivered at a rich 46%, the Melbourne Royal Judging Panel at the 2024 Australian Distilled Spirits Awards described it as possessing a “Sweet and bright aroma with clean oak profile. Citrus and cereal complexity on palate with nice soft wood. Lovely fruit and honey character. Very well put together”. Enjoy it over ice, in a classic cocktail or as a perfect summer Highball whisky & soda.
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Don Fulano 100% Agave Anejo Tequila (700ml)Jalisco, MEXICO$159. 99Bottle$1919.88 DozenABV: 40%An Anejo that maintains appealing vibrancy on the nose; on the palate, oily, relaxed and finely tuned, the juicy agave character juxtaposed against sprinklings of pepper, subtle tannins adding body and grip. Both the mouthfeel and flavour persistence are unusual for the category, making for one dangerously drinkable tequila. 40% Alc./Vol. Tasted from a 30ml sample.
Other reviews... Aged in a mix of casks that previously held Burgundy, Bordeaux and Loire wines, this complex Tequila is one to savor. Bell pepper and jalapeño aromas mingle with mild honey and cinnamon sweetness. The plush palate echoes that sweetness and spice, leading into a long finish tinged with cocoa and vanilla, plus a final zing of jalapeño heat. 97 points - winenthusiast.com
...Golden amber color. Aromas and flavors of chocolate toffee and raisins, roasted almonds, herbed yams, and roasted yellow peppers with a supple, bright, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a warming, refreshing, medium-long finish with accents of mocha latte, spiced nuts, sassafras float, and pepper. A rich, spicy, yet balanced añejo for sipping, cigars, or high-end cocktails. 95 points - tastings.com
- De Kuyper Curacao Triple Sec Liqueur (500ml)NETHERLANDS$41. 99Bottle$503.88 DozenABV: 20%
This orange-flavoured liqueur is the essential ingredient in Margaritas. However, some curacaos are better than others. Nowadays, many producers buy third-party flavoured essences to create their elixirs. Since the launch of their new range in 2013, De Kuyper distil the oranges themselves in copper pot stills, overseeing production from start to finish. 20% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Light, fresh and clean with refreshingly zesty orange and faint cardamon. 5 stars - diffordsguide.com
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- Biodynamic
- Organic
2023 Domaine Famille Paquet Macon-Villages Nos Cinq TerroirsBurgundy, FRANCE$42. 99Bottle$515.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2024-2027)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinLocated in the heart of Burgundy, Famille Paquet is a 30 hectare property located at the foot of the rocks of Solutré and Vergisson. The Paquets take great care of their vineyards, using organic and biodynamic compost and manage each of their 50 plots individually. The property is currently in conversion to organic viticulture.
This Chardonnay is sourced from vines planted between 1929 and 2015 in Cruzille, Lugny, Prissé, Loché and La Roche-Vineuse. Maturation takes place in stainless steel vats on fine lees.
Bright straw colour with a watery hue. Ripe peach, apricot and honeycomb aromas fill the nostrils followed by hints of butterscotch and spicy crème brulee. Rich, full and creamy textured the palate is engulfed with ripe peach, apricot and honeycomb flavours with some crème brulee and spicy nougat elements lingering across the back half. Good underlying freshness with a long generous finish.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
- 94
2022 Matane NegroamaroPuglia, ITALY$23. 99Bottle$287.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2024-2027)ABV: 13%Closure: Synthetic CorkMatané sources Negroamaro from various vineyards between the towns of Manduria and Lecce, very close to the heel of the boot on the Salento Peninsula. This southernmost part of Puglia is also Italy’s easternmost area with dark red soils and abundant Mediterranean sunshine. The climate is mild in winter, with adequate rainfall, but it is also very hot in summer with little rainfall. This wine represents the new winemaking approach in Puglia, with more moderate alcohol levels and gentler extractions. Negroamaro loves hot and dry conditions, and it grows particularly well in the calcareous, high-limestone soils of the area.
Dense midnight black colour with a dark red hue. Lifted ripe black cherry and liquorice aromas mix with hints of dried cherry, scorched earth and spicy dried herb notes. Rich juicy dark to morello cherry and liquorice fruits flood the mouth with scorched earth, dried herb and spice elements lying beneath. Ripe chewy tannins impart some gentle grip onto the long, deeply fruited finish.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 95
2019 Vinea Marson SangioveseHeathcote, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$39. 99Bottle$479.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2024-2026)ABV: 14.5%Closure: Diam CorkVinea Marson’s Sangiovese has Italy stamped all over it. The 2019 was picked marginally later than a regular vintage (approximately early April) allowing the grapes to reach optimal ripeness. Post fermentation/maceration the wine was racked off into a mix of 20% new barrique and tonneau for a maturation period of 12 months.
A beautifully aged Sangiovese that’s drinking superbly.
Dark red core with black toned edges and a red to brick red hue. Elevated aromas of dark cherry and blackcurrant mix with earth, dried herb and spicy tobacco notes. Rich red to black currant and red to dark cherry fruits have an even and smooth flow across the palate complimented by savoury nuances of earth, dried herbs, tobacco and spice. Excellent concentration and length with agile yet integrated acidity. Polished yet still slightly rustic tannins concluding long and spicy.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews…..
Boasts a distinctive Italian-Australian personality, one that is ripe and sweet-fruited but also savoury and very much down to earth (literally!). Black cherry, roasted plums, thyme, sage, vanillin oak and earth bring an aromatic mix of dark fruits, herbs and gently spiced oak to this attractive, medium-bodied sangiovese. It's bright, too, with the grape's natural acidity and savoury tannins coming into play to lift and beautifully define the 5-year-old wine. Drink by 2036.
95 points
Jeni Port – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
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2024 Jim Barry AssyrtikoClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2024-2026)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinJim Barry’s love affair with the Assyrtiko began in 2006 whilst on holiday on the Greek Island of Santorini, the birthplace of the variety. Its crisp acidity reminded him of Clare Valley Riesling yet it had a unique flavour profile that he had not experienced before. Intrigued, he began the process of importing cuttings and by 2012 had planted Australia’s first Assyrtiko vineyard.
Brilliant water like core with a subtle greenish tinge to the edges. Aromas of pear, lime and red apple skin sail out of the glass with some fresh herb and delicate slatey mineral notes also chiming in. Pear, lime and green apple fruits are amply concentrated across what is a mouth watering palate. Crisp, invigorating acidity counterpoints the wines textural volume. Infusions of Mediterranean herbs and a tonic like minerality linger through the long scrumptious finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 12%
Other Reviews....
An appealing white wine of gentle savouriness, brightness of fruit alongside that, floral lift and saline minerality. Yes thanks. It feels quite racy in texture but there's oatmeal and ginger biscuit qualities under tart lime and green apple fruitiness. The perfume is loaded with citrus blossom florals, sea spray, lime and ginger. A racy finish lends ultimate freshness. A very good vibe here. Drink by 2028.
93 points
Mike Bennie - James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion
I am shocked to discover that I have not yet reviewed a single vintage of this wine for "The Wine Advocate," despite having consumed my fair share of it and judged it at many wine shows over the years. Here, the 2024 Assyrtiko is crunchy and fleshy, with white linen, cheesecloth, brine, green apple, nashi pear, lemon barley and vanilla wafer. The wine is complex and impressively layered, with texture and flavor in profusion. This wine comes highly—and perhaps unsurprisingly to drinkers in Australia—recommended as a great dining wine. One day, as we see more vine age develop in this vineyard, we might see a premium Assyrtiko produced, in line with some of the great, old-vine beauties of Greece. One can hope. 12% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Drink 2024--2032.
93 points
Erin Larkin - Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate -
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Don Fulano 100% Agave Blanco Tequila (700ml)Jalisco, MEXICO$129. 99Bottle$1559.88 DozenABV: 40%Don Fulano Tequila is the fruit of five generations of agave growers and a distilling heritage that brings together the Highlands of Jalisco and the Valleys of Tequila. Today the Fonseca family are not only respected farmers – they also run La Tequileña, one of the highest-rated and most awarded of Jalisco's distilleries. It is also the last family-owned operation that is 100% self-sufficient in agave supply, allowing them to control the quality of their tequila from farm to bottle. They introduced the Don Fulano brand back in 2002. Says Lance Cutler, California-based Author and Winemaker, “Fonseca consistently creates tequilas rich with agave character yet graced with a delicate finish. His penchant for long-term barrel aging allows him to blend in ways never before seen in tequila production. In effect, Fonseca has created an entirely new class of tequila.”
Don Fulano's Blanco is rested for six months in stainless steel before bottling. The aromas open resiny, developing an earthy, lightly smokey agave edge alongside dill, white pepper and green tomato chutney. Nicely weighted, the supple, juicy delivery is complemented by low-burn alcohol, trailing off with hints of candle wax, potpourri, brine, mustard pickle and pepper. Give it enough breathing time and you have a classic, complex, full-bodied Blanco that's engaging from start to finish. 40% Alc./Vol. Tasted from a 30ml sample.
Other reviews... Clear color. Earthy, tropical, peppery, vegetal aromas and flavors of dill, salinity, green mango, white pepper, and chicory with a supple, shy, dry thin body and a tingling, long finish conveying notes of vanilla, caramel, cream, and white tea. A bright, lightly spicy and very well-balanced blanco for sipping or cocktails. 93 points - tastings.com
Peppery and lightly green on the nose, but also laced with notes of cinnamon, giving the tequila a certain breakfast-adjacent quality. Otherwise it’s mild and approachable, one of the gentlest blanco tequilas I can recall nosing in years. The palate hardly detracts from that setup, adding notes of lemon and lime peels to that baking cabinet quality. A simple grind of white pepper, a spritz of floral perfume, and a gentle note of vanilla linger as the finish — short and to the point — comes into focus. If you like your blanco tequila clean and shiny, this blanco will not disappoint. - drinkhacker.com
Nose: earth/ mineral/ pepper / hint of banana/ hint of citrus / lemongrass / hay / hint of alcohol Taste: sweet agave / vanilla/ earth / cinnamon/ anise / banana / pear / cherry / orange/ grapefruit/ anise / spearmint/ hint of cream soda Finish: very light viscous mouthfeel/ very nice smoothness across the whole taste / cool water effect / lingering anise, agave, cinnamon notes This blanco has a lot of great flavors and aromas working together. It has a nice balance between the sweet and cinnamon spicy that provides a very gratifying experience. The nose is weak and the alcohol is a touch more prevalent than what should be for a well made 40% abv, but it’s not a point stealing issue. It’s good overall, but with a touch more refinement it could be next level. - tequilamatchmaker.com
91 points - Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2022
Silver Medal - San Francisco Spirits Challenge 2022
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2024 Pikes Traditionale RieslingClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2024-2032)ABV: 11.5%Closure: StelvinPikes have long produced one of Clare Valley’s benchmark Rieslings, 2024 marking the 40th release, one which was a smooth, uninterrupted growing season that shows more forthcoming and bolder fruit whilst sacrificing nothing in terms of structure and length. Fruit is sourced predominately from the Estate’s Polish Hill River vineyard with the balance coming from growers located in the Watervale, Sevenhill, Leasingham and Mintaro districts. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel on lees for 3 months.
Brilliant water like core with greenish tinged edges. Leaping from the glass are intense lime and citrus scents which are complimented by orange rind, chalky talc and mineral notes. Zesty and racy in its feel, concentrated lime, lemon and green apple fruits fill the mouth with crisp mineral infused acidity the spine. Also evident are some subtle chalky talc and wet steel elements. Showing good tension it finishes dry, long and scrumptious.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 11.5%Other Reviews….
Consistently one of the finest Rieslings from Clare, especially when you consider value for money. This vintage turned out really well for Riesling in Clare. Most of the fruit comes from Pike’s Polish Hill River vineyards with the balance from other vineyards throughout the region. There is a degree of tension yet there is power and intensity with a fine minerality and subtle citrus tang. Lovely wine for current drinking and for the cellar. Drink 2024-2034.
95 points
Ray Jordan – WinePilot.comIf there is a more reliable wine, which can provide better value than this one, anywhere in Australia, please let me know. Sourced half from estate vineyards and half from growers throughout the Clare Valley, this is the 40th consecutive release of this wine, a fine achievement. Free run juice only and then three months post fermentation on lees. A pale yellow hue, the nose exhibits typical lemon/lime aromas, with florals, grapefruit pith, river stones and oystershells. A classic Clare Riesling, everything is in place. It offers a gentle balance, with fresh acidity and impressive length. A wine which will easily see ten to fifteen years in a good cellar (I’d be prepared to put money that every single previous release, from the time they started using screwcaps more than twenty years ago, would still be drinking well – these things will rival the Californian redwoods for longevity). Drink 2024-2039.
94 points
Ken Gargett – WinePilot.com
The 2024 Traditionale Dry Riesling is dry and succulent, with ripe lime and Granny Smith apple, lemon pith and white pepper. This is magnificently delicious, with talc-like phenolics that shape the mid-palate and long finish. It is an excellent value for money, at $28 AUD / $17 USD. 11.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Drink 2025-2034.
93 points
Erin Larkin - Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate -
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2024 Pikes The Merle RieslingClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$52. 99Bottle$635.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 10 Years (2024-2034)ABV: 11.5%Closure: StelvinNamed in tribute to Pike’s family matriarch, ‘The Merle’ is a selection of the best parcels of Riesling from their Polish Hill River Estate.
Brilliant water like colour with a faint greenish tinge around the outskirts. Bursting out of the glass are intense lime, citrus and orange rind aromas which are trailed by some green apple, talc and steely mineral notes. Tense and focused, the riveting palate features concentrated flavours of lime, lemon and Granny Smith apple. Chiselled acidity lends a taut sculptured feel with subtle orange rind, chalky talc, wet steel and flinty mineral elements extending across the back half. Outstanding power with a long, bracing finish that’s delivered with laser like precision.
Drink over the next 8-10 years.
Alc. 11.5%Other Reviews…..
While the Traditionale is regularly one of the very best in its price bracket (and often well above it), The Merle never fails to sit among the very best releases of Clare Riesling, year after year, no matter what price bracket you quote. For me, this is one of our iconic Rieslings. The colour for this latest release is a near transparent lemon. The wine is elegant and refined, fresh and focused and offers drive, impeccable balance and endless length. A line of sea breeze acidity runs the length, the intensity never drops for a moment, and that freshness is still evident throughout. Fabulous stuff, this latest release is a worthy addition to the lineage. Enjoy over the next twenty years. Drink 2024-2044.
97 points
Ken Gargett – WinePilot.comI'd be happy to lie on my back and have someone drip feed this Pikes The Merle Riesling into my mouth for the rest of my days. What an impeccable wine this is. Pure, focused, detailed and delicate all at the same time, class oozes from every pore.
It's a supreme exercise in precision and highlights the gift that the Clare Valley subregion of Polish Hill River is to the production of this fabulous variety.
Only made in exceptional years, specific parcels were selected and it was made exactly the same as the Traditionale Riesling.
Limes, lime leaf and green apple feature large but carry themselves with fabulous humility. Lemongrass and grapefruit add detail with a river stone minerality that threads its way through the frame. Pretty white field flowers offer a fresh and vibrant aroma that calls you back time and gain.
The 2024 Clare Valley Rieslings are absolutely humming and be sure to pop The Merle down as one of the wines that you need to track down. Drink to ten years+
97 points
QWineReviews.com
The 2024 The Merle Riesling is powerful and tightly controlled, with a long spool of flavor—lemongrass, white pepper, cheesecloth, bay leaf and scratched lime—that draws out over the finish. I like this wine in its youth, and I like it as an older wine as well. It's very smart and eloquently of place. 11.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Drink 2025-2044
96 points
Erin Larkin - Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate -
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2015 Egly-Ouriet Grand Cru Millesime ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$1399. 00Bottle$16788.00 DozenABV: 12.5%Closure: CorkThe Ambonnay based Egly-Ouriet are a reference point for grower producers in Champagne, known for their impeccable vineyard management and fastidious winemaking skills. Much of their production is raised in oak barrels, with extended aging on lees a feature. As usual with Francis Egly's millesime, the blend is 70% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay from the same 40-year-old vines in Ambonnay, aged in barrel until bottling.
Other Reviews....
The 2015 Champagne Millésime is a bright straw color and is ripe and fruity on the nose, with aromas of black cherries, fresh violets, savory saline, and a hint of umami richness. The palate is full-bodied, with no phenolic bitterness, and never feels overtly savory. Pure, juicy, and inviting, it’s lovely and long on the palate, with a very pretty finish and a refined mousse that just frames the wine. It has a delicate note of toast that it needs time to harmonize, but I love what they have done with this vintage. Drink 2025-2045.
96 points
Audrey Frick - jebdunnuck.com -
- 89
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2023 South by South West Pinot NoirPemberton, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2024-2029)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinIncludes 15% whole bunches with maturation taking place in 3 year old French oak barriques for a period of 7 months. Semi translucent dark red core with black toned edges and a vibrant red hue. Nosing reveals aromas of ripe cherry, red plum and red liquorice trailed by some fresh herb, delicate earth and spicy cedar notes. Light and fresh across the palate with red cherry fruits to the fore. Subtle winter strawberry, fresh herb and delicate spicy earth elements ensue. Fine grained tannins with an elegant and bright red fruited conclusion.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 93
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
- Biodynamic
2023 Monteraponi Toscana RosatoTuscany, ITALY$54. 99Bottle$659.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2024-2025)ABV: 13%Closure: Diam CorkMade from Sangiovese grapes using the saignee method. Salmon pink tinged colour. Intense strawberry, raspberry and blood orange scents jump out of the glass followed by some wet stone and spice notes. Delicious peach, strawberry and blood orange fruits have a gentle tangy feel over a stony mineral back drop. Finishes bone dry and savoury with crisp acidity. Supplely textured yet spicy finish.
Drink over the next year.
Alc. 13% -
- 89
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2021 Hay Shed Hill Cabernet MerlotMargaret River, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenMinimum 6 bottlesCellar: 4 - 5 Years (2028-2029)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinMatured in French oak barriques for 12 months. Midnight black core with a dark red hue. Aromas of black olive and blackcurrant infused with prominent smoky vanillin cedar are trailed by some tobacco and spice notes. Rich black currant fruits infused with black olives are trailed by smoked tobacco, dried herbs and charry cedar. Dryish, firm chalky tannins and an edgy finish.
Cellar 4-5 years.
Alc. 14% -
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- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2023 Schwarz Wine Co. Chenin BlancBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$24. 99Bottle$299.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2024-2025)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinBrilliant water like core with a distinctive green tint to the edges. Lifted pear and green apple aromas mix with melon, lime and quince notes. On the palate pear, lime and green apple fruits overlay a quince and spice back drop. Finishes dry with brisk acidity and a spicy fruit driven aftertaste.
Drink over the next year.
Alc. 13%Other Reviews…..
Chenin blanc has got a bit of a thing going on at the moment ... and I dig it. Light straw in the glass with aromas of green apple, poached pears and juicy citrus with hints of crème fraîche, crushed stone, marzipan and white flowers. There's a pleasing slinky, textural aspect on the palate, finishing clean with bright acidity providing plenty of velocity and verve. Drink by 2027.
92 Points
Dave Brookes – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
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- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2021 Cimicky Autograph Basket Pressed ShirazBarossa, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$39. 99Bottle$479.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2024-2030)ABV: 14.5%Closure: Diam CorkMidnight black dark red colour with a dark red black tinged hue. Heady dark plum, liquorice and blackberry aromas fill the nostrils followed by toasty vanillin oak and earthy mocha characters. Rich, full and opulent the palate is flooded with plush dark plum, liquorice and blackberry fruit which is married to prominent toasty vanillin oak, earth and spicy mocha elements. Velvety yet underlying sturdy tannin structure. Showing ample power it finishes long and fleshy with plenty of toasty vanillin oak shining through.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5% -
- 95
2020 Olivier Leflaive Auxey-DuressesBurgundy, FRANCE$125. 00Bottle$1500.00 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2024-2030)ABV: 13%Closure: Diam CorkOlivier Leflaive was co-manager of Domaine Leflaive until 1994 before withdrawing to concentrate on his own venture which he started in 1985. Today the domaine produces wine from some 65 appellations with 85% of the production being white wine. One of Burgundy’s most respected producers the estate produces a number of domaine wines from its own vineyards alongside its range of negocé bottlings. The wines are made by Franck Grux and the theme in their wines is elegance and finesse rather than power with restrained use of oak and great purity of fruit.
Brilliant pale straw colour with a subtle greenish tint around the edges and a watery hue. Delightful white peach and dried honey aromas are intertwined with citrus, subtle roasted almond, nougat and gun flint notes. Elegant and fresh yet nicely fleshed across the mid weighted palate, white peach, citrus and dried honey flavours are featured over subtle nougat and infusions of gun flint. Energetic acidity with a brisk, refined feel to what is otherwise a gently creamed and long finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 90
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 Warrabilla Reserve Grenache RoseRutherglen, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$24. 99Bottle$299.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2024-2026)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinVibrant damask pink colour. Raspberry and musk aromas mix with pomegranate and wet stone notes. Refreshing and energised, peach and blood orange fruits have a tangy feel over some citrus, raspberry and stony mineral elements. Crisp acidity finishing dry and crunchy.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 93
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 Warrabilla Reserve RieslingRutherglen, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$24. 99Bottle$299.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2024-2030)ABV: 11.5%Closure: StelvinBrilliant water like core with greenish toned edges. Lime and lemon scents mix with wet steel, Granny Smith apple and chalky mineral notes. Zesty lime, lemon and Granny Smith apple fruits have a crunchy feel over a back drop of steely, mineral infused acidity. Finishes dry, long and focused.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 11.5% -
- 93
2022 Coriole Redstone ShirazMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2024-2030)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinAged in French oak for 12 months. Midnight black core with a dark red black tinged hue. Pepper infused plum and liquorice aromas fill the nostrils followed by some dried herb and earthy fennel notes. Generous dark plum and liquorice fruits carry a juicy feel across the medium to full bodied palate with earthy vanillin cedar and peppered fennel elements lying underneath. Grainy, structural tannins with a medium to long pepper laced conclusion.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5% -
- 93
2023 Cantina Santadi Villa Solais Vermentino di SardegnaSardinia, ITALY$26. 99Bottle$323.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2024-2025)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinCantina Santadi, from Sardinia’s southwestern coastal region known as Sulcis, was founded in 1960 as a cooperative of local growers. Under the guidance of Antonello Pilloni, Santadi has become one of Sardinia’s finest wineries today made up of more than 200 growers farming 600 hectares.
This Vermentino is made with 10% Nuragus, another local variety, and is matured for a few months on lees in stainless steel to provide the wine with an extra dimension of texture and flavour.
Brilliant pale straw colour with greenish toned edges and a watery hue. Aromas of pear, green apple and lime drift from the glass with some wet stone and fresh herb notes also evident. Fleshy pear and lime fruits carry good intensity and textural volume across a back drop of green apple, wet slate and fresh herb infusions. Finishes dry with brisk acidity and a long mouth filling finish.
Drink over the next year.
Alc. 13% -
- 94
2022 West Cape Howe Styx Gully ChardonnayMount Barker, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$34. 99Bottle$419.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2024-2028)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinFruit was sourced from the best two blocks of Chardonnay on West Cape Howe’s Langton vineyard and is barrel fermented (approximately 40% new) in oak with no malolactic fermentation.
Bright straw colour with greenish tinged edges and a watery hue. Nosing offers up scents of nectarine, citrus and bees wax which have a delicate toast overlay. Some lemon butter and spice notes are also evident. Medium bodied and creamy textured, nectarine, pear and citrus flavours are melded to lemon butter, dried honey, cashew and spicy nougat elements. Good freshness finishing full and texturally rounded.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 92
2023 Craggy Range Te Muna Road Vineyard Pinot NoirMartinborough, NEW ZEALAND$54. 99Bottle$659.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2024-2030)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinMatured for 11 months in French oak (26% new) with 5% whole bunch inclusion in the ferment.
Dark red core with black toned edges and a vibrant light red hue. Fragrant dark cherry, strawberry and violet scents intermix with subtle anise, fresh herb and spicy cedar notes. Lighter in body and showing greater elegance than past vintages, cherry and strawberry fruits are featured over subtle anise, infusions of fresh herbs and spicy cedar. Fine grained tannins finishing with ample freshness on the mid length aftertaste.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 92
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 Forage Supply Co. Spliced RieslingEden Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$54. 99Bottle$659.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2024-2027)ABV: 11%Closure: StelvinBrilliant water like core with greenish tinged edges. Lime, lemon and Granny Smith apple aromas emerge from the glass with some chalky mineral notes also evident. Mouth watering lime and citrus fruits are intermeshed with subtle orange rind and chalky mineral characteristics. Finishes dry with brisk acidity and a refreshing aftertaste.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 11% -
- 90
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2023 Mt Moriac ChardonnayGeelong, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$24. 99Bottle$299.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2024-2028)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinBrilliant pale straw colour with highlights of green around the edges and a watery hue. Nectarine, pear and lime aromas mix with hints of honeysuckle and vanillin spice. Fleshy peach and melon fruits have a rounded feel across the palate with some green apple and subtle vanillin spice elements lining the back half. Fresh acidity finishing dry and spicy with ample textural volume.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 91
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2022 Bull Ant ShirazLanghorne Creek, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$15. 99Bottle$191.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2024-2028)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinDense inky black colour with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Ripe plum and liquorice aromas intermix with toasty vanillin cedar and peppered earth notes. Juicy dark plum and liquorice fruits mix with toasty vanillin cedar, earth and pepper characters. Medium to full in body, it has polished, fine grained tannins and a generously fruited pepper laced finish.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 14.5% -
- 93
- 93
2023 Lost Farm Pinot NoirTasmania, AUSTRALIA$39. 99Bottle$479.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2024-2030)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinSemi translucent dark red colour with black toned edges and a vibrant red hue. Expressive dark cherry, strawberry, violet and subtle anise scents mix with fresh herb, forest floor and spicy cedar notes. Delicious red to dark cherry and strawberry fruits are intermeshed with subtle anise, forest floor and spicy cedar characters. Supple yet fresh in its feel it has polished tannins and a savoury red fruited finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.5%Other Reviews…..
Bright ruby with aromas of wild strawberries, red plum and raspberries. Hints of spiced morello cherries, berry flan, wood spice, undergrowth, ginger tea, Chinese barbecue meats and pressed flowers. Purely fruited with a sweep of sour cherry, powdery tannins and an appley acidity promoting cadence and sapidity. Some gamey tones sneak in on the finish, which fades away slowly. Drink by 2030.
93 Points
Dave Brookes – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 94
- 92
- 94
- Organic
2022 Domaine Saint-Damien Gigondas Vieilles VignesGigondas, Southern Rhone, FRANCE$59. 99Bottle$719.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2024-2032)ABV: 15%Closure: CorkDomaine Saint-Damien is run by Joel and Amie Saurel whose family has been tending vineyards for four generations, dating back to 1821. Until relatively recently they sold all of their grapes to negociants. In 1998 they brought on consulting winemaker Philippe Cambie and haven’t looked back. Of the estates 42 acres of vineyards, 30 acres are in Gigondas with vines that have an average age of 50 years.
A blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah matured in large old foudres for a period of 12 months.
Deep dark red core with black shaded edges and a vibrant red hue. Flamboyant dark raspberry jube, dark plum, liquorice and cherry scents flood the nostrils with some provincial herb and subtle peppered earth notes also evident. Rich and concentrated the palate is awash with super succulent dark raspberry, black cherry and liquorice fruits which are framed by a muscular yet integrated tannin structure. Infusions of herbs du Provence, scorched earth and pepper ensue. Youthfully fresh and exuberant, it finishes long, juicy and powerful.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 15%Other Reviews….
Possibly my favorite of the trio, the 2022 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes (80% Grenache and 20% Syrah) offers a full-bodied, incredibly textured, yet seamless and elegant profile to go with lots of meaty dark fruits, some classic Southern Rhône licorice, roasted herb, and spice box nuances, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It's another sensational effort from this estate, which continues to go from strength to strength.
94-96 Points
JebDunnuck.comThe intricate 2022 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes blooms with alluring strawberry compote, blackberry, black plum and spicy characteristics. Full-bodied and concentrated, the 2022 is a rock-solid rendition of this cuvée built for the long haul. Give it at least two more years in a cool cellar before pulling the cork. Drink 2026-2032.
92 Points
Nicolas Greinacher – Vinous.com -
- 93
2024 Mr Mick FianoClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$14. 99Bottle$179.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2024-2025)ABV: 12.4%Closure: StelvinBrilliant water like core with greenish tinged edges. Intense pear, lime and green apple skin aromas jump out of the glass trailed by some wet stone and fresh herb notes. Showing excellent concentration and mouth feel scrumptious lime and green apple fruits drive the palate with some pear, wet stone and infusions of fresh herbs extending across the back half. Fresh and textural it finishes dry with crisp acidity and a long mouth watering aftertaste.
Drink over the next year.
Alc. 12.4% -
- 91
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2022 Billy Button RossoVictoria, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2024-2026)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinA blend of 63% Shiraz, 21% Tempranillo and 16% Refosco sourced from the Alpine and King Valleys. Deep black dark red colour with a dark red hue. Aromas of cherry, plum and red liquorice mix with dried herb, earth and spice notes. Juicy plum, cherry and liquorice fruits overlay a back drop of earth and dried herbs. Spicy finish with fine grained tannins, bright acidity and a savoury aftertaste.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
- 93
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2022 Scanlon Estate Pinot NoirAdelaide Hills, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2024-2030)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinMatured in French oak for 11 months. Dark red core with black toned edges and a red to dark red tinged hue. Perfumed violet like aromas are followed by dark cherry, strawberry and subtle anise notes. Also evident are dried herb, forest floor and spicy cedar. Light and elegant across the palate with a supple feel, dark cherry and strawberry fruits are intermeshed with delicate anise, forest floor and spicy cedar characters. Polished fine grained tannins, medium power and a savoury finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
- 93
2024 Babich Sauvignon BlancMarlborough, NEW ZEALAND$14. 99Bottle$179.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2024-2025)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinA classically styled Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc that regularly vies for New Zealand’s best value Sauvvy B. Brilliant very pale straw colour with subtle highlights of green around the edges and a watery hue. Pungent herbaceous gooseberry and passionfruit aromas combine with some complimenting grassy asparagus and citrus notes also evident. Zingy passionfruit, ripe gooseberry and citrus flavours are delivered with great intensity and have a mouth filling effect across the scrumptious palate. Crunchy acidity with some herbaceous grassy characters extending through the long finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- ABV may vary
- Batch may vary
Aberlour A'bunadh Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$154. 99Bottle$1859.88 DozenAberlour’s cask strength A’bunadh has long been a darling of single malt aficionados, released in batches, each varies in proof and flavour as proportions of older or younger material make the cut, but the brief remains the same: Make a 100% ex-oloroso sherry aged malt using the inventory at hand (anywhere from 5 to 25 years old). Keep it natural, which means zero chill filtration, keep it balanced and keep it affordable. No information about the number of bottles from each batch of A’bunadh is offered, but they're large outturns for a global community, which makes for a significant blending challenge. That hasn't stopped collectors and fans of sherried malts from stocking up on those that are deemed better than others. With or without water, whichever way you like it, A'bunadh is worth checking out as you encounter it, at least so long as value remains Pernod-Ricard's priority.
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- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 Fin Wines Speedo GrisNagambie Lakes, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$31. 99Bottle$383.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesABV: 11.7%Closure: Diam CorkFin Wines, launched in January 2020 by JonJo McEvoy, Oliver Johns, and Angus Hean, is a fermentation collective based in Dixons Creek, Yarra Valley, on Wurundjeri Country. Focused on producing fresh, fun, and highly drinkable wines, ciders, and piquettes, they use minimal intervention techniques like spontaneous fermentation, no filtering, and minimal additives. The 10-acre vineyard, planted in the early 1990s on grey-red sandy loam over clay, is sustainably farmed to preserve soil and biodiversity. Its mix of south and north-facing slopes benefits from cooling influences from nearby hills.
This 100% Pinot Gris comes from Box Grove Vineyard, planted on sandy soils ideal for whites. Handpicked in two passes, half the fruit is on Roussanne rootstock and the rest on Cabernet. A mix of carbonic and destemmed fermentation, with 5 days on skins, followed by aging in old oak and stainless steel. Fresh and juicy, it offers flavors of strawberries, pears, mandarin, and white flowers, with a light chalky texture. A playful, vibrant wine full of character.
Alc. 11.7% -
- 94
- 94
2024 Garagiste Le Stagiaire Pinot NoirMornington Peninsula, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2024-2030)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinDeep dark red core with a bright purple red tinged hue. Fragrant freshly crushed cherry, violet, strawberry and fresh herb scents sail out of the glass trailed by hints of clove, forest floor and spice. Nicely fleshed the palate is layered with seductive cherry and strawberry fruits infused with fresh herbs. Some forest floor and spice elements linger underneath. Polished tannins with bright acidity lending youthful freshness. Finishes long, juicy and spicy.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.5%
Other Reviews....
These samples were addressed to Sir Gary Walsh, and quite frankly, I think I deserve a knighthood, though obviously I’d refuse it, being a man of the people.Spicy, perfumed, complex. It has plenty of structure, juicy cherry flavour, bright but balanced acidity, and excellent length. A short note for an impressive wine. What else do you need to know? Oh, yes, it drinks a charm. Drink 2024-2030+
94 points
Gary Walsh – The Wine Front - Australian Distilling Co. Festive Season Gin Gift Pack (3 x 200ml)Victoria, AUSTRALIA$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 Dozen
Perfect for gift giving or a delightful indulgence, this pack includes three award winning gins - Australian Distilling Co. Shiraz Gin 38.5% ABV, Australian Distilling Co. Gin 40% ABV and Australian Distilling Co. Rhapsody Ruby Gin 48% Alc./Vol.
- The Macallan A Night On Earth In Jerez Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$230. 00Bottle$2760.00 DozenABV: 43%
The 2024 release in Macallan's 'A Night on Earth' series was created in collaboration with Jerez-born artist, María Melero, whose festive designs capture the spirit of celebration in her hometown. Named A Night on Earth in Jerez de la Frontera, the whisky pays tribute to the Spanish region where The Macallan’s cask journey begins, laying the foundation for the whisky that follows. It goes without saying that the spirit inside comes aged in sherry-seasoned American and European oak casks! As usual, this is bottled with a natural colour at 43% Alc./Vol. and comes with an impressive 'fold-out' presentation case.
Notes from the producers... With a deep amber colour and an aroma reminiscent of dried fruit, dark chocolate and spices, this whiskey is a true sensory experience. The palate is complex and full-bodied with notes of sherry, raisins and caramel, balanced with spices and oak, giving a long and satisfying finish.
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- Limit One per customer
Bruichladdich Octomore 15.1 Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Islay, SCOTLAND$280. 00Bottle$3360.00 DozenABV: 59.1%The latest tranche of Octomore has arrived and is expected to be in high demand. Famous as the world's peatiest whisky, production makes up just 5% of Bruichladdich's output which explains why some expressions sell out fast. If you're new to the label, one aspect of Octomore's branding can be confusing. For each annual release, the first number stands for the series. We're up to number 15. The digit after the decimal point is where it gets complicated. ".1" signifies maturation in ex-bourbon casks. It's Octomore 'naked', so to speak, with no fancy wood treatment. ".2" is a broader classification that focuses on European oak. These casks could have previously held anything from red wine to sherry or even cognac. Finally, ".3’s" are distilled from 100% Islay barley rather than barley that might have been shipped from the mainland. American oak and European oak are used, with the formula changing for each release.
Other reviews... After 15 years of Octomore, it feels like they must have burned through all the peat in Scotland to produce this ultra-smoky whisky. Apparently that’s not the case, as the Octo-trio is back again with one question on its mind: How much peat are you ready to handle? As usual Octomore has plenty of surprises in store for you, and none of them revolve around making your mouth taste like the bottom of an ashtray. 5 years old (as is the norm), bourbon-barreled in 72% first-fill and 28% re-charred barrels; peated to 108.2 ppm of phenols — fairly low for Bruichladdich. 100% Scottish Concerto barley. A little light on the peat this year, but few may notice. Oaky, smoky, and toasty on the nose, with overtones of beef barbecue and black pepper. Vanilla and some banana fruit notes are secreted into the experience, but available if you seek them out. Quite toasty and tannic on the palate, with growing notes of smoked meats and fresh, green grass. The fruit is muted and tamped down. though the banana quality creeps into focus with time, paired with a nutty green walnut character. Smoky, charry bonfire notes are never far from reach, the finish ringed with saline and notes of wet wood. A little blunt for the brand compared to prior expressions. 118.2 proof. - drinkhacker.com
...deliciously sweet – wonderfully phenolic, but not drying or just a mouthful of carbon. It is superbly complex, with hints of vanilla, toffee, and perhaps even citrus lurking underneath the peat. - whiskyandwisdom.com
...a mix of floral and campfire smoke on the nose. The wood here delivers a sweet barbecue note full of vanilla, toffee, coconut, custard and malt, with some slightly fruity and tropical notes on the finish and offers a bit of salinity. It’s complex and delicious. - insidehook.com
- Bundaberg Master Distiller's Collection Small Batch Silver Reserve Rum (700ml)Bundaberg, Queensland, AUSTRALIA$69. 99Bottle$839.88 DozenABV: 40%
This is Bundy's foray into the large white rum category. Crafted by blending white rum with the smoothest aged reserves and matured for four years in first-fill American oak bourbon barrels, it's then charcoal filtered for a smooth & clean finish. Reportedly it has a subtle Bundy taste which makes it something you can drink straight. And while not at the standard of some of the tastier Caribbean rums, it works well as a mixer. Try it in your next Mojito. 40% Alc./Vol.
Notes from the producers... Palate: Perfect balance of tropical fruit flavour & spice. Finish: Finishes with hints of vanilla and oak.
Gold Medal - San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2021
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- 91
- Vegan
2024 Muto ProseccoMurray Darling, Vic, AUSTRALIA$21. 99Bottle$263.88 DozenABV: 11%Closure: Crown SealMuto Wine is operated by the Smit family, based in Tallarook, Victoria. They utilise climate-appropriate, alternative varieties to produce wines that are characterised by their integrity, thoughtful production, and pure drinkability.
Sourced from the Chalmers Merbein vineyard, destemmed fruit was basket pressed to tank for wild-fermentation and matured on lees for 6 months. Bubbles were created using the Charmat method before bottling on site with minimal sulphur.
A lacy mousse subsides to reveal a pale straw coloured core that has pale gold tinged edges and a very fine bead flowing through it. Drifting through the nose are attractive ripe pear, baked apple and quince scents followed by some subtle dried honey and toast notes. Vividly crisp green apple, quince and lemon fruits have a zippy, electric like feel across the palate. Finishes bone dry and chalky with some minerality also evident.
Alc. 11% -
- 95
- 93
- 93
- 93
- 93
- Organic
2021 Querciabella Chianti ClassicoTuscany, ITALY$47. 99Bottle$575.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2024-2030)ABV: 14%Closure: CorkFirst produced in 1974 Querciabella’a Chainti Classico sees 14 months maturation in fine to extra fine grained oak barriques (225 Litre) and tonneaux (500 Litre), and partially in larger oak vessels, before the final blend is assembled.
Dark red black tinged colour with a dark red hue. Attractive red currant and red cherry aromas infused with rose petals are trailed by some tobacco, earth, Mediterranean herb and spice notes. Delicious red currant and red cherry fruits carry ample freshness across the mid weighted palate providing it with an energetic feel. Infusions Mediterranean herbs, subtle dusty earth, tobacco and spice extend across the back half. Slightly chalky tannins impart grip onto the long, bright and savoury red fruited finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14%Other Reviews…..
The 2021 Chianti Classico is fabulous. Bright and punchy, with terrific resonance, this wine shows just how compelling the vintage is. Readers will find a Chianti Classico of dynamic energy and volume. Dark red cherry, purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal, spice and a gentle kiss of French oak build into the sumptuous, vibrant finish. Superb. The 2021 was aged in 500-liter barrels (5-6% new) for 14 months and is a blend of fruit from Greve, Gaiole and Radda. Drink 2023-2036.
93 points
Antonio Galloni – VinousA saturated purple/magenta hue, the 2021 Chianti Classico is lush and fresh with aromas of black raspberry, black cherry, violet, and fresh leather. Plush and inviting, with bright acidity along the sides of the palate shining through, it offers a velvety texture with a long finish. It’s polished but not oaky and has a very refined feel, with medium to full body and a long and balanced finish. Drink 2026-2040.
93 points
Audrey Frick – JebDunnuck.comThis has a fresh character with ripe cherries and raspberries as well as dried flowers, bark and stones. Polished and textural with a medium body and vivid acidity. Focused and fresh with chalky tannin structure and a linear finish with notes of citrus and minerals. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.
93 points
JamesSuckling.comThis red is precise, offering cherry, raspberry, rose, iron and tobacco flavors fused to a steely, dense and vibrant structure. Balanced and intense, building to a long aftertaste infused with fruit and mineral notes. Best from 2026 through 2045.
93 points
WineSpectator.com