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2024 Kusuda RieslingMartinborough, NEW ZEALAND$89. 99Bottle$1079.88 DozenABV: 12%Closure: StelvinHiro Kusuda was born in Tokyo where he worked as a lawyer before a stint in Australia. Along the way his love affair with wine and winemaking grew, and eventually he set off to complete his studies at Geisenheim in Germany before moving to Martinborough in New Zealand to make hand crafted Pinot Noir. Kusuda is known for attention to detail, to the point that each berry is picked individually at harvest by his Japanese friends that fly out each year to assist. Naturally this precision comes at a cost, in particular the miniscule volumes produced, and as such stocks are extremely limited.
Other Reviews....
The aromatic quality is fantastic here, with lemon blossoms, clementine skin and melons, ever so refined. Medium-bodied, it shows lots of energy and sophistication. There’s a lovely acidity and crispness to the precise fruit, a light flintiness adding to the complexity. Tangy at the end. Pure. Drink now. Screw cap.
96 points
JamesSuckling.com -
- 94
- 92
2023 Boekenhoutskloof The Chocolate BlockSwartland, SOUTH AFRICA$64. 99Bottle$779.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 14%Closure: CorkA nicely fleshed, medium bodied blend with a savoury blue to dark fruited finish.
The Boekenhoutskloof vineyard, named after the original property set up in 1776, was founded in 1993 in the Franschhoek Valley, when it was planted with Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Grenache, Semillon, and Viognier. Today, under the helm of the winemaker Mark Kent, they produce a range of iconic wines including the Boekenhoutskloof Estate Wines, The Wolftrap, Porcupine Ridge, The Chocolate Block, and the Porseleinberg from the Swartland.
The 2023 Chocolate Block (the 22nd vintage of this wine) is a blend of 74% Syrah, 11% Grenache, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cinsault and 1% Viognier. The wine is matured in a combination of seasoned 2,500L French oak foudres, 225L barriques, and seasoned 600L demi-muids for a period of 14 months.
Deep dark red black core with a dark red hue. Fragrant aromas of dark plum, liquorice and dark raspberry are trailed by whiffs of dark chocolate, spicy vanillin cedar and peppered dried herb notes. Nicely fleshed, the medium bodied palate features dark plum, liquorice, blueberry and dark raspberry fruits over vanillin cedar, subtle earthy dark chocolate and spicy dried herb characters. Supple and refined in it’s feel with polished tannins and a long savoury blue to dark fruited finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14%Other Reviews….
This is wonderfully fragrant, with attractive notes of olive, mulberry and peppercorn. It’s juicy, medium- to full-bodied and very bright, with fine-grained tannins and a lively finish. 74% syrah, 11% grenache, 8% cabernet sauvignon, 6% cinsault and 1% viognier. Delicious already. Drink now.
92 Points
JamesSuckling.com -
- 95
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2023 Soul Growers Persistence GrenacheBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$46. 99Bottle$563.88 DozenMinimum 6 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 14%Closure: CorkRich, succulent and powerful with a silky smooth texture and long, super juicy finish.
Semi translucent red to dark red colour with black toned edges and a light red hue. Wafting from the glass are dark raspberry, liquorice and ripe cherry scents followed by vanillin spice and subtle peppered earth notes. Rich and succulent, the mid weighted palate is awash with dark raspberry, liquorice and dark cherry fruits. Delicate scorched earth, dried herb, vanillin spice and pepper elements linger across the back half. Boasting outstanding power, a silky smooth texture and cashmere like tannins, it finishes long and super juicy.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 14% -
- 96
- 96
- 97
- Biodynamic
2022 Marco Lubiana One Terroir Pinot NoirDerwent Valley, Tasmania, AUSTRALIA$84. 99Bottle$1019.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 13%Closure: CorkExpansive, powerful and complex finishing long and savoury with lots of spice.
Dark red core with black toned edges and a red to dark red hue. Perfumed nose with aromas of violet, dark cherry, strawberry and rhubarb complimented by clove, brambly cedar, subtle forest floor and spice notes. Delicious red to dark cherry, rhubarb and strawberry fruits meld into a spicy clove, brambly earth and dried herb back drop. Expansive, powerful and complex, it has slightly grainy yet well integrated tannins and is brimming with energy. Finishes long and savoury with lots of spice.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13%Other Reviews….
Fragrant, detailed aromas of wild strawberries, red cherries, rose petals, dried herbs, citrus peel and forest floor. The palate is precise with bright acidity and finely tuned tannins, delivering notes of cranberries, blood oranges, graphite and gentle spices. A Burgundy-lover’s pinot with all the desired traits. Excellent. Drink or hold.
97 Points
JamesSuckling.com
Sourced from one parcel of pinot noir off gravelly clays higher up on the estate hill in the Derwent Valley; 100% whole bunch. It's super-bright and expressive, but there is serious structure and form here. Gorgeous wild strawberry and dark cherry fruits cut with hints of crushed rocks, souk-like spice, amaro herbs, peppercorn, shoyu, dried shiitake, wood spice, sandalwood, charcuterie and scattered leaf litter. Textural and complex, with the light constantly shifting on its form. There's a fine mineral cadence and a brace of powdered-rock tannin in place, and it will benefit from a decant when serving. Seriously good. Drink by 2046.
96+ points
Dave Brookes - James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 93
- 93
2024 Cloudbreak Nouveau Collection Pinot NoirAdelaide Hills, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinSupplely textured with mint infused flavours of cherry, strawberry, dried herbs, forest floor and spice.
Semi translucent dark red colour with black shaded edges and a light red hue. Fragrant strawberry and ripe cherry aromas carry a subtle mint overlay with some ensuing notes of forest floor, rhubarb and spicy dried herbs. Supplely textured the palate has mint infused flavours of cherry, strawberry, dried herbs, forest floor and spice. Silky smooth tannins with a savoury conclusion that shows ample length.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13%Other Reviews…..
A lighter-weight but flavour-stuffed pinot noir that does a lot of good things at the pricepoint. Dark cherry, touches of cola, sweet spices, clove, rosehip tea. Some granitic, grippy tannin makes landfall, too. Sleek and slick, long-lived in flavour, with great texture and a pretty perfume. It adds up to a winner for the bucks. Drink by 2029
93 Points
Mike Bennie – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 91
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 Montresor Primo Pinot BiancoVerona, ITALY$27. 99Bottle$335.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2025-2026)ABV: 12%Closure: Diam CorkNicely shaped and concentrated dry white with brisk acidity and a fullish finish.
Brilliant very pale straw almost water like colour with greenish tinged edges. Pear and ripe apple aromas mix with hints of dried honey and spice. Nicely shaped and concentrated, the palate features pear and Jonathan apple fruits over a wet stone and delicate lime back drop. Brisk acidity finishing texturally rounded and fullish.
Drink over the next year.
Alc. 12% -
- 94
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2023 Traviarti Beechworth NebbioloBeechworth, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$69. 99Bottle$839.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 13.8%Closure: Diam CorkLight, elegant and fresh with red to dried cherry, morello cherry and earthy dried herb characters mixing with subtle tobacco and spice.
Semi translucent red to dark red core with black shaded edges and a light rusty red tinged hue. Spicy red currant and red liquorice aromas intermix with hints of tobacco, dried herbs and earth. Light, elegant and fresh on entry with red to dried cherry, morello cherry and earthy dried herb characters melding into a subtle tobacco and spice back drop. Vibrant acidity with slightly grainy tannins finishing refined and savoury.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13.8% -
- 94
- 96
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2022 Luis Seabra Granito Cru AlvarinhoVinho Verde, PORTUGAL$79. 99Bottle$959.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 12.5%Closure: CorkRich and ripe with a fleshy texture, underlying freshness and shapely finish.
Brilliant straw colour with pale gold tinged edges and a watery hue. Elevated peach and quince aromas intermix with apricot, subtle honeysuckle and spicy ginger like notes. Rich ripe peach, quince and apricot fruits are married to honeysuckle and ginger characters. Fleshy textured with a lick of underlying saline laced fresh acidity leading into a shapely ginger and quince infused finish.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 12.5%Other Reviews…..
This shows aromas of citrus, poached orchard fruit and stones. The palate is intense and concentrated, with great energy and fruit, yet linear and focused. Medium- to full- bodied. Long and persistent. This has no sulfur added until after malolactic. Really love the oxidative character of this alvarinho. Drink now.
96 Points
JamesSuckling.com -
- 93
2020 Chateau-Fuisse Famille Vincent JulienasBeaujolais, FRANCE$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 14.5%Closure: Diam CorkA rich, ripe black fruited Gamay that carries plenty of weight with firm, chewy tannins.
Deep dark red black core with a very dark red hue. Black cherry and anise like aromas are trailed by scorched earth, dried herb and spice notes. Rich ripe black cherry, liquorice and black raspberry fruits flood the medium to full bodied palate with earthy dried herb, dried meat and spice elements lurking underneath. Firm, chewy tannins with a robust black fruited finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 14.5% -
- 93
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2022 Terrazze Dell’Etna CarusuSicily, ITALY$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 14.5%Closure: Diam CorkLight to medium bodied with vibrant sour to red cherry, red liquorice and blood orange fruits, tangy acidity and slightly chalky tannins.
Made from 80% Nerello Mascalese and 20% Nerello Cappuccio grapes this wine was aged for 6 months in wood and 24 months in bottle. Red to dark red core with black toned edges and a light red hue. Red cherry and red liquorice aromas have a leathery overlay with hints of blood orange, crushed rock, dried herbs and minerals also evident. Light to medium bodied, vibrant sour to red cherry, red liquorice and blood orange fruits meld into an earthy crushed rock, dried herb and mineral back drop. Tangy acidity with slightly chalky, graphite like tannins and a finish that’s both elegant and energetic.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews…..
A dark profile here with tar and graphite as well as earthy, leathery tones. Light- to medium-bodied, this has a lot of sweet fruit on the palate, crisp acidity and velvety, flavored tannins. Chewy finish with aging potential, otherwise ready to drink now.
93 Points
JamesSuckling.com -
- 94
- 92
- Organic
2024 Umani Ronchi Casal di Serra Verdicchio Classico SuperioreCastelli di Jesi, ITALY$34. 99Bottle$419.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinCrunchy and juicy with a long, scrumptious mineral laced finish.
Verdicchio is one of the most widely planted white grape varieties in the Marche region of central Italy. First produced in 1983 this is Umani Ronchi’s flagship Verdicchio. Grapes are selected from four vineyards ranging from 8 to 30 years old, with fermentation taking place in stainless steel tanks and the wine given approximately 5 months lees contact to build its textural attributes.
Brilliant pale straw colour with green tinted edges and a watery hue. Lifted lime, pear and green apple scents infused with fresh herbs are followed by some guava and slatey mineral notes. Juicy lime, guava and green apple fruits are underscored by crunchy acidity with infusions of fresh herbs and flinty mineral elements lingering through the long, scrumptious finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 13%Other Reviews….
A ripe, floral nose with baked apples and lemons, pressed flowers and a hint of ginger-tinged honey, turning immediately vivid and intense on the medium-bodied palate and driving through the long, tightly packed finish. Yet, it remains a well-proportioned verdicchio with a lovely, silky texture. From organically grown grapes. Fun to drink now.
92 Points
JamesSuckling.com -
- 94
- 93
Alma Bellavista Assemblage Franciacorta Extra BrutLombardia, ITALY$95. 00Bottle$1140.00 DozenABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinA mouth filling Franciacorta with crisp acidity and a long, dry, pillowy finish.
A blend of 80% Chardonnay, 19% Pinot Nero and 1% Pinot Bianco aged on lees for 3 years. A fluffy mousse fades into a very pale straw coloured base that has green tinted edges and a fine persistent bead streaming through it. Pear, apple, baked bread and yeast lees scents flow from the glass followed by hints of citrus and spice. Delicious pear and apple fruits meld into a baked bread, yeast lees and roasted almond back drop. Mouth filling, cream tinged feel with crisp acidity and a long, dry, pillowy finish.
Alc. 12.5%Other Reviews….
Almonds, baked pears, salted caramel and bread dough on the nose of this delicious sparkling. It’s medium-bodied with silky, fine bubbles and delicious nutty and pastry flavors that evolve to a long, elegant finish with salty and mineral undertones. 86% chardonnay, 13% pinot nero and 1% pinot bianco. Drink now.
93 Points
JamesSuckling.com -
- 91
La Vieille Ferme Sparkling RoseFRANCE$27. 99Bottle$335.88 DozenABV: 12.5%Closure: Diam CorkA vibrant, breezy Sparkling Rose with a dry, elegant finish.
Made from a blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Pinot Noir. A buoyant mousse sits atop a very pale salmon pink tinged base that’s threaded by a steady stream of bubbles. Aromas of strawberry, pear and lees sail through the nostrils with some chalky mineral notes also evident. Possessing a breezy feel, the vibrant palate features raspberry and strawberry fruits over peach and chalky mineral characters. Crisp acidity with a very dry and elegant finish.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 95
- 95
2022 Handpicked Collection Tasmania Pinot NoirTasmania, AUSTRALIA$52. 99Bottle$635.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinA wonderfully perfumed and deliciously fruited Tassie Pinot that finishes long and spicy.
Included in the ferment was 25% whole bunch fruit with maturation taking place in French oak barriques and puncheons (one third new) for a period of 10 months. Semi translucent red to dark red colour with black shaded edges and a light red hue. Wonderfully perfumed nose with scents of violet, dark cherry, strawberry and anise complimented by some delicately toasted cedar, fresh herbs, forest floor and spice. Delicious dark cherry, strawberry and anise flavours are laid out across the savoury palate with notions of spicy cedar, forest floor and infusions of fresh herbs extending across the back half. Understated in its power, it has well structured, fine grained tannins, good freshness and a long spicy finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.5%Other Reviews….
Aromatics are abundant with charred sour cherry, juicy red berries, savoury sweet woodsy spice, a whiff of game, still a hint of blood and a red earthed rock salt note. Great fruit intensity on the palate, waves of flavour and a precise drive from start to finish. The shape holds firm, the acid line is long and lean, and the chalky texture wraps around it snugly with lightly toasted oak. This has brilliant length and shape, with an emotive shapeshifting quality to it. Nudging into crevices and bringing you back to the glass for more. The finish is long, and that just bitter char note holds strong, a nice foil to the fruit freshness. slight herbal, red cherry cola note. Brilliant and resplendent with clean-cut energy. Drink 2025-2033.
95 Points
Cassandra Charlick – WinePilot.com -
- 96
- 94
- 94
- Organic
2022 Ata Rangi Pinot NoirMartinborough, NEW ZEALAND$115. 00Bottle$1380.00 DozenCellar: Drink now - 15 Years (2025-2040)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinA more supple and openly textured Ata Rangi that retains the labels hallmark power and structure.
Only fruit, from the oldest parcels of vines at Ata Rangi makes it into this wine. The fabled Abel clone, allegedly smuggled from Burgundy in the mid-70s, makes up 40% of the blend. Incorporates 40% whole bunch fruit with maturation taking place in French oak (30% new) for a period of 11 months.
Red to dark red core with black shaded edges and a red hue. Perfumed aromatics with violet, ripe dark cherry and strawberry scents trailed by some fresh herb, subtle anise, forest floor and delicate spicy cedar notes. Rich, powerful and expansive yet relatively light on it’s feet, the mid weighted palate is flooded with juicy red to dark cherry, strawberry, red plum and subtle anise flavours. Infusion of fresh herbs, forest floor and spicy cedar unfold across the back half. Outstanding length and depth with seamlessly integrated tannins and fine acidity. More supple and openly textured than recent releases it finishes long and spicy.
Drink over the next 10-15 years.
Alc. 13.5%Other Reviews….
Stunning and captivating, the wine shows dark berry, warm spice, porcini, and toasted almond characters with an elegant floral overtone. The palate is equally enticing with outstanding concentration and depth, combined with silky flow and beautifully infused fine tannins, making it wonderfully structured with finesse and sophistication. Gorgeously proportioned and harmonious with a sustained, graceful finish. At its best: 2027 to 2042.
98 Points
Sam Kim – Wine OrbitThe 2022 Pinot Noir is lighter than the 2020 and softer than the 2021. In 2022, the decision was made not to release any single-vineyard wines "because they didn't express the character that we were hoping for in that vintage," says Winemaker Helen Masters. On the nose, there's white strawberry, cherry, pomegranate pearls and even a hint of raspberry leaf. In the mouth, the wine is pink peppercorn, open and yet compact, open-weave without being loose. There's clarity. It's lovely. The best fruit from the three single vineyards and the older estate vineyards make up this wine, yet the overall volume of the Ata Rangi Pinot Noir remains the same. Interesting to note that in 2023, there was no Ata Rangi 2023 made; all of the fruit flowed to the Crimson cuvée, the first time in the estate's 39 years. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Drink 2023-2037.
94+ Points
Erin Larkin – Robert Parker’s The Wine AdvocateA tight and focused Ata Rangi with sliced strawberries and hints of white pepper and minerals. It’s medium-bodied, crisp and fresh, with light wet earth and fresh mushroom undertones to the fruit. This has verve. Drink or hold.
94 Points
JamesSuckling.com -
- 95
- Reduced
2025 Nicks Secret PLTS Clare Valley Riesling - Last StocksClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIAReduced from $19.99$13. 99Bottle$167.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 11%Closure: StelvinEstablished in 1983, this family owned and run estate is one of Clare Valley’s best Riesling producers. Sourced from a number of sites across the Clare Valley, this is a classically styled zingy Riesling that’s bursting with flavour making it an absolute steal at the Nicks Secret price of just $13.99.
Intense, textural and powerful with a long zippy finish.
Brilliant water like core with highlights of green around the edges. Leaping out of the glass with great intensity are lime and citrus scents which are trailed by some green apple, chalky talc and mineral notes. Bristling with crunchy acidity, the palate is awash with concentrated lime, citrus and green apple fruits which carry good textural volume. Chalky talc, wet steel and flinty mineral elements linger through the long, zippy finish. Gold medal and 95 points at the 2025 Sydney Royal Wine Show.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 11% -
- 94
2025 Babich Sauvignon BlancMarlborough, NEW ZEALAND$14. 99Bottle$179.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinFull flavoured Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc that delivers unbeatable value.
A classically styled Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc that regularly vies for New Zealand’s best value Sauvvy B. Brilliant very pale straw almost water like colour with greenish tinged edges. Pungent aromas of passionfruit, gooseberry and green apple flood the nostrils trailed by some herbaceous grassy notes and hints of citrusy minerals. Mouth watering passionfruit, gooseberry, green apple and citrus flavours are delivered with impressive intensity over a herbaceous grassy and mineral back drop. Crisp acidity with a long, scrumptious finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 96
- Reduced
2024 Home Hill Estate Landslide Pinot NoirTasmania, AUSTRALIAReduced from $37.99$34. 99Bottle$419.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 14.1%Closure: StelvinHome Hill is one of your classic Australian vineyard retreats that functions as both a serious winery and a charming getaway with restaurant included. The focus here is primarily on Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sylvaner and Sparkling wine, but their track record really shines with Pinot. Over recent years they have clearly established themselves as one of Tasmania’s best and most consistent producers of the varietal, culminating in their 2014 Home Hill Reserve Pinot Noir taking out the Jimmy Watson Trophy.
A wonderfully fragrant and expansive Tassie Pinot that boasts a superb power wave of flavour.
The Landslide Pinot Noir is sourced from newer plantings and is fermented and raised in mostly old French barriques for 9 months. Dark red core with black toned edges and a bright purple red hue. Wonderfully fragrant, the nose offers up intense aromatics of violet, dark cherry, strawberry and anise followed by some fresh herb, forest floor and delicate spicy cedar notes. Flooding the mouth with a superb power wave of flavour are rich dark cherry, red plum and strawberry fruits. Notions of anise, spicy cedar, forest floor and dried herbs the undercard. Supple textural feel with velvety yet structural tannins and a long expansive finish that shows plenty of spice.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.1% - Bruichladdich Octomore 16.3 Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Islay, SCOTLAND$360. 00Bottle$4320.00 DozenABV: 61.6%
Other reviews... As always, 100% Octomore Farm-grown barley, aged 5 years full term in a mix of bourbon, Sauternes, and Pedro Ximénez casks. 189.5 ppm (last year’s 15.3 was 307.2ppm for comparison). Compared to many other “.3” Octomore releases, this one’s a real softy, and the lower peat level (while still extreme) is immediately noticeable; that’s not a bad thing, as last year’s 15.3 was overwhelming. The whisky makes room for lots more beyond peat, and again that’s great, as some “.3” releases can be ashy and sullen. An immediate pop of dark chocolate and orange marmalade, wrapped in baking spice, gives the whisky a holiday vibe on the nose. The palate sees the same elements at first, plus a bold raisin character driven by that PX influence. As it develops, the peat melds with the lemony-buttery elements to create a surprisingly rich and creamy experience, almost like pastry dough left by the fireplace for a few hours. The finish evokes notes of coconut and sesame cakes, with a vein of saline. My favorite of the collection this year. 123.2 proof. - drinkhacker.com
...A classic Octomore from the .3 series – massive smoke, great balance, and a pleasantly integrated alcohol content. A long, satisfying finish – a must for peat lovers. - whiskybase.com
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2024 Cantina Tollo Rocca Ventosa Montepulciano d’AbruzzoMontepulciano D'Abruzzo, ITALY$11. 99Bottle$143.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinA youthful, slightly chewy Montepulciano with juicy morello cherry and ripe plum fruits.
Deep midnight black core with a vibrant dark red hue. Ripe morello cherry, plum and liquorice aromas show good aromatic lift out of the glass with some earthy incense and spice notes also chiming in. Juicy morello cherry and ripe plum fruits are to the fore with subtle earthy incense, dried herb and spice elements lurking in the background. Nicely fleshed yet youthful feel with slightly chewy tannins, fresh acidity and a gentle inkiness to the medium length finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 93
2025 Ad Hoc Wallflower RieslingGreat Southern, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 11.5%Closure: StelvinA light, zippy Riesling with a dry, refreshing finish.
Brilliant water like colour with a faint tinge of green around the outskirts. Lifted aromas of pear juice and red apple mix with lime, honeysuckle, orange blossom and stony notes. Light, vivid and zippy, pear, red apple and lime fruits are accompanied by infusions of orange blossom and flinty mineral elements. Crisp acidity with a dry, zesty finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 11.5% - Bruichladdich Octomore 16.2 Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Islay, SCOTLAND$290. 00Bottle$3480.00 DozenABV: 58.1%
Other reviews... 5 years old; aged in a complex configuration of oloroso and Bordeaux casks for 4 years, then finished in Madeira and Portuguese Moscatel for its final year. 101.4 ppm phenols. The finishing wine casks have had a field day with this one, creating an experience that is incredibly full of fruit and sweetness – lemon curd and loads of orange blossom honey dominate a sharp, citrus-fueled nose. The palate is incredibly sharp and wine-forward from the jump, here the fruit showing a more oxidized quality, with a hint of the apricot notes evident in 16.1. The fortified wine will not be ignored for long, though, as the finish explodes with a huge resurgence of oxidized wine mixed in with dried tea leaves. Water is particularly instructive here, though it does give the peat a peppery punch. Be prepared to linger with this one’s outsized flavor profile. 116.2 proof. - drinkhacker.com
...A typical Octomore with a distinctive smoke profile, clean bourbon barrel aging, and a beautiful balance between sweetness, wood, and peat. - whiskybase.com
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- 92
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 Inkwell Gravity’s Gone GrenacheMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinA juicy fruit driven Grenache with lively acidity.
Dark red in colour with black toned edges and a dark red hue. Fragrant red raspberry, red liquorice and ripe cherry scents leap from the glass trailed by dried herb and peppered earth notes. Juicy ripe raspberry, red liquorice and cherry fruits meld into a vanillin confectionary, dried herb and peppered earth back drop. Lively acidity and fine grained tannins with a fresh, fruit driven mid length conclusion.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13% - Kinglake Distillery Weird Science Cask Strength Single Malt Australian Whisky (500ml)Victoria, AUSTRALIA$154. 99Bottle$1859.88 DozenABV: 60%
340 bottles make up the newest special release from Kinglake, born in ex-bourbon, "finished in madness". After a spell in American oak, it was transferred to a cask that held Tallboy and Moose’s lunatic Eisbock, a beer so unhinged it was quintuple ice-distilled to 20% before being aged to a final, brain-melting 30% ABV. Kinglake wet-filled that barrel with one-year-old spirit and let the mountain humidity work its twisted alchemy for another three years. The result comes out of nowhere, a delicate, nuanced single malt that belies its cask strength. A perfect springtime, single-malt solution. 60% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Aromas of Riesling and river pebbles softening into something warmer: crisp green apple peel, honeyed malt, and the faintest suggestion of sun-dried hops. The texture is silken but nervy, Riesling crossed with pale ale and raised by whisky. Lemongrass, wild honey, and mineral salt with faint echoes of that Eisbock past -, roasted grain, and a ghost of toffee. It’s crisp yet creamy. The finish doesn’t so much fade as evolve. A burst of lemon sorbet and malted milk, chased by a cooling minerality that recalls slate, cold air, and curiosity. - Alex Woods – timeandtide.info
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Glendronach Ode To The Embers Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$149. 99Bottle$1799.88 DozenABV: 48.4%Other reviews... Part of a trio of whiskies celebrating Glendronach’s use of sherry casks, Ode to the Embers is a peated malt that leaps out of the glass with smoke and cinders, the dense peat melding with the sherry cask influence to create a meaty impression with barbecue spices and charred aromas. The palate dials back the peat and lets the cask influence shine: Ripe berries, apples, and heather honey blend into a slightly smoky, very fruity finish. 94 points - whiskyadvocate.com
...Apparently, the smoke genuinely comes from the distillate itself, not from any sort of finishing in an ex-cask of… let’s say Laphroaig, as many tend to do. Colour: gold. Nose: a light smoke, nicely integrated into the sherry, with no clash. A faint whiff of exhaust fumes, which we rather enjoy, then some myrtle and cherries, pleasant touches of natural rubber, a hint of smoked meat (some kind of smoked beef jerky), followed by barbecue smoke and pine needles. Mouth: it’s a touch more dissonant for me, on rubber, pepper, bitter zest, sour cherries, and a faint note of prosecco, even Aperol Spritz. Finish: medium length and still rather marked by the Aperol. Aperol, that’s not owned by Brown-Forman, is it? Comments: I find it quite pleasant as well, with a few modern flavours and a slight cocktail edge. One must move with the times, I suppose. 82 points - whiskyfun.com
- Johnnie Walker Blue Label Year of the Pig Australia Limited Edition Blended Scotch Whisky (1000ml)SCOTLAND$699. 00Bottle$8388.00 DozenABV: 40%
Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product pictured.
One of the Chinese New Year releases from Diageo in 2019. The Year of the Pig, in Chinese astrology, symbolises prosperity, generosity and abundance. As usual, there’s a unique design on the bottle illustrating the animal bringing good fortune as it rejoices in the arrival of the New Year.
From the annual commemorative Lunar New Year Limited Edition Blue Label Design series, this will be the perfect gift for the collector or anyone you wish a year of unbridled happiness and prosperity! 40% Alc./Vol.
- Connacht Spirit of the Atlantic Single Malt Irish Whiskey (700ml)IRELAND$159. 99Bottle$1919.88 DozenABV: 44.8%
This represents Connacht Distillery’s own stock and is the first whiskey to be distilled in Co. Mayo in over 150 years. Batch No.1 debuted in 2021 with high acclaim, including a San Francisco Spirits Competition Double Gold, gold from the Irish Whiskey Awards, a rare 95 point rating from the New York Spirits Competition and 'Best in Class’ at the American Distilling Institute – all at just over 4 years old. Since then, the company have announced their first core release, a minimum 4-year-old single malt matured in ex Bourbon and ex Oloroso Sherry casks. Sub-labelled "Spirit of the Atlantic" it's bottled at 44.8% Alc./Vol. and comes non-chill filtered.
Other reviews... Delicate and youthful but never hot or harsh. Lemon and lime with a soft vanilla touch and more of those esters such as pear drops and pineapple chunks. Finish A soft touch of Bourbon oak, black pepper and ginger... What I love about this is that it lets the distillate shine, the oak influence is low but takes away any harshness in the spirit. It seems there is a lot to look forward to at Connacht and this first release bodes very well. - Irish Whiskey Magazine
- Archie Rose Fundamental Spirits White Cane Spirit (700ml)Sydney, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA$63. 99Bottle$767.88 DozenABV: 40%
Inspired by Australia’s long and storied rum history, White Cane is a local reimagining of a spirit known to the rest of the world as white rum. It features high-test NSW molasses, cold distilled using a one-of-a-kind copper vacuum still to capture the delicate, delicious flavours of locally sourced sugarcane, resulting in a spirit that is pillowy soft with a refreshing finish. 40% Alc./Vol.
Notes from the producers... Nose: A fragrant and vibrant nose of roasted marshmallow, golden syrup and pineapple. With a moment to unfold, it reveals the luscious aromas of ripe bananas, persimmon, and caraway seeds. Palate: Luxurious and creamy, with mango, coconut flesh and liquorice allsorts offering a palate that balances power and vigour with finesse. Finish: A lingering, pillow-soft finish with bursts of raspberries, poached pear, and a subtle hint of spearmint.
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Boatrocker Citrus Aperitivo (700ml)Victoria, AUSTRALIA$52. 99Bottle$635.88 DozenABV: 15%Created for a perfect Spritz, three different citrus peels contribute to this aperitif's aroma and flavour, with ingredients like gentian helping balance the sugars. On its own, it's a soft, semi-sweet style with a very gentle bitterness that's almost indiscernible at the finish, lacking the zest and spirit that traditionalists may expect. 15% Alc./Vol.
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2023 Samuel Billaud Petit ChablisChablis, FRANCE$86. 99Bottle$1043.88 DozenABV: 12.5%Closure: CorkWhile the origins of this domaine date back to Charles-Louis-Noel Billaud in 1815, it's the current generation winemaker Samuel Billaud that has made waves with the exceptional quality of his wines produced since the creation of this project in 2009. Following the sale of the family business Domaine Billaud-Simon to Faiveley in 2014, Samuel received further prized parcels of land and now makes wines from five of the grand cru vineyards, and five of the top premier cru vineyards. The wines are vinified in a mixture of stainless steel and large old wood barrels, the latter mainly for the premier and grand cru wines.
Other Reviews....
Lively and pure, the Petit Chablis from Samuel Billaud is reminiscent of more focused wines from Kimmeridgian soils. The aromas range from gooseberry to lemon peel and white peaches; there is a distinct flinty mineral note. The texture is not heavy, but the finish has surprising persistence. The grapes are from a parcel of 0.60ha planted by his father in 1976 on the Portlandian plateau at the top of the grand cru slope of Sur Les Clos. Drink 2024-2030.
92 points
Charles Curtis MW - DecanterA smoky nose of mineral reduction, essence of pear, green apple and a touch of iodine precede racy, intense and chiseled middle weight flavors that exude evident minerality on the balanced and lingering finale. This agreeably dry effort could use better depth so 2 to 3 years of keeping should be helpful. Drink through 2027+.
87 points
Allen Meadows - BurghoundSamuel Billaud’s 2023 Petit Chablis derives from 40-year-old vines in Sur les Clos, based on Portlandian limestone. It wafts from the glass with aromas of lemon zest, oyster shell, acacia and a hint of youthful reduction. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied and taut and more mineral-driven than fruity, a considerable performance for the appellation. Drink 2025-2034.
88 points
Kristaps Karklins - Robert Parker's Wine AdvocateThe 2023 Petit Chablis Sur Les Clos comes from Billaud's fathers vines planted in 1976. It has a bright nose like the Bourgogne d'Or with yellow plum and light flinty aromas. The palate is quite sharp on the entry with good weight, perhaps not quite the length of the 2022, but there is tension throughout. Fine. Drink 2025-2029.
88 points
Neal Martin - VinousTo bottle before the harvest. Vines from 1976 on 41B rootstock, a windy site with some kimmeridgian soil. Pale lemon. A fine classy dry fruit on the nose. Delicious salinity, one of the best examples. Drink from 2025-2027.
89 points
Jasper Morris MW - Inside Burgundy -
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2023 Samuel Billaud Sechet Vieilles Vignes Chablis Premier CruChablis, FRANCE$215. 00Bottle$2580.00 DozenABV: 13%Closure: CorkWhile the origins of this domaine date back to Charles-Louis-Noel Billaud in 1815, it's the current generation winemaker Samuel Billaud that has made waves with the exceptional quality of his wines produced since the creation of this project in 2009. Following the sale of the family business Domaine Billaud-Simon to Faiveley in 2014, Samuel received further prized parcels of land and now makes wines from five of the grand cru vineyards, and five of the top premier cru vineyards. The wines are vinified in a mixture of stainless steel and large old wood barrels, the latter mainly for the premier and grand cru wines.
Other Reviews....
Restrained aromas of citrus confit, iodine, spice and apple give way to strikingly textured and slightly denser medium-bodied flavors that flash evident power that builds on the bitter lemon-inflected finish that is markedly dry, sleek and balanced. The Billaud Séchet is virtually always excellent and the 2023 vintage should be no exception. Drink through 2031+.
93 points
Allen Meadows - BurghoundAnother brilliant wine from Samuel Billaud, and one of the most classically Chablisien in character, the 2023 Chablis 1er Cru Séchet Vieilles Vignes derives from 90-year-old vines, the oldest of the domaine, and is aged entirely in steel for 18 months. Opening in the glass to reveal a bouquet of lemon zest, oyster shell, white flowers and crushed chalk, it’s compact and chiseled, with extraordinary purity, a bright, incisive line of acidity and a strikingly sapid, mouthwatering finish. Chablis purists will want to seek this out urgently, as it ranks among Billaud’s finest premiers crus this year.
93-94 points
Kristaps Karklins - Robert Parker's Wine AdvocateThe 2023 Chablis Les Séchets 1er Cru has a detailed and mineral-driven bouquet that evokes images of the dark and stormy sea. This has wonderful salinity—it really benefits from no wood contact. The palate is old-school Chablis, with green apple and pear scents. It's a little strict, yet there is real depth and grip here. The 2023 is very complex and long on the finish, but it’s 100% Chablis in style. Outstanding. Drink 2026-2042.
94 points
Neal Martin - VinousPlanted by Samuel’s grandmother in the 1930s, yielding 40/45 hl/ha in 2023, the Séchets will be kept on lees in stainless steel for a full 18 months. Marvellous intensity right across the palate, once again a truly brilliant wine from Samuel. Beautifully dry finish to a wine that is so full of fruit. Drink from 2028-2035.
92-95 points
Jasper Morris MW - Inside Burgundy -
- 90
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2023 Millebuis Bourgogne Cote Chalonnaise Pinot NoirBurgundy, FRANCE$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 13.5%Closure: Diam CorkA light, savoury Pinot that shows good freshness.
Red to dark red colour with black toned edges and a light red hue. Sour to red cherry and fresh herb scents drift from the glass trailed by some stalk and spice notes. Juicy red cherry fruits meld into a back drop of red liquorice, dusty earth, fresh herbs and spice. Slightly chalky tannins with the savoury finish showing good freshness.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
- 91
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 Anti Heroes Coola Road Pinot NoirMt Gambier, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$34. 99Bottle$419.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinLight and supple with a savoury finish that shows plenty of spice.
Fermented with a small proportion of whole bunches and matured in French oak (10% new). Semi translucent red to dark red colour with a light red hue. Top notes of spicy dried clove are joined by red to dark cherry, winter strawberry, rhubarb and subtle graphite like notes. Light and supple upon entry with red to dark cherry and strawberry fruits to the fore. Rhubarb, brambly cedar and spicy dried clove elements sit in the background. Polished tannins with a savoury finish that shows plenty of spice.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 96
2022 Maude Mohawk Hill Pinot NoirCentral Otago, NEW ZEALAND$59. 99Bottle$719.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2025-2033)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinExpansive, concentrated and powerful Central Otago Pinot.
Mohawk Hiil is a single vineyard wine sourced from Maude’s Lowburn vineyard planted in 2008. It is only produced in great years.
Semi translucent red to dark red colour with black toned edges and a light red hue. Fragrant red to dark cherry, strawberry and violet scents engulf the olfactory senses with some trailing anise, forest floor, fresh herb and spice notes. Delicious red to dark cherry, strawberry and rhubarb fruits are expansive, concentrated and powerful in their flow across the palate. Brambly cedar, forest floor and spicy fresh herb infusions ensue. Supple mouth feel with bright acidity, velvety tannins and a long energetic red to dark fruited conclusion.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 14% -
- 95
- Organic
2020 Inkwell Perfect Day ShirazMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$39. 99Bottle$479.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 14.3%Closure: StelvinA rich, concentrated McLaren Shiraz that shows some muscularity across the long expansive finish.
Matured in French oak barrels. Inky black heart with a deep very dark red black tinged hue. Pronounced aromas of ripe blackberry, liquorice and dark plum fill the nostrils followed by some smoky vanillin cedar, dark chocolate and peppered dried meat notes. Rich and concentrated with ripe blackberry, liquorice, dark plum and black cherry fruits making a plush entry. Earthy mocha, vanillin oak and peppered fennel elements also make an appearance. A sturdy tannin structure lends some muscularity across the long seductive and expansive finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 14.3% -
- 90
2024 Yalumba Samuel’s Collection ChardonnayEden Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinA fresh, fleshy textured, fruit driven style of Chardonnay.
Brilliant very pale straw colour with green tinted edges and a watery hue. Delicate aromas of white peach, citrus and melon are trailed by whiffs of biscuit and mineral. The fleshy textured palate features white peach, melon and citrus fruits over a subtle stony mineral back drop. Fresh acidity enlivening the fruit driven finish.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 93
2024 Warramunda Liv Zak Pinot NoirYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$26. 99Bottle$323.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinElegant, supplely textured and savoury.
Semi translucent red to dark red colour with black toned edges and a light red hue. Fragrant red cherry and rhubarb scents mix with bramble, dried herb, forest floor and spice notes. Making a supple entrance onto the palate are delicious red cherry, strawberry and rhubarb fruits which are welded to a savoury back drop of forest floor, dried herbs and spicy cedar. Polished tannins with a long, elegant conclusion.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 94
2022 West Cape Howe Hanna’s Hill Cabernet MalbecFrankland River, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinA sturdy, deeply fruited Cabernet blend.
A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Malbec. Dense midnight black heart with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Pronounced ripe blackcurrant, liquorice and black cherry aromas are complemented by vanillin cedar, earthy tobacco and subtle bay leaf notes. Rich blackcurrant, dark plum and liquorice fruits engulf the medium to full bodied palate. Earthy bay leaf like elements, vanillin cedar and spice the undercard. Excellent fruit intensity and depth with a sturdy tannin structure. Concludes long, deeply fruited and spicy.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 14.5% -
- 92
- Organic
2022 Frank Cornelissen Munjebel BiancoSicily, ITALY$115. 00Bottle$1380.00 DozenABV: 12%Closure: ArdeasealOther Reviews....
Wildly spicy, the 2022 Bianco MunJebel bursts from the glass with an array of fermented ginger, fennel, crushed stones and dried apricots. More like nectar than wine, this smooths over the palate then finds a beautiful lift through a bump of zesty acidity. Crisp orchard fruits cascade throughout. The 2022 tapers off with outstanding length and freshness, finishing with a perfumed floral resonance, hints of tropical melon and an air of almond custard. Drink 2024-2028.
92 points
Eric Guido - Vinous -
- 92
- Organic
2022 Frank Cornelissen Munjebel RossoSicily, ITALY$110. 00Bottle$1320.00 DozenABV: 14.5%Closure: ArdeasealOther Reviews....
The 2022 Rosso MunJebel is wickedly spicy and fresh, bursting with a bouquet of crushed raspberries, sage and wet stones. It opens with a lovely inner sweetness, compounded by ripe red berry fruit juiciness as a core of zesty acidity adds an abundance of energy throughout. Tapering off with a resonance of hard candies, it finishes medium-long and clean, leaving behind rosy inner florals and a bitter tinge of clove. The 2022 is dangerously easy to drink. Drink 2024-2028.
92 points
Eric Guido - VinousThe 2022 Munjebel Rosso Classico is made from Nerello Mascalese hailing from different vineyard sites on the northern slopes. It's fresh and delicious, delivering mouthfuls of succulent red-skinned fruit, cherry tart, baking spice and star anise before closing on a note of blood orange. Chalky tannins provide seamless support and texture. Drink through 2030.
93 points
Kerin O'Keefe -
- 92
Storytellers Distillery Volume 3 Tickled Pink Strawberry Gin (500ml)South Australia, AUSTRALIA$79. 99Bottle$959.88 DozenABV: 41%Originally a once-off experiment, Tickled Pink starts with Storytellers Australian Dry and ends with a punnet-and-a-half of ripe strawberries steeped in every bottle. The fruit infuses the spirit with a luminous blush, semi-ripe, fresh-picked aromatics, and just enough natural berry sweetness to keep the finish crisp and light. A very 'ginny' alternative to more liqueur-like Sloes, try it neat, over ice with sparkling water or shake it into a Tom Collins. 41% Alc./Vol. Vegan, celiac and nut-allergy friendly.
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2022 Wirra Wirra RSW ShirazMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$79. 99Bottle$959.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 10 Years (2025-2035)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinRich, plush McLaren Vale Shiraz at it’s finest.
Wirra Wirra’s RSW is crafted from exceptional McLaren Vale Shiraz vineyards. The 2022 release consists of fruit from four blocks, three of which are from Wirra Wirra’s biodynamic Sandhill Vineyard. The fourth component is sourced from a Blewitt Springs vineyard planted in 1969. Maturation took place in French oak barriques (33% new) for a period of 18 months.
Super saturated inky black heart with a deep dark purple black tinged hue. Wafting through the nostrils are aromas of ripe blackberry, liquorice, dark plum and dark chocolate followed by some vanillin oak, earthy mocha and spice notes. Rich and plush, the palate is flooded with opulent blackberry, liquorice and dark plum fruits. Vanillin oak, earthy mocha and spice elements extend across the back half. Velvet smooth, seamlessly integrated tannins with a long seductively refined finish.
Drink over the next 8-10 years.
Alc. 14.5%
Other Reviews…..
A mild season, again, and an elegant RSW, though still bristling with dark berries and plum, with some blue fruit echoes. Black tea, dried violet, some dried olive, dark panforte and amaro, licorice powder, old leather and tar. There’s an appealing savouriness to this, and a weight that sits below the fuller side of things, the detail clearly rendered, the tannic architecture resolute but not strident. It’s a very good release. Drink by 2038.
96 points
Marcus Ellis – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion
The fruit for this outstanding Shiraz comes from four blocks, three of which are Wirra’s biodynamic Sandhill Vineyard. The fourth comes from Blewitt Springs, adding an important element from this great Shiraz sub-region. All blocks were treated separately, open fermented with some whole bunch use, and left for extended time on skins, contributing to the seamless integration of the wine. It shows a high degree of elegance within its stylish frame, with deeply concentrated red fruits, subtle peppery notes, and beautifully integrated tannins completing an impressive wine. Drink 2025-2040.
96 points
Ray Jordan – WinePilot.com
The 2022 Shiraz RSW is a sturdy rendition of this label, packed tight with dense fruit and surprising structure. It offers tight, brooding and focused aromas of dark earth, blackberry, spice and dried herbs. That savory theme continues thanks to a firm meaty core of flavor and robust gravelly tannins. The 2022 is impressive and built to last. Drink 2030-2044.
95 points
Angus Hughson - Vinous -
- 93
- Organic
2024 Cantine Pra Classico Otto SoaveVeneto, ITALY$37. 99Bottle$455.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinAn invigorating Soave that combines an intense flavour profile with a river stone like mouth feel.
Located in the heart of the Soave Classico DOC near Verona, Cantine Pra is run by brothers Sergio and Graziano Pra, the former tending the estates 25 hectares of vineyards and the latter in charge of the cantine. The Pra range of wines are considered to be one of the benchmarks for the region.
Brilliant very pale straw colour with green tinted edges and a watery hue. Attractive pear, lime and red apple aromas carry a distinct wet stone overlay with some fresh herb notes also evident. Delicious pear, red apple and lime fruits are layered across the scrumptious palate with impressive intensity. River stone like mouth feel and crisp acidity. Lingering through the long invigorating finish are infusions of slatey minerals and fresh herbs.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 12% -
- 91
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 Montresor Primo Pinot NeroITALY$27. 99Bottle$335.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 12%Closure: Diam CorkA light, energetic Pinot with juicy red fruit.
Red to dark red colour with black toned edges and a bright red hue. Delightful red cherry, winter strawberry and red liquorice scents flow from the glass trailed by some fresh herb and subtle earth notes. Delicious red cherry, strawberry and red liquorice fruits carry a juicy and agile feel across the lighter bodied palate. Earth and infusions of fresh herbs sit in the background. Fine grained tannins with an energetic red fruited finish.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 12% -
- 93
Storytellers Distillery Fwah Grass Australian Lemon Scented Grass Gin (500ml)South Australia, AUSTRALIA$74. 99Bottle$899.88 DozenABV: 43%This is the world’s first gin built around native Lemon-Scented Grass (Cymbopogon ambiguus). The process involves an overnight steep, pot distillation, vapour infusion and a final post-distillation maceration. Lemongrass, citrus and fresh ginny notes are evident on the first sniff, then more pronounced on the palate where crushed pine buds and lemongrass fill the middle stages; Pickled ginger and wasabi warmth lifting the finish. A vibrant Asian-styled take on the distillery's Original Australian Dry. The fun presentation extends to each bottle containing a single blade of the grass. 43% Alc./Vol.
- 2024 Giuseppe Quintarelli Bianco SeccoVeneto, ITALY$125. 00Bottle$1500.00 DozenABV: 12.5%Closure: Cork
Giuseppe Quintarelli was known as ‘the Master of the Veneto’, and is the name behind one of the most renowned estates in Italy. Sadly, Giuseppe passed away in early 2012 and he leaves behind a legacy of producing remarkable wines with an outstanding philosophy, to his eldest daughter who continues to carry on the tradition of this great estate. With their easily recognisable hand scripted labels, these wines offer at glimpse into one of the world’s most faithful artisanal winemakers who was an ultimate believer in letting nature do her thing and in order for wines to reach their ultimate potential these wines were only released when he deemed them to be ready.
Bianco Secco is Quintarelli’s dry white from Garganega, Trebbiano, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and the local variety Saorin. Unlike the estate’s long-aged reds, this wine is fermented and matured on fine lees shortly after harvest with minimal time in oak, allowing freshness and structural balance to shine alongside Quintarelli’s traditional craftsmanship. Though often overlooked next to the legendary reds, Bianco Secco is quietly serious and capable of rewarding short- to medium-term cellaring, embodying the estate’s meticulous approach across styles.
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2023 Giuseppe Quintarelli PrimofioreVeneto, ITALY$175. 00Bottle$2100.00 DozenABV: 14%Closure: CorkGiuseppe Quintarelli was known as ‘the Master of the Veneto’, and is the name behind one of the most renowned estates in Italy. Sadly, Giuseppe passed away in early 2012 and he leaves behind a legacy of producing remarkable wines with an outstanding philosophy, to his eldest daughter who continues to carry on the tradition of this great estate. With their easily recognisable hand scripted labels, these wines offer at glimpse into one of the world’s most faithful artisanal winemakers who was an ultimate believer in letting nature do her thing and in order for wines to reach their ultimate potential these wines were only released when he deemed them to be ready.
Translated to “first flower”, Primofiore is the youngest of the wines of Quintarelli released each year. The mix here is Corvinone, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc where most of the grapes are directly pressed except for the Cabernet which undergoes air drying for around five weeks. A hallmark of Primofiore is its freshness and vibrant nature, and this highly aromatic wine is the perfect introduction to the charms of Quintarelli.
Other Reviews....
The 2023 Primofiore is more savory than sweet, opening with dusty rose tones, a beguiling whiff of tangerine, wild strawberries and stone dust. It is round and energetic in style, perfumed with violet and lavender tones as ripe blackberry fruits swirl throughout. The finish is classically dry and long, yet remarkably fresh, leaving a subtle tannic crunch and a hint of wild blueberry to linger. Drink 2025-2030.
93 points
Eric Guido - Vinous -
- 94
2018 Giuseppe Quintarelli Valpolicella Classico SuperioreVeneto, ITALY$285. 00Bottle$3420.00 DozenABV: 15%Closure: CorkGiuseppe Quintarelli was known as ‘the Master of the Veneto’, and is the name behind one of the most renowned estates in Italy. Sadly, Giuseppe passed away in early 2012 and he leaves behind a legacy of producing remarkable wines with an outstanding philosophy, to his eldest daughter who continues to carry on the tradition of this great estate. With their easily recognisable hand scripted labels, these wines offer at glimpse into one of the world’s most faithful artisanal winemakers who was an ultimate believer in letting nature do her thing and in order for wines to reach their ultimate potential these wines were only released when he deemed them to be ready.
Valpolicella Classico Superiore from Quintarelli is no ordinary Valpolicella and is released much later than most from the region after around seven years of ageing. Half of grapes are pressed after a 3-4 day maceration, while the other half is air dried for approximately two months. The wine then undergoes a second fermentation in contact with the lees of Quintarelli’s Amarone, in the Italian tradition of Ripasso, thereby utilising by-products of the legendary latter to add a layer of complexity to the already high-quality base wine. Quintarelli's Valpolicella shows outstanding depth and complexity, and would put many other producers' Amarone bottling to shame.
Other Reviews....
The 2018 Valpolicella Classico Superiore pulls the taster close to the glass with a darkly alluring blend of dried roses, violets, crushed stone, clove and blood orange. It washes across the palate with silken textures, lifted and finessed in the style of the vintage, as ripe wildberry fruits swirl beneath an air of sweet lavender. The word ethereal comes to mind as the 2018 tapers off with sweet tannins that provide a lovely framework to perfumed inner florals and hints of blackberry that resonate. Drink 2025-2032.
94 points
Eric Guido - Vinous
















































