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- Nick's Import
2001 Edradour Oloroso Cask Finish 21 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$499. 00Bottle$5988.00 DozenABV: 52.1%Edradour in classic sherried form, with a stunning natural colour that's as black as tea. Initially matured in refill x-Bourbon hogsheads, "a few years later" it was transferred into three fresh Oloroso sherry butts, suggesting that the majority of those 21 years was in the latter. Expect a profound oloroso influence including notes of fruitcake, dates, juicy raisins, toffee apples, vanilla fudge walnuts and Seville orange zest. 1919 bottles. 52.1% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
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2022 Giaconda Nantua Les Deux ShirazBeechworth, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 13.8%Closure: StelvinEstablished in 1982 by Rick Kinzbrunner after experience in Napa, Bordeaux, and the King Valley, Giaconda has become one of Australia’s most celebrated boutique estates. The 4-hectare vineyard, now managed with his son Nathan, is certified organic and focused on Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, and Nebbiolo. High-altitude granitic soils, excellent winemaking, and ageing in a granite cave deliver wines of extraordinary purity, complexity, and finesse.
Red wines see extended maceration on skins to develop finer tannins, with maturation taking place in French Oak barrels for up to 24 months. The wines are only ever moved via gravity or gas, retaining all the pristine fruit that they work so hard to produce in the winery and the vineyard.This Shiraz has been made from select parcels of fruit sourced from Giaconda’s Warner Vineyard, the cool 2022 vintage delivering a delicately spiced Shiraz.
Deep dark red black core with a dark red hue. Rising from the glass with plenty of intensity are attractive red plum, liquorice and clove scents which are complimented by some smoked meat, spicy vanillin cedar and peppered earth notes. Elegant yet nicely fleshed, the mid weighted palate features juicy red plum and red liquorice fruits over a vanillin cedar, clove, scorched earth, cinnamon and pepper back drop. Polished tannins with a fresh, savoury, red fruited finish laced with peppered dried clove characters.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.8% -
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2021 Vasse Felix Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon MalbecMargaret River, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$199. 00Bottle$2388.00 DozenABV: 14%Closure: StelvinNamed in honour of Vasse Felix’s founder Thomas Brendan Cullity who planted the first vines in 1967, this wine is a blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 19% Malbec sourced from the original plantings. Maturation took place in French oak barriques (68% new and 32% 2-4 year old) for a period of 16 months.
Other Reviews....
Today, I am tasting this 2021 Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec for the first time, as it will be released in several months from now. The growing season in 2021 in Margaret River was challenging. In relation to Cabernet Sauvignon and later-ripening reds, it was wet at times, humid at times, and disease pressure was persistent. Diligent viticulture was the winner. This is certainly lighter and finer than many of the other wines in the lineup—2017 being the exception—but the tannins feel seamless and powdery, perfectly dovetailed into the fruit. This is a beautiful wine and triumphant in the year that was. It is super, one of the finest 2021 Cabernets to be released from Margaret River in this year. Composed of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Malbec, picked between March 30 and April 9, it fermented with whole berries and wild yeast and matured in 100% French oak for 16 and a half months, 68% new. It has the same pH (3.52) and total acidity (6.1) as the 2017. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Drink 2025-2046.
97+ points
Erin Larkin - Robert Parker's Wine AdvocateElegant with incredible purity of fruit. Perfumed aromas of red and black currants, juicy ripe plums and tobacco leaves with bitter chocolate, crushed blackberries, dried herbs and cedar. The midweight palate is succulent but not fat, showing finely integrated tannins and great depth. A beautiful, superbly approachable wine that still has a long life ahead in bottle. Great tension and minerality. A blend of 81% cabernet sauvignon and 19% malbec. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
98 points
JamesSuckling.comOften when a structured and very young flagship wine is up for tasting, I’ll assess it initially, maybe try it with food, and spend a couple of days thinking about it and retasting. They need respect. But this time, I poured a big glass of Tom Cullity and enjoyed it immediately, as it’s approachable and complete. Even a few days later, no signs of fading. This is exceptional. There’s a certain refinement within, almost open-knit. A whorl of dark fruit, from mulberries to red berries, very spicy, very savoury, ferrous, full of nori, licorice, florals and more. It’s complex, shaped by beautifully defined tannins, the length long, the pleasure factor 10 out of 10 with ageability the same. Drink 2025-2045.
97 points
Jane Faulkner - James Halliday's Wine CompanionA blend of 81% cabernet sauvignon and 19% malbec. No PV this year. The wine feels rested and ready to roll.
Beautiful perfume, that’s the big invitation; a shopping trolley list of all kinds of berries, red and black, purple even, with whiffs of sea spray, sandalwood, mahogany, salt bush, black tea and dark chocolate. The palate delivers a similar array of descriptors, though its the filigree of fine tannin that delivers the impact here – a silky draw that builds on sleek sheets of grip and pixilated texture. That the wine is medium weight, near refreshing in its energy and trails off with immense, sweet fruit, earthy spice and black tea persistence is just added charm. A beautiful wine. Drink 2025-2040+.
95+ points
Mike Bennie - The Wine Front -
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2022 Kaesler Old Vine ShirazBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$110. 00Bottle$1320.00 DozenABV: 14.5%Closure: CorkFounded by Silesian pioneers in the 1890s, Kaesler is home to some of the Barossa’s most celebrated old-vine Shiraz, with plantings dating back over 120 years. Revived in 1999 by Ed Peter and Reid Bosward, the estate has built a reputation for bold, expressive wines like the iconic Old Bastard, Alte Reben, and The Bogan. Today, Kaesler remains a 5-star Halliday-rated winery, producing consistently acclaimed Barossa classics.
Sourced from some of Kaesler’s treasured old vineyards, the fruit is hand-harvested and carefully selected to ensure only pristine bunches make the cut. Fermented gently to preserve balance and finesse, the wine is then matured for 16 months in French puncheons. The result is a richly concentrated Barossa Shiraz with depth, supple tannins, and the hallmark power of old-vine fruit. The 2022 vintage followed a much wetter winter than usual, with rainfall 48% above average—a welcome relief after three dry years. Early in the season, cooler conditions slowed growth, before warmer weather later in summer provided excellent ripening. A hailstorm in late October reduced yields in some parcels, but the surviving fruit achieved excellent balance. The result is a concentrated, structured Shiraz with the depth and plush tannins that define Kaesler’s old-vine style.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews....
Bright crimson in the glass with a fair lick of creamy French oak leading the aromatic charge, bright, dark and red plum fruits lie below, sheathed in fine spice and hints of roasting meats, Christmas cake, dark chocolate and violet top notes. There's an elegant flow to the palate here. Fine of structure with the fruit stretched tautly over the frame of fine, sandy tannin and bright acidity, finishing long and savoury with some nice toothsome chew to its form. Drink 2024-2038.
95 Points
Dave Brookes - Halliday's Australian Wine CompanionRobust aromas of blood plums, dark cherries, licorice, blueberries and sweet spices. The palate is full-bodied with a creamy texture, firmly framed tannins and bright acidity. A lot to like, with a supple and refined finish. Drink or hold.
94 Points
JamesSuckling.com“Old Vines” planted in the 1960s, so not as old as the “Alte Reben”. Perhaps it sounds older in German.
Richness and lifted aromas define this wine. It’s built with red fruit on the outside and a concentrated line of black fruit on the inside. The perfume holds the tension of cherry blossom, hazelnut oak and rose petal potpourri. The flavour is luscious but carries the same lift of red fruit as the aroma. The tannins are tense and spiked with iodine, that kind of earthy, salty nuance, balancing between dried fruit and dried blood. There’s something very pretty but a bit rusty about this wine, giving ethereal and umami at the same time and this combination is hard to resist. Drink 2025-2037+
96 Points
Kasia Sobiesiak - The Wine FrontSourced from estate vineyards planted in the sixties. And oh, how they deliver with their smooth, succulent and lavish fruit. The colour is bright red and slightly purple. Aromas of chocolate and plummy black fruits supplemented by some slightly charry oak. The palate is seamlessly structured, with the fine, bony, chalky tannins contributing structure and texture. A most refined example of Barossa Shiraz. Drink 2025-2040.
95 Points
Ray Jordan - WinePilot.com -
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2021 Kaesler Old Bastard ShirazBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$350. 00Bottle$4200.00 DozenABV: 14.5%Closure: CorkThe Kaesler Old Bastard Shiraz is a living piece of Barossa history, drawn from vines planted in 1893 and recognised worldwide as one of Australia’s great Shiraz benchmarks. Revitalised by Ed Peter and Reid Bosward in 1999, the vineyard continues to produce wines of remarkable power and pedigree, embodying both the character of the Barossa and the resilience of its oldest vines.
The 2021 season was widely hailed as brilliant, delivering a cool, dry ripening period that produced wines of purity, balance, and supple tannins. Hand harvested in the early morning of March 9th, the fruit was destemmed and fermented on skins for seven days with twice-daily remontage before pressing. After settling, the wine was matured for 18 months in French oak (50% new) and bottled in March 2023. A genuine 10/10 season has elevated this flagship to an exceptional expression of site, season, and craftsmanship.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews....
I dragged a bottle of this wine over to New Zealand to drink with my father on his 70th birthday. He loved both the wine and the sentiment and the empty bottle still sits in his workshop. He's 87 now and still a magnificent old bastard, as is this wine. It's classic Barossa. Ancient vines planted 1893. It feels wise, like its parent vines have seen it all in their lifetimes, and I'm sure they have. Blackberry, black cherry and plum, layers of spice, pressed flowers, chocolate, earth, panforte and pan juices. It's full bodied but there's a loose-knit spaciousness to its form; all grace and latent power; tannins powdery fine and finish long and true. I love it. Drink 2024 - 2040.
96 Points
Dave Brookes - Halliday's Australian Wine CompanionBold and complex aromas of blackberries, blood plums, mocha, mulberries and violets. The palate is full-bodied with a densely packed, creamy and generous mouthfeel, giving flavors of cured game meat, cassis, licorice and spices. Nicely constructed, with good tension and balance. Drink or hold.
96 Points
JamesSuckling.comPlanted in 1893, 12 rows.
Very old vines and a wine that is still very young. However, with time in the glass, it starts to shed its perfume gradually and gives detail one by one, layer by layer, showing the complexity that it carries. It’s not all quite merged yet, but time should do its job. First come the blue fruit, vanilla bean and braised meat. It has minty spice, liquorice, star anise, and tarragon family of aromas. The texture is this thick fabric of fruit that rolls out in a velvety manner in the mid-palate and tenses up on the sides. It keeps a long line of flavour, and sends iodine-bloody electric shock waves through your taste buds. Spice and perfumed cherry wood smoke flesh out in the back palate. Tannins are shaped in long slabs of graphite—shiny, smooth and fine to feel. It’s very much a moving and living wine that has a long life ahead. Funnily, the old bastard on the label doesn’t seem to age like the fine wine it has in the bottle. Drink 2028 - 2041+
97 Points
Kasia Sobiesiak - The Wine FrontWho doesn’t love the label? More importantly, who doesn’t love the wine in the bottle? This stunning Barossa Shiraz comes from a vineyard planted way back in 1983 and it is probably fair to say that in all the years since then, there have been very few vintages which can compete with 2021. Under cork, this is an opaque purple/maroon. Ripe, fragrant, generous and yet well poised, there is good concentration to this classic Barossa Shiraz. We have notes of chocolate, black fruits, cassis, cocoa powder, bay leaves, crushed herbs, mocha and coffee beans. Intense, sleek and with near perfect oak integration, the wine has immaculate balance, silky tannins and such a seductive texture. Amazing length, this is stunning stuff. A cracking Barossa Valley Shiraz which will easily handle two decades or more in the cellar. If this doesn’t thrill you then the Barossa is not for you. 2025 - 2045.
98 Points
Ken Gargett - WinePilot.com -
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2021 Domaine Clarendon SyrahMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenCellar: 5 - 6 Years (2030-2031)ABV: 14%Closure: Diam CorkRich, opulent fruit framed by a robust tannin structure and tense acidity.
Dense pitch black heart with a deep dark purple black hue. Powerful ripe blackberry, liquorice, dark plum and dark chocolate scents waft from the glass followed by some vanillin cedar and subtle peppered earth notes. Rich, opulent blackberry, liquorice and dark chocolate fruits are framed by a robust tannin structure and tense acidity. Some dark plum, earthy blueberry and spicy vanillin cedar the support act. Finishes fresh, slightly muscular and long.
Cellar 5-6 years.
Alc. 14%Other Reviews….
A whiff of reduction defines the nose before forest, spruce and red and blue fruit accents tumble across licorice tannins. It’s compressed and taut at the end. Perhaps less accessible than the sumptuous '22s, but a very fine opening act all the same. Drinkable now, but best from 2025.
93 Points
JamesSuckling.comFrom the highest vineyard in McLaren Vale at 350m; 70/30% seasoned/new French oak. Pulpy and open, a wash of boysenberry, lilac and violet, iodine and brambly wild fruits, blackberry pastille, soft licorice, black tea and potpourri. This is meaty and intense, loaded with character and the typically drying, long-drawing tannins of this address, but there’s plenty of fruitful levity and an appealing peppery savouriness through the finish. Drink by 2030.
94 Points
Marcus Ellis - James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
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- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 St. Leonards Cabernet FrancRutherglen, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$27. 99Bottle$335.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinRed and lush with red to dark fruits and a fleshy medium length finish.
Totally opaque black dark red colour with a dark red hue. Red to black currant and red liquorice aromas intermix with dusty earth, tobacco and spicy dried herb notes. Rich and possessing a lush feel across the medium bodied palate, red to dark currant fruits are featured over earth, tobacco and spicy dried herb elements. Fine grained tannins with a fleshy medium length finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
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2020 Jim Barry Assyrtiko Cellar ReleaseClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$37. 99Bottle$455.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinVibrant, energised feel with racy lime and Granny Smith apple fruits underpinned by zingy acidity.
Still looking as fresh and youthful as ever, it has a water like core and green tinged surrounds. Lifted pear and lime aromas have a subtle oily toast overlay with some green apple and flint notes also evident. Vibrant, energised feel with racy lime and Granny Smith apple fruits underpinned by zingy acidity. Some delicate pear, gun flint and mineral elements extend across the back half. Finishes long and zesty.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 12.5%Other Reviews…..
Tasted December 2020. Delicate aromatics at first. A puff of Mediterranean herbs and lemon blossom, but of course all the action is on the palate. Steely, tight and linear, with wet stone and lime juice. The acidity is pure talc and the finish pristine. Lip-smacking and delicious. Drink by 2028.
95 Points
Jane Faulkner – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
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- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2023 Gilberts RieslingMount Barker, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2025-2033)ABV: 11%Closure: StelvinTense and taut with crisp, racy acidity finishing very dry and steely.
Brilliant water like core with greenish tinged edges. Leaping from the glass are zesty lime, lemon and orange rind scents which are followed by some mandarin and steely mineral notes. Tense and tautly structured, crisp, racy acidity provides laser like focus to the lemon, lime zest and Granny Smith apple fruit. Chalky talc, wet steel and flinty mineral elements ensue. Finishes very dry and steely.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 11% -
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2023 Escarpment ChardonnayMartinborough, NEW ZEALAND$39. 99Bottle$479.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinA mid weighted, nicely fleshed Chardonnay that shows good freshness.
Barrel fermented and aged on lees in French oak barriques for a period of 11 months. Bright straw colour with flashes of green around the edges and a watery hue. Aromas of grapefruit and citrus lead the way followed by hints of biscuity oak and gun flint. Mid weighted and nicely fleshed, the palate features pear, nectarine and grapefruit flavours over biscuity oak, bees wax and subtle infusions of gun flint. Good freshness with a long, rounded finish.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13%Other Reviews…..
A refined chardonnay with sliced apples, pineapple, nougat, and hints of vanilla. Medium-bodied, this has tangy fruit flavors and a limey finish. Barrel-fermented. Screw cap. Drink now.
93 Points
JamesSuckling.com -
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2024 Tellurian Bush Vine GrenacheHeathcote, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$27. 99Bottle$335.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 14.8%Closure: StelvinRich, juicy and vibrant mid weighted Grenache.
Fermented and matured in a mix of clay amphora and seasoned French oak. Dark red core with black toned edges and a vibrant red purple tinged hue. Dark raspberry, liquorice and dark cherry aromas sail out of the glass followed by fresh herb, delicate earth and pepper notes. Rich, juicy and vibrant the mid weighted palate is awash with dark raspberry, liquorice and ripe cherry fruits. Infusions of fresh herbs and subtle peppered earth elements lie underneath. Energetic acidity with silky smooth tannins and a long succulent conclusion that has a bright youthful feel to it.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.8%Other Reviews…..
This is the first vintage for the maker producing a bush vine grenache. It offers a lovely depth of flavour across the middle palate while rejoicing in the grape's upfront ripe cherry and blueberry fruits. Generous at first but drills down into a solid fruit and oak base wrapped in fine tannins. Licorice, rosemary and black pepper meld with an enduring sweet-fruited juiciness, which is undoubtedly the star. Drink by 2030.
92 Points
Jeni Port - James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
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Chartogne-Taillet Hors Serie Grand Cru (V19) Extra Brut ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$380. 00Bottle$4560.00 DozenABV: 12.5%Closure: CorkChartogne-Taillet is the home of some of the most exciting wines in Champagne. Alexandre Chartogne is a perfectionist in his approach to viticulture and winemaking, something he picked up from his mentor Anselme Selosse. Key to his approach is the importance of expressing terroir above all else. With that in mind, Alexandre separately vinifies a myriad of plots spread across 11 hectares of vineyards in Merfy and the neighbouring villages of Chenay and Saint-Thierry. Over half the parcels are ploughed by horse, and no pesticides, herbicides or synthetic fertilizers are used. In the winery, all fermentations are wild, and malolactic fermentation is not blocked. Alexandre favours wooden barrels or demi-muids for fermentations, and low dosage levels are used which allow the grapes to speak of their place.
Unlike the main stable of Merfy-sourced wines, this is grown on a cadre of plots in Avize and Oger in the Côte des Blancs. The patchwork of seven plots, located on both the plains and the slopes, contributes to the overall harmony. Chemin de Châlons, Pierre Vaudon, Fosse le Prêtre and Mont Chenevaux, located on the plain, have plenty of sun exposure and a chalky soil profile with very thin (20cm) topsoils. Mont de Cramant is located at the beginning of the slopes, with deeper soils that are likewise rich in chalk. Les Roches Hautes and Les Barmonts are higher again and experience cooler conditions, resulting in taut, linear wines. The wines rests in 228-, 350- and 600-litre barrels before maturing on lees for 4-5 years and receiving a dosage of 1-3 g/L.
Other Reviews....
Chartogne’s 2019 Blanc de Blancs Hors Série hails from several parcels in Avize, predominantly situated on the lower slopes where the topsoil is thinnest—ranging from a mere 20 centimeters to one meter in some plots. These southeast-facing vineyards benefit from generous sun exposure, with soils composed of sand, clay and silt layered over a chalky bedrock. In the cellar, the wine is matured in a combination of 228- and 600-liter oak barrels. Already expressive—shaped by a sunny vintage in a rich terroir—it unfurls in the glass with a bouquet of honeysuckle, pear, white peach and lemon oil. On the palate, it is full-bodied and concentrated yet vividly vibrant, energized by mouthwatering acidity that lends both balance and tension. Combining muscularity with structural finesse, it was disgorged in June 2024 with a dosage of just one gram per liter. This wine promises to evolve gracefully over time. Drink 2025-2039.
95 points
Kristaps Karklins - Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate -
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Chartogne-Taillet Heurtebise (V19) Extra Brut ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$230. 00Bottle$2760.00 DozenABV: 12.5%Closure: CorkChartogne-Taillet is the home of some of the most exciting wines in Champagne. Alexandre Chartogne is a perfectionist in his approach to viticulture and winemaking, something he picked up from his mentor Anselme Selosse. Key to his approach is the importance of expressing terroir above all else. With that in mind, Alexandre separately vinifies a myriad of plots spread across 11 hectares of vineyards in Merfy and the neighbouring villages of Chenay and Saint-Thierry. Over half the parcels are ploughed by horse, and no pesticides, herbicides or synthetic fertilizers are used. In the winery, all fermentations are wild, and malolactic fermentation is not blocked. Alexandre favours wooden barrels or demi-muids for fermentations, and low dosage levels are used which allow the grapes to speak of their place.
The Chardonnay vines were planted on the Heurtebise plot in 1972, 1985, 1986 and 2010. Exposure is a solar direct-south, but the strong winds that tear through this place mean there's always ample freshness to be found. The soil composition is Thanetian sands mixed with clay on sandstone, and the area is prone to fluctuations covering both water stress and retention. It's one of Alexandre's most variable sites overall, one that has very different requirements depending on the season. Likewise, once off the vine, the wines also tend to take on greater influence from any intervention in the cellar, particularly aging in oak. Crystalline minerality and mouth-watering tension are always evident from this site. Disgorgement is just four grams per litre.
Other Reviews....
The 2019 Blanc de Blancs Heurtebise is a single-vineyard expression that spotlights the singular terroir of Merfy, rooted in sandy soils with components of silt and clay, resting atop sandstone. Produced from Chardonnay vines planted between 1980 and 1985, it is aged entirely in 228-liter barrels—predominantly from Cavin—with a modest proportion of new oak. Disgorged in April 2024 with a dosage of 2.4 grams per liter, it reveals a bouquet of white blossoms, lemon zest and freshly baked brioche. The palate is medium-bodied, incisive and poised, with laser-like acidity that carries a core of pristine fruit to a long, mineral finish. It is the most linear and tensile wine in the range, even more so than the Chemin de Reims from the same vintage. Drink 2025-2039.
96 points
Kristaps Karklins - Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate -
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- Nick's Import
2024 Chateau Guiraud (375ml) Pre-Arrival OfferSauternes, Bordeaux, FRANCE$66. 99Bottle$803.88 DozenClosure: CorkRanked one step down the Sauternes appellation pyramid from the legendary Chateau d'Yquem is Chateau Guiraud. The wine is produced from certified organic vines with an average age of about 20-30 years old. The cepage is 65% Semillon and 35% Sauvignon Blanc. Ageing takes place in French oak for approximately 18 months.
Other Reviews....
The 2024 Guiraud is a bold, luscious Sauternes. Apricot jam, chamomile, passion fruit, spice and burnt sugar convey notable intensity to match the wine's creamy, ample feel. Guiraud is a rich, heady Sauternes, but all the elements are impeccably balanced. Drink 2029-2044.
94-96 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousThis shows good concentration and sweetness with a light saline character to the dried pineapple, mangoes, honey and spices. Medium to full body with medium acidity and a long, round finish.
93-94 points
James SucklingSilky smooth on the palate, not as much fruit or acidity intensity as I was expecting, this is still a little compact and closed with a quiet aromatic expression. Opens up a little after a few minutes with orange zest, peach blossom, pear and quince alongside some toasted caramel and vanilla touches. Good quality but needs a bit more time to fully open. Drink 2027 - 2039.
93 points
Georgina Hindle - DecanterDark burnt orange gold, spiralling white flower aromatics, this is great quality, thoroughly enjoyable, subtle spiced cumin and tumeric, sweetly succulent apricot and nectarine juice without being heavy. 12.6 hl/ha yield, Sandrine Garbay estate director.
94 points
Jane Anson - Inside BordeauxConditions of Pre Arrival Offer:
There is no minimum order unless stated.
All wines are 750ml unless indicated otherwise.
Payment is due at the time of ordering to secure stocks.
The wines are being collected and shipped in refrigerated containers and are due to arrive in late 2027.
Nicks Wine Merchants reserve the right to pass on any changes in Government duties and taxes and delivery charges from the date of order to the date of final delivery of the wine.
Errors and omissions excepted.
Delivery charges may apply - these can be determined by visiting the Freight Rates page.
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- Nick's Import
2024 Chateau Larcis Ducasse Pre-Arrival OfferSaint Emilion, Bordeaux, FRANCE$125. 00Bottle$1500.00 DozenClosure: CorkOther Reviews....
The 2024 Larcis Ducasse was showing well during our tasting, revealing ripe, expressive aromas of violet, dark berries, smoke, pencil lead and subtle oak. Medium to full-bodied, layered and seamless, it is both lively and elegant with a juicy core of fruit and velvety tannins that gently assert themselves on the youthfully chalky finish. The fruit appears perfectly ripe—avoiding the over-ripeness observed in some recent vintages—allowing the wine to convey the character of its limestone terroir. The blend is composed of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc. Drink 2026-2040.
92-94 points
Yohan Castaing - Wine AdvocateThe 2024 Larcis Ducasse is dense, powerful and imposing, almost surprisingly so. All of the wine's intensity is in the mid-palate. Black cherry, plum, mocha, lavender, chocolate and cinnamon meld together in the glass, but it is the wine's mind-blowing balance that stands out most. This is another stellar showing from Larcis Ducasse. There's real potential here. Tasted four times. Drink 2034-2054
94-97 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousAn excellent wine from this challenging vintage. It shows good depth and density of fruit with fine, silky tannins, but it’s nevertheless reactive. Juicy and quite polished, with a round core of fruit on the medium-bodied palate before a long, elegant finish. Lovely precision and focus from the filigreed tannins. 85% merlot and 15% cabernet franc.
96-97 points
Zekun Shuai - JamesSuckling.comA blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, aged in a mix of new and once-used barrels along with foudre, the 2024 Château Larcis Ducasse shows ripe black cherries, darker berries, loamy earth, and integrated oak. Medium-bodied, it reveals a round, layered, seamless mouthfeel, velvety tannins, and terrific balance.
94-96 points
Jeb DunnuckConditions of Pre Arrival Offer:
There is no minimum order unless stated.
All wines are 750ml unless indicated otherwise.
Payment is due at the time of ordering to secure stocks.
The wines are being collected and shipped in refrigerated containers and are due to arrive in late 2027.
Nicks Wine Merchants reserve the right to pass on any changes in Government duties and taxes and delivery charges from the date of order to the date of final delivery of the wine.
Errors and omissions excepted.
Delivery charges may apply - these can be determined by visiting the Freight Rates page.
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- 95
- Nick's Import
2024 Chateau Suduiraut (375ml) Pre-Arrival OfferSauternes, Bordeaux, FRANCE$67. 99Bottle$815.88 DozenClosure: CorkChateau Suduiraut are among the leading estates in Sauternes, with a history dating back to the 15th century. Over that time the property has expanded to now encompass 200 hectares with 92 hectares under vine, including prime vineyard parcels in the most elevated area of Sauternes alongside Chateau d'Yquem. The team at Suduiraut are passionate and uncompromising in their commitment to quality, ensuring only the finest grapes are selected over multiple passes in the vineyard, before expert vinification and a strict selection at final blending.
Other Reviews....
The 2024 Suduiraut offers up a beguiling mix of passion fruit, mango, pineapple and tangerine oil. Even with 130 grams of residual sugar, the 2024 is not an especially opulent Sauternes. I especially admire its freshness. What a beautiful and expressive wine. Drink 2030-2054.
94-96 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousThe complete opposite of the 2022 vintage. Fresher and less unctuous, with more delicate fruit, but there is still plenty of botrytis. Spices, sweet pineapple, lemons, marmalade, wax, fresh mangoes and bitter herbs. Medium lusciousness, with a round, creamy finish. 130 grams of sugar.
95-96 points
James SucklingExotic citrus, orange blossom, honeyed mint, and floral notes all shine in the 2024 Château Suduiraut, a rocking gem of a Sauternes that's medium-bodied, has a concentrated, layered, rich mouthfeel, beautiful acidity, and a great finish. It's loaded with classic Sauternes magic.
95-97 points
Jeb DunnuckConditions of Pre Arrival Offer:
There is no minimum order unless stated.
All wines are 750ml unless indicated otherwise.
Payment is due at the time of ordering to secure stocks.
The wines are being collected and shipped in refrigerated containers and are due to arrive in late 2027.
Nicks Wine Merchants reserve the right to pass on any changes in Government duties and taxes and delivery charges from the date of order to the date of final delivery of the wine.
Errors and omissions excepted.
Delivery charges may apply - these can be determined by visiting the Freight Rates page.
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- 92
- 92
- Nick's Import
2024 Chateau Rayne Vigneau (375ml) Pre-Arrival OfferSauternes, Bordeaux, FRANCE$59. 99Bottle$719.88 DozenClosure: CorkOther Reviews....
The 2024 Rayne Vigneau is a powerful, authoritative wine. Candied lemon peel, marzipan, dried flowers, mint and light tropical inflections fill out the layers. Rayne Vigneau offers terrific persistence, capped off with a slightly phenolic edge that adds quite a bit of character. Drink 2030-2054.
92-94 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousSpices, ginseng, sweet lemons and pineapple on the nose. Sweet and slightly saline, this has medium body and a waxy finish.
92-93 points
Zekun Shuai - JamesSuckling.comMarmalade, bitter orange, citrus, saffron, quince, liqourice root, enjoyable, luscious. 110g/l residual sugar, harvest from the 12th of October
90 points
Jane Anson - Inside BordeauxConditions of Pre Arrival Offer:
There is no minimum order unless stated.
All wines are 750ml unless indicated otherwise.
Payment is due at the time of ordering to secure stocks.
The wines are being collected and shipped in refrigerated containers and are due to arrive in late 2027.
Nicks Wine Merchants reserve the right to pass on any changes in Government duties and taxes and delivery charges from the date of order to the date of final delivery of the wine.
Errors and omissions excepted.
Delivery charges may apply - these can be determined by visiting the Freight Rates page.
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- 93
- 92
- 92
- Nick's Import
2024 Chateau La Tour Blanche (375ml) Pre-Arrival OfferSauternes, Bordeaux, FRANCE$62. 99Bottle$755.88 DozenClosure: CorkChateau La Tour Blanche takes its name from the founder of the estate, Jean Saint Marc du Latourblanche, and is one of the most respected producers in Sauternes. The 40 hectares of vines used for their grand vin are planted in one large parcel with a prime location close to the Ceron river, and the soils are a mix of gravel, clay, sand, and limestone. Planted here is a combination of 83% Semillon, 12% Sauvignon Blanc, and an unusually high proportion of Muscadelle at 5%. The Semillon is aged in 35% new, French oak barrels for 16 to 18 months, while the Sauvignon Blanc and the Muscadelle are aged for 16-18 months in stainless steel vats before blending and bottling.
Other Reviews....
The 2024 La Tour Blanche is creamy and resonant, with fine balance to match its understated personality. Hints of passion fruit, pineapple, mint, lemon confit and exotic white flowers grace the palate. The 2024 finishes with lovely brightness and a clean mineral touch. Drink 2028-2044.
92-94 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousUnctuous, fruity and charming. Apricots, sweet spices and some honey. Medium-bodied and delicious with a densely fruity, relaxed finish.
92-93 points
James SucklingGood succulence and push of citrus fruit with crisp edges. Lime, green apple and some mango sweetness with wild honey and cooling almost minty touches too.I like this, it has mouthwatering acidity which gives a zing as well as pristine fruit and bite. Sweetness is there too in the background, toffee and salted caramel. Really enjoyable. Drink 2025 - 2038.
93 points
Georgina Hindle - DecanterConditions of Pre Arrival Offer:
There is no minimum order unless stated.
All wines are 750ml unless indicated otherwise.
Payment is due at the time of ordering to secure stocks.
The wines are being collected and shipped in refrigerated containers and are due to arrive in late 2027.
Nicks Wine Merchants reserve the right to pass on any changes in Government duties and taxes and delivery charges from the date of order to the date of final delivery of the wine.
Errors and omissions excepted.
Delivery charges may apply - these can be determined by visiting the Freight Rates page.
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- 91
- 94
2023 Bosward BarberaBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinLight, inky and vibrant with a savoury flavour profile.
Deep black dark red core with a dark purple red hue. Aromas of freshly crushed cherries, blueberries and liquorice infused with fresh herbs drift through the nostrils. Some inky earth and spice notes are also apparent. Light, inky and vibrant in it’s feel the palate has a savoury flavour profile of sour to red cherries and blueberries over earth, infusions of fresh herbs and spice. Slightly chalky tannins with lively acidity finishing energetic and elegant.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 12.5%Other Reviews…..
Jeez, these Bosward wines present some serious value for money across the range. Here, it's a flavour-packed barbera full of juicy plum and blueberry along with raspberry and wild strawberry top notes. Mid-weighted, pure and crunchy with plenty of spice, sarsaparilla, pressed flowers and earthen tones. It's a real easy-drinking style, light on tannin and a tangy, vivid disposition. It's a wee beauty. Drink by 2030.
94 Points
Dave Brookes - James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 91
- 92
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2018 Tim Adams Cabernet MalbecClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$23. 99Bottle$287.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 14.8%Closure: StelvinMedium bodied with rich black fruits framed by assertive tannins that lead into a dry, grippy finish.
Dense pitch black heart with a deep very dark red black tinged hue. Expressive blackcurrant and liquorice aromas infused with mint are trailed by some vanillin cedar and subtle earthy mocha notes. On the medium bodied palate, rich blackcurrant and liquorice fruits are framed by a firm assertive tannin structure. Mint, toasty vanillin cedar and spice elements lie in the background. Dry, grippy medium length finish.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 14.8%Other Reviews….
This delivers a bigger-boned red in a well-balanced way. Lots to get stuck into. The perfume is scented like black cherry, chocolate truffles, hazelnut, mint and stewed plum. Flavours lean into forest berries, plum, mocha and some faint malty characters, with firm, dusty tannins lending chew. All up, a pleasing, bold red of a winter-warmer ilk. Drink by 2035.
92 Points
Mike Bennie – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 93
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2023 Thistledown Gorgeous Old Vine GrenacheMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinA soft, juicy Grenache that finishes long and luscious.
Dark red core with a light red to red tinged hue. Spicy dark raspberry and cherry aromas have a smoky clove like overlay with some peppered earth notes also present. Soft and juicy, the palate features dark raspberry and liquorice fruits over a scorched earth, dried herb and spicy pepper back drop. Velvet smooth tannins with a long, luscious finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 14% -
- 94
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 Vino Vagabond Pinot NoirYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$27. 99Bottle$335.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinDelicious, supple entrance with a gentle tang to the savoury finish.
Semi translucent red to dark red colour with black toned edges and a light red hue. Fragrant aromas of violet, cherry, strawberry and rhubarb infused with clove blossom from the glass with some bramble, forest floor and spice notes also evident. Delicious dark cherry, strawberry and rhubarb flavours make a supple entrance over a back drop of spicy dried herb, bramble and forest floor characters. Lively acidity and fine grained tannins with a gentle tang to the savoury finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
- 95
2024 Montalto Pennon Hill ChardonnayMornington Peninsula, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinMid weighted with a gentle creamy textural feel, finishing fresh, refined and long.
Brilliant pale straw colour with highlights of green around the edges and a watery hue. Attractive white peach, pear and dried honey scents are complimented by cashew, biscuity nougat and spice notes. Mid weighted and possessing a gentle creamy textural feel, the palate is layered with fleshy white peach, pear and dried honey flavours which meld with notions of biscuity oak, citrusy nougat and delicate spicy cashew elements. Finishes fresh, refined and long.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 94
- 93
2023 Fraser Gallop Estate Parterre ChardonnayMargaret River, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinFresh, elegant and nicely concentrated.
Wild yeast fermented and matured in barrel for a period of 8 months. Brilliant very pale straw colour with distinct highlights of green around the edges and a watery hue. Drifting out of the glass are aromas of nectarine, pear and grapefruit delicately infused with gun flint. Some citrus, biscuity oak and spice nuances ensue. Fresh and elegant, the palate is layered with energised citrus, pear and grapefruit flavours. Faint biscuity oak and flinty mineral elements lie beneath. Nicely concentrated and fleshed it has lively acidity and a highly refreshing finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13%Other Reviews…..
It’s true this needs more time to settle. It’s nervy, flinty, full of energy and twitchy acidity. If opened today, let it breath to tease out the white nectarine and citrus, ginger fluff cake aromas, nougat and a touch of honeycomb. Some moreish sulphides in the mix, a slip of creamy lees, judiciously handled cedary oak and a fine palate all add to its appeal. Drink by 2033.
93 Points
Jane Faulkner – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 94
- 92
2024 Rob Hall ChardonnayYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$27. 99Bottle$335.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinMedium bodied and nicely shaped with a creamy texture feel.
Brilliant pale straw colour with greenish tinged edges and a watery hue. Drifting through the olfactory senses are aromas of pear and nectarine which meld with dried honey, cashew and citrusy nougat notes. Nicely shaped with a creamy texture feel upon entry, pear and nectarine fruits are featured over a dried honey, cashew and spicy nougat back drop. Perfectly judged acidity with a long cream tinged finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13%Other Reviews…..
A blend of fruit from Healesville, Gladysdale and Panton Hill. Bright green gold. An immediately accessible wine with its aromas of ripe stone fruits, fresh guava and a touch of spice. The palate is flavoursome with just enough acidity to keep it both gently structured and balanced. Drink by 2028.
92 Points
Philip Rich – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 95
- Reduced
2024 Oakridge Yarra Valley ChardonnayYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIAReduced from $29.99$26. 99Bottle$323.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinGenerous in its flavour yet possessing a refined, glossy feel.
Oakridge’s Yarra Valley Chardonnay is consistently one of the best value’s coming out of the valley. Fruit is sourced from the cool slopes of the upper Yarra Valley notably Gladysdale (Willowlake) and Wandin East (Barkala) with some also coming from Coldstream.
Fermented in barrel and matured on lees for 9 months. Brilliant pale straw colour with hints of green around the edges and a watery hue. Drifting through the nostrils are scents of white peach, nectarine and dried honey followed by biscuity nougat and subtle gun flint notes. Generous in its flavour yet possessing a refined, glossy feel, white peach, nectarine and dried honey are featured over a biscuity oak, nougat and gun flint infused back drop. Nicely shaped it finishes long and fresh with a hint of emerging creaminess.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 94
- 94
- 93
- Reduced
2023 Nicks Secret Barossa Valley YP Grenache Cinsault MataroBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIAReduced from $24.99$14. 99Bottle$179.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 13.1%Closure: StelvinProduced by a husband and wife team, this Grenache blend is designed to deliver a juicy, unpretentious and joyous wine that still retains plenty of interest. It delivers all that in spades. Sourced from several vineyards located throughout the Barossa, it’s a blend of 46% Grenache, 39% Cinsault and 15% Mataro with a portion of whole bunch fermentation. Maturation taking place in seasoned oak for a period of 8 months.
A juicy and joyous blend that makes for fabulous everyday drinking.
Red to dark red colour with black toned edges and a light vibrant red hue. Showing good aromatic lift are attractive red raspberry and red liquorice aromas which are trailed by some fresh herb, red cherry and peppered earth notes. Carrying a fresh, bouncy feel across the light to mid weighted palate are juicy red raspberry and red liquorice fruits. Infusions of fresh herbs, earth and peppered clove lend further interest. Polished tannins with a long red fruited finish that’s energetic and quite succulent.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 13.1%Other Reviews....
*** do a great job with their *** , a blend of grenache, cinsault and mataro, this year 46/39/15%. As the name suggests, it's built for 'drinkin, not thinkin', with a vibrant hue, bouncy, lifted aromatic profile and an airy flow of red fruits, spice, amaro and floral tones on the palate. I'd label this 'chill-safe' if the weather dictates such terms; it's great, light drinking. Drink by 2029.
94 Points
Dave Brookes – James Halliday’s Australian Wine CompanionA blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Mataro from the Barossa providing a cute spin on the traditional blend. Lifted notes of florals with a slightly earthy rose petal character dominant. The medium bodied palate has such beautiful mouthfeel with a smooth seamlessly integrated oak and tannin combination. The sweet fruit is balanced with a slightly minerally savouriness to complete a terrific little wine. Drink 2024-2032.
93 Points
Ray Jordan – WinePilot.com*** are the masters of reliable drinking and here we go again with the latest * release. Translating to 'unpretentious wine', that sums up what **** do ever so perfectly. Such a versatile blend, this medium-bodied delight delivers in spades.
A blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Mataro (46/39/15), I felt the Cinsault really talks bringing energy, buckets of cranberries and red apple crunch. Loaded with bright cherries, raspberries, chorizo, pan juices, cured meat, cinnamon and earthy spices, it is such an inviting and sessional red wine. Clever blending and fabulous drinking, you are winning with this in your glass.
Drink to five years.
93 Points
QWineReviews.com -
- 93
2024 Famille Perrin Cotes du Rhone Reserve RoseCotes du Rhone, Southern Rhone, FRANCE$27. 99Bottle$335.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinMoreish, silky textured Southern Rhone Rose.
This very seductive Rose is made from a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah grapes. Pale salmon pink tinged colour. Delightful raspberry, peach and strawberry scents jump out of the glass trailed by some musk and wet stone notes. Raspberry, peach and strawberry fruits are delivered with the estate’s trademark concentration and carry a silky flow across the palate. Infusions of musk and wet slate extend across the back half. Brisk acidity finishing long, dry and moreish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 14.5% -
- 91
- 92
- 92
2022 Alheit Vineyards Hereafter Here Chenin BlancStellenbosch, SOUTH AFRICA$59. 99Bottle$719.88 DozenABV: 13%Closure: CorkHereafter Here (intentionally similar sounding to year after year, denoting the passage of time) is based on two young vine blocks in Stellenbosch. The main contributor is the Baby Duck vineyard, planted on granite soils on a gentle southern slope in the Polkadraai Hills ward, while the second vineyard is planted in the Upper Blaauwklippen Valley on deep red soil.
The grapes were hand sorted and whole bunch pressed. The resulting juice was very lightly settled with no additions and wild fermented in old barrels of various sizes. After fermentation, the wine was kept on lees for around twelve months, then rested in tank on fine lees without fining for a further six months prior to bottling.
Other Reviews....
Mostly a young vineyard Chenin Blanc, grapes from Swartland, Upper Blaauwklippen and Polkadraai Hills plus some older vine parcels from the Paardeberg. Some flinty reduction before pear, peach and citrus as well as some floral perfume on the nose. Good fruit density, well coated acidity and some light grip to the finish. Relatively thick textured (alc: 13.34%) with layers of flavour.
93 Points
Christian Eedes - Winemag.co.zaThe 2022 Hereafter Here is a mixture of young and old vines due to the higher yields this year, whole bunch pressed with 18 months élevage, two-thirds on the lees. The well-defined bouquet has yellow plum, orange blossom, Japanese yuzu and crushed stone aromas. The palate is very harmonious, with a crisp line of acidity. A linear, almost Zen-like razor-sharp Chenin displaying wonderful nerve on the finish. Superb. Drink 2024 - 2034.
91 Points
Neal Martin - Antonio Galloni's VinousThis is so fresh and mineral, showing sliced apples, wet stones, grapefruit and wild thyme. Medium-bodied, bright and tight. Excellent structure and focus. 100% chenin. Drink or hold.
92 Points
Claire Nesbitt - JamesSuckling.comNew to the range this year comes the 2022 Hereafter Here made from 100% Chenin Blanc. The nose is zesty, bright and fresh, with notes of lemon oil and dusty citrus blossom. Medium-bodied and with 13% alcohol, the palate offers energetic acidity with a succulent mineral tension before displaying a kiss of phenolic bitterness. The wine continues to uncoil and reveal additional layers of complexity over the long, lingering, food-friendly finish. Just over 32,000 bottles were produced from Chenin Blanc that aged in a mix of old foudre, cement eggs and old barrels. Drink 2024 - 2032.
92 Points
Anthony Mueller - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate -
- 92
- 94
- 93
2022 Alheit Vineyards Cartology Chenin Blanc SemillonWestern Cape, SOUTH AFRICA$84. 99Bottle$1019.88 DozenABV: 13%Closure: CorkCartology means the study of maps or charts and the wine itself can be seen as a vinous map or tapestry of the Cape. It’s intended to be a picture of the Cape seen through the lens of her old vineyards in a given vintage. The cuveé is composed of parcels of mature dryland bushvines of heritage grapes, namely Chenin Blanc (93%) and Sémillon (7%). The Chenin comes from parcels in the Skurfberg, Perdeberg, Upper Blaauwklippen, False Bay and Tygerberg. The Sémillon comes from the old La Colline block in Franschhoek.
The grapes were hand sorted and whole bunch pressed. The resulting juice was very lightly settled with no additions and wild fermented in either cements eggs, clay pots, foudres or old barrels of various sizes. After fermentation the wine was kept on lees for around twelve months, then rested in tank on fine lees without fining for a further six months prior to bottling.
Other Reviews....
92% Chenin Blanc and 8% Semillon sourced from across the Western Cape – total production: 27 000 bottles and 240 magnums. Inviting aromatics of pear, peach, citrus, white flowers, thatch and fynbos while the palate shows great purity of fruit, driving acidity and a pithy finish. Poised and linear, the finish wonderfully long.
96 Points
Christian Eedes - Winemag.co.zaThe 2022 Cartology is whole bunch pressed with no sulfur added until mid-winter with five months in tank on the fine lees. It has a very pure bouquet with yellow plum, egg whites and candle wax. This unfolds beautifully in the glass. The palate is well-balanced with a lively opening, citrus-fresh with orange rind and lime. Alheit mentioned how difficult it was to obtain the acidity, but I think he achieved it here. Excellent, even if I don't consider it the best Cartology ever made. Drink 2024 - 2035.
92 Points
Neal Martin - Antonio Galloni's VinousWonderfully concentrated white showing fresh apricots, waxed lemons, crushed stones and green mangoes, with a touch of jasmine and lime. Medium-bodied, compact and waxy on the palate. Beautifully long and composed with perfectly ripe stone fruit notes lingering. 92% chenin blanc and 8% semillon. Drink or hold.
94 Points
Claire Nesbitt - JamesSuckling.comMostly Chenin Blanc with 8% Sémillon, the 2022 Cartology Bush Vines instantly impresses with fantastic balance and weight, offering succulent aromas of lemon, almonds and dusty citrus blossoms. Medium-bodied and with 13% alcohol, the palate is fresh, clean and mineral driven with a subtly spiced chassis before displaying a food-friendly finish that will benefit from another year in the bottle. Just over 27,000 bottles were produced after resting in a mix of cement eggs, old foudre and old barrels. Drink 2024 - 2037.
93 Points
Anthony Mueller - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate -
- 88
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (700ml)Kentucky, UNITED STATES$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenABV: 47%Heaven Hill's latest innovation, Toasted Barrel is created using the brand's base model, Elijah Craig Small Batch as a starting point. Derived from a 78% Corn, 12% Malted Barley and 10% Rye mash bill, the whiskey gets its sweet, unique taste from a finishing process that's rarely encountered in American distilling. The company explains, "The process begins with fully matured Small Batch, which is dumped and then re-entered at barrel proof into a second, custom toasted new oak barrel designed in partnership with Independent Stave Company. Made with 18-month air dried oak, the finishing barrel is first toasted and then flash-charred using a moderate toast temperature and toast time. An extensive research and development process resulted in a final barrel toast profile bringing forward dark sugar flavors within the wood to create a balance of smokiness and sweetness after months of finishing.” The end product tastes quite different to the distillery's core lines. 47% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Initially reticent on the nose, with time this reveals gooey caramel, pralines, Hershey's milk chocolate, and a touch of charred mint leaves. It's chewy and occasionally sharp on the palate, with oodles of roasted nuts, polished oak, mint, peppery spice, dark chocolate, licorice, tobacco ash, and char. The medium-length finish holds tingling white pepper, unsweetened chocolate, and more polished oak. 88 points - whiskyadvocate.com
...Elijah Craig’s finishing process results in a sweeter, spicier, and admittedly more tannic end product than Michter’s and the Brown-Forman products. Importantly, this finishing process maintains the “straight bourbon” class and type designation, as new charred barrels are used for both the original aging and secondary finishing process (though they are so lightly charred they are referred to as “toasted”)....With Small Batch Elijah Craig typically having an age of 9 years or more, adding secondary aging in a new toasted oak barrel is no small feat. Moreover, this not-so-common technique adds a layer of dimension to the base bourbon. So while it's certainly premium price territory, it’s in line with other major brands that have gone through the additional work required to rebarrel a bourbon in a second new barrel. - breakingbourbon.com
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2023 Catena High Mountain Vines ChardonnayMendoza, ARGENTINA$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 13%Closure: Diam CorkFor over four generations, the Catena family has grown vines in the foothills of the Andes Mountains in Mendoza, Argentina. Laura Catena, great-granddaughter of winery founder Nicola Catena, is currently at the helm. Produced from a blend of four vineyards harvested at different times, this excellent Chardonnay is matured for 10-12 months in French oak barrels of varying ages.
Rich and concentrated yet fresh with a wonderfully textured, stony like feel.
Brilliant pale straw colour with highlights of green around the edges and a watery hue. Elevated white peach and pear scents stream out of the glass complimented by hints of dried honey, wet slate and an oyster shell like minerality in what is a Chablisique like sniff. Rich and concentrated yet stony like in it’s feel, the palate is layered with delectable white peach, pear and lime fruits. Wet slate, infusions of fresh herbs and a smoky oyster shell like minerality ensue. Wonderfully textured and fresh it has a long wet stone laced finish that also has a dash of spice to it.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13%Other Reviews....
Fresh and creamy notes of pie crust, lemon curd and toast. Bright, juicy and elegant on the palate with a fluid, lengthy finish. A very good value here. Drink now.
93 Points
JamesSuckling.com -
- 94
2022 The Black Chook ShirazMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$16. 99Bottle$203.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinRich, chewy and opulent McLaren Vale Shiraz that’s a standout value.
Co-fermented with 5% Viognier, this generously endowed Shiraz sees 12 months oak maturation. Dense inky black heart with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Pronounced liquorice, blackberry and dark plum scents flood the nostrils with some spicy vanillin cedar, scorched earth and peppered fennel notes also evident. Rich, chewy and opulent, the full bodied palate is awash with succulent black cherry, liquorice and blackberry fruits. Spicy vanillin cedar, scorched earth and peppered fennel elements extend across the back half. Ripe sturdy tannin structure with the long, sumptuous finish laced with blackpepper. A standout value.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 14.5% -
- 91
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 Zilzie Selection 23 ChardonnayVictoria, AUSTRALIA$11. 99Bottle$143.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinA fuller styled Chardonnay with bright acidity with a creamy textured finish.
Brilliant pale straw colour with greenish tinged edges and a watery hue. The nose is filled with ripe peach and honeycomb aromas followed by hints of crème brulee and bacon fat. Ripe fleshy peach and crème brulee flavours meld into a subtle bacon fat and spice back drop. Bright acidity with a creamy textured finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
- 94
2022 Turkey Flat Butchers Block ShirazBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$24. 99Bottle$299.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 14.1%Closure: StelvinRich and plump with a subtle muscular feel and generously fruited conclusion.
Dense inky black colour with a deep dark purple black tinged hue. The nose pumps out attractive scents of dark plum, liquorice and dark chocolate followed by vanillin oak, mocha and meaty earth like notes. Rich, plump dark plum, blackberry, liquorice and dark chocolate fruits are framed by a well formed tannin structure which imparts a subtle muscular feel across the back half. Spicy vanillin oak, mocha and gentle earth nuances sit underneath. Juicy, generously fruited conclusion of ample length.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.1% -
- 93
2024 The Crossings Pinot GrisMarlborough, NEW ZEALAND$17. 99Bottle$215.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinRich and luscious with vibrant acidity.
Brilliant very pale straw colour with a watery hue. Pronounced pear, red apple, rose water and musk aromas fill the nostrils. Rich, luscious pear, red apple and musk flavours overlay a gently spiced back drop that sports vibrant acidity. Long fruity conclusion.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 91
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2022 Grampians Estate Mafeking Gold ChardonnayGrampians, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinCreamy textured, mid weighted Chardonnay with a prominent toasty vanillin oak component.
Brilliant pale straw core with glistening green toned edges and a watery hue. Ripe peach and nectarine aromas are intermeshed with dried honey, cashew and spicy nougat notes. Creamy textured, the mid weighted palate features ripe peach and nectarine fruits over a prominent toasty vanillin oak and spice back drop. Soft acidity lending a rounded feel to the finish which has toasty oak lingering through it.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 95
- 94
2014 Jim Barry The Lodge Hill Riesling Cellar ReleaseClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$39. 99Bottle$479.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 11.7%Closure: StelvinA marriage of lime and lemon fruit to building tertiary elements.
Brilliant straw colour with green tinged edges and a watery hue. Elevated lime and lemon butter scents have a distinct oily toast like overlay followed by some steely kerosene notes. Zippy acidity underpins lime and lemon flavours with tertiary elements of toast, oily kerosene like elements and wet steel building across the back half. Oily like texture finishing long and dry.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 11.7%Other Reviews…..
One of the highest vineyards in the Clare Valley at 480m, next to Petaluma's celebrated Hanlin Hill vineyard, and looking out to Spencer Gulf, 65 km away. Classic dry Clare style, with lemon, lime and apple blossom aromas, the strongly structured palate following suit with a base of chalky/minerally acidity. (Tasted 2014).
94 Points
James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 94
- Organic
2024 Peregrine Pinot GrisCentral Otago, AUSTRALIA$34. 99Bottle$419.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinRich and lusciously textured with vibrant acidity and a long, delicious finish.
Brilliant pale straw colour with subtle flecks of green to the edges and a watery hue. Elevated ripe pear and red apple scents are intertwined with hints of honeysuckle, musk and subtle spicy quince. Rich, lusciously textured flavours of pear, red apple and musk are melded to notions of rosewater, delicate honeysuckle and quince. Vibrant acidity lending a fresh feel to the long, delicious finish.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 13%Other Reviews….
Quivering new release aromas of fresh green pear and apple, a mineral quartz saline quality. Fresh, ripe and exuberant. Just dry on the palate with core flavours of pomaceous fruits, apple and pear, a light white pepper spice and mineral baseline. Plenty of acidity and freshness, immediately drinkable and ready from day of purchase through 2028.
93 Points
CamDouglasMS.com -
- 96
2022 Rippon Mature Vine RieslingCentral Otago, NEW ZEALAND$79. 99Bottle$959.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 12.5%Closure: Diam CorkA Riesling of superb textural volume and concentration with a long dry to off dry finish.
Brilliant pale straw colour with a watery hue. Pear, ripe apple and lime aromas flood the nostrils trailed by whiffs of honeysuckle, quince and orange blossom. Rich and mouth filling, lime, pear, red apple and tangy orange fruits are underscored by zippy acidity with subtle notions of honeysuckle, quince and minerals tailing off across the rear. Superb textural volume and concentration with a long dry to off dry finish that’s both shapely and brisk in it’s feel at once.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 96
- Organic
2022 Peregrine Pinot NoirCentral Otago, NEW ZEALAND$59. 99Bottle$719.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinA rich, lush mid weighted Pinot that’s powerful and supple.
Certified organic with maturation taking place in French oak for a period of 10 months. Dark red core with black shaded edges and a red to dark red hue. Intense dark cherry, strawberry, dark plum and anise aromas are complimented by hints of violet, toasty cedar, dried herbs and spice. Rich and lush the mid weighted palate is flooded with spicy dark to black cherry, ripe strawberry, anise and dark plum fruits. Subtle toasty cedar, earth and dried herb elements form in the background. Boasting magnificent power, it has a supple feel, silky smooth tannins and a long seductive finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
- 92
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2022 Trinity Hill Pinot GrisHawkes Bay, NEW ZEALAND$27. 99Bottle$335.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2025-2026)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinTexturally full and round with fresh acidity with a ginger spice laced finish.
Bright yellow straw colour with a watery hue. Lifted yellow pear, baked apple and honeysuckle aromas mix with hints of Turkish Delight, lychee and ginger. Texturally full and round, the palate features ripe pear, lychee and musk flavours over traces of honeysuckle and ginger. Fresh acidity with a ginger spice laced finish.
Drink over the next year.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 91
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 Luminant ChardonnayYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$24. 99Bottle$299.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinWell fleshed finishing fresh with a gently creamy textural feel.
Matured in French oak for 7 months. Brilliant pale straw colour with greenish tinged edges and a watery hue. Nosing offers up aromas of nectarine and apricot followed by some dried honey and citrus. Fleshy nectarine, peach and dried honey flavours line the palate with some delicate cashew and lemon butter elements lying underneath. Finishes fresh and gently creamy in its textural feel.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
- 93
2022 Peregrine Saddleback Pinot NoirCentral Otago, NEW ZEALAND$34. 99Bottle$419.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinA richly fruited, mid weighted Pinot Noir.
Dark red core with black toned edges and a red tinged hue. Spicy dark to black cherry, anise and ripe strawberry aromas are drawn through the nostrils trailed by some toasty oak and dried herb notes. Rich black cherry, anise and dark plum fruits carry ample flesh across the mid weighted palate with toasty oak, earth and spicy dried herb characters ensuing. Grainy tannins lend a gentle chewiness to the ripe mid length finish.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
- 93
- 96
- Reduced
2023 Tyrrell’s Estate Grown Shiraz - Last StocksHunter Valley, New South Wales, AUSTRALIAReduced from $29.99$26. 99Bottle$323.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 13.8%Closure: StelvinEarthy and peppery this is an elegant, mid weighted Hunter Shiraz.
Midnight black core with a dark red black tinged hue. Earthy and peppery, the nose also features aromas of red plum, liquorice, smoked meats and spicy clove. The elegant, mid weighted palate makes a supple entrance with red plum and liquorice fruit to the fore. Smoky vanillin cedar, dried herb and peppered earth elements the undercard. Graphite like tannins finishing fresh, savoury and a shade grippy.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.8%Other Reviews…..
This classy Tyrrell's shiraz will bowl you over with its fragrance, brightness and length of flavour. The quality of the fruit is undeniable, being sourced from the Tyrrell's Black Ridge, Weinkeller and Baulkham vineyards, the latter planted in the '60s. A chiffon-like layer of fragrant oak drapes over the gorgeous fruit, adding nutty interest and intrigue. This is a serious wine with impressive layers and vitality, offering subtle richness and juiciness at the front and satisfying succulence on the close. Drink by 2028.
96 Points
Toni Paterson – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 96
- Reduced
2022 Greenock Creek Alices ShirazBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIAReduced from $54.99$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 15.5%Closure: CorkRich, thickly textured and heavy with pedal to the metal power.
Super saturated inky black colour with an equally deep black dark red hue. Potent dark plum, liquorice, blackberry and dark chocolate aromas engulf the nostrils followed by some toasty vanillin oak, mocha and subtle spicy earth notes. Rich, thickly textured and heavy across the palate, lavish dark plum, blackberry, liquorice and dark chocolate fruits fill every corner of the mouth. Spicy vanillin oak and earthy mocha accents sit in the background. Voluptuously textured and possessing pedal to the metal power it has velvety yet sturdily structured tannins and a long opulent finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 15.5% -
- 90
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2023 Common Molly GrenacheBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$27. 99Bottle$335.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinJuicy, fresh and bouncy Grenache.
Dark red core with black shaded edges and a red to dark red hue. Fragrant red to dark raspberry, red liquorice and wild herb scents fill the nostrils. Also chiming in are vanillin earth and spice notes. Juicy red raspberry, cherry and red liquorice fruits carry a fresh bouncy feel across the light to mid weighted palate. Some earth, wild herb and delicate pepper elements ensue. Lively acidity and polished tannins with an energetically fruity finish.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 14% -
- 91
- 91
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2023 The Next Hundred Years SemillonMargaret River, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 11%Closure: StelvinTense and steely with a dry, taut finish.
From 30 year old vines with fermentation taking place in 33% new French oak puncheons and 67% stainless steel tanks followed by maturation on lees for a period of 8 months. Brilliant pale straw colour with flecks of straw green around the edges and a watery hue. Lemon butter, lime and pear scents have a subtle toast overlay with some steely mineral notes also evident. Tense and steely, the palate features lemon and lime fruits over a gentle toast and flinty mineral back drop. Crisp acidity with a dry, taut finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 11%Other Reviews…..
A component is fermented and aged in new French oak puncheons, adding texture and depth to an otherwise lemon-accented and fairly racy wine. Aromatic with lemon blossom and a smidge of hay, lightly spiced, and an even lighter spray of nutty lees across the palate. And, yes, acidity is very much at work here. Drink by 2031.
91 Points
Jane Faulkner – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion













































