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2021 Clos ApaltaColchagua Valley, CHILE$270. 00Bottle$3240.00 DozenClosure: CorkThe vineyard, planted in the 1910s using a unique French massal selection, is located in the Apalta Valley, near the town of Santa Cruz on the western side of the Colchagua Valley. In 1994 the property was acquired by Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle and her husband Cyril de Bournet, with a vision to highlight the exceptional terroir of Apalta drawing upon their French expertise. Clos Apalta was born soon after, in 1997, as the iconic wine of the Domaines Bournet-Lapostolle in Chile. The team is currently led by Charles de Bournet, the son of the founders and 7th generation.
Other Reviews....
Extremely aromatic with red currants, blackcurrants, spices, iodine, paprika and subtle hints of white pepper. Fresh flowers, fresh sage, lavender and some pine needles and sandalwood. Medium-bodied with perfectly integrated tannins that go on for minutes with refined and harmonious fruit that integrates beautifully into the wine, giving it a weightless structure that shows class and verve. Endless balance and length. It’s so balanced that you could drink it now but it will age for decades. A blend of 75% carmenere, 18% cabernet sauvignon and 7% merlot. Best after 2028.
100 points
James SucklingThe 2021 Clos Apalta comprises 75% Carménère, with the remainder filled out by Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, sourced from the eponymous Apalta Vineyard. It was aged for 24 months in oak barrels, two-thirds of which were new. This dark purple wine reveals nuanced aromas of graphite, herbs, dried plums and blackberry marmalade, complemented by mint, boldo and garrigue-like notes over a green bell pepper layer. Plush and ample on the palate, it is lifted by a mild refreshing quality that adds a rare nimbleness to its flow. This long-lasting red is a serious wine, less influenced by Michel Rolland's style than in other years, as the fresh vintage imparted a lighter, less ripe and more expressive character. Clos Apalta is one of those rare Chilean wines that reliably showcases the characteristics of each vintage while maintaining a consistent house style. That steadiness is a boon for consumers, as it allows them to appreciate the impact of different vintages, which is a significant part of the allure of high-quality wines. Drink: 2028 - 2040.
98 points
Joaquin Hidalgo - Vinous -
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2021 Clos Apalta Le Petit ClosColchagua Valley, CHILE$94. 99Bottle$1139.88 DozenABV: 14.5%Closure: CorkLe Petit Clos, the second wine of Clos Apalta, was created with the vintage 2014 and originates from the same vineyard as its older sibling. As a result it benefits from the exact same care both in the vineyard and in the cellar.
Other Reviews....
A nice touch of baked cherries and dark chocolate to the deep blackberry fruit. Ink and a touch of graphite and dried herbs. Full-bodied and pretty powerful with fine-grained tannins and a long, extensive finish. 68% carmenere, 16% cabernet sauvignon,15% merlot and 1% cabernet franc. Give it two more years to let the fruit settle more. Drink or hold.
96 points
James SucklingEmbracing a Bordeaux-style approach, Le Petit Clos is the second wine of Clos Apalta. The 2021 Le Petit Clos combines 68% Carménère, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc, all sourced from the Apalta Vineyard in Colchagua. Displaying a purple hue in the glass, it exhibits a ripe character mellowed by the fresh nature of the vintage. It offers plum and blackberry aromas along with bay leaf, boldo and menthol hints over an ashy marmalade core. Indulgent, plush and rich on the palate, the soft and overwhelming mouthfeel lingers long with a precise, juicy and slightly refreshing personality. The 2021 vintage is indeed a standout for Clos Apalta. Drink: 2024 - 2038.
96 points
Joaquin Hidalgo - Vinous -
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2021 Cheval des AndesMendoza, ARGENTINA$199. 00Bottle$2388.00 DozenCellar: Drink now - 10 Years (2024-2034)ABV: 14%Closure: CorkCheval des Andes is the brainchild of Pierre Lurton from Cheval Blanc with the dream to follow the original Malbec vines from Bordeaux to Argentina. Malbec was brought to Argentina in the mid-19th century, and having avoided the phylloxera epidemic that swept through Europe, the ungrafted vines here represent a unique opportunity to express Malbec in a way not possible with the grafted vines found elsewhere. With this aim, Chateau Cheval Blanc started a joint venture with Terrazas de Los Andes in 1999 and Cheval des Andes was born. Since then, a predominantly Malbec, Bordeaux-style blend has become the signature of Cheval des Andes. The 2021 vintage is a blend of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 48% Malbec and 3% Petit Verdot.
Dense midnight black heart with a dark red black tinged hue. Alluring scents of blackcurrant, red liquorice, blueberry and violet captivates the olfactory senses. Lending further complexity are notions of earth, subtle tobacco, vanillin cedar, fresh herbs and spice. Delightfully refined in its feel, a gorgeous wave of red to black currant, blueberry, plum and red liquorice fruits are layered across the mid weighted palate. Showing beautiful polish and harmony it has fine grained tannins which contribute substantial structure. Dried herb, vanillin cedar, earth and spice elements lie beneath. Superb power with a long fruit loaded finish that shows a cool toned freshness and great finesse.
Drink over the next 8-10 years.
Alc. 14%Other Reviews…..
The finest vintage of this wine I've tasted, the 2021 Cheval Des Andes is based on 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 48% Malbec, and the balance Petit Verdot. It has a decidedly Bordeaux-like nose of ripe currants, leafy tobacco, cedarwood, and a kiss of flowers, with perfectly integrated background oak. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has a layered, seamless mouthfeel, ripe, polished tannins, and a great finish. It has this remarkable sense of purity and class, and while it's incredible today (especially with a decant), I wouldn't be surprised to see it evolve gracefully for two decades. Drink 2024-2044.
98 points
JebDunnuck.comComplex aromas of blueberries, pie crust, fresh flowers and currant bush with hints of baking spices like nutmeg. Medium- to full-bodied with extremely fine tannins that are integrated and gorgeous. Graceful and refined, with super length. Interestingly, 20% of the wine was aged in large oak casks (2,500 liters), mostly from Slovenia. Try after 2027 but a joy to taste now.
98 points
JamesSuckling.comThe 2021 Cheval des Andes is seductive and savory on the nose, leading with pure, earth-tinged aromas of pipe tobacco, turned soil, dried herbs and rich yet composed dark fruits. Exotic, dark spice notes and a pleasantly integrated framing of new oak accents appear with further aeration. The palate is deliciously supple and impressively layered, with a harmonious, long and ever-expanding finish that highlights extreme delicacy. The tannins are persistent yet composed, gently yet persistently lengthening the finish and melding nicely with the vibrant acidity underneath—a beautiful combination of savory charm, serious depth and focused intensity. It's a blend of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 48% Malbec and 3% Petite Verdot that spent an average of 12-13 months in 50% barrique, 30% demi-muid and 20% foudre. Drink 2025-2033.
97 points
Matthew Luczy – Robert Parker’s The Wine AdvocateLight and elegant, the 2021 Cheval des Andes is 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 48% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot. It achieves a feat that only cool years can provide: smooth texture, agile palate and just the right amount of freshness for a nuanced build. As it breathes, it begins to reveal notes of fresh cherry and plum, with a hint of menthol, maraschino cherries and a touch of pepper. It opens further with aromas of sandalwood and oak that complete the framework. This is a somewhat leaner, more ethereal Cheval than other years, but it has a higher level of precision. It's a wine inspired by Bordeaux, executed in a Bordeaux style, with Mendoza terroir. A wine without edges, it’s a polished red in the early stages of a long, balanced life. Drink 2026-2040.
97 points
Joaquin Hidalgo - Vinous -
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2022 SenaAconcagua Valley, CHILE$330. 00Bottle$3960.00 DozenClosure: CorkSeña is the result of collaboration between the late Robert Mondavi and Chile’s Eduardo Chadwick, and is seen as THE icon wine of Chile for many. Part of this success and global recognition is due to the flamboyant promotional efforts of its creator, Eduardo Chadwick, a fifth generation family member of Vina Errazuriz. In particular, it was Chadwick's organising of international tastings and seminars that put Seña in the limelight, pitching his wine against the greatest First Growth and Super Tuscan properties and coming out on top.
Other Reviews....
Extremely bright flowers and citrus with graphite, currants and blueberries. The nose is like going into a flower shop. Medium- to full-bodied with extremely polished tannins that caress your palate. Firm at the finish, which tells you that there is plenty coming in the future. A blend of 60% cabernet sauvignon, 25% malbec, 9% carmenere, 6% petit verdot. Try after 2028, but already open and enticing.
98 points
James SucklingThe 2022 Seña enters on a reticent note, quietly opening up to reveal a dark, leather-bound nose with hints of turned earth, cedar, licorice and graphite accents that manage a levity and high-toned energy. The palate is lively and spry, driven by bright treble tones balanced with weighty, broad depth and a perfectly suave texture. The finish is juicy yet tense, structured and refined, with impressive length and coiled energy. Ever-expanding in the glass, this is a gorgeous, energetic and exuberant example of poise and clarity that should be a pleasure to follow in the cellar. It's a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Malbec, 9% Carmenere and 6% Petit Verdot aged 18 months mainly in French barrique with some foudre. Drink: 2025 - 2042.
97 points
Matthew Luczy - Wine AdvocateThe 2022 Seña is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Malbec, 9% Carménère and 6% Petit Verdot, sourced from the Seña vineyard in Ocoa, Aconcagua Valley. Aged for 20 months, 85% in French oak barrels (66% new) and 15% in foudres, this garnet wine offers a garrigue-like aroma with notes of raspberry, blackberry and flowers over a deep cedar core. Dry and juicy on the palate, the grippy and plush tannins lead to a flavorful and balanced mouthfeel. Compared to other Seña vintages, the 2022 is more intense and nuanced. Drink: 2026 - 2038.
96 points
Joaquin Hidalgo - Vinous -
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2022 Petrolo GalatronaTuscany, ITALY$230. 00Bottle$2760.00 DozenClosure: CorkOther Reviews....
The floral aromas are spellbinding, with aromas of violets, lilacs, orange peel, raspberries, rose petals, and some oranges. It’s medium- to full-bodied with crunchy and open-grain tannins that are creamy and caressing. It’s endless in the finish. Crunchy and energetic. A wine that is thoughtful and gives you such great pleasure. Such purity. It’s like eating perfectly ripened grape must. Pure merlot. Drinkable in many ways, but will come together beautifully. A new reference point for merlot in Italy. Drink after 2028.
100 points
James SucklingThe 2022 Galatrona, 100% Merlot, is another super-attractive wine from Petrolo. It offers lovely up-front appeal to match its easygoing personality. Blue/purplish fruit, licorice, lavender, spice and mocha meld together. The 2022 naturally does not have the structure or depth of the top years, but that simply was not possible in this vintage. Drink: 2024-2037.
94 points
Antonio Galloni - Vinous -
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2022 Bibi Graetz ColoreTuscany, ITALY$450. 00Bottle$5400.00 DozenABV: 14%Closure: CorkFascinated by old vines, in just 20 years, Bibi Graetz has assembled one of the largest holdings of old vineyards in Tuscany. He shuns the traditionalist Chianti constraints and unlike other Super Tuscan producers focuses on championing the local varieties of Sangiovese, Canaiolo and Colorino rather than pursuing Bordeaux blends.
Other Reviews....
Perfection in sangiovese, with cherry blossoms, chalk, seashells, fine sand and violets on the nose and palate. Medium- to full-bodied with focused and poised tannins that are wonderfully integrated and rather endless. Crunchy and chewy at the end. Such presence. You want to spend time with this wine. A top selection from two vineyards Olmo and one in the village of Chianti Classico in Lamole, 60 and 88 years old, respectively. This is a wine that gives great pleasure now, but will be even better in two or three years.
100 points
James SucklingColore is the product of old vines in the Chianti Classico hills, in Lamole and Olmo. ‘Colore is my dream from the beginning of working with old vineyards...the vineyard in Lamole is beautiful, it's THE vineyard in Chianti Classico,’ says Bibi Graetz. 2022 was a hot year and so Bibi decided to only use fruit from his north-facing vineyards. ‘The hot year gives me this material, even if it is up in the mountains, north-facing; the fruit has this kick.’ Precisely sculpted and very intense, Colore 2022 is both pillowy and bright. Dark berries, spice and blood orange are gathered up by a lingering, zesty finish. It's more closed than Testamatta at the moment, but should reveal more of its beauty in time. Drink: 2025-2045.
98 points
James Button - DecanterThe Bibi Graetz 2022 Colore sources its fruit from only two sites in this vintage: from 60-year-old vines in the Olmo vineyard (with 400-meter-plus elevations) and 88-year-old vines in Lamole (Chianti Classico). The vines are mostly south-facing, but the elevations are key. Meanwhile, Testamatta comes from mostly cool, north-facing sites. These results show lots of vertical heft and sharp tones with bright fruit, mineral graphite and blue flower. Bibi seeks transparency in his wines, and although the 2022 vintage delivers heavier fruit aromas overall, the wine does offer a pretty textural lightness. Drink: 2024 - 2040.
96 points
Monica Larner - Wine Advocate -
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2022 Bibi Graetz TestamattaTuscany, ITALY$185. 00Bottle$2220.00 DozenABV: 14%Closure: CorkOther Reviews....
The production of both Testamatta and Colore was cut by two-thirds in 2022, partly because Bibi Graetz didn't want to use his south-facing vineyards in such a hot year. ‘I think there is more power, more energy,’ he says. Certainly, Testamatta is singing, and has closed the gap to Colore in 2022. It displays dusty, earthy notes, creamy dark cherry, green olive and spice on a vertical frame with stark salinity. It's precise and energetic, poised and balletic, with a beautiful vibrancy of tangy raspberry, cherry, wild herbs and a touch of plum. Drink: 2024-2042.
97 points
James Button - DecanterThe purity of fruit is so impressive, with al dente fruit character of sliced cherries, cranberries and citrus fruit that’s wonderfully melted together. It’s medium- to full-bodied and grows on the palate, with firm and layered tannins and a long, intense finish. This needs three to four years to refine but is already so enticing. Great beauty. Already irresistible, but best after 2027.
98 points
James SucklingMade with fruit from all north-facing vineyard sites (mostly in Olmo with a little bit from Lamole), the Bibi Graetz 2022 Testamatta is engineered to showcase the power of Sangiovese. Indeed, many parcels were recently removed from the blend in order to focus on fruit concentration and elegance. This was a hot growing season, but Bibi says that 2021 was also very warm (with more violent heat spikes during the summer). He lost a small percentage (about 7%) of fruit in 2022 and claims to have had an abundance of fruit in the challenging 2023 vintage. This wine is packed with dense berry fruit, blueberry, spice and soft earth. Bright acidic freshness adds backbone to Sangiovese. Drink: 2024 - 2040.
95 points
Monica Larner - Wine Advocate -
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2021 Kracher Trockenbeerenauslese No. 3 Grande Cuvee Nouvelle Vague (375ml)Burgenland, AUSTRIA$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenABV: 10%Closure: CorkHailing from the shores of Lake Neusiedl in Austria, the third-generation Kracher family produces here high-quality sweet wines, making the most of the surrounding microclimate, particularly favourable to the development of botrytis. The pinnacle of their production falls under the Kracher Collection, created in 1995 to showcase wines made with different grape varieties and sweetness levels at different stages of botrytis development.
Other Reviews…..
Based on 65% Welschriesling and 35% Chardonnay, the golden-yellow 2021 Trockenbeerenauslese No 3 Grande Cuvée Nouvelle Vague opens with a concentrated and savory nose of candied pineapples and lemons along with notes of brown sugar and fine oak. Round and generous on the palate, this is a full-bodied, rich and refined, elegant and stimulating, saline and finely buoyant TBA with concentrated fruit, fine tannins and a long, caramelly and saline, tight and intense finish. 10% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in May 2024. Drink 2025 - 2070.
97 points
Stephan Reinhardt – Wine Advocate (Jun 2024)Very complex nose of tropical fruit coulis, vanilla, candied ginger and toffee apples. Serious concentration and density, but also a vibrancy that wines of this category seldom have. You need some time to sink into the aromatic and textural complexity, but it’s more than worth the effort. Long, silky and elegant finish. Drink or hold.
95 points
JamesSuckling.comSo good, full of gorgeous apricot puree, coconut leaf, pineapple, saffron, cumin, turmeric, silky and opulent without being overly sweet, just a beautiful slice of pleasure. Winemaker Gerhard Kracher.
95 points
Jane Ansen - Inside Bordeaux - The Singleton of Dufftown Malt Master's Selection Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$74. 99Bottle$899.88 DozenABV: 40%
The Malt Master's Selection was created by Singleton's Master of Malts, Craig Wilson who hand-selected and blended the whisky before it was matured in European and American oak with three variants; refill, ex-sherry (PX and oloroso) and ex-bourbon. Priced for quaffing, don't have high expectations when it comes to complexity but it'll do the job when guests unexpectedly drop in! The flask-shaped bottle and blue flint colour glass draws its inspiration from the 19th century, when flask-shaped bottles were customary for easier transportation and fewer breakages, particularly when travelling on horseback. 40% Alc./Vol.
Notes from the producers... Sweet fruity notes of pear, honey and sweet spice with a tingling, pleasurable warmth.
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The Singleton of Dufftown 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$84. 99Bottle$1019.88 DozenABV: 40%The Singleton of Dufftown was launched in selected duty free outlets in 2006. Stylishly packaged in a traditional but distinctive 19th century-style blue glass flask, the whisky was matured in both American (bourbon) and European (sherry) oak casks, and is aimed at people who have an interest in single malt but who are perhaps trying it for the first time. Dufftown Distillery was founded on Speyside in 1896, and still draws its pure water from the same spring. The distillery was bought by Arthur Bell & Sons Ltd in 1933, along with Blair Athol, as part of the acquisition of Peter Mackenzie & Co Distillers Ltd. Arthur Bell & Sons Ltd were purchased by Guinness plc in 1985.
Other reviews... A roughhouse malt that's finesse-free. For those who like their tastebuds Dufft up a bit. 77 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2024
Nose: Straightforward nuttiness/nut shell, slightly bitter. Opens into yew, sawn oak, draff, then marshmallow and a touch of apple and fig relish. Palate: Nut oils. Quite biscuity and rich. Leafy. Finish: Crisp short. Comment: A perfectly pleasant dram, but lacking the finesse and complexity of the best on show here. 75 points. - whiskymag.com
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Morrison Distillers Mac-Talla Oloroso Butt Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Islay, SCOTLAND$189. 99Bottle$2279.88 DozenABV: 54.8%"... for a NAS this whisky this is a banger." - whiskybase.com
From one of Scotland's oldest whisky families, previous owners of Bowmore, Auchentoshan and Glen Garioch - the Morrison Family. Mac-Talla means 'Echo' in Scottish Gaelic and reflects the Morrison family connection to the island of Islay. For the 2024 Limited Edition Mac-Talla release, the team at Morrison have created a small-batch bottling from ten ex-Oloroso sherry butts (seven 1st fill, three 2nd fill). The casks were sourced from renowned Bodega Jose y Miguel Martin in Jerez. All were European oak. The natural-strength peated malt spent seven years mingling with the rich fruity sherry notes remaining in the barrel to create another Mac-Talla flavour sensation: Peat is upfront on the nose followed by an oceanic spritz on the palate where there's equal sherry and smoke at play. Deliciously textural flavours of oatmeal biscuits, salted caramel and that elusive distillery character described as dried mango come through (word on the street is this is Bowmore). Long, strong and buzzing, like most of the Mac Talla range. Jaded Islay fans will find something different to tantalise their taste buds here. 54.8% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... Bowmore, not Bowmore it doesn't matter. This whisky delivers. I think for a NAS this whisky this is a banger. Yeah, the price is a bit high but it's definitely worth it. It has multiple layers, it's very complex, it's smoky and sweet at the same time. Perfetion among smoky whiskies? Who knows. What I know is that it will join the "Best whiskies I've had in 2024" category for sure. I am rating this 91 / 100. Buy it, open it, drink it, enjoy it then buy it again...Dense smoke and earthy peat. Ash, ash and ash. Salty and peppery. Mint. The smoke vanishes and lets the sweet, fruity part take over. Vanilla with toffee and soft oak. Leather. Orchard fruits, then dried fruits. Figs, raisins, oranges and pineapple. After a while the smoke comes back and engulfs your mouth once again. Multi-layered, deep, complex. Explosion of flavours. For a probably young whisky (6-7-8 yo) this is very very good. And I would even say that this whisky can get into a ring with much much older whiskies from Islay. - whiskybase.com
Notes from the bottlers... Warm spice, rich dark fruits & a big dollop of peat. Brown sugar and baking spices reminiscent of Christmas with a peat fire burning in the background.
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2022 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Villages - Last StocksBeaujolais, FRANCE$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2024-2027)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinDeep dark red black tinged colour with a bright purple hue. Lifted red to dark cherry and strawberry aromas mix with some liquorice, earthy incense and spicy provincial herbs. Light in body and possessing a youthful freshness, the palate is decorated with freshly crushed ripe cherry and liquorice fruits which meld into an earthy incense, dried herb and spice infused back drop. Lively acidity and slightly grainy tannins with a finish that’s both savoury and amply fruited.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 13%Other Reviews…..
This excellent Beaujolais-Villages marries the ripe red berry fruit and healthy tannins of the 2022 vintage with a liveliness that makes it appealing. It has a very solid structure in the long, polished finish. Drink or hold.
91 Points
JamesSuckling.com - 2022 Domaine Blain-Gagnard Chassagne-Montrachet Caillerets Premier CruBurgundy, FRANCE$250. 00Bottle$3000.00 DozenABV: 13.5%Closure: Cork
Other Reviews....
A beautifully layered nose reflects notes of white flowers, mineral reduction and a plethora of spice elements. Once again there is a lovely texture to the intense, concentrated, mouthcoating and unusually powerful middleweight flavors that display excellent length on the youthfully austere and agreeably dry finish. The Blain whites invariably age well and this should be no exception. Drink through 2030+.
92 points
Allen Meadows - Burghound - 2022 Domaine Blain-Gagnard Batard-Montrachet Grand CruBurgundy, FRANCE$835. 00Bottle$10020.00 DozenABV: 13.5%Closure: Cork
Other Reviews....
A background hint of wood sets off aromas that include the essence of spiced pear, acacia blossom and an array of spice elements. Here too the big-bodied flavors are succulent and concentrated with evident power that seems to build on the compact, balanced and equally built to age finale. I underscore however that this is presently an almost impenetrable block and I would suggest not touching a bottle for at least five to seven years. Drink through 2032+.
94 points
Allen Meadows - Burghound - 2022 Domaine Blain-Gagnard Le Montrachet Grand CruBurgundy, FRANCE$1999. 00Bottle$23988.00 DozenABV: 13.5%Closure: Cork
Other Reviews....
This possesses the most complex, if most restrained, nose in the range with its aromas of essence of pear, white peach, exotic Asian tea and crushed fennel. There is a positively gorgeous texture to the medium weight plus flavors that are exceptionally rich thanks to the abundance of dry extract that also serves to buffer the firm acid spine shaping the hugely long finale. For the moment this is actually not quite as powerful and robust as the Bâtard, though a classic Montrachet often adds size and weight with age. Either way, this should prove to be outstanding in time. Drink through 2034+.
95 points
Allen Meadows - Burghound -
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2022 Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret Vosne-RomaneeBurgundy, FRANCE$299. 00Bottle$3588.00 DozenABV: 14%Closure: CorkDomaine Mongeard-Mugneret farms an impressive 75 acres of vineyards across much of the Cote d'Or in Burgundy, covering 35 separate appellations. While this leads to many different styles of wines to be produced, their house style leans towards rich and supple wines, with impressive concentration that show well in their youth yet age with ease. Other than a portion of their Richebourg, all grapes are fully destemmed before a cool soak of 4-5 days prior to alcoholic fermentation. As a guide no more than 50% new oak is used in their premier cru wines, while up to 70% is used in their top grand cru plots. The wines are bottled after 18-22 months with no filtration.
Other Reviews....
Elegant and nuanced, with subtle minerals, raspberries and fine spices on the nose. Dusty tannins dissolve on the palate, with ethereal red berry fruit and a long, extensive finish. Very soft and delicate. Drink now, but can hold if you’re looking for additional complexity.
93 points
Zekun Shuai - jamessuckling.com - 2022 Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret Gevrey-ChambertinBurgundy, FRANCE$315. 00Bottle$3780.00 DozenABV: 13%Closure: Cork
Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret farms an impressive 75 acres of vineyards across much of the Cote d'Or in Burgundy, covering 35 separate appellations. While this leads to many different styles of wines to be produced, their house style leans towards rich and supple wines, with impressive concentration that show well in their youth yet age with ease. Other than a portion of their Richebourg, all grapes are fully destemmed before a cool soak of 4-5 days prior to alcoholic fermentation. As a guide no more than 50% new oak is used in their premier cru wines, while up to 70% is used in their top grand cru plots. The wines are bottled after 18-22 months with no filtration.
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2022 Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret Vosne-Romanee En Orveaux Premier CruBurgundy, FRANCE$499. 00Bottle$5988.00 DozenABV: 13.5%Closure: CorkDomaine Mongeard-Mugneret farms an impressive 75 acres of vineyards across much of the Cote d'Or in Burgundy, covering 35 separate appellations. While this leads to many different styles of wines to be produced, their house style leans towards rich and supple wines, with impressive concentration that show well in their youth yet age with ease. Other than a portion of their Richebourg, all grapes are fully destemmed before a cool soak of 4-5 days prior to alcoholic fermentation. As a guide no more than 50% new oak is used in their premier cru wines, while up to 70% is used in their top grand cru plots. The wines are bottled after 18-22 months with no filtration.
En Orveaux is a distinctive Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru nestled in a cooler, secluded area near the border with Flagey-Echezeaux. Unlike the more opulent and full-bodied expressions of Les Suchots or Les Petits Monts, En Orveaux's location imparts a subtler elegance with refined tannins and bright, floral notes. This site’s unique microclimate and elevation contribute to wines that are delicate yet nuanced, showcasing a more ethereal side of Vosne-Romanee.
Other Reviews....
Unique, attractive dried herb character with touches of undergrowth and tarragon on top of the berry, bergamot and grilled grapefruit aromas. Medium-bodied with well-structured tannins. Stony dryness and minerals at the end deliver a lengthy, compact but ethereal finish. Drink from 2026.
94 points
Zekun Shuai - jamessuckling.com -
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2022 Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret Vosne-Romanee Les Suchots Premier CruBurgundy, FRANCE$499. 00Bottle$5988.00 DozenABV: 14%Closure: CorkDomaine Mongeard-Mugneret farms an impressive 75 acres of vineyards across much of the Cote d'Or in Burgundy, covering 35 separate appellations. While this leads to many different styles of wines to be produced, their house style leans towards rich and supple wines, with impressive concentration that show well in their youth yet age with ease. Other than a portion of their Richebourg, all grapes are fully destemmed before a cool soak of 4-5 days prior to alcoholic fermentation. As a guide no more than 50% new oak is used in their premier cru wines, while up to 70% is used in their top grand cru plots. The wines are bottled after 18-22 months with no filtration.
Les Suchots is the largest premier cru in Vosne-Romanee, situated between the grand crus of Echezeaux on one side, and Romanee-Saint-Vivant and Richebourg on the other. Soils here are richer than the other premier cru plots further up the slope, and produces wines with excellent perfume and character.
Other Reviews....
An expressive nose of ripe, red berry fruit showing raspberries, hibiscus, rose hips, red currants and touches of balsam and minerals. Bright and silky on the palate, with a medium body and a linear finish. Soft, long and youthful. Ripe and fruity, yet still refined. Expect even more complexity in two or three years. Drink from 2027.
93 points
Zekun Shuai - jamessuckling.com - 2022 Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret Vosne-Romanee Les Petits Monts Premier CruBurgundy, FRANCE$499. 00Bottle$5988.00 DozenABV: 14%Closure: Cork
Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret farms an impressive 75 acres of vineyards across much of the Cote d'Or in Burgundy, covering 35 separate appellations. While this leads to many different styles of wines to be produced, their house style leans towards rich and supple wines, with impressive concentration that show well in their youth yet age with ease. Other than a portion of their Richebourg, all grapes are fully destemmed before a cool soak of 4-5 days prior to alcoholic fermentation. As a guide no more than 50% new oak is used in their premier cru wines, while up to 70% is used in their top grand cru plots. The wines are bottled after 18-22 months with no filtration.
As the name suggests, Les Petits Monts is situated on a small hill above the Richebourg grand cru. Vines in Mongeard-Mugneret’s plot are over 50 years old, and produces one of their finest and most elegant expressions from Vosne-Romanee.
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- 96
2022 Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret Echezeaux Grand CruBurgundy, FRANCE$799. 00Bottle$9588.00 DozenABV: 14%Closure: CorkDomaine Mongeard-Mugneret farms an impressive 75 acres of vineyards across much of the Cote d'Or in Burgundy, covering 35 separate appellations. While this leads to many different styles of wines to be produced, their house style leans towards rich and supple wines, with impressive concentration that show well in their youth yet age with ease. Other than a portion of their Richebourg, all grapes are fully destemmed before a cool soak of 4-5 days prior to alcoholic fermentation. As a guide no more than 50% new oak is used in their premier cru wines, while up to 70% is used in their top grand cru plots. The wines are bottled after 18-22 months with no filtration.
Other Reviews....
An overlay of white pepper and grilled oranges to the ripe but nuanced berry fruit. Touches of dark minerals, forest floor, mushrooms and dark spices as well. Properly structured yet delicate and transparent, with a medium to full body and a lasting finish hallmarked by tension and great length. A joy to taste now, as it is perfectly balanced and refined, but it will become more complex in the next five years. Better after 2027.
96 points
Zekun Shuai - jamessuckling.com -
- 97
2022 Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret Grands-Echezeaux Grand CruBurgundy, FRANCE$1250. 00Bottle$15000.00 DozenABV: 14%Closure: CorkDomaine Mongeard-Mugneret farms an impressive 75 acres of vineyards across much of the Cote d'Or in Burgundy, covering 35 separate appellations. While this leads to many different styles of wines to be produced, their house style leans towards rich and supple wines, with impressive concentration that show well in their youth yet age with ease. Other than a portion of their Richebourg, all grapes are fully destemmed before a cool soak of 4-5 days prior to alcoholic fermentation. As a guide no more than 50% new oak is used in their premier cru wines, while up to 70% is used in their top grand cru plots. The wines are bottled after 18-22 months with no filtration.
Other Reviews....
Incredible depth for a pinot that’s so expressive yet delicate. There is mineral depth to the aromas of red berries, dark fruit, bergamot, dried roses, stones, wet forest floor and sweet spices. The tension on the palate creates fullness, but without any heaviness in the middle. Rather ethereal, well structured and super long, lasting over a minute. One for the cellar. Already great now, but this will be stunning in three to five years.
97 points
Zekun Shuai - jamessuckling.com - 2022 Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret Richebourg Grand CruBurgundy, FRANCE$2999. 00Bottle$35988.00 DozenABV: 14.5%Closure: Cork
Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret farms an impressive 75 acres of vineyards across much of the Cote d'Or in Burgundy, covering 35 separate appellations. While this leads to many different styles of wines to be produced, their house style leans towards rich and supple wines, with impressive concentration that show well in their youth yet age with ease. Other than a portion of their Richebourg, all grapes are fully destemmed before a cool soak of 4-5 days prior to alcoholic fermentation. As a guide no more than 50% new oak is used in their premier cru wines, while up to 70% is used in their top grand cru plots. The wines are bottled after 18-22 months with no filtration.
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- 92
2020 Bleasdale Broad-Side Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon MalbecLanghorne Creek, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2024-2027)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinA blend of Shiraz (73%), Cabernet Sauvignon (22%) and Malbec (5%) matured in French and American oak puncheons and hogsheads (10% new) for a period of 9 months.
Totally opaque black dark red colour with a dark red hue. Uplifted aromas of dark plum and liquorice fill the nostrils with some dark cherry, earth and vanillin spice notes also evident. Rich and plump in its feel, the medium to full bodied palate is generously blessed with dark plum, dark chocolate and liquorice fruit. Velvet smooth tannins with some earthy vanilla and spice characters lurking underneath. Plush medium to long finish.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
- 96
2023 Home Hill Estate Pinot NoirTasmania, AUSTRALIA$56. 99Bottle$683.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2024-2032)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.
Incorporates 2% whole bunch fruit with maturation taking place in 20% new French oak for a period of 9 months. Dark red core with black toned edges and a vibrant red purple tinged hue. Intense dark cherry, strawberry and anise aromas flood the nostrils followed by some fresh herb, forest floor, dried meat and spicy cedar notes. Delicious red to dark cherry, strawberry and more subtle anise flavours are delivered with ample richness and power. Supple yet fresh flow across the palate with infusions of fresh herbs, spicy cedar and forest floor lending complexity. Polished yet slightly grainy tannins provide structure. Concludes long, elegant and spicy.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 14.1% -
- 91
2021 Domaine de la Vougeraie Terres de Famille Bourgogne ChardonnayBurgundy, FRANCE$79. 99Bottle$959.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2024-2026)ABV: 13%Closure: CorkMatured in 17% new French oak barrels for a period of 16 months. Bright yellow straw colour with a watery hue. Aromas of nectarine are intermeshed with dried honey and roasted almond scents which are trailed by some citrusy nougat and spice notes. Fresh nectarine and citrus fruits are overtaken by toast, dried honey and hazelnut characters across the back half. Lively acidity with spicy hazelnut like characters lingering through the finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 93
2023 Lonely Vineyard ArneisEden Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$24. 99Bottle$299.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2024-2025)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinBrilliant very pale straw colour with a watery hue. Elevated lime and green apple scents infused with fresh herbs are followed by some pear and wet stone notes. Bountiful fleshy pear, lime and green apple fruits carry beautiful textural shape across the palate. Fresh herb and wet stone accents the back drop. Excellent intensity finishing dry with crisp acidity and a long sleek, stony laced aftertaste.
Drink over the next year.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 92
Turkey Flat Quinquina Australian Vermouth (750ml)Barossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$39. 99Bottle$479.88 DozenABV: 21%Based on Marsanne wine infused with cinchona bark and botanicals including orange rind, lychee and green tea, this moreish, Lillet-esque aperitif starts off like a fruity Gewurtztraminer but ends clean and crisp with dominant notes of quinine and bitter citrus peel. Its character shows best simply over ice or with minimal sparkling water. Add orange rind to garnish. 21% Alc./Vol.
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2022 Envinate Lousas Doad MenciaRibeira Sacra, SPAIN$81. 99Bottle$983.88 DozenABV: 12.5%Closure: CorkLousas is the name Envintate has given to their wines from Ribeira Sacra, translating to slate and a nod to the rock that marks these wines. Each of their Lousas releases are predominately Mencia, along with a smaller component of various indigenous varieties such as Merenzao, Caino, Garnacha Tintorerra, and Palomino among many others. Vina de Aldea is a blend of several plots from the Amandi, Quiroga, and Ribeiras do Sil subregions of Ribeira Sacra. Doad meanwhile hails from different terroirs throughout the Galician town of Doade, is Mencia dominant with the remaining 15% a field blend of various varieties. Rosende is sourced from a single vineyard from a village of the same name, and the soils here are similar to the Northern Rhone with granite crystals flecked through the sand. Finally Camino Novo is a single vineyard perched on the edge of the River Sil, where the vines are 80 years old and always produce some of the most profound Mencia in the area.
Other Reviews....
The 2022 Doad Lousas, the second vintage of the village red, comes from gneiss and schist soils from the traditional zone of the Sil. It is warmer and riper, a textbook example of ripe Mencía fruit, from an earlier-ripening zone with juicy wines. As with the rest of the 2022s, the wine is super expressive, aromatic and a little riper and more immediate than the tighter 2023s. It has a floral and perfumed nose and is quite fruit-driven, juicy and tasty, with fine tannins already getting polished. 3,300 bottles were filled in November 2023. Drink 2024-2031.
94+ points
Luis Gutiérrez - Wine Advocate (Jul 12, 2024) -
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2022 Envinate Lousas Parcela Seoane MenciaRibeira Sacra, SPAIN$165. 00Bottle$1980.00 DozenABV: 13%Closure: CorkLousas is the name Envintate has given to their wines from Ribeira Sacra, translating to slate and a nod to the rock that marks these wines. Each of their Lousas releases are predominately Mencia, along with a smaller component of various indigenous varieties such as Merenzao, Caino, Garnacha Tintorerra, and Palomino among many others. Vina de Aldea is a blend of several plots from the Amandi, Quiroga, and Ribeiras do Sil subregions of Ribeira Sacra. Doad meanwhile hails from different terroirs throughout the Galician town of Doade, is Mencia dominant with the remaining 15% a field blend of various varieties. Rosende is sourced from a single vineyard from a village of the same name, and the soils here are similar to the Northern Rhone with granite crystals flecked through the sand. Finally Camino Novo is a single vineyard perched on the edge of the River Sil, where the vines are 80 years old and always produce some of the most profound Mencia in the area.
Other Reviews....
The intoxicating 2022 Lousas Parcela Seoane comes from a specific plot in the village of Doade, old vines planted in the 1930 on gneiss and quartz. It has the expressive nose of the zone—serious and mineral—but it's perfumed too. It has the forward and extroverted character of 2022 and is a little riper and rounder, with a note of blood orange and the faint volatility that lifts up the nose. There's a lot of energy here. 2,000 bottles were filled in November 2023. Drink 2024-2034.
96 points
Luis Gutiérrez - Wine Advocate (Jul 12, 2024) -
- 96
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Jacques Lassaigne La Colline Inspiree Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$260. 00Bottle$3120.00 DozenABV: 12%Closure: CorkEmmanuel Lassaigne is one of Champagne's most thoughtful and exciting grower producers, working with the chalky south and southeast-facing sloped vineyards of Montgueux in the Aube department. Lassaigne's extraordinary Champagnes are pushing the qualitative boundaries not just of the Aube but of the entire region. Farming in his vineyards is organic with cultivated soils and harvesting at full maturity. In the cellar, the wines ferment in wood and stainless steel, and they're disgorged by hand without dosage. The style is powerful and vinous but also racy and electric.
La Colline Inspirée is 100% Chardonnay raised in oak, and displays a vinous and lush expression bound to please lovers of quality aged white Burgundy.
Please note: Disgorgement dates can vary. Please contact the store if you would like to check which disgorgement is currently available.
Other Reviews....
A blend of the 2013 and 2012 vintages that was disgorged in March, the NV Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs La Colline Inspiré opens in the glass with aromas of almond paste, citrus oil, crisp green apple and pastry cream, gently framed by its élevage in barrel. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, vinous and concentrated, with an immensely incisive spine of ripe but bracing acidity, a fine mousse and a long, electric and searingly saline finish. This bottling is produced from several parcels in Montgueux, and all the vins clairs are now fermented and matured in barrel. Drink 2020-2035.
94 points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Aug 31, 2019)There are lovely, up front, crazy coconut and tropical fruit aromas, along with a bit of spice and tangy barrel-aged oxidative notes. The texture is one of silky perfection. The freshness, the density of the fruit, and the complexity of the ageing create terrific dynamic tension on the palate. This is blended from base wines from 2018 (12 months in barrel on the lees), 2017 (24 months), 2016 (36 months), and 2015 (48 months), and aged on the lees before disgorging in January of 2022 – a superb wine. Drink 2022-2040.
96 points
Charles Curtis MW - Decanter - 2015 Jacques Lassaigne Millesime Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$280. 00Bottle$3360.00 DozenABV: 12%Closure: Cork
Emmanuel Lassaigne is one of Champagne's most thoughtful and exciting grower producers, working with the chalky south and southeast-facing sloped vineyards of Montgueux in the Aube department. Lassaigne's extraordinary Champagnes are pushing the qualitative boundaries not just of the Aube but of the entire region. Farming in his vineyards is organic with cultivated soils and harvesting at full maturity. In the cellar, the wines ferment in wood and stainless steel, and they're disgorged by hand without dosage. The style is powerful and vinous but also racy and electric.
Lassaigne's vintage Blanc de Blancs is perhaps the sweet spot in the range. As a cuvee of 100% Chardonnay from the Le Cotet (35%) and Les Paluets (65%) vineyards, the wine was raised in tank before 8 years in bottle and disgorgement in late 2023. Given the extended lees contact this wine shows an enormous level of depth and complexity.
- Wild Turkey Master's Keep Triumph Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml)Kentucky, UNITED STATES$399. 00Bottle$4788.00 DozenABV: 52%
"...the best Rye this distillery has released" - therobbreport.com
Most Wild Turkey rye is aged about 4-6 years. Triumph breaks the mould as the oldest age-stated rye the distillery has ever released. In fact, there's whiskey up to 12 years old in the blend. It marks the 10th Master’s Keep since the series began in 2015, and only the second rye (the other was Cornerstone which was not age-stated).
Wild Turkey Master Distiller, Jimmy Russell has never been a fan of ultra-aged whiskeys, preferring the top age to be 8-10 years—older than most American whiskeys, but not beyond that limit. His son, Master Distiller Eddie Russell, has long liked his whiskey a bit older, and Master’s Keep has largely been his domain. Eddie recounts that his first real exposure to ultra-aging whiskeys came in 1997—there was no room at Wild Turkey for the distillate—so he stored the barrels in the brick warehouses of nearby Stone Castle Distillery, which are no longer there. The brick environment caused the whiskey to age slower than in a rickhouse—to Eddie’s palate, an 8 year old tasted like a 4 year old aged at Wild Turkey. “We kept some of it until it got to 17 years old, and it was some of the most unique whiskey I’d ever tasted,” he says. “It was very layered but had an oaky finish on the back—a chewy finish.” That whiskey became the foundation for the older whiskeys within the Master’s Keep family.
The inspiration behind Triumph was the enthusiasm for rye shown by Eddie’s son Bruce, but it’s also meant to celebrate rye’s overall renaissance. Most rye had long been made in the northeast states of Maryland and Pennsylvania—even Jimmy Russell purchased rye from distilleries up there back in the day. But the last of those places began to shutter in the 1980s and rye production in the United States dwindled to less than 100,000 cases. Today it's approaching two million cases. This year's Master’s Keep showcases the categories luxury side. 52% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... There’s plenty of barrel influence on the nose here, a layer of char that tempers the grassy greenery that is otherwise prominent aromatically. Drying with a slight barnyard note of hay bales and saddle leather, the nose has an austerity that you rarely see in the world of rye, which normally gravitates to peppery pungency over everything else. Here, the rye grain is balanced by the barrel — without becoming particularly sweet, a nifty trick. The palate finds an impressive balance not often seen in the world of American rye. Spicy and peppery up top, then silky with notes of caramel and vanilla — so immersive and creamy you might think you’re drinking a bourbon. That’s probably intentional given Wild Turkey’s love of the corn-based whiskey, and as the experience shifts into notes of baked apples, butterscotch, and sweetened breakfast cereal. It’s actually a bit too fruity on the back end for me, reminding me of some older Canadian ryes, though it has a certain holiday charm that feels tailor-made for spice-laden cocktails, toddies, and the like. If anything, it’s a fun diversion from the parade of bourbons that Wild Turkey has been cranking out — as delightful as those have been. - drinkhacker.com
...This is an absolutely beautiful rye whiskey and really a testament to the quality of liquid that Wild Turkey is known for, but that price could make it a tough sell for some people. 95 points - therobbreport.com
- Leblon Cachaca (700ml)Minas Gerais, BRAZIL$86. 99Bottle$1043.88 DozenABV: 40%
“Cachaça is the next Tequila, and Leblon is its first high-end brand.” - The Wall Street Journal
The brainchild of a former Moet Hennessey executive, Leblon was launched in 2005 and takes its name from Leblon Beach in Rio de Janeiro. The distillery is located in Patos de Minas, an agricultural town in the western highlands of Minas Gerais and prides itself on using only the freshest cane juice obtained within three hours of harvest. Only the mid-section of the cane is pressed where the highest quality liquid is found, and unlike other cachaça distilleries which increase the force of their pressing to maximize yield, Maison Leblon gently presses the cane to extract only the best-tasting sensorial qualities from the cane stalks. Following distillation in an alembic copper still, the liquid spends a short spell in French oak casks seasoned with brandy, some of which previously held cognac.
Other reviews... Clean and full-flavoured, Leblon is a good and easily accessible example of what a cachaca should be. 5 Stars. - diffordsguide.com
“This bouquet oozes authenticy and a sense of place. It’s in the palate entry that the first burst of sugarcane sweetness emerges and that’s a welcome development.” - F. Paul Pacult's Spirits Journal
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2022 De Bortoli Handcrafted Heathcote ShirazHeathcote, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$24. 99Bottle$299.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2024-2029)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinMatured for 9 months in French oak casks. Dense inky black colour with a deep vibrant dark red black tinged hue. Prominent aromas of liquorice and blackberry fill the nostrils followed by dark plum, vanillin cedar and earthy dark chocolate notes. Rich plush liquorice, blackberry and dark plum fruits are underpinned by a distinct earthy characteristic with some vanillin cedar, dark chocolate and spice also apparent. Fine grained tannins with a generous, slightly chewy and spicy conclusion.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 14.5% -
- 93
2022 Gunderloch Fritz’s RieslingRheinhessen, GERMANY$26. 99Bottle$323.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2024-2028)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinFritz's Riesling grows in a very small and special part of Rheinhessen called the Roter Hang, a name meaning “red hill“ due to its red-slate soils. The combination of the red slate soil, its proximity to the Rhine river, exposure to the sun and the steepness of the vineyards are perfect for producing wines with wonderful ripeness.
Brilliant very pale straw colour with greenish tinged edges and a watery hue. Lifted aromas of lime and red apple are trailed by some pear, wet slate and flinty notes. Mouth watering pear, lime and red apple fruits are underpinned by crisp, juicy acidity. Traces of honeysuckle and slatey mineral elements linger through the dry back half. Finishes fruity with plenty of zip and length.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 12% -
- 94
2021 Heartland ShirazLanghorne Creek, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2024-2029)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinSuperb density of colour featuring an impenetrable inky black black heart and an equally deep dark purple black hue. Wafting through the nostrils are heady scents of dark plum, liquorice and blackberry which intermingle with some spicy vanillin cedar, earth and mint notes. Rich, luscious and bold, the weighty palate is awash with juicy blackberry, liquorice and dark plum fruits. Opulent yet sturdy in its textural feel, a solid framework of tannins provide ample structure. Choc mint, vanillin cedar and peppered earth elements linger beneath. Youthfully bright and energetic it finishes long and succulent.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 14.5% -
- 93
- 92
2022 Penny’s Hill Malpas Road MerlotMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: 5 - 6 Years (2029-2030)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinMatured in older French oak barriques for a period of 14 months. Dense midnight black heart with a dark red black tinged hue. Lifted blackcurrant aromas tinged with distinct mulberry notes sail thru the olfactory senses complimented by some cedary tobacco, dusty earth and spicy black olive notes. Medium bodied, generous red to black currant, mulberry and earth flavours are framed by a sturdy tannin structure. Vanillin cedar, tobacco and spicy dried herb characters lie underneath. Dry, slightly chalky finish with a tightly wound mid length conclusion.
Cellar 5-6 years.
Alc. 14%Other Reviews….
McLaren Vale Merlot from the Malpas Road vineyard planted in 1991. The wine is a deep maroon hue, while the nose offers notes of plums and warm earth, leather and cloves. This is a Merlot from the serious end of the spectrum; it has depth and concentration, with a supple palate, appealing texture and good length. Mulberries and mushrooms emerge on the palate, complemented by a firm finish and slightly grippy tannins. For drinking now and over the next five to six years. Drink 2024-2030.
92 points
Ken Gargett – WinePilot.com -
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2021 Torbreck Les Amis GrenacheBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$199. 99Bottle$2399.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2024-2030)ABV: 15%Closure: CorkDense black dark red colour with a dark red hue. Potent black raspberry, liquorice and ripe black cherry aromas engulf the nostrils followed by vanillin oak, scorched earth and hints of dark chocolate. Liqueur like in its richness, concentration and power, the palate is drenched in black raspberry, liquorice and black cherry fruits. Thick voluptuous texture with toasty vanillin oak, scorched earth, bacon fat and pepper characters lingering through the back half. Velvet smooth tannins with traces of heat on the long decadent finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 15%Other Reviews…..
The 2021 Les Amis Grenache is spicy and wide, meaty and yet floral, with black tea, dried rose petals, graphite, roast beef crust, a hint of pastrami, blood orange and salted macadamias. The wine is shaped by charry oak (matured in barrique as opposed to Harris and Hillside foudre). This lends an altogether different angle to the wine, and I must admit, I quite like it. The oak is in the charry, bacon fat, pipe resin, tobacco spectrum, and it sits very well with the sweet, floral fruit. This is a very interesting wine here. Drink 2024-2036.
94 points
Erin Larkin – Robert Parker’s The Wine AdvocateThe Slade vineyard in Greenock produces this atypically dense, well-structured Grenache, with a firmer acid and tannin profile than most. In a milder vintage – and with a little whole-bunch ferment – it throws long and reveals a little more of itself when, sometimes, Les Amis can feel impenetrable. Nonetheless, it retains savoury nuance, with medicinal, cough sweet herbaceousness and a touch of eucalyptus to the red-fruited, warming kirsch core. Drink 2025-2035.
95 points
Decanter -
- 93
2022 Allegrini Corte Giara SoaveVeneto, ITALY$24. 99Bottle$299.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2024-2025)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinThe Corte Giara range is an offspring of the famous Allegrini family in the Valpolicella region. Together with a few select winegrowers, they created a concept centred around modern and eclectic wines, representing great value for money, with international varietals through to Amarone, Recioto and other classic wines of the Veneto region.
A blend of 80% Garganega and 20% Chardonnay. Brilliant pale straw colour with greenish tinged edges and a watery hue. Aromas of lime zest and pear mix with hints of green apple skin, fresh herbs and flinty mineral notes. Nicely shaped across the palate with pear and red apple skin flavours featured over lime, quince and spice. Crisp acidity with a dry, wet slate laced finish.
Drink over the next year.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 94
- 96
- Reduced
2021 Whistling Eagle Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon - Last StocksHeathcote, Victoria, AUSTRALIAReduced from $49.99$43. 99Bottle$527.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2024-2030)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinImpenetrable midnight black heart with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Lifted ripe blackcurrant and blueberry aromas mix with liquorice and hints of plum. Vanillin cedar, subtle dried herb and spice notes ensue. Rich succulent blackcurrant, plum, liquorice and blueberry fruits carry a plump feel. Backed by a sturdy tannin structure, vanillin cedar, dried herb and spice elements linger underneath. The amply fruited finish long and slightly chewy.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14%Other Reviews….
Brings both the power and the charm that resides in Heathcote cabernet sauvignon to the glass. The power lies in the concentration of black fruit and its collaboration with ripe, firm tannins. The charm? Well, it's freely expressed in lifted violet, acacia, oregano, leaf and earth. Woodsmoke oak works its way gently, persuasively across both parties. Lovely. Drink by 2033.
96 points
Jeni Port – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 93
- 92
2019 Heartland Cabernet SauvignonLanghorne Creek, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2024-2027)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinMatured in French and American oak for 12 months. Deep black dark red heart with a dark red hue. Elevated blackcurrant and mulberry aromas are followed by tobacco, dried herb and spicy cedar notes. Rich blackcurrant fruits infused with a mix of mulberry and mint decorate the medium to full bodied palate. Some liquorice, cedary tobacco and spice elements linger across the back half. Sturdy yet well integrated tannins. Medium to long it concludes ripe and generous.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews…..
Crafted from the region’s most noted red variety, aromas of crimson and purple berries rather than darker, blacker, denser fruit offer a vibrant start that’s enhanced with harmonic cooler mint and dusted cut ivy sensibilities. The juiciness that follows gathers all those attractive aromatic elements into a cleverly weighted palate, neatly feathered with light tannins – just right for this everyday Cabernet. You can’t ask for more than that.
92 points
Tony Love – WinePilot.com -
- Reduced
2020 Hospice De Beaune (Coche-Dury) Corton Cuvee Docteur Peste Grand CruBurgundy, FRANCEReduced from $2,150.00$1699. 00Bottle$20388.00 DozenABV: 13.5%Closure: CorkSince the first edition in 1859, the annual Hospices de Beaune auction has become a barometer for the strength of the new vintage in Burgundy, and is now the most famous charity auction in the world of wine. Over the years the charitable cause was given vineyards among other donations, and auctions off barrels from these holdings during a extended celebration in Burgundy over the third weekend of November.
Jean-Louis Peste practiced medicine at the Hospices de Beaune for over 30 years in the mid-19th century. His daughter, Baronne de Baÿ, bequeathed a vast estate to the Hôtel-Dieu in 1924, in memory of her father. Made from 89% very old vines, or vines planted before 1985, this Cuvée is historically a blend of Grand Cru parcels: Chaumes and Voierosses for the most part, as well as Bressandes and Les Grèves. A select few barrels from 2020 vintage were purchased by the prestigious Domaine Coche-Dury for elevage in their cellars, a program they have invested heavily in recent years.
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- 94
Pokeno Prohibition Porter Single Malt New Zealand Whisky (700ml)NEW ZEALAND$179. 99Bottle$2159.88 DozenABV: 46%"A minor classic, it has to be said. And for a three year old, simply ridiculously good." - Jim Murray's Whisky's Bible
After a full maturation in a first-fill bourbon cask, the Pokeno team finished this special limited edition in a barrel sourced from Liberty Brewing which previously contained their fantastic Prohibition Porter. The result is an incredibly smooth and rich malt, with notes of cocoa and chocolate, which combine beautifully with the citrus and vanilla. 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... the malt is brittle and profound. In the background though, the pleasant acidic nip of something a little burned... what a delivery! Unique! And truly delicious. Myriad barley tones fizz at the taste buds, ranging from an almost Irish pot still unmalted hardness, through concentrated sweet barley and finally reaching something far more toasty and eye watering. In the meantime, the structure of the whisky itself changes and becomes increasingly oily to the point of outright creaminess... almost like an old-fashioned milk stout... Creamy and complex, it belies its years with an assured performance... A minor classic , it has to be said. And for a three year old, simply ridiculously good. 94.5 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2024
- Drumshanbo Marsala Cask Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey (700ml)IRELAND$159. 99Bottle$1919.88 DozenABV: 43%
Triple-distilled with malted and un-malted Irish Barley, and uniquely, Irish Barra Oats at The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney in Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim, seven years of slow maturation in Sicilian Marsala casks has led to a very special edition that's finally received the seal of approval from Head Distiller, Brian Taft. 43% Alc./Vol.
Notes from the producers... Nose: Rich notes of clove and honey descend into subtle aromas of sun ripened fruit and toasty caramel. Palate: Sumptuous, dried fruits, and hazelnuts with distinctive oak spice balanced deliciously with the influences of the delectable Marsala cask. Finish: A delicate sweetness of spiced caramel, roasted hazelnut and raisin that lingers lightly on the tongue.
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- 93
2022 Head Red GSMBarossa, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$24. 99Bottle$299.88 DozenABV: 14%Closure: StelvinA blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Shiraz and 20% Mataro sourced from vines between 20 to 80 years old. Ten percent whole bunches were included in the ferment and the wine was matured in a combination of old 2,250L oak & 500L barrels.
Other Reviews....
The all-conquering GSM blend from a variety of old-vine sites across the Barossa. Crimson and magenta flashes in the glass with pure satsuma plum, red and dark cherry and boysenberry fruits cut with hints of fine spice, citrus blossom, gingerbread, charcuterie, amaro herbs and earth. There's a sprightly freshness lifting the fruit on the palate, a few more lumens let in, finishing sapid, fruit-pure and lipsmackingly moreish. Drink 2023 - 2033.
93 Points
Dave Brookes - Halliday's Australian Wine Companion - De Bortoli Limoncello SpritzYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenABV: 9%Closure: Cork
De Bortoli Limoncello Spritz is light, refreshing, and easy to drink, with a bubbly burst of lemon and citrus flavors. It's a delightful sparkling drink, perfect for any occasion, whether with food or on its own.
It's best served over ice in a cocktail glass, garnished with a fresh lemon wheel and a sprig of mint.
Alc. 9% -
- 95
- 95
2023 Yering Station ChardonnayYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$36. 99Bottle$443.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2024-2029)ABV: 13.2%Closure: StelvinThe site of Victoria’s first vineyard, the Rathbone Family have built Yering Station into one of Yarra Valley’s leading estates. This brilliantly composed Chardonnay sees maturation in a mix of new (22%) to 6 year old French oak puncheons for a period of 8 months.
A beautifully refined and sophisticated Yarra Valley Chardonnay.
Brilliant pale straw colour with subtle green highlights around the outskirts and a watery hue. Ascending through the olfactory senses are delightful aromas of white peach, nectarine and dried honey which are complimented by hints of biscuity oak, citrusy nougat and spice. Mid weighted and nicely fleshed, the palate features white peach and nectarine fruits over a dried honey, biscuity nougat, cashew and spice back drop. Showing ample freshness and a gently creamed feel it finishes long and refined.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13.2%Other Reviews…..
Barrel fermented and matured in puncheons (22% new). No mlf. Bright green gold. A touch richer and more complex than the very good Village Chardonnay. An attractive nose of stone fruits, orange blossoms and grilled nuts leads onto the palate, which has good depth and persistence. There's a little orange pith on the long, refreshing finish. Drink by 2029.
95 points
Philip Rich – James Halliday’s Australian Wine CompanionMatured in 500L puncheons for 8 months of which 22% was new oak. Golden peach and nectarine flesh, sunflower and kernel. Lemon aspen and pineapple nectar. Summer frangipani blooms. Like a giving tree this wine bestows without being buxom and relying on oak for its breadth. It’s pure fruit heaven. Picked with free flowing acidity and supported by vanilla cake and grated nutmeg oak nuances. It’s still light on its feet but will satisfy the chardonnay drinker who chooses wine based on taste and substance. Serve alongside a homemade salmon quiche.
95 points
Shanteh Wale – WinePilot.com
















































