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2025 Garagiste Merricks RoseMornington Peninsula, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$34. 99Bottle$419.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2025-2026)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinSappy and spicy with excellent textural volume and a long finish.
Made from Pinot Noir grapes. Salmon tinged colour. Spicy citrus and blood orange scents intermingle with some red apple skin and quince notes. Concentrated and shapely, the palate has a spicy flavour profile of strawberry, peach and blood orange fruits over some red apple and quince characters. Sappy acidity yet showing excellent textural volume, it finishes long and spicy.
Drink over the next year.
Alc. 13% -
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Boatrocker Dry Cassis Blackcurrant Liqueur (500ml)Victoria, AUSTRALIA$63. 99Bottle$767.88 DozenABV: 20%Departing from the luxurious sweetness of French cremes, by comparison, this pleasingly tart and drier-styled cassis is admirable for its rustic, brambly naturalness. As the flavours proceed it takes on the garb of a young ruby port; balancing acid cuts through the jamminess, leaving ripe pomegranate, finishing tangy and fresh. Delicious on its own, or try it in Kir Royales. Made from hand-picked Tasmanian blackcurrants. 20% Alc./Vol.
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2025 Tin Shed Wild Bunch RieslingEden Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$26. 99Bottle$323.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2026-2032)ABV: 11.5%Closure: StelvinA crunchy, lime focused Riesling with zesty acidity.
Brilliant pale straw colour with green tinged edges and a watery hue. Lime juice top notes are joined by some lemon, green apple skin, wet steel and chalky mineral notes. Crunchy lime, lemon and green apple fruits overlay a wet steel and chalky mineral infused back drop. Zesty acidity with a mouth watering lime focused finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 11.5% -
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2023 Hay Shed Hill Cabernet MerlotMargaret River, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinA rich, fleshy yet quite refined Cabernet Merlot blend that concludes long and savoury.
A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot matured in French oak barriques for 12 months. Dense pitch black heart with a dark red black tinged hue. Pronounced red to black currant and mulberry scents are interwoven with vanillin cedar, tobacco, earthy black olive and bay leaf notes. Rich and fleshy yet quite refined in its flow the palate features concentrated red to black currant and mulberry fruits over cedary tobacco, earthy black olive and dried herb accents. Fine grained tannins concluding long and savoury.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5% -
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2024 Mountadam Five-Fifty ChardonnayEden Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinMid weighted with fleshy fruit and a gentle creamy feel to the finish.
Brilliant pale straw colour with subtle glints of green to the edges and a watery hue. Pear, nectarine and bees wax aromas drift from the glass with some lemon butter and spice notes also evident. Fleshy pear, peach and bees wax flavours line the palate underscored by delicate lemon butter and spice characters. Well integrated acidity with a gentle creamy feel to the mid length finish.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
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2023 O’Leary Walker Polish Hill River Armagh Cabernet SauvignonClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$27. 99Bottle$335.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2026-2032)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinA sturdily built Clare Cabernet that’s rich and full with a slightly grippy conclusion.
Dense pitch black heart with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Cassis, dark plum and toasty vanillin cedar aromas inundate the olfactory senses followed by some tobacco, black olive and spice notes. Rich and full, the palate is awash with blackcurrant, plum and mulberry fruit which is backed by a sturdy tannin structure. Extending across the back half are notions of vanillin cedar, tobacco, black olive, earth and bay leaf accents. Slightly grippy medium to long conclusion.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews……
Sourced from the sub-regions of Polish Hill River and Armagh. Aromas scream Cabernet: blackberry, blackcurrant, a little leaf, and syrupy dark chocolate. The palate is deeply concentrated, supported by chalky tannins and plenty of oak, yet perfectly balanced. Drives through to an extended finish. Tremendous cellaring potential yet delicious already. Drink 2025-2045.
97 Points
Ray Jordan – WinePilot.com -
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2024 Denton Estate ChardonnayYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$39. 99Bottle$479.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2026-2031)ABV: 13.3%Closure: StelvinA shapely Yarra Valley Chardonnay with fresh underlying acidity and a long glossy finish.
Brilliant pale straw colour with a distinctive green tint to the edges and a watery hue. Elevating their way out of the glass are attractive white peach, nectarine and dried honey aromas which are trailed by whiffs of crème brulee, cashew, biscuity nougat and spice. Fleshy white peach, nectarine and dried honey flavours meander across the palate carrying with them a gentle creamy textural feel. Biscuity nougat, subtle creme brulee and spice elements the back drop. Fresh underlying acidity with a long glossy finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13.3% -
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2025 Jim Barry Watervale RieslingClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2025-2033)ABV: 11%Closure: StelvinA mouth watering Watervale Riesling with terrific drive and intensity.
Brilliant water like core with green highlighted edges. Punchy lime, lemon and orange rind scents jump out of the glass trailed by some talc and chalky mineral notes. Boasting terrific drive and intensity, mouth watering lime, citrus and orange rind flavours inundate the palate. Green apple, chalky talc and steely mineral elements extend across the back half. Tense and sculptured in its feel it has crisp acidity and a long zesty finish.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 11%Other Reviews……
The 2025 Watervale Riesling is tightly coiled and water-white in flavors, with lemon zest, green apple, white flowers and a hint of pear. This is fresh and crunchy and defined by its purity and clarity. It's a wine that has a surprising ability to age despite the price point and one that looks so good in its youth. This is a compelling wine for the money….
Drink 2025-2035.
92 Points
Erin Larkin – Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate -
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2022 Querciabella Chianti ClassicoTuscany, ITALY$54. 99Bottle$659.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2026-2032)ABV: 14%Closure: CorkQuerciabella Chianti Classico has been the centrepiece of the estate’s winemaking operations since the onset. First produced in 1974, it consistently receives high levels of critical acclaim. Maturation took place in fine to extra fine grained oak barriques (225 Litre) and tonneaux (500 Litre), and partially in larger oak vessels for a period of 14 months, before the final blend is assembled. It’s then given a further 12 months bottle age before release.
Refined and energetic, this delicious Chianti strikes a beautiful balance between varietal purity, vibrancy and depth.
Deep dark red black core with a red to dark red hue. Attractive red currant and red cherry aromas are trailed by some red liquorice, earth, subtle tobacco and spicy dried herb notes. Mid weighted, the palate is layered with expressive red currant, red liquorice and red cherry fruits which meld into a dusty earth, dried herb, tobacco and spicy cedar back drop. Energetic acidity and fine grained tannins impart a slight chalky feel yet there’s an overwhelming refinement to the wine. Long, savoury, red fruited finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14%Other Reviews….
Pouring a youthful jeweled ruby color, the 2022 Chianti Classico is entirely Sangiovese from Greve, Lamole, and Radda. (The producers have stopped using fruit from Gaiole in the blend, as they are concentrated on vines closer to home, including the higher elevation site in Lamole for freshness.) The nose is very pretty and fruity, with aromas of mixed berries, crushed flowers, and sweet earth. Medium to full-bodied, it’s elegant on the palate, with a fresh feel, fine tannins, and a refined texture. It is elegant all the way through and is going to offer a lot of pleasure over the next 10-12 years. Drink 2025-2037.
93 Points
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2023 O’Leary Walker Polish Hill River Armagh ShirazClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$27. 99Bottle$335.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinA bold, weighty Clare Shiraz that features impressive richness and power within a sturdy structure.
After building an enviable reputation working for some of Australia’s most prestigious wineries David O’Leary and Nick Walker established their own venture in 2000. Based in the Clare Valley they specialise in Riesling and Shiraz that consistently excel in the value for money stakes.
For the excellent 2023 vintage fruit was sourced from two Clare Valley sub regions, the cooler Polish Hill River and also the warmer Armagh, north of Clare. Each batch is fermented separately in two and four tonne fermenters over a 14 day period and hand-plunged. Maturation took place in French oak, 20% new, for a period of 18 months.
Dense inky black heart with a dark purple black tinged hue. Blackberry, liquorice and black cherry aromas flood the nostrils mixing with gently charred vanillin oak, black olive, fennel and blackpepper notes along the way. Rich, concentrated and succulent, black cherry, blackberry, liquorice and blueberry fruits explode across the bold, weighty palate. Scorched earth, vanillin oak, fennel and pepper elements lend further nuance across the back half. Boasting impressive power and depth, it has polished yet sturdy tannins and a long, sumptuous finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews……
Here is a wine that combines the power and intensity of Clare with finesse to create a stylish example of what the region does well. Fruit was sourced from the sub-regions of Polish Hill River and Armagh. Immediately strikes with dark fruits and spices, displaying blackberry, plum, dark mocha, and even a touch of black olive. The palate is deeply intense with richness and depth, yet managed with elegance. Perfectly balanced, superb value, and great cellaring potential—though beautiful now. Drink 2025-2045.
96 Points
Ray Jordan – WinePilot.com
A true-to-region shiraz that delivers a bold, rich hit of ripe forest berries, currants and raisins, dried fig and date, dark chocolate and black olive characters, all dosed up with sage leaf, salt bush and aniseed. Nicely played. Generous and full, well balanced. A ripple of drinking chocolate powder tannin and a pleasing stretch of spicy flavour make for inherent pleasure and seriousness. Serious stuff, done well. Drink by 2035.
95 points
Mike Bennie - James Halliday's Wine Companion -
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- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2021 Paritua Single Vineyard Cabernet SauvignonHawkes Bay, NEW ZEALAND$69. 99Bottle$839.88 DozenMinimum 6 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 14%Closure: CorkRich black fruits intermeshed with prominent toasty oak and a firm finish.
Dense inky black in colour with a very deep dark red black tinged hue. Elevated blackcurrant, liquorice and black cherry aromas are trailed by toasty vanillin cedar, earthy black olive and spice notes. Rich blackcurrant, liquorice and black cherry fruits lean into some prominent toasty vanillin oak, black olive and spicy tobacco elements. Slightly bitter back half with grainy tannins lending a firm feel across the long finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14% -
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2025 Dandelion Vineyards Enchanted Garden of the Eden Valley RieslingEden Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$23. 99Bottle$287.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 11.5%Closure: StelvinCrunchy lime, green apple and lemon fruits with steely mineral infused acidity and a long zesty finish.
Brilliant pale straw colour with a distinct glimmer of green around the edges and a watery hue. Lime, citrus and green apple aromas bound out of the glass trailed by some subtle orange rind and steely mineral notes. Crunchy lime, green apple and lemon fruits fill the mouth underscored by crisp, steely mineral infused acidity. Excellent drive with a long zesty finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 11.5% -
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2023 Seresin Leah Pinot NoirMarlborough, NEW ZEALAND$42. 99Bottle$515.88 DozenMinimum 6 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2026-2031)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinA very spicy and structured Pinot with a savoury flavour profile.
Aged in French oak barriques for 8 months. Dark red core with black toned edges and a dark red hue. Spicy dark cherry, strawberry and anise aromas emanate followed by some dried herb and subtle earthy graphite like notes. Nicely fleshed and spicy, the palate has a savoury flavour profile of red to dark cherry, anise, dried herbs and earthy graphite. Slightly chalky tannins and bright acidity with a structured and spicy finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 14% -
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2021 Nicks Secret MST Grenache Mataro ShirazBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIAReduced from $24.99$14. 99Bottle$179.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinA blend of 66% Grenache, 25% Mataro and 9% Shiraz. The Grenache was sourced from three separate old vine blocks planted in 1920, 1948 & 1970 respectively with the Mataro coming from bush vines planted in 2001, and the Shiraz from a single block planted in 1998. Maturation took place in a mixture of 30% concrete tanks and 70% old French oak puncheons for a period of 9 months. Normally priced between $25 and $40, this is another vinous bargain at it’s Nicks Secret price of just $15.
Rich, sumptuous and succulently fruited, this classically styled Barossa GSM delivers the goods for just $15.
Deep dark red black colour with a dark red hue. Dark raspberry, ripe cherry and liquorice aromas jump from the glass followed by some vanillin spice, subtle scorched earth and peppered dried herb notes. Rich and succulent, the mid weighted palate is swamped with spicy dark raspberry, liquorice and ripe dark cherry fruits. Vanillin spice, scorched earth and peppered dried herb elements lend further nuance. Velvety yet sturdy tannin structure with a long, sumptuous finish.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 14%Other Reviews….
A blend of grenache 66%, mataro 25% and shiraz 9% from five separate blocks, 20% whole bunch, matured in 30% concrete conical tank, 70% old French oak puncheon. Bright, crunchy satsuma plum and red cherry fruits with crunchy cranberry. Plenty of exotic spice along with hints of dried meats, pressed wildflowers, amaro herbs and red licorice. Medium bodied and bouncy, it's a very easy-to-drink wine with gentle tannins, great palate weight and moreish fruit pure finish. Drink by 2033.
93 Points
Dave Brookes - James Halliday’s Australian Wine CompanionBeautifully ripe and scented, the bouquet shows sweet plum, olive, cumin and rich floral aromas, followed by a succulent palate offering rounded mouthfeel and supple texture. Smooth and soothing with juicy fruit intensity, finishing long and silky. At its best: now to 2031.
93 Points
Sam Kim – Wine OrbitThe famous Rhone blend done Barossa style. The fruit is sourced from three blocks of Grenache, the oldest dating back to 1920, with single blocks of the other varieties. The final blend was Grenache 66%, Mataro 25% and Shiraz 9%. The wine spent nine months maturing, 70% of it in old French oak puncheons, before a final three months in stainless steel. Deep magenta colour, the wine is delightfully ripe with notes of leather, warm earth, animal hides, cloves and black fruits. There is a supple texture through to abundant but quite fine, mouth coating tannins. There is excellent length here too. This is a red more burly than elegant, but it is full of flavour with palate moving to cold tea and chocolate notes. Enjoy this for the next eight to ten years. Drink 2024-2034.
92 Points
Ken Gargett – WinePilot.com -
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- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 Zilzie Selection 23 ShirazVictoria, AUSTRALIA$12. 99Bottle$155.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2026-2028)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinFleshy plum and dark cherry fruits with a toasty vanillin oak laden finish.
Deep dark red black core with a dark red hue. Plum, dark cherry and liquorice scents intermix with some vanillin earth and spice notes. Fleshy plum and dark cherry fruits meld into a toasty vanillin oak, liquorice and spice back drop. Polished tannins with a toasty vanillin oak laden finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 14.5% -
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2025 Pierro L.T.C.Margaret River, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2026-2029)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinConcentrated, textural and mouth wateringly fresh with a long scrumptious finish.
In 1979 Mike Peterkin produced Australia’s first Semillon Sauvignon Blanc. Working at Cullen’s at the time, the wine went on to win a trophy at the Perth Royal Show. He never claimed any originality for the idea, he simply borrowed it from the French. In 1980 he was so convinced of the blend’s potential in Margaret River he devoted a third of the Pierro plantings to the varieties.
The 2025 L.T.C. is made up of 45% Semillon, 32% Sauvignon Blanc and 23% Chardonnay. A portion of the blend was fermented and matured in new and one & two year-old French oak barrels for a period of 2-3 months with the balance fermented and matured in stainless steel.
Brilliant water like core with green highlighted edges. Passionfruit, lime and green apple scents jump out of the glass trailed by some subtle herbaceous grassy notes, guava and mineral flint. Mouth watering passionfruit, guava, lime and green apple flavours are delivered with fantastic concentration and show impressive textural volume. Subtle herbaceous grassy elements and zingy minerals line the back half. Displaying outstanding drive, it has crisp acidity and a long scrumptious finish.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
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Ardnamurchan AD/ Sauternes Cask Release Peated Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$149. 99Bottle$1799.88 DozenABV: 50%We know that peat and sweet sherry are a fabulous mix, so why not try peated spirit with a sweet wine like Sauternes? This small-batch release of 8460 bottles was matured in 29 ex-Bourbon casks for three years before being carefully re-racked into sweet white wine barriques for a further 3.5 years. The richness of the wine hasn't overwhelmed the vitality of the spirit here, leaving plenty of tangy citrus zest and maritime peat to shine through. It was summed up by one taster as "decadent, coastal smokey." 50% Alc./Vol. Non-chill filtered.
Other reviews... Nose: A hint of petrichor alongside gentle farm-y notes. There’s some straw with slivers of silage too. The whiffs of pineapple, melon and chamomile are very pleasing, but there’s also an earthiness. We’re ending things of yellow plums and heathery smoke. Taste: Slightly dry. Not as full-bodied as you’d expect. Also a tad more ashy than I’d like. But then hints of sultanas, dunnage notes and smoked paprika powder. There are tangerines too, smoke-infused vanilla custard and gentle honey notes. Eminently drinkable. Finish: Medium to long. Hints of beachy bonfires, sea shells and soft floral notes. While I expected a slightly richer experience, there’s an elegance and balance here that’s really appealing. - wordsofwhisky.com
Notes from the producers... Nose: Lime leaf, lemon balm, shortbread, hay bales. Pineapple upside-down-cake, desiccated coconut, crème de pêche. Stem ginger syrup, pencil shavings,tobacco. Palate: Nutmeg, dried ginger, orange blossom water. Smoked manuka honey, lemon meringue pie, salted cashew nuts. Tajin seasoning, Creamola foam, Tizer. Hickory wood, farmy smoke, earthy depth. Finish: Spicy, punchy, bright. A luscious, decadent dram.
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Ardnamurchan AD/ Madeira Cask Release Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$149. 99Bottle$1799.88 DozenABV: 52%For this release, Bourbon casks from early 2018 were filled with a roughly 60/40 ratio of unpeated to peated spirit, then re-racked into Madeira casks for two years. These casks were vatted just prior to reaching seven years old. The wine has sweetened and softened the maritime character on the nose, also evident on entry, punctuated by a bit of nip and prickle with a bittersweet edge. The Madeira richness picks up again, leaving nutty malt, honey and a trail of ashy, sooty peat. The yield was just under 19,000 units at 52% Alc./Vol. Non-chill filtered.
Other reviews... "This whisky is simply delicious. You can taste the quality casks... their spirit is flawless too... very wine influenced for those who like it, very sweet, but in the best way possible and very balanced with the meaty, smoky elements." - whiskybase.com
"With the Madeira Cask 2025 release, Ardnamurchan has crafted a whisky with superb balance. It plays your taste buds like a pinball machine, bouncing from sweet to spicy and back again. That interplay keeps every sip engaging, whether you’re a seasoned whisky drinker or just getting started." - Whisky Monkeys
Notes from the producers... Nose: Cocoa powder, stewed plums, sugared almonds, bread and butter pudding, nutmeg, sandalwood, bracken, fruit scone, red currants. Palate: Cinnamon sweets, cedar bark, salted trail mix with chocolate chips, rosemary stalks, toffee apple, pine needles, strawberries with black pepper. Finish: Medium weight, dusty, long and slightly drying finish.
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2022 Domaine des Escaravailles La Ponce RasteauRasteau, Southern Rhone, FRANCE$36. 99Bottle$443.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 15%Closure: CorkA rich, blockbuster Rasteau that marries opulence with a robust structure.
Rasteau's 880 hectares of vines are planted on marl and red and yellow clay soils over sandstone with rounded stones covering some sectors, which in heatwave vintages act like health insurance against hydric stress. By law, the Grenache component in the dry red blends must be 50% minimum, with Syrah and/or Mourvedre 20% minimum and other grape varieties of the appellation tolerated up to 20%. In 2010 the Rasteau AOC was created allowing the wines to be named after the village, dropping the Cotes-du-Rhone tag and joining the likes of Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas at the pinnacle of the wine hierarchy in the Southern Rhone.
A blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah sourced from vines over 60 years old and 40 years old respectively. The Syrah component is aged in old 225 litre barrels whilst the Grenache is aged in concrete vats for a period of 15 months. Very deep dark red black colour with a dark red hue. Wafting through the nostrils are potent aromatics of black raspberry, liquorice and ripe black cherry which interact with some herb du Provence, scorched earth and pepper notes. The rich, blockbuster palate delivers a concentrate of black raspberry, black cherry and liquorice fruit that’s super succulent. Ripe chewy tannins firm up the back half with infusions of provincial herbs, scorched earth and pepper lying underneath. Superb power with a long pepper laced finish that ties opulence with a robust feel.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 15%Other Reviews….
The 2022 La Ponce offers more concentration, showcasing red, blue, and black fruits, pepper, sweet garrigue, and cherry jam. Medium to full-bodied, with a great mid-palate, ripe, velvety tannins, and impeccable balance, it's outstanding and will drink nicely for 10-12 years. Drink 2024-2036.
93 Points
JebDunnuck.comA blend of Grenache and Syrah, this wine opens with a fresh bouquet of ripe fig and blackberry, complemented by a hint of salt and stony minerality. The fresh acidity lifts the black fruit, creating a focused, straightforward profile that's wonderfully easy to drink. Approachable and refreshing, this wine is perfect for immediate enjoyment.
93 Points
Wine Enthusiast - Ardnamurchan AD/ 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$134. 99Bottle$1619.88 DozenABV: 46.8%
The inaugural batch of what's set to become a distillery staple.
Last year saw an AD/10 which was a once-off 'anniversary' release of 100% unpeated spirit from Ardnamurchan's first year of distilling. New as of 2025 is this 10 year old representing the first batch of what will become a regular line, increasing in volume as stock becomes available over time. Composed primarily of Bourbon barrel matured spirit (98%), complemented by a small portion of Sherry casks (2%) to add depth and richness, casks were filled with a well-balanced mix of unpeated (52%) and peated (48%) whisky, combining the clean sweetness and vanilla tones from Bourbon maturation with subtle sherry influence and a measured touch of smoke for complexity and harmony. Bottled at 46.8% Alc./Vol. without chill filtration.
Notes from the producers... The nose opens with coconut, oat biscuits, and zesty orange peel, layered with salty sea air, bonfire leaves, and a hint of strawberry laces and mint. The palate is rich and creamy, with custard creams, vanilla wafer, brine, and earthy smoke. A lingering, smoky, maritime warmth defines the finish.
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2025 Rob Hall Pinot NoirYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$26. 99Bottle$323.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2026-2032)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinGrowing up in Healesville, a young Rob Hall did some summer work in the vineyards during the early to mid nineties before taking up full time work at Yarra Ridge then Punt Road. From 2002 to 2011 he was the winemaker at Mount Mary, it wasn’t until 2014 that he took the leap and began his own operation.
2025 was another excellent year in the Yarra Valley, the weather was close to perfect right through the season, resulting in a fairly early harvest, producing wines with lovely aromatics and wonderful intensity. This Pinot Noir was sourced from five vineyards – Harriet’s, Full Moon, Boat O’Craigo, Nenagh Park and Yarrawalla with only 10% of the Harriet’s component being whole bunch. Maturation was predominantly in seasoned hogheads and puncheons (300 & 500L).Richly fruited, supple and expansive, this is yet another great value Pinot from the ever reliable Rob Hall.
Red to dark red colour with black toned edges and a light red hue. Perfumed wafts of violet, red to dark cherry, strawberry and subtle anise greet the nostrils. Some subtle rhubarb, bramble, fresh herb and vanillin spice notes are also evident. Richly fruited, supple and polished, the moreish palate is flooded with a wave of red to dark cherry, strawberry, anise and delicate rhubarb flavours. Lending further interest are some dried herb, bramble, forest floor and spice elements. Both powerful and expansive, it has velvety tannins and a long, seductive finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.5%
Other Reviews.....
Mainly destemmed with a small number of whole bunches. Light bright crimson. Delicate and perfumed with strawberry, rose and lavender. The palate is equally delicate, with lovely persistence and balanced, svelte tannins. Finishes silky and long. A lovely and well-priced wine to drink now and over the next two to three years. Drink by 2030.
95 points
Philip Rich - James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
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Ardnamurchan AD/ The Midgie Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$124. 99Bottle$1499.88 DozenABV: 48%Crafted to honour Scotland’s most infamous creature, the Highland Midge, this release brings together 50% ex-American bourbon barrels, 48% Port Barriques and 2% Sherry casks. It's a split of 75% unpeated spirit and 25% peated bottled at 48% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... [2024 bottling tasted] A rather charming tribute, it seems, to those pesky little midges that can be a bit of a nuisance when one visits Scotland at certain times. It’s a blend of casks, including sherry, bourbon, Sauternes, and Madeira. No wonder it might attract the midges, ha! Colour: pale gold. Nose: you don’t really get the Madeira, nor the Sauternes, or even the sherry for that matter, so I’d imagine these were second or even third-fill casks, no? The result, however, is impeccable. There’s a lovely smoky focaccia vibe, buttery croissants, and delightful notes of smoked paprika (how good is that!), alongside hints of new tyres, spent oil, and fresh concrete… and perhaps just a whisper of Madeira after all. Really, it’s spot on. Mouth: the peat comes through more on the palate than on the nose, with green pepper, creosote, tar, smoked kippers, lemon, and apple, plus oysters and a few drops of Tabasco. Finish: long and beautiful, with a slightly herbal touch. Think samphire, lemon, and a drop of seawater. Comments: utterly delightful and very peaty. The good side of midges, as it were. 88 points - whiskyfun.com
Notes from the producers... Gammon ham with torched pineapple, prunes dipped in salt. Strawberry jam on a salty cracker, almond oil, coconut macaroon, spearmint. Palate: Salt-baked pear, meadowsweet, wildflowers, lemon thyme. Sultanas, cherrywood embers, cocoa powder, pink peppercorns. Finish: A gentle puff of enticing, buoyant smoke. Himalayan pink salt, red currant cordial. A constant mingling of sweet and salty. Dry, lengthy finish.
- 78 Degrees Rosso Vermouth (750ml)Adelaide Hills, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$36. 99Bottle$443.88 DozenABV: 18%
The basis of a good Vermouth is a quality wine, and South Australia is known for its rich reds. At 78 Degrees, one of their preferences is old vine Grenache, which brings notes of raspberry, blueberry, chocolate and tobacco to their contemporary Rosso Vermouth. A generous handful of traditional Torino roots, herbs and spices, stored since the 1960s, add vanilla, spice and a rounded herbal tone. The late addition of anise myrtle and quandong adds a signature Australian flourish with sunrise lime and finger lime included to cut through the unctuous nature of the Grenache. 18% Alc./Vol.
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Waubs Harbour Maritime Sherry Limited Edition Single Malt Australian Whisky (500ml)Tasmania, AUSTRALIA$250. 00Bottle$3000.00 DozenABV: 52%Waubs' latest release sees French oak ex-Apera sherry casks balanced by x-Bourbon matured stocks. Drawing on some of the first casks the distillery filled, and landing in at just over six years old, the distiller's say it's no sherry bomb, nor is it intended as a whisky of extremes, being slightly lighter, though better integrated and more easily approached than many previous releases. Upfront sherry and spicy fruit cake flavours develop into poached orchard fruits, ending with a tangy, coastal vibe that leaves the impression of distant peat. Waubs' salted caramel keynote is also evident, particularly through the long finish. In terms of maritime style, we're heading towards the coastal Highlands - Pulteney and Orkney come to mind, but even Campbeltown would be a reference point. Indeed, no other distillery in the Southern hemisphere succeeds in capturing a Scottish coastal character as convincingly as this. Already sold out at the distillery, 618 bottles at 52% Alc./Vol. make up the limited edition. Non chill filtered. Tasted from a 25ml sample.
Notes from the producers... Nose: Red apple, apricot, almond husk, pear with a slight sea spray and woody character. Palate: Apricot, apple and pear in syrup, buttery and biscuit notes, salted caramel with an undertone of golden syrup, balanced by citrus and a lovely oak spice. Finish: A bitter sweet balance between fruited syrup and kitchen spices.
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- Australian Exclusive
2017 Amrut Single Cask #8835 Australian Exclusive Ex-Madeira Cask 5 Year Old Single Malt Indian Whisky (700ml)Bangalore, INDIA$199. 99Bottle$2399.88 DozenABV: 60%Single Cask No. 8835 is an Australian exclusive, hand picked by the importers. What intrigued them was not only the fantastic flavour profile, but the technique used to produce this totally unfiltered whisky. It involved decanting and allowing the liquid to settle for three days before calculating exactly how much water was required to cut the alcohol down to 60% ABV. Drip-fed over 36 hours into the whisky vat, not disturbing any sediment or oils, when complete, a slow syphon was used to fill the bottles. The resulting dram has all of its natural oils and lipids retained. At first taste, you'd be forgiven for thinking this was sherry-casked. The nose is weighty and dense with sponge cake and vanilla merging into ripe rum-like tropical fruits. On the palate, a quick nip and prickle gives way to a burst of sweet malt - the Jamaican rum feel repeating as papaya and semi-ripe banana, then cocoa, warming spices and drying oak. Not much left of the Madeira influence, besides perhaps a faint residual sweetness. Instead, this plump, sumptuous cask selection reflects the climate it was matured in. 60% Alc./Vol. Tasted from a 30ml sample.
- 78 Degrees Rose Vermouth (750ml)Adelaide Hills, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$36. 99Bottle$443.88 DozenABV: 18%
Crafted from a proprietary 40/60 Torino blend as well as Australian native botanicals, including Karkalla, Wattleseed, Native Thyme, Sunrise Lime, Lemon Myrtle, Anise Myrtle & Finger Lime, this Rosé Vermouth employs McLaren Vale Chenin Blanc as its foundation, complemented by the deep red fruit and spicy pepper characteristics of McLaren Vale Grenache and Shiraz. The botanicals and the wine combine with ageing in a mixture of old oak and stainless steel resulting in a vermouth featuring notes of red fruits, citrus and spice. 18% Alc./Vol.
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Hampden Estate 1753 Pure Single Jamaica Rum (700ml)JAMAICA$129. 99Bottle$1559.88 DozenABV: 46%"...flawless and outstanding value." - whiskyfun.com
What appears at first glance to be another limited release, is in fact, now part of the core range from Hampden Estate. The numbers in the name commemorate the year the distillery was founded. Extended fermentation initiated by native yeasts, distillation in copper pot stills with double retorts and a three-year full-term on-site ageing have resulted in a showcase of Jamaican flair. The aromas capture the tropical side of Hampden with papaya, dried banana, semi ripe cantaloupe, hints of liquorice and nice bit of 'funk'; Only slightly more restrained, the palate ranges a succulent assortment of candied pineapple, orange filled chocolates, vanilla and a gentle bittersweetness relieved by a surge of over-ripe tropical fruits; the finish is dappled with sprinklings of pepper, suggestions of lemon chutney, green banana and fine oak tannins. Throughout, the natural sugars are tempered. Beautifully balanced uncut and engaging as a standalone sipper, 1753's extroverted personality will also shine in Daiquiris or Mai Tais. Praised elsewhere as a first-rate and very welcome addition to the distillery's portfolio, it will be a revelation for mainstream rum drinkers. Nothing has been added besides local spring water. 46% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... This one’s an HLCF. While I’m not a huge advocate for prominently displayed ‘vintage’ years that stretch the imagination (though it’s common practice among the Scots and the Japanese too), Hampden can do what it pleases and rightly so. Naturally, the rational mind knows 1753 isn’t the vintage here, but marketing has never been aimed at the rational mind, has it? Enough musings—on we go… Colour: light gold. Nose: oh yes, undoubtedly, unmistakably, indisputably Hampden at its finest. Mouth: tar, ashes, liquorice, rotting bananas, olives, with a cheeky sip of riesling to tie it together. But of course. Finish: long, saline, maritime, tar-laden. Those olives linger beautifully in the aftertaste. Comments: remarkably fresh for a 1753 (oh, how droll!). In all seriousness, it’s flawless and outstanding value... Thank goodness for the generous 12,000 bottles. Think Ardbeg 10, Springbank 10—cut from the same cloth. 89 points - whisyfun.com
...The further I get down my glass (50ml only for this tasting today) I am noticing a real mellowing of the rum with each sip. It is funky and full on but once your palate has adjusted it really starts to drink at a much older age than its 3 years. It has a “lightness” and a refined element which means it is a really nice little sipper. Now whilst this is without doubt an excellent “mixer” (it is fantastic with cola), it really does work as a fully fledged sipping rum. The finish is perhaps where its age does show the most. Even still its a good length and has a lovely fade. The wood influence shows the most here but the sour funkiness of this rum remains alongside it. The rum faces stiff competition. Just about all Jamaican rum, as long as it isn’t being messed around with by foreigners is in the good to excellent bracket. This more than holds it own and gets a very good 4 (almost 4/5 from me). A great addition to the Hampden Estate portfolio. 4/5 stars - thefatrumpirate.com
Gold Medal - 2025 New Orleans Spirits Competition.
Spirit of the Year- 2026 The Whisky Exchange. -
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2021 Casa Castillo Pie Franco MonastrellJumilla, SPAIN$350. 00Bottle$4200.00 DozenABV: 15%Closure: CorkLed by José María Vicente, Casa Castillo are at the forefront of new wave Spanish producers unleashing the potential of their sites, and raising the bar for what's possible with the local specialty Monastrell (Mourvèdre). Jumilla is a brutal landscape, with baking hot days and cold nights, leading to many wines that are rich, jammy, and often overdone. Casa Castillo is the antithesis of this approach, their wines are refined and detailed, elegant even, and clearly leagues ahead of anything else produced in the region. José María is constantly aiming to do things the best way rather than the easiest, which is rewarding handsomely for the team with Casa Castillo now considered among the top handful of Spanish producers.
Pie Franco is a bottling from an old ungrafted Monastrell vineyard planted in 1942 by Jose's grandfather a year after he bought the property, and is now considered the benchmark for Monastrell in Spain.
Other Reviews....
The 2021 Pie Franco is from ungrafted old-vine Monastrell planted on sandy soils. It feels incredibly balanced, elegant and harmonious, a little closed, subtle rather than showy. It's slightly riper, like most of the 2021s, reaching 15% alcohol, very Mediterranean, classical with fruit a tad darker than the one in Las Gravas and with a rounder palate but keeping the poise and balance. It matured in oak foudre for a longer time, as they found this to be a more powerful wine that required a longer élevage in oak. Another stunning Pie Franco. 8,297 numbered bottles. It was bottled in June 2023. Drink 2024-2036.
99 points
Luis Gutiérrez - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate -
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2024 Home Hill Kelly's Reserve Pinot NoirTasmania, AUSTRALIA$110. 00Bottle$1320.00 DozenCellar: Drink now - 10 Years (2026-2036)ABV: 14.2%Closure: StelvinRich, expansive and powerful yet light on it’s feet with an exquisitely silky flow.
This Pinot has quickly become one of Tasmania’s most sought after wines with a string of accolades being awarded to past vintages including the Jimmy Watson Trophy for the 2014. The fruit for Kelly’s Reserve is sourced from the middle 12 rows of the vineyard which have had their trellising system modified. The aim is to reduce the yields as much as possible and in turn produce fruit with greater concentration. Each year the Kelly’s Reserve is made from a blend of only the top barrels from the vintage.
Matured for 10 months in French oak (38% new). Red to dark red in colour with black shaded edges and a vibrant red hue. Showing a perfumed like intensity, the nose is engulfed with violet, red to dark cherry, wild strawberry and anise aromas. Spicy cedar, forest floor and fresh herb notes lend further sophistication. Rich, expansive and powerful yet light on it’s feet, the palate is graced with moreish ripe red to dark cherry, strawberry and red plum fruits. Exquisitely silky flow with notions of anise, spicy cedar, and infusions of forest floor layered across the back half. Beautifully balanced with ample freshness and a seamlessly integrated, refined tannin structure. Supple and generous it finishes supremely long and wonderfully finessed.
Drink over the next 8-10 years.
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Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve 23 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)Kentucky, UNITED STATES$5499. 00Bottle$65988.00 DozenABV: 47.8%Home to one of the highest rated whiskeys in the world, and now released bi-annually, the 23 year old began as a semi-annual bottling in 2005 that would quickly sell out upon release. That changed in 2010 when it was made a permanent member on the portfolio. Distilled and bottled by the Sazerac Company at its Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, the various age statements on offer are regarded by many as some of the finest bourbons in the world. As the oldest of the Pappy Van Winkle line up, the 23 year old is also the woodiest of the range with a slightly diminished sweetness. However bourbons of this ilk always need ample air contact to show their finer points, which was precisely Jim Murray's experience upon re-tasting it for his 2020 Whisky Bible (95 points review below). Almost unobtainable, it routinely commands big dollars.
Other reviews... The corn oils kiss and caress, the tannins barge and batter in a good cop / bad cop delivery... one of the holy grails of bourbon is to produce a consistently a 23-25 year old bourbon which is still sweet and not tannin dominated: no easy task. [this is] unquestionably drier... there are still sugars enough to give some fabulous moments on the palate. The tannins do though, still have the biggest say. But remember, this whiskey has matured for a very long time. 47.8% Alc./Vol. 95 points - Jim Murrays Whisky Bible 2020
...Nose: Deep, powerful and concentrated. This has moved into almost rancio territory: eucalypt/laurel, spice, burnt orange peel, apple, pear, biscuity wood. Palate: Soft and surprisingly delicate given the age. A charred note adds to the complexity. Gentle and elegant: cigar box, prune, molasses, soot. Finish: Long. In fact it’s very, very long and complex. Comment: A subtle sipper to be taken neat and definitely without ice! 90 points - David Broom, www.whiskymag.com
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Van Winkle Family Reserve 13 Year Old Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml)Kentucky, UNITED STATES$2499. 00Bottle$29988.00 DozenABV: 47.8%"...Top notch rye that deserves the praise it gets." - breakingbourbon.com
An increasingly rare release. According to Chuck Cowdery via Whiskey Advocate, the Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye has been a 50/50 combination of Medley and Cream of Kentucky rye whiskeys. It was put into steel tanks years ago and is being drawn down for each fall release. The mash bill is not stated. 47.8% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... A great improvement on the Winkle Rye of old. 94 points- Jim Murrays Whisky Bible 2017
[Oct 2013 release]...If you see it buy it. This may be the hardest of the Van Winkle lineup to locate and sees lowest production of the bunch. ... It is great stuff. It’s really hard to find, and it’s something you won’t regret purchasing. If you’re lucky enough to find a bottle open and share it, don’t horde this one... Delicious and memorable. A perfect balance of spicy and sweet, youth and age. There’s something amazing happening here. It’s as if the master distiller knew exactly when to pull the barrel… which of course he did. You can taste the age, but it’s not overdone. You can taste the youthful elements, but they don’t overpower the age. It balances rye spice with bourbon-like sweetness to give us something that’s delicious and memorable. This is a top notch rye that deserves the praise it gets. - breakingbourbon.com
Notes from the producer... Nose: Good mint-toffee, rye aroma. Palate: Good viscosity. Sweetish. Spicy. Cinnamon. Nutmeg. Rich fruitcake. Finish: Cigar smoke. Very late soothing warmth. Comment: Certainly showing its age, but full of character. 47.8% Alc./Vol.
85 points. - Michael Jackson, whiskymag.com
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Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve 20 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)Kentucky, UNITED STATES$4999. 00Bottle$59988.00 DozenABV: 45.2%"...beautifully constructed and remains one of my favorite bourbons ever." - breakingbourbon.com
In a blind taste test of whiskey labels from around the world, the Beverage Tasting Institute in Chicago gave the 20-year old Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve a 99 out of 100 rating... the highest mark ever awarded. It began as a rye-heavy style but it's now a wheated bourbon, making the whiskey softer, sweeter, mellower and more rounded. It remains the most-awarded of the Pappys, and is sometimes compared with top shelf cognac, helped by its slightly younger age and slightly lower proof.
Other reviews....
An ancient Bourbon, so should be a flavour powerhouse. But this is all about understatement and complexity. 95 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2020...Amber mahogany. Rich, mature aromas of vanilla, cinnamon, leather, tea berry, coconut, and dark fruit-very complex indeed. Big, coating, soothing texture. Flavors are very mature, rounded and nicely balanced, with notes of molasses, dried fruit, cinnamon, and teaberry. It finishes long, with a very soothing demeanor.... An exemplary example of the style. 92 points - whiskyadvocate, 3rd Quarter 2001 Issue-Vol. 10#3
...This has always been my favorite Van Winkle bourbon and after this recent tasting, it remains that way. It has aspects of all of the other Van Winkle bourbons in a single package. It’s nose is by far the best out of the bunch. It proves how important a bourbon’s nose really is to the entire tasting experience. The palate features the rich fruit flavors of the 12 Year, the cinnamon of the 15 Year, and a touch less oak than the 23 Year. It’s beautifully constructed and remains one of my favorite bourbons ever. - breakingbourbon.com
...Nose: Deep, powerful and concentrated. This has moved into almost rancio territory: eucalypt/laurel, spice, burnt orange peel, apple, pear, biscuity wood. Palate: Soft and surprisingly delicate given the age. A charred note adds to the complexity. Gentle and elegant: cigar box, prune, molasses, soot. Finish: Long. In fact it’s very, very long and complex. Comment: A subtle sipper to be taken neat and definitely without ice! 90 points David Broom - whiskymag.com
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Van Winkle Special Reserve Lot "B" 12 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)Kentucky, UNITED STATES$1999. 00Bottle$23988.00 DozenABV: 45.2%Lot 'B' 12 year old comes with a swag of rave reviews from blind tasters, including 90-95 points - Wine Enthusiast Magazine (winemag.com), 98 points - Beverage Tasting Institute (tastings.com), Best in Class Gold Medallion - 2008 IWSC (iwsc.net) and a Trophy for Worldwide Whiskey - 2008 IWSC (iwsc.net).
Some have asked, "Why is this whiskey drawn from 'Lot B' every year and not some other?" Apparently, the designation derived from an original 'Lot A' released only in 1991. For every subsequent release, it's been called 'Lot B'. More on this subject from straightbourbon.com: "I’ve always assumed that Julian III went through his stock of barrels that were older than the 10 year range and took the barrels that he did not think were worthy of continued aging for inclusion in future PVW releases and bottled those as Lot B. With Lot B indicating that they weren’t his best juice. At the time of the 1991 release of course there was no such thing as PVW as it hadn’t been released yet. I believe the first ever PVW release was in 1994. So maybe in 1992 he had decided that he would start setting aside his best barrels for future super premium older releases, and decided to start bottling those that didn’t make that cut as B then?"
One responder who actually emailed Julian Van Winkle for an explanation confirms: "It's pretty much to that affect, Lot A was small and ran out quickly. Lot B was much larger and by time those barrels ran out, everyone got so used to his 12 year old release being called Lot B that the name stuck so as to not confuse anyone." Hence, the designation is pretty much meaningless, except from an historical perspective.
Other reviews... For those who like their Bourbon hairy, bristling with spice, honey and big oak interaction.
94.5 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2021Please note: We are not able to ship spirits to the United States or Canada.
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2023 Domaine Lamy-Pillot Chassagne-Montrachet Pot BoisBurgundy, FRANCE$240. 00Bottle$2880.00 DozenABV: 13.4%Closure: CorkOther Reviews....
A wine to seek out. Racy and very fine, the grapes come from the very top of the slope, and offer forward aromas of lime peel and gooseberry with a flinty, mineral edge. Marvellous acidity and great depth of flavour on the palate, along with a pleasantly silky texture. Although this will be attractive when bottled, it can also be aged. Drink 2025-2035.
94 points
Charles Curtis MW - DecanterGrapes from less vigorous plants, situated on the limestone upper hillside. Very pale, stones in whitewash on the nose. Classy and classical, with an extra kick of fresh white fruit and lemon acidity at the finish. Persistent, more my style of wine. More nuanced at the finish. Drink from 2027-2031.
91 points
Jasper Morris MW - Inside Burgundy -
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2023 Oakridge 864 Funder and Diamond Drive Block ChardonnayYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIAReduced from $120.00$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenABV: 13.4%Closure: StelvinThe 2023 864 Chardonnay is a masterclass in site-specific viticulture and minimalist intervention, sourced from the close-planted P58 clone vines of the Drive Block, a red volcanic soil vineyard in Wandin East planted in 1990. Winemaker David Bicknell utilizes whole-bunch pressing and wild fermentation in French oak puncheons to produce a profound wine that cements Oakridge's status as a global benchmark for cool-climate Chardonnay.
Other Reviews....
The Funder & Diamond Block is at Wandin East, and was (close) planted in 1990. The name Oakridge 864 Chardonnay speaks for itself. This 2023 edition is the 12th release of a single-block Chardonnay from the Funder & Diamond Vineyard, Drive Block (first produced in 2011).
Chardonnay for the win. This is just sensationally good. It’s powerfully fruited, powerfully complex and powerfully refreshing. That’s a combination for you. Peach, flint, chalk, green pineapple, crisp apple and mealy, cedar-y, smoky notes. It’s shows velocity, tension and calm in equal measure. On the finish it slings through to tomorrow. Nothing here is overdone and yet everything feels profound. Drink 2027-2035+.
97 points
Campbell Mattinson - The Wine FrontFrom the Funder & Diamond vineyard, planted in Wandin East in '90. The '22 is the reigning Halliday Wine of the Year and this is, as you'd suspect, a worthy successor. With its bouquet of white nectarine, pink grapefruit and traces of sea spray and piercing, perfectly structured palate, this is more tightly coiled, at this stage, than the 864 Henk Chardonnay. It may prove to be more long lived, too. Those who have both will have a ton of fun comparing them over the next decade or more. Drink 2025-2035.
98 points
Philip Rich - James Halliday's Wine CompanionThe 2023 864 Single Block Release Funder & Diamond Drive Block Chardonnay is awesome. It's nutty and gently reductive, saline and focused, with piercing intensity on the palate. It's salty, it's complex, it's sleek, the flavor is palate-staining, excellent. This superb wine is really impressive. The fruit was sourced from the Funder and Diamond vineyard (Drive Block), from vines closely planted in the red volcanic soils of Wandin East to the P58 clone in 1990. It was handpicked, then whole-bunch pressed direct to French puncheons (20% new) for wild fermentation and 10 months of élevage, followed by another six months (blended) on the fine lees in tank. I love this wine, and it looks utterly magnificent here today. Yes! 13.3% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Drink 2025-2038.
97 points
Erin Larkin - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate -
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2014 Disznoko Aszu 5 Puttonyos Tokaji (500ml)Tokaji, HUNGARY$130. 00Bottle$1560.00 DozenABV: 12%Closure: CorkDisznókő’s Tokaji Aszú wines are not only prime examples of one of the world’s great sweet wine styles, but they are also some of the most individual and profound wines of the genre. Now under the ownership of French insurance giant AXA Millesime, the wines are produced in a state-of-the-art cellar which is perfectly situated on the edge of the vineyard, and unusually for the region, all grapes come from 100% estate-grown fruit across the 105 hectares of vines. While dry wines are produced here, the focus has always been on the sweet 5 and 6 Puttonyos Aszú wines.
Tokaji Aszú is a noble sweet wine made by blending dried and noble rotten berries to a dry base wine. Taste and quality of the Aszú mainly depend on the number of hods (puttonyos) filled with dry berries (25 kilograms each), which are added to a cask (Gönc type, 136 liters) of dry base wine. Consequently, the proportion between aszú berries and dry base wine is about 1:1 for a 6 puttonyos Aszú. Aszú Eszencia is made with the same process, and is a classification above 6 puttonyos where the ratio of noble dry berries to wine is more akin to 7-10 puttonyos. This is not to be confused with Tokaji Essencia which is a fermentation of just the free run juice of the dried noble berries as they rest in the vat.
Other Reviews....
The 2014 Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos undergoes 75% maceration with Aszú berries for half a day and is aged for 18 months in oak barrels. This has a very focused and more complex bouquet than the 2015. It's pure and conveys a greater sense of energy. The palate is medium-bodied with an engaging entry, sensual and vibrant. It displays an orange rind, mango and honey mixture, and the acidity effortlessly cuts through on the finish. It is one of the best vintages for the 5 Puttonyos, and comes highly recommended. Drink 2024-2038.
94 points
Neal Martin - VinousAttractive aromas of dried apricots and dried mangoes with hints of caramel, fresh honey, exotic spice and dried orange. It’s dense and creamy with vivid acidity coming through. Rich but not overly sweet, with hints of oolong tea and orange blossom at the end. Delicious. Drink or hold.
94 points
JamesSuckling.comGolden in colour, with pronounced tropical fruits, mango, pineapple, pollen and acacia honey on the nose. Great depth and concentration on a classy palate of apricot, marmalade, pineapple and orange zest, spiced up by white pepper on the tip of the tongue. The passionate, tropical flavours are backed by great acidity (8.77 g/l), with dried fruit notes lingering on forever. Aged for 18 months in old oak barrels. An exceptional Aszú born in a difficult year. Drink 2021-2044.
94 points
Sylvia Wu - Decanter -
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2022 Biondi-Santi Rosso di MontalcinoTuscany, ITALY$240. 00Bottle$2880.00 DozenABV: 14%Closure: CorkWhen it comes to Brunello, there is Biondi-Santi, and then there is everyone else. While most legendary wine regions evolved over centuries of collective effort, Brunello di Montalcino was essentially the "invention" of this single estate. In the late 1800s, while the rest of Tuscany was focused on high-volume blends meant for immediate drinking, Ferruccio Biondi-Santi made the radical choice to bottle 100% Sangiovese and age it for years in large Slavonian oak. This wasn't just a stylistic preference; it was the birth of the appellation itself. Under the current direction of Federico Radi, the winemaking has seen a subtle refinement, focusing on vineyard precision and slightly more supple textures, without abandoning the structural tension that makes these wines some of the longest-lived reds in Italy. For the collector, these releases represent the traditional benchmark: they are lean, savory, and aromatically complex wines that prioritize elegance and transparency over power.
Harvested during the estate's earliest-ever picking window (commencing August 31st), the 2022 Rosso is the result of a hot, dry vintage mitigated by well-timed late-August rainfall. The fruit was sourced from proprietary vineyards and aged for 12 months in Slavonian oak, resulting in a wine that balances the warmth of the year with the estate's hallmark tension and refined tannins.
Other Reviews....
A super-restrained wine showing complex aromas of rhubarb, strawberries, violets, raspberries and blood oranges. The attack is quite ripe, with dense, velvety tannins soaked in fruit, a medium body and refreshing lifted acidity. The finish is long and savory. Drink or hold.
94 points
Aldo Fiordelli - JamesSuckling.comThe earliest harvest ever at Biondi-Santi (starting 31 August) followed a warm spring and hot summer with some rain, giving optimal growing conditions. Viticulture and winemaking director Federico Radi describes the estate's Rosso as 'our running back wine', for its big-boned yet agile structure. Approachable yet still serious, it's dominated by succulent strawberry, red cherry and blood orange, aromatic star anise and vibrant acidity. Grapes are sourced from the youngest vineyards across the property and the wine is aged for 12 months in Slavonian oak barrels. Drink 2025-2030.
93 points
Tina Gellie - Decanter -
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2019 Biondi-Santi Brunello di MontalcinoTuscany, ITALY$550. 00Bottle$6600.00 DozenABV: 13.5%Closure: CorkWhen it comes to Brunello, there is Biondi-Santi, and then there is everyone else. While most legendary wine regions evolved over centuries of collective effort, Brunello di Montalcino was essentially the "invention" of this single estate. In the late 1800s, while the rest of Tuscany was focused on high-volume blends meant for immediate drinking, Ferruccio Biondi-Santi made the radical choice to bottle 100% Sangiovese and age it for years in large Slavonian oak. This wasn't just a stylistic preference; it was the birth of the appellation itself. Under the current direction of Federico Radi, the winemaking has seen a subtle refinement, focusing on vineyard precision and slightly more supple textures, without abandoning the structural tension that makes these wines some of the longest-lived reds in Italy. For the collector, these releases represent the traditional benchmark: they are lean, savory, and aromatically complex wines that prioritize elegance and transparency over power.
The 2019 release originates from a widely acclaimed "5-star" vintage, characterized by a cool, rainy spring followed by a steady summer without extreme heat spikes. Fermented with indigenous yeasts in a mix of oak, concrete, and steel, and subsequently aged for 30 months in Slavonian casks, this vintage exemplifies the structural precision and high-altitude freshness typical of Tenuta Greppo.
Other Reviews....
This wine will be released in March 2025. The Biondi-Santi 2019 Brunello di Montalcino was born in a generous vintage that provided abundant high-quality fruit. The growing season became progressively warmer throughout summer, without heat spikes, and it ended with well-timed rains and a warm autumn. Harvest started in mid-September, and the grapes ripened according to the right parameters without over-ripeness. The wine shows a natural textural richness that is supported by dark fruit, navel orange, tobacco, laurel leaf and Mediterranean herb. There are flinty mineral notes that add to the complexity. This beautiful wine hits a special mark: it offers the ethereal qualities you expect of this celebrated estate, with a good level of austerity to match. Drink 2028-2055.
97 points
Monica Larner - Robert Parker's Wine AdvocateThe 2019 Brunello di Montalcino pulls the taster close to the glass, darkly floral and balsamic at the first tilt. This blossoms with a textbook profile of worn leather, dried rose, dusty earth, spice and dried black cherry. It sweeps across the palate, silky-smooth with hints of ripe red and black fruit underscored by saline mineral tones that add a crunchy yet salty sensation toward the close. It finishes with tremendous length and concentration, lifted by a tinge of sour citrus. Fine-grained tannins resonate under an air of sweet lavender. The 2019 is classic to the core. With this level of depth coming from the anatta, one can only imagine what the riserva will reveal. Drink 2028-2040.
97 points
Eric Guido - VinousVery perfumed and fragrant with sweet berries and fresh roses that follow through to a medium body with pretty depth of fruit and balance. Racy and driven, there’s a lot going on in the center-palate. The legend lives. Give this a few years to open, but already impressive. Best after 2027.
97 points
James SucklingA bright red color, the 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino was bottled in March of 2024 and will be released in March of 2025. The aromas are layered and complex with notes of red berries, cranberries, rosemary, orange peel, and black licorice that are constantly evolving in the glass as it opens. Medium-bodied and structured, but also elegant with a weightless feel, it has a long and savory finish. It feels as though it's going to gain in intensity with more time in bottle. Drink 2027-2050.
98 points
Audrey Frick - jebdunnuck.comBottled in late-March 2024, Biondi Santi’s latest Brunello is built solidly on classic lines. Captivatingly austere, it hints at pomegranate and tea leaf to begin, with balsamic rosemary and sage blossom taking hold as it opens. Neither overtly dense nor powerful, it trades instead on grace and linearity. Firm, al dente tannins stretch out, sculpting a sinewy core of blood orange and pink grapefruit. Nervous energy brings edgy tension, and appetising bitter herbs bring this to an auspicious conclusion. Drink 2029-2047.
98 points
Michaela Morris - Decanter -
- 94
2022 Cantine di Ora Valpolicella Ripasso SuperioreVeneto, ITALY$36. 99Bottle$443.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2026-2031)ABV: 14%Closure: Diam CorkRich and fleshy textured with chewy tannins firming up the long ripe finish which is underpinned by a beam of freshness.
Valpolicella Ripasso is produced from a blend of Corvina, Molinara and Rondinella. Made in the Ripasso method, where the leftover lees from Amarone is combined and second-fermented with standard Valpolicella wine to create more depth & flavour. The style sits in between the heft of an Amarone and lightness of a Valpolicella.
Dark red black tinged core with a dark red hue. Pronounced morello cherry, liquorice, dried cherry and plum scents emanate out of the glass. Scorched earth, vanillin spice and cinnamon notes follow on. Rich and fleshy textured, morello cherry, liquorice and dried cherry fruits decorate the medium to full bodied palate. Earth, vanillin spice and cinnamon elements lie beneath. Chewy tannins firm up the long ripe finish which is underpinned by a beam of freshness.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 14% -
- 94
- 93
2022 Balgownie Estate Bendigo ChardonnayBendigo, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$39. 99Bottle$479.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 12.7%Closure: StelvinA rich, creamy textured, mid weighted central Victorian Chardonnay that has a refined finish.
Barrel fermented in a combination of new and seasoned French oak barriques then aged on lees for a period of 11 months.
Brilliant straw colour with green straw tinged edges and a watery hue. Aromas of peach and dried honey are married to roasted almond, citrusy nougat and spicy biscuit notes. Rich, fleshy peach, honeycomb and crème brulee flavours carry a creamy textured feel across the mid weighted palate. Toasty vanillin oak, nougat and spicy cashew elements sit in the background. Balanced acidity with a refined, well rounded finish that’s medium to long.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 12.7%Other Reviews…..
Wild ferment in French oak (20% new), aged 11 months on lees. To drink or to just take in that gorgeous fragrance? That's the question. It is so inviting, a medley of varietal warmth in white peach, pear, melon, yellow apple, Meyer lemon, nougat and grilled nuts. And, yes, to taste you get to enjoy the harmonious whole, silky and well structured. Drink by 2028.
93 Points
Jeni Port - James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 93
2024 Italo Cescon Pinot GrigioVeneto, ITALY$44. 99Bottle$539.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2026-2028)ABV: 12.5%Closure: Synthetic CorkNicely shaped with a very dry finish that has a minerally, saline like zing to it.
Made from estate-owned vineyards situated on alluvial clay soils, this wine is made using only the finest portion of the press juice, then aged on fine lees in tank for six months before further bottle ageing. The result is a dry, elegant and finely structured Pinot Grigio.
Brilliant pale straw colour with a watery hue. Pear, lime and red apple skin aromas drift from the glass followed by subtle quince and wet stone notes. Delicious pear, lime and red apple fruits decorate the palate underscored by a saline laced line of crisp acidity. Some stony mineral elements are also evident. Nicely shaped mouth feel with a very dry finish that has a minerally, saline like zing to it.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 96
2024 Kate Hill Huon Valley Pinot NoirTasmania, AUSTRALIA$46. 99Bottle$563.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2026-2034)ABV: 12.3%Closure: StelvinA moreish Pinot laden with expansive juicy, red to dark fruits that are both powerful and energetic.
Deep red to dark red core with black toned edges and a vibrant red hue. Perfumed aromas of violet, red to dark cherry, strawberry and anise sail through the nostrils. Some brambly cedar, forest floor and spicy fresh herb notes ensue. Juicy red to dark cherry, strawberry and anise flavours expand across the palate like a peacocks tail with notions of rhubarb, bramble, forest floor, delicate spicy cedar and fresh herb infusions providing additional complexity. Fresh yet supple in it’s flow, it possesses polished tannins and energetic acidity. Boasting superb power and concentration it manages to stay light on its feet. Finishes very long and moreish.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 12.3% -
- 91
- 91
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 Entrada By Varney Wines VermentinoMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$24. 99Bottle$299.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now (2026)ABV: 12.2%Closure: StelvinZippy green apple and lime zest flavours with a snappy, saline laced finish.
Brilliant water like core with green highlighted surrounds. Scents of Granny Smith apple and lime zest jump out of the glass followed by some fresh herb and flinty mineral notes. Zippy green apple and lime zest flavours infused with fresh herbs race across the palate with flinty mineral elements lying underneath. Crisp acidity with a snappy, saline laced finish.
Drink over the next year.
Alc. 12.2%Other Reviews……
This came off two vineyards, with the fruit harvested early to retain freshness. The free run was fermented cool in tank and the pressings in barrel. That early pick and tank ferment make for a strikingly fresh and briskly thirst-slaking style, with tart green apple, lemon, green almond and thyme. It’s pretty linear but not tense, a pithy burr and some brininess complexing. Drink by 2026.
91 Points
Marcus Ellis – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 94
2023 Fritz Haag RieslingMosel, GERMANY$39. 99Bottle$479.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2026-2031)ABV: 11%Closure: StelvinFlinty and minerally with a long zingy finish.
The Fritz Haag estate is located in the heart of the central Mosel River Valley and has a history dating back to 1605. All 18.5ha of vineyards are planted to Riesling, the excellent micro-climate and deep slate soils of the Brauneberger Juffer slope forming the basis for some of the most intensely flavoured and elegantly-structured Rieslings in Mosel. This wine comes from the blue slate soils of the steep slope sites of the villages of Brauneberg and Mulheim.
Brilliant very pale straw colour with gleaming green tinged edges and a watery hue. Jumping from the glass are aromas of lime zest, lemon and mandarin followed by whiffs of orange blossom, wet steel and flinty mineral notes. Crunchy lime, lemon and mandarin fruits are underpinned by laser etched acidity. Traces of honeysuckle are also apparent. Very flinty and minerally, it has a long zingy finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 11% -
- 93
2021 Budburst GSMBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2023-2028)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinA rich, succulent GSM that’s awash with ripe dark raspberry, liquorice and dark plum fruits.
Bud burst refers to the first emergence of new grapevine shoots in early spring, signalling the beginning of the all-important growing season for vignerons. Made by Barossa Valley legend Rolf Binder, the Bud Burst wines are styled for maximum slurpability, with both flavour intensity and plush, opulent textures to the fore.
A blend of 47% Grenache, 43% Shiraz and 10% Mataro matured in a combination of new and seasoned oak hogsheads. Very deep black dark red colour with a dark red hue. Wafting through the nostrils are dark raspberry, liquorice and dark plum scents followed by some toasty vanillin oak and spicy earth notes. Rich and succulent, the palate is awash with ripe dark raspberry, liquorice and dark plum fruits. Vanillin oak, earthy dark chocolate and spice elements lurk underneath. Velvet smooth tannins finishing long and plush.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 14.5% -
- 93
2024 Langmeil Prime Cut ShirazBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$23. 99Bottle$287.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinA rich, succulent Barossa Shiraz with velvet smooth tannins and a juicy finish.
From 25-30 year old vines with maturation taking place in a combination of 10% new American oak and 90% seasoned American oak hogsheads for a period of 17 months, Dense inky black in colour with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Lifted dark plum, blackberry and liquorice aromas mix with vanillin confectionary and spice notes. Rich and succulent, dark plum and liquorice fruits overlay a spicy vanillin cedar, mocha and peppered earth back drop. Velvet smooth tannins with a juicy finish that has a polished feel.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 14.5% -
- 93
- Organic
2024 Le Caillou Cotes du RhoneCotes du Rhone, Southern Rhone, FRANCE$42. 99Bottle$515.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 13.5%Closure: CorkA fresh, juicy mid weighted Cotes du Rhone with chewy tannins and a vibrantly fruited finish.
A blend of 70% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre and 5% Cinsault. Dark purple black tinged colour with a vibrant purple hue. Fragrant dark raspberry and liquorice aromas are intertwined with provincial herb and peppered earth notes. Fresh and juicy, the mid weighted palate features dark raspberry and liquorice fruits over infusions of Provincial herbs, earth and pepper. Chewy tannins with a vibrantly fruited finish.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
- 89
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2023 Il Cattivo SangioveseAdelaide Hills, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2026-2028)ABV: 13.7%Closure: StelvinJuicy with chalky tannins, bright acidity and a spicy conclusion.
Deep dark red black tinged core with a dark red hue. Red cherry, dried herb and subtle tobacco aromas mix with hints of earth and spice. Juicy plum and ripe currant flavours meld into a spicy tobacco, earth and dried herb back drop. Chalky tannins and bright acidity with a savoury conclusion that shows plenty of spice.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 13.7%
















































