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2021 Paracombe TempranilloAdelaide Hills, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2026-2028)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinRich and chewy with earthy leather, subtle smoky cedar and spice characters overtaking the back half.
Dense inky black heart with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Ripe black cherry and liquorice aromas emanate from the glass trailed by some smoky cedar, earth, leather and spice notes. Rich black cherry and liquorice fruits are overtaken by earthy leather, subtle smoky cedar and spice characters on the back half. Chewy tannins with a dry sturdy finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 14.5% -
- 90
2024 La Vieille Ferme RougeFRANCE$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2026-2029)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinA fresh, youthful Rhone style blend with juicy dark fruits.
A blend of Carignan, Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah. Inky black core with a vibrant dark red purple hue. Elevated dark raspberry and liquorice aromas combine with inky earth, incense and peppered dried herb notes. Mid weighted with a fresh youthful feel, the palate features juicy dark raspberry and cherry fruits over a back drop of liquorice, earthy incense, dried herb and subtle pepper characters. Bright acidity and slightly chewy tannins with an inky feel across the mid length finish.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 13% -
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2022 Diletto Westgate SyrahGreat Western, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2026-2034)ABV: 13.5%Closure: CorkRich and sleek with a long, savoury finish.
Produced from vines planted in 1969. Dense midnight black core with a dark red hue. Fragrant blackberry and liquorice aromas infused with clove are trailed by some dark chocolate, smoked meat, leather and peppered earth notes. Rich with a plush, well fleshed feel, blackberry, liquorice and dark chocolate flavours are layered across the medium to full bodied palate. Dark plum, subtle clove, earth and peppered meat characters form the underbelly. Polished tannins with a long, sleek and savoury finish.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 13.5%Other Reviews…..
We're only two wines in – last year's Westgate Syrah was the inaugural release – but already it seems as though we have a new star of Australian wine on our hands. This wine is both complex and delicious, its graphite and garrigue characters wrapped in pure plum and bright red cherry; its twig and herb notes infused with woodsmoke and cedar. It's both structured and juicy, and it makes complexity look easy. Drink by 2037.
96 Points
Campbell Mattinson - James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 92
2025 Les Peyrautins RosePays d'Oc, FRANCE$17. 99Bottle$215.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2026-2028)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinA supple, intensely flavoured and moreish Rose that delivers impressive value.
Pale damask pink tinged colour. The nose is blessed with delightfully fragrant raspberry, strawberry and musk aromas which are trailed by some pomegranate and Turkish delight notes. Moreish raspberry, strawberry and pomegranate fruits are delivered with impressive intensity, carrying a slippery textural shape. Musk and wet stone elements linger underneath. Brisk refreshing acidity with a long supple finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- Nicks Import
White Heather 15 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky (700ml)SCOTLAND$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenABV: 46%"Love blends when the grain don't feel at all – and when the woods behaved, which was the case here. Super good." - whiskyfun.com
An old whisky label, revived in 2022 with the release of a 21 year old. The White Heather brand was discontinued in the 1980s as the industry consolidated. It was subsequently acquired by Glenallachie in 2017, along with the MacNair’s Lum Reek Blended Malt brand. Master Blender, Billy Walker has put his own unique spin on White Heather, sourcing single malt and grain whiskies from the Highlands, Islay and Speyside. The new 15 Year Old contains both peated and unpeated malts along with grain whisky, however the malt content is on the higher side at a considerable 47 percent. After time in sherry butts and American oak barrels, the blend was re-racked into Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso Sherry puncheons as well as American virgin oak casks for an additional three years. Also notable is the fact that it was bottled at 46% without chill filtration, which is unusual for a blend.
“This has been a real passion project for me”, says Walker. “It takes me back to my first forays in the industry and allows me to select and blend whiskies from across Scotland in order to achieve the intended flavour profile. I hold a strong belief that interest in the Premium Blend category is growing, and we very much want to be at the forefront of it with White Heather.”
Other reviews... Billy Walker and gang, when they bought Glenallachie, also got this legendary old brand the Aberlour folks had been taken care of in the 1950s and 1960s. Those old square bottles of White Heather, with their white labels and even when young (5, 8) were just stunning and up there with the very best blends ever bottled. This new White Heather shelters different whiskies, naturally, but the proportion of malt remains very high (47%). The Northern Highlands are having the upper hand. The whole has been finished for three years – so rather second maturation - in active casks (PX, oloroso, virgin American oak). Colour: apricot gold. Nose: malty indeed, and rather in the stye of the lovely Hive, with some honey, pancake sauce, even icewine, sweet flowers (buddleia, mullein, white clover…), a little sweet rum, some raisins, triple-sec… and guess what, no obvious grain. But grain's pretty silent anyway, is it not. There's a little Islay inside but I do not get it (while some charming person at the parent company doesn't seem to get it either). Was it Bunnahabhain? Bruichladdich? Mouth: still malty, very classic, on more pancake syrup, butterscotch, millionaire shortbread, vanilla cake, marzipan and macaroons, nougat, beeswax (here we go again)… And just a tiny salty tang that may, or may not, suggest some 'peat'. Finish: medium, rather more coastal indeed. A little ginger, honey, and something a little Orkney-y. Lemon in the aftertaste. Comments: love blends when the grain don't feel at all – and when the woods behaved, which was the case here. Super good. We'll try a bunch of Glenallachies soon, by the way. 86 points - whiskyfun.com
...Not having benefitted from tasting it head-to-head with its older brother, I'll carefully state that the White Heather 15 Years sits at an equally high level. And maybe I would even prefer it, but not by enough to actually give it a higher rating. This is a well-balanced, easy sipper without it ever becoming monotonous. - wordsofwhisky.com
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- Nicks Import
The GlenAllachie 12 Year Old Sauternes Wine Cask Finish Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - UK ExclusiveSpeyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenABV: 48%Made from the Bordeaux region’s lesser known white varieties, Sauternes is a celebrated French dessert wine derived via ‘noble rot’, a natural phenomenon that dehydrates the fruit and concentrates the sugars. The specially selected hogsheads for this edition have imparted luscious notes of ripe peach, caramel sauce and stem ginger on the honey-forward spirit. The limited edition was specially selected for the UK. 48% Alc./Vol. Non-chill filtered.
Other reviews... Deliciously moreish, simply put it is a GlenAllachie enhanced by the rich, deliciously sweet flavours you would find in a glass of Sauternes wine. The fruits are all a gentle and refined support act, it is the sugars that are the headline star and the 48% bottling strength simply adds to the sweet flavour pleasure experience. - scotchmaltwhisky.co.uk
...These are obviously not the kinds of expressions we usually favour (the ‘wineskies’), yet you never know, Sauternes can sometimes work rather well and at GA they do know their way around finishing/double maturation… Colour: light gold. Nose: vanilla, apricot yoghurt, mirabelle yoghurt, all-flower honey ‘from the European Union’, then herbal infusions, lime blossom, chamomile and so on. Nothing to complain about, a lovely nose. Mouth: quite creamy, close to a first fill bourbon, without too many obvious nods to Sauternes, rather on a fine apricot tart topped with vanilla cream and acacia honey. A few little jellybabies from Haribo. Finish: medium in length yet tighter, leaning more towards lemon. The aftertaste is more herbal. Lemon jellybabies, all in all. Comments: cool, very easy bottling. 82 points - whiskyfun.com
Notes from the producers... Nose: Honeycomb, butterscotch and toffee sauce, with crystalised ginger, mocha and peaches.Taste: Tropical fruits, heather honey and baking spices, followed by demerara sugar, coconut and marmalade, with citrus notes, caramel and ice cream on the finish.
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2025 Forest Hill Vineyard ChardonnayMount Barker, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2026-2031)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinA fresh, well fleshed Chardonnay that displays good length.
Sourced from three sites on the Forest Hill Vineyard, Block 8 and Block 9 planted in 1985 and Highbury Fields with maturation taking place in French oak (20% new).
Brilliant pale straw colour with green toned edges and a watery hue. Uplifted nectarine, white peach and dried honey aromas fill the nostrils with whiffs of cashew, citrusy nougat and gun flint also chiming in. Mid weighted the palate is lined with white peach, nectarine and citrus fruits. Lively acidity with biscuity nougat, dried honey and spice elements extending across the back half. Fresh, well fleshed finish of good length.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 94
2023 Haan Estate ShirazBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$27. 99Bottle$335.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2026-2032)ABV: 15%Closure: StelvinPlush with rich blue to black fruit and a relatively refined finish.
Matured in a combination of new and old French oak barrels. Impenetrable inky black in colour with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Generous aromas of liquorice and dark plum sail through the nostrils followed by some gentle smoky vanillin cedar, fennel and peppered earth notes. Rich dark plum, liquorice and ripe blueberry fruits carry a plush feel across the medium to full bodied palate. Smoky fennel, vanillin cedar and peppered earth elements sit in the background. Polished tannins with a well fleshed yet relatively refined finish of good length.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 15% -
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2024 Blue Gables Jesse ChardonnayGippsland, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2026-2030)ABV: 13.3%Closure: StelvinFresh and elegant with a gently creamy yet tense finish.
Brilliant pale straw colour with green tinged edges and a watery hue. Aromas of nectarine and lemon butter intermingle with roasted almond and gun flint notes. Toasty flavours of nectarine and lemon butter line the palate with roasted almond, biscuit and gun flint accents also chiming in. Fresh acidity with an elegant, gently creamy yet tense finish.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13.3%Other Reviews……
Jeez, Jesse has found its groove of late and this is another excellent one. It’s flinty, with moreish sulphides (not too much, just the right amount). It’s all citrusy, spicy and vivacious, with mouth-watering acidity. Next some appealing cedary oak and lemon curd lees fill the palate. This is quite a linear, tight style and so delicious as a result. Drink by 2032.
95 Points
Jane Faulkner - James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion - Gabriel Boudier Liqueur de Poire (Pear) Liqueur (700ml)Burgundy, FRANCE$69. 99Bottle$839.88 DozenABV: 30%
Gabriel Boudier's experience as both a liquorist and distiller are called upon to create this iconic liqueur. A part of the pear is distilled in order to obtain the most volatile aromas. The other part of the William Pear is cut in two, the wood and the seeds removed, and the flesh macerated for five weeks in alcohol to extract the natural character of the fruit. The process is followed by a sweetening. This fragrant liqueur makes an excellent digestif when served chilled, pairs beautifully with gin or vodka in a fruity spritz or Pear Tonic, and elevates desserts like a pear tart or Poire Belle-Hélène. 30% Alc./Vol.
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2025 Blue Gables Pinot NoirGippsland, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2026-2030)ABV: 13.3%Closure: StelvinLight in body with fresh red fruits melding into an elegant back drop of earth, mint and spicy cedar.
Deep dark red black tinged core with a dark red hue. Aromas of red cherry and plum juice mingle with dried herb, menthol and spicy earth notes. Light in body, red cherry and winter strawberry fruits meld into an elegant back drop of earth, mint and spicy cedar. Fine grained tannins with a fresh, savoury finish.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13.3%Other Reviews…..
So youthful and primary. Full of berries and cherries, warm spices and wood char, licorice and sweet oak. Sweet fruit fills the medium-bodied palate, with raw-silk tannins and decent acidity all making a mark. It’s still finding its groove, and it will. Drink by 2034.
93 Points
Jane Faulkner - James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion - Boatrocker Alpha Beer 7 Year Old Australian Whisky (500ml)Victoria, AUSTRALIA$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenABV: 50%
Back in 2019, Boatrocker distilled their flagship Alpha Queen Pale Ale. The spirit then spent a full 7 years in a first-fill ex-Buffalo Trace cask before being bottled at a bold 50% ABV to preserve the vibrant aromatics.
Notes from the producers... On the nose: heady honeysuckle and ripe gooseberry with citrus zest and fresh green hops. The palate is silky and balanced, waves of stone fruit and floral sweetness followed by a gentle peppery spice and herbal hop lift. The finish brings classic whisky warmth with that bright, lingering hop bite beer lovers will adore. This isn't a gimmick... it's a genuine fusion of two crafts. Perfect neat, with a large cube of ice, or in a premium cocktail.
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2022 Zilzie Regional Collection Barossa ShirazBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$16. 99Bottle$203.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2026-2028)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinA rich, plush charry oak laden Barossa Shiraz.
Midnight black dark red colour with a dark red hue. Elevated dark plum, liquorice and mocha aromas intermingle with toasty vanillin oak and spice notes. Rich, plush and concentrated, dark plum, mocha and liquorice flavours are swamped by charry vanillin oak on the back half. Velvet smooth tannins with the charry oak led finish also showing some spice.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 14.5% -
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2023 Peregrine Saddleback Pinot NoirCentral Otago, NEW ZEALAND$37. 99Bottle$455.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2026-2030)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinA light to medium bodied Pinot that has good flesh, slightly grainy tannins and a savoury finish.
Matured for 10 months in older French oak. Deep dark red core with black toned edges and a dark red hue. Spicy dark to black cherry and anise aromas carry a graphite like overlay with some clove, rhubarb and earthy black olive accents also evident. Light to medium bodied, dark to black cherry, anise and rhubarb flavours show good flesh. Earth, dried herb and spice elements lie underneath. Slightly grainy tannins with a savoury mid length finish.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13% -
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2021 Haan Estate Prestige ShirazBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$59. 99Bottle$719.88 DozenMinimum 6 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2026-2032)ABV: 15.5%Closure: CorkA rich, plush Barossa Shiraz seductively draped with dark chocolate, dark plum, toasty vanillin oak and liquorice flavours.
Impenetrable inky black in colour with a very deep dark red black hue. Potent aromas of dark plum, dark chocolate, liquorice and toasty vanillin oak fill the nostrils complimented by earthy mocha and spice notes. Rich and plush, the full bodied palate is seductively draped with dark chocolate, dark plum, toasty vanillin oak and liquorice flavours. Concentrated, powerful and possessing velvet smooth tannins, it has earthy mocha, subtle leather and spice characters lingering across the long opulently textured finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 15.5% -
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2018 Oakridge Vineyard Series Blanc de BlancsYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$44. 99Bottle$539.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2026-2032)ABV: 12.5%Closure: Diam CorkRefined and airy yet racy, this is a beautifully proportioned Yarra Valley Sparkling.
Made from 100% Chardonnay grapes and aged on yeast lees for 5 years and 8 months. Pours with an exuberant mousse that slowly fades to reveal a pale straw coloured base that’s finely threaded by a very nimble bead. Elevated aromas of yeast lees, citrus and baked bread are trailed by hints of cashew, dried honey and subtle chalky notes. Refined and airy yet racy, the beautifully proportioned palate is detailed with baked bread, citrus, yeast lees and brioche flavours which are complimented by delicate cashew and dried honey characters across the back half. Gentle creamy texture with crisp acidity and a long dry, chalk tinged finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 12.5%Other Reviews…..
Just over five years on lees before being disgorged and with six months on cork before being released. 4.5g/L dosage. A very bright green gold. A complex amalgam of stone fruits, baked apples and brioche. Fine boned and very even on the palate. Already a delight to drink, this will still be looking good five years from now. Drink by 2030.
96 Points
Philip Rich - James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 94
- Biodynamic
2022 Domaine Mure Pierres Seches Pinot GrisAlsace, FRANCE$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2026-2031)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinA rich, luscious Alsatian Pinot Gris with a dry to off dry ginger spice laden finish.
Bright straw colour with a watery hue. Intense ripe pear, red apple and rosewater like scents leap out of the glass trailed by some lychee, honeysuckle, musk and Turkish delight like notes. Rich, luscious pear, Jonathan apple, lychee and honeysuckle flavours flood the mouth. Musk, Turkish delight and spicy ginger elements extend across the back half. Excellent textural volume with brisk underlying acidity and a long, generous dry to off dry ginger spice laden finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
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2025 Tapanappa Tiers Vineyard 1.5m ChardonnayPiccadilly Valley, Adelaide Hills, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$84. 99Bottle$1019.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2026-2034)ABV: 13.6%Closure: StelvinRich, concentrated and texturally voluminous yet fresh with a long flinty edged finish.
In 2003, the Croser family removed 1.3 hectares of the original Tiers Vineyard Chardonnay that was planted in 1979 in the Piccadilly Valley as the first Adelaide Hills vineyard. The area was replanted with the French Bernard clones 76 and 95 on rootstocks, on very close 1.5 metre row spacing with the fruiting wire at only 0.5 metres above the ground. This unique vineyard section produces earlier ripening, fuller flavoured Chardonnay than the old vine Chardonnay on its own roots, across the centre road in Tiers Vineyard.
Brilliant pale straw colour with green toned edges and a watery hue. Refined yet amplified in their intensity are aromas of white peach and nectarine which are married to roasted almond, biscuity nougat and gun flint notes. Rich, concentrated and texturally voluminous yet showing impressive freshness, the mid weighted palate is graced with nectarine, white peach, dried honey and biscuity oak flavours. Infusions of mineral flint, citrusy nougat and almond sit in the background. Lively yet perfectly balanced acidity with a long flinty edged finish that picks up a gentle creaminess texture wise.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 13.6%Other Reviews….
This was a product of a very hot, dry vintage, which tested all of Brian Croser’s immense experience. Yet the wine captures very much about what this particular vineyard in the Piccadilly Valley is all about. On the nose, there are notes of very subtle lemon curd and brioche with a spicy complexity. On the palate, there is a textural richness that combines some nice, sweet fruit characters with an edgy, grapefruit acidity, and a further quince paste, vanilla pod-like influence. The finish delivers with a very subtle savory note and distinct minerality that completes what is a very good wine. Drink 2026-2038.
96 Points
Ray Jordan – WinePilot.comBrian Croser has noted the 2025 vintage as the warmest, driest and earliest in his career, a career which stretches back for more than fifty years. However, any concerns that his iconic Chardonnays from the Tiers Vineyard would not reflect the typicity that they have come to enjoy over many years has been put to rest. The section of the Tiers Vineyard which was replanted in 2003 on 1.5 metre spacing ripens earlier than the older vines, the reminder of the Tiers. Fermentation was in French oak barriques, 1/3rd of them new. The wine was then left on lees before bottling. 575 dozen made. The colour is a shimmering yellow gold. The nose reveals ripe, full flavours of stone fruits, with nectarines, peaches, hints of honeycomb and hazelnuts, florals and jasmine. There is noticeable oak but integration is proceeding well. The wine has superb balance and real intensity with great persistence. It will surely still be providing immense pleasure in a decade. Love it. Drink 2026-2036.
96 Points
Ken Gargett – WinePilot.comQuite the potency to this chardonnay, so too a distinct saline minerality. Scents and flavours of toffee apple, lemongrass, preserved lemon and green apple juice with dashes of sugared almond and flinty, stony notes. Lots going on here and, while concentrated and somewhat power-packed, this has a levity and finesse that helps the wine glide along confidently. Serious white wine territory.
95 Points
Mike Bennie - James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
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2024 The Dagger Pinot GrigioVictoria, AUSTRALIA$24. 99Bottle$299.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2026-2027)ABV: 12.6%Closure: StelvinNicely shaped pear, green to red apple and lime fruits featured over an energised, stony mineral back drop.
Fruit was sourced from the King and Alpine valleys. Brilliant pale straw colour with a watery hue. Aromas of green apple, citrus and lime are trailed by some flinty mineral notes. Nicely shaped in its flow across the palate, pear, green to red apple and lime fruits are featured over a stony mineral back drop. Crisp acidity with a refreshingly energised finish.
Drink over the next year.
Alc. 12.6%Other Reviews….
Pale straw in colour and brimming in wildflowers, lemon, quince and pear aromas. Super fresh and packed in tangy acid crunch. The Dagger elevates grigio into a sophisticated wine with nashi pear, quince and citrus flavours drizzled in lime-lemon citrus and delivered with the kind of vibrancy that grigio drinkers love to see. Drink by 2028.
94 Points
Jeni Port - James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 96
2024 De Bortoli Riorret Eastern Ridge ChardonnayYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$34. 99Bottle$419.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2026-2032)ABV: 13.5%Closure: Diam CorkRich and concentrated yet refined in its flow with a long, gently creamed finish.
Brilliant pale straw colour with green highlighted edges and a watery hue. Intense white peach, dried honey and cashew scents enchant the olfactory senses with some creme brulee, citrusy nougat and spicy butterscotch notes also evident. Rich and concentrated yet refined in its flow, the mid weighted palate is decorated with fleshy white peach, pear and dried honey flavours. Cashew, biscuity nougat, subtle crème brulee and spice elements sit in the background. Balanced acidity provides an underlying freshness to the long, gently creamed finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.5% - Ardnahoe 7 Year Old Australian Exclusive Single Cask Feis Ile 2026 Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Islay, SCOTLAND$199. 99Bottle$2399.88 DozenABV: 59.7%
Bottled from Ardnahoe's oldest stocks, this special Islay Festival release was aged for seven years and bottled at natural strength 59.7% ABV. The specs are the same as the general Feis Ile 2026 Edition, so we'd expect this to be a very similar whisky only drawn from a single Bourbon barrel and limited to 165 bottles. The tiny outturn and the fact that it comes labeled as an Australian Exclusive should add appeal for collectors. Non chill filtered.
Notes from the importers... Nose: Coastal brine, cinnamon, and a well-integrated, smoky peat. Palate: Weighty and rich with notes of woodfire and burnt caramel. Finish: Strong, medicinal, and slightly bitter wood.
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2025 Tapanappa Tiers Vineyard ChardonnayPiccadilly Valley, Adelaide Hills, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$95. 00Bottle$1140.00 DozenABV: 100%Closure: StelvinFinely detailed and restrained with chalky mineral infused acidity lending a tense feel across the long flinty finish.
Located in the Piccadilly Valley within the Adelaide Hills region, Brian Croser’s Tiers vineyard was planted in 1979 making it the first in the region. It is perfectly suited to Chardonnay being a closely matched homo-clime of Burgundy, especially the southern end of the Cotes de Beaune where the great wines of Montrachet and Meursault are grown. Fermented in French oak barriques (one third new) the wine was then aged on full lees until November 2025.
Brilliant pale straw colour with green tinted edges and a watery hue. Elevated nectarine and pear scents intermix with roasted almond, subtle biscuity nougat, faint lemon butter and gun flint notes. Showing a touch more elegance and restraint than the 2025 Tapanappa Tiers Vineyard 1.5m Chardonnay, the palate is finely detailed with pear and nectarine fruits which meld into a subtle dried honey, roasted almond, citrusy nougat and mineral flint back drop. Showing good mid palate flesh, chalky mineral infused acidity lends a tense feel across the long flinty finish.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 13.7%Other Reviews….
One Australia’s more famous Chardonnays and certainly one which influenced many wines which followed it. The vineyard was originally planted in 1979. Despite the unique conditions for this vintage, the yield was around average, at seven tonnes per hectare. Fermentation was in French oak barriques, with 1/3rd of them new, before spending time on lees until it was bottled. 1,150 dozen made. If Brian had any concerns as to whether the unique conditions would impact adversely on this wine, the evidence in bottle is very much to the contrary. Pale yellow/gold in colour, there is immediate evidence of the complexity already building. There is serious concentration and laser-like focus here. The nose gives us aromas weaving through grilled cashews, nectarines, oatmeal, stone fruits and hazelnuts. The oak integration is immaculate. A wine of such length and balance, it surely has a thrilling future. Enjoy it over the next fifty years, but will cellar well and should go further if one has the patience. Good luck finding a White Burgundy of this quality at this price. Stunning stuff. Drink 2026-2076.
98 Points
Ken Gargett – WinePilot.comThis is upper-class stuff. This has a silky, rich texture but sits at medium weight, a sheen of saline minerality, a light pucker of chalk and pumice stone, green apple, light brioche notes, faint candied citrus characters and a very lengthy trail of sweet spice and a dash of coconut bun happening, too. Through all of this, a zesty core of brine and lemony zing, refreshing things aptly. A lot going on in this larger-than-life wine, offering a full experience. And very good for it. Drink by 2032.
96 Points
Mike Bennie - James Halliday’s Australian Wine CompanionThe fruit flavours feel ripe, there’s complexity aplenty, flint notes make the nose feel especially lively and the push of fruit through the finish has plenty of extras. This is an excellent chardonnay at the least; if not outstanding. It tastes of nectarine, grapefruit, sweet citrus, flint and nougat and from start to finish it really sings. Texture-wise it’s really quite beautiful too. Super wine. Drink 2026-2032+
96 Points
Campbell Mattinson – The Wine Front -
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2025 Paringa Estate Peninsula Pinot NoirMornington Peninsula, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$34. 99Bottle$419.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2026-2030)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinRipe, juicy and supple with a long, moreish finish.
Dark red core with black toned edges and a red to dark red hue. Fragrant ripe cherry, strawberry and plum scents sail from the glass trailed by whiffs of anise, dried herbs, forest floor and spice. Ripe, juicy dark cherry, strawberry and plum fruits are layered across the palate with impressive intensity. Dried herb, bramble, forest floor and spice elements sit in the background. Supple and round it possesses an excellent power wave, silky smooth tannins and a long, moreish finish.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13.5%Other Reviews….
This hits the spot, not least at its price point. It has flavour, but it also has some snap to it. I’m thinking cherry, spice, a little cedar, herb and perfume. The tannin sits confidently within the wine, not too much, not too little, and there’s brightness, energy, and good length to boot. Lovely wine. Recommended. Drink 2026-2032.
93 Points
Gary Walsh – The Wine Front -
- 90
- 91
2024 Torres Pazo das Bruxas AlbarinoRias Baixas, SPAIN$34. 99Bottle$419.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2026-2028)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinA light, vibrant Albarinio with a fresh saline edged finish.
Brilliant pale straw colour with green highlighted edges and a watery hue. Pear and green apple scents are trailed by some lime, waxy notes and spice. Light and vibrant, the palate sports lime and green apple fruits over a wet stone, fresh herb and flinty mineral back drop. Crisp acidity with a fresh saline edged finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 12.5%Other Reviews….
Attractive seashells, pears, peach skin and white blossoms on the nose. Deliciously saline with a chiseled, chalky texture on the midweight palate. Very well made. Drink now.
91 Points
JamesSuckling.com -
- 94
Ardnahoe 5 Year Old Batch #2 Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Islay, SCOTLAND$159. 99Bottle$1919.88 DozenABV: 61%Ardnahoe Distillery was established in 2016 near Port Askaig in the rugged northeast corner of Islay. It was the youngest distillery on the island, at least until Port Ellen revived its operations in 2024. Owners, Hunter Laing, a family-run independent bottler, managed to entice famed x-Bruichladdich Master Distiller, Jim McEwan out of retirement to help get things up and running. The first single malt came off Ardnahoe’s lantern-shaped stills in 2018, and while they could have bottled an inaugural release earlier than they did, they decided to wait until the whisky was just right. Considering the creative forces behind the operation, it's no wonder the results have impressed from the outset. Batch #2 comes straight out of x-bourbon barrels at 61% ABV delivering a raw and explosive Islay experience, rife with vanilla-laced cereals, green chillie heat, coastal peat and a lip smacking, salty tang. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... Colour: white wine. Nose: very fine but dominated by the purity of the previous Swiss one, which did not bother with quite so much vanilla, if you see what we mean. With water: the pure peat comes out more, yet it still lacks a bit the superb nerviness and irresistibility of the previous one. Mouth (neat): the sweetness of the bourbon, the vanilla, the mango and the banana for instance, coat this little beast, despite it remaining taut as a bow and as salty as the waters of the Sound of Islay. In truth, on the palate it is excellent, the gap is far less marked on the palate. With water: yes, it is good, it is very good, it becomes more rooty. Finish: long, fresher, purer, freed from its coating. Green apple. Comments: it will have made up almost all of its delay on the ‘Swiss’ one on the palate, in the manner of an Alpine stage of the Tour de France. But the Swiss still keeps the yellow jersey for now. 87 points - whiskyfun.com
[Inaugural release tasted] Seaweed, rock pools, and bold peat smoke are balanced with honey, orchard fruits, vanilla biscuits, and floral top notes. An incredible explosion of flavor with marmalade, heather honey, chopped peel, dark fruit, sooty smoke, sherry trifle, and cinnamon sugar. It’s well-rounded without seeming youthful, showing baking chocolate and a greater smoke presence rolling into the finish atop waves of sherry fruit. Quite a debut! 94 points - whiskyadvocate.com
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- 94
- 92
2023 Esilio Tooth & Nail SangioveseMount Lofty Ranges, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2026-2029)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinGenerous red fruits backed by sturdy tannins and energetic acidity with a quite rustic finish that shows plenty of spice.
Midnight black core with a dark red hue. Spicy red currant aromas show good lift out of the glass followed by some dried herb, earth and subtle tobacco notes. Generous red currant and red cherry fruits are backed by a sturdy tannin structure which imparts a chalky feel across the back palate. Some liquorice, earthy tobacco, dried herb and spice characters sit underneath. Energetic acidity with a long well fleshed yet quite rustic finish that shows plenty of spice.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews….
From the rolling hills north-east of Adelaide in what’s known as the One Tree Hill district, we get a pretty ballsy Sangio with a decent whack of oak impact on first opening – not surprising as a result of 15 months maturation in French and American barrels, new and seasoned, the latter source letting itself known in the bouquet. The fruit is quite jubey, crimson and black berried, finishing with timbery and grippy tannins. Will definitely satisfy those who like their oaked-style wines and will perform a treat with a serious cut of beef.
92 Points
Tony Love – WinePilot.com -
- 96
- 95
- Reduced
2021 Nicks Secret CMKY Reserve Barossa ShirazBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIAReduced from $175.00$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2026-2034)ABV: 15%Closure: Diam CorkNormally retailing for around $175.00, this superb Barossa Shiraz, from a well known estate, has been slashed to just $32.99 as a Nicks Secret making it an absolute must have for any cellar.
Crafted from two-thirds Eden Valley and one-third Barossa Valley fruit, the cool-climate Eden component injects structural backbone and a distinct black pepper character into an otherwise classic, opulent Barossa Shiraz.A sumptuous yet sturdily built Barossa Shiraz that boasts terrific, richness, power and density.
Dense inky black heart with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Leaping out of the glass are aromas of liquorice, blackberry and ripe black cherry which are trailed by spicy vanillin oak, mocha and peppered fennel notes. The sumptuous yet sturdily built palate boasts terrific, richness, power and density with opulent blackberry, liquorice and black cherry fruits swamping the mouth. Vanillin oak, scorched earth, delicate mocha and peppered fennel elements form across the back half. Compacting the mouth feel a touch are beautifully sculptured tannins which carve out an opulent yet solidly built blackpepper laced finish of impressive length and depth.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 15%Other Reviews….
Richly fruited and seductively complex, the wine shows dark fruit intensity, star anise, smoked meat, and cedar characters on the nose. It’s concentrated and plush on the palate, delivering excellent weight and velvety texture, wonderfully framed by layers of polished tannins, finishing impressively long and sturdy. At its best: now to 2038.
96 Points
Sam Kim – Wine OrbitDeep, inky crimson with a dense core. The aroma is concentrated, showing blackberry, dark plum and black cherry with notes of spice, dark chocolate and integrated oak. Full-bodied and powerful, the palate delivers concentrated black fruit with depth and intensity. Sourced from Eden Valley and the Barossa floor, it balances richness and structure, with firm, ripe tannins providing a strong framework. Oak is well integrated, bringing mocha, spice and roasted nut complexity through the mid-palate. The finish is long and persistent, with excellent structure and ageing potential.
A commanding Barossa Shiraz combining power, structure and regional depth. Drink now to 2038.
96 Points
Vino MastersThis boutique little winery in the Barossa continually produces some of the most interesting and impressive wines from this region. In this case, it’s a combination of the cooler Eden Valley spicy, peppery influence with the darker rich fruits of the valley floor. This is an intense and concentrated wine delivered on a full body. Yet it retains a vibrant liveliness thanks to its acidity and bright fruit characters. It brings together slightly vanilla oak, spice and dark fruit characters into a compelling combination. It’s an intense and concentrated wine that will continue to evolve over the next fifteen years. Drink 2026-2041.
95 Points
Ray Jordan – WinePilot.com - Ardnahoe Infinite Loch Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Islay, SCOTLAND$124. 99Bottle$1499.88 DozenABV: 50%
"...this first ‘regular’ version is rather brilliant." - whiskyfun.com
The first core range expression from the distillery, Infinite Loch has been matured in a combination of ex-Bourbon and ex-Oloroso sherry casks. Beyond the inaugural release, it's the core range bottlings that can really establish a benchmark in consumer's minds, so the intention here is to set a very high standard that leaves a strong impression. By all reports Ardnahoe have succeeded. There’s no age statement, but we'd expect the liquid to be around 5 years old. It comes bottled with zero chill-filtration at 50%, with a price/quality ratio that competes with anything from Islay. Despite the high ABV and its youth, the balance is said to be impeccable.
Other reviews... This is the third release from Ardnahoe, with the first two being very much to my taste. For a distillery, an 'infinite' loch can only be a blessing, even on Islay, if you recall the droughts of the late 1960s that forced distilleries to shut down. Here, Ardnahoe evokes a loch infinite in its depths, though as long as they don’t start conjuring up Ardbeg-style legends, we’re safe—no sixteen-armed freshwater octopus or Islay Nessie, thankfully! Colour: pale gold. Nose: incredible, I find it very ‘West Coast’ as well as distinctly Islay. In short, West of Scotland, East of Islay. There’s a slightly oily, robust quality, yet with the grace and precision of a gymnast. Smoked oysters are very present, perhaps some mussels too, crabs from the Sound, seaweed, followed by bergamot, oranges, wet chalk, and clay... With water: more wet chalk and that famous old tweed jacket from the Islay Woollen Mill, one that’s seen plenty of rain, storms, and vintages. Mouth (neat): this is superb. Green pepper, oranges, grapefruits, seafood, lightly oily smoke, almonds, green apples, sushi, and a hint of green olive... With water: a few more spices, cinnamon, turmeric, a touch of ginger, and then some Kildalton tar. Finish: long, salty, somewhat rich and oily, with more smoked fish. Comments: while it can’t quite match the surprise of the Inaugural Release, this first ‘regular’ version is rather brilliant. I’ll add that it only needs a drop of water—best not to drown it. 88 points - whiskyfun.com
...This is a real and brilliant core range release and a very positive statement from Hunter Laing’s hilltop Islay whisky haven... At the price being asked it can go toe-to-toe with anything - and I mean anything - from Islay and compete. In time I’m sure more maturity and poise will come with this bottling but we needn’t demand it, it’s already a cracking entry. The 5yo Inaugural was better; slightly richer and more together but this is cleaner, brighter and more honest, and the slightly mineralic side is lovely to sit with... It takes water so very well, retaining a decent mouthfeel and sharpening some of the fruit, but honestly it hides its 50% ABV so well few of you will reach for the jug, teaspoon, dropper, fingertips or what-have-you. - dramface.com
Notes from the producers... Sea-spray, Islay peat and dark chocolate on the nose. Menthol, fresh fruits and bonfire notes on the palate lead into a smoky, zesty finish.
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- 94
Ardnahoe Bholsa Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Islay, SCOTLAND$139. 99Bottle$1679.88 DozenABV: 50%If you enjoy peated whiskies that balance savoury smoke with dark fruits, this richly sherried Islay should be for you. Named after a series of caves on the northwest coast of Islay, it's the latest instalment from Hunter Laing's new project that's making waves for Island whisky fans. Oloroso works well to temper some of the slightly 'green' notes found in the cask-strength bourbon-matured expression; Lanolin, dried citrus peel, ashy peat and brine make for an intense yet approachable dram that reverberates coastal character. Bottled at 50% ABV with no chill filtration.
Other reviews... I mean, it’s matured ‘predominantly’ in oloroso, which does feel a tad lord Black Adder, does it not? A ‘bholsa’, in Gaelic, seems to mean a bag, it may stem from the French word ‘bourse’, or perhaps from the Spanish ‘bolsa’, also meaning bag. Who knows, the ways of distillers are impenetrable… Colour: gold. Nose: but of course. Ardnahoe has been remarkably quick to express its Islayness (aye?) and to make sure its whisky oozes (aye again?) the island. Very fresh, with a nod to its neighbour across from the Paps of Jura, offering peated grist, virgin wool and soot. With water: grapefruit and chalk. Mouth (neat): rather perfect, though absolutely crammed with ashes. With water: the oloroso still sits high, though it’s true there’s only some of it, and only ‘predominantly’. From 51% upwards, that’s predominant, isn’t it? This terminology may go down in the annals of malt whisky history, I tell you (right?) Finish: fresh, long, uplifting and, indeed, exuding Islay. Pears, lemons, oysters and tar in the aftertaste. Comments: I think this is very well done, even if one tends to still lean toward the ‘predominantly natural’ versions. 87 points - whiskyfun.com
...Much like when one knows they are in the presence of an Ivy League business school graduate or fan of Kid Rock, this has zero qualms declaring its bona fides right from the onset: Islay peat arrives loud and fast, joined by char and a bright flick of lemon zest. Give it a moment, and hints of campfire smoke and just enough citrus stretch out and amplify. A few drops of water deliver more of the sherry influence, so add gradually to preference. The palate leans sweeter than expected at first, with raisins and dates running point before smoke, char, and citrus reassert control. The drops of water introduce unexpected notes of tar and dark chocolate. The finish runs long, smoky, and saline, tapering off on lemon and sea air. Although there’s no way to be certain on the age statement, this feels slightly younger than the Inaugural Release... There’s also a suspicion this will soften with time as more air enters the bottle. - drinkhacker.com
Notes from the producers... Red fruits, walnuts, orange zest and peat smoke on the nose. Raisins, dates and ripe plums on the palate underpinned by Islay peat lead into a long, peppery finish.
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- 94
DAOSA Natural Reserve 8th ReleasePiccadilly Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$52. 99Bottle$635.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2026-2032)ABV: 12.55%Closure: Diam CorkTense and sculptured with a long mouth watering finish.
Made from a blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier based on the 2023 vintage, blended with older reserve wines aged in oak. An exuberant mousse slowly subsides into a pale straw coloured base that has pale gold tinged edges and a fine, persistent bead flowing through it. The nose is filled with aromas of pear, roasted almond, citrus and yeast lees which are trailed by some oily baked bread like notes. Stimulating the palate are pear, citrus and delicate strawberry fruits which are underscored by notions of oily baked bread, almond and yeast lees characters. Tense, sculptured mouth feel with crisp acidity and a long mouth watering finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 12.55% -
- 93
2023 Kilikanoon Mort’s Cut Watervale Riesling (375ml)Clare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$33. 99Bottle$407.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2026-2031)ABV: 9.5%Closure: StelvinA luscious desert style wine that’s relatively light on its feet and has a long refreshing finish.
Brilliant pale straw to straw colour with golden green tinged edges. Honeyed lime, apricot and lemon butter scents engulf the nostrils with some bees wax and marmalade notes also evident. Luscious honeyed lime and lemon flavours are underscored by a line of fresh acidity. Marmalade and pineapple characters extend across the back half. Relatively light on its feet, it has a long, elegant and refreshing finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 9.5% -
- 93
- 93
2024 Whistling Eagle Vineyard GSMHeathcote, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2026-2030)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinA rich, juicy textured GSM with velvet smooth tannins and a long succulent finish.
Midnight black dark red core with a deep dark red hue. Pronounced aromas of dark raspberry, liquorice and dark plum intermingle with some vanillin confectionary and subtle peppered earth notes. The rich, juicy textured palate is awash with dark raspberry, liquorice and ripe plum fruits. Scorched earth, vanillin confectionary and pepper elements lie underneath. Velvet smooth tannins with a long succulent finish.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews….
50/45/5% grenache/shiraz/malbec. Talk about spice – this Heathcote GSM has it in sweet abundance. Picked ripe, it's a generous all rounder in dark plum, black cherry, black fruits, licorice, chocolate, toasted spices and a warm earthiness. A strong blackstrap licorice feature comes together on the palate with a light, sweet pastille confection note that runs long. Chockfull of flavour, smooth in texture, fleshy in tannins; it's ready for its moment to shine. Drink by 2029.
93 Points
Jeni Port – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 91
- Organic
2024 Domaine Eric Poiron Muscadet Sèvre et Maine sur Lie Quatre RoutesLoire Valley, FRANCE$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2026-2032)ABV: 12%Closure: Diam CorkLight, fresh and juicy with crisp acidity and a dry energised finish.
Brilliant very pale straw colour with a faint greenish tinge to the edges and a watery hue. Fragrant ripe red apple and pear juice scents intermix with rosewater, musk and delicate quince. Light and fresh, juicy red apple and pear fruits are elegantly detailed across the palate with subtle infusions of rosewater and flinty mineral elements extending across the back half. Crisp, green apple like acidity finishing dry with an energised minerality.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 12% - Suntory Yamazaki Mizunara Oak Cask 18 Year Old Single Malt Japanese Whisky (700ml) - 100th Anniversary EditionJAPAN$2999. 00Bottle$35988.00 DozenABV: 48%
Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product pictured.
A release that only comes around once in a blue moon, Yamazaki's 18 year old Mizunara cask has been described as the ultimate Japanese whisky. Showcasing everything learned about the best way to pair their whisky with Japanese Oak, Suntory have created a deep and multi-layered experience which brings ripe stone fruits and elegant spice character together in a way that can only be described as harmonious. The occasion was marked for their 100th anniversary in 2022, preemptively, as the distillery opened in 1923. 48% Alc./Vol. Collectible.
Master blender Shinji Fukuyo creates his annual masterpiece from whiskies 18 years and up, with a small portion exceeding 50 years of age. All components were matured in casks made from Japan's native oak, the 'Mizunara'.Suntory began to experiment with the indigenous oak after the Second World War, when supplies of foreign oak were difficult to source. It made a far from ideal vessel, Mizunara's loose grains tended to cause leakage and also created challenges in terms of timber selection and cooperage. Blenders at the time had few kind words to say about the wood. Decades later, the tree is better understood, and the hints of incense, sandalwood, and aloeswood it imparts to whisky are prized. The oak releases these qualities after decades rather than years, making the whiskies they mature all the more precious.
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- 91
2025 TarraWarra Estate ChardonnayYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$36. 99Bottle$443.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2026-2031)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinAn elegant mid weighted Yarra Valley Chardonnay with energetic acidity and a delicate medium length finish.
Fermented and matured in 100% French oak puncheons, demi muid & barriques for 8 months, 12% of which was new oak.
Brilliant pale straw colour with green tinted edges and a watery hue. Aromas of nectarine, pear and dried honey mingle with biscuity oak and gun flint notes. The elegant mid weighted palate is detailed with nectarine, pear, lemon butter, biscuity oak and gun flint flavours. Energetic acidity lending freshness to the delicate medium length finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 95
2025 Fighting Gully Road Pinot NoirBeechworth, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$44. 99Bottle$539.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2026-2032)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinLight, fresh and elegant with a supple flow of red fruits.
This delicious Pinot Noir was made from two clones (114 and MV6) and comprises a whole bunch component, which was fermented separately using maceration carbonique. Each component was matured separately in new (40%) and seasoned Italian coopered French oak 500 litre puncheons for a period of 12 months.
Dark red core with black toned edges and a red to dark red hue. Perfumed like aromas of violet, dark cherry and wild strawberry mix with hints of anise, clove, bramble, cedar, forest floor and spice. Delicious dark cherry, strawberry and rhubarb fruits flow supplely across the palate with notions of brambly cedar, dried herbs, forest floor and spice lending further interest across the back half. Polished tannins finishing long, fresh and elegant.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 95
- 93
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2023 Pegasus Bay Pinot NoirWaipara Valley, NEW ZEALAND$69. 99Bottle$839.88 DozenMinimum 6 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2026-2034)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinRich and amply powered with finely structured graphite like tannins and a long savoury finish.
Dark red in colour with black toned edges and a light red to red hue. Fragrant red to dark cherry, winter strawberry and anise scents mix with clove, earthy graphite and spicy cedar notes. Rich fleshy dark cherry, strawberry and anise flavours meld into a toasty cedar, earth, dried herb and spice back drop. Amply powered it has finely structured graphite like tannins and a long savoury finish.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 13%Other Reviews….
A delicious, well-composed and textural pinot with forest berries, black pepper and plenty of matchstick on the nose. Medium-bodied with ripe tannins. The generous midpalate has dense fruit character and a flavorful finish. Sustainable. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
93 Points
JamesSuckling.com -
- 97
- 95
- 96
2021 Bekkers SyrahMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$120. 00Bottle$1440.00 DozenCellar: Drink now - 10 Years (2026-2036)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinPowerful and rich with lush, concentrated fruit framed by a sturdily built tannin structure.
Fruit was sourced from the McLaren vale sub regions of Clarendon and Seaview with 28% whole bunches utilised in the fermentation process. Maturation took place in a mixture of new (47%) and older (53%) French oak puncheons (500L).
Impenetrable inky black in colour with a very deep dark red black hue. Pronounced pepper infused aromas of dark plum and liquorice emanate from the glass followed by some smoked meat, earth, dried herb and subtle fennel notes. Rich, concentrated dark plum, liquorice and blackberry fruits are lush and supple upon entry. Notions of scorched earth, fennel, dried meats and blackpepper lurk underneath. Outstanding power with a sturdily built tannin structure that shows great polish. Concludes very long and sumptuous with plenty of spice.
Drink over the next 8-10 years.
Alc. 14%Other Reviews….
Deep, bold, bright red-purple colour with essency aromas of black fruits, blackberry/blackcurrant, the flavours bold and primary, full-bodied, rich and generous, with traces of star anise and licorice, poised high on the ripeness scale but certainly gets away with it. Opulent and hedonistic, a full-bodied and plush shiraz that already drinks superbly and should have a long career.
97 Points
The Real ReviewYou can’t do much Bekkers than this.
This is a full-bodied red wine with complexity served neat and structure planted firm. It’s as commanding as it is beguiling. It tastes of blue and black berries, licorice, seaweed, smoked-liquid-cedar and toast, and while I think there’s some positive reduction at play here too it’s difficult to tell; it may just be the way the smokiness of the oak has teamed with the seaweed-side of the fruit. No matter. The effect is mesmerising; the cups of flavour runneth into sheets of brilliant, mineral-strewn tannin, atmospheric smoke on the rise, all manner of goings on rumbling in the background. It’s a wonderful wine. Drink 2025-2035+
96 Points
Campbell Mattinson – The Wine FrontThe 2021 Syrah is supple, dark and spicy, and gives me all the detail and presence I was hoping for from the excellent 2021 vintage. The tannins in the mouth emphasize the black fruit, and it pulls together as a seamless, cohesive whole, even at this very young/early stage in its life. This is much more open-weaved and approachable than the Clarendon Syrah tasted next to it. Perhaps this speaks more of attraction and seduction up front. The fruit is sourced from three parcels—41% Clarendon (with one parcel at 194-242 meters above seal level) and 59% Seaview (with one parcel at 102-110 meters above seal level). You can see from the elevations that the Clarendon area is hilly and elevated (and beautiful!)—this is obvious when you visit. There was around 30% whole bunches in the mix this year, and it had a wild ferment and matured in French oak puncheons (500 liters, 47% new) until bottling in December 2022. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Drink 2023-2043.
95+ Points
Erin Larkin – Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate -
- Limit One per customer
- Nicks Import
Springbank Fino Sherry Cask Matured 10 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Campbeltown, SCOTLAND$599. 00Bottle$7188.00 DozenABV: 55%We're fast approaching the end of Springbank’s five part Sherry Series, with just the 10 Year Old Manzanilla left to be released. This, the fourth instalment was matured for ten years in total, four years in bourbon casks followed by six years in Fino (dry) sherry casks. Distilled in 2015, 11,400 bottles were released at 55% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... Fino can be very specific, and its influence is relatively mild compared to say, Oloroso or Pedro Ximénez. That's a good thing here. It might have added to the saline character, but left plenty of room for Springbank's DNA to shine. - wordsofwhisky.com
Notes from the producers... Nose: Dark chocolate, cocoa, sherry, leather, a bit of smoke, minerality, honey and overripe red fruits. Taste: Lightly peaty, nectar, crème brûlée, dried mango, sweet cream, chocolate-covered cherries, slightly salty, with a little red pepper. Finish: Long-lasting nectar, sweet orange, creamy popcorn, roasted malt, minerals and a bit of spiciness.
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- Limit One per customer
- Nicks Import
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - 28th ReleaseCampbeltown, SCOTLAND$399. 00Bottle$4788.00 DozenABV: 55.5%"Without the sherry influence, the actual distillate shines through more clearly...a great success." - whiskybase.com
This release will be notable in the Cask Strength timeline, as it marks a return to 100% ex-bourbon casks. The absence of any sherry input means the whisky will be more 'distillate-driven', a quality that many appreciate in Springbank due to the latent complexity of the spirit. Some are even describing it as their favourite bourbon-matured expression to date! 55.5% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
"Another fantastic Springbank 12 bottling. What makes it special is its pure bourbon maturation. Without the sherry influence, the actual distillate shines through more clearly, in my opinion. Others will miss the sherry component. I appreciate the decision to use pure bourbon cask maturation for Batch 28. For me, it's a great success." - whiskybase.com
"An intense, pure Springbank with wonderful notes of orange peel, citrus, sea air, and a delicate sweetness, along with a good amount of minerality. It's really enjoyable after a few minutes in the glass. Interestingly, you almost miss the sherry influence. This is pure pleasure, practically a significantly more mature version of the 5-year-old 100 proof. I like it a lot." - whiskybase.com
Notes from the producers... Nose: A sweet and inviting introduction to this dram, we have notes of fruit salad candy, raspberry ripple, dried mango, frosting and dark chocolate. Palate: The complexity builds in the palate with notes of smoked cayenne pepper, crushed chillies, toffee and charred steak. Finish: Gentle peat smoke emerges in the finish, along with notes of pink grapefruit, cocoa powder, glazed cherries and salted pretzels.
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- Limit One per customer
- Nicks Import
Springbank 5 Year Old 100 Proof Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - 2025 ReleaseCampbeltown, SCOTLAND$240. 00Bottle$2880.00 DozenABV: 57.1%"I adore this distillate-dominated sort of profile... top notch, uber-charismatic young malt whisky in the very best sense." - whiskyfun.com
It's speculated that this 2025 addition to the range is a response to the increasing scarcity of Springbank's core products, alleviating demand while keeping the brand 'out there'. Intended as an ongoing quarterly release, '100 Proof' pays homage to several historic distillery bottlings, such as those from the 2000s. Released at 57.1% (British 100 Proof) and matured in ex-bourbon casks, its youth and strength should offer a compelling sensory insight as to what Springbank's one-of-a-kind distillate is all about: an eclectic combination of peat and iodine freshness, cut hay, barnyard, creamy vanilla and tropical fruits. In short, a powerful whisky with a classic coastal Campbeltown personality that will make a curious contrast to the benchmark 10 year old. The first batch sold out instantly in Europe. Be quick! Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... Disarming. Clean and oily with vanilla and cream soda. A salty and sweet arrival brings a hint of fizz from lemons and pale-yellow fruits; Japanese pears and unripe honeydew melon. There’s a farmyard mulch, like a damp barn or warm hay mulch. Soft peppermint, white pepper too, with distant liquorice... After a glass or two, I reached for a Springbank 10 year old that’s been open a while and, in the glaring light of direct comparison, the youth of the new release was immediately obvious. But here’s the funny thing; after I’d drained both glasses, the one I reached for a second pour of was the 5yo. The purity of spirit drew me in. The silky texture and the heft of it, the simple focus alongside the odd pleasure of licking it off my teeth, were what the mood called for. - dramface.com
"The profile is quite similar to the Springbank 10 yo, but it is more vigorous, the peat is stronger, and the fruits are more present." - whiskybase.com
"Quintessential Springbank at its youth - not uncommon in some sub-10yo bourbon cage bottle. Campbeltown in a glass. At RRP this is quite decent, I it also strikes a better balance between spirit and cask than Longrow 100 proof. Worth noting that SB new make does require time to tame the funk, and 5 years feels like a bare minimum." - whiskybase.com
...Composed of 100% bourbon casks, although not too sure if everything was first fill. Colour: pale straw. Nose: an abundance of fresh breads and citrus notes. Yeasty sourdough starter, wool, fresh linens and white flowers. Then lemon barley water and impressions of bay leaf, citrus curds, heathery floral notes and some firmer mineral and stone qualities that nod towards waxiness. The very epitome of excellent young malt whisky. With water: lighter and almost feathery, more focussed around cereals, breads, pressed flowers, wool, ink and mineral oil. Mouth: fantastic! Pure Springbank distillate character, very waxy and much oily and more emphatic than the nose suggested, going here much more decisively towards lemon waxy notes, chalk, clay, sheep wool, delicate medicinal tones and wild coastal flowers. There's also a slightly sharp, white stone fruitiness and fermentary side that makes me think of old Glen Grant 5yo 100 proof bottlings. With water: gets bone dry, even salty and superbly coastal now, lemon juice on sheep wool, watercress, white pepper and a trace of brittle peat smoke. Finish: good length, warming and peppery, with impressions of warm draff, old school ales, chalky and still those persistently bright lemony notes. Comments: It's true that I adore this distillate-dominated sort of profile, but even with that caveat, I think this is top notch, uber-charismatic young malt whisky in the very best sense. Swings a wrecking ball through most of these frankly embarrassing NAS wine finished things that clutter up whisky these days. That being said, it also demonstrates that in order to be able to release young, unvarnished, high strength bottlings such as this, you need the sort of distillate that can stand on its own. 88 points - whiskyfun.com
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- Limit One per customer
Springbank 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - 2025 BottlingCampbeltown, SCOTLAND$399. 00Bottle$4788.00 DozenABV: 46%Compared to previous years, the 2025 batch highlights a shift towards an extreme sherry profile, looking even deeper and darker than the 2024 bottling! A decade and a half in first-fill and refill sherry wood integrates the smoke into layers of dark chocolate and maritime spice. 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... "Aged entirely in ex sherry casks, the fruity and floral aroma really come through. There is a drying wood tannin that is detected along with burnt wood. Peanut brittle and salt water taffy are the sweet and salty qualities that mark this bottling." - Stephanie Moreno, distiller.com
...quite complex nose, great palate and solid experience overall....46% hides rough edges on the palate. I would love to taste this dram at 50% or higher. On the other hand, he is so quaffable that you might be surprised. Really easy-sweet drinking. - whiskybase.com
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2022 Chateau Haut-Bergeron SauternesSauternes, Bordeaux, FRANCE$69. 99Bottle$839.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 12 Years (2026-2038)ABV: 14%Closure: Diam CorkA concentrated and viscous, honey drenched Sauternes with a long, decadent finish.
Many experts consider Chateau Haut Bergeron to be the best of the non classified Sauternes. Part of the secret of the success of Robert Lamothes and his sons Patrick and Herue is the terroir. The 28 hectare vineyard is split on such a way, that part of the vines are in Barsac, (next to Chateau Climens), part are at Preignac and a large slice next to Chateau d’Yquem. At one stage the label used to boast this fact, with the words 'CONTIGU d’YQUEM'. Son, Herue is a dedicated and passionate winemaker who ages wine in 25% to 50% new oak casks. The exact percentage depends upon the vintage conditions.
Bright yellow straw gold tinged colour. Intoxicating scents of honeyed apricot and peach are complimented by dried pineapple, toffee apple and spice notes. Boasting outstanding intensity, the viscous, honey drenched palate is draped with mouth coating flavours of honeyed apricot and peach which are complimented by pineapple, marmalade and toffee apple characters. Fresh underlying acidity counterpoints the thick, luscious textural feel. Finishes long and decadent.
Drink over the next 10-12 years.
Alc. 14%Other Reviews….
The 2022 Haut-Bergeron has a perfumed bouquet with well-defined yellow plum, butterscotch and light saffron scents. The palate is well balanced, fresh and pure, with a fine acidity and impressive tension. It's focused with crème brûlée and caramelized pear notes on the finish. What a lovely Sauternes. Drink 2028-2048.
93 Points
Neal Martin - VinousA blend of 85% Sémillon and 15% Sauvignon Blanc, the 2022 Haut-Bergeron reveals a fresh, delicate and complex bouquet of ripe orchard fruits, grapefruit, exotic fruits and lovely spicy notes. Medium to full-bodied, dense and enveloping, it achieves perfect balance with bright acidity, a stunning texture from Botrytis cinerea and a long, ethereal finish tinged with mango. This wine is undoubtedly a superb value and one I would eagerly add to my cellar. Drink 2028-2042.
93 Points
Yohan Castaing – Robert Parker’s The Wine AdvocateSpiced golden berries, quince and honey follow through to a medium-to full-bodied palate with sweet, almost luscious fruit. Balanced and creamy, with medium acidity and good flavor complexity offsetting the sweetness. Good length. Drink now or hold.
92 Points
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2022 Chateau Haut-Bergeron Sauternes (375ml)Sauternes, Bordeaux, FRANCE$39. 99Bottle$479.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2026-2032)ABV: 14%Closure: Diam CorkA concentrated and viscous, honey drenched Sauternes with a long, decadent finish.
Many experts consider Chateau Haut Bergeron to be the best of the non classified Sauternes. Part of the secret of the success of Robert Lamothes and his sons Patrick and Herue is the terroir. The 28 hectare vineyard is split on such a way, that part of the vines are in Barsac, (next to Chateau Climens), part are at Preignac and a large slice next to Chateau d’Yquem. At one stage the label used to boast this fact, with the words 'CONTIGU d’YQUEM'. Son, Herue is a dedicated and passionate winemaker who ages wine in 25% to 50% new oak casks. The exact percentage depends upon the vintage conditions.
Bright yellow straw gold tinged colour. Intoxicating scents of honeyed apricot and peach are complimented by dried pineapple, toffee apple and spice notes. Boasting outstanding intensity, the viscous, honey drenched palate is draped with mouth coating flavours of honeyed apricot and peach which are complimented by pineapple, marmalade and toffee apple characters. Fresh underlying acidity counterpoints the thick, luscious textural feel. Finishes long and decadent.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14%Other Reviews….
The 2022 Haut-Bergeron has a perfumed bouquet with well-defined yellow plum, butterscotch and light saffron scents. The palate is well balanced, fresh and pure, with a fine acidity and impressive tension. It's focused with crème brûlée and caramelized pear notes on the finish. What a lovely Sauternes. Drink 2028-2048.
93 Points
Neal Martin - VinousA blend of 85% Sémillon and 15% Sauvignon Blanc, the 2022 Haut-Bergeron reveals a fresh, delicate and complex bouquet of ripe orchard fruits, grapefruit, exotic fruits and lovely spicy notes. Medium to full-bodied, dense and enveloping, it achieves perfect balance with bright acidity, a stunning texture from Botrytis cinerea and a long, ethereal finish tinged with mango. This wine is undoubtedly a superb value and one I would eagerly add to my cellar. Drink 2028-2042.
93 Points
Yohan Castaing – Robert Parker’s The Wine AdvocateSpiced golden berries, quince and honey follow through to a medium-to full-bodied palate with sweet, almost luscious fruit. Balanced and creamy, with medium acidity and good flavor complexity offsetting the sweetness. Good length. Drink now or hold.
92 Points
JamesSuckling.com -
- Limit One per customer
- Nicks Import
Hazelburn 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - 2025 BottlingCampbeltown, SCOTLAND$199. 99Bottle$2399.88 DozenABV: 46%"if you’re a fan of elegant, simple, unpeated whiskies that don’t try too hard but still deliver, you’re in for a treat." - dramface.com
Named after one of Campbeltown's lost distilleries, Hazelburn gains its delicate character from unpeated barley and is distilled following the Longrow run, three times instead of twice, as is the standard for Scotch single malt. Sometimes described as "a light triple distilled version of Springbank", consistent with previous releases, the 2025 release comes 100% matured in x-Bourbon casks. 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... I won what felt like the whisky lottery and managed to snag a bottle of this year’s Hazelburn 10 release – and it did not disappoint. From a nose that’s bright, fruity and coastal, to a palate that is smooth, creamy, and quietly confident: if you’re a fan of elegant, simple, unpeated whiskies that don’t try too hard but still deliver, you’re in for a treat. So, maybe, if you’re set on a resolution for 2026, it should be something like picking up one of these. If you can find one. - dramface.com
Notes from the producers... Nose: On the nose we have notes of Victoria sponge, honey, vanilla, gooseberries, dried apricots and a soft floral element. Palate: The palate brings notes of key lime pie, icing sugar, green grapes and fruit syrup. Finish: There is a waxiness in the finish with a note of bergamot lemon.
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2021 Patrick Two-Blocks Coonawarra Cabernet SauvignonCoonawarra, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2026-2032)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinRich, concentrated and full in body with opulent fruit backed by a sturdy structure.
Matured for 18 months in oak. Impenetrable pitch black core with a very deep dark red black tinged hue. Intense blackcurrant, liquorice and mulberry scents waft through the nostrils followed by some dark chocolate, vanillin cedar, subtle earthy tobacco and spice notes. Rich, concentrated and powerful, blackcurrant, liquorice and mulberry fruits are layered across the full bodied palate with a degree of opulence. Vanillin cedar, earth, tobacco and subtle bay leaf accents sit in the background. Sturdily built yet velvet like tannins with a long, bold, deeply fruited finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5% -
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- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2022 Rutherglen Estate Renaissance Viognier Roussanne MarsanneRutherglen, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2026-2028)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinA shapely Rhone style blend featuring peach and apricot fruits over honeysuckle and ginger spice.
Bright straw colour with straw green tinged edges and a watery hue. Aromas of peach, honeysuckle and apricot are trailed by some bacon fat and subtle cinnamon spice notes. Texturally creamy the palate features peach and apricot fruits over a back drop of honeysuckle and ginger spice. Fresh underlying acidity with a shapely finish of medium length.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 13%Other Reviews….
56/24/20% viognier/roussanne/marsanne. A little finer, a little brighter than its '23 sibling, but keeps true to a promise of complexity. Nails the varietal strengths of each grape, launching white florals and a keen citrus intensity edged in almond, ginger and spice. Viognier brings its peach custard and stone fruit influence to the palate, adding another layer. Floats on the tongue, finishing with a lovely textural warmth. Drink by 2029.\
92 Points
Jeni Port - James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
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- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2025 Deep Woods Estate Semillon Sauvignon BlancMargaret River, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$24. 99Bottle$299.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2026-2028)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinA dry, zesty Margaret River blend.
Brilliant water like colour with green tinged edges. Herbaceous grassy top notes mix with gooseberry, passionfruit, citrus and asparagus notes. Zesty lime, gooseberry, passionfruit and grassy asparagus flavours are underscored by very crisp mineral infused acidity. Finishes dry and zippy.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 12.5%
















































