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- 2023 Laurent Roumier Chambolle-MusignyBurgundy, FRANCE$299. 00Bottle$3588.00 DozenABV: 13%Closure: Cork
Laurent Roumier is the grandson of the legendary Georges Roumier and his holdings originate from that grand old estate with more recent additions of 6 hectares in the Hautes Cotes de Nuits being purchased in the 1990s and further purchases in Chambolle-Musigny. His father Alain was the cellar master for Comte de Vogue for nearly 3 decades before taking his portion of the family vineyards to farm for his own family. Wines here appear stylistically very similar to those of Georges with even the same barrels and oak used as his cousins though one notable difference is that Laurent mostly de-stems giving wines that show excellent depth of colour and which are more immediately perfumed and accessible in their youth while still having ample depth and structure to age classically.
The vines are on average 35 years old, and they are farmed traditionally and naturally, with neither fertilizer nor herbicide. Green harvests are carried out in the summer when necessary. All of the vines are harvested by hand. In the cellar, the work is carried out with the same level of precision. The grapes are entirely destemmed the vinified in concrete vats. Alcoholic fermentation lasts around 15 days, with pumping over and punching down every day, and the temperature is checked every day. When it comes to pressing, the team decants the wines for 12 hours in vats and then barrels (50% of which are new for the grand crus and the premier crus, 30% for the villages and 10% for the Bourgogne Hautes-cotes-de-nuits). The elevage lasts 15 to 18 months, with the barrels (mostly Tonnelerie Rousseau) being topped up once a week and racked two or three times during the entire period of elevage.
Laurent's Chambolle-Musigny comes from five parcels of vines planted between the 1960s and 1990s with an average age of 35 years old. Chambolle-Musigny gets its reputation for perfume and elegance and this is textbook Chambolle yet also with admirable intensity and generosity.
- 2023 Laurent Roumier Chambolle-Musigny Les Charmes Premier CruBurgundy, FRANCE$550. 00Bottle$6600.00 DozenABV: 13.5%Closure: Cork
Laurent Roumier is the grandson of the legendary Georges Roumier and his holdings originate from that grand old estate with more recent additions of 6 hectares in the Hautes Cotes de Nuits being purchased in the 1990s and further purchases in Chambolle-Musigny. His father Alain was the cellar master for Comte de Vogue for nearly 3 decades before taking his portion of the family vineyards to farm for his own family. Wines here appear stylistically very similar to those of Georges with even the same barrels and oak used as his cousins though one notable difference is that Laurent mostly de-stems giving wines that show excellent depth of colour and which are more immediately perfumed and accessible in their youth while still having ample depth and structure to age classically.
The vines are on average 35 years old, and they are farmed traditionally and naturally, with neither fertilizer nor herbicide. Green harvests are carried out in the summer when necessary. All of the vines are harvested by hand. In the cellar, the work is carried out with the same level of precision. The grapes are entirely destemmed the vinified in concrete vats. Alcoholic fermentation lasts around 15 days, with pumping over and punching down every day, and the temperature is checked every day. When it comes to pressing, the team decants the wines for 12 hours in vats and then barrels (50% of which are new for the grand crus and the premier crus, 30% for the villages and 10% for the Bourgogne Hautes-cotes-de-nuits). The elevage lasts 15 to 18 months, with the barrels (mostly Tonnelerie Rousseau) being topped up once a week and racked two or three times during the entire period of elevage.
Les Charmes is located just below the village almost exactly half way between the two Grand Crus of Chambolle-Musigny, Bonnes Mares and Musigny. It's also very close to the Les Amoureuses premier cru vineyard, which explains which this is always one of the most highly favoured sites in the commune.
- 2023 Laurent Roumier Clos Vougeot Grand CruBurgundy, FRANCE$699. 00Bottle$8388.00 DozenABV: 14.5%Closure: Cork
Laurent Roumier is the grandson of the legendary Georges Roumier and his holdings originate from that grand old estate with more recent additions of 6 hectares in the Hautes Cotes de Nuits being purchased in the 1990s and further purchases in Chambolle-Musigny. His father Alain was the cellar master for Comte de Vogue for nearly 3 decades before taking his portion of the family vineyards to farm for his own family. Wines here appear stylistically very similar to those of Georges with even the same barrels and oak used as his cousins though one notable difference is that Laurent mostly de-stems giving wines that show excellent depth of colour and which are more immediately perfumed and accessible in their youth while still having ample depth and structure to age classically.
The vines are on average 35 years old, and they are farmed traditionally and naturally, with neither fertilizer nor herbicide. Green harvests are carried out in the summer when necessary. All of the vines are harvested by hand. In the cellar, the work is carried out with the same level of precision. The grapes are entirely destemmed the vinified in concrete vats. Alcoholic fermentation lasts around 15 days, with pumping over and punching down every day, and the temperature is checked every day. When it comes to pressing, the team decants the wines for 12 hours in vats and then barrels (50% of which are new for the grand crus and the premier crus, 30% for the villages and 10% for the Bourgogne Hautes-cotes-de-nuits). The elevage lasts 15 to 18 months, with the barrels (mostly Tonnelerie Rousseau) being topped up once a week and racked two or three times during the entire period of elevage.
Laurent Roumier has a superb holding of just over half a hectare of vines which was replanted in 1975 and is located in the lieu dit of Grand Maupertuis in the higher part of Clos Vougeot bordering on to Grands Echezeaux, not far from Musigny. This parcel was worked en metayage by Georges Roumier from the 1950’s and was transferred to Laurent Roumier from the 1997 vintage. This is a remarkably rich deep and stylish wine that would put some notable Musigny’s to shame.
- 2023 Laurent Roumier Bonnes Mares Grand CruBurgundy, FRANCE$930. 00Bottle$11160.00 DozenABV: 14%Closure: Cork
Laurent Roumier is the grandson of the legendary Georges Roumier and his holdings originate from that grand old estate with more recent additions of 6 hectares in the Hautes Cotes de Nuits being purchased in the 1990s and further purchases in Chambolle-Musigny. His father Alain was the cellar master for Comte de Vogue for nearly 3 decades before taking his portion of the family vineyards to farm for his own family. Wines here appear stylistically very similar to those of Georges with even the same barrels and oak used as his cousins though one notable difference is that Laurent mostly de-stems giving wines that show excellent depth of colour and which are more immediately perfumed and accessible in their youth while still having ample depth and structure to age classically.
The vines are on average 35 years old, and they are farmed traditionally and naturally, with neither fertilizer nor herbicide. Green harvests are carried out in the summer when necessary. All of the vines are harvested by hand. In the cellar, the work is carried out with the same level of precision. The grapes are entirely destemmed the vinified in concrete vats. Alcoholic fermentation lasts around 15 days, with pumping over and punching down every day, and the temperature is checked every day. When it comes to pressing, the team decants the wines for 12 hours in vats and then barrels (50% of which are new for the grand crus and the premier crus, 30% for the villages and 10% for the Bourgogne Hautes-cotes-de-nuits). The elevage lasts 15 to 18 months, with the barrels (mostly Tonnelerie Rousseau) being topped up once a week and racked two or three times during the entire period of elevage.
Laurent Roumier's holding of Bonnes Mares is just 0.14 ha of vines planted in 1938, and produces around 3-4 barrels (900 bottles) of this wine in a good year. This holding was inherited from the Georges Roumier estate and is situated in the heart of this Grand cru site with these vines located between the holdings of de Vogue and Frederic Mugnier. Shows great depth of colour with beautiful fine aromas of rose petal, all perfume and finesse, yet very deep and intense on the palate with remarkable persistence and power.
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- 88
2023 Domaine Sylvain Cathiard Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de NuitsBurgundy, FRANCE$220. 00Bottle$2640.00 DozenABV: 12.5%Closure: CorkSylvain Cathiard built a fearsome reputation through the 1990's and early 2000's for producing some of the greatest wines of Burgundy. His ability to marry fragrant and perfectly ripe grapes with expertly chosen new oak set the standard at the time. While the wines were more approachable than his peers, they also had the requisite components to age and evolve gloriously for many years. Now under the stewardship of his son Sebastien, the wines have gained even more acclaim and are equally as well built for an envious evolution in the cellar.
Other Reviews....
Subtle but not invisible wood influence sets off aromas that derive more from the dark side of the fruit spectrum while displaying a similar level of earth influence. The delicious and appealingly vibrant lighter weight flavors exude evident minerality on the dusty and mildly austere finale where a hint of bitter pit fruit character slowly emerges. Drink through 2027+.
86-88 points
Allen Meadows - BurghoundThe 2023 Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits Rouge has a playful nose with wild strawberry and raspberry fruit, and more mineralité than the Bourgogne Rouge. The palate is medium-bodied with a saline entry, harmonious and quite structured on the finish. Maybe it just misses a little sustain on the aftertaste, but otherwise this is a fine Hautes-Côtes. Drink 2026-2033.
88-90 points
Neal Martin - VinousA lighter crimson ruby. The nose takes a moment to come out. A leafy note to the fresh red fruit, medium bodied, a little leaner than the Bourgogne but fine-boned and will develop further when the oak subsides. 60% vignes basses, the other two cuvees 100%. Drink from 2026-2028.
87-88 points
Jasper Morris MW - Inside Burgundy -
- 90
2023 Domaine Sylvain Cathiard Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Nuits Aux ChaumesBurgundy, FRANCE$230. 00Bottle$2760.00 DozenABV: 12%Closure: CorkSylvain Cathiard built a fearsome reputation through the 1990's and early 2000's for producing some of the greatest wines of Burgundy. His ability to marry fragrant and perfectly ripe grapes with expertly chosen new oak set the standard at the time. While the wines were more approachable than his peers, they also had the requisite components to age and evolve gloriously for many years. Now under the stewardship of his son Sebastien, the wines have gained even more acclaim and are equally as well built for an envious evolution in the cellar.
Other Reviews....
This is aromatically quite similar to the straight Hautes Côtes but with a violet top note. There is however a bit more volume to the vibrant and stony medium weight flavors that display noticeably more depth and persistence on the nicely balanced finale. This is an excellent Bourgogne. Drink through 2027+.
87-89 points
Allen Meadows - BurghoundThe 2023 Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits Aux Chaumes has a subtle, floral bouquet with impressive precision and poise. Its very pure red fruit seems to shimmer with energy. The palate is medium-bodied with gentle grip and slightly darker fruit than the regular Hautes-Côtes. More salinity comes through on the finish. Excellent. Drink 2026-2033.
90-92 points
Neal Martin - VinousAnother colour on the paler side. Again, an attractive leafiness, this time perhaps a mini-reduction. There is a greater depth of fresh red fruit, raspberry and redcurrant, a little youthful bitterness, but greater fruit content in the length compared to the oak. Drink from 2026-2028.
88-89 points
Jasper Morris MW - Inside Burgundy -
- 90
2023 Domaine Sylvain Cathiard Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Nuits Les Dames HuguetteBurgundy, FRANCE$235. 00Bottle$2820.00 DozenABV: 12%Closure: CorkSylvain Cathiard built a fearsome reputation through the 1990's and early 2000's for producing some of the greatest wines of Burgundy. His ability to marry fragrant and perfectly ripe grapes with expertly chosen new oak set the standard at the time. While the wines were more approachable than his peers, they also had the requisite components to age and evolve gloriously for many years. Now under the stewardship of his son Sebastien, the wines have gained even more acclaim and are equally as well built for an envious evolution in the cellar.
Other Reviews....
A perfumed and slightly more elegant nose of mostly red berries and wet stone gives way to less concentrated but finer flavors that possess excellent delineation, indeed the word chiseled comes to mind, all wrapped in a dusty and moderately austere finale that isn't quite as complex. Drink through 2027+.
86-89 points
Allen Meadows - BurghoundThe 2023 Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits Les Dames Huguette, from a vineyard that touches the Aux Chaumes but has more limestone soils, shows a little more ripeness on the nose: more forward, vivacious red berry fruit mixes with hoisin. The palate is well balanced with dark berry fruit and a touch of cola. This has fine weight and focus, though perhaps it will require a couple of years to fully integrate. Drink 2027-2034.
90-92 points
Neal Martin - VinousA fine glowing pinkish purple. The most elegant of the three in bouquet. And a little the deepest in fruit with a ripe strawberry fruit that is very appealing. Almost quite sensual at the finish and though the oak is quite present in youth, this will all come together very nicely. Drink from 2026-2028.
88-90 points
Jasper Morris MW - Inside Burgundy -
- 91
2023 Domaine Sylvain Cathiard Nuits-Saint-Georges Aux Thorey Premier CruBurgundy, FRANCE$850. 00Bottle$10200.00 DozenABV: 13.5%Closure: CorkSylvain Cathiard built a fearsome reputation through the 1990's and early 2000's for producing some of the greatest wines of Burgundy. His ability to marry fragrant and perfectly ripe grapes with expertly chosen new oak set the standard at the time. While the wines were more approachable than his peers, they also had the requisite components to age and evolve gloriously for many years. Now under the stewardship of his son Sebastien, the wines have gained even more acclaim and are equally as well built for an envious evolution in the cellar.
Other Reviews....
This is also attractively perfumed and airy with its softly spicy nose of mostly red cherry and suggestion of newly turned earth. The silky, vibrant and stony medium weight flavors are not particularly dense but do possess excellent delineation on the youthfully austere, firm and impeccably well-balanced finale. This is lovely and very Thorey in character. Drink through 2033+.
90-93 points
Allen Meadows - BurghoundThe 2023 Nuits Saint-Georges Aux Thorey 1er Cru has an open and "airy" bouquet of red cherries, wild strawberries and wilted rose petal scents, and is not concentrated like the previous vintage but very focused. The palate is silky-smooth on the entry and the 60% new oak is just a little "vocal" at the moment, imparting a seductive lactic element toward the finish. That will be subsumed with time. Afford this modern-styled NSG three or four years in bottle. Drink 2027-2040.
91-93 points
Neal Martin - VinousA lighter crimson colour. There is some weight of ripe fruit on the nose, and significantly more on the palate than the village wines, with a depth of dark strawberry and raspberry. Adequate acidity and well tamed tannins supply the structure. Good length to complete the deal. Drink from 2030-2036.
92-94 points
Jasper Morris MW - Inside Burgundy -
- 95
2023 Domaine Sylvain Cathiard Vosne-Romanee Aux Malconsorts Premier CruBurgundy, FRANCE$2499. 00Bottle$29988.00 DozenABV: 13%Closure: CorkSylvain Cathiard built a fearsome reputation through the 1990's and early 2000's for producing some of the greatest wines of Burgundy. His ability to marry fragrant and perfectly ripe grapes with expertly chosen new oak set the standard at the time. While the wines were more approachable than his peers, they also had the requisite components to age and evolve gloriously for many years. Now under the stewardship of his son Sebastien, the wines have gained even more acclaim and are equally as well built for an envious evolution in the cellar.
Other Reviews....
Once again there is a coolness to the airy and beautifully layered aromas of spice, the essence of various red berries and jasmine tea where a hint of dried orange peel can be found. While there is excellent punch and an almost pungent minerality to the middle weight flavors, they are not particularly dense though there is outstanding depth and persistence on the firm, austere and unapologetically built-to-age finale. This is a buy and forget you own it wine for at least the first 10 years. Drink through 2038+.
92-95 points
Allen Meadows - BurghoundThe 2023 Vosne-Romanée Aux Malconsorts 1er Cru is a kindred spirit to the Les Suchots on the nose, sharing the same purity and utterly entrancing delineation. The two-thirds new oak is seamlessly integrated. The palate is beautifully balanced with a bit more grip and maybe a little more backbone than the Les Suchots, yet there is so much harmony and poise toward the finish. Outstanding. Drink 2028-2055.
95-97 points
Neal Martin - VinousJust a little deeper in colour, a fresh pale purple. The bouquet expresses the joy of Malconsorts, floral as well as with an exquisite darker cherry fruit and as usual this is by far the most complete wine on the palate with a deep cherry expression, just more red cherry than black, but with a sense of harmony that excites. Drink from 2032-2040.
94-97 points
Jasper Morris MW - Inside Burgundy -
- Nick's Import
Coruba 12 Year Old Cigar Rum (700ml)JAMAICA$109. 99Bottle$1319.88 DozenABV: 40%Reminiscent of Dalmore’s Cigar Malt, this Jamaican rum is marketed as the perfect pairing with a fine cigar. Various sources report aromas and flavours of dried mango bark, brown sugar, vanilla, toffee, pineapple, cloves, cinnamon, tobacco smoke and burnt oak. Others suggest it to be more suitable as a mixer rather than sipped neat. Distilled and matured in Jamaica on behalf of the The Rum Company Basel, creators of fine rum since 1889. 40% Alc./Vol.
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- 91
- 95
- Reduced
Nicks Secret King Valley ProseccoKing Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIAReduced from $22.99$13. 99Bottle$167.88 DozenABV: 11.5%Closure: Crown SealLight & airy with a dry, racy finish.
Sourced from the home of Prosecco wine production in Australia, the King Valley, this is a light, zippy sparkling at the dry end of the spectrum.
Pours with an exuberant mousse that slowly fades into a water like core that has green tinged edges. The nose offers up aromas of citrus, red apple, subtle baked bread and pear. Light and airy in it’s feel with a steady stream of tiny bubbles flowing through it, citrus, green apple and pear fruits are underscored by crisp acidity. Some subtle sherbet elements also make an appearance through the dry, racy finish.
Alc. 11.5%Other Reviews....
From the home of prosecco in Australia – the King Valley – comes another zippy, super-fresh aperitif style of bubbly that is well priced to boot. Combines lemon, grapefruit and apple with real sherbety fizz and acid crunch. A creamy texture across the mid-palate opens up a number of food matching possibilities.
95 Points
Jeni Port – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 95
- 93
2024 Osicka Selection Colbinabbin SangioveseHeathcote, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$26. 99Bottle$323.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinA deliciously juicy Heathcote Sangiovese.
The 2024 Osicka Selection Sangiovese was grown at Gerard Kennedy and Lucy Runnalls vineyard on the Eastern slopes of the Mt Camel Range. Maturation took place in a combination of older oak (40%) and a concrete sphere shaped vessel (60%). The softer oak component had a more complex flavour profile whilst the portion stored in concrete brought intense primary fruit and structural drive to the blend.
Deep dark red black tinged colour with a dark red hue. Expressive red currant, cherry and red liquorice aromas fill the nostrils followed by some tobacco, earth and spicy dried herb notes. Moreish ripe red currant, red to dark cherry and red liquorice fruits show impressive intensity and flesh across the mid weighted palate. Spicy tobacco, dried herb and earth elements sit in the background. Slightly chalky tannins and fresh underlying acidity lead into a long juicy finish that has plenty of spice to it.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14%Other Reviews....
Normally Simon Osicka sends through detailed notes on wines, and these seem to have arrived from the astral plane. Maybe he did send something and I lost the memos, though have had a dig around and nada. Anyways, minutiae of my day, hey? These ‘Selection’ wines come from outside the estate, and posit another level of value and value add to the existing Osicka stable of wines. This wine feels like a red someone would drink in a tavern, taverna, bistro or trattoria – varietal, accessible, x-factor, deliciousness. Not quite the right label here but close enough. At $28 at full whack this is another gift from the Osicka family.
Red cherry, stewed and fresh, some pomegranate juice, a dash of woody spices, some blood orange, a lick of dark chocolate, a pinch of pepper. Tannins tumble in with a gruff but pleasing and somewhat light chew. A graphite mineral line lends detail and a lift. Acidity takes its cue from the blood orange. Pitch perfect. It sits at around medium weight, it’s chuggable and gluggable and damn good. Drink 2025-2030.
93 Points
Mike Bennie – The Wine Front -
- 92
2024 Sons of Eden Pumpa Cabernet SauvignonEden Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$24. 99Bottle$299.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinFleshy red to black fruits with medium body weight and a juicy finish.
Midnight black dark red core with a vibrant dark red hue. Elevated red to black currant, red plum and mulberry aromas intermix with dried herb, tobacco and spicy cedar notes. Red to black currant and red plum fruits caress the mid weighted palate with mulberry, dried herb, tobacco, black olive and spicy cedar elements extending across the back half. Fleshy mouth feel with fine grained tannins and a juicy medium to long conclusion.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
- 94
- 95
- 94
- 94
2024 Penny’s Hill Single Vineyard GrenacheMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$39. 99Bottle$479.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinFresh, energetic and succulent with a subtle chalky feel.
Includes 25% whole bunch fruit with maturation taking place in French oak puncheons for a period of 7 months. Vibrant dark red core with black tinged edges and a bright red purple tinged hue. Fragrant red raspberry, cherry and red liquorice aromas sail out of the glass complimented by vanillin confectionary, delicate crushed rock and spicy dried herb notes. Juicy raspberry, red liquorice and cherry fruits are abound with chalky crushed rock, vanillin confectionary and spicy earth elements in the background. Fresh acidity with a subtle chalky feel to the tannin structure. Concludes long, energetic and succulent.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14%Other Reviews…..
From a two-hectare 76-year-old estate block in Blewitt Springs on typically deep sands. This was fermented with 25% whole bunches, then matured in older French puncheons for seven months. Those sandy soils are writ large on the nose, which is so fragrantly lifted and expressly red fruited and floral scented. It would be easy to get carried away and be seduced by that alone, but there’s a serious pulse to this, too, with a thread of fine silty tannin and a seasoning of darker spices. In short, it has oodles of charm equalled by cool composure and savoury refinement. It’s very good. Drink by 2035.
95 Points
Marcus Ellis – James Halliday’s Australian Wine CompanionThis is Penny’s Hill’s second vintage of this wine from 76 year-old bush vines in the sandy soils of Blewitt Springs. It saw 25% whole bunch and was left on skins for 10 days before maturation on lees in French puncheons for seven months. 14% abv. 253 dozen made. This is a beautiful wine. It’s fragrant, it’s supple, it’s lithe. It nails the charm that quality modern day Grenache is acclaimed for with its succulent mix of red fruits and spice. Raspberry, bergamot tea leaf, poached strawberry and white spice make way for savoury warm sand and subtle garrigue. Air unlocks a saline minerality through the wine’s core. It’s very moreish and classy. The palate sits high, dancing through the mouth with intensity but never weightiness. Raspberry leaf, macerated strawberry, red liquorice, white pepper, subtle earth and a hint of red apple skin. Incredible tannins here, they’re so fine, long and ductile; melting around the fruit and wrapping the palate in a sheath of silty texture and carrying the red fruits and spice through to a long and elegant finish. A beautiful wine indeed.
94 Points
Tom Kline – WinePilot.comBush-vine grenache off 76-year-old vines at Blewitt Springs in McLaren Vale. 25% whole bunches in the ferment and no new oak. 253 dozen only. Penny’s Hill is on the up and up.
Beautiful wine. Fragrant, delicate, powerful where it needs to be, delicious through the core of it. Raspberries, dried herbs, roasted spices, a whisper of anise, a sense in general that an open field of grenache has been invited to your table. This wine does not lack precision or tension, indeed it’s well versed on both counts, but it feels unleashed and free in the best of ways. Put Penny’s Hill and this wine on your radar. This is $50 very well spent. Drink 2025-2032+
94 Points
Campbell Mattinson – The Wine Front -
- 92
2023 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais-VillagesBeaujolais, FRANCE$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinFresh and juicy with a generously fruited spice laden finish.
Beaujolais-Villages takes its name from a certain number of wine-making villages in the Beaujolais production area - 38 to be precise - that have long stood out for the superior quality of their wines.
Dark red black tinged core with a dark red hue. Aromas of dark cherry, anise and earth drift through the nostrils with some incense and spice notes also chiming in. Juicy dark cherry and anise flavours overlay an earthy incense and spicy dried herb back drop. Slightly chewy tannins with fresh acidity and a generously fruited spice laden finish.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
- 96
2019 Rogues Lane Heathcote ShirazHeathcote, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 15%Closure: StelvinA rich, voluptuous power packed Heathcote Shiraz.
Partial whole bunch fermentation with maturation taking place in French oak (40% new) for a period of 20 months. Impenetrable pitch black heart with a near equally deep dark red black hue. Wafting through the nostrils are aromas of ripe blackberry, liquorice and black cherry followed by some spicy vanillin cedar and peppered fennel notes. Rich, decadently textured and lavish, the full bodied palate is engulfed with black cherry, liquorice, blackberry and black plum fruits. Vanillin cedar, subtle scorched earth and peppered fennel elements lie in the background. Power packed it has velvet smooth tannins and a long voluptuous finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 15% -
- 94
- 94
2021 Pierro L.T.C.f Cabernet Sauvignon MerlotMargaret River, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$44. 99Bottle$539.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinA fleshy, mid weighted Cabernet Blend with red to dark fruits and a long savoury finish.
Dark red core with black shaded edges and a red to dark red hue. Ripe red to dark currant and mulberry aromas are trailed by subtle tobacco leaf, dried herb, earth and spicy cedar notes. The fleshy mid weighted palate features red and dark currant, mulberry and rhubarb fruits over dried herb, brambly cedar, subtle tobacco leaf and spice characters. Fine, polished tannin structure with a long savoury finish that shows plenty of spice.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13.5%Other Reviews…..
A blend predominantly of cabernet, with smaller contributions from merlot, cabernet blanc, malbec and petit verdot—a Bordeaux blend. The cooler season has delivered a wine of elegance and charm. It bursts with vibrant red fruits and a slightly leafy red currant note. The palate is seamlessly knitted with fine, silky tannins and lightly applied oak, all wrapped around the fruit to create a poised, long and compelling wine. It's highly fragrant, thanks in part to the cabernet franc, and altogether delightful.
95 Points
RayJordanWine.com.auThis is lovely for its restraint and approachability, which makes it very easy to drink. Violets and spice, raspberry leaf and freshly rolled tobacco with a hint of menthol. Barely medium bodied, this is finely tuned with sweet red berries, mulberries and cassis, a smidge of cedary oak. There’s a certain elegance here, a softness to the palate, the tannins fine and feathery, acidity bright and the finish lingers. Gorgeous now and will offer more with age. Drink by 2034.
94 Points
Jane Faulkner – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 93
- 92
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- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2019 Zema Estate Coonawarra ShirazCoonawarra, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$26. 99Bottle$323.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinRich, dense and concentrated with a plush feel and some firmness across the finish.
Matured for 15 months in French and American oak. Dense inky black heart with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Ripe blackberry, liquorice and dark chocolate aromas waft out of the glass trailed by vanillin oak and mocha notes. Rich, dense and concentrated, the full bodied palate carries a plush feel with ripe blackberry, liquorice and toasty vanillin oak flavours to the fore. Earthy mocha and subtle pepper elements sit in the background. A sturdy yet velvety tannin structure lends some firmness to the long opulent finish.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews….
Decent flavour and a bit of spread to the finish; this is a good release from Zema. Redcurrant and plum flavours with mint, cream and woodsy spice. It's medium weight and feels well finessed. Drink by 2032.
92 Points
Campbell Mattinson – James Halliday’s Australian Wine CompanionThis fine Coonawarra Shiraz was fermented on skins for ten days before fifteen months in a mix of French and American hogsheads. These Estate wines are absolutely nothing if not fabulous value. The colour here is a near opaque purple. The nose exhibits finely handled oak and the wine oozes purple fruits along with mulberries, chocolate, vanilla, plums and dried herbs. The wine is balanced with finesse and focus, and fine satiny tannins. Very long, this is a ten to fifteen year proposition and a cracker. And by the way, with already five years ageing in the Zema cellars, this is a no brainer. Drink 2024-2039.
94 Points
Ken Gargett – WinePilot.com -
- 94
- 95
- Reduced
Taltarni Cuvee Rose SparklingVictoria, AUSTRALIAReduced from $22.99$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenABV: 12%Closure: Diam CorkEstablished in 1969, Taltarni Vineyards is one of the pioneering wineries of Victoria's Pyrenees region and has built a long standing reputation for the quality of their Sparkling wines. Their Cuvee Rose is one out of the box delivering terrific value for just $20.
A savoury, flavour packed Sparkling Rose.
A blend of 52% Chardonnay, 39% Pinot Noir, 9% Pinot Meunier aged for a minimum of 2 years on lees. A satiny mousse slowly fades into a salmon pink coloured base that has a fine, persistent bead coursing through it. Attractive pear and strawberry aromas intermingle with raspberry, brioche and subtle lees notes. Crisp and stimulating, the palate has a savoury, flavour packed profile of pear, strawberry and raspberry fruits which meld into a brioche, yeast lees and baked bread background. Lively acidity with a long, very dry finish that has a slightly chalky feel to it.
Alc. 12%Other Reviews….
A blend of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier sourced from a range of Victorian and Tasmanian vineyards. This salmon-pink rosé is beautifully complex, with gentle savouriness giving the mid-palate presence and depth. A thread of gorgeous acidity sails effortlessly through the wine. Every element is beautifully balanced and refined, from the warm strawberries and baked bread nuances to the faint dried rose petal tones. A sophisticated drop, simply excellent for the price!
95 Points
Toni Paterson – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 95
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2024 Dexter Pinot NoirMornington Peninsula, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$56. 99Bottle$683.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2025-2033)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinSupple and spicy with moreish red to dark fruits and a long savoury finish.
Semi translucent red to dark red colour with black toned edges and a light red hue. The expressive nose offers up aromas of violets, red to dark cherries, subtle rhubarb and strawberry followed by some brambly cedar, forest floor, dried herb and spice notes. Supple and spicy, moreish red to dark cherry, strawberry and rhubarb fruits power across the palate. Refined tannins with notions of brambly cedar, forest floor and dried herbs extending through the long savoury finish.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 13%
Other Reviews…..
Fraise des bois, musk berries, and a touch of cigar clippings open the wine, which quickly whisks you off your feet with its cherry-berry conviviality. Notes of kumquat skin and red vermouth introduce a sling of bitterness that acts as an anchor, grounding the lift of fruit—a thoughtful detail that keeps it from floating away. Yes this is serious wine, although I’ll forgive you for gulping it down. It’s so damn tasty. Tannins make a significant impression, though so powdery they’re almost indefinable. Hints of rhubarb and red earth emerge, finishing with savoury tree bark and cumin spice. This is the kind of wine that disappears quickly, yet it’s worth pausing to sip and savour, as there is clear artistry in its making. Drink now, or cellar for another 2-3 years further. A lovely partner for pork sui mai dumplings. Drink 2025-2028.
95 points
Shanteh Wale – WinePilot.com
Showing off the exuberance of youth with vitality and vibrancy, all appealing elements. It’s a lovely wine, pretty and aromatic, juicy and supple. It's full of pink and red cherries, a dash of kirsch, warm spices, cardamom and some minty notes. It’s lighter framed and elegant, with fine tannins. While lacking some complexity today, it should build on that in time. Drink by 2034.
94 points
Jane Faulkner – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion
A delicate wine here, so fine and lacy, with poached strawberry, spice, a spearmint freshness, a patina of old leaf and polished wood, a crisp and spicy red-fruited succulence, a light emery board grip to tannin, and a sappy blood orange tang. A raspberry and cinnamon-laced white pepper finish closing with a distinctly steely and cool rain-washed edge. Such a lovely wine. A delight. Drink 2025-2035+
94+ points
Gary Walsh – The Wine Front -
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2025 Henschke Peggy’s Hill RieslingEden Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIAReduced from $27.99$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2025-2033)ABV: 11.7%Closure: StelvinRacy and intensely flavoured with a long scrumptious, mineral infused finish.
This Riesling takes its name from a local landmark, Peggy’s Hill, located at the top of the range between the villages of Eden Valley and Keyneton. It is produced from a selection of longstanding Eden Valley Riesling growers, whose vines range from 10 to 70 years of age, growing in low-vigour, ancient Cambrian soils at around 500m altitude.
Brilliant water like colour with a faint greenish tinge around the edges. Jumping out of the glass are intense lime and citrus aromas which are trailed by some orange rind, distinct talc and chalky mineral notes. Mouth watering lime and lemon fruits are delivered with impressive concentration and zest over an orange rind, chalky talc and steely mineral back drop. Racy feel with crisp acidity and a long scrumptious, mineral infused finish.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 11.7%
Other Reviews......
Pale in the glass with just a youthful flash of green and aromas of freshly squeezed lime, Bickford's lime cordial and hints of Christmas lilies, crushed stone, green apple, citrus blossom, lemongrass and makrut lime. Sleek in its travel with a crystalline mineral driveline; all tension and detail as it shoots across the palate. Velocity and precision writ large. Such great, refreshing drinking, with a slatey, dry finish. Drink by 2040.
94 points
Dave Brookes - James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion
Taking it’s name from a local Eden Valley landmark between the villages of Eden Valley (yes, there’s a small township as well as the regional appellation) and Keyneton, where the Henschke family estate is based; sourced from several of the district’s preferred grower vineyards at around the 500m altitude mark. Deeply aromatic mostly with lime notes – zest, leaf and Bickford’s cordial, moving from nose to mouth with ease, aromas to generous flavours, and salivating citrus pith texture to energise the palate. Allowed time in the bottle, tasted with several months relaxation since bottling, this has found a great place to allow purity and depth of flavour to rise up. A joy to drink.
95 points
Tony Love - WinePilot.com -
- 91
2021 Quarisa Johnny Q ShirazSouth Australia, AUSTRALIA$12. 99Bottle$155.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinA rich, plump everyday drinking Shiraz.
Dense inky black heart with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Elevated ripe blackberry and liquorice aromas fill the nostrils followed by some dark to black cherry, vanillin cedar and peppered earth notes. Rich and plump, the palate captures lush dark plum, liquorice and dark cherry fruits over spicy vanillin oak and subtle earth. Velvet smooth tannins finishing soft and plush.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 14.5% -
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- Biodynamic
- Organic
2025 Sorrenberg Sauvignon Blanc SemillonBeechworth, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$56. 99Bottle$683.88 DozenABV: 13.5%Closure: Diam CorkSorrenberg is a 3-hectare vineyard in Beechworth, owned by Barry and Jan Morey. Surrounded by forest and bordered by Stony Creek, the site’s cool climate, granitic soil, and northern aspect provide ideal conditions for viticulture, ensuring full ripeness even for late-ripening varieties. Established in 1985, the vineyard focuses on Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Gamay, with smaller amounts of other varieties for their blends. The wines are crafted on-site using traditional methods, including fermentation in French barriques, with close attention to quality. Certified biodynamic since 2008, Sorrenberg emphasizes sustainable farming and low production to maintain exceptional standards.
This wine is a blend of 75% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Semillon, and 5% Sauvignon Gris. Most of the Sauvignon Blanc had 4 hours of skin contact before pressing, while the Semillon was pressed immediately after picking. The wine underwent 100% barrel fermentation, using mostly larger barrels, with natural yeast and malolactic fermentation. Extended lees contact enhances the mid-palate, adding depth and complexity.
Other Reviews....
75/20/5% sauvignon blanc/semillon/sauvignon gris. Natural yeast fermentation, 100% barrel fermented, mlf. Heightened concentration and purity to this classic white blend from a vintage that is looking mighty smart. There is the elegance, the poise – a given with this producer – and then there is that something extra, a seamless meshing of grapes and flavours that run long, true and unwavering. Lemon barley, citrus blossom, baked quince, peach, toasted hazelnuts and hints of green herbals. Gently creamy, finely balanced and dry, with a light savouriness that lasts. Drink 2025-2032.
96 points
Jeni Port - James Halliday's Wine CompanionThe earlier release of this wine over past years has had me a little skittish vis-a-vis showing the best without the extra time in bottle, but this year seems to have found requisite texture, savouriness and depth in its youth. Good news.
I think there is way more to come from this wine, but the slip of nougat and gentle malo-esque feeling of creamy softness works well with the perky slosh of pulpy grapefruit and saline minerality that underscores the wine. On top, and to sniff on, pine-lime Splice, hazy green apple juice, faint pickled ginger, a little pine resin character and that skeletal feel of cooling saline veins through it all. It’s even, balanced and flows beautfully, with a gulpability that is a winner. No brainer. Drink 2025 - 2032.
95+ points
Mike Bennie - The Wine Front -
- Nick's Import
Signatory Vintage Hogshead Fine Old Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)SCOTLAND$69. 99Bottle$839.88 DozenABV: 43%For reasons unknown, the term 'Hogshead' has come to refer to a cask size in the whisky industry. These are usually rebuilt ex-bourbon barrels, but they tend to be larger than regular bourbon casks, usually around 52 and a half imperial gallons (or 225-250 litres). Therefore, the title of this whisky is purely incidental and not related to the contents. Independent bottlers, Signatory Vintage have created Hogshead as a daily-drinker or 'House Scotch' using a high proportion of whiskies from Islay, so the flavour comes with a distinctive though not overpowering injection of peat. 43% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... a nice composition, not particularly complex, but a very good malt. The Islay whiskey must have been very smoky or you used a portion of your own ballechin again. In addition, some sherry barrels show the aromas and color, at least the whiskey is not colored according to the information. For the price you get a great malt whiskey. (2021) - whiskybase.com
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- Nick's Import
Aberlour Crafted Small Batch No. 1.2 17 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$499. 00Bottle$5988.00 DozenABV: 58.8%A welcome addition to Aberlour's portfolio, which, besides the NAS Abunadh, generally lacks cask strength options. The decent age statement and zero chill filtration add to the allure. These limited releases are batched, so ABVs and maturations will vary. For No.1.2, the cask regime was 42.6% American oak and 57.4% European oak. The result is a tantalising mix of spiced apple strudel, milk chocolate, date and raisin notes. 58.8% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... On the nose, it's very soft, brioche, cake dough, then honeyed, acacia honey, pine needles, dry earth, dried prunes, dates, figs, bananas and grapefruit, a hint of vanilla, a lemon zest. On the palate, the fruits are a little more present, creamy, but also this rough side of wood bark, resin, maple syrup, blood oranges, medlars, apricots a little floury. Intense spices, cumin, cloves. Long and quite explosive finish, licorice, very spicy, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, pineapple juice. A very solid Aberlour, living up to its reputation, with plenty of fruit and velvet. - whiskybase.com
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2024 Marc Bredif Classic VouvrayVouvray, Loire Valley, FRANCE$34. 99Bottle$419.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2025-2033)ABV: 12.5%Closure: CorkDelicious ripe apple, pear and quince fruits with refreshing acidity and a nicely shaped finish.
The domaine of Marc Bredif is one of the most famous names in the Loire, renowned for the longevity and quality of their Vouvray. Established in 1893 under the name of Chateau les Roches it wasn't until 1919 when Marc Bredif took over from his uncle, that the name was changed to reflect the change in ownership.
Brilliant pale straw colour with a watery hue. Baked pear, Jonathan apple skin and quince scents are complimented by whiffs of musk and wet stone. Delicious ripe apple, pear and quince fruits meld into an elegant back drop of honeysuckle and spice. Refreshing acidity with a nicely shaped finish that’s detailed with pear, red apple and quince fruits along with a dash of spice.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- Nick's Import
Aberlour Casg Annamh Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - Batch 9Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$119. 99Bottle$1439.88 DozenABV: 48%Sheer approachability has helped Aberlour become the most popular whisky in France, where more single malt is consumed than any other country. At around 40%, it's a polite, relaxed and sometimes, slightly wanting tasting experience. As an alternative for those who prefer sherry with a kick, owners Pernod-Ricard introduced the natural strength A'bunadh around 2000. Eighteen years later, Casg Annamh was launched as a French Exclusive in a similar vein (the name translates from the Gaelic as “rare cask”). Also influenced by Oloroso, it's matured in three types of casks: European oak Sherry casks and two different types of American oak . Like A'bunadh, Casg Annamh is batch specific, with about ten iterations to date, some better than others. Whichever you come across, they're all handsomely packaged with a wax seal stopper, while the extra ABV and zero chill filtration make a world of difference. 48% Alc./Vol.
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2021 Nicks Secret SE ERB Barossa ShirazBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 15.5%Closure: StelvinProduced by an under the radar estate with limited local distribution, this bold expression of Barossa Shiraz has a winery listed price of around $120 per bottle which is perhaps a little over the top. Made by winemaker Jo Irvine from the great 2021 vintage, utilising some of the estate's best fruit, this punches well above it’s weight at the Nicks Secret price of just $19.99.
A deep, powerful Barossa Shiraz that oozes opulence.
Matured in French oak hogsheads for 24 months. Dense inky black heart with a very deep dark red black hue. Heady dark plum, liquorice, ripe blackberry and dark chocolate aromas waft through the nostrils complimented by notes of earth, vanillin cedar and spicy mocha. Rich and voluptuous, the dense weighty palate is completely immersed in dark to black plum, liquorice, ripe black cherry and blackberry fruits. Spicy vanillin cedar, earthy dark chocolate and subtle fennel characters extend across the back half. Ripe and polished it has slightly chewy tannins and a deep, powerful finish that oozes opulence.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 15.5%Other Reviews….
A rich and opulent wine from this outstanding Barossa vintage. Layers of dark richly concentrated plummy fruit topped with syrupy dark chocolate. Apart from its opulence and richness, the feature is the balance, with a seamlessly interwoven tannin and oak combination cuddling it through to a long finish. It’s a bold wine but the balance keeps it under control. Drink 2024-2042
95 Points
Ray Jordan – WinePilot.comSweetly ripe and richly expressed, the bouquet shows dark fruit intensity, toasty oak, cake spice and rich floral aromas, followed by a flavoursome palate that's filled with succulent fruit flavours, backed by silky texture and beautifully melded tannins, offering terrific drinking. At its best: now to 2035.
95 Points
Sam Kim – Wine OrbitWe are told that **** means heritage and the team see this wine as reflecting the heritage of their vineyards. Jo Irvine is the winemaker. Under cork, just 14,800 bottles made. A vibrant maroon colour, the nose exhibits well-handled oak, as well as some spicy notes of cassis, chocolate, soy, blackberries, florals and liquorice. It is seamless and seductive, neatly balanced with good acidity, silky tannins and impressive length. This will offer pleasure for the next 12 to 15 years. Drink now–2039
94 Points
The Vintage Journal - Glendronach 30 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$1999. 00Bottle$23988.00 DozenABV: 47%
Summed up by one taster as "Whisky Heaven", persistence, balance, and depth are all features of this definitive expression of Glendronach's extra-aged house style. Alongside its signature Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez casks, this introduces the influence of Amontillado sherry, bringing a subtle tension and added dimension to the whisky’s structure. The result is rich and aromatic, with an enveloping palate that moves through dried fruits, spiced toffee, and layered patisserie notes. 47% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... The finest, silky-smooth plum sauce. A little sweet, a little sour. Great balance. Delicious from start to finish. Some dusty, leathery cellar notes extend the finish. I'm pleasantly surprised. Less so by the price. - whiskybase.com
Notes from the producers... NOSE: Rich and aromatic - Morello cherry, raisin, spiced Brazil nut toffee, marzipan, and medjool date caramel. PALATE: Layered and expressive, glazed cherry, sultana cake, cinnamon-raisin toffee, and chocolate hazelnut café crème. FINISH: Long and smooth. Seductive, lingering finish with polished oak and integrated spice.
- 2022 Domaine de Trevallon Alpilles RougeProvence, FRANCE$250. 00Bottle$3000.00 DozenABV: 13%Closure: Cork
Formed in the early 1970's, with the first vintage 1976, Domaine de Trevallon have become one of the most famous and respected properties in Southern France. After graduating his architecture degree, Eloi Durrbach set south aiming to make natural wines with a sense of place and ability to age with ease. Planting now comprises 15 hectares of red grapes, equal parts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, plus 2 hectares of Marsanne and Roussanne. All grapes have been grown and treated organically since their planting.
Alpilles Rouge is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Syrah, aged for 24 months in old foudre and barrels with a minimum amount of racking during this time. The grapes are not destemmed, and vinification occurs with natural yeasts and no sulphur. While this wine is generally opulent and indulgent in its youth, it famously rewards time in the cellar, beautifully evolving slowly over decades.
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2023 Nicks Secret UC ShirazMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIAReduced from $19.99$13. 99Bottle$167.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinThe 2023 vintage has yielded yet another exceptional buying opportunity of the Nicks Secret UC Shiraz. From one of McLaren Vale’s top wineries, this is a blend of three different vineyards with maturation taking place in new and seasoned French oak hogsheads for a period of 15 months.
Rich, generous and full of flavour this is a cracking McLaren Vale Shiraz for the price.
Wonderful density of colour featuring an impenetrable inky black heart and a very deep dark purple black tinged hue. Ripe blackberry and dark plum aromas engulf the nostrils with some liquorice, delicately smoked vanillin cedar, fennel and peppered earth notes also apparent. Rich and sumptuous, the palate is awash with opulently textured blackberry, dark plum and liquorice fruits. Terrific concentration and depth for the price with undertones of spicy vanillin cedar, subtle mocha, fennel and peppered earth. Velvet smooth tannins concluding long, plush and deeply fruited.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5%
Other Reviews….
Naming the wine ‘*******’ is a nod to McLaren Vale’s history of providing first class red grapes to so many other regions for so many years. Nowadays, Langhorne Creek probably fills that role. McLaren Vale is, thankfully, finally receiving the accolades it deserves. The fruit here came from three different vineyards in the region, planted between 20 and 140 years ago. Maturation was for 15 months in a mix of new and older French oak hogsheads. The colour is an opaque maroon. The nose offers a range of flavours, incorporating cassis, mocha, spices, blueberries, chocolate and a touch of slightly coconutty oak, an absolutely alluring nose. This is seamless with a supple and seductive texture, very good length and silky tannins while the intensity is maintained for the full journey. This is a cracker that will drink beautifully for at least the next dozen years. Love it. Drink 2025-2037.
94 points
Ken Gargett – WinePilot.com
Wonderfully fruited and enticing, the wine shows black and purple fruit richness, violet, mixed spice, and stylish oak characters on the nose, followed by a concentrated palate that's succulent and fleshy. Tannins are polished and beautifully integrated, leading to a persistent and sturdy finish. At its best: now to 2035.
95 points
Sam Kim – Wine Orbit -
- 96
2024 Wilson Polish Hill River RieslingClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2025-2033)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinWonderfully concentrated and tense with zingy mineral laced acidity.
Wilson’s Polish Hill River Riesling is sourced from their oldest vineyards planted over 40 years ago. Its miniscule yields typically produce a wine rich in citrus fruits within a steely structure, tight with lots of minerality. Beneath the iron stained clay lies a bed of decomposing slate and scattered quartz. It’s also not unusual to find remnant pottery and agricultural implements from the Polish Settlers who once lived and farmed the area now planted to this small vineyard.
Brilliant water like colour with a faint greenish tinge around the edges. Lime and citrus aromas leap out of the glass trailed by some green apple, hints of orange rind, wet steel and chalky mineral notes. Delivered with fabulous intensity and tension are racy lemon, lime and green apple flavours. Zingy mineral laced acidity with delicate orange rind and wet steel elements also shining through. Dry and chalky it finishes very long and zesty.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 12% -
- 93
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2025 Muto VermentinoMurray Darling, Victoria, AUSTRALIAReduced from $21.99$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now (2025)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinA zesty, mineral laced Vermentino brimming with lime, green apple and mango fruits.
Vermentino is native to southern Italy, most famously grown along the coastal regions of Sardinia and Liguria, where its freshness and saline edge are prized. The fruit for this wine was sourced from Chalmers Family’s Merbein vineyard in the Murray Darling region of Victoria.
Brilliant very pale straw colour with flashes of green around the edges and a watery hue. Aromas of lime juice, Granny Smith apple and mango infused with fresh herbs are trailed by some saline mineral like notes. Zesty lime, green apple and mango fruits meld into a Mediterranean herb and stony mineral back drop. Crisp acidity with a long refreshing finish that’s brimming with minerality.
Drink now.
Alc. 12% -
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2022 Nicks Secret HEW Barossa Rhone Blend Carignan Syrah CinsaultBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIAReduced from $27.99$14. 99Bottle$179.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinAn utterly delicious Rhone styled blend that combines rich, generous fruit with a gently chewy texture.
Inky black heart with a dark red black tinged hue. Scents of black cherry, black raspberry and liquorice combine with scorched earth, dried herb and peppered dried meat notes. Rich, juicy black cherry and liquorice fruits drive the medium bodied palate which possesses a slightly chewy mouth feel and good underlying freshness. Some black raspberry, subtle blueberry, scorched earth and peppered dried herb elements extend across the back half. Sturdy tannins with a long, mildly robust, generously fruited finish.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13%Other Reviews….
Gorgeously fruited and complex, the wine shows dark fruit intensity, toasted spice, rich floral and cedar characters on the nose. The palate is equally satisfying with excellent weight and plump mouthfeel, wonderfully supported by velvety texture and grainy tannins. Firmly structured, yet velvety and soothing. At its best: now to 2037.
94 Points
Sam Kim – Wine OrbitA blend of 45% carignan, 34% syrah and 21% cinsault with 60% whole bunches in the mix, matured in old French barriques for 12 months. Bright and perfumed and packed with ripe fruit and gingery spice. Blueberry, satsuma plum and boysenberry with hints of jasmine, salted licorice, gingerbread, sarsaparilla, earth and mountain and amaro herbs. Exuberant and slinky, it comes across as quite fragrant in the mouth as well, with something akin to Turkish delight whipping around on the fringes of the palate. Fine and powdery in tannin with bright, sapid acidity, and it sports a supple tide of plush fruit and spice on the finish.
93 Points
Dave Brookes – James Halliday’s Australian Wine CompanionDelicious and cracking value were the two things that sprang immediately to mind with this delightful red. A blend of 45% Carignan, 34% Syrah and 21% Cinsault, with 60% whole bunches utilised plus 11 months maturation in old French barriques. …… A deep vibrant purple, it offers aromas of plums, blackfruits, cloves and chocolate. This is a big, ripe, flavoursome, exuberant, fruit bomb style. Granted that is a style which can divide the crowd, but for all of us who love them, this is a cracker. Beautifully supple, with silky tannins, the texture has some density and there is decent length here. Utterly delicious, enjoy it over the next five to six years. Drink 2023-2029.
93 Points
Ken Gargett – WinePilot.com -
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2021 Nicks Secret HEW Barossa MourvedreBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIAReduced from $27.99$14. 99Bottle$179.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinSourced from a prominent Barossa Valley producer who specialise in Mourvedre and other Rhone varietals, this is their entry level offering made from younger vines that have an average age of 18 years. Some whole bunch fruit is included in vinification with maturation taking place in seasoned French oak barrels for a period of 16 months.
A rich, juicy, mid weighted Mourvedre with lashings of blue and dark fruits.
Deep black dark red colour with a dark red hue. Pronounced ripe black cherry, liquorice and dark plum aromas flow from the glass with some scorched earth, blueberry, subtle dried herb and spice notes also chiming in. Rich and juicy, the mid weighted palate is flooded with lashings of dark cherry, liquorice and ripe blueberry fruits. Subtle dried herb, earth and spice elements sit in the background. Polished yet underlyingly sturdy tannins with a long fresh blue to dark fruited finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13.5%Other Reviews….
So, this beaut little Mourvèdre is based on fruit created by taking cuttings from the Old Garden Vineyard, planted in 1853. It is such a brilliant and vibrant example of this terrific variety. I have seen this wine evolve over many years, and I have to say it just seems to get better each year. The balance of the fruit and oak is harmonious, allowing the fragrances and seductive aromas to reveal their true beauty. A great entry wine to understand some of the appeal of Mourvèdre. Drink 2023-2030.
94 Points
Ray Jordan – WinePilot.comThe 'baby' mourvèdre vines were established in 1998 from cuttings off the epic 1853-planted Old Garden vineyard. Lots of colour and lots of fruit depth for babies! Rich dark plum, blueberry and black cherry fruits with hints of turned earth, light bramble tones, graphite, dark spice, roasting meats and charcuterie. There is a wee whiff of choc-mint way off in the distance, too, with an impressive fruit density, tight granite dust tannins and bright acid drive finishing pure and savoury. Drink by 2030.
93 Points
Dave Brookes – James Halliday’s Australian Wine CompanionVibrant ruby red colour. Mulberry, raw beef and ironstone aromas. Lashings of blue and purple fruits fill the core whilst it builds layers of anise, black graphite, and dried blood savouries. Tannins have a fine gravel persistence as it rolls long to the dry finish. Remarkable sense of tension and purity at this price point.
93 Points
Stuart Knox – Real Review -
- 96
2024 Salo ChardonnayYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinConcentrated, gorgeously shaped and expansive Yarra Valley Chardonnay.
Made by former Giant Steps winemaker Steve Flamsteed, fruit is sourced from the Full Moon Vineyard which is located high in the southern hills of the Yarra Valley on the eastern side of the Gladysdale subregion. It’s one of the only vineyards in the vicinity, and the grapes ripen remarkably evenly despite its west-facing aspect. “It’s a ripper site for Chardonnay,” according to Flamsteed.
Brilliant pale straw colour with greenish tinged edges and a watery hue. Delightful nose with aromas of white peach, nectarine, dried honey and biscuity nougat sailing from the glass with impressive intensity. Spicy cashew and faint struck match stick notes also chime in. The terrifically concentrated and gorgeously shaped palate features fleshy white peach and nectarine fruits over a back drop of dried honey, cashew, biscuity nougat and spice. Superb drive with pin point fresh acidity lending energy to the long texturally expansive finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13% - Corowa Distilling Co. Barrel House Peated Single Malt Australian Whisky (500ml)New South Wales, AUSTRALIA$129. 99Bottle$1559.88 DozenABV: 46%
Like some Scottish distilleries, Corowa reserve one month per year to create peated whisky. This very accessible example was aged in x-American Oak Bourbon casks, softening the peat and adding delicious cream, vanilla & fruits to the palate. 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Notes from the producers... Nose: Soft peat, vanilla & green fruit. Palate: Whisps of smoke, clotted cream, grass & vanilla. Finish: Medium to long smoke with a creamy coating.
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Ardbeg 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - Gift Pack with 2 GlassesIslay, SCOTLAND$119. 99Bottle$1439.88 DozenABV: 46%Get two Ardbeg-branded whisky tumblers in this limited gift pack presentation.
Perched on a rocky headland, the Ardbeg distillery was founded in 1815 by the MacDougalls of Ardbeg. The distillery's scattered white-washed buildings are reminiscent of a Dutch settlement and add to the dramatic coastal landscape. Ardbeg has had a chequered history and in recent times had been closed down for many years. Glenmorangie acquired Ardbeg in 1997 and has set about restoring the distillery to its former glory. Despite the turbulence of its past, none of Ardbeg’s qualities have been diminished. All of the time-worn traditions have been carefully preserved and passed on to today’s whisky makers. The Ardbeg 10 Year Old is clear testimony to this. In his 'Complete Book of Whisky' Jim Murray said of it: 'If perfection on the palate exists, this is it.'
Other reviews...n24 more complex, citrus-led and sophisticated than recent bottlings, though the peat is no less but now simply displayed in an even greater elegance; a beautiful sea salt strain to this; t24 gentle oils carry on them a lemon-lime edge, sweetened by barley and a weak solution of golden syrup; the peat is omnipotent, turning up in every crevice and wave, yet never once over-stepping its boundary; f24 stuuningly clean, the oak offers not a bitter trace but rather a vanilla and butterscotch edge to the barley. Again the smoke wafts around in a manner unique in the world of whisky when it comes to sheer elan and adroitness; b25 like when you usually come accross something that goes down so beautifully and with such a nimble touch and disallarming allure, just close your eyes and enjoy... 97 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2013 / 2023
...Last time we tried our beloved Ten it was a circa 2015 bottling, and it was great (WF 89). Colour: white wine. Nose: I have the feeling that Ardbeg Ten got more crystalline, perhaps a tad simpler as well, and probably more distillate-driven than ever before. I’m so glad no obvious vanilla is dumbing it down, and of course no ‘wine’, so this is as bright as possible and full of lime, seawater, smoked salmon, and of these wee tarry/cardboardy touch that are so typically Ardbeg. Shall we call this nose ‘razory’? Mouth: lapsang souchong with lime, smoked almonds, kippers, plasticine, almond oil, whelks, brine, hessian… This is just perfectly perfect. Finish: rather long, smoky, almondy, lime-y, salty. Comments: the month is not over but Ardbeg 10 will possibly be March’s bang-for-your-buck bottling. Because in my little tasting book, Ardbeg 10 is simply back to… 90 points - whiskyfun.com
...the classic Ardbeg bottling, and one of the most heavily peated entry-level whiskies from all of Scotland. Ten years are just about right for taming Ardbeg’s fire, though the nose is still moderately heavy with straight, smoky peat notes, though also lightly briny but distinctly maritime in its tone. The body follows in lockstep, adding to the burning embers of driftwood notes of iodine, orange peel, coriander, and ginger. Beautifully balanced despite the heavy peat influence, it remains one of the most essential Islay whiskies — and an essential whisky that is required drinking for anyone who wants to form a base understanding of single malts. - drinkhacker.com
...Nose: Astoundingly smoky, yet delicate with subtle tarry notes behind. With water the smoke dies a little and raisin and caramelised apple notes emerge. Palate: An immediate waft of peat smoke. Full, robustly flavoured with turf and lapsang souchong tea. Finish: Salty, long and filled with fragrant peat reek. Comment: A punch in the chops from a stroppy Islay middleweight. Flavour-packed yet delicate. Rated: 9/10 - whiskymag.com
Cocktail: The Smoky Martini
This is an unusual combination that works surprisingly well. Some people use less peaty whiskies, however the true Smoky Martini requires the likes of Ardbeg or Laphroaig – Single Malts which lend their peaty, textured flavour to the creamy character of a good vodka.Method: Rinse a chilled martini glass with Ardbeg Malt Whisky and pour out any extra. Shake 60ml of Premium Vodka in a shaker filled with large ice cubes and strain into a Martini glass. Garnish with a lemon and orange twist.
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2023 Bellini Pontevecchio ChiantiTuscany, ITALY$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinElegant and savoury with slightly dusty tannins and an earthy red fruited finish.
Deep dark red black tinged core with a dark red hue. Spicy red currant aromas mix with dried herb, earthy tobacco and subtle leather notes. Elegant and savoury, red currant and red cherry fruits are featured over an earth, dried herb and spice back drop. Fine grained, slightly dusty tannins with an underlying freshness and an earthy red fruited finish.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 12.5% - Corowa Distilling Co. Barrel House XB Single Malt Australian Whisky (500ml)New South Wales, AUSTRALIA$119. 99Bottle$1439.88 DozenABV: 46%
In the heartland of New South Wales by the banks of the Murray River, you’ll find a heritage-listed 1920s Flour Mill, home to Australia’s first whisky distillery using locally-grown ingredients. If you want to get to know the house style, this is probably the best place to start - a fresh and zesty single malt drawn from x bourbon barrels, bottled at 46% Alc./Vol. Non-chill filtered.
Notes from the producers... Nose: Bright citrus, vanilla, grassy hay. Palate: Zesty lemon, mint, creamy marzipan and almond. Finish: Fresh and zesty with a medium finish.
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2024 Ring Bolt ChardonnayMargaret River, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinRich, creamy textured flavours counter balanced by lively acidity.
Brilliant very pale straw colour with a distinctive green tint around the edges and a watery hue. Pear and ripe nectarine aromas mix with dried honey, biscuity oak, citrusy nougat and spice notes. Rich, creamy textured white peach, nectarine and dried honey flavours are counter balanced by lively acidity. Biscuity nougat, citrus and spice elements lie underneath. Fresh, cream tinged finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13.5%Other Reviews….
It’s the dead of winter, my house is a construction site, running more than one appliance short circuits the power, and I cohabitate with a small family of possums. Honestly, I’m fine. Disclaimer: I’m not fine. So, when wines like this land on my desk, they are welcomed moments of reprieve. Clean, bright, and soul warming, its fruits are ripe with white nectarine, pears in juice and a gentle lean into tropical territory. The mid-palate balances a comforting fruit sweetness, coated with a clotted cream silkiness. Some savoury barrel ferment, a dusting of spice and cashew nougat on the finish makes for a slick, well positioned wine. A classic modern Australian expression, and a welcomed silver (golden) lining.
92 Points
Tijana Laganin – WinePilot.com -
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2024 Moorooduc Estate ChardonnayMornington Peninsula, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$39. 99Bottle$479.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinGenerously fleshed with excellent underlying freshness and a long refined finish.
100% wild yeast fermented in French oak barrels, 10% being new with 80% natural malolactic fermentation and 9 months maturation in barrel. Brilliant pale straw colour with a distinctive tint of green around the outskirts and a watery hue. Elevated white peach, nectarine and dried honey aromas combine with cashew, citrusy nougat and gun flint. Medium bodied and carrying a gently creamed feel, generously fleshed white peach and nectarine fruits are complimented by dried honey, biscuity nougat, subtle cashew and delicate infusions of gun flint. Excellent underlying freshness with a long beautifully shaped and refined finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
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2024 Hoddles Creek Estate 1er Yarra Valley Pinot NoirYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$64. 99Bottle$779.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2025-2033)ABV: 13.2%Closure: StelvinPerfumed, light, fresh and supple with a long moreish finish.
Slightly cloudy red to dark red colour with a vibrant crimson red hue. Perfumed nose with violet like aromas complimented by some red cherry, strawberry, fresh herb, delicate forest floor and spicy cedar notes. Light, fresh and supple in it’s flow, delicious red cherry, strawberry and red liquorice fruits are layered across the palate. Notions of fresh herbs, delicate spicy cedar and forest floor lend further nuance. Lively and energetic it has a long moreish finish.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 13.2%Other Reviews….
From 28 rows of pinot planted on a block that is west facing and sloping to the south. 15% whole bunches. A light, bright cherry red. Fragrant with brambly fruits, blood orange, rose petals and a little spice. It's fragrant in the mouth, too, with fine-grained and gently chewy tannins giving the wine its shape and structure. A discreet and classy wine that should age effortlessly over the next few years. Drink by 2035.
97 points
Philip Rich - James Halliday's Australian Wine CompanionThere’s presence to the palate here and yet in flavour profile terms it feels and tastes very Upper Yarra. It’s alive with twig, spice and herb notes but then it’s also riven with pure, satiny, red and black cherry flavours, and it also has that undergrowth-forest-wood aspect that is both beguiling and so characteristic of good pinot. Cedarwood oak plays noticeable role too, as a positive, and the tannin is a masterclass; not too much, not too little, threaded intricately, gently smoky. As a young wine this release is already putting on a show but, even so, it feels built to last, and to improve. However you take it, this is a truly beautiful wine. Drink 2026-2034+
95+ Points
Campbell Mattinson – The Wine FrontPerfumed and delicate with reductive-edged aromas of red cherries, pomegranate, blood oranges, lead pencils, Negronis, dried strawberries and wet earth. The palate is mid-weighted with firmly framed, refined tannins and bright acidity, showing a mineral edge and vibrant red fruits that lead into a grippy, seamless finish. This has all the hallmarks of a pinot that will age well. Includes 15% whole cluster, adding a lovely floral and spice edge. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
96 Points
JamesSuckling.com -
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2025 Warrabilla Small Batch FianoRutherglen, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$26. 99Bottle$323.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinIntensely flavoured and fabulously textured with a long crisp, slatey finish.
Brilliant very pale straw colour with green highlighted edges and a watery hue. Lime and green apple scents jump out of the glass followed by some citrus, fresh herb and stony mineral notes. Intensely flavoured, the palate is bristling with crunchy lime and green apple fruits. Fabulous textural volume with infusions of fresh herbs and stony mineral elements lingering through the back half. Crisp acidity with a slatey feel to the long scrumptious finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 13% -
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2024 B. IO Bpuntoio Catarratto ChardonnaySicily, ITALY$26. 99Bottle$323.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 13%Closure: Diam CorkA nicely shaped fruit driven style with fresh underlying acidity.
A blend of 80% Catarratto and 20% Chardonnay. Brilliant pale straw colour with a faint greenish tinge to the edges and a watery hue. Nectarine and peach aromas flow from the glass followed by some red apple and wet stone notes. Nicely fleshed pear, peach and red apple fruits overlay a wet stone back drop. Fresh acidity with a shapely fruit driven finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 13% -
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2024 Monte Tondo Soave ClassicoVeneto, ITALY$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinTexturally voluminous and concentrated Soave with crisp acidity and a long expressive finish.
The Monte Tondo vineyard can be found nestling in the gentle hills of Soave just a few kilometres from Verona on a slope overlooking the valley. Today it is 4th generation brother and sister team, Luca and Marta Magnabosco, who tend to the 25 hectares of vineyards situated on the best plots that the Soave zone can offer.
Brilliant water like core with a subtle greenish tinged surrounds. Elevated pear and red apple skin aromas are complimented by some lime, fresh herb and wet slate notes. Concentrated pear and red apple fruits are delivered with terrific textural volume over a spicy quince and wet stone back drop. Crisp acidity with a long expressive finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 12.5%
Other Reviews…..
Pleasant citrusy, peachy and floral-mineral aromas follow through to a medium-bodied palate with a silky texture and good intensity of fruit, driven by nicely balanced acidity through the long, flavorful finish. Bright peaches and a hint of almond at the end. All in good order and delicious. Sustainable. Vegan. Drink now.
92 points
JamesSuckling.com -
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2024 Maison Saint Aix RoseProvence, FRANCE$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinFresh, silky textured Provence Rose.
Made from a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault. Pale salmon pink colour with fragrant aromas of peach, raspberry and pomegranate mixing with musk and wet slate notes. The fresh, silky textured palate is layered with peach and raspberry fruits which meld into a pomegranate, musk and stony mineral background. Refreshing acidity with a river stone like feel to the elegant finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
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2024 Roseblood D’Estoublon RoseProvence, FRANCE$39. 99Bottle$479.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 12.5%Closure: Diam CorkBeautifully rounded and silky with a delicious array of fruits.
Made from a blend of 56% Grenache, 21% Syrah, 14% Cinsault, 5% Rolle and 4% Sémillon. Pale salmon pink tinged colour. Intense peach, raspberry and strawberry aromas flood the nostrils followed by hints of musk and wet stone. Beautifully rounded and silky in it’s flow across the palate, delicious peach, raspberry and strawberry fruits are featured over a pomegranate, subtle musk and wet stone back drop. Brisk underlying acidity with a long supple finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 12.5%















































