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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.
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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.
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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
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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 -
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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
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2025 Warrabilla Small Batch Fiano - Last StocksRutherglen, 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.
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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.
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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% -
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2025 Warrabilla Reserve Grenache RoseRutherglen, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$26. 99Bottle$323.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2025-2026)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinA highly slurpable Rose with a long slippery textured finish.
Pale damask pink colour. Delightful raspberry, strawberry, pomegranate and musk scents sail out of the glass with some spice notes also evident. Intensely flavoured and beautifully shaped, raspberry, peach, strawberry and pomegranate fruits are featured over a gently spiced musk back drop. Brisk acidity with a long slippery textured finish that makes for addictive drinking.
Drink over the next year.
Alc. 12.5% -
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2024 Hoddles Creek Estate 1er Yarra Valley ChardonnayYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$64. 99Bottle$779.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 13.2%Closure: StelvinRich and amply weighted finishing round and full.
Brilliant pale straw colour with a subtle green tone to the edges and a watery hue. Expressive peach, dried honey and crème brulee aromas fill the nostrils followed by some nougat, subtle bacon fat and spice notes. Rich ripe peach, honeycomb and citrusy nougat flavours carry ample weight and a fullish textural feel. Crème brulee, spicy bacon fat and subtle cashew elements line the back half. Fresh underlying acidity finishing round and full.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13.2%Other Reviews….
From a single easterly facing block grafted from pinot to chardonnay in 2003. A very bright green gold. A subtle and beguiling wine that took a while to open up, before revealing aromas of yellow plum, apple blossom, oyster shells and jasmine. Just as good on the tightly wound, persistent and really long palate. If drinking now, don't serve this too cold, but know, also, that this will reward time in the bottle. Drink by 2032.
96+ points
Philip Rich - James Halliday's Australian Wine CompanionPure and refined, with aromas of preserved lemons, white orchard fruits, salted nuts, crushed stones and flint. The palate is textural and rounded, cut through by bright acidity and a pithy texture, leading into a tense, nervy yet fruit-driven and generous finish. Delicious, with nicely integrated use of oak and oxidative elements. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
95 Points
JamesSuckling.comRich in colour and rich in flavour. This release of Hoddles Creek Estate 1er delivers the goods. Grilled peach, vanilla-cream, pine, cedar, Pez, nectarine and an array of ozone-infused, fragrant-but-integrated herbs. This release is both textural and energetic but it’s characterised by its rich, plush flavour. The finish itself is the final confirmation; this wine sings both full and long. Drink 2027-2034.
95+ Points
Campbell Mattinson – The Wine Front - 1994 Springbank Single Cask 24 Year Old UK Exclusive Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Campbeltown, SCOTLAND$3999. 00Bottle$47988.00 DozenABV: 46.2%
A quirky and collectable Springa' from a private collection. Distilled in December 1994, matured in a fresh sherry hogshead and bottled in April 2019, 294 bottles made it to market as a UK exclusive. Some very minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product pictured.
Other reviews... This one caused quite a stir when it came out I believe, although I think that was more to do about the predictable scramble for bottles and resulting tsunami of disappointment that ensued. Anyway… Colour: amber. Nose: expressively earthy and full of toasted nuts at first. Peanut brittle, waxed canvass, sultana, mushroom broth, camphor, linseed oil and soy sauce. I have to say, this is impressively fresh, clean and full of old school, sherried richness that you don’t find too often with Springbank’s sherry casks. Lots of lean mineral qualities and motor oil emerge in time, while also getting more towards leaf mulch and tobaccos. Very impressive! Mouth: ah ok, here’s where it falls down a bit I think. Feels a little too faded and ‘light’, rather a lot of balsamic, stewed fruits, some light acidity, a few fruity medicines and strawberry scented pipe tobacco. Very nice but you feel it has been captured on the way down rather than on the way up. Still nicely nutty and a bit chocolatey and overall very clean and still showing some lovely earthy qualities. Finish: medium, earthy, nutty, mulchy, oily and with more wee notes of old vinegars and herbal wines. Comments: The nose was gorgeous, but I feel the palate crumbled slightly. Now, it’s still a very quaffable old Springbank. But I would say one for the tumbler rather than the copita. Serge takes the lead…. 87 points - whiskyfun.com
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2024 Nicks Secret YL Single Vineyard Yarra Valley Pinot NoirYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIAReduced from $50.00$16. 99Bottle$203.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 13.4%Closure: StelvinThis Nicks Secret Yarra Valley Pinot hails from a little-known boutique winery. Typically priced around $50 per bottle at the cellar door, it’s rarely found elsewhere. However, at just $16.99, it represents great everyday drinking, especially when one considers that Yarra Valley Pinot at this price is nearly impossible to find nowadays.
A highly engaging, savoury Yarra Valley Pinot that delivers exceptional value.
Red to dark red colour with black toned edges and a light red to red hue. The expressive nose offers up scents of dark cherry, rhubarb and strawberry which are complimented by bramble, spicy dried herb and forest floor notes. Delicious dark cherry, rhubarb and strawberry fruits make a supple entrance onto the palate complexed by notions of brambly cedar, dried herb, forest floor and spice elements. Showing ample concentration and power, it has lively acidity, polished tannins and a long savoury finish.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13.4%Other Reviews....
Immensely complex and enticing, the bouquet shows dark berry, cured meat, porcini, bouquet garni, and elegant oak characters. The concentrated palate offers excellent depth and expansive mouthfeel, and silky texture and layers of grainy tannins wonderfully frame it. Robust and multi- layered with a sustained, alluring finish.
95 Points
Sam Kim – Wine OrbitMV6 clone grown in Gruyere and matured in French barriques for 10 months. Red Currants, lingonberries and earthy rooibos tea. There is unfurling hibiscus and baked cherry pie. The palate spreads steadily with a wealth of acidity and powdery uniform tannins. There is underlying brown earth, cinnamon quills and cumin spice. A sweetness from fig hearts carries long on the finish. A vintage that threw a bit of all the weather extremes their way, this is a total success. Capturing abundant bright fruit and gentle graceful tannins with a core of savouriness. Drink now or cellar for up to 5-6 years. A wine that would show off served beside some pillows of gnocchi and sauteed mushrooms. Drink 2025-2031.
93 Points
Shanteh Wale – WinePilot.comHarvested from the Gruyere district of the Yarra Valley, there’s plenty to get excited about this wine, it’s nose singing pure Pinot aromas – crimson fruits in the raspberry and cherry zone, some poached rhubarb earthiness as well, a back seat note of spearmint as well, all of this tumbling together as you taste, French oak spice offering some savoury seasoning to a lively and energised palate. A strong primary Pinot game with enough secondary interest to turn an engaged Burgundy head.
92 Points
Tony Love – WinePilot.com -
- 92
Carpano Dry Vermouth (750ml)ITALY$36. 99Bottle$443.88 DozenABV: 18%From a centuries-old vermouth company (the producers of Antica Formula). Carpano Dry employs both wormwood and a native herb of Crete for balanced bitterness, while a dose of citrus helps lighten the finish. Fresh, lifted aromas of ripe grapefruit, dried herbs, orris root and delicate bitterness. Breezy flavours reflecting the bouquet are dry, clean, grapey. Finishes invigorating, delicately floral / bitter with hints of home-made lemonade in the aftertaste. A fruity-yet-crisp style for all applications. 18% Alc./Vol.
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- 96
- 96
2024 Jane Eyre Shoreham Park Pinot NoirMornington Peninsula, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$89. 99Bottle$1079.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2025-2033)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinExpressive red to dark fruits with a supple feel and long, fresh finish.
Includes 20% whole bunch fruit with maturation taking place in French oak (10% new). Semi translucent dark red core with black toned edges and a vibrant red hue. Fragrant violet, red to dark cherry, strawberry and subtle anise scents sail through the olfactory senses with impressive intensity. Also evident are forest floor, dried herb and delicate spicy cedar notes. The eloquent palate makes a supple entrance powered by delicious red to dark cherry and strawberry fruits. Subtle notions of anise, spicy cedar, forest floor and dried herbs unfold across the back half. Seamlessly integrated, velvet smooth tannins finishing very long and fresh with expressive red to dark fruits.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 13%Other Reviews…..
Off 1990s vines; the winemaking was the same as last year: indigenous ferment, 20% whole bunches, 10% new oak. Jane Eyre has had an extraordinary career so far, establishing herself in Burgundy, winning a swathe of accolades and drawing top reviews from the best in the business. The style of those wines is mirrored here, with elegance and transparency of expression key. Strawberry, red cherry, white pepper, kirsch, a waft of florals. It’s refined, stylish and all class. Drink by 2034.
96 Points
Marcus Ellis – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion - Legendario Domingo Guerrero Papalote Mezcal (700ml)Oaxaca, MEXICO$139. 99Bottle$1679.88 DozenABV: 47%
Crafted by the Obregón family using the semi-wild Cupreata variety of Maguey (also known as Papalote), harvested at to 8-10 years of age. Other production specs are similar to the rest of Domingo's bottlings - underground roasting, natural fermentation, mechanical milling and double distillation in copper pot stills. Tasters have picked up green, herbaceous flavours, even cucumber, and a pleasant smoky note. 47% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Aromas include mint, green pepper, and sometimes lactic funk. Flavors feature mint, green pepper, and a sweet or sugary note. Some reviewers noted a harsh alcohol presence or heat. Overall impression is somewhat positive, although some found the alcohol overpowering, while others appreciated certain unique qualities. - mezcalreviews.com
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- 90
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2022 Derwent Estate Lime Kiln Pinot NoirTasmania, AUSTRALIA$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinA nicely fleshed Pinot that shows ample richness.
Semi translucent dark red core with black toned edges and a light red to red hue. Aromas of red cherry and winter strawberry mix with fresh herb, forest floor and spice notes. Nicely fleshed and showing ample richness the palate features delicious ripe cherry and strawberry fruits over traces of anise, scorched earth and spicy cedar. Polished tannins with a juicy mid length conclusion.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
- 92
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 Paracombe Pinot NoirAdelaide Hills, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinJuicy cherry and strawberry fruits with plenty of energy and vibrancy.
Semi translucent dark red core with black toned edges and a light red hue. Fragrant violet, red cherry and strawberry aromas blossom from the glass followed by some fresh herb and delicate mint notes. Juicy cherry and strawberry fruits bounce across the palate with plenty of energy and vibrancy. Infusions of fresh herbs, forest floor and spice extend across the back half. Fine grained tannins with a delicious, fresh red fruited finish.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
- 93
- Biodynamic
2023 Mader Riesling DryAlsace, FRANCE$42. 99Bottle$515.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinNicely fleshed with pear, red apple and lime fruits, brisk acidity and a generous yet dry finish.
This wine includes almost 10% de-classified Grand Cru fruit from the Rosacker vineyard. It’s a blend of several sites of mostly limestone based soil from vines of 20-50 years old. All parcels are harvested and vinified separately with the final blend being made just before bottling after being aged on fine lees for 6 months.
Brilliant pale straw colour with green toned edges and a watery hue. Lime and red apple scents drift from the glass followed by some pear, orange blossom and delicate honeysuckle notes. Delicious pear, red apple and lime fruits are nicely fleshed in their flow across the palate. Subtle honeysuckle and stony mineral elements linger underneath. Brisk acidity with a generously fruited yet dry finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 93
2022 Parker Estate Cool Climate ShirazCoonawarra, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinA rich and quite plump Coonawarra Shiraz.
Aged in older French oak barriques and hogsheads for a period of 14 months. Totally opaque black dark red colour with a dark red black tinged hue. Lifted dark plum and liquorice aromas mix with black cherry, vanillin earth and pepper notes. Rich and quite plump the palate is awash with ripe blackberry, liquorice and dark plum fruits. Vanillin earth and pepper elements lie underneath. Velvety yet sturdy tannin structure with a long opulent conclusion.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 14% -
- 89
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2023 Pasqua Montepulciano d’AbruzzoMontepulciano D'Abruzzo, ITALY$14. 99Bottle$179.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinMid weighted with juicy morello cherry fruits and a savoury finish.
Deep black dark red colour with a dark red hue. Morello and dark cherry aromas mix with liquorice, dried herb and earth notes. Juicy morello cherry fruits line the mid weighted palate with subtle notions of liquorice, earthy dried herbs and spice the undercard. Faintly chalky tannins with good freshness and a savoury morello cherry driven finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 94
- 93
2024 Bream Creek RieslingTasmania, AUSTRALIA$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2025-2033)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinConcentrated and voluminous yet racy with a long fruity finish.
Brilliant water like core with highlights of green around the outskirts. Lemon, Granny Smith apple and lime juice scents jump out of the glass followed by wet steel and chalky mineral notes. Boasting excellent concentration and volume, mouth watering lime, red apple and citrus fruits are supported by subtle honeysuckle, orange blossom infusions and flinty mineral elements. Racy feel with crisp acidity and a long fruity yet scrumptious finish.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 12.5%Other Reviews….
Pale straw with a flash of green and aromas of freshly squeezed lime, crunchy green apple and grapefruit. Hints of orange blossom, crushed riverstone, sea spray, almond paste and lime cordial. Flavoursome and tightly focused, finishing dry and long with just a squeak of pithy texture and a nice savoury palate shape. Drink by 2032.
93 Points
Dave Brookes – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 93
2023 Domaine Pichot Clos Cartaud Vouvray SecVouvray, Loire Valley, FRANCE$39. 99Bottle$479.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinDeliciously fruited with fresh cleansing acidity and a long, shapely conclusion.
Made from 45-75 year old vines located above the village adjoining Clos Saint Mathurin not far from the Vallee de Nouys where the Pichot family and winery are located. Brilliant pale straw colour with greenish tinged edges and a watery hue. Pronounced pear, green apple and quince aromas are trailed by whiffs of bees wax and faint lemon butter. Delicious ripe pear and red apple fruits meld into a honeysuckle, quince and delicate cinnamon spice back drop. Fresh cleansing acidity with a long, shapely conclusion.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 12% - Legendario Domingo Especial Espadin Mezcal (700ml) - 48%Oaxaca, MEXICO$129. 99Bottle$1559.88 DozenABV: 48%
Other reviews... Tasted again and again in 2023 and 2024. Releases under this label are single batch, mine was made for the Australian market – 216 bottles made. This is Oaxaca Espadin Mezcal at its best! Agave are harvested on the hill slopes in San Luis del Rio, 3 hours drive south west of Oaxaca town. The water (el rio) passes literally throughout the tiny distillery. Pit fire with rocks from the river, wood from the hills (I believe oak), traditional tahona actioned by Pepe the horse, tiny pine wood ferment vat and live flame cooper stills. Intense on the nose, grassy, hebarceous with classic capscicum, jalapeno notes. Palate follows throught in a clean, smooth, pronouced taste. Nice finish. Give me more! At this price, makes beautiful margaritas, and sip very nicely. - mezcalreviews.com
Notes from the importers... Ripe citric aromas, a notorious presence of cooked agave and alcohol. In the mouth, earth followed by a sweet and fruity flavour derived from the tropical fruits of the region.
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- 91
2024 Forest Hill Vineyard Highbury Fields ChardonnayGreat Southern, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$23. 99Bottle$287.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinRich, cream tinged flavours with lively acidity and a touch edgy finish.
Brilliant pale straw colour with green tinged edges and a watery hue. Nectarine, lemon and bees wax scents mix with hints of buttered toast. Rich cream tinged white peach, nectarine and dried honey flavours are counterpointed by lively acidity. Notions of crème brulee and lemon butter linger underneath. Finishes a touch edgy with medium length.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13% - The Japanese Bitters Sansho Bitters (100ml)JAPAN$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenABV: 24%
Made from rare Wakayama grown Budou sansho, renowned for its large, grape-like bunches of fruit. Harvested by hand, the unripe green sansho berries can only be picked from mid to late May making it a rare and premium ingredient, prized by chefs and bartenders alike. Vibrant and aromatic with a tingling mouthfeel, this bitters delivers electric bursts of green peppercorn and yuzu, drifting into notes of cedar, herb and wild citrus, finishing with the long-lasting, delicate, numbing whisper that only sansho can bring. Use it in a Margarita, Gin and Tonic, Hanky Panky and more. 24% Alc./Vol.
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- 93
Blacks Rocketship IPA Cask Finish 8 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey (700ml)IRELAND$199. 99Bottle$2399.88 DozenABV: 43%A malt matured in Rocketship casks that previously contained IPA beer. This is the most robust expression in the Black's line up, though by most Scotch single malt standards, still a middle weight. There are lovely flashes of pristine, sweet barley that glaze the tongue with gentle oils bringing a deliciously rounded feel. Hints of cherry chocolate too, plus a lipsmacking finish with faint but lingering wood smoke. Quality Irish. Non-chill filtered and bottled at 43%.
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- 94
- 93
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2022 Luis Seabra Granito CruDao, PORTUGAL$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 13%Closure: CorkRich and concentrated yet energetic with a vein of fresh saline laced acidity enlivening the generously textured finish.
Bright straw colour with a watery hue. Aromas of ripe pear, quince and baked apple flood the nostrils followed by whiffs of honeycomb, crème brulee, lees and subtle saline like notes. Rich and concentrated yet possessing an energetic feel, ripe pear, green apple, lime and quince fruits lead the way with some honeysuckle, lees and crushed rock elements sitting in the background. A vein of fresh saline laced acidity enlivens the generously textured finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13%Other Reviews….
This shows subtle aromas of white flowers and sliced apricots. Elegant and medium- to full-bodied with racy acidity and an austere profile. Encruzado, bical and sercial fermented and aged in 500-liter barriques. It undergoes malolactic fermentation. This needs another year in bottle to open up properly.
93 Points
JamesSuckling.com -
- 93
2025 Heirloom Vineyards Sauvignon BlancAdelaide Hills, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$24. 99Bottle$299.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2025-2026)ABV: 11.5%Closure: StelvinScrumptious passionfruit and green apple fruits with some herbaceous gooseberry and mineral elements linger through the refreshing finish.
Brilliant water like core with a faint greenish tinge to the surrounding edges. Leaping out of the glass are aromas of passionfruit followed by some green apple, lime, subtle herbaceous gooseberry and mineral notes. Scrumptious passionfruit and green apple fruits fill the mouth underscored by crunchy acidity. Some herbaceous gooseberry and mineral elements linger through the refreshing finish.
Drink over the next year.
Alc. 11.5% - Legendario Domingo Durango Cenizo Mezcal (700ml)Oaxaca, MEXICO$129. 99Bottle$1559.88 DozenABV: 47%
Talked about as one of the brand's best values and most characterful expressions, Domingo's Durango Joven Mezcal is made from 100% Cenizo (Durangensis) magueys, harvested at 10-12 years old from Nombre de Dios in the picturesque Durango region. Piñas are cooked for 4-5 days in underground conical ovens ignited with mesquite, oak and huisache woods. They're then crushed by a traditional mechanical wheel. Fermentation takes place in open underground wooden vats with fresh spring water for 6-8 days. No yeast is added, rather, indigenous yeast from the air ferments the juice. The Colon Family are responsible for the double-distillation that takes place in a 300 litre Arabic Alembic pot still made of copper and stainless steel. The mezcal is then rested 30-45 days before being bottled at a robust 47% Alc./Vol. The resulting spirit is textural, wild and full-flavoured, combining savoury, earthy notes and sweet fruits with balancing acidity.
Other reviews... Loving this one. The aromas out of the bottle are licorice and plums, sweet and spicy. No smoke no alcohol aromas. Flavors are like a spicy chicken taco with some brown fruit. Some dirt oil and minerals in this one.If you like wild game like venison, or elk, this one’s for you very meaty. This is an extremely different mezcal and the profile is quite a bit different than most others that i’ve tried for this region. Having a pour of this one tonight and d***, I swear I just ate an elk hamburger with onions and pickles with this one. I’ve never had a mezcal so meaty. - mezcalreviews.com
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- 93
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 Anti-Hero Coola Road ChardonnayMt Gambier, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$34. 99Bottle$419.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 12.8%Closure: StelvinRich and textured with fresh acidity counterpointing the cream tinged finish.
Wild yeast fermented in French oak hogsheads of which 20% was new. Brilliant pale straw to straw colour with green straw tinged edges and a watery hue. Ripe peach and nectarine aromas mix with dried honey, roasted almond, subtle crème brulee and spicy nougat notes. Rich and creamy textured with ripe nectarine, peach and dried honey flavours to the fore. Subtle crème brulee, bacon fat and spicy nougat the undercard. Fresh acidity counterpoints the cream tinged finish.
Drink over the next 3-4 years
Alc. 12.8% -
- 94
2024 West Cape Howe RieslingMount Barker, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2025-2033)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinConcentrated yet tense and focused with a dry, chalk tinged finish.
Brilliant very pale straw colour with highlights of green around the edges and a watery hue. Lemon and lime juice scents mix with hints of mandarin, chalky talc and steely mineral notes. Concentrated yet tense and focused, lemon, lime and mandarin fruits are backed by zippy acidity. Racy feel with steely mineral elements lingering through the long, dry, chalk tinged finish.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 12% -
- 92
Blacks Black Maple Mayhem Blended Irish Whiskey (700ml)IRELAND$159. 99Bottle$1919.88 DozenABV: 43%One in a series of Black's blends, this one aged in maple bourbon casks to give a sweet kiss. It still tastes like quality Irish whiskey rather than a novelty, carefully balanced to avoid being overly sweet, delivering good weight and mouthfeel rounded off by a judicious injection of maple sugars and cinnamon warmth. 43% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Smooth sweet... Similar to Jack Daniels, but maybe more wood in taste. I can really recommend it to those who like it sweet. Worth a try. - whiskybase.com
Notes from the producers... Nose : A sweet introduction as warm sugar notes with hints of smoke, vanilla, maple caramel and baked prunes demand your attention. Palate: A smooth oily mouthfeel coats the cheeks as flavours of Maple coated nuts, cinnamon pancakes and spice develop further. Finish: A medium finish as maple, oaky wood and smoke lingers.
- Legendario Domingo Classico Espadin Mezcal (700ml)Oaxaca, MEXICO$119. 99Bottle$1439.88 DozenABV: 42%
Made in the village of San Luis del Rio by the Velasco family, this relatively new Mezcal brand was founded in 2012 and aims to highlight different mezcal-producing terroirs. The distillation tradition from each varies, but each captures the agave varietal character and mouthfeel that wild fermentation and artisanal production afford. The label centres around Sundays (domingos) as an opportunity for celebrating traditions, festivities and mixing reality with fantasy. The joy of each region makes an ordinary Sunday into a Legendary Sunday (Legendario Domingo).
For the Classico expression, Espadín magueys are harvested at 8 to 9 years of age, cooked underground in conical ovens with river stones and dead wood. Milling is via a Tahona and horse followed by natural fermentation in wooden vats using indigenous yeast and a double distillation in a copper pot still. The final spirit is cut back with well water to 42% Alc./Vol. Recommended for sipping or making beautiful margaritas, the overall balance of Domingo's Classico makes it the best place to start for beginners.
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- Reduced
J.J. Corry The Gael Irish Whiskey (700ml)IRELANDReduced from $189.99$164. 99Bottle$1979.88 DozenABV: 46%The namesake on the label, J.J.Corry was born in Cooraclare, where the Chapel Gate Independent bottling Co. operates today. There, until his death in 1932, he had bonded & sold whiskey via his shop on Henry Street. Since 2015, Louise McGuane at Chapel Gate has continued that tradition, sourcing spirits from multiple Irish distilleries then maturing, blending and bottling on-site. 'The Gael' is a 50/50 blend of fruity Irish malt and floral grain whiskeys. While the exact composition isn't stated, earlier bottlings have included up to 4% 28-year-old single malt, the remainder being 13-19 year old liquid aged in selected casks from Jerez and Kentucky. 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... [2019 batch tasted...] Found this in London, not sure it ever reached our shores. Colour: straw. Nose: vanilla and scones running the show, plus touches of pears and pineapples. This reminds of ancient Tullamore Dew, in a way. Not earthshattering but pleasant, I'm just not sure I'll remember it… Mouth: sweet and easy blend, of good quality, sweet, with some brioche, icing sugar, sweet beers, sugar cubes, candyfloss… The 46% vol. work really well, as always. Finish: shortish but sweet and pleasant. Sugar in the aftertaste. Comments: sweet indeed, and perfectly all right for a NAS blend. 78 points - whiskyfun.com
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- 91
- Reduced
J.J. Corry The Hanson Irish Whiskey (700ml)IRELANDReduced from $159.99$134. 99Bottle$1619.88 DozenABV: 46%Something novel in the Irish category - 'The Hanson' is a Blended Grain, named after J.J. Corry’s son-in-law, who was a revenue man in the early 1900s known locally as “The Gauger Hanson”. Reportedly, just three casks from different distilleries make up each batch (West Cork, Cooley and GND). Four and ten year old material (20% and 80% respectively) were drawn from x-bourbon barrels, each selected to build complexity upon the sweet and fruity qualities of the grain whiskey. Oily at first on the nose, then closer to nashi pear in later passes, the palate serves up some juicy-fruity-malt and vanilla action with a buttery middle, rounded off by a zesty, drying finish. It drinks like a full-bodied version of a Japanese blend (think Suntory Kakubin) possessing a depth that stands out for the category. Enjoy straight or in a refreshing highball with soda. 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... This is a light, vibrant, but classy affair. It has all that’s characteristic of your “traditional Irish whiskey” – the apple and vanilla flavours with the silky mouthfeel – but it comes with a bit of bite and a fantastic warming of the chest. And it does that all purely from a selection of young-ish grain-only whiskies. Job well done. I’d love to know if the original Gauger Hanson would have liked it. I’m sure he would. It’s interesting to see that this has been angled with cocktails in mind but I think it’s classy enough on it’s own. You really wouldn’t want too many dominant flavours or mixers in there otherwise I think you’d lose those intricacies that make this an enjoyable whiskey. - whiskyunplugged.com
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- 93
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 Colutta Pinot GrigioFriuli, ITALY$34. 99Bottle$419.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinConcentrated, nicely shaped and featuring brisk acidity, it finishes energetic and elegant.
Brilliant pale straw colour with apricot tinged edges and a watery hue. Aromas of pear, red apple and quince drift from the glass followed by faint honeysuckle and stony mineral notes. Concentrated, nicely shaped and featuring brisk acidity, pear, red apple skin, lime and quince fruits overlay a stony mineral laden back drop. Dry and crisp it finishes energetic and elegant.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
- 90
2024 30 Mile ChardonnaySouth Eastern Australia, AUSTRALIA$10. 99Bottle$131.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2025-2026)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinA ripe, fleshy fruit driven Chardonnay with brisk acidity enlivening the finish.
Brilliant pale straw colour with green straw highlights around the edges and a watery hue. Ripe peach, tropical fruit and apricot aromas mix with vanillin spice notes. Rich peach and tropical fruit flavours meld into a melon and delicate vanillin spice back drop. Ripe fleshy mouth feel with brisk acidity enlivening the fruit led finish.
Drink over the next year.
Alc. 13% -
- 91
2025 Coriole Chenin BlancMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2025-2026)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinJuicy pear and red apple flavours with crisp acidity and a fruity finish.
Brilliant very pale straw colour with a faint greenish tinge around the outskirts and a watery hue. Pear, tropical fruit and green apple scents sail out of the glass followed by some spicy quince like notes. Juicy pear and red apple fruits intermix with lime and delicate quince. Crisp acidity with a fruity finish.
Drink over the next year.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 95
- Biodynamic
2024 Cobaw Ridge ChardonnayMacedon Ranges, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenABV: 12.9%Closure: Diam CorkSituated 610 meters above sea level and overseeing Central Victoria, the Cobaw Ridge vines thrive in the granite-rich mountain soil, working hard to produce well-balanced grapes. This unique site's challenges, combined with the Cooper's dedication to sustainable and natural practices, result in wines that truly reflect their origin and time. No additives, fining, filtration, or stabilization are applied, except for minimal sulphites before bottling.
Cobaw Ridge Chardonnay sees the grapes whole bunch pressed, settled overnight in a tank, then transferred to French oak (25% new). A slow, natural fermentation occurs in the barrel over 12 months, followed by an additional 3 months in a tank to settle on the lees. Full malolactic fermentation takes place, and the wine is not filtered, with only a small SO2 addition.
Other Reviews....
There seems to be a general sense of relief in the somewhat rote growing season of 2024. So too, Cobaw had a good ‘un. The discussion is of course how Cobaw Ridge has long been known for being very transparent to vintage, indeed, some would say that wines of the past may have been polarising for such in some perceived highs and lows; for me this is verity I seek from things I tend to drink. Kudos.
This is quite distinct in its make up. A more crystalline, lime juice driven chardonnay of freshness, brightness and very subtle, if not barely there savoury elements that so often are the calling cards of this wine. Chalky too, pristine fruit in a bind of saline minerality, pink grapefruit freshness and a talc-like element too. It sits at medium weight of slightly lighter, it’s minerally, generally, to stutter. While the layers may be hiding at present, the primary fruit the focus, there’s supreme drinkability here, fine detail in the nuance and spectrum of fruit characters. Truth be told, for more ‘Cobaw Ridge chardonnay’ the l’altra 2024 is probably more what many will expect. That being said, this is high quality gear regardless. Drink 2025 - 2035+.
95 points
Mike Bennie - The Wine Front













































