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2023 Luis Seabra Vinhos Xisto IlimitadoPORTUGAL$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 12.5%Closure: CorkJuicy and well fleshed with a stony mineral underbelly.
Brilliant pale straw colour with a watery hue. Gorgeous pear, lime and dried honey aromas drift through the nostrils with plenty of intensity followed by some wet stone and mineral notes. Concentrated fleshy pear, Jonathan apple and lime fruits carry beautiful textural shape across the palate. Delicate dried honey and stony mineral elements lie underneath with brisk acidity lending energy to the long supple finish.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 12.5%Other Reviews….
Douro. Rabigato 70%, Gouveio 20%, Arinto 5%, Codiga 5% from vines 35 to 60 years old. Delicate wine of intricacy and charm. Sea spray, something of a chamomile perfume, lemon and green apple. It’s electric with a salty tang, fine powdery texture, cool acidity, with a subtle quinine bite on a finish of excellent length and precision. So lovely. If you like a saline and fine-boned wine of high interest, then this will hold great appeal. It does for me. Drink 2025-2029+
94 Points
Gary Walsh – The Wine FrontThis has aromas of sliced green apples, orchard fruit, fennel and a touch of flint. Medium- to full-bodied and fresh, with texture and pleasant phenolics. Long and persistent. Incredible value. A blend of multiple vineyards in Douro Superior. 60% rabigato, 15% gouveio, 15% codega and 10% viosinho. Made from 30- to 45-year-old vines. Aged for 12 months in used barrels. Drink or hold.
93 Points
JamesSuckling.com -
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2024 Palliser Estate RieslingMartinborough, NEW ZEALAND$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinA crisp, juicy, mouth filling Riesling.
Brilliant very pale straw colour with green toned edges and a watery hue. Distinct lime, orange rind and green to red apple scents blossom out of the glass with hints of honeysuckle and stony mineral notes also emerging. Mouth filling lime, mandarin and lemon flavours are backed by crisp acidity. Subtle notions of honeysuckle, wet stone and minerals are also highlighted. Finishes dry, long and juicy.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 12%Other Reviews…..
Bright and expressive, this opens with vibrant citrus aromas of limes and grapefruit as well as quince, complemented by a distinct saline note reminiscent of oyster shells. On the palate, it is fresh and incisive with lively acidity. The texture is taut and tense, adding structure and balance to the crisp profile. Perfect as an aperitif or paired with oysters, ceviche or light seafood dishes. Drink now.
92 Points
JamesSuckling.comAn excellent bouquet filled with scents of white rose and blossoms, stony mineral suggestions, lemon and apple then a white spice and white peach quality. Fragrant and enticing. Taut, crisp and dry as the wine touches the palate, flavours of white fleshed fruits and citrus reflect the bouquet. Lengthy, salivating and delicious, a perfect aperitif expression and clearly an excellent choice with crunchy fresh appetizers. Best from late 2025 through 2034.
95 Points
CamDouglasMS.com -
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2024 Vino Volta So Well Then FianoSwan Valley, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2025-2026)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinCrunchy green apple and lime fruits with a long zingy finish.
Brilliant pale straw colour with a distinctive glimmer of green around the rim and a watery hue. Aromas of green apple skin and lime are followed by some citrus and flinty mineral notes. Crunchy green apple and lime fruits drive the palate with infusions of fresh herbs, citrus and slatey mineral elements highlighted across the back half. Excellent intensity with crisp acidity and a long zingy finish.
Drink over the next year.
Alc. 12.5%Other Reviews……
Pretty formidable in flavour power, this is dialled-up fiano that speaks true to the variety, albeit amplified. Slightly waxy and glossy, with white florals and muskmelon, it arrives via slow waves before picking up the pace with racy acidity, grapefruit pith, lime sherbet and underripe pear. A slight pull of phenolics resets the palate for the next sip. Drink by 2028.
93 Points
Katrina Butler – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 93
2024 Antinori Villa Antinori Toscana BiancoTuscany, ITALY$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 12%Closure: Diam CorkA scrumptious dry Italian white with a river stone like mouth feel.
Villa Antinori Bianco is a historic wine from the Antinori family, first produced by Niccolò Antinori in 1931. The label and production philosophy, focused on representing the wine's origin, have remained largely unchanged. The grapes are destemmed, delicately pressed, and the must is fermented and matured in stainless steel tanks until bottling.
Brilliant pale straw colour with a faint greenish tinge to the edges and a watery hue. Delightful pear and red apple scents sail through the nostrils followed by some lime, subtle quince and wet stone notes. Scrumptious pear, red apple and lime fruits are delivered with plenty of intensity over a back drop of fresh herb infusions and wet stone. River stone like mouth feel and a dry finish of ample length that’s quite moreish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 12% -
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- Nick's Import
2019 Clos Haut Peyraguey (375ml)Sauternes, Bordeaux, FRANCE$46. 99Bottle$563.88 DozenClosure: CorkClos Haut-Peyraguey traces its origins to the seventeenth century, when it formed part of the same large Sauternes estate as Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey, before being separated in the late nineteenth century with the highest and best-situated parcels retained as Clos Haut-Peyraguey. The name Peyraguey, derived from the local word for hill, reflects its elevated position in the commune of Bommes, where the vineyard sits among the highest slopes of the appellation, close to Chateau d'Yquem. The 21-hectare estate, classified as a Premier Cru in 1855 and notable as the smallest of the top-ranked properties at the time, is planted predominantly to Semillon with a smaller proportion of Sauvignon Blanc on gravel, sand and clay soils. Vinification and ageing take place in French oak, with maturation in up to 50 percent new barrels, producing a classically structured Sauternes that reflects both its altitude and historic pedigree.
Other Reviews....
The 2019 Clos Haut-Peyraguey is just as compelling as it was from barrel. Airy and light on its feet, the 2019 is a wine of total understatement. Passionfruit, tangerine, pineapple, mint and exotic floral notes are all laced together. A long, persistent finish rounds things out in style. Superb. Drink 2025-2044.
96 points
Antonio Galloni - Vinous (Jan 2022)Expressive nose of ginseng, marmalade, dried tangerines, apricot conserve and lemon curd. Some toast and caramel. Creamy with spicy, balanced and almost savory layers. Elegant. Drink or hold.
93 points
Claire Nesbitt - JamesSuckling.comMore elegant and finesse-driven now from bottle, the 2019 Clos Haut-Peyraguey has beautiful white peach, honeyed apricot, baking spice, ginger, and orange zest nuances in a medium to full-bodied, pretty, elegant, layered style. It's not a blockbuster but shines for its seamless, balanced, pure profile. Drink bottles over the coming 10-15 years. Drink 2023-2038.
94 points
Jeb DunnuckA little closed on the nose with crunchy apple and orange aromas but it's rich and full with such depth on the palate giving caramel, buttery toffee, lemon and some green apple and apricot flavours with wood spice, not so noticable in terms of a flavour but you get the texture and slight spice around the edges. Feels structured with so much on show but needs time to harmonise. Drink 2023-2043.
94 points
Georgina Hindle - Decanter -
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- Nick's Import
2005 Chateau Leoville Las CasesSaint Julien, Bordeaux, FRANCE$950. 00Bottle$11400.00 DozenClosure: CorkChateau Leoville Las Cases is one of the larger classified estates in Bordeaux, with the Second Growth Saint-Julien property totalling 98 hectares. Winemaking is very traditional, using old oak vats for fermentation, and up to 90% new French oak for maturation. While the wines can look rather austere in their youth, from great years they can resemble some of the finest First Growth wines as they reach maturity. The Chateau also produces a second wine, Le Petit Lion du Marquis de Las Cases (from 2009), which is not to be confused with Clos du Marquis, a wine that is always produced from a separate parcel and is considered a standalone brand.
"...the 2005 Château Leoville Las Cases is nevertheless jaw dropping good, and certainly a perfect wine in this reviewer’s opinion." - Jeb Dunnuck
Other Reviews....
The 2005 Léoville Las Cases is a classic that numbers among the wines of the vintage in the Médoc. Wafting from the glass with notes of dark berries, cassis, incense, burning embers, sweet soil tones, dark chocolate and cigar wrapper, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, with a vibrant core of fruit, lively acids and sweet, powdery tannins. More elegant and refined than the hulking, uncompromising 2006, the 2005 is nevertheless a powerful, tightly wound wine that will reward further bottle age, even if it's actually quite expressive today. Drink 2025-2065.
98 points
William Kelley - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Aug 2022)The 2005 Léoville Las-Cases retains a deep colour at 20 years of age, with little aging on the rim. The bouquet leaves you instantly besotted with blackberry, wild hedgerow, black truffle, incense and light lavender scents in the background. The nose is very complex and one of the most vivacious that I encountered revisiting this vintage. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins that frame mineral-rich black fruit, as well as touches of smoke and meat juices in the background. This is very harmonious but has genuine weight and depth on the finish, elevating this to one of the best Left Bank 2005s. Superb. Tasted at the château. Drink 2025-2050.
97 points
Neal Martin - Vinous (June 2025)A stunningly complex and complete nose of flowers, dark fruits, and minerals. Very perfumed and subtle at the same time. The palate is full, yet tight and powerful with perfect tannins and a long, long finish. The quality of the tannins is phenomenal, please leave this alone for ten years. Pull the cork in 2020.
99 points
James Suckling (June 2011)Still inky hued and not yet in its prime, the 2005 Château Leoville Las Cases is nevertheless jaw dropping good, and certainly a perfect wine in this reviewer’s opinion. Cassis, ripe currants, leather, graphite, crushed stone, and smoke all define the aromatics, and it has a massive, full-bodied profile on the palate as well as the more focused, regal style of the Chateau. There’s no shortage of tannins, it has incredible purity, integrated acidity, and a monster of a finish. It actually has a touch of Latour-like character, and it needs another 4-6 years, if not a decade, to hit prime time, and will have 30 years of longevity. The 2005 is 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot and Cabernet Franc, representing only 37% of the total production. Drink 2028-2058.
100 points
Jeb Dunnuck (Apr 2024)To some, this is the best wine estate in St-Julien. Château Léoville Las Cases is one of the three Léovilles and is the largest at 97 hectares. Though the wine is a 2ème Cru Classé, or second growth, many see this old estate rivalling the first growths and have prices to match. I've been lucky enough to taste this a few times this year, and the last one (at a Christie's dinner in early November) confirmed once again what an incredible wine this is. With a full 87% cabernet sauvignon, and the rest made up of merlot and cabernet franc, the colour here is rich ecclesiastical purple, and the fruit still tight and brooding, although it starts to soften up with a good carafing even now. It's the texture of Léoville Las Cases that often hits you, and the confidence of a wine that knows it has years ahead of it. Dark fruits, bitter chocolate, black truffles, all perfectly in place. One to savour.
97 points
Jane Anson - DecanterThis is a super wine, that in time, should go up in score. But patience is needed here. Decanted 4 hours, that was not enough to tame the strict tannins. Still, it was impossible not to enjoy the perfectly ripe, regal, red and black fruits, intensity, length and concentration found here. This is was the older British writers called good breed. I get their point, even if the term is archaic. All that being said, perhaps, this will be ready between 2025-2030 for the start of its long, 100 year life.
98 points
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar Insider (Jan 2018) -
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- Nick's Import
2001 Chateau Leoville Las CasesSaint Julien, Bordeaux, FRANCE$599. 00Bottle$7188.00 DozenClosure: CorkChateau Leoville Las Cases is one of the larger classified estates in Bordeaux, with the Second Growth Saint-Julien property totalling 98 hectares. Winemaking is very traditional, using old oak vats for fermentation, and up to 90% new French oak for maturation. While the wines can look rather austere in their youth, from great years they can resemble some of the finest First Growth wines as they reach maturity. The Chateau also produces a second wine, Le Petit Lion du Marquis de Las Cases (from 2009), which is not to be confused with Clos du Marquis, a wine that is always produced from a separate parcel and is considered a standalone brand.
"It would be fascinating to compare the 2001 directly with the much-lauded 2000, as the two are very close in quality to my palate." - William Kelley, Wine Advocate
Other Reviews....
One vintage that was missing from my extensive vertical earlier this year was the 2001 Léoville Las Cases, and when curiosity got the better of me, I opened a bottle from my own cellar. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of cassis, cigar wrapper, pencil shavings and classy new oak, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a layered core of vibrant fruit, ripe structuring tannins and a long, penetrating finish. Youthful and a little aloof, it's a classic Las Cases that is just at the very beginning of a long drinking window. It would be fascinating to compare the 2001 directly with the much-lauded 2000, as the two are very close in quality to my palate. Drink 2025-2065.
96 points
William Kelley - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Dec 2023)The 2001 Léoville Las Cases is simply stunning. I was fully prepared to decant it given that Las Cases is almost always a brute in its youth. And make no mistake about it, a twenty year-old Las Cases is still a youngster. Quite frankly, I am not at all prepared for the sheer intensity and richness that emanates from the glass. No decanting needed. The 2001 is simply magnificent upon opening. A rush of generous inky blackberry jam, spice, graphite and leather conveys superb textural intensity. Time in the glass helps the aromatics come alive. Shockingly rich and voluptuous, the 2001 is also wonderfully open today. Uncharacteristically so for Las Cases, in fact. But who’s complaining? Certainly not me.
Even so, the 2001 is ultimately a mid-weight Las Cases, with plenty of opulent fruit, but not quite the tannic heft that is such a signature of this reference-point St. Julien. Readers lucky enough to own the 2001 are in for a real treat. This is an especially fine bottle, perhaps the finest I have come across. Aside from all the technical analyses and descriptors, what really matters most is that the 2001 is a wine that delivers immense drinking pleasure. I absolutely loved it. Drink 2021-2051.
96 points
Antonio Galloni - Vinous (Aug 2021)A very typical Las Cases with a Pauillac note, even though it’s St.-Julien. Lead pencil, dried herb, currant and black olive. Medium-to full-bodied, firm and creamy with a long finish. It’s very persistent. Pretty austerity. Be sure to decant this a couple of hours in advance. Drink or hold.
95 points
James Suckling (Jan 2021)Coming from an underrated vintage in Bordeaux, the 2001 Château Léoville Las Cases is 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, and 12% Cabernet Franc that hit 13% natural alcohol with a pH of 3.7 and an IPT of 70. This was a milder, cooler year, and the 2001 offers a more complex, mature bouquet of cedary herbs, menthol, tobacco, lead pencils, and dried flowers, with a wonderful core of sweet red and black fruits. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has a wonderful mid-palate, sweet tannins, and a great finish. It's drinking at point today yet certainly has another 10-15 years of prime drinking. Drink 2021-2036.
94 points
Jeb Dunnuck (Mar 2021)Pencil lead, leather, smoked cedar and reserved but carefully sculpted cassis and bilberry fruit - this is Léoville-Las Cases showing its classicism in a vintage that is the home of balanced, nuanced and elegant wines. It continues to open and gather depth over 15 minutes in the glass, suggesting there is plenty of potential ahead, but the tannins have now softened and integrated into the overall structure. Grip and freshness runs right through the palate, and a Cabernet-dominated savouriness makes you salivate through the finish. Plenty of power at 21 years old. Beautiful dark fruits, a successful reflection of a vintage that still has plenty to offer. Drink 2021-2044.
95 points
Jane Anson - Decanter (Feb 2021) -
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- Nick's Import
2000 Chateau Leoville Las CasesSaint Julien, Bordeaux, FRANCE$999. 00Bottle$11988.00 DozenClosure: CorkChateau Leoville Las Cases is one of the larger classified estates in Bordeaux, with the Second Growth Saint-Julien property totalling 98 hectares. Winemaking is very traditional, using old oak vats for fermentation, and up to 90% new French oak for maturation. While the wines can look rather austere in their youth, from great years they can resemble some of the finest First Growth wines as they reach maturity. The Chateau also produces a second wine, Le Petit Lion du Marquis de Las Cases (from 2009), which is not to be confused with Clos du Marquis, a wine that is always produced from a separate parcel and is considered a standalone brand.
"An uncompromising classic" - William Kelley, Wine Advocate
Other Reviews....
The 2000 Léoville Las Cases takes time to unwind in the decanter and glass, but when it begins to show all its cards, the display is spectacular. Mingling aromas of dark berries and red fruits with aromas of pencil shavings, loamy soil, cedar box, bitter chocolate, dried rose petals and licorice, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a layered, complete mid-palate that's rare in this vintage, powdery tannins and a long, resonant finish. An uncompromising classic, even as it closes in on its 22nd birthday, the 2000 Las Cases remains an infant in terms of evolution. Drink 2025-2055.
98 points
William Kelley - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Aug 2022)The 2000 Léoville Las Cases is a vintage that I have encountered a dozen or so times. Jean-Hubert Délon oversaw a magnificent wine in this year. The nose of graphite-infused black fruit is still vivacious and very complex, very Pauillac-like, and supremely well focused. Hints of licorice develop with aeration. The medium-bodied palate features sappy black fruit and perfectly judged acidity. Complex and delineated, with marine-tinged mulberry and black currant notes given a deft Oriental touch on the finish. Bottles are only just beginning to drink perfectly now and will last another 30 or more years. Drink 2021-2050.
97 points
Neal Martin - Vinous (June 2021)This is a classic Las Cases, with masses of mineral, floral, and blueberry character. Full and chewy, with so much power. Please don’t touch this for another seven to nine years. Otherwise decant this for two hours.
100 points
James Suckling (June 2011)The 2000 Leoville Las Cases is another brilliant wine and, like most 2000s, appears to just now be at the early stages of its drink window. Smoky black fruits, crushed rocks, lead pencil, and menthol notes all emerge from this brilliant, blockbuster beauty that still tastes like it's just 5-6 years old. Beautifully concentrated, ripe, sexy, and seamless, it has the classic elegance and regal quality of this domaine front and center. It has another 3-4 decades of longevity. Drink 2019-2049.
99 points
Jeb Dunnuck (June 2019)Now closing in on two decades, this is starting to soften and open, bringing exotic spices to the fore. The inky colour translates into tight black fruits with liquorice, cigar box, graphite and grilled gunsmoke. It’s still a little fierce in its tannic structure, and will need a few more years to be truly welcoming, but it’s clear that the grapes reached full phenolic ripeness. The invariably low pH at Leoville, often below 3.5 (as it is here), explains its iron grip. I last tasted this in October 2017 and it has barely budged an inch since then, but it gets significantly better after an hour in the glass (and being double decanted), giving you an idea of just how much life remains ahead. Harvest 28 September to 11 October. Drink 2019-2050.
98 points
Jane Anson - Decanter -
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- Nick's Import
2005 Chateau Lafite RothschildPauillac, Bordeaux, FRANCE$2299. 00Bottle$27588.00 DozenClosure: CorkOften seen as the most elegant of the First Growth wines, Chateau Lafite Rothschild has long been considered one of the greatest wines from not only Bordeaux, but from anywhere in the world. Prices too reflect its status as the most collectable wine in Bordeaux, spurred on since 2008 when it ruled the Chinese fine wine market. While the vineyards are planted to 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, each year the proportions vary according to the vintage, normally with Cabernet Sauvignon accounting for 80-90% of the blend.
"A wine worthy of superlatives... Near perfection." - Charles Curtis MW, Decanter
Other Reviews....
The 2005 Lafite-Rothschild is a gorgeous wine, but it is also very young. Readers lucky enough to own it will find a very classic, gracious Lafite-Rothschild that still needs a few years to be at its best. Bright red-toned fruit, crushed rocks, mint and licorice open first, followed by darker aromas and flavors that develop as the wine gains volume with air. Tasted next to its peers, Lafite is so typical of itself and less marked by the year. And that is one of the signs of a truly great terroir. Lafite-Rothschild is not as showy as many other wines in this vintage, but it is so true to its own identity, and that is the highest compliment I can pay it. The 2005 is 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot, done in 100% new oak, which is not at all noticeable. At the time, the Cabernet percentage was quite high, but that has now become the norm. Tasted two times. Drink 2025-2055.
97 points
Antonio Galloni - Vinous (Apr 2021)An incredible nose, so subtle with red fruits, mint, minerals, and all sorts of flowers give way to Cohiba cigar tobacco. The palate has such freshness and density, with perfectly polished tannins. Slightly leathery, like a wonderful Hermes bag. What a wine, please leave this for another ten years. Pull the cork in 2020. 10% Merlot.
100 points
James Suckling (Feb 2011)The 2005 Château Lafite-Rothschild is a beauty, and it has that quintessential power paired with incredible elegance and complexity that this Château does so well. Based on 89% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Merlot, it has perfumed notes of red and black fruits, freshly sharpened pencils, saddle leather, graphite, and spice. These all carry to a medium to full-bodied 2005 that has a layered, balanced mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It stays relatively focused and tight on the palate, and benefits from air. Drink bottles any time over the coming 20-30 years. Drink 2024-2054.
97 points
Jeb Dunnuck (Apr 2024)A wine worthy of superlatives, the 2005 Lafite showed incredible concentration yet a superb balance. The lovely blackcurrant and plum fruit shows a fragrant floral edge, hints of oak spice, and a firm, earthy underpinning. The texture is superbly elegant, with a lovely freshness and a lilting, silky finish, yet it does not lack a tannic grip, and the finish is satisfyingly long. Near perfection. A blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot with just a drop of Petit Verdot, aged in new casks. Drink 2021-2040.
99 points
Charles Curtis MW - Decanter (Jun 2021)Youthful, classically styled, full-bodied, fresh, bright, crisp, chewy, and tannic, the red fruits offer purity, vibrance, and length, along with lead pencil, flowers, spice, cigar box, thyme, and oceanic characteristics. Still in its infancy, the wine needs time to soften, open, and expand, so if you are lucky enough to have a bottle, patience is a virtue here. Drink from 2030-2065.
98 points
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar Insider (Jul 2022) -
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- Nick's Import
2005 Chateau MargauxMargaux, Bordeaux, FRANCE$2499. 00Bottle$29988.00 DozenClosure: CorkChateau Margaux has an impressive history of producing the best wines of Bordeaux, with winemaking on the property dating back to the 12th century. In the 1700’s Thomas Jefferson included Margaux in his list of the greatest four wines of Bordeaux, and this was later vindicated when Chateau Margaux was awarded First Growth status in the 1855 Classification. Traditional in style, Chateau Margaux is a wine of finesse and purity, but also one with richness and aromatic complexity, with an enviable history of cellaring potential. Vineyards are planted to 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, while the final blend normally uses around 85% Cabernet Sauvignon.
"...another level, the 2005 Château Margaux is as good as it gets" - Jeb Dunnuck
Other Reviews....
The first-growth 2005 Château Margaux (85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot), a lavish fragrance of blackcurrants, velvety new saddle leather, spring flowers and spice soars from the glass. The wood is already totally concealed beneath the cascade of fruit in this medium to full-bodied, pure and majestic wine. This concentrated, dense, but nevertheless strikingly elegant, multi-layered wine has a finish of 45+ seconds. It builds incrementally to a crescendo and finale. This is a stunner that can be approached already, but promises to be better in another 5-10 years and last at least 25 or more years. Drink 2020-2050.
98+ points
Robert M. Parker, Jr. - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Jun 2015)In two recent tastings the 2005 Château Margaux has been nothing less than magnificent. A wine of stunning perfume and inner sweetness, the 2005 gradually opens to reveal layers of red-toned fruit intermingled with floral accents. It's as if all the classic Margaux signatures have been amped up in a huge way. Dehydration on the vine concentrated the fruit, but also the impression of tannin and acid, such that the 2005 retains huge fruit density along with plenty of brightness as well. Vibrant and beautifully layered, the 2005 Grand Vin is off the charts and easily one of the wines of the vintage. Readers who own it or can find it are in for a real treat. Tasted two times. Drink 2021-2055.
99 points
Antonio Galloni - Vinous (Apr 2021)The nose on this seems more concentrated than the 2000, and the purity of fruit is stunning, with blueberries, raspberries, fresh flowers, and hints of licorice. This is perfect and complete. Full bodied, with notes of forest berries and wild raspberries, this is thick and velvety with perfectly polished tannins. You can really feel the density on this, more than the tannic structure. This is a sleeping beauty that will be utterly captivating when it awakes. Don't touch this until after 2015.
100 points
James Suckling (Nov 2010)An another level, the 2005 Château Margaux is as good as it gets, offering an incredible, full-bodied, layered style as well as the classic nuance, complexity, and elegance this Château is known for. Based on 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot raised in new barrels, its still youthful ruby/purple hue is followed by a kaleidoscope-like array of cassis, smoked currants, cedar pencil, spring flowers, and graphite. With incredible concentration, a multi-dimensional, layered mouthfeel, loads of ripe yet perfectly integrated tannins, and a finish that makes you salivate, this insanely good Margaux is just now at the early stages of its prime drinking window and has another 30 years of prime drinking ahead of it. Legendry juice. Drink 2024-2054.
100 points
Jeb Dunnuck (Apr 2024)The famed Château Margaux is a 1er cru classé, first growth property, in Bordeaux. The 2005 vintage was heralded as a 5 star year. Château Margaux upped their Cabernet Sauvignon proportion of the blend in 2005 to 85%. If I have to pick my favourite wine from the wonderful 2005 vintage, this one certainly comes very close. Rich plum purple colours in the glass, just softening around the edges. Attractive just-starting-to-age claret aromas on the nose – liquorice, black truffles and soft black fruits, all carried through on to the palate, has all of the looked-for elements in play. Great plush texture, lovely balance of acidity, tannins and fruit, love the complexity and it really lingers on the palate, impressive persistency. Outstanding for me, great Margaux typicity.
99 points
Jane Anson - Decanter (Jun 2021)Still youthful, the wine is intensely concentrated, full, deep and rich. Aromatically, this is off the hook with its floral nature, you also find spice box, herbs, tobacco leaf and a bushel of red and black fruits. Long, deep and intense, the fruit is sweet, ripe and fresh, finishing with vibrancy, length and purity. But time will make this a better experience, so give it at least 7 more years in the cellar and enjoy it over the next 3-4 decades after that.
99 points
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar Insider (Apr 2022) -
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2023 Pierre Gonon Les Iles Feray SyrahNorthern Rhone, FRANCE$150. 00Bottle$1800.00 DozenABV: 12.5%Closure: CorkOther Reviews....
Notes of rose, dark cherries, orange peel and raspberry preface the 2023 VdP de l'Ardeche Les Iles Feray Syrah, a medium to full-bodied, seamless and enveloping wine with powdery tannins enhanced by a fresh mid-palate and saline finish that is beautifully balanced and ethereal. It tastes like the essence of Syrah. This is a co-fermented blend of 80% Marsanne and 20% Roussanne. Drink 2025-2032.
92 points
Yohan Castaing - Robert Parker's Wine AdvocateThe 2023 Les Îles Féray l'Ardeche is delicious as it opens with intense dark cherry, peppery scents, crushed graphite and orange rind. Black-fruited and spicy, the medium-bodied 2023 shows well at this early stage, following through with notable freshness on the elegant finish. Drink 2026-2029.
90 points
Nicolas Greinacher - VinousThe 2023 Vin De Pays reveals a bright, juicy, and elegant profile loaded with gamey red and black fruits, bouquet garni, and floral notes. Medium-bodied and seamless on the palate, it has beautiful balance and a delicious, approachable style.
89-91 points
Jeb DunnuckA more herbal style than usual, with oregano and tomato stalk notes thanks to the 50% whole bunch. Light-bodied, refined, bright, snappy and drinkable. A crisp and vibrant vintage of this cuvée; highly smashable. Drink 2025-2029.
92 points
Matt Walls - Decanter -
- 94
- 93
- 92
2023 Pierre Gonon Saint JosephSaint Joseph, Northern Rhone, FRANCE$220. 00Bottle$2640.00 DozenABV: 12.5%Closure: CorkOther Reviews....
The complex 2023 Saint-Joseph emerges initially with pronounced orange rind, fresh violets and pencil shavings. Black cherries add more nuance. Refined and smooth, the 2023 sports spot-on overall balance between elevated flavour concentration, fresh acidity and notably refined tannins lending gentle structure. A delicious red Saint-Joseph from the talented Gonon brothers that's going to benefit from at least two more years in a cool cellar. Drink 2028-2038.
93 points
Nicolas Greinacher - VinousRipe black cherries, lavender, pepper, violets, and subtle game notes all emerge from the 2023 Saint Joseph. Medium to full-bodied, with fine tannins and remarkable elegance, it shows a silky, seamless texture and impressive length on the finish.
92-94 points
Jeb DunnuckViolets and raspberries, this is a relatively light-bodied vintage. Fine, delicate but ripe, with lovely balance, making this very fresh and drinkable. Not a hugely concentrated year, but very attractive vintage 'à l'ancienne'. Drink 2025-2035.
94 points
Matt Walls - Decanter -
- 93
- 93
- 93
2023 Nautilus ChardonnayMarlborough, NEW ZEALAND$39. 99Bottle$479.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinMid weighted with a gently creamed feel, fresh acidity and a gun flint laced finish.
Brilliant pale straw to straw colour with glimmering green toned edges and a watery hue. Elevated nectarine, bees wax, lemon butter and toast scents rise through the nostrils followed by hints of spicy nougat. Mid weighted and possessing a gently creamed feel, the palate is decorated with nectarine, lemon butter and dried honey characters. Subtle nougat, almond and infusions of gun flint lie underneath. Fresh acidity with a gun flint laced finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13%Other Reviews…..
Interesting style in some ways. There’s a lot of struck match character here but there’s also pineapple, butter, citrus and cream. It seems to have a foot in a few camps and so cohesion isn’t its strongest point, but then it’s both mouthwatering and textural and while not necessarily “big”, it does deliver a good amount of flavour. It’s not for everyone. But for what it’s worth, I like it. It’s not bland. And it lingers. Drink 2025-2030.
93 Points
Campbell Mattinson – The Wine FrontThis is a rather delightful example of Marlborough Chardonnay. It’s somewhat understated but certainly displays some attractive characters. Opens with that typical stone fruit, nectarine-dominated aroma, with a little bit of roasted cashew, a little minerality, and just a trace of morning brioche. The palate is textured, but there’s a lip-smacking acidity which brings it to life. It was naturally fermented, and it displays layered complexity and excellent fruit concentration. The tight, fine minerality will ensure mid-term, medium-term cellaring. Drink 2025-2030.
93 Points
Ray Jordan – WinePilot.com -
- 95
Loch Distillery Barossa Shiraz Cask Single Malt Australian Rye Whisky (700ml)Gippsland, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$220. 00Bottle$2640.00 DozenABV: 50%Aged for over five years in a French oak cask that previously held Barossa Shiraz. Light rye bread aromas are checked by discreet dried berry notes. At first taste, the extended wine influence seems to cancel the grain, then the mouthfeel thickens, heralding a slow crescendo of oily rye, the wine softening the expected spices, juicing up the finish. Fine tannins and trace peppermint bring grip and vibrancy. Understated rye with grace and nuance. Beautifully executed. 50% Alc./Vol.
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- 94
2020 Maddens Rise ChardonnayYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 12.6%Closure: StelvinSupplely textured and well rounded with a long fresh, fruit driven finish.
Aged on lees for 9 months in new and seasoned French oak. Brilliant pale straw colour with distinct highlights of green around the edges and a watery hue. Pear and green apple aromas mix with hints of dried honey, biscuity nougat and citrus. Showing excellent intensity and purity, beautifully fleshed white peach and pear fruits decorate the mid weighted palate with some green apple, subtle biscuity oak and citrusy nougat elements lending further interest. Supplely textured and well rounded it has a long fresh, fruit driven finish.
Drink over the next 2-3 years
Alc. 12.6% -
- 94
- 93
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
Edouard Duval Champagne Noir d’Eulalie Extra BrutChampagne, FRANCE$145. 00Bottle$1740.00 DozenMinimum 6 bottlesCellar: Drink now (2025)ABV: 12%Closure: Diam CorkA stimulating Champagne with a dry, chalky back drop, crisp acidity and a quite lean, oily textured finish.
A satiny mousse subsides to reveal a pale straw gold tinged core that has a gentle flow of bubbles streaming through it. Pronounced yeast lees and baked bread aromas mix with hints of strawberry, brioche and oily toast like notes. The stimulating palate features baked bread, yeast lees and oily toast nuances over delicate pear and strawberry fruits. Dry, chalky back drop with crisp acidity leading into a quite lean, oily textured finish.
Alc. 12%Other Reviews……
Fresh and concentrated with aromas of dried citrus zest, walnut, dried apricot and cocoa. Some lemon and lime, too. It’s medium-bodied with bright acidity and a fine, sleek mousse. Saline and biscuit notes to close. Drink now.
93 Points
JamesSuckling.com -
- 92
2024 Barringwood ChardonnayTasmania, AUSTRALIA$37. 99Bottle$455.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinWell fleshed with brisk acidity and a fruit driven finish.
Brilliant pale straw colour with flashes of green around the edges and a watery hue. Lifted peach and ripe nectarine aromas mix with honeysuckle and crème brulee like notes. Fleshy peach, pear and nectarine fruits unwind across the palate with some subtle bees wax, spicy melon and citrus elements also present. Brisk acidity with a fruit driven finish.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
- 93
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 Tamellini SoaveVeneto, ITALY$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 11.5%Closure: StelvinNicely shaped with shimmering acidity and a long, easy-going finish.
Brilliant water like core with a faint greenish tinge to the edges. Pear and red apple skin aromas sail from the glass followed by some lime, subtle fresh herb and wet stone notes. Delicious pear and red apple fruits are intermeshed with lime, wet stone and mineral elements. Nicely shaped it has shimmering acidity and a long, easy-going finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years
Alc. 11.5% -
- 93
2021 Bellebonne Vintage CuveeTasmania, AUSTRALIA$69. 99Bottle$839.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 12%Closure: Diam CorkAn elegant, racy Tassie Sparkling that has a sculptured feel.
A blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir aged for 3 years on lees. Pours with a fine plentiful mousse that slowly subsides into a pale straw coloured base that has a nibble stream of tiny bubbles coursing through it. Elevated citrus, baked bread and yeast lees aromas fill the nostrils with hints of dried honey and cashew also evident. Elegant baked bread and yeast lees flavours are underpinned by crisp lemony acidity which imparts a tense chalk tinged feel. Delicate green apple and mineral elements sit in the background. Finishes dry and racy with a sculptured feel.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 12% -
- 93
2025 Corryton Burge Adelaide Hills Pinot GrisAdelaide Hills, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$20. 99Bottle$251.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinIntensely flavoured and slippery textured with a long, luscious yet dry finish.
Brilliant water like colour with a very faint greenish tinge around the outskirts. Elevated pear, red apple and musk aromas sail through the nostrils with whiffs of rosewater also evident. Delicious pear and red apple fruits are delivered with plenty of intensity and carry a slippery textural feel. Musk, subtle quince and infusions of rose water line the back half. Brisk, refreshing acidity with a long, luscious yet dry finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 91
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2020 Maddens Rise Pinot NoirYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 12.8%Closure: StelvinJuicy and supple with silken tannins, lively acidity and a savoury finish.
Semi translucent dark red colour with black toned edges and a light brick red tinged hue. Cherry and strawberry scents mix with hints of anise, bramble, dried herbs, forest floor and spice. Juicy cherry and strawberry fruits overlay a subtle rhubarb, bramble, forest floor and spicy dried herb back drop. Supple in it’s feel with silken tannins and lively acidity, it has a savoury finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 12.8% -
- 94
2024 Heirloom Vineyards Pinot NoirAdelaide Hills, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinDelicious red to dark fruits with bright, lively acidity lending a fresh feel to the long juicy yet savoury finish.
50% whole bunch fermented with maturation in second and third use French oak barriques for a period of 7 months. Dark red core with black toned edges and a red to dark red hue. Fragrant violet, strawberry and clove scents blossom out of the glass with forest floor, brambly cedar and spicy rhubarb notes following on. Delicious red to dark cherry and strawberry fruits intermix with clove, forest floor, brambly cedar and spice characters. Refined tannin structure with bright, lively acidity lending a fresh feel to the long juicy yet savoury finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
- 95
Henriot Brut Souverain ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$120. 00Bottle$1440.00 DozenABV: 12%Closure: Diam CorkRich and airy with a dry chalk tinged finish.
Made from a blend of 45% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Meunier using 30-50% reserve wines with ageing on lees for a period of 3 years. A fine, lacy mousse slowly dissipates to reveal a pale straw coloured base with gold tinged edges and a nimble bead. Aromas of citrus, yeast lees and baked bread drift through the nostrils followed by subtle oily toast like notes and chalk. Rich, airy flavours of baked bread, yeast lees and citrus meld into an oily toast and almond background. Dry, chalk tinged finish with crisp acidity and a gently creamed aftertaste of ample length.
Alc. 12% -
- 90
- 90
Mezza di Mezzacorona Blanc De Blancs Italian Extra Dry SparklingDolomiti, ITALY$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenABV: 12%Closure: Diam CorkA fruity Italian Sparkling with a crisp, refreshing finish.
The vineyards of Mezzacorona span the majestic Italian Dolomites, running from Lake Garda to the foothills of the towering mountains of the Südtirol. This Sparkling is made in the same method as Prosecco from a blend of 60% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Bianco and 10% Muller Thurgau.
A buoyant mousse fades into a pale straw coloured base that has hints of green around the edges and a fine steady stream of bubbles. Peach and ripe apple aromas are to the fore with some quince and subtle ginger spice notes also evident. The fruity palate features peach, apple and pear flavours over a delicate quince and citrus back drop. Vivid acidity leads into a crisp, refreshing finish.
Alc. 12%Other Reviews….
Anyone who has spent time in the Dolomites in Italy will know just how chilly it can get and this delightful sparkler, with its nifty name, evokes just that. From a rarely seen combination of varieties – Chardonnay (60%), Pinot Bianco (30%) and Müller Thurgau (10%) – the vineyards are high altitude, between 400 and 800 metres. Reminiscent of a fine Prosecco in many ways, no doubt as it is also produced by the Charmat method. After destemming, crushing and a soft pressing, fermentation is for ten to eleven days at low temperatures, followed by the best part of half a year maturing on lees. The wine is lemon yellow in colour with notes of peaches and other stonefruits, citrus and crisp apples. Florals and even a hint of the tropicals. A fine minerally background. The exuberant fruit bursts forth, along a soft and supple palate with decent length, through to a lifted finish.
90 Points
Ken Gargett – WinePilot.com -
- 91
- Preservative Free
2024 Mr Brightside GENX Preservative Free ShirazMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2025-2026)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinRich plummy liquorice fruits carry a juicy feel with velvety tannins and bright acidity.
Dense pitch black heart with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Freshly crushed blackberry and liquorice aromas are intermeshed with inky earth, vanillin spice and pepper notes. Rich plummy liquorice fruits carry a juicy feel across the medium to full bodied palate with notions of vanilla, wild herbs and earth in the background. Velvety tannins and bright acidity with a ripe fruit driven conclusion.
Drink over the next year.
Alc. 14.5% -
- 96
- 94
- 94
- 94
Bollinger PN VZ 19 ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$220. 00Bottle$2640.00 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 12.5%Closure: Diam CorkRich and expansive with a long, tense yet mouth filling finish.
PN VZ 19 is an assembly of 100% Pinot Noir, predominantly from the Verzenay cru. The base year is 2019 which is blended with older reserve wines.
Pours with an airy mousse that holds well over a mid straw coloured base that has a fine persistent bead coursing through it. Intense baked bread, yeast lees and strawberry scents fill the nostrils followed by some citrus, brioche, hazelnut and chalk notes. Stimulating, rich and expansive, the palate is decorated with yeast lees, citrus, strawberry and baked bread flavours. Sculptured chalky feel with some subtle oily toast and almond elements in the background. Crisp acidity with a long, tense yet mouth filling finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 12.5%Other Reviews….
Something new in the range, the NV Champagne PN VZ19 is 100% Pinot Noir from Verzenay. It’s assertive on opening, with aromas of raspberries, fresh baked bread, black cherries, violets, wet stones, passionfruit, and sweet citrus. It brings forward a good deal of intensity on the palate, with a lot of purity and a distilled feeling, its black cherry fruit gliding through a long finish with a saline flourish. This lovely wine has a lot to offer now but will improve with time and is going have 15 or more years of longevity. There’s a fresh umami feel through this wine. Drink 2024-2040.
94 Points
Audrey Frick – JebDunnuck.comThe latest rendition of Bollinger's blended blanc de noirs bottling is the NV Brut Blanc de Noirs PN VZ19; it is based on the 2019 vintage, which represents 52% of the blend, and the village of Verzenay, which accounts for the origin of 40% of this bottling's components. 2019 is complemented by fully 48% reserve wines, and above all, fully a quarter derives from 2009; and it has the tension of Verzenay by Aÿ, Avenay-Val-d'Or, Tauxières and Mutigny. If all that sounds complicated, the wine's appeal is easier to see, as it offers up a demonstrative bouquet of yellow stone fruit, mandarin and praline, followed by a medium to full-bodied, pure and pillowy palate that's charming, even giving, but also attractively racy, concluding with a saline finish. It was disgorged with six grams per liter dosage. This doesn't tower above its 2018-base counterpart (perhaps unsurprisingly, as the percentage of reserve wines in this bottling is so high), but it does seem to be marginally the strongest iteration of this cuvée to date. Drink 2024-2040.
94 Points
William Kelley – Robert Parker’s The Wine AdvocateThe NV (2019) PN VZ is another terrific wine in this new range of Champagnes from Bollinger that is now in its fifth release. Exotic floral and spice notes play off a core of Pinot fruit in this captivating, mid-weight offering. Time in the glass accents the wine's inner sweetness and perfume. Pear, mint, jasmine and white pepper linger. In this release, the (2019) PN VZ is like a mini-Vieilles Vignes Françaises. It's an incredibly racy, sexy Blanc de Noirs. This release is based on 2019, with 50% reserve wines back to 2009. About half of the reserve wines were aged in magnum. Dosage is 6 grams per liter. Drink 2024-2049.
94 Points
Antonio Galloni – Vinous -
- 97
- 95
- 95
2025 Clonakilla RieslingCanberra, Australian Capital Territory, AUSTRALIA$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2025-2033)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinWhilst best known for their Shiraz Viognier, Clonakilla also produce world class Riesling. Murrumbateman's cool climate and decomposed granite soils are ideal for it’s production. The 2025 vintage was outstanding one for the varietal, resulting in a compelling release that’s concentrated and textural.
A stellar Riesling that combines wonderful fruit intensity and textural volume with mouth wateringly crisp acidity.
Brilliant very pale straw almost water like core surrounded by a green tinted rim. Soaring out of the glass are intense lime, citrus and orange rind scents which are trailed by some distinct chalky talc, green apple and mineral notes. Possessing wonderful fruit intensity, textural volume and mouth wateringly crisp acidity, the palate is engulfed with lime, citrus and orange rind fruits. Notions of crunchy green apple, talc and chalky minerals lend further nuance. Magnificent concentration and power with a long, super scrumptious finish.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 12%Other Reviews....
Ah riesling – vintage barely done and dusted yet here you are in my glass. You’re a delight and delicious, even in this still-evolving stage; the patient will be rewarded, so pop some away in the cellar. Open it today and you’ll be greeted by a waft of lemon and lime blossom, waxy hoya flowers and plenty of citrus tang on the palate, with a distinct mandarin flavour. There are no harsh edges with the acidity, just a lovely sensation of talc and texture. Drink by 2035.
95 points
Jane Faulkner - James Halliday's Australian Wine CompanionThere are two types of wine lovers. Those who understand and appreciate the glory of Australian Riesling, and those who are yet to see the light. Among the former, most will turn immediately to the Clare and Eden valleys, with a nod to Frankland River. Some of our other regions are woefully underestimated and Canberra is proving itself very much part of the neglected, when it comes to this grape. The Rieslings from here can be beautifully constructed, taking advantage of the cooler climate. My spies, and the evidence to date, suggest that the 2025 vintage is a truly spectacular one and anyone interested in seeing just how good these wines can be should turn their attention to them as soon as possible. Quantities are never extensive. Clonakilla is, of course, best known for its brilliant reds, especially the Shiraz Viognier. Do not ignore their Riesling. It is something special. A very pale lemon hue, there are intense aromatics with citrus, florals, limes, bath salts and talc all evident, with slight chalky notes in the background. Bright, zesty acidity runs the length and the wine is immaculately balanced. Utterly pristine, there is excellent focus and a very long and persistent finish here. This sits with the very best Clonakilla Rieslings I have seen. Drink over the next 15 years. Drink 2025-2040.
95 points
Ken Gargett - WinePilot.com -
- 93
2024 Allegrini Corte Giara Pinot GrigioVeneto, ITALY$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinA delicious, beautifully shaped Pinot Grigio that’s irresistible drinking.
The Corte Giara range is an offspring of the famous Allegrini family in the Valpolicella region. Together with a few select winegrowers, they created a concept centred around modern and eclectic wines, representing great value for money, with international varietals through to Amarone, Recioto and other classic wines of the Veneto region.
Brilliant pale straw colour with a watery hue. Enticing pear, red apple and honeysuckle aromas flood the nostrils with some trailing musk and quince notes. Delicious pear, red apple and lime fruits slip across the palate with a supple textural feel. Delicate musk, honeysuckle and wet stone elements linger underneath. Brisk acidity with a long, fresh and beautifully shaped finish. Irresistible summer drinking!
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 92
- ABV may vary
- Batch may vary
Loch Distillery Tawny Cask Matured Single Malt Australian Whisky (700ml)Gippsland, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$149. 99Bottle$1799.88 DozenABV: 46%Please note: cask number, ABV and malt profile may vary
Distilled from Loch's pale malt bill & aged in a single ex-Tawny cask. Slow to unfold, but develops nice wine pick-up on the nose with cranberry-infused chocolate, hints of lamingtons and biscuity malt. Fleshy and medium-bodied, the thrust of spices at mid palate is eclipsed by a flurry of berry flavours. There's a semblance to a young, drier-styled Portuguese Port, but with significantly more kick. 46% Alc./Vol. Release #43 tasted.Earlier batch BR09... Deep brass gold in colour, it offers a generous, malt-forward bouquet with subtle red berry and cocoa notes. The palate ups the ante in a fabulous flavour rush, infused with hints of lamingtons, chocolate box and vanilla, sweetening in the final stages. It's bottled at "optimum drinking strength" and created to pair with the distillery's County Ale. 48.8% Alc./Vol. 91 points
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- 91
- Batch may vary
- ABV may vary
Loch Distillery Bourbon Cask Matured Single Malt Australian Whisky (700ml)Gippsland, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$149. 99Bottle$1799.88 DozenABV: 48%Please note: release number, ABV and malt profile may vary.
Distilled from Loch's pale malt bill & aged in a single ex-Bourbon cask, this whisky has measured barrel input with an elegant, feminine, sweet-malt nose and a ripe red apple quality bringing freshness. Light and easy on entry, there are subtle flavours of desiccated coconut, vanilla and cocoa rounded out with a soft touch of fruit-laced bitter chocolate. Straightforward, fresh and tasty. 48% Alc./Vol. Release #41 tasted. -
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
Rusty Barrel Spiced Australian Rum (700ml)Sydney, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA$79. 99Bottle$959.88 DozenABV: 40%A three-year-old Australian rum, matured in re-charred 300L American oak puncheons, ex–South Australian red wine casks which lend depth, structure, and a warm, tannic backbone. Infused with a unique blend of natural botanicals including toasted coconut, coffee beans, orange peel, vanilla, cinnamon quills, and the subtle heat of bull horned peppers, the rum offers layers of tropical sweetness, soft spice, and earthy undertones from burdock root and cascara fruit. A final touch of rich Belgian candi syrup ties it all together with mellow, velvety sweetness. 40% Alc./Vol.
- Bunnahabhain 15 Year Old Turas Math No.1 Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Islay, SCOTLAND$330. 00Bottle$3960.00 DozenABV: 55.9%
'Turas Math' is Gaelic for the beginning of the journey. The whisky bearing its name is part of the Westering Home Collection (a three-year series rooted in heritage, community and the journey home). Distilled in 2008, this edition is a blend of Bunnah' fully matured in x-Manzanilla sherry casks with a second component that saw a five year finishing in x-Amarone red wine casks, adding a layer of sweetness. 55.9% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
- Amrut Single Malts of India Marudham Single Malt Indian Whisky (700ml)INDIA$159. 99Bottle$1919.88 DozenABV: 46%
'Marudham' is Amrut's third release in its Single Malts of India series, aiming to showcase malts produced across India by other distillers, so this is more-or-less an independent bottling. It's sourced from Marudham which translates as 'agricultural land'. The cask regime is not stated, however, the taste is said to be fruity in a tropical way, with a tease of chocolate and vanilla, so we'd expect x-Bourbon barrels. 46% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Sure it’s young, and not overly complex, but the flavour is rich and gorgeous. The finish is a bit short, but the rich mouthfeel and succulent nose more than make up for it. Given how much I like waxy, honeyed, barley-forward whiskies, this is better than most similarly-priced scotch to me. It’s like Arran 10, but even more honeyed. A perfectly sunny malt for kicking off spring. - reddit reviewer
- Prometheus 28 Year Old Cache 3 Cask Strength Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$1499. 00Bottle$17988.00 DozenABV: 53%
Like the two predecessors in the Prometheus range, this 28-year-old is said to come from the same Speyside distillery (Macallan) and is a marriage of two sherry butts laid down in 1988. There are faint notes of smoke amidst the sherry. Casks from this period now sell at super premium prices, so given the age statement and provenance, the price here is worth considering. 888 bottles produced. 53% Alc./Vol.
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- 90
Heaven Hill 27 Year Old Small Batch Barrel Proof Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml)Kentucky, UNITED STATES$4999. 00Bottle$59988.00 DozenABV: 47.35%Note: Product comes from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product pictured.
A genuine rarity in the Bourbon world: 27 years old, limited production, pre-fire Heaven Hill (so called because it was produced before the distillery was destroyed by a fire in 1996). Bourbon matures fast, so few examples are ever brought to market at this age: Parker’s Heritage 27 Year Old is one example that survived its time in wood with aplomb, then there's the Pappy Van Winkles, though most are not quite as old as this. 2820 bottles made it to market - that's after an evaporation loss of approximately 73%, or more! Originally offered in 2018, we're unlikely to see it again. 47.35% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... A bold nose smacks of sweetness and deep layers of leathery oak and toasted nuts. The palate pours sweet initially, with earthy dried apples, citrus, and bread crust, before the bitter citrus pith and tobacco notes rush in, turning dry and tannic, with tea leaves, dried herbs, and cigar wrapper. Finals wisps of varnish are a hallmark of age. This elder statesman deserves respect, but is nonetheless past its prime. 90 points - whiskyadvocate.com
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- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
Rusty Barrel London Dry Gin (700ml)Sydney, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA$79. 99Bottle$959.88 DozenABV: 40%The label is a bit deceptive, as this is actually crafted in Sydney. Following tradition while adding a contemporary twist, it's distilled with a selection of botanicals including juniper, coriander seed, orange peel, black tea and grains of paradise. The result is a smooth, citrus-forward gin with a warming spice and a delicate dryness from black tea on the finish. Gluten-free, vegan-friendly. 40% Alc./Vol.
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- 93
Ardbeg Anthology The Beithir’s Tale Very Rare 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Islay, SCOTLAND$250. 00Bottle$3000.00 DozenABV: 46%The final release in the Ardbeg Anthology Collection involves the use of custom-made casks (a first for Ardbeg), air-dried in the USA rather than kiln-dried, and then subjected to heavy toasting and light charring before being seasoned for at least four years with bourbon. Master Blender, Gillian Macdonald states the intention was to create a smoother, creamier profile. Whiffs of earthy peat, iodine and kelp bring a fresh, sea-spray vibe to the nose leaving hints of smoked meats. Semi-sweet and savoury, the oils and phenols take charge on the palate, creaming-up with air contact; baked citrus flavours are followed by a grassy finish, trailing off with liquorice root, menthol tobacco ash and white pepper heat. The lingering salt'n'pepper aftertaste is a strong point. This invigorating style of Ardbeg reminds us of bourbon-casked Kilchoman. 46% Alc./Vol.
Notes from the producers... The final chapter in the Ardbeg Anthology Collection has reared its smoky head. Introducing The Beithir’s Tale, a rare and elusive dram inspired by one of the most fearsome creatures ever said to stalk the Distillery’s shores. Aged for 15 years in special designer charred bourbon casks, these barrels have been air-seasoned, heavily toasted, and then lightly charred. This whisky is inspired by the tale of the Beithir* – a fearsome serpent that slithered into the Distillery (or so the story goes). Spotted among the barrels, it had three prized casks lodged in its belly. Charmed away by an enchanting melody piped from a chanter, the hypnotised beast fled into the Atlantic, leaving the barrels bobbing on the waves. This bold dram crackles with notes of peat smoke, treacle, coffee grits, citrus and spice. Long, meandering flavours of vanilla and smoked butter burst forth in a finish that slithers across the palate and sings to the senses.
Gold at both the International Spirits Challenge and the International Wine and Spirit Competition.
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- 98
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2022 Domaine Charvin Chateauneuf du PapeChateauneuf du Pape, Southern Rhone, FRANCE$160. 00Bottle$1920.00 DozenABV: 15.5%Closure: CorkDomaine Charvin has long been regarded as a traditional benchmark of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, working exclusively with whole-cluster fermentation and no new oak. The result is a wine that captures the appellation’s purity and finesse, favouring freshness and complexity over sheer power.
Other Reviews....
Another highlight this year, Charvin's 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape exhales a complex, floral bouquet of violet, rose petals, dark cherries, spices and menthol intertwined with delicate garrigue notes. Medium to full-bodied and fine-boned with a layered core of fruit, bright acids and velvety tannins, it finishes long and ethereal with a delicate tannic frame thanks to whole bunches. This blend of 80% Grenache, 7% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre and the rest of Vaccarèse and Counoise is one of my favorites this year. Drink 2026-2046.
94-96 points
Yohan Castaing - Robert Parker's Wine AdvocateThis astonishing Chateauneuf-du-Pape has the enormous aromatic complexity and subtlety that we expect from Grand Cru red Burgundies. Enormous concentration and ample richness on the palate, and the structure behind this is no less impressive. Stacks of very fine tannins. The black and red berry fruit washes over you in a huge wave in the breathtaking licorice finish. So much drive and freshness. Enormous aging potential. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.
98 points
Stuart Pigott - JamesSuckling.com -
- 95
- 94
- 97
2022 Clos du Caillou Chateauneuf du Pape Les QuartzChateauneuf du Pape, Southern Rhone, FRANCE$215. 00Bottle$2580.00 DozenABV: 14.5%Closure: CorkSourced from sandy, galet-strewn parcels that give the cuvee its name, Les Quartz sits among the most distinctive wines of Clos du Caillou. The blend of Grenache and Syrah is handled with a light touch, highlighting perfume, energy, and mineral drive alongside the natural richness of a vintage such as 2022.
Other Reviews....
An exquisite wine and one of the greatest examples of the vintage that I encountered during my journey in the region, the 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Quartz exhales a deep, powerful bouquet of lilac, dark cherries, garrigue, dark wild berries, lead pencil and flowers. It's full-bodied, pure and crystalline, with a deep, multidimensional core of fruit, vibrant acids and a long, sappy finish. This blend of 80% Grenache Noir and 20% Syrah, crafted from vines planted on sandy soils in the parcel of Les Cassanets, is a strong candidate for the wine of the vintage. Drink 2034-2054.
97 points
Yohan Castaing - Robert Parker's Wine AdvocateSimilarly deeper ruby-hued, the 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Les Quartz (80% Grenache and 20% Syrah) has an upfront, Provençal perfume of spiced black cherries, raspberries, sappy flowers, and spice, with a kiss of background minerality. It too is medium to full-bodied, has a supple, elegant, vibrant mouthfeel, integrated tannins, and a great finish.
94 points
Jeb DunnuckDark in colour, this has intriguing herbal depths. Not massive, but it has an enjoyably compact frame, no lack of concentration, and serious intensity leading to a long finish. It’s vibrant, with amazing purity and clarity of flavour. Grown half on large pebbles, half on sand in lieu-dit Les Cassanets, destemmed, then fermented in tronconic concrete vats, then matured mostly in demi-muids and old barriques except for 7% in amphora. 6,800 bottles made. Drink 2024-2033.
95 points
Matt Walls - Decanter -
- 96
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2022 Clos des Papes Chateauneuf du PapeChateauneuf du Pape, Southern Rhone, FRANCE$299. 00Bottle$3588.00 DozenABV: 15.5%Closure: CorkOne of the most consistent and highly regarded domaines of the appellation, Clos des Papes produces a single Chateauneuf cuvee each year from a wide spread of parcels across the region. This diversity of terroir underpins a style that is balanced, ageworthy, and often considered the reference point for Chateauneuf-du-Pape as a whole.
Other Reviews....
Despite a hailstorm that destroyed approximately one-third of the crop this year, Paul-Vincent Avril managed to produce a wine with the same grape proportions as in previous years, thanks to his vineyard's diverse and fragmented nature. So, the 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape from Clos des Papes reveals a delicate, aromatic bouquet of peony, gooseberry, lilac, flowers and cherries mingled with delicate notes of fennel and menthol. Medium to full-bodied, sappy and layered, it's perfectly textured with velvety, delicate tannins enhanced by bright acids and a long, ethereal finish. Although the Mourvèdre is slightly dominant at this stage, this wine is unquestionably poised for great aging potential. Drink 2025-2045.
97 points
Yohan Castaing - Robert Parker's Wine AdvocateThe alluring 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape won me over in a heartbeat. Vivid licorice, sage, blueberry, lavender, red and black cherry as well as crushed flowers hail from the glass. Full-bodied and intense, the 2022 packs ample flavor concentration yet always maintains balance through lifting freshness. Polished tannins neatly structure this ambitious 2022 that has the potential to age gracefully for at least two decades. Drink 2032-2050.
96+ points
Nicolas Greinacher - VinousA silky, textural and harmonious red with notes of dark cherries, fresh blackberries, dried thyme, currants and some mild spices. It's medium-bodied with finely grained tannins. Elegant and graceful, silky and bright. Fresh center palate with plenty of vitality and a caressing texture. Precise and harmonious with a pure expression of fruit at the center and a vibrant, spicy finish. Drink or hold.
96 points
James SucklingThe 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape is showing beautifully, with the sun-kissed style of the vintage yet more depth and density than most in the vintage. Blackberries, Provençal garrigue, spice, and saddle leather all define the aromatics, and it hits the palate with the classic elegance of the estate in its medium to full-bodied, layered, multi-dimensional style. It's one of the wines of the vintage and will have two decades of longevity. Drink 2024-2044.
98 points
Jeb DunnuckA touch less Mourvèdre this year, but not enough to change the profile of the wine, which is fairly classic albeit pretty bombastic in 2022. Raspberry and black cherry, ripe and exuberant. Full but not massive, the alcohol is present, slightly warming the finish. Tannins are a little grainy, so I would give this time to settle before broaching. Succulent and juicy, with a touch of liquorice. Vincent Avril believes the wine could close down quite early on. So drink young, or (even better) wait until 2030. All destemmed, aged in old foudres. Drink 2030-2042.
96 points
Matt Walls - DecanterA richly styled, opulent Châteauneuf that offers a streamlined cascade of ripe cherry, licorice root and toasted chestnut. Mineral energy keeps this powering long distance, with a smoldering foundation of iron. Starts off silky in feel, with a caressing texture quickly firmed up by fine tannins that hold real power. Hints of wet soil and baking spices detail the long, winding finish. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Best from 2026 through 2042.
96 points
Kristen Bieler - Wine Spectator -
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2022 Chateau Mont-Redon Chateauneuf du PapeChateauneuf du Pape, Southern Rhone, FRANCE$125. 00Bottle$1500.00 DozenABV: 15.5%Closure: CorkMont-Redon is the largest estate in Chateauneuf and one of its historic names, with extensive holdings on the plateau’s galets roules. The house style blends Grenache with Syrah and Mourvedre to create a wine that is both structured and approachable, reflecting the domaine’s emphasis on classical balance and reliability.
Other Reviews....
A well-composed, structured and refined Chateauneuf-du-Pape. The nose reveals notes of dark cherries, cassis, dried thyme, black pepper and a touch of violets. It's full-bodied with fine, firm tannins. The frame of tannins shape up the palate, with dark berries at the core. Plenty of spices and grilled herb character on the palate bring vibrancy and drive. Robust and focused, and the funneled finish has length. Try after 2028.
96 points
James SucklingStarting with the 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape, this deep ruby/plum-hued effort is based on 60% Grenache, 31% Syrah, 8% Mourvèdre, and the rest a mix of varieties that was brought up in new and old barrels and concrete. It has a gorgeous nose of black raspberries, Bing cherries, spicy garrigue, leather, and ground pepper, with just a kiss of background oak. With medium to full-bodied richness and a concentrated yet focused, elegant style on the palate, it's going to benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and drink brilliantly over the following 15+ years. Drink 2026-2042.
94 points
Jeb Dunnuck -
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2024 Kooyong Single Vineyard Estate ChardonnayMornington Peninsula, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinRich, concentrated and gorgeously shaped, it possesses superb power, vitality and a Burgundy like refinement.
Brilliant pale straw colour with highlights of green around the edges and a watery hue. Inviting white peach, nectarine, dried honey and cashew scents bound out of the glass intermixing with biscuity nougat and spice notes along the way. Rich and concentrated, the gorgeously shaped palate carries plenty of textural volume featuring expansive flavours of fleshy white peach, nectarine, dried honey and cashew. Possessing superb power, vitality and a Burgundy like refinement, it finishes very long with a creamy feel.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.5%Other Reviews….
This delivers. It’s powerful, it’s complex and it’s long. It tastes of grapefruit, sweet pear, cedar, milk, flint and meal. It hits up from toad it keeps on hitting, though the finish hones dramatically and well. Beautiful chardonnay. Top class. Drink 2026-2032+
95 Points
Campbell Mattinson – The Wine Front -
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2023 Dandelion Vineyards Menagerie of the Barossa GSMBarossa, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinRich, juicy textured and moreish.
Deep dark red black colour with a dark red hue. Dark raspberry, plum and liquorice aromas sail through the nostrils with subtle dried herb, scorched earth and vanillin spice notes also chiming in. Rich and juicy textured, the moreish palate is awash with dark raspberry and liquorice fruits. Spicy dark plum, vanillin spice and delicate scorched earth elements sit in the background. Velvet smooth tannins with a long succulent finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 14%Other Reviews….
A bright, perfumed grenache, shiraz and mataro blend from a vineyard on Seppeltsfield Road in the Barossa Valley. There's a raspberry edge to the fruit this year. Under that you'll find satsuma plum, blueberry and boysenberry with layers of spice and hints of biltong, dried citrus rind, citrus blossom, gingerbread, char siu and warm earth. Medium bodied with a savoury lean to the pure, ripe fruits, plenty of spice, fine, sandy tannins and abundant energy and zip. Drink by 2042.
94 Points
Dave Brookes - James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 95
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2022 Chateau Mont-Redon LiracLirac, Southern Rhone, FRANCE$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 14.5%Closure: CorkA rich, bold and chewy Southern Rhone blend.
A blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre, two thirds of which was aged in tank and one third in barrel for a period of 18 months.
Very deep dark red black heart with a dark red purple tinged hue. Dark to black raspberry, liquorice and black cherry aromas flood the nostrils with notions of scorched earth, herbs du Provence and pepper also evident. Rich, bold and chewy, a tidal wave of black cherry, liquorice and black raspberry fruits engulfs the full bodied palate. Robust tannins lend a muscular feel with notions of scorched earth and peppered meats the undercard. Concentrated and power packed it has a long opulently fruited yet sturdy finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews….
Fascinating nose of graphite and forest berries with a touch of dried rosemary. The fine tannins give the full-bodied palate an elegance rare in this appellation, which has a reputation for rusticity. Polished finish. 70% grenache, 20% syrah and 10% other varieties. 70% was matured in tanks and 30% in Burgundy barrels. Drink or hold.
93 Points
JamesSuckling.com -
- 93
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2023 Evans & Tate Wild Cape Sauvignon BlancMargaret River, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$16. 99Bottle$203.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinZesty passionfruit and gooseberry flavours with a racy feel.
Brilliant water like core surrounded by a faint greenish tinge. Passionfruit, gooseberry and citrus aromas jump out of the glass followed by some herbaceous grassy notes and whiffs of capsicum. Zesty passionfruit and gooseberry flavours have a racy feel across the palate with some citrus, herbaceous grassy elements and hints of capsicum in the background. Finishes dry with crisp acidity and a refreshing medium to long aftertaste.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 94
2024 Levantine Hill Levant ChardonnayYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinBeautifully shaped, with an attractive flavour profile and long finish.
Brilliant pale straw colour with greenish tinged edges and a watery hue. Aromas of white peach, nectarine and cashew flow from the glass with hints of dried honey and spicy nougat also evident. Beautifully shaped, the palate has an attractive flavour profile of fleshy white peach, pear, nectarine and subtle dried honey over cashew, spicy nougat and flashes of flint. Fresh finish with a gentle creamy feel to the long aftertaste.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 94
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2022 Picher-Krutzler Loiben RieslingWachau, AUSTRIA$56. 99Bottle$683.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinTense and racy with a dry, minerally yet also slightly waxy finish.
Brilliant pale straw colour with distinct highlights of green around the outskirts and a watery hue. Elevated lime, pear and red apple scents mix with hints of bees wax, lemon butter and subtle oily toast like notes. Zippy lime, red apple and lemon fruits are underscored by crisp acidity which imparts a tense, racy feel. Delicate bees wax, toast and steely mineral elements sit beneath. Finishes, dry, minerally and racy yet also slightly waxy in it’s feel.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 12% -
- 94
- 92
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2021 Craiglee JADV ShirazSunbury, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$46. 99Bottle$563.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinJuicy, medium bodied Shiraz with a savoury, pepper laced finish.
Totally opaque black dark red colour with a dark red hue. Blackberry and liquorice aromas sail from the glass trailed by some spicy plum, smoked meats and peppered earth notes. Juicy liquorice and blackberry fruits carry medium body weight and ample flesh across the palate. Some plum, scorched earth and peppered meat elements ensue. Fine grained tannins with a savoury, pepper laced finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.5%Other Reviews….
Even with just a dash of viognier, this comes out as a savoury offering and quite firm. Smoky, cedary oak to the fore. Underneath, dark fruit with licorice, malt with dried herbs and old potpourri. A suppleness across the fuller-bodied palate yet drying tannins and the finish clipped. Best with food. Drink by 2030.
92 Points
Jane Faulkner – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion














































