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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% -
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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% -
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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% -
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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 -
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2024 Coppabella Single Vineyard ChardonnayTumbarumba, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA$23. 99Bottle$287.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinA fresh, vibrant, fruit driven Chardonnay.
Brilliant very pale straw colour with a faint greenish tinge around the edges and a watery hue. Citrus and white peach aromas mix with melon, subtle nougat and flint notes. Fresh and vibrant the palate features fleshy white peach, melon and citrus fruits over delicate dried honey and flint elements. Crisp, stimulating acidity finishing fresh, energetic and fruit driven.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
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2021 Coppabella Sirius ChardonnayTumbarumba, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA$44. 99Bottle$539.88 DozenMinimum 6 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinNicely shaped with soft, easy going acidity and a cream tinged finish.
Brilliant pale straw colour with green tinged edges and a watery hue. Aromas of nectarine, pear and bees wax have a toast overlay with some citrus and spicy nougat notes also evident. Nicely shaped the mid weighted palate features nectarine and citrus fruits over a bees wax, toast and spice back drop. Soft, easy going acidity with a cream tinged finish.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
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2024 Gill Estate Gentle Giant ShirazVictoria, AUSTRALIA$14. 99Bottle$179.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 13.9%Closure: StelvinA simple, easy going, fruity Shiraz.
Deep dark red black colour with a dark red hue. Plum and cherry aromas mix with hints of red liquorice, vanillin spice and peppered earth notes. Juicy plum and ripe cherry fruits overlay vanillin spice and earthy dried herb elements. Fleshy mouth feel with fine grained tannins. Simplistic with an easy going, fruit driven finish.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 13.9% -
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2021 Swell Season CabernetsMargaret River, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$27. 99Bottle$335.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinA sturdy, mid weighted Cabernet.
A blend of 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Cabernet Franc, 21% Malbec and 14% Merlot matured in 20% new French oak for 10 months. Midnight black heart with a dark red hue. Aromas of blackcurrant infused with black olive mix with earthy tobacco, toasty cedar and spicy dried herb notes. Medium bodied and sturdy in its feel, blackcurrant and black olive flavours meld into an earthy tobacco, dried herb and spicy cedar back drop. Firmish tannins lend a grippy feel to the mid length finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
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2022 Robin Brockett Heyward Vineyard ChardonnayBellarine Peninsula, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$37. 99Bottle$455.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinFocused and elegant.
Brilliant pale straw to straw colour with green toned edges and a watery hue. Intense ripe peach, nectarine, dried honey and crème brulee scents fill the nostrils with some nougat and spice also evident. Pear, beeswax and nectarine flavours are underscored by lively acidity. Delicate lemon butter, nougat and spicy almond elements are also apparent. Finishes dry and focused with an elegant aftertaste.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13%Other Reviews….
From a 1ha, 25-year-old vineyard in Wallington. Whole-bunch pressed; fermented and matured in 1- and 2-year-old French barriques. Bright green gold. An attractive bouquet with stone fruits, dried pear, yellow flowers and a hint of honeysuckle. Just as good on the taut, gently nutty palate that finishes with a pleasing touch of grip. Drink by 2027.
94 Points
Philip Rich – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion - Autonomy Orange Triple Sec Liqueur (700ml)Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$69. 99Bottle$839.88 DozenABV: 38%
Note: Formerly known as Autonomy Australian Orange Liqueur. Same product, new name.
Tasting note: Made using citrus peels from the market juicing run. Pithy, fresh aromas follow in a silky, medium bodied liqueur with succulent blood orange flavours countered by tangy peel and gentle spirit heat. Delicious and sustainable. 38% Alc./Vol. - 2020 Habitation Velier Renegade 3 Year Old Cask Strength Grenada Pure Single Rum (700ml)GRENADA$230. 00Bottle$2760.00 DozenABV: 55%
"A umami bomb" - 88bamboo.com
"Renegade" continues the Habitation Velier series, being the world’s only range of Pure Single Rums. Like "Single Malt Scotch", the term "Pure Single Rum" defines a rum from a single distillery, distilled exclusively in pot still(s). This particular release is essentially an indie bottling, and one that should appeal to rum chasers looking for something different.
Established in 2020, the man behind Grenada's Renegade Distillery is Mark Reynier, better known for reviving Bruichladdich on Islay and developing the Waterford Whiskey brand in Ireland. A chance holiday in Grenada had Mark fall in love with the island. The ethos for this project echoes what started with the aforementioned brands; Terroir! Taking a look at Renegade's distillery bottlings you'll see that each is segmented by the single estate from which its cane is harvested from. His rums are all agricole style and all ageing is done at the distillery. Given the great friendship between Reynier and Velier’s, Luca Gargano, Mark wanted Velier to have the honour of being the first ever to independently co-bottle (Velier’s preferred lingo) Renegade’s rums.
The result is said to be memorable to say the least - not only distinctive, but with a fascinating complexity that's summed up as "... a umami-bomb; a real bouillon cube of a rum, and on top of that it does this little magic trick of contrasting a great thicker texture with those multi-dimensional sweet, umami and savoury notes." Renegade comes aged in a combination of French and American oak casks and is bottled at a natural strength of 55% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Ooh this is surprisingly mellow - the savouriness and umami flavours are still present and accounted for, but here it’s alittle more tannic, but it still throws us some spiced honey alongside the olives, baked cheese and mushrooms. Little bit of dark chocolate. The tannins tense up more to give it quite a fair bit of dryness into the finish... Yet another twist! Here it’s more of a herbal jelly, rather grassy and of herbal dried roots, spiced honey and then it’s back to the oaky tannic dryness. At every leg of the tasting, I found myself delightfully greeted with (positive) surprises, each adding more nuance and complexity, with the utmost intensity that you wouldn’t believe can still remain cohesive. It’s a wonder how this stays so balanced and also friendly and approachable on the palate. What a stellar, stellar expression, good god! This is one I’m going to remember for a long time! It got me smacked and I was getting everyone to try it. - 88bamboo.co
- Rum of the World (Worthy Park) Single Cask 8 Year Old Cask Strength Jamaica Rum (700ml)JAMAICA$169. 99Bottle$2039.88 DozenABV: 55%
300 bottles only of this natural strength, single cask beauty were bottled exclusively for an Australian Rum Club. Distilled from molasses in 2016 using a traditional double retort pot still at the award winning Worthy Park Estate in Lluidas Vale, Jamaica, this funky and flavourful expression spent 8 years in a single American Oak cask, first at origin in tropical Jamaica and then sent to Europe to undergo continental aging. Bottled in 2024 at 55% Alc./Vol. lends to its full bodied and complex profile that includes notes of banana, pineapple, menthol, nutmeg, leather, oak & creme brulee. Perfect to sip neat, or add to a big bold cocktail.
- 2020 Habitation Velier Providence 4 Year Old Cask Strength Haiti Pure Single Rum (700ml)HAITI$230. 00Bottle$2760.00 DozenABV: 55%
In collaboration with the Barbancourt family and Vittorio Capovilla, Velier's Pure Single Rum collection sees the 'Providence' label make a return, this time with an age statement. Haiti's Port au Prince Distillery is the source of the 2020 edition, a blend of 14 ex-Caroni casks, distilled in a Müller pot still using fresh Cristalline syrup from cane grown in Saint-Michel-de-l’Attalaye. With an ester content of 265 g/hlpa and decanted straight from the casks, the rum is a bright and fresh expression underscored by notes of cane sugar, tropical fruits, florals, spices and vanilla. Tropically aged in Haiti and bottled in 2024 at 55% Alc./Vol., it's another testament to Haitian rum's ancestry and glory.
Notes from the bottlers... Colour: Vibrant Golden Yellow. Aroma: Rich and voluptuous. Opening with spices (pepper, clove), camphor and tropical fruits (ripe banana), the aroma palette then develops more vanilla and medicinal registers (arnica). Allowed to breathe, cane honey and warm cane sugar flood the air, pepped up by a very pleasant salinity. Taste: Lively yet creamy. Alongside delicate liquorice, honey (geranium) and vegetal notes of sugarcane, the flavour palette wavers between candied lemon and pineapple. Sweet spices (ginger, cinnamon) and vanilla pod softly coat the taste buds. Finish: Long, silky. The finish is juicy (pineapple), slightly tannic (cane wood) and heady (iris butter), before becoming richer (vanilla flan) and more tropical (coconut, lychee). The retro-nasal olfaction reveals candied notes (pear, Mirabelle plum, ginger), herbaceous tobacco leaf aromas and precious woods (sandalwood, cedar).
- 2011 Worthy Park 11 Year Old Special Cask Series Cognac Cask Jamaica Rum (700ml)JAMAICA$199. 99Bottle$2399.88 DozenABV: 55%
Cognac would seem to be a complementary match for a rum's secondary maturation, hence this addition to the Special Cask Series. Distilled in the iconic Forsyths Double Retort Pot Still at the Estate in Jamaica in 2011, then tropically aged, the initial 8-year spell in ex-Bourbon wood was followed by a further 3 years in barrels that had previously contained Cognac. Eight casks make up this limited edition release, equating to 1056 bottles world-wide. 55% alc./vol.
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2021 Fontodi Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Terrazze San LeolinoTuscany, ITALY$245. 00Bottle$2940.00 DozenABV: 14.5%Closure: CorkFontodi sits in the heart of Chianti Classico, in the famed Conca d’Oro (“golden shell”) amphitheatre just south of Panzano. This valley has long been celebrated for its vineyards, thanks to a mix of high elevation, calcareous clay-schist soils, abundant sunlight, and a climate that balances warm days with cooler nights. Under the stewardship of the Manetti family, Fontodi has become one of the benchmark estates of the region, producing wines that marry precision and depth with a strong sense of place.
The Terrazze San Leolino Gran Selezione is drawn from terraced vineyards near the historic San Leolino church. Here the higher altitude and exposure lend a lifted, finely detailed character to Sangiovese, with elevage in French oak and large casks bringing polish and harmony.
Other Reviews....
Now showing the Panzano UGA on the front label, the Fontodi 2021 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Panzano Terrazze San Leonlino (made with certified organic fruit) is a delightful wine and a relatively new addition to a portfolio that excels in a classic vintage such as 2021. Taking full advantage of new regulations that give identity to appellation subzones (or UGAs), the wine exudes the depth, richness and sunshine that Panzano fruit is known for. The bouquet is stitched together with generous black fruit, pencil shaving and light spice, but the wine ultimately stands apart for its threefold balance of fruit versus acidity versus oak spice. Drink 2025-2046.
96+ points
Monica Larner - Robert Parker's Wine AdvocateThe 2021 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Terrazze San Leolino is another highlight in this range from Fontodi. It's a huge step up from the 2020. Red cherry, iron, spice, leather, licorice, crushed rocks and herbs make a strong first impression. Bright acids, the result of elevation and a year with wide diurnal swings, yielded a Gran Selezione of stunning elegance, complexity and finesse. The 2021 spent 14-15 months in barrique (25% new) followed by 7-8 months in cask. The San Leolino is one of the newer wines in the Fontodi range. The 2021 suggests it could be one of the new flagships here. Drink 2028-2046.
98 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousThis is a wonderfully crafted Chianti Classico with very finely textured, silky tannins, bright fruit and crisp acidity. It’s medium-bodied and goes on for minutes at the end. From organically grown grapes. Very attractive now, but much better in two or three years and beyond.
96 points
James SucklingSan Leolino is a five-hectare terraced vineyard between 450 and 500 metres with a southeast to southwest exposition. A small portion of the vines are 50 years old, while the remaining were planted 20 years ago with a regional clone and a selection from Fontodi’s Flaccianello site. With an intense focus on floral and mineral aspects, this is a compelling synthesis of lavender, dried rose, sunbaked stone and iron, sinewy rather than brawny in muscles, but formidable nonetheless. Concentrated, crunchy dark fruit is stitched with emphatically chalky tannins, framed by stylish wood notes. Vertical and direct. Drink 2026-2040.
96 points
Michaela Morris - DecanterOffering cherry, pomegranate, floral, iron and resin flavors, this bright, elegant red tightens up on the finish for now yet remains balanced and silky, lingering nicely. Give this six months to a year to open. Best from 2026 through 2042.
95 points
Bruce Sanderson - Wine Spectator -
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2021 Fontodi Flaccianello della PieveTuscany, ITALY$385. 00Bottle$4620.00 DozenABV: 15%Closure: CorkFontodi sits in the heart of Chianti Classico, in the famed Conca d’Oro (“golden shell”) amphitheatre just south of Panzano. This valley has long been celebrated for its vineyards, thanks to a mix of high elevation, calcareous clay-schist soils, abundant sunlight, and a climate that balances warm days with cooler nights. Under the stewardship of the Manetti family, Fontodi has become one of the benchmark estates of the region, producing wines that marry precision and depth with a strong sense of place.
Fontodi’s Flaccianello della Pieve is the estate’s flagship wine, crafted entirely from Sangiovese sourced from the best parcels across the Conca d’Oro. Aged in French oak, it combines purity, depth, and ageworthiness, standing as one of the great modern expressions of the variety in Tuscany.
Other Reviews....
The Fontodi 2021 Flaccianello della Pieve opens to a medium-dark inky appearance and solid aromas of black fruit and pressed blackberry. The Flaccianello is a touch more accessible at this early stage compared to the Vigna del Sorbo, but both wines are undoubtedly built to withstand ample cellar aging. Flaccianello is the more powerful or the two, and the Vigna del Sorbo is more delicate in comparison. These dueling character traits are especially evident in this classic 2021 vintage. This wine also boasts a more generous mouthfeel supported by softly integrated tannins. Drink 2025-2050.
98 points
Monica Larner - Robert Parker's Wine AdvocateThe 2021 Flaccianello della Pieve is another exceptional wine from Fontodi this year. Ripe, silky tannins wrap around a core of dark fruit as the 2021 makes its presence felt from the first taste. Sumptuous, racy and dense, this is just magnificent. As has been the case for some time, Flaccianello is a blend of mostly three parcels throughout the estate but closer to town. Drink 2028-2046.
98 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousA young red with black cherry, flint, matchstick, blackberry and bark aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with a solid core of fruit and chewy tannins that show a slightly angular mouthfeel in the finish. From organically grown grapes. Needs three or four years to soften.
96 points
James SucklingFeaturing a deep well of blackberry, black cherry, violet, mineral and spices on the nose, this red is rich and dense, saturated with dark fruit flavors, yet with a sense of gracefulness. A light dusting of tannins frames the finish, needing a few years to integrate with the other components. Shows the harmony, freshness and depth of the vintage. Sangiovese. Best from 2027 through 2045.
97 points
Bruce Sanderson - Wine Spectator -
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Yamamoto Leona Sparkling Shochu Yuzu (375ml)JAPAN$27. 99Bottle$335.88 DozenABV: 8%Closure: CorkMade with Japanese yuzu citrus and authentic barley shochu, this spritz brings a touch of finesse to a refreshing classic. The yuzu shines with its vibrant, tangy character, lifted by subtle notes of lemon verbena and fresh grass. The shochu base adds depth and roundness to the pure citrus, while the gentle sweetness and lively effervescence balance the zest. Crisp and invigorating, it’s an ideal companion for the warmer months. Enjoy chilled on its own, over ice, or topped with soda for an extra-refreshing spritz.
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Sawanotsuru 100 Nin No Kikizakishi Junmai Sake (720ml)Hyogo, JAPAN$35. 99Bottle$431.88 DozenABV: 18.5%Closure: Screw CapFounded in 1717, Sawanotsuru is one of Japan’s oldest breweries. Their 100 Nin No Kikizakishi is crafted from premium Yamada-Nishiki rice and presented as a Junmai Nama Genshu—unpasteurised, undiluted, with a 70% polishing ratio. Produced using advanced ultrafiltration, it pours brilliantly clear, with a crystalline purity that carries through to the nose. Aromas are delicate and restrained, showing faint hints of green melon and nougat. The palate follows suit, understated yet refined, with subtle notes of white strawberry, yoghurt, and nougat emerging on closer inspection. A sake of quiet elegance and refreshing clarity, best enjoyed chilled.
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Rikyu-Gura Myo-Cha Matcha Sake Liqueur (500ml)Osaka, JAPAN$39. 99Bottle$479.88 DozenABV: 8%Closure: Screw CapRikyu-Gura crafts their traditional Myo-Cha matcha sake liqueur using flavourful Uji matcha tea from Kyoto. The result is a harmonious balance of refined sweetness with the gentle bitterness and mellow savoury tones of the tea. Versatile and engaging, it can be enjoyed neat over ice, topped with soda for a refreshing lift, or even with milk to highlight the richness and depth of the matcha.
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Sawanotsuru Koshujikomi Umeshu (720ml)Hyogo, JAPAN$54. 99Bottle$659.88 DozenABV: 11%Closure: Screw CapSawanotsuru craft their Koshujikomi Umeshu plum wine with aged Junmai sake and Nanko ume plums, brewed in the traditional Kimoto style and matured for over three years. In the glass it shows a burnished copper hue, reflecting its age. Aromas of yellow plum and nectarine lead, supported by hints of nougat, cream frosting, and a touch of fresh red apple for lift. The palate is weighty and viscous, carrying a sense of gravitas from the extended ageing, with layers of red currant, ripe plum, and nectarine unfolding in impressive depth. Luxurious yet balanced, it is best served chilled in a rocks or brandy glass to release the aromatics, and would pair beautifully with grilled beef, hot pot, or even late alongside chocolate desserts.
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2024 Puech-Haut Argali RosePays d'Oc, FRANCE$34. 99Bottle$419.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 12.5%Closure: Glass StopperPuech-Haut’s lighter coloured style of rosé is akin to what the French call "Vin Gris", usually enjoyed with Summer Mediterranean dishes like grilled fish, tian (a cold vegetable flan) and salads, but also as an aperitif with finger foods. Made as a "Rose de presse" (juice straight off the press), the grapes are pressed rather than macerated (as is the case in a "Rose de Saignee").
Chateau Puech Haut employ Grenache and Cinsault for this wine, which is fermented in thermo regulated stainless steel over twenty days to increase flavour intensity.Gorgeously textured and wonderfully intense with a long super moreish finish.
Very pale salmon pink tinged colour. Delighting the olfactory senses are fragrant aromas of peach, raspberry, strawberry and pomegranate which mix with whiffs of musk and wet stone. Gorgeously textured with a supple feel, and wonderfully intense, the palate is layered with peach, raspberry, strawberry and musk flavours. Stony back drop with flashes of pomegranate also making an appearance. Fresh acidity with a long slippery finish that makes a second glass impossible to resist. Blissful Summer drinking.
Drink over the next 1-2 years
Alc. 12.5%Other Reviews…..
Silvery pink wine. Super-juicy, like a crush of blood orange, raspberries and early-season strawberries. Sharp and round at the same time. Tremendous energy. Lemongrass and basil-leaf sherbet, verbena-leaf freshness. Smooth as a pebble.
17/20
JancisRobinson.com - Sazerac Barrel Select Chardonnay Cask Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml)Kentucky, UNITED STATES$119. 99Bottle$1439.88 DozenABV: 45%
Part of the Sazerac Company's July Releases in Australia which feature a collection of exclusive, barrel-select whiskies from some of the most respected names in the game. Leading the charge is 'Kentucky Chardonnay', a crisp and expressive single barrel of Sazerac Rye that showcases the whiskey's classic spice, turned up a notch. Clean, crisp, and lingering, the spice rides long — cinnamon bark, peppercorn, and oak char — but never overwhelms. A gentle return of orchard fruit and a subtle musky note keeps it refreshing and refined, just like a well-balanced Chardonnay on a hot day. 45% Alc./Vol.
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2022 Sons of Eden Zephyrus ShirazBarossa, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$37. 99Bottle$455.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2025-2033)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinSons of Eden is a partnership between winemaker Corey Ryan and viticulturist Simon Cowham who both learnt their trades in the vineyards and cellars of Eden Valley. The name of this wine is taken from Zephyrus, the Greek god of the west wind who is often depicted as a horse. The vineyards of the Barossa are regularly buffeted by cooling Westerly winds creating an ideal temperature range in which to slowly ripen Shiraz.
The 2022 Zephyrus is a blend of 10 different Shiraz parcels located throughout a wide range of vineyard sites within the cooler climate Eden Valley (44%) and warmer Barossa Valley (56%) regions. The vines are aged between 25-60 years old. Each parcel of fruit was fermented with varying levels of whole-bunch fruit clusters (between 10% to 35%). Maturation took place in a mix of new (35%) and seasoned French oak hogsheads for a period of 12 months.Rich, sumptuous and undeniably powerful with lavish layers of fruit carrying a luxurious feel.
Dense inky black heart with a very deep dark red black hue. Intoxicating scents of blackberry, liquorice and dark plum waft out of the glass complimented by some subtlety smoked vanillin cedar, fennel, mocha and peppered earth notes. Rich, plush and concentrated, the moreish palate has an opulent coating of blackberry, liquorice and dark plum fruits. Vanillin cedar, spicy fennel, subtle earthy mocha and pepper characters lend further interest. Boasting magnificent power and depth it has a velvety yet underlying sturdy tannin structure. Concludes exceptionally long and sumptuously rich yet retains a sense of refinement.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews….
Deep crimson in the glass with aromas of macerated doris plum, black cherry and blackberry fruits, cut with hints of baking spices, licorice, dark chocolate, cedar, panforte, pan juices and earth. Weighty, with impressive depth and ferrous-edged tannin grip, fading with a crème-de-cassis-like intensity to the fruit. Drink by 2036.
95 Points
Dave Brookes – James Halliday’s Australian Wine CompanionBrooding aromas of blackcurrants, mulberry bush, cassia bark and wild blackberries. The palate is full-bodied with fine tannins, bright acidity and a generous mouthfeel, showing fresh notes of blood plums, sarsaparilla, violets, graphite and pepper. Very giving and generous, with a beautiful aromatic lift. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
95 Points
JamesSuckling.com -
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2025 Shaw & Smith Sauvignon BlancAdelaide Hills, South Australia, AUSTRALIAReduced from $32.99$28. 99Bottle$347.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinFabulously intense, lip smacking Sauvignon Blanc.
2025 is the 36th vintage produced of this benchmark Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc. Fruit is sourced from Shaw & Smith’s estate vineyards at Balhannah and Lenswood, complimented by fruit from a small number of highly valued growers.Brilliant water like core with a faint greenish tinge around the edges. Pungent tropical fruit, lime and green apple scents leap from the glass with some subtle herbaceous grassy and mineral notes sitting in the background. Lip smacking passionfruit, lime and green apple fruits burst across the palate with fabulous intensity. Crisp mineral infused acidity with delicate grassy characters lying underneath. Amply powered, it has a long, snappy finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 12%Other Reviews….
Perhaps one of Australia's most recognisable white wines, or at least one that delivers reliable quality and drinkability each year. It's charming in its glide and gloss to texture, a little bite of freshness through the finish. The perfume and palate match well in green pear, light passionfruit and guava notes, pretty citrus lift and a faint riff of green herbs. A good intensity and concentration of flavour. It's pretty and pitch perfect; nails the variety and has a sense of upfront charm. Drink by 2027.
93 points
Mike Bennie – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
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2022 Gilbert Picq Chablis Dessus La CarriereChablis, FRANCEReduced from $84.99$78. 99Bottle$947.88 DozenABV: 12.5%Closure: CorkBased in the village of Chichée, one of the cooler, higher parts of Chablis, Domaine Gilbert Picq has earned a reputation for some of the region’s most incisive and mineral-driven wines. The domaine is now guided by Didier Picq, who has kept faith with a traditional, no-frills approach to vinification. Native yeast drives fermentations, elevage is in stainless steel, and there is no oak to be seen, delivering wines that speak purely of site. The result is classic Chablis in every sense: racy, precise, and full of the stony cut that makes the best wines from this area so thrilling.
"It is rare to find a villages-level delivering this level of quality and it is highly recommended" - Allen Meadows, Burghound
Other Reviews....
At the moment, the 2022 Chablis Au Dessus des Carrières is stoic on the nose compared to Picq's other cuvées, despite both of us giving our glasses vigorous swirls. The palate is where the action is: great concentration and depth, hints of white peach and nectarine, the power loaded at its back end. Give this two or three years in bottle. Drink 2026-2040.
92-94 points
Neal Martin - VinousThis could easily pass for a very good Vaillons with its aromas of white pepper, cool mineral reduction and airy floral and oyster shell nuances. There is both excellent volume and punch to the intensely mineral-driven medium weight flavors that conclude in a chiseled, moderately austere and beautifully long finish. It is rare to find a villages-level delivering this level of quality and it is highly recommended, plus it should repay even extended keeping. Buy it. Drink through 2028+.
91 points
Allen Meadows - BurghoundBottled March. Pale lemon yellow. A truly beautiful nose, elegance with intensity, a little flesh up front, crystalline minerality behind, and a delicious aftertaste. This has me dancing – probably not a good thing! Drink from 2025-2034.
92 points
Jasper Morris MW - Inside Burgundy - Glendronach Ode To The Valley Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$139. 99Bottle$1679.88 DozenABV: 46.2%
Part of the core range that launched in late 2024. It includes three NAS expressions highlighting sherry maturation. Ode to the Valley uses sherry casks with Ruby Port casks from Portugal in support. The others are Ode to the Embers, a peated expression matured in Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez casks, and Ode to the Dark, which relies on Pedro Ximénez casks. 46.2% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Nose: more Port than sherry, which shows as a mustiness. Rather thin and tart fruity notes, such as red plums, cranberries and raisins, along with orange peels. Underneath it shows an alcoholic note and young wood. Then muesli, a certain sour earthy note and roselle tea. Mouth: still high on alcohol, with hints of raspberry eau-de-vie and plum wine, more roselle and cranberry juice. Some darker blackberry underneath, as well as some cold coffee, cocoa and a slightly bloated vegetal note. Then hints of ginger and plain malty notes too. Finish: quite short, with more sour berries, wood spice and hints of cocoa. A very basic malt that is lacking weight and feels a bit diluted, allowing the sourness and alcohol to shine through. Too superficial and not particularly flattering for a series that wants to pay tribute to sherry casks. - whiskynotes.be
...when we are presented with these new marketing-led NAS whiskies, we almost feel sorry for the distillery, and because we find glimpses of "the good old days" in them, we want to like them but realistically we have to just come to the conclusion that they are too young and too expensive for what they are. Unfortunately that's how Brown-Forman "positioned" the range, and hence it'll just sit on the shelves, together with the now vastly overpriced 15 and 18. A shame, because Glendronach used to be my favourite distillery. - whiskybase.com
- Cadenheads Original Collection Ben Nevis 11 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$179. 99Bottle$2159.88 DozenABV: 46%
The importer notes "Ben Nevis has many faces, as I sometimes think that when you get a new bottle from this super distillery, you really don’t quite know what you are going to get."
We second those comments. He adds, "With the new 2024 bottling from Cadenhead, the guessing game continues as this all ex bourbon cask mature example is all floral and fruity on the nose, but on the palate that unique oiliness is very much evident." Official notes read, “Creamy. Wholegrain cereal, malty, gooseberries. Kiwi skin, flint notes, salted caramel, barley sugar & barley drops.” 46% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Medium-bodied, with the rowan berries making a return alongside a slightly dirty, earthy character. Rich and rounded with a smooth undercurrent of vanilla. Medium-long, still carrying some of that earthy “dirtiness,” but now turning sugary sweet. Vanilla and herbs in the background. A whisky with a rugged charm. - whiskysaga.com
- Cadenheads Original Collection Girvan 33 Year Old Single Grain Scotch Whisky (700ml)Lowlands, SCOTLAND$320. 00Bottle$3840.00 DozenABV: 46%
Good reports from various sources on this single grain from the giant Grant's facility in the Lowlands. Official notes read, “Chewy. Brandy snaps, marzipan, carrot cake. Coconut macaroon, orange essence, butterscotch”. 46% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... “The cereals are very varied and intense, ranging from airy oats to sweet corn, crispy wheat grains and puffed rice, malted barley, rustic rye, millet. Brioche, all coated in caramel. Ethereal almond, cloud of milk. On the palate, vanilla intervenes, it is slightly fruity but the cereals remain predominant. Very light spices, mirabelle plums and green apples. Deep finish, but could be longer, custard, sponge cake, white grapes, fudge, resin, cinnamon. Very good grain whisky, I still regret that the alcohol content is not a little higher, it is a little light on the palate”. - whiskybase.com
- Cadenheads Original Collection Tullibardine 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$179. 99Bottle$2159.88 DozenABV: 46%
Other reviews... A release from August of this year [2024]. Colour: gold. Nose: bursting with oranges – if you’re as fond of them as I am, you’re in for a treat. Jaffa cakes, honey, a touch of olive oil (Spanish, of course) and freshly peeled oranges. There’s also a hint of macarons and amaretti biscuits. Honestly, on the nose, it’s wonderfully done, but that’s often the case with good palo cortado. Mouth: yes, very good, especially considering the relatively modest price. Chocolate, walnut cake (that’s quite pronounced), turrón, hazelnut spread and peanut butter, roasted pecans… All of it works like a charm. Finish: perhaps its slightly weaker point, with some flinty notes, leather, and a touch of bitter orange taking the lead at this stage. Comments: frankly, this is a lovely little Tully. By the way, there is indeed a 'Tully' distillery in Washington State, USA, though I don’t believe I’ve tried anything from them. And let’s not forget Grandtully in Scotland, though that one closed back in 1910. 86 points - whiskyfun.com
...Taste: It’s not without some oak and the accompanying spices you’d expect, but there’s also a buttery sweetness, dried figs and just a tinge of papaya. Also fennel. Not the most complex though. Finish: Short to medium. Lingering spices, cocoa powder and nutmeg. Not the most expressive single malt, and the oak influence isn’t insubstantial either. A decent drinker that nonetheless doesn’t quite capture the imagination. - wordsofwhisky.com
- Cadenheads Original Collection Ardmore 11 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$179. 99Bottle$2159.88 DozenABV: 46%
Independent bottlings of Ardmore are invariably more exciting than official releases, and as followers of this make will know, the distillery is not shy in using a good dose of peat. At Cadenheads, this bottling was a big favourite with the tasting panel who described it as "a bit of a beast." They say there's also a layer of sweetness, demonstrated by strawberry jam, wine gums and caramelised sugar notes, no doubt derived from the lengthy cask finishing which was x-Ruby Port. 46% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... “Less robust and rugged than I was expecting. Ashy on the finish but faintly, more cracked black pepper, a coal bunker, figs, tobacco and ground clove. Flashes of aniseed midway, dark chocolate, baked potato skin. A gentle smokiness throughout, assisted by bacon fat, embers and orange zest. Wholemeal bread and a farm yard vibe... Fresh manure that hits the spot”. - dramface.com
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- 93
- Reduced
Glen Grant 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLANDReduced from $1,399.00$1199. 00Bottle$14388.00 DozenABV: 46%One in a trio that make up Glen Grant’s “Glasshouse Collection.” At the time of writing, these are the oldest expressions in the distillery’s permanent lineup. The 25yo comes matured in oloroso sherry casks and x-bourbon barrels, bottled at 46% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Part of the distillery’s Glass House Collection, which also includes a 30 year old and a 21 year old. Earthy and dry, with cut grass aromas at first, then licorice, underripe banana, and orange peel. Sweeter and viscous on the palate, with apples, plums, vanilla, a hint of orange, baking spice, and black pepper. The finish is medium-length, with more vanilla. Sweet, fresh, syrupy, delicious, and lively for a 25 year old. 93 points - whiskyadvocate.com
...Dehydrated pear, apple juice, light baking spice, and freshly baked challah rolls start off the nose. It’s quite light in character, with touches of oak and a tiny bit of pine sap, but still fragrant enough for individual scents to stick around long enough in the nostrils. Salty taffy develops over the course of minutes, adding polite sweetness and salinity that pairs well with the wood scents. The whisky is comparatively richer at first sip, which is both highly viscous and richly spiced, like milk caramel infused with nutmeg, vanilla extract, and mint sprigs. Tart green apple, orange bitters, and unripe pineapple form a backbone of fruit that builds toward the midpalate. Taken together, they’re a nice foil to the spicy sweetness, the whisky never quite settling fully into sweet or sour but existing harmoniously at their intersection throughout most parts of the sip. The finish turns toward macchiato and baking chocolate, topped with a barely-there layer of thin, woody caramel. A final pop of peeled apple skins and campfire embers wraps things up with a kiss of cooked fruit. This begs return after return to the glass and nearly warranted an even higher score. - drinkhacker.com
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- 95
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2022 Chalk Hill Alpha Crucis Old Vine GrenacheMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$56. 99Bottle$683.88 DozenMinimum 6 bottlesCellar: 6 - 8 Years (2031-2033)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinRich, concentrated and powerful yet tense and chiselled in it’s feel.
Sourced from 90 year old bush vines with 20% whole bunch inclusion. Deep dark red heart with black tinged edges and a vibrant red purple tinged hue. Red to dark raspberry, red liquorice and cherry aromas infused with pepper soar out of the glass. Some crushed rock and vanillin spice notes are also evident. Rich and concentrated yet chiselled in its feel, delicious red to dark raspberry, ripe red cherry and liquorice fruits are sculptured by muscular tannins and energetic acidity. Tense and powerful, chalk, crushed rock, vanillin spice and pepper elements extend across the back half. Finishes long, fresh and juicy yet tightly wound and focused. Dual Trophy winner for best Grenache in Show at the 2024 National Wine Show and Royal Adelaide Wine Show.
Cellar 6-8 years.
Alc. 14% -
- 93
2023 Domaine Metrat et Fils Constance ChiroublesBeaujolais, FRANCE$33. 99Bottle$407.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinA mid weighted, amply fleshed Beaujolais that finishes fresh, spicy and juicy.
From 60 year old vines. Deep black dark purple heart with a dark purple red hue. A mix of sour to dark cherry, strawberry, earthy incense, Herbs du Provence and spice aromas greet the nostrils with admirable intensity. Rich morello to dark cherry and strawberry fruits infused with earthy incense characters carry a well fleshed feel across the mid weighted palate. Spicy herbs du Provence also chime in. Slightly grainy tannins with the fresh, spicy finish loaded with juicy fruit.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 91
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2023 J. Moreau & Fils Les Coches Pinot NoirVin de France, FRANCE$27. 99Bottle$335.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinA juicy, amply fruited Pinot.
Deep dark red core with black toned edges and a dark red hue. Ripe morello and dried cherry aromas mix with anise, earthy incense and spicy dried herb notes. Juicy morello and dark cherry fruits meld into a ripe strawberry, anise, earthy incense and spicy dried herb back drop. Ripe, gently chewy tannins with a fleshy feel to the amply fruited mid length finish.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 93
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2021 Thierry Laffay Chablis Premier Cru VaillonsChablis, FRANCE$79. 99Bottle$959.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 12.5%Closure: CorkLively and sculptured with a dry, tense finish.
Bright yellow straw colour with a watery hue. Captivating the olfactory senses are gorgeous pear, lime, oyster shell and subtle dried honey aromas with some wet stone notes trailing off into the distance. Lime, green pear and Granny Smith apple fruits are sculptured by lemony acidity with some chalky mineral characters lingering across the back half. Lively, it finishes dry and tense.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 89
2023 Trentham Estate ‘Estate Grown’ Pinot NoirMurray Darling, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$16. 99Bottle$203.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinAn easy going, fruit forward Pinot.
Semi translucent red to dark red colour with black toned edges and a light red hue. Ripe cherry and strawberry aromas mix with hints of mint, earth and spice. Juicy cherry and strawberry fruits overlay an earthy mint and spice back drop. Fleshy textured it has polished tannins and an easy going fruit forward finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
- 94
2024 Sella & Mosca Cala Reale Vermentino di SardegnaSardinia, ITALY$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2025-2026)ABV: 13.5%Closure: Diam CorkTerrific concentration and textural shape with zingy fruit lining the palate.
Brilliant pale straw colour with flashes of green to the edges and a watery hue. Delightful lime and green apple aromas infused with fresh herbs jump out of the glass followed by some citrus and stony mineral notes. Terrific concentration and textural shape with zingy lime, green to red apple, guava and pear fruits flooding the mouth. Infusions of fresh herbs and mineral elements lend further interest. Crisp acidity with a long, wonderfully fresh and beautifully fleshed finish. A superb example of Vermentino.
Drink over the next year.
Alc. 13.5% -
- 94
- 95
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2022 Robin Brockett Fenwick Vineyard Pinot NoirBellarine Peninsula, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$36. 99Bottle$443.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinMid weighted and fleshy with a medium to long supplely textured finish.
Aged for 12 months in French oak with the inclusion of whole bunches in the ferment. Dark red core with black toned edges and a red tinged hue. Intense ripe dark cherry, strawberry and anise aromas are complimented by some toasty cedar, dried herb, forest floor and spicy rhubarb notes. Fleshy in its feel, the mid weighted palate features ripe dark cherry, strawberry and plum fruits over an anise, brambly cedar, earth and spicy dried herb back drop. Polished tannins with a medium to long supplely textured finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13%Other Reviews….
From a 26-year-old vineyard in Wallington on the Bellarine Peninsula. A bright ruby red. Even more perfumed and lifted than the 2021 release. Aromas of wild strawberry, pomegranate and peony. Silky textured, this medium-bodied wine has excellent mid-palate richness while remaining extremely light on its feet. Another delightful and well-made wine from Robin Brockett. Drink by 2029.
95 Points
Philip Rich – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 95
- 95
- 94
2024 Rivulet Glaziers Bay Pinot NoirTasmania, AUSTRALIA$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2025-2033)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinCaptivating aromas with a rich, fleshy textured mid weight palate and long expansive finish.
Deep dark red core with black toned edges and a vibrant red to dark red hue. Captivating aromas of violet, dark cherry, strawberry and anise sail out of the glass with a perfumed like intensity. Forest floor, spicy cedar and dried herb notes ensue. Rich, fleshy textured dark to black cherry, anise and strawberry flavours fan out across the mid weighted palate like a peacocks tail. Smoky cedar, forest floor and spicy dried herb elements are also evident. Excellent power wave with fine grained tannins and a long expansive finish.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 13%Other Reviews…..
Pinot noir sourced from the Elsewhere vineyard in the Huon Valley; 20% whole bunch this year, matured for 10 months in French oak (30% new). An uptick in new oak this year for those playing at home, but the balance is bang on once again. Red cherry, raspberry and cranberry notes with medina spice, amaro, char siu, Chinese barbecue joint, twiggy bits and bobs and shiitake. Stony and composed on the palate. This has powdered riverstone tannins, a briny driveline and a stony finish that shows great tension and resolve. Nice one. Drink by 2036.
95 Points
Dave Brookes – James Halliday’s Australian Wine CompanionThis too is dry-grown on the Elsewhere Vineyard in the Huon Valley. 175 dozen were produced. 20% whole bunches and 30% new oak.
This wine is still settling, as if still rehearsing its lines and/or songs, but the set list that it has at its disposal is killer. The depth of fruit here, the inbuilt complexity, the wave of perfectly formed tannin and extension through the finish; every aspect is top notch. It tastes of both black cherries and red plums, cedarwood and cream, but it’s the tobacco and undergrowth characters humming away in the background and that rumble of earth-shot tannin that really draws you in. Be patient. This will be excellent. Drink 2027-2033+
94 Points
Campbell Mattinson – The Wine Front -
- 94
2024 Gill Estate Rivah TempranilloVictoria, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinJuicy dark fruits with slightly chewy tannins and a long savoury finish.
Dark red in colour with black tinged edges and a dark red hue. Fragrant dark to black cherry and liquorice scents sail out of the glass followed by some scorched earth, dried herbs and spicy incense like notes. Juicy dark and morello cherry fruits are intermeshed with liquorice, earthy incense and spicy dried herb characters. Slightly chewy tannins with a long savoury finish.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 89
Ballykeefe Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey (700ml)IRELAND$139. 99Bottle$1679.88 DozenABV: 46%A 30ml sample yields aromas of cereals and cream tea biscuits leading into a rounded, medium-bodied delivery, mimicking the nose as it glides over the tongue, leaving a residual oily, pot still character. Juicy middle; ends warming, crisp, vaguely fruity (dried apples, pears). Rebounds with a vanilla-wafer flourish. An easy-going personality with typical Irish pot still delicacy. 46% Alc.Vol. Non-chill filtered.
Other reviews... Medium golden straw color. Aromas and flavors of green apple and lemon, green grains, wet grass, and oatmeal raisin cookies with a silky, lively, dry medium body and a compelling, medium-to-long finish imparting accents of tart green apple, honey, lemon curd on white bread with caraway seeds, and spring meadow. A nice Whiskey with a good future; a solid example of the style. 88 points - tastings.com
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- 91
- 92
Ballykeefe Single Malt Irish Whiskey (700ml)IRELAND$139. 99Bottle$1679.88 DozenSlightly more expressive than its Pot Still sibling, the aroma conjures frail scents of balsa wood, hay, poached pears in wine, green apples and light vanilla. It's also a more delicately textured whiskey suggesting flavours of sweet cereals and stewed orchard fruits, building succulence, ending crunchy, lipsmacking and gently spiced. Like a lightly fruited Speysider, but of an altogether softer variety. 46% Alc./vol. Non-chill filtered.
Other reviews... Light gold color. Aromas and flavors of partially baked bread dough, birch soda and cherry wood, under ripe musk melon, and black pepper with a satiny, lively, dry medium body and a peppery, interesting, medium-length finish displaying notes of pepper and baking spices in fresh bread dough, tart green fruit, dark honey, and parchment. Very tasty with loads of potential demanding your attention to pick out all of its complexities. 89 points - tastings.com
This single malt opens with a punchy and pungent nose, leading with barnyard, wet hay, and honey. Over time, these aromas drift away and chamomile tea with honey, spearmint, hot pretzels, and wildflowers emerge. The palate is complex, too. Sweet tea, marzipan, and sweet granola stand on the front lines, with black pepper, faint cayenne, and forest floor reinforcement. The finish is long, rich, and floral, fading to hay and cereal grains. 92 points - whiskyadvocate.com
Notes from the producers... Nose: A Gentle nose with notes of Toasted Oak, Citrus and Coconut, resolving to Apple Sponge.Taste: At first Malt and Fruit dominate with Mango and a hint of ripe Banana. Then Toffee Apple fading to Crème Brûlée. Finish: Long finish with notes of Apple Custard and a hint of Cloves.
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- 91
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 Gundog Estate Wild SemillonHunter Valley, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA$34. 99Bottle$419.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 11%Closure: StelvinLight and zippy with a refreshingly fruity finish.
Brilliant water like core with distinct highlights of green around the outskirts. Lime zest and Granny Smith apple scents are followed by whiffs of lemon butter and flinty mineral notes. Light and zippy, lime and green apple skin flavours are featured over delicate orange and mineral elements. Crisp acidity with a refreshingly fruity finish.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 11% -
- 92
2024 Pasqua Capitolo 44 Pinot GrigioVenezie, ITALY$14. 99Bottle$179.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2025-2026)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinA delicious, slippery textured Pinot Grigio that delivers great value.
Brilliant very pale straw almost water like colour. Pear and red apple aromas mix with hints of honeysuckle and wet stone. Delicious pear and red apple fruits glide across the palate with a slippery textural feel. Excellent intensity with subtle lime and wet stone elements lingering underneath. Brisk acidity with a long gorgeously rounded finish. Great everyday drinking.
Drink over the next year.
Alc. 12% -
- 93
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2022 Snake & Herring Dirty Boots Cabernet SauvignonMargaret River, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$23. 99Bottle$287.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinMid weighted with finely chiselled tannins and a refined, savoury conclusion.
Midnight black core with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Elevated blackcurrant, black olive and mulberry aromas intermingle with cigar box, earth and spicy herb notes. Mid weighted, blackcurrant and mulberry fruits meld into a dried herb, cedary tobacco, earth and spicy black olive back drop. Finely chiselled tannins provide structure. Concludes refined and savoury with a sturdy feel.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
- 95
- 95
- 96
2024 Paralian Bowyer Ridge Vineyard ChardonnayAdelaide Hills, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinLong, shapely and refined.
Brilliant pale straw colour with distinct highlights of green skirting the rim and a watery hue. Elevated aromas of white peach, pear and nectarine mix with cashew, dried honey, biscuity nougat and spice notes. Mid weighted, fleshy pear and nectarine fruits intermeshed with cashew, dried honey, biscuity nougat and spice carry a creamy textural feel. There’s an underlying lemony freshness with the finish long, shapely and refined.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13%Other Reviews….
Combining intensity with thrilling verve is a bit of a trademark here, with all the winemaking tools that make chardonnay so compelling, but each exercised with due restraint. White nectarine, lemon curd and yellow grapefruit are accented with salted praline, roasted hazelnuts and crystallised ginger, the balance of textural sway, fruit intensity, acid verve and fine pithiness are à point, the quiet power of it impressive. Excellent. Drink by 2032.
95 Points
Marcus Ellis – James Halliday’s Australian Wine CompanionWhite peach, grapefruit, almond, cinnamon and vanilla, green olive, with a light clip of struck match. It’s fine and flinty, an almond richness with bright and tangy mixed citrus, a bit of electricity about it, though it’s still cool, calm and collected. The finish has lime and lime rind bite, and heaps good length. A beautiful wine. It’s a toss up between 95 and 96 points for me, though the length, intensity and overall class gets me over the line. Drink 2025-2032+
96 Points
Gary Walsh – The Wine Front -
- 96
2023 Cloudy Bay Te Koko Sauvignon BlancMarlborough, NEW ZEALAND$89. 99Bottle$1079.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinComplex and powerful Sauvignon Blanc.
Brilliant very pale straw colour with green toned edges and a watery hue. Captivating the olfactory senses are passionfruit, gooseberry, lime and spicy green apple scents which move out of the glass with terrific intensity. Lending further complexity are some herbaceous grassy notes, asparagus and delicate flinty mineral aromas. Mouth watering lime, passionfruit, ripe gooseberry and green apple fruits are delivered with outstanding concentration and power. Herbaceous grassy characters, asparagus and delicate spicy pencil shaving elements lie underneath. Complimenting the expansive volume of fruit is crisp acidity. Exceptionally long and moreish finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 93
2022 The Willows Vineyard ShirazBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 14.6%Closure: StelvinRich and plump with bright underlying acidity and velvety tannins.
Seven generations of the Scholz family have been farming The Willows property since 1845. Their estate Shiraz is sourced from 2 to 3 different blocks with the vine age varying from 20 to 55 years old. Maturation took place in 80% French and 20% American oak hogsheads for a period of 24 months.
Magnificent colour featuring a super dense inky black heart and a deep dark red black tinged hue. Ripe dark plum, liquorice and dark chocolate aromas engulf the nostrils followed by some vanillin oak, mocha and spice notes. Rich plump dark plum, liquorice and blackberry fruits are interwoven with spicy vanillin oak and earthy mocha elements. Bright underlying acidity and velvety tannins with a plush finish that’s medium to long.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.6%















































