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2021 Domaine Bouchard Pere & Fils Beaune Clos Saint-Landry Premier CruBurgundy, FRANCEReduced from $240.00$185. 00Bottle$2220.00 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 13.5%Closure: Diam CorkNicely fleshed and concentrated with a long, refined, cream tinged finish that shows ample richness.
Brilliant pale straw to straw colour with green flecked edges and a watery hue. Elevated pear and nectarine aromas are intermeshed with dried honey, biscuity nougat, hints of crème brulee and spicy almond. Nicely fleshed and concentrated, the palate is decorated with white peach and nectarine fruits which meld into a dried honey, roasted almond and spicy nougat back drop. Balanced acidity with a long, refined, cream tinged finish that shows ample richness.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
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2020 Moss Wood Ribbon Vale Elsa - Last StocksMargaret River, Western Australia, AUSTRALIAReduced from $64.99$54. 99Bottle$659.88 DozenABV: 14%Closure: StelvinSince its stylistic shift in 2019, the Elsa has become Moss Wood’s canvas for exploring the more complex and imaginative side of Sauvignon Blanc. The 2020 release continues this trajectory, blended with 10% Semillon for added aromatic nuance and palate depth, and vinified with the same intricate techniques usually reserved for the Sauvignon Blanc component.
The fruit was sorted, pressed, and allowed a gentle natural settle before a cool ferment with multiple yeast strains commenced. Rather than seeking absolute clarity, the juice retained a light haze, bringing subtle caramel notes and textural weight. Fermentation progressed partly in French oak barriques (6% new), building body and finesse without overt oak expression. Secondary fermentation was carefully nurtured to completion, followed by nine months of maturation on lees before blending and bottling in January 2021.
Alc. 14%Other Reviews....
A 90/10% blend of sauvignon blanc and semillon, barrel fermented and matured for 9 months in French barriques (6% new). The tiny percentage of new oak must have been accompanied by 1yo oak for all or most of the time it spent in barrel. The move away from clear juice to slightly cloudy (in 2019) has moved this into big boy's territory, full-bodied if you will, but none the worse for that. Drink 2022-2027.
95 Points
James Halliday - Halliday's Australian Wine CompanionSome of my compatriots in the wine writing game are not the biggest fans of full worked Sauvignon Blanc, but I am not one of them. Actually I think these wines can be some of the best white wines in the world when done right, as can be seen in the best white wines from Bordeaux. The Ribbon Vale Elsa is a relatively new addition to the Moss Wood range – actually this is only the second vintage. The 2020 is mid straw in colour with golden tints. The integration of fruit with oak is good with the pineapple and green herb notes seamlessly sliding together with vanillin oak and a little crushed cashew barrel ferment. There is already good complexity on show which bodes well for bottle aging. There is then a delicious brightness and freshness to the palate, with oak again sitting in the background before a finish of moderate length. Enjoy with lobster topped with a herb butter for optimal drinking pleasure. Drink 2021-2027.
93 Points
Angus Hughson - WinePilot.com -
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- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 Bannockburn 1314 Pinot NoirGeelong, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinA very bunchy and spicy Pinot that has a bitey feel.
Dark red in colour with black toned edges and a light red hue. Emitting a strong whole bunch influence, spicy dried clove aromas are to the fore with some dark cherry, rhubarb, smoked meat and peppered earth notes also evident. Savoury red to dark cherry, rhubarb and strawberry flavours meld into a dried clove, spicy capsicum and earth back drop. Fine grained tannins and lively acidity with a very spicy finish that has a bitey feel to it.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 13.5%Other Reviews….
A blend of estate fruit planted in 1976, 1997 and 2004. 25% whole bunches and 20% new oak. A pleasing crimson red. The whole bunches announce themselves the moment you pick up the glass. Aromas of tea rose and bramble together with some spiced cherries and raspberries lead onto the moreish and flavourful palate. This also has the structure to see this become softer and more complex over the next 3–4 years.
93 Points
Philip Rich - James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
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- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 Cantina Colterenzio Pinot GrigioAlto Adige, ITALY$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2025-2026)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinMoreish pear and red apple fruits are delivered with terrific intensity and textural feel.
Brilliant pale straw colour with green tinged edges and a watery hue. Elevated pear and red apple aromas make their way out of the glass with hints of honeydew, quince and spice also chiming in. Delicious pear and red apple fruits are delivered with terrific intensity, carrying with them a voluminous and well rounded feel. Notions of quince, wet stone and delicate spice sit in the background. Refreshing acidity with a long moreish finish.
Drink over the next year.
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2020 Fattoria San Lorenzo Collina Barcaione MontepulcianoMarche, ITALY$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 14.5%Closure: CorkRich, bold and chewy with lush cherry and liquorice fruits framed by a firm tannin structure.
Pitch black heart with a very deep dark red black tinged hue. Filling the nostrils are aromas of ripe morello cherry and liquorice which intermix with some earthy dried herb and cinnamon spice notes. Rich, bold and chewy, the weighty palate is awash with lush morello cherry, black cherry and liquorice fruits which are framed by a firm tannin structure. Earth and cinnamon spice elements sit in the background. Lively acidity with a long, ripe yet robust finish.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 14.5% -
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2021 Two Paddocks The Last Chance Earnscleugh Pinot NoirCentral Otago, NEW ZEALAND$110. 00Bottle$1320.00 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinLight, supple entry finishing long and savoury.
Red to dark red colour with black toned edges and a semi translucent red hue. Escaping the glass are aromas of rhubarb, red cherry and anise which intermingle with hints of clove, bramble, earth and spice. Light and supple upon entry, spicy rhubarb, red cherry and strawberry fruits meld into a brambly back drop of earth and dried herbs. Fine grained tannins and fresh acidity, finishing long and savoury.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.5%Other Reviews….
Fresh red currants, wild strawberries and rose hips followed by zesty citrus peel and cedar. Medium-bodied, refreshing acidity and firm yet finely-grained tannins. Underlying complex and savory minerality of mushrooms and wet leaves on the palate and finish. Serious depth and length. Piquant and zesty. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
95 Points
JamesSuckling.com -
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2023 Bowen Estate Coonawarra ShirazCoonawarra, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$34. 99Bottle$419.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2025-2033)ABV: 13.5%Closure: CorkElegant, red fruited Coonawarra Shiraz with the refined finish showing ample freshness.
Still family owned and operated, this small Coonawarra vineyard has been evolving over the past 40+ years and now involves their daughter, Emma who has taken on the winemaking role whilst Doug is looking after the viticultural side of things. The Estate consists of 33 hectares of vines planted on the prized Coonawarra Terra Rosa soils. Established in 1972, the first vintage in 1975 was greeted with considerable enthusiasm.
Dense inky black in colour with a deep dark purple black tinged hue. Elevated blackberry, dark chocolate and liquorice aromas are joined by some dark plum, spicy vanillin cedar and earthy mocha notes. From a cooler vintage, the palate is more in the red fruit spectrum and much more elegant than expected featuring red plum and liquorice fruits over dusty earth, spicy vanillin cedar and pepper elements. Fine grained tannins with the refined finish showing ample freshness.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
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2023 Dr Burklin-Wolf Riesling TrockenGERMANY$46. 99Bottle$563.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinCrunchy lime, citrus and red apple fruits underpinned by a zippy line of crisp acidity.
The Bürklin-Wolf estate is based in the Mittelhaardt, the quality core of Germany’s world-renowned Pfalz, around the towns of Wachenheim, Forst, Deidesheim and Ruppertsberg. Here with 85ha under vine they have the largest family owned wine estate in all of Germany originating in 1597, with a treasure-trove of superb vineyards.
Brilliant pale straw colour with green tinted edges and a watery hue. Lime and red apple aromas mix with hints of toast and steely mineral notes. Crunchy lime, citrus and red apple fruits are underpinned by a zippy line of crisp acidity. Flinty slate and steely mineral elements are highlighted across the back half. Finishes dry with a zingy feel across the long aftertaste.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 12%Other Reviews….
A stunning, entry-level dry riesling with an impressive depth of stone fruit and a touch of flint that gives it energy on the medium-bodied palate. Long, compact, salty finish. A cuvee of wines that are 40% from Ruppertsberg and 60% from Wachenheim, mostly from young vineyards. From biodynamically grown grapes. Vegan. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
93 Points
JamesSuckling.com -
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- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2023 Gundog Estate Smoking Barrel ShirazNew South Wales, AUSTRALIA$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 13.2%Closure: StelvinElegant, nicely fleshed mid weighted Shiraz with ample freshness and a savoury finish.
Fruit was sourced from the Hunter Valley, Hilltops and Canberra districts. Deep dark red black colour with a bright red purple hue. Red to dark cherry and red liquorice aromas mix with hints of earth and peppered herb notes. The elegant, mid weighted palate features nicely fleshed dark cherry and liquorice fruits over earth, subtle dried herb and pepper elements. Fine, slightly grainy tannins with ample freshness shining through the savoury conclusion.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.2%Other Reviews….
A multiregional blend that successfully melds the contrasting characters of shiraz from the Hunter Valley, Hilltops and Canberra District. This barrel selection has resulted in a supremely well-balanced red that is supple, effortless and beautifully flowing. There is a melange of dark cherry fruit, aromatic spice and a little sweet vanilla. The palate is soft yet vibrant, with impressive length and satisfying intensity. Drink by 2026.
94 Points
Toni Paterson – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
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2024 Paralian Springs Hill Vineyard Shiraz - Last StocksMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIAReduced from $42.99$37. 99Bottle$455.88 DozenCellar: 6 - 8 Years (2031-2033)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinRich, youthfully bright and juicy with a slightly inky feel to the long, concentrated finish.
Incredible colour density featuring an impenetrable inky black heart along with an equally deep dark purple black hue. Freshly crushed blackberry, liquorice, dark plum and blueberry scents are delivered with ample intensity. Notes of vanillin cedar, fennel and peppered earth ensue. Rich, youthfully bright and juicy, the concentrated palate is laden with blackberry, liquorice and fresh ripe blueberry fruits. Fennel, vanillin cedar and delicate peppered earth elements engage the back half. Fresh, energetic and succulent, it has a sturdy yet polished tannin structure which provides some underlying muscle. Finishes long and vividly fruited yet slightly inky in its feel.
Cellar 6-8 years.
Alc. 14%Other Reviews….
From '75 and '98 plantings on the Springs Hill vineyard. The '24 Paralian suite, for me, is the finest to date. All killer, as they say … The quiet power in this is something to behold – a wine of gravitas and grace. It comes in a little darker of fruit this year, though not heavy with it. Dried olive, black cherry, violet, blueberry, ground coffee, a certain sultry floral and spicy feel, with an undercurrent of nori and iodine. This is a marvellous expression, with finely tooled tannins and exceptional length. Simply brilliant. Drink by 2038.
97 Points
Marcus Ellis – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
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2024 Moppity Lock & Key RieslingHilltops, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinMouth watering lime, citrus and orange rind fruits backed by fresh, crunchy acidity.
Brilliant very pale straw colour with green tinged edges and a watery hue. Lime, citrus and orange rind scents mix with some flinty mineral like notes. Mouth watering lime, citrus and orange rind fruits are delivered with fabulous intensity backed by fresh, crunchy acidity. Some chalky talc and flinty mineral elements lingering through the long scrumptious finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 12% -
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2024 M Minuty RoseProvence, FRANCE$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinIntensely flavoured with a silken flow of delicious fruits.
Made from a blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah. Pale salmon pink tinged colour. Streaming out of the glass are delightful scents of peach, raspberry and musk followed by some pomegranate and wet stone notes. Delicious peach, raspberry and strawberry fruits carry a wonderfully rounded and supple feel as they glide effortlessly across the palate. Musk and wet stone elements the undercarriage with a long, silken finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
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2022 Torbreck Run RigBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$299. 00Bottle$3588.00 DozenCellar: Drink now - 10 Years (2025-2035)ABV: 15.5%Closure: CorkGloriously decadent, voluptuously textured and explosive, this is pure seduction in a glass.
Produced from a blend of 98% Shiraz and 2% Viognier, Torbreck’s Run Rig is modelled on the Northern Rhone appellation of Cote Rotie’s wines. Fruit was sourced from the Lyndoch, Rowland Flat, Moppa, Ebenezer, Light Pass and Greenock districts of Barossa Valley with maturation taking place in a combination of new (50%) and older French barriques for a period of 30 months.
Spectacular colour featuring an ultra dense, inky black heart along with an equally deep black dark red hue. Intoxicating the olfactory senses are soaring aromatics of dark to black plum, liquorice, dark chocolate and vanillin oak. Earthy mocha, fennel and spice notes ensue. Extravagantly rich and voluptuous, the luxurious palate is overwhelmed by a tidal wave of dark to black plum, liquorice, blackberry liqueur and dark chocolate fruits. Mocha, subtle apricot, vanillin oak, scorched earth and spicy pepper elements sit in the background. Possessing explosive power and out of this world concentration, it has velvety tannins and a plush, skyscraper finish that seemingly never ends.
Drink over the next 8-10 years.
Alc. 15.5%Other Reviews…..
A deeply perfumed and lifted release. Aromas of blackberries, dark chocolate, violets, iodine, porcini mushrooms, fresh herbs and an earthy, ferrous undertone. The palate is full-bodied with finely tuned tannins and a luscious and seamless mouthfeel. There is much complexity and refinement, with a high level of fruit quality. Built for the ages. Drink or hold.
98 points
JamesSuckling.comThe 2022 RunRig had 2% Viognier added to the Syrah after barrel maturation, from the current vintage. I've clarified this with winemaker Ian Hongell, because my incorrect memory ran toward skins only. Glad I asked. Aromatically, the wine is so fresh and detailed; it hints at latent power and intense concentration, but it doesn't overbear on this point. On the palate, the wine has everything we could hope for—intense, balanced red fruit, a splay of ductile tannins and such a light fluffiness to the profile that I find it most appealing indeed. The discussion here today is regarding the comparison to the great 2021 vintage. It was a freak, out-of-the-box year that blessed producers with a spot-free growing season, good yields and excellent quality fruit. The wines, for the most part, will endure through the decades with grace and ease. The 2022s are tighter, fluffier, more fruit forward and, in my opinion, slightly more delicious, but over the long term, backing the 2021s to go the distance seems the blue-chip option. We can discuss this again in 20 years (2045) when that answer will have become more clear. In the words of Ferris Bueller, "Life moves pretty fast." I love this wine today. It's a superstar. 15.5% alcohol, sealed under natural cork and wax. Drink 2025-2042.
98 points
Erin Larkin - Robert Parker’s The Wine AdvocateI guess you could call the RunRig a modern Barossa classic. 98/2% shiraz/viognier, it's an epic wine, a solid plinth of black and blues fruits deeply etched with exotic spice and earth. Hints of clove, star anise, Old Gold chocolate, licorice, pan juices, earth, dried meats, rose petals, black tea and graphite. Unctuous with great length of flavour and fine, silty tannins suffusing through the wine, it's a study in power and purity, light and shade and all that is great about ancient Barossa shiraz vines. Another great RunRig release. Drink by 2045.
97 points
Dave Brookes – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion
Deep crimson. Intense dark plum, blackberry, liquorice, mocha/ espresso aromas with lifted star anise notes. Saturated dark plum, blackberry, apricot fruits, superb ultra-fine tannins and underlying roasted coffee/ espresso mocha notes. Finishes gravelly and long with persistent dark berry fruits/ cedar nuances. Exceptional balance and complexity. Should develop brilliantly well. Drink 2028–2046
100 points
The Vintage Journal - Loaded Barrel Small Batch Series Oloroso Barrel Single Malt Australian Whisky (500ml)Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$139. 99Bottle$1679.88 DozenABV: 50%
An antique Spanish Oloroso barrel has been used for full maturation here. The dry, oxidatively aged sherry results in a darker, richer, and nuttier wine compared to other sherries, bestowing some of that goodness to the final whisky. 50% Alc./Vol.
Notes from the producers... It's textured and mouth-coating with bold notes of dried fruits, plum jam, and sweet cherries in syrup. Mid-palate reveals deeper tones of bittersweet dark chocolate, espresso, and walnuts, all wrapped in velvety tannins from the oak. There’s a refined dryness that keeps the richness in balance, evoking old sherry bodegas and seasoned wood that’s smoother than a jazz sax solo.
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Dingle Celtic Series Conocht an Earraigh Single Malt Irish Whiskey (700ml)IRELANDReduced from $199.99$169. 99Bottle$2039.88 DozenABV: 50.5%Part of Dingle's "Celtic Wheel of the Year" series. This one celebrates the spring equinox, known as "Cónocht an Earraigh" in Irish, and was aged in first-fill bourbon casks with a Cabernet Sauvignon finish. A lightish nose of vanilla, sweet beer and dried grass preludes an oily entry and a malty mid-palate, gingery heat and oaky grip kicking in early. Rebounds with more of the requisite sugars, while hinting at semi-ripe red berries; finally balanced, but the length is cut short. Triple distilled. 50.5% Alc./vol.
Other reviews... A very drinkable Dingle, quite laid-back. Getting a wine barrel finish really good is not that easy, and often - in my opinion - maturing in such a barrel does not necessarily give it more depth, but on the contrary ensures that the whiskey becomes lighter and more floating. Fortunately, this is not the case here; at most, it could be that the fruity notes are more emphasized in the nose than usual. - whiskybase.com
Notes from the producers... Anticipate aromas of ripe plums, blackberries, toasted almonds, and muscovado sugar, with flavours of rich red fruits, subtle spice, gingerbread and toffee.
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Dingle Celtic Series Grainstad an Gheimhridh Single Malt Irish Whiskey (700ml)IRELANDReduced from $199.99$169. 99Bottle$2039.88 DozenABV: 50.5%Matured in first-fill Bourbon casks followed by an extended finish in Tawny Port casks, this, the fifth release in the 'Celtic Wheel of the Year' series honours the ancient celebration of Grianstad an Gheimhridh, the winter solstice. Grianstad translates to ‘the stopping of the sun’ and the port finishing ties in with the label's theme, evoking the dark of night drawing in. Light, vaguely defined aromatics suggest dried grass, bread and faint beeswax, but compensate in a fuller, more oily and better defined mid palate presence; the creamy, biscuity malt fills out nicely, ending with hints of baked apple, cinnamon and white pepper. Appealing, even if complexity or persistence aren’t strong points. 50.5% Alc./Vol.
Notes from the producers... Nose: Ice cream soda, blackcurrant jelly, banana carmel, pomegranate, cinnamon toast and warm ginger. Taste: Red berry fruits, dark chocolate, warm cloves, creamy soft fudge. Finish: The spice mellow leaving a lingering sweetness on the tip of the tongue.
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2023 Envinate Parcela Palo Blanco Las MolinasTenerife, SPAIN$165. 00Bottle$1980.00 DozenABV: 11.5%Closure: CorkMigan and Palo Blanco are both very old vine wines from the Valle de la Orotava zone, although they don’t bear the D.O. stamp. The old vines are trained in the Trezendo fashion: braiding new shoots over older ones until the vines begin to resemble old dreadlocks weaving over the landscape. The terrain is flatter than Táganan, more conducive to farming. 2023 Las Molinas is the second vintage of this single parcel wine from a centenarian plot of ungrafted, pre-phylloxera vines that had formerly been included in the Palo Blanco bottling. Fermented and aged in a single neutral oak foudre of 2500 liters.
Other Reviews....
The second vintage of the 2023 Palo Blanco Las Molinas is quite similar to the regular Palo Blanco from the same year: saline, sharp and with great purity, precision and cleanliness. This matured in a Garbelotto 2,500-liter oak foudre. It has a moderate 11.5% alcohol, a pH of 3.01 and 7.48 grams of acidity. It's vibrant, full of energy and electricity, with effervescent freshness and volcanic minerality. This is very young but has the elements and the balance to age neatly in bottle. 2,500 bottles were filled in July 2024. Drink 2025-2035.
99 points
Luis Gutiérrez - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate -
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2023 Envinate Migan TintoTenerife, SPAIN$81. 99Bottle$983.88 DozenABV: 12.5%Closure: CorkMigan and Palo Blanco are both very old vine wines from the Valle de la Orotava zone, although they don’t bear the D.O. stamp. The old vines are trained in the Trezendo fashion: braiding new shoots over older ones until the vines begin to resemble old dreadlocks weaving over the landscape. The terrain is flatter than Táganan, more conducive to farming. Migan is two parcels of Listan Negro, both over 100 years old, while Palo Blanco is a single vineyard from the town of Los Realejos planted on black volcanic soils.
Other Reviews....
Forty percent of the 2023 Migan comes from concrete (the part bottled as Chingao) and the rest from wines aged in 228-liter barrels. The blend seems more polished and elegant than the Chingao, which felt rawer. It's still powerful and concentrated but has very good balance and elegance—one of the finest Migan to date. I also tasted it next to the bottled 2022, and this has a deeper color. It should age well in bottle. There will be some 7,000 bottles that they plan to bottle in November 2024. Drink 2025-2032.
94-96 points
Luis Gutiérrez - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate -
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2023 Envinate Lousas Vinas de Aldea MenciaRibeira Sacra, SPAIN$57. 99Bottle$695.88 DozenABV: 12.5%Closure: CorkLousas is the name Envintate has given to their wines from Ribeira Sacra, translating to slate and a nod to the rock that marks these wines. Each of their Lousas releases are predominantly Mencia, along with a smaller component of various indigenous varieties such as Merenzao, Caino, Garnacha Tintorerra, and Palomino among many others.
Vina de Aldea is a blend of several plots from the Amandi, Quiroga, and Ribeiras do Sil subregions of Ribeira Sacra. Doad meanwhile hails from different terroirs throughout the Galician town of Doade, is Mencia dominant with the remaining 15% a field blend of various varieties. Rosende is sourced from a single vineyard from a village of the same name, and the soils here are similar to the Northern Rhone with granite crystals flecked through the sand. Finally the single vinyard pair of Seoane and Camino Novo perched on the edge of the River Sil, each featuring vines over 80 years old. While similarly located these two are very different in style, Seoane being the more lifted, elegant and immediately attractive, whereas Camino Novo is more brooding and often one of the most profound Mencia in the area.
Other Reviews....
The bottled 2023 Lousas Viñas de Aldea is perfumed, intoxicating and showy, with a floral note of dried rose petals that I also found in the Misturado from this same vintage. It's a blend of grapes, 80% Mencía and the rest a field blend of reds and whites, Brancellao, Merenzao, Alicante, Grao Negro, Mouratón, Jerez, Godello, etc., and zones, Amandi, Quiroga and Ribeiras del Sil with lots of gneiss and also slate and granite, depending on the plot. The grapes were picked between the first and 23rd of September, a very long harvest because of the rain. It fermented with 70% to 100% full clusters in concrete or plastic bins, and 30% of the volume remained in concrete and the rest matured in used barrels of different sizes, from 225 to 500 liters, for 11 months with lees and without racking. There's also a flinty smokiness that gives the wine a different twist. It's stunning and incredibly priced. There were 31,150 bottles and 329 magnums produced. It was bottled in November 2024. Drink 2025-2032.
95 points
Luis Gutiérrez - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate -
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2023 Envinate Lousas Parcela Seoane MenciaRibeira Sacra, SPAIN$165. 00Bottle$1980.00 DozenABV: 13.5%Closure: CorkLousas is the name Envintate has given to their wines from Ribeira Sacra, translating to slate and a nod to the rock that marks these wines. Each of their Lousas releases are predominantly Mencia, along with a smaller component of various indigenous varieties such as Merenzao, Caino, Garnacha Tintorerra, and Palomino among many others.
Vina de Aldea is a blend of several plots from the Amandi, Quiroga, and Ribeiras do Sil subregions of Ribeira Sacra. Doad meanwhile hails from different terroirs throughout the Galician town of Doade, is Mencia dominant with the remaining 15% a field blend of various varieties. Rosende is sourced from a single vineyard from a village of the same name, and the soils here are similar to the Northern Rhone with granite crystals flecked through the sand. Finally the single vinyard pair of Seoane and Camino Novo perched on the edge of the River Sil, each featuring vines over 80 years old. While similarly located these two are very different in style, Seoane being the more lifted, elegant and immediately attractive, whereas Camino Novo is more brooding and often one of the most profound Mencia in the area.
Other Reviews....
The 2023 Lousas Seoane has an intoxicating floral nose and seems to close in the glass. It's very young and tender, perfumed and primary. I think the field blend of red and white varieties brings nuance, perfume and detail (and possibly freshness too). It has pungent flavors and doesn't lack ripeness at 13.55% alcohol; this is the ripest of the single vineyards, a south/southwest-acing slope harvested the sixth of September. Like the rest of the single-vineyard wines, it was vinified with full clusters and indigenous yeasts, foot trodden in plastic bins, pressed with a vertical press and matured in neutral 228-, 400- and 500-liter barrels, including malolactic and without any added sulfur until bottling. This beauty is pure perfume. 1,960 bottles produced. It was bottled in November 2024. Drink 2025-2033.
98 points
Luis Gutiérrez - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate -
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2023 Curly Flat Pinot NoirMacedon Ranges, Victoria, AUSTRALIAReduced from $84.99$74. 99Bottle$899.88 DozenABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinCurly Flat, nestled in the Macedon Ranges at 540 metres altitude, is renowned for producing exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from its 14.5-hectare vineyard. Established in 1989 and now solely owned by Jenifer Kolkka, the estate is committed to expressing its unique volcanic soils, cool climate and diverse clones through meticulous winemaking. With naturally high acidity and elegant structure, Curly Flat’s wines consistently showcase purity, precision and a strong sense of place.
The 2023 season in Macedon Ranges was marked by a cool start, with the coldest spring on record slowing vine growth before a warm, rain-boosted January gave vineyards renewed vigour. February’s dry conditions encouraged flavour concentration, while a cool April ensured harvest at ideal ripeness. The result was fruit of precision and freshness, with lifted aromatics, vibrant acidity, and finely etched structure. This Estate Pinot Noir reflects eleven separate vineyard parcels, each handled to highlight their unique clonal and soil characters. Indigenous yeast ferments, varying levels of whole bunch, and selective oak use combine to create a wine of depth and complexity. Fragrant red fruits, darker savoury notes, and vineyard-driven tannins are seamlessly integrated. After 16 months’ maturation in French oak (20% new), the final blend was bottled unfined and unfiltered, offering clarity and site expression.
Alc. 12.5%Other Reviews....
Curly Flat Pinot Noir can be a bit surly in its youth and this release is of that ilk. It’s not a flashy pinot noir, let’s say. It tastes of cherries red and black with stringy herb and stewed strawberry notes. It’s firm through the finish and for now, takes a lot of coaxing to relax and extend. There’s a meatiness to this release, not overt but there. It’s a solid release for now but in time could well push higher. Drink 2027 - 2034+.
93+ Points
Campbell Mattinson - The Wine Front -
- 92
Kilchoman 13 Year Old Limited Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Islay, SCOTLAND$220. 00Bottle$2640.00 DozenABV: 50%2025 brings in Kilchoman's twentieth year. Ongoing success has seen to more growth. In fact, business is so good that production was doubled in 2019 to 650,000 litres per annum (for perspective, Springbank does slightly less than that). The distillery recently secured £22.5 million in funding to further expand its site and develop the brand globally. If that isn't enough, they've also announced planning permission for a rum distillery in Barbados.
Despite celebrating its 20th anniversary, older Kilchomans remain rare. That's now changing. This 13 year old expression follows the release of a 16 year old in 2023 which marked their first official age statement. Matured in a combination of Bourbon barrels and octaves as well as Calvados casks, it's described as "Smokey but not too smokey, well balanced. Sea and salt is there, some fruit notes and wood. Overall well rounded whisky with good pear dominance". The producer's notes add aromas of fresh pineapple, hibiscus, and lemon sherbet, joined on the palate by dried apple granola, caramelised puffed wheat, buttered popcorn and peat smoke. Founder, Anthony Wills, comments, “After the overwhelming response to our 16-year-old, I’m excited to announce the release of another age statement Kilchoman: the 13-year-old. The ex-Bourbon casks make up a large part of the vatting, lending that unmistakable Kilchoman character, while the addition of Calvados casks, which may surprise a few people, infuses vibrant green apple and fresh fruit notes into the mix." 50% Alc./vol. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... Matured in bourbon barrels, octaves, and calvados casks, this has excellent balance on the nose with pear, star fruit, heather honey, summer blooms, sand dunes, and breezy peat smoke. An opulent mouthfeel with harmonious transitions between flavors, it shows syrupy orchard fruits, brioche loaf, peppery smoke, creamy almond, vanilla sponge, dried pear, and orange peel. A mouth-coating finish brings sweet honey, woodsmoke, and banana. No water needed. 92 points - whiskyadvocate.com
...The typical Kilchoman citrus, smoked bacon and hot mineral oil notes are immediately apparent. Smoked salmon, dried apricots and toasted grains are present as well. On the palate the smoke is more toned down than with younger expressions which is to be expected: instead there's subtle notes of granny smith apples and wholemeal bread. Finish is less ashy and more fruity than younger expressions. Good whisky? It sure is. does it appear more mature than the Machir bay or the Sainag? Definitely. But if that difference justifies the difference in price is up to you. At full retail price I would consider it much better value than almost any Diageo-Islay, but that doesn't say much. - whiskybase.com
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- 93
- 93
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 Gundog Estate Hunter’s SemillonHunter Valley, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 11%Closure: StelvinZippy lemon and lime fruits are shaped by a chiselled line of acidity.
Brilliant water like colour with distinct highlights of green around the edges. Lemon and lime juice aromas are followed by Granny Smith apple, wet steel and mineral notes. Zippy lemon and lime fruits are shaped by a chiselled line of acidity. Green apple, infusions of fresh herbs and steely mineral elements lie underneath. Finishes dry and zesty.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 11%Other Reviews….
Pure, lilting aromatics introduce a light, lively wine with bright lemon characters and a hint of honeyed lime. Varietally expressive, with good mid-palate weight, making it approachable and easy to drink. A multi-vineyard blend, including Tinkler's Mount Bright and Ernest Hill. Perfectly proportioned, cleansing, refreshing and delicious. Drink by 2027.
93 Points
Toni Paterson – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 94
2022 Josmeyer Le Fromenteau Pinot GrisAlsace, FRANCE$54. 99Bottle$659.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinA rich, luscious and beautifully shaped yet energetic Pinot Gris.
Bright straw colour with copper tinged edges and a watery hue. Lifted pear and red apple skin aromas mix with honeysuckle, quince and subtle ginger notes. Rich, luscious pear, ripe apple and honeysuckle flavours coat the palate with quince and spice elements lying underneath. Vibrant acidity lends an energetic feel to what is otherwise a full and round texture. Dry with a long, beautifully shaped conclusion.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 95
- 96
- Organic
2022 Heathcote Estate Single Vineyard ShirazHeathcote, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$44. 99Bottle$539.88 DozenCellar: 8 - 10 Years (2033-2035)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinA rich, sternly built Heathcote Shiraz.
Matured for 11 months in French oak (20% new) with 20% whole bunch inclusion. Impenetrable inky black colour with a very deep dark red black hue. Intense blackberry, liquorice and dark plum scents flood the nostrils followed by some vanillin cedar, hints of graphite and peppered notes. Rich blackberry and liquorice fruits carry ample palate weight as they meld into a back half of scorched earth, vanillin cedar, graphite and blackpepper. Muscular feel with sternly built tannins leading into a tightly coiled yet long conclusion.
Cellar 8-10 years.
Alc. 13.5%Other Reviews….
A Heathcote shiraz in serious, intellectual mode delves beyond the obvious to reveal an inherent complexity and velvet-like density, all within the most elegant of shapes. Red fruits, blackberries, bracken, earth, abundant woody spices and fine tannins build layer upon layer. Brings the region's top red grape into full, glorious perspective. Deserves your attention. Drink by 2037.
96 Points
Jeni Port – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 96
2024 Dexter ChardonnayMornington Peninsula, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$54. 99Bottle$659.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinRich yet texturally refined with a fresh feel to the long, elegantly creamed finish.
Todd Dexter is probably best known for his work alongside Brian Stonier at Stonier wines where during his 10 year stint as chief winemaker the brand was propelled into Mornington Peninsula’s most famous label. Todd and his wife Debbie purchased a vineyard site in 1987 where they planted their first 1.6 hectares of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir but it wasn’t until the mid 2000’s that the first wine was released under the Dexter label.
Fermented and matured in 500 litre French oak puncheons (20% New, 30% second use, 50% older) with 50% of the blend undergoing malolactic fermentation. Brilliant pale straw colour with subtle highlights of green around the edges and a watery hue. Elevated white peach and nectarine scents complimented by some dried honey, cashew, biscuity nougat and spice notes drift through the nostrils. Rich yet texturally refined, the mid weighted palate is layered with fleshy white peach, nectarine and cashew flavours. Traces of dried honey, biscuity nougat and spice lie underneath. Brisk acidity lending a fresh feel to the long, elegantly creamed finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 93
- 91
2023 Famille Hugel GentilAlsace, FRANCE$27. 99Bottle$335.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 13%Closure: Diam CorkA delicious, texturally appealing Alsatian blend.
Gentil "Hugel" marries the exotic, spicy flavours of Gewurztraminer, the body of Pinot Gris, the finesse of Riesling, the grapiness of Muscat and the refreshing character of both Pinot Blanc and Sylvaner.
Brilliant straw colour with a watery hue. Nosing offers up aromas of rosewater, pear, lychee and red apple with hints of ginger also evident. Texturally appealing pear, lychee and red apple fruits decorate the palate with some ginger spice elements lying underneath. Brisk acidity with a well-rounded feel finishing dry, long and delicious.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 13%Other Reviews….
This has quite an aromatic complexity, with spicy, floral and nutty notes. Charming and medium-bodied with a very satisfying balance of juiciness and citrusy freshness that lights up the long finish. A cuvee of 30% gewurztraminer, 23.5% pinot gris, 18.7% riesling, 18% sylvaner, 6% pinot blanc and 3.8% muscat. Drink now.
91 Points
JamesSuckling.com -
- 96
- 95
- 96
2022 Henschke Marble Angel Vineyard Cabernet SauvignonBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$69. 99Bottle$839.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 10 Years (2025-2035)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinRich and concentrated yet simultaneously refined.
Totally opaque black dark red colour with a dark red hue. Alluring red to black currant and mulberry scents hail from the glass complimented by some tobacco, vanillin cedar, dried herb, subtle black olive, earth and bay leaf notes. Rich and concentrated yet simultaneously refined in nature, red to black currant, red liquorice and mulberry fruits unfurl across the mid weighted palate. Notions of tobacco, earth, vanillin cedar, black olive and spicy dried herbs extend across the back half. Fine grained tannins with a long finish that’s both savoury and spicy.
Drink over the next 8-10 years.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews….
This year celebrates the 10th vintage of the Marble Angel, a single-vineyard cabernet sauvignon from Light Pass in the Barossa Valley. It's a graceful, fruit-pure release. All perfectly ripened blackberry, black cherry and blackcurrant fruits with an array of fine spice, crème de cassis, tobacco pouch, softly spoken cedar tones, cold tea, licorice and earth. There is a chocolatey edge to the tannins this year as they melt in the mouth, the cassis-rich fruit flowing nicely on the extended finish. Drink by 2038.
95 Points
Dave Brookes - James Halliday’s Australian Wine CompanionA wine of brightness and purity with precise varietal definition. Perfumed notes of blackcurrant and blackberry mingle with a little cherry and dark chocolate. The palate is exquisitely structured and presented. Only 10% new French oak and the rest seasoned where it spent 20 months. Seamlessly integrated palate delivered with poise and effortless, graceful lines. One of the best. Drink 2025-2045.
96 Points
Ray Jordan – WinePilot.com -
- 90
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 Moppity Lock & Key Pinot GrigioTumbarumba, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinDry, refreshing Pinot Grigio with a river stone like feel.
Brilliant water like colour with a faint greenish tinge to the edges. Nosing reveals aromas of pear, lime and Granny Smith apple with some mineral notes also evident. Carrying a slatey river stone like feel, the palate features pear and green apple fruits over a lime and stony mineral back drop. Crisp acidity with a dry, refreshing finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 93
- 93
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2018 Tenuta Meraviglia Maestro di Cava Bolgheri SuperioreTuscany, ITALY$199. 99Bottle$2399.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: 4 - 5 Years (2029-2030)ABV: 13.5%Closure: CorkRich black fruits framed by stern, muscular tannins and bright acidity with a dry, grippy finish.
Dense black dark red colour with a dark red hue. Intense blackcurrant and liquorice scents flood the nostrils complimented by spicy vanillin cedar, earth, tobacco, dried herb and leather notes. Rich blackcurrant, black cherry and liquorice fruits are framed by firm tannins. Leather, earth, dried herb and spicy tobacco elements play out across the back half. Stern, muscular feel with bright acidity and a dry, grippy finish.
Cellar 4-5 years.
Alc. 13.5%Other Reviews….
A red with lots of redcurrants, fresh lemon grass and hints of vanilla on the nose and palate. Medium-bodied with integrated, creamy tannins that are fresh and bright. Needs time to soften. Better after 2024, but already delicious.
93 Points
JamesSuckling.com -
- 96
- 97
2025 RieslingFreak No. 4 Eden Valley RieslingEden Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$24. 99Bottle$299.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2025-2033)ABV: 11.5%Closure: StelvinConcentrated and powerful yet tightly wound with a long zingy finish.
Since it’s establishment in 2009, winemaker John Hughes has in a very short period of time established RieslingFreak as one of the country's preeminent producers of the variety. Wine critic Mike Bennie describing it as ‘the definitive Riesling project in Australia.’ The 2025 vintage was one of meagre yields due to frost and lack of rainfall, however, the quality was remarkable delivering wines with terrific intensity of flavour and electric acidity.
Brilliant water like colour with green tinged edges. Intense lime and citrus scents burst out of the glass followed by some green apple, orange rind, talc and chalky mineral notes. Concentrated and powerful yet tightly wound, the zippy palate is flooded with lime, citrus and orange rind fruits which are sculptured by crisp, steely acidity. Subtle green apple, chalky talc and flinty mineral elements linger through the long, tense and zingy finish.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 11.5%
Other Reviews......
Tightly wound and pure aromas of lemon pith, grapefruit rind, slate, passion fruit, fresh herbs and white flowers. The palate is sharp and focused, with bright acidity and a firm line of minerality carrying notes of mandarin and chalk. The finish is both electric and precise. Excellent. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
97 points
JamesSuckling.com -
- 93
- Biodynamic
2023 Mader Pinot BlancAlsace, FRANCE$36. 99Bottle$443.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinA moreish Pinot Blanc that shows terrific intensity and textural volume.
Made from a blend of 20% Pinot Blanc and 80 % Auxerrois (37 year old vines) whole bunch pressed with natural fermentation and 15% of the wine aged in barrel on fine lees for 8 months. Brilliant pale straw colour with glimpses of green around the edges and a watery hue. Elevated pear, lime and red apple scents are trailed by some fresh herb and wets tone notes. Delicious pear, red apple and lime fruits are layered across the palate with terrific intensity and textural volume. Subtle quince and stony mineral elements linger underneath. Energetic acidity lends freshness to the long moreish finish that shows a dash of spice.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 91
Loaded Barrel Cannonball Bob's Barrel Aged Spiced Rum (700ml)Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$78. 99Bottle$947.88 DozenABV: 40%Fermented using a sour mash technique and Australian molasses derived from local sugarcane, this rum begins with a rich, full-bodied base that sets the stage for a deeply expressive profile. Time in charred Serbian Oak barrels develops depth and complexity—oak-driven warmth mingling with subtle tannins and toasted undertones. The final infusion of native Australian spices and botanicals adds a distinctively local twist, offering aromatic intrigue and a sense of place in every sip.
Notes from the producers... Expect notes of brown sugar and sticky caramel, with lush dark fruits weaving through hints of aromatic spice. Whether savoured neat or with your favourite mixer, this rum is a refined take on a classic that is dangerously easy to drink and hard to forget.
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- 93
- 92
2023 Teusner The G GrenacheBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinRich, super juicy Grenache.
Matured for 10 months in a mix of seasoned French oak hogsheads and puncheons. Dark red core with black shaded edges and a red hue. Elevated dark raspberry, red liquorice and ripe cherry scents make their way through the olfactory senses followed by some confectionary and vanillin spice notes. Rich and super juicy, the palate sports ripe dark raspberry, cherry and liquorice fruits over spicy earth and vanillin confectionary characters. Lush mouth feel with velvet smooth tannins finishing long, spicy and succulent.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews….
Kym Teusner does good things with grenache, here sourced from the subregions of Ebenezer, Williamstown, Seppeltsfield and Tanunda. It's a bright, high-toned model. All flirty raspberry and red plum fruits, dotted with gingery spice, citrus blossom, cola, Red Ripperz, sarsaparilla, dried citrus rind and earth. Gentle powdery tannins, raspberry-strong fruit and a lot of drinking enjoyment to be had. Drink by 2032.
92 Points
Dave Brookes - James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 90
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2021 Casali del Barone Langhe NebbioloPiedmont, ITALY$34. 99Bottle$419.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 13.5%Closure: CorkRed fruited with lively acidity and stern tannins lending a grippy feel to the mid length finish.
Deep dark red core with black toned edges and a red to brick red tinged hue. Earthy red raspberry and red liquorice aromas intermingle with dried herb, faint rose petal and spice notes. Red liquorice and cherry flavours meld in a backdrop highlighted by earth, dried herb and spicy tobacco elements. Lively acidity with stern tannins lending a grippy feel to the mid length finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
- 93
- 92
- Reduced
2022 Nicks Secret ROCKG ShirazFrankland River, Western Australia, AUSTRALIAReduced from $22.99$11. 99Bottle$143.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinFrom one of Western Australia’s most well known wineries and arguably the state’s premier producer of Shiraz and Riesling, this Shiraz is their entry level offering made with small additions of Touriga Nacional and Malbec to provide additional complexity and aromatic lift. At it’s normal price of $22.99 it offers great value – at it’s secret price of just $11.99 it’s a complete steal!
Juicy, pepper laced and well fleshed with chewy tannins, this is a highly savoury Shiraz that’s a complete steal!
Midnight black dark red core with a dark red black tinged hue. Black cherry, dark plum and liquorice aromas mix with scorched earth and peppered dried herb notes. Rich spicy dark plum, liquorice and black cherry fruits abound carrying with them a nicely fleshed feel across the mid weighted palate. Juicy mouth feel with chewy tannins and an underbelly of scorched earth, dried meats and peppered herbs. Highly savoury, it has a long pepper laced conclusion.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews….
This is a good wine, and it’s good value. It’s a spicy, medium-weight style of shiraz, with a touch of positive reduction helping it along, with bell pepper and black pepper characters wedded to cherry-plum fruit. There’s also the merest whisper of musky vanilla, though oak is a low-impact player here. The tannin has a grainy, grunty aspect to it but then, it’s not overdone, and not dominant. There are no question marks here, everything is positive, though a slight warmth to the alcohol is the only thing you’d point to, if you were forced. It’s no real matter and besides, even at full price the value here is decidedly in the buyer’s favour. Drink 2025-2030.
92 Points
Campbell Mattinson – The Wine FrontDark purple hues with a ruby outer rim lead toa bouquet of ripeness and richness, aromas of dark berries and roasted plums, a dark raspberry almost jammy quality then smoky earth, a touch of boot polish wood smoke. Fleshy, fruity, varietal and dry on the palate. All the fruit scents turn into flavour on the palate set in a silky frame with fine polished tannins and medium+ acid line. A lovely example, balanced and well made with best drinking from day of purchase through 2030+.
92 Points
CamDouglasMS.com - Monin Pasteque (Watermelon) Syrup (700ml)MALAYSIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 Dozen
Monin Watermelon Syrup delivers the refreshing, juicy taste of ripe watermelon in a convenient, versatile format. Perfect for adding a burst of summer flavour to cocktails, mocktails, lemonades, and desserts.
- Monin Litchi (Lychee) Syrup (700ml)MALAYSIA$21. 99Bottle$263.88 Dozen
Monin Lychee Syrup captures the sweet, floral essence of ripe lychee fruit. Ideal for adding an exotic twist to cocktails, sodas, teas, and desserts.
- The Lark Distillery The Whisky Bar Series Single Malt Australian Whisky (500ml) - CobblerTasmania, AUSTRALIA$899. 00Bottle$10788.00 DozenABV: 48%
Note: This has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product pictured.
Part of Lark Distillery’s Whisky Bar Series, this limited release celebrates one of Australia’s most influential whisky venues, Cobbler, located in Brisbane. Known for its encyclopaedic back bar and dedication to showcasing both local and global spirits, Cobbler has been a cornerstone of Brisbane’s whisky scene. The series is a tribute to the country’s top whisky bars, with each expression crafted in collaboration with a venue that has helped shape and support Australia’s vibrant whisky culture. This bottling captures the spirit of that partnership, an homage to the passion and expertise that defines both Lark and Cobbler. 48% Alc./Vol. -
- 96
2022 She-Oak Hill Estate Heathcote ShirazHeathcote, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: 6 - 8 Years (2031-2033)ABV: 14.8%Closure: StelvinEstablished in 1975, this little known estate is one Heathcote’s oldest and along with Jasper Hill and Mt Ida was one of the pioneering vineyards of the region. Further plantings were made in 1996, the dry grown vines from both vineyards now well established with deep roots in the mineral rich Cambrian soil. Winemaking is undertaken by the talented Mark Hunter from Sanguine Estate and maturation takes place in French oak barriques for a period of 18 months.
Dense, powerful Heathcote Shiraz with lashings of black fruit framed by muscular tannins.
Opens with spectacular colour density featuring a super saturated pitch black heart along with an equally deep dark red black hue. Heady aromas of ripe blackberry, liquorice and dark chocolate fill the nostrils with spicy vanillin cedar, fennel and peppered earth notes also chiming in. Rich, concentrated and dense the full bodied palate is engulfed with succulent blackberry, liquorice and dark plum fruits which are framed by a muscular tannin structure. Relatively stern yet opulent in it’s feel, earth, spicy vanillin cedar, subtle dark chocolate and blackpepper elements lend further nuance. Deep and powerful it finishes long and juicy yet robust.
Cellar 6-8 years.
Alc. 14.8% - Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve 23 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) - 2008 bottlingKentucky, UNITED STATES$11999. 00Bottle$143988.00 DozenABV: 47.8%
Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such may have some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product pictured. Complete with its black faux suede/felt pouch.
Likely to be of a vintage that contains a portion of the Stitzel-Weller stocks, the dates certainly line up to have been distilled before the closure of the Shively, Louisville site in 1992. A rare opportunity indeed. The laser code on this bottle is: K3390808:35, indicating K - The bottling line, 339 - 339th day of the year, 08 - 2008, 08:35 - 8.35 am.Other reviews... The corn oils kiss and caress, the tannins barge and batter in a good cop / bad cop delivery... one of the holy grails of bourbon is to produce a consistently a 23-25 year old bourbon which is still sweet and not tannin dominated: no easy task. [this is] unquestionably drier... there are still sugars enough to give some fabulous moments on the palate. The tannins do though, still have the biggest say. But remember, this whiskey has matured for a very long time. 47.8% Alc./Vol. 95 points - Jim Murrays Whisky Bible 2020
...Nose: Deep, powerful and concentrated. This has moved into almost rancio territory: eucalypt/laurel, spice, burnt orange peel, apple, pear, biscuity wood. Palate: Soft and surprisingly delicate given the age. A charred note adds to the complexity. Gentle and elegant: cigar box, prune, molasses, soot. Finish: Long. In fact it’s very, very long and complex. Comment: A subtle sipper to be taken neat and definitely without ice! 90 points - David Broom, www.whiskymag.com
- 2015 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon Whiskey (700ml) - Batch B515Kentucky, UNITED STATES$3499. 00Bottle$41988.00 DozenABV: 69.9%
Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such may have some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product pictured.
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof – Batch B515 (2015) is one of the highest-proof releases in Heaven Hill’s bold and uncompromising Barrel Proof series, clocking in at a fiery 69.9% ABV (139.8 proof). Released as the second batch of 2015, this expression was among the earliest in the range to omit the 12-year age statement on the label — a significant shift that marked a new era for the series. Unlike Elijah Craig Small Batch, which is proofed down for consistency, each Barrel Proof batch is released uncut and non-chill-filtered, showcasing unique variations in strength and flavour.
- 2015 Michter's Single Barrel 20 Year Old Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey (700ml)Kentucky, UNITED STATES$19999. 00Bottle$239988.00 DozenABV: 57.1%
Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such may have some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product pictured.
Debuting in 2012 but not released every year, Michter's 20 year old is the second oldest age statement from the legendary distillery that has seen a meteoric rise in collectibility. Michter's state "While we regularly sample all our Michter's barrels to see how our whiskey is aging, we pay even extra special attention to our barrels once they are over 17 years old. At Michter's we consider 17 to 20 years the "Fork In The Road Point" when certain barrels of whiskey can achieve an extraordinary level of quality. It is these particular barrels that our Master Distiller Dan McKee personally selects for our very limited bottling of Michter's 20 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon."Although the exact provenance of these early Michter's releases remains undisclosed, bourbonculture.com comments, "2012 was a busy year for Michter’s. Work was in progress for both their Shively distillery, Fort Nelson location and the continual release of both highly aged whiskies from the barrels they sourced at Willett to the new whiskies that expanded their lineup.
That’s why it was shocking to see a 20 year old bourbon being released. M20 would go on to be released every year (with the exception of 2017) in very limited amounts of bottles.
2012’s bottling was labelled “Single Barrel” but was eventually changed to reflect it was a “small batch” in 2016 and beyond. It is widely speculated that the first single barrel of M20 contained Stitzel Weller inside. It may never be known how many more releases contained the holy grail of bourbon in it, but M20 continues to draw a large fan base each year."
An interesting speculation that leads one to wonder what this 2015 release contains.
The investment upside on these releases seems to have no limits at present. This is bottle 73 of 113 released from barrel L15I739, bottled at 57.1% Alc./Vol. -
- 95
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- 94
2021 Albino Rocca Barbaresco RonchiPiedmont, ITALY$150. 00Bottle$1800.00 DozenABV: 14.5%Closure: CorkOther Reviews....
The Albino Rocca 2021 Barbaresco Ronchi shows a dusty mineral quality that adds to the elegance of the bouquet. Beyond that, you get nicely ripened Nebbiolo fruit with wild cherry and redcurrant. It fleshes out over the palate with tart flavors and chalky tannins. Production is 9,000 bottles. Drink 2026-2040.
94 points
Monica Larner - Robert Parker's Wine AdvocateThe 2021 Barbaresco Ronchi comes across as a bit youthfully austere relative to some of the other wines in the range. Chalk, mint, white pepper, scorched earth and strong mineral notes infuse the Ronchi with tremendous power to match its sinewy, driving personality. This vivid, sculpted Barbaresco is hugely promising. Drink 2026-2036.
95 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousRed berries, orange peel, dried lavender and crushed stones on the nose. Medium-bodied, restrained and polished, with a dusty texture to its tannins. Dry and a little chalky at the end. Try from 2027.
93 points
James Suckling -
- 92
2019 Domaine Clos Rougeard Saumur-Champigny Les PoyeuxSaumur, Loire Valley, FRANCE$650. 00Bottle$7800.00 DozenABV: 13%Closure: CorkOther Reviews....
A delicately fragrant expression of Cabernet Franc. There's a charming, silky start to the 2019 Les Poyeux , sitting pretty in the mouth. There's definite ripeness of fruit with a fondant-like softness on the mid-palate providing flesh, yet this wine remains light on its feet, focused and fresh. Aromatically lifted with a touch of balsamic, red cherry, blackberry, spice and black olive. The tannins have a tight pinch on the finish, perhaps caused by the year's drought or it may need more time...We'll see. Drink 2026-2040.
92 points
Rebecca Gibb MW - Vinous -
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Furneaux Distillery Untamed Gin (700ml)Tasmania, AUSTRALIA$84. 99Bottle$1019.88 DozenABV: 42%Ingredients include flowering kunzea, native rosemary, wild fennel and traditional gin botanicals. Creamy nose feel, suggests elderflower, citrus oils and juniper over early-root-like notes, lifted by white pepper and cardamom. Rounded, soft texture; impressive body with medium-dry flavours laced with pepper, citrus and herbal character. Finish sees a subtle anise freshness alongside juniper. Ends spicy, cleansing, minerally and wonderfully dry. Offers something different in a crowded category while remaining distinctively ‘ginny’ - which is no mean feat. 42% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... An excellent, well-considered use of botanicals, this gin presents cohesion between the aroma and palate. The somewhat restrained ABV is well-integrated and pleasant, allowing each flavour's nuance to be showcased and come through. This gin has two schools of flavour: the coastal, summer sea breeze quality and a warmer baked citrus quality. Both work in tandem to build an interesting, engaging and versatile spirit. These elements are not always harmonious. However, the heavier use of anise forward botanicals is a guiding flavour to effortlessly envelope and create a thoughtful & polished spirit. 94 points - Jess Clayfield, winecompanion.com.au
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Furneaux Distillery Flinders Island Peated Single Malt Australian Whisky (700ml)Tasmania, AUSTRALIA$220. 00Bottle$2640.00 DozenABV: 48.2%The beefiest whisky in the Furneaux line up opens with a nice co-mingling of sherry and malt on the nose. The peat is beautifully handled, of the cured meats and wood-smoke variety, executing a full-bodied dram that rolls about the mouth, barely suggesting the ABV; Sleek and sooty to finish, all so well controlled with the oily peat, light peppers and sweet barley extending the profile. Effortless and polished. Ardmore meets Caol Ila meets a new Tassie star. You can’t help but be impressed. 48.2% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... Made with Tasmanian barley smoked post-malting with Flinders Island peat, the nose on this whisky is fascinating - almost like smoked chocolate - and like nothing I've ever smelled in a whisky before. Truly unique in a way that's rare in the world of whisky. Grassy and earthy aromas like freshly cut green capsicum are almost reminiscent of mezcal but without the underripe or volatile notes of a whisky bottled too young. There's enough oak and smoke here to round it out, along with lovely notes of maple syrup sweetness and orange zest, and the integration of oak and spirit is impressive. It's rare to have a smokey whisky that still smells so fresh, so that's ... refreshing. Powerful alcohol on the front palate dissipates quickly to a lovely roasted and candied macadamia nuttiness, and again the integration is impressive with a surprisingly easy, sweet finish. It could use more oiliness and texture to match the alcohol - it isn't a drink for those afraid of a little heat - but on the other hand, it's very drinkable for a whisky with so much power. Incredibly impressive for such a young distillery. Are there peated Scotch whiskies on the market that are better priced for similar quality? Yes. But this is a truly unique whisky made in a truly unique place without the backing of multinational corporations, and that's worth paying for. 96 points - Fred Siggins, winecompanion.com.au
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Furneaux Distillery Sawyers Bay Single Malt Australian Whisky (700ml)Tasmania, AUSTRALIA$199. 99Bottle$2399.88 DozenABV: 46.6%Probably intended as an after-dinner dram: Plump, but not confected, the port influence brings body to the bouquet with hints of dried cranberry; Same on the palate, the wine filling out the malt with a layer of richness. Poise is carefully considered - no excessive sugars here, just a lovely soft, fruity-malt vibe with a flurry of spices and fine tannins carrying the aftertaste - and despite the high ABV, this is (arguably) the most accessible of the current Furneaux lineup. 49.1% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... This well-balanced single malt displays a lovely soft nose of fudgy, Christmas pudding, Aussie Apera and a delicacy that belies its youth. Maybe it's wishful imagination, but there's a note of coastal grass and rain on rocks that speaks to the island home, along with powerful notes of ripe fruits, melon and red apple in particular, a hallmark of good Aussie single malt in the same way it's a hallmark of good Aussie pale ale. This whisky has a lot in common with other Tassie whiskies, so it is very recognisable for its region, but with no rough edges hiding under the oak - an unfortunately common problem on the Apple Isle - which shows a deft hand in the stillhouse and a careful nose in the blending room. The palate is light and approachable, with a fresh apple and mild tannin on the finish, giving this whisky the gravitas that the lovely nose deserves. While lacking the complexity or texture to be truly exceptional, it's a prime example of what makes Aussie whisky great and something I'd be proud to show off to anyone in the world. At $200 a pop, it's not cheap, but given the genuine craft approach taken here, the price is justified. If this is the quality they're producing this early in the game, there are very good things ahead for Furneaux. 94 points - Fred Siggins, winecompanion.com.au
















































