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- Organic
2023 Paxton MV ShirazMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinRich juicy fruits framed by a rigorous tannin structure and bright acidity.
Inky black in colour with a deep black dark purple hue. Blackberry and liquorice aromas are complimented by vanillin cedar, hints of leather and peppered earth notes. Rich juicy blackberry and liquorice fruits are framed by a rigorous tannin structure and bright acidity. Some leather, earthy vanillin cedar and pepper elements lie underneath. Generous yet sturdy mid length finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 14% -
- 96
2020 Soldera Case Basse Toscana Sangiovese IGTTuscany, ITALY$1499. 00Bottle$17988.00 DozenABV: 14%Closure: CorkThe 2020 vintage of Soldera marks the second release overseen entirely by the Soldera family since the passing of Gianfranco Soldera, and it continues the estate’s unwavering commitment to purity, biodiversity, and meticulous detail. Sourced from the iconic Case Basse estate, ten hectares of southwest-facing Sangiovese in the heart of Montalcino, the wine reflects both the singular character of the site and the estate’s distinctive, non-interventionist approach. Spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts, long maceration in Slavonian oak, and nearly four years of aging in large botti are all part of what gives Soldera its signature depth, energy, and transparency. No longer labeled Brunello, but every bit the benchmark.
Other Reviews....
Tasted from a 65-hectoliter cask, the 2020 Sangiovese is plush and fruity at this stage, although it’s starting to reveal its mineral underpinnings, with dark blackberry notes, graphite, and violets. Medium to full-bodied, it offers a velvety texture, with ripe and refined tannins, a good deal of meaty richness through the mid-palate, and a seamless structure. There’s both purity and refinement across each of the samples tasted. The 2020 showed a good deal of completeness already prior to bottling and I expect it will have a good deal of cellaring potential.
96-99 points
Audrey Frick - jebdunnuck.com -
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2022 Thierry Allemand Cornas Chaillots (C)Cornas, Northern Rhone, FRANCE$620. 00Bottle$7440.00 DozenABV: 13%Closure: CorkOther Reviews....
The 2022 Cornas Les Chaillots from Thierry Allemand was crafted by his son Théo using the same method as his father: 100% whole bunches, two to three days of carbon maceration and punching down instead of pumping over. Evoking a pure, delicate and gourmand bouquet of violet, mulberries and dark berries, it's medium to full-bodied, dense and firm with a crystalline, pure texture and an energetic, tense mid-palate framed by somewhat stringy tannins, typical of whole bunches. Concluding with a long, ethereal and floral finish, this is a superb wine. Drink 2026-2040.
95 points
Yohan Castaing - Robert Parker's Wine AdvocateA fine-tuned, silky, refined and well-crafted Cornas from younger (under 40-year-old) vines and whole-cluster vinification. It expresses aromas of damson plums, dark cherries, warm spices and some wild herbs. It's medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins. Such delicacy to the dense core, with a silky, caressing feel and incredible purity, vitality and transparency. Very long, vibrant finish. Drink or hold.
98 points
Stuart Pigott - JamesSuckling.comComing from a mix of terroirs and slightly younger vines (which are not that young) brought up all in used barrels, the 2022 Cornas Chaillot offers up red, blue, and black fruits intermixed with graphite, crushed stone, violets, and pepper. Medium to full-bodied and gorgeously balanced on the palate, it shows a juicy, elegant, vibrant style with ultra-fine tannins, displaying remarkable precision and purity.
93-95 points
Jeb Dunnuck -
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2022 Thierry Allemand Cornas Reynard (R)Cornas, Northern Rhone, FRANCE$680. 00Bottle$8160.00 DozenABV: 13.5%Closure: CorkOther Reviews....
The 2022 Cornas Reynard is one of the wines of the vintage in Cornas. Revealing a deeper, more complex bouquet than Les Chaillots, with aromas of dark wild berries, spices, violet, flowers and mulberries, it's medium to full-bodied, enrobing and elegant, layered and concentrated with a fleshy core of fruit, a tense, energetic mid-palate and more refined tannins that segue into a long, ethereal and violet-inflected finish. Pure and crystalline, this is a young classic in the making. Drink 2027-2042.
96 points
Yohan Castaing - Robert Parker's Wine AdvocateIt's hard to wrap your head around how a red wine can have this enormous concentration and giant structure, yet be so refined and silky. Aromas of Damson plums, black raspberries and Amarena cherries exactly fill out the mouth-filling yet incredibly precise palate. Then comes the breathtaking finish that is as graceful as a great dancer who leaps effortlessly from one side of the stage to the other. From old vines in the Reynard site. 100% whole-cluster fermentation that starts as carbonic maceration, then a handful of punchdowns. Matured in large oak foudre casks. Drink or hold.
100 points
Stuart Pigott - JamesSuckling.comComing largely from the granite, south-facing soils of the Reynard lieu-dit and aged in used barrels, the 2022 Cornas Reynard reveals a beautiful array of red, blue, and black fruits, violets, spice, pepper, and orange zest. The class and purity here are something else, and it's medium to full-bodied, focused, and beautifully balanced, with fine tannins and remarkable elegance. This is a sensational Cornas in the making.
96-98 points
Jeb Dunnuck -
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Sundays Melbourne Dry Gin (700ml)Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$64. 99Bottle$779.88 DozenABV: 40%Sundays Melbourne Dry Gin is a bright, easy‑drinking expression crafted and bottled in the heart of Melbourne. Featuring a lively medley of fresh, bold botanicals, this gin delivers vibrant flavour without ever feeling heavy, perfect for sipping with friends or mixing into your favourite gin-based cocktail. Expect fresh citrus and spice lifted by native lemon myrtle, wrapped in a clean, contemporary style that’s as at home in a Negroni as it is in a Sunday arvo G&T. It captures the spontaneity and warmth of a relaxed Sunday afternoon, embodying the brand’s ethos: “because every day should feel like a Sundays kind of day.” 40% Alc./Vol.
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2024 Wellington & Wolfe Eylandt Off Dry RieslingTasmania, AUSTRALIA$44. 99Bottle$539.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 8%Closure: StelvinA light, fruity off dry Riesling that has an electric feel to it.
Brilliant water like colour with a faint greenish tinge around the edges. Aromas of lime zest, red apple skin and orange blossom are followed by hints of honeysuckle and flinty mineral notes. Fruity red apple, lime and mandarin flavours have a racy feel across the light, electric palate. Crisp acidity with subtle honeysuckle and zingy mineral elements lingering through the long, elegant off dry finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 8%Other Reviews….
I'm a sucker for an off-dry riesling. 'Breakfast wines' my German mates call them, with their modest alcohols and RS to get the day started. Lemon, lime, white peach and green apple all make an appearance here, with a sorbet-like intensity to its carry, a slick of mineral salts and stone, a scattering of dried herbs and a lovely balance between sweetness and acidity. Drink by 2035.
94 Points
Dave Brookes - James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 96
2024 Poonawatta The Eden RieslingEden Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 11.8%Closure: StelvinConcentrated and mouth watering with crisp acidity lending a steely feel to the long scrumptious finish.
Brilliant water like core with highlights of green around the edges. Intense lime and lemon aromas jump out of the glass followed by some orange rind, chalky talc, Granny Smith apple and steely mineral notes. Mouth watering lime, lemon and green apple fruits carve out a crunchy feel across the palate with chalky talc, orange rind and flinty mineral elements in the background. Crisp acidity lending a steely feel to the long scrumptious finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 11.8% -
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2024 Gill Estate Rivah Pinot GrigioVictoria, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2025-2026)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinA delicious Pinot Grigio that carries lovely textural shape across the palate.
Brilliant very pale straw colour with a watery hue. Aromas of pear, red apple and honeysuckle are followed by hints of quince and spice. Delicious red apple and pear fruits are delivered with plenty of intensity, carrying lovely textural shape across the palate. Traces of honeysuckle and musk lie underneath. Brisk acidity with a moreish finish.
Drink over the next year.
Alc. 13% -
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2024 Monte Tondo Mito SoaveVeneto, ITALY$16. 99Bottle$203.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2025-2026)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinScrumptious Soave with a river stone like textural feel to the long appealing finish.
The Monte Tondo vineyard can be found nestling in the gentle hills of Soave just a few kilometres from Verona on a slope overlooking the valley. Today it is 4th generation brother and sister team, Luca and Marta Magnabosco, who carry on their family’s passion for the land and its wines.
Twenty-five hectares of vineyards are situated on the best plots that the Soave zone can offer on predominately volcanic soils: Monte Tenda, Monte Foscarino and Monte Tondo. The wines produced, from 100% Garganaga, are intensely perfumed with an unmistakable Soave character somewhere between florals and fruitiness.
Brilliant pale straw colour with a watery hue. Elevated pear and red apple skin aromas fill the nostrils followed by hints of quince and spice. Intensely flavoured pear, red apple and lime fruits are layered across the scrumptious palate with some subtle quince and stony mineral elements the undercard. Refreshing acidity with a river stone like textural feel to the long appealing finish.
Drink over the next year.
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2024 Hatch Watervale RieslingClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinRacy and mouth watering with superb intensity and drive.
Chris Hatcher, affectionately known as Hatch, has been a winemaker for almost 50 years including more than 35 years at Wolf Blass where he picked up numerous awards including the Jimmy Watson Trophy and three time IWSC international winemaker of the year. Having recently retired from the corporate winemaking scene Hatch has embarked on his own personal venture for which his first releases have received widespread critical acclaim.
Brilliant water like core with green toned edges. Intense lemon and lime scents are followed by some Granny Smith apple, chalky talc and mineral notes. Racy lime, lemon and green apple fruits are delivered with superb intensity and drive across the mouth watering palate. Infusions of fresh herbs and chalky mineral elements lie underneath. Crisp acidity finishing long and zippy.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 12%Other Reviews…..
Clare Valley Riesling, here from the Watervale sub-region, is one of the great gems of the Aussie wine treasure chest. For me, while the Flaxman’s might have been lineball with last year’s release, this is surely a step-up. A must for the cellar. Pale gleaming lemon in colour, the nose offers us exquisite floral notes and citrus, especially grapefruit. Fragrant and elegant, we have spices, limes and hints of river stones. Such balance! A majestic Riesling. There is a riot of flavour and yet an arcade of elegance. We have a line of oyster shell acidity, while the wine really does have impeccable balance (worth mentioning twice) and superb length. A Riesling which will drink beautifully, ageing gracefully, over the next fifteen to twenty years. Love it. Given Chris Hatcher’s decades of experience in the Aussie wine industry and his contacts, I guess it is no surprise. Drink 2025-2045.
97 Points
Ken Gargett – WinePilot.comA spicy, sleek, tightly wound riesling of intensity, inward concentration, true lime and pink grapefruit characters, a touch of floral lift. There's a lick of nutty savouriness underlying, too. So energetic, vigorous and frisky. It's classic stuff, done well, and with stuffing in the wine. Yes thanks. Drink by 2040.
95 Points
Mike Bennie – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 91
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2024 Moppity Vineyards Lock & Key ChardonnayTumbarumba, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinA fleshy textured, fruit driven Chardonnay.
Brilliant pale straw colour with a subtle greenish tinge around the edges and a watery hue. Nectarine and citrus aromas intermingle with melon and subtle dried honey notes. The fruit driven palate features peach and melon flavours over citrus and flashes of honeysuckle. Fleshy textured it finishes nicely rounded and fruity.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 92
2024 TarraWarra Estate ChardonnayYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$34. 99Bottle$419.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinFresh, elegant Yarra Valley Chardonnay.
Fermented and matured in 100% French oak puncheons, demi muid and barriques (10% new oak) for a period of 7 months. Brilliant pale straw colour with a faint tinge of green around the outskirts and a watery hue. Aromas of pear and nectarine are interwoven with hints of biscuity nougat, dried honey and a faint whiff of gun flint. Fresh nectarine and pear fruits are underpinned by citrusy acidity which lends an energetic feel. Biscuity nougat and flint elements also chime in. Finishes fresh and elegant.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 90
2023 Santa Cristina ToscanaTuscany, ITALY$26. 99Bottle$323.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinA juicy, medium bodied Tuscan blend with a savoury finish.
An entry level blend from Antinori produced from Sangiovese, Merlot, Syrah and Petit Verdot. Deep black dark red core with a dark red hue. Ripe cherry and liquorice aromas are followed by some dried herb, tobacco and vanillin spice notes. Juicy cherry and red currant fruits decorate the medium bodied palate with notions of dried herbs, earth and spicy tobacco in the background. Slightly chewy tannins with a savoury conclusion.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 13% -
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2023 Bosward TourigaBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinFresh, savoury and elegant with blue to black fruits.
Midnight black colour with a dark red black tinged hue. Nosing features aromas of black cherry and liquorice with a leather overlay followed by some earth, dried herb and spice notes. Making a supple entrance onto the mid weighted palate are fleshy morello cherry, blueberry and liquorice fruits which morph into a leather, earth and spicy dried herb back drop. Fresh with nicely integrated, polished tannins and a mid length finish that’s both savoury and elegant.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 12.5%Other Reviews….
Deep crimson with blossom-flecked fruit tones of blackberry, blueberry and boysenberry with underlying hints of five-spice, dried citrus rind, turned earth, blueberry pie and licorice. There's a light, graphite-y edge to the powdery tannins, a thick tide of ripe black fruits on the palate and a siren-like call to fire up the barbie and slap on some steaks as the wine slowly fades. Me gusta. Drink by 2032.
93 Points
Dave Brookes – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
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2023 Riposte The Sabre Pinot NoirAdelaide Hills, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinVibrant brambly red fruits with a supple feel and elegant finish.
Semi translucent red to dark red colour with black tinged edges and a light red hue. Fragrant violet, red to dark cherry and rhubarb scents drift through the nostrils followed by some dried herb, bramble and spice notes. Vibrant red cherry and rhubarb flavours intermix with bramble, forest floor and spicy dried herb elements. Supple mouth feel with polished tannins and an elegant mid length finish.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13.5%Other Reviews…..
The 2023 The Sabre Pinot Noir is all cherries and exotic spice, with lean, leafy characters on the mid-palate. This is a complex wine of presence and finesse, but with the 2024 Dagger so fresh in my mind, I can't help searching for some of that perfectly ripe, concentrated and yet capacious fruit that I tasted there. This is undoubtedly more complex and has cherry pip, aniseed, clove and iodine, so gravitate to what makes you sing. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Drink 2025-2033.
92 Points
Robert Parker – The Wine Advocate -
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2023 Apsley Gorge Vineyard Pinot NoirTasmania, AUSTRALIA$69. 99Bottle$839.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinA funky Tassie Pinot that has a meaty feel and a fresh, savoury finish.
Established in 1988 this tiny vineyard is planted to Pinot Noir (5.5 hectares) and Chardonnay (1 hectare) and is located several kilometres inland from the coast near the entrance to the Apsley Gorge national Park north-west of Bicheno. The vineyards unique situation near the entry to the gorge brings breezes in the afternoon which have a distinct cooling effect which means this vineyard is typically one of the last to harvest in Tasmania with harvest usually being around the first week of May.
Since 1999 winemaking has been undertaken by owner Brian Franklin who also does vintage each year in Burgundy with Philippe Charlopin (himself mentored by his friend Henri Jayer) in Gevrey Chambertin, and is helped here in Tasmania by young French winemakers including Philippe Charlopin’s son Yann.
Aged in a combination of new and two year old French oak barrels. Red to dark red core with black shaded edges and a vibrant red hue. Funky yet intense nose with red to dark cherry and strawberry aromas infused with a mix of smoky graphite and dried herb notes followed by some earthy rhubarb and spicy stalk scents. Light to medium bodied, the palate has a meaty flavour profile of cherries, strawberries, earthy graphite, dried herbs, smoked meats and spice. Fine grained tannins concluding fresh and savoury with a meaty feel.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
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- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 Water Wheel ChardonnayBendigo, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$17. 99Bottle$215.88 DozenMinimum 6 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinRound and generous with a rich texture.
Barrel fermented in French oak puncheons and demi muid with extended lees contact. Brilliant pale straw colour with highlights of green around the edges and a watery hue. Aromas of ripe peach and nectarine mix with honeycomb, toasty oak and spicy nougat. Rich, fleshy textured ripe peach and melon fruits meld into a crème brulee, biscuit and vanilla spice background. Finishes generous and round with a dash of spice.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 13.5% - Parker's Heritage Collection 14 Year Old Cognac Barrel Finished Kentucky Straight Malt Whiskey (750ml) - Eighteenth ReleaseKentucky, UNITED STATES$649. 00Bottle$7788.00 DozenABV: 53.5%
Collector's note: there is a minor scuff to the lower front label.
Parker's 18th edition is another in collaboration with Master Blender, Alain Royer, who Heaven Hill has partnered with on two previous releases. Filled in March 2009 the 14-year-old, 65% malted barley and 35% corn whiskey yielded 128 barrels. It was then finished in 56 larger, reconstructed heavy toast Cognac barrels for almost four months. The original whiskey barrels were from the fourth floor of Rickhouse O and the sixth floor of Rickhouse Q. Once re-barreled, the Cognac barrels were aged in Rickhouse H1 on the fifth floor. Described as rich and velvety with flavours of molasses and bittersweet chocolate followed by cloves and nutmeg, the liquid was non-chill filtered in order to preserve the natural flavours of the aging process. 53.5% Alc./Vol.
With previous releases having won multiple awards from Whisky Advocate, Whisky Magazine, the Ultimate Spirits Challenge and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the Heritage Collection series stand as some of the most critically lauded American Whiskeys in recent memory. Past bottlings have won awards ranging from “Best Special Barrel Finished Bourbon” and “Best North American Whiskey” to “American Whiskey of the Year” and “Best of Show, Brown Spirits.” Extremely limited stocks.
- Rooster Rojo Espadin Joven Mezcal (700ml)Oaxaca, MEXICO$94. 99Bottle$1139.88 DozenABV: 43%
The Espadín variety is employed for the majority of mezcal production. The style here offers light smoke with undertones of fruit and a white pepper finish. 43% Alc./Vol.
- Bruichladdich Black Art 11.1 24 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Islay, SCOTLAND$799. 00Bottle$9588.00 DozenABV: 44.2%
Other reviews... So still pre-reopening juice (so Invergordon-Jim Beam Brands). Utterly love the blurb on the 'label' (well, the stencil), no stoopid AI could have ever written that true piece of post-modern literature. Colour: amber. Nose: it's on quince jelly, juicy sultanas, pinecones, a little talc, fond de taint, pollens, pink pepper and oregano, caraway, something syrah-y, pizza oil (I know that's not very romantic), tomato sauce, sage… An unusual construction that rather loses you, but it's full of (unlikely) charms. Mouth: I find this arrival weirdly spicy and woody. A lot of wood spices (oak, pine, fir), heavy spices, cumin and clove, lees, stalk… I know it's me but this is not my kind of concoction, not on the palate, even if brighter notes of oranges would then try to balance it all. Weird drink. Finish: long, bitter, sour and leafy. Almost some artisanal Italian bitter. Comments: I've always had troubles with the Black Arts. In the first place, I've never quite understood the idea behind them, but knowing that it's a highly successful line, I'll simply tip my hat to them and bow modestly before this modern art of doing bizarre mixtures. 84 points - whiskyfun.com
- Rooster Rojo Smoked Pineapple Tequila (700ml)Jalisco, MEXICO$76. 99Bottle$923.88 DozenABV: 38%
This unusual tequila features Red Rooster Reposado aged for at least two months in ex-Bourbon barrels, then infused with top-quality Red Spanish cooked pineapples. All natural flavours. 38% Alc./Vol.
- Rooster Rojo 100% Agave Anejo Tequila (700ml)Jalisco, MEXICO$77. 99Bottle$935.88 DozenABV: 38%
Made via cooking the piña with steam in autoclaves for 10 hours, the distillate is aged in oak for a minimum of one year in used bourbon barrels. Expect aromas and flavours of vanilla, coffee, a hint of tobacco, some spicy oak and brown sugar. 38% Alc./Vol.
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2021 Paracombe Cabernet SauvignonAdelaide Hills, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinRich, concentrated and solidly built with lush black fruits.
Dense pitch black heart with a very deep dark red black hue. Intense ripe blackcurrant aromas mix with liquorice, vanillin cedar, tobacco, earthy black olive and spicy dried herb notes. Rich, concentrated and solidly built, lush blackcurrant and liquorice fruits swamp the full bodied palate. Cigar box, earthy black olive and spicy bay leaf elements sit underneath. Firm, grainy tannins impart some grip across the robust yet ripe and fleshy finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5% - Rooster Rojo 100% Agave Blanco Tequila (700ml)Jalisco, MEXICO$64. 99Bottle$779.88 DozenABV: 38%
The red rooster is a very special bird in Mexico - a sign of the sun, and a key part of the national identity. The brand of tequila that bears its name selects piñas aged 6-7 years. Only fruit with a residual sugar content of 24-27% is chosen. These piñas are then halved to preserve their sweetness and twice distilled in stainless steel pot stills. This ensures that the exceptional agave flavours and aromas are preserved. Their Blanco is said to taste softer and smoother than other examples because of a unique filtration process during which pure water is filtered through Mexican silver. The flavour is initially sweet with a subtle yet distinct peppery spice. 38% Alc./Vol.
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2022 Snake & Herring Corduroy ChardonnayMargaret River, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinAmply concentrated and creamy textured.
Bright straw colour with highlights of green around the edges and a watery hue. Nectarine and lemon butter top notes are followed by biscuity oak, subtle bees wax and gun flint scents. On the palate nectarine, pear, grapefruit and bees wax flavours are delivered with plenty of concentration and carry a creamy textural feel. Notions of biscuity oak, nougat and gun flint sit underneath. Fresh acidity with a medium to long finish that’s nicely fleshed.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 12.5%Other Reviews….
Only dags and dads wear corduroy surely, but this wine is super classy. Fine, long and pure with gossamer-like acidity threaded through the lemon, lime and white nectarine flavours. It comes lightly spiced and lightly textured with some delicate leesy accents. Savoury, too, and mouth-watering with the right amount of tension to delight and even more pleasure to come in time. Drink by 2032.
95 Points
Jane Faulkner – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
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Rooster Rojo 100% Agave Reposado Tequila (700ml)Jalisco, MEXICO$69. 99Bottle$839.88 DozenABV: 38%Other reviews... Though aged for a mere two months, this Tequila sports a vibrant golden hue, a rich, butterscotch aroma and a weighty, moderately sweet palate redolent with vanilla and coconut, exiting with peppery prickle. 89 points - wineenthusiast.com
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Grand Marnier Triple Sec Liqueur (500ml)Cognac, FRANCE$65. 99Bottle$791.88 DozenABV: 40%Made with oranges and Cognac, Grand Marnier is a liqueur immortal and one of the world's best known curacaos. Aged in the cellars of Chateau de Bourg in Cognac and blended with fruit from the French West Indies, the company's entry level bottling has become a bar standard, combining the tantalizing fragrance of Seville oranges with the warm, intoxicating rush of extra-aged cognac in a 49/51 blend. Offering superb purity and definition with notes of mixed peel, orange cake and vanilla and a concentrate of citrus peel and mandarin flavours, what's also admirable about this timeless liqueur is its expert balance; the lively spirit backbone and the finish that winds up fresh, mildly tart and vibrant with lingering honeyed-citrus flavours.
If you want an even more indulgent experience, three super premium releases set the bar higher, introducing increasing proportions of (primarily) Grande Champagne Cognacs, sometimes boasting incredible age, adding further depth and complexity to an already remarkable liqueur. Whichever you choose, these expressions are best appreciated neat, on the rocks or in a snifter glass at room temperature. 40% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... The aroma is a sweet/sour, tangerine/Mandarin orange perfume that never stops enchanting. At the palate entry the orange zest’s acidity mingles gracefully with the Cognac’s alcohol, making for delicious drinking. Satiny finish. 90-95 - wineenthusiast.com
Seasoned Casanovas also recommend Grand Marnier for a “Royal Romance”:
In shaker; one-fourth each of Passionfruit juice and Grand Marnier, half gin, shake well and serve.
Or try the popular B52:1/3 Grand Marnier
1/3 Coffee liqueur
1/3 Irish cream liqueur
Pour delicately on a bar spoon the coffee liqueur, the Irish Cream then the GRAND MARNIER liqueur into a shooter glass. Serve without mixing.The Charleston
1 shot of Cherry Brandy Liqueur (e.g. Cherry Heering)
1 shot of Grand Marnier
top up with lemonade and ice
Method: Pour the cherry brandy and the orange liqueur into a highball. Stir well, then fill a highball glass with ice cubes and pour the cocktail directly over them . There is no need to use a strainer in this instance. Top up with the chilled lemonade to taste, then serve. -
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2022 Aramis The Bastion ShirazMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$27. 99Bottle$335.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinRich, voluptuous and weighty with a velvety yet robust tannin structure.
Impenetrable inky black colour with a very deep dark red black hue. Intense liquorice and ripe black cherry scents engulf the nostrils followed by some vanillin oak, whiffs of mocha and peppered earth notes. Rich voluptuous liquorice and ripe black cherry fruits saturate the weighty palate. Vanillin oak, fennel, mocha and peppered earth elements sit in the background. Velvety yet robust tannin structure concluding long, lavishly textured and sumptuous.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews……
The estate’s flagship Shiraz, from their own vineyards in McLaren Vale, this is impressive drinking. Deep magenta in colour, the wine reveals good intensity right from the kick-off. The aromas weave through notes of cloves, vegemite, dark chocolate, cold tea, dried herbs, mulberries and hints of a dusty road. A wine of real intensity, but one which is well balanced and with drive. The oak integration has been competently handled and there is a lingering finish. Enjoy this over the next ten to twelve years. Drink 2025-2037.
93 Points
Ken Gargett – WinePilot.com -
- 96
- 94
2024 Sons of Eden Freya RieslingEden Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinA super scrumptious Riesling that boasts outstanding drive, concentration and textural volume.
Three vineyards made contributions to the 2024 Freya Riesling. The Cranes Range vineyard and the Roesler vineyard (35%) both situated in the cooler Craneford section of Eden Valley were complimented by a component from the Petney vineyard situated in the higher altitude high-Eden sub-region. The vine age was between 25 to 60 years old.
Brilliant pale straw colour with green tinted edges and a watery hue. Jumping out of the glass are intense lemon, lime and orange rind scents which intermix with some chalky talc and mineral notes. Boasting outstanding drive, concentration and textural volume, the palate is engulfed with mouth watering lime, lemon, orange rind and green apple fruits. Chalky talc and steely mineral elements sit underneath with a backbone of crunchy acidity providing structure. Long, super scrumptious finish. Dual Trophy winner at the Barossa Wine Show for Best Riesling and Best White Wine.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 12%Other Reviews……
I've written before how I like the 2024 Eden Valley rieslings. They are perhaps not as aromatically punchy as the norm but they are stony-pure with that familiar Christmas lily volume just turned down a notch. But that focused line, eh?! The Freya here is a beauty, all velocity and limey precision and I am here for it. A cracker. Drink by 2036.
94 Points
Dave Brookes – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 95
- 94
- Biodynamic
2023 Domaine Saint-Damien Gigondas Vieilles VignesGigondas, Southern Rhone, FRANCE$59. 99Bottle$719.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2025-2033)ABV: 15%Closure: CorkOutstanding power, energy and structure with a long, dynamically juicy finish.
Domaine Saint-Damien is run by Joel and Amie Saurel whose family has been tending vineyards for four generations, dating back to 1821. Until relatively recently they sold all of their grapes to negociants. In 1998 they brought on consulting winemaker Philippe Cambie and haven’t looked back. Of the estates 42 acres of vineyards, 30 acres are in Gigondas with vines that have an average age of 50 years.
A blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah matured in large old foudres for a period of 12 months.
Dense midnight black dark red core with a bright red to dark red hue. Wafting out of the glass are intense dark raspberry, liquorice and black plum scents which are complimented by some black cherry, violet, provincial herb, scorched earth and pepper notes. Rich, concentrated and succulent yet showing remarkable freshness, the palate is drenched in a tidal wave of dark raspberry, liquorice and black cherry fruits which are framed by muscular tannins and vibrant acidity. Infusions of Provencial herbs, earthy incense and pepper extend across the back half. Possessing outstanding power, energy and structure, it finishes long and dynamically juicy.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 15%Other Reviews……
The 2023 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes offers fabulous notes of black cherries, licorice, roasted garrigue, and peppery Provençal nuances. These all carry to a medium to full-bodied Gigondas offering ample mid-palate depth, sweet tannins, and a great finish.
94-96 Points
JebDunnuck.com -
- 95
2023 Clos Saint Jean Les CaladesVin de pays Vaucluse, FRANCE$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 15%Closure: StelvinA juicy explosion of rich black fruit.
An entry level label from one of Chateauneuf Du Pape’s most acclaimed domaines, Clos Saint Jean with fruit being sourced from Vaucluse which adjoins the Chateauneuf du Pape appellation. A blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Caladoc aged in concrete vats for 9 months, Caladoc is a hybrid grape – a cross between Grenache and Malbec that’s well suited to dry, warm climates.
Very deep dark red black colour with a dark red hue. The alluring nose is flooded with ripe dark raspberry, black cherry and liquorice aromas which are complimented by some provincial herb, earthy incense and pepper notes. Rich and opulent, juicy black raspberry, liquorice and ripe black cherry fruits explode across the palate with notions of scorched earth, infusions of provincial herbs, incense and peppered meats lurking in the background. Polished yet slightly chewy tannins. Expansive and powerful, it has a long, succulent finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 15% - The Macallan Colour Collection 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$599. 00Bottle$7188.00 DozenABV: 43%
Launched in 2023, this is Macallan's celebration of the art of maturation, where the whisky's rich amber hue hints at the intricate dance between the spirit and the oak. Intended solely as a travel retail exclusive. 43% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Ex-seasoned sherry oak, not sure if it was full-maturation or some 'enhancement', not sure that even matters (good mood mode activated here). Colour: dark gold. Nose: once again, it is rather 'old-school Macallan' while we're no longer too worried that the palate might be too light and too unbalanced by the wood since this baby has been bottled at 43% ABV. The difference is enormous between 40 and 43, we all know that. We find the usual dried and fresh figs, the apricots, some dried pears (slices), some high-end apple compote, various raisins, plum pudding, treacle toffee, kumquats and bergamots, some Demerara sugar, caramel and fudge… Nutshell: all is well. Mouth: there's much more happening in this one, the oak doesn't quite get in the way and the fruits in all their forms have plenty of room to express themselves. Kumquats, raisins, tangerines, figs, jujubes, apples, then honey, maple syrup and chocolate, the latter becoming then a little bitter and drying, which comes from the oak I would suppose. No big deal, it's an excellent one. Also a little meatiness ala M**** (another 'M', a.k.a. the beast of Dufftown). Finish: still a little short and dry, but these peppered Seville oranges and these cloves do really work. Hints of honeysuckle. Comments: around 500-600€, apparently. No comments, except that to be honest, we would have preferred it to be a bit stronger, but it's still very good. 87 points - whiskyfun.com
...The nose opens with noble lacquered wood, lots of milk chocolate, carefully complemented by red berries and sour fruits. The signature sulfur content of The Macallan alcohols is felt. A little later, crusts of gray bread appear and the fruit palette is somewhat transformed: pineapples, dried bananas, peaches and orange peels become audible. The taste is similar to the nose in terms of wood, chocolate and sulfur, but there are more sherry tones here in the form of almonds, dried fruits, raisins, red grapes. Also present are floral honey and blood oranges. The finish is long, woody and chocolatey, with nuts and dried fruits. - whiskybase.com
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- Reduced
The Macallan Colour Collection 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLANDReduced from $350.00$275. 00Bottle$3300.00 DozenABV: 43%A celebration of The Macallan's natural colouring imparted by iconic sherry-seasoned casks, The Colour Collection 15 Year Old is a travel retail exclusive aged in sherry-seasoned casks. Crafted in collaboration with acclaimed designer, David Carson, the colours of the packaging emanate the deep amber hue of the whisky held within - a rich topaz that anticipates notes of toasted oak, orange and creamy vanilla. 43% Alc./Vol.
- Sullivans Cove Single Cask TD0275 American Oak Second Fill Single Malt Australian Whisky (700ml)Hobart, Tasmania, AUSTRALIA$399. 00Bottle$4788.00 DozenABV: 48%
This second-fill American oak matured release was filled into a cask in May 2008 and bottled in Nov 2022. 253 bottles produced. 48% Alc./Vol.
From early bottlings that were sometimes awkward and experimental, Sullivan’s Cove has emerged as one of the top whisky producers in the Southern hemisphere. Founded in 1994, Patrick Macguire joined the company five years later as Head Distiller, spearheading a new bottle design and refining the portfolio. By 2007, the distillery gained international recognition with their American Oak winning Liquid Gold (95/100) in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible. Even greater praise was to follow, with the title of World’s Best Single Malt at the prestigious World Whiskies Awards in London in 2014. In 2016 the distilllery was sold, but the core range has persisted (American Oak, French Oak and Double Cask. For collectors, a special single cask range includes older age statements and cask strength expressions). Thirty years on, Sullivans Cove's output is better than ever, affirmed by a meticulous new distillery and significantly bigger production to meet global demand. The majority of the whiskies are aged in either 300L French oak ex-tawny barrels or 200L American oak ex-bourbon barrels and generally bottled between 6 and 9 years.
- Sullivans Cove Single Cask TD0380 American Oak Second Fill Single Malt Australian Whisky (700ml)Hobart, Tasmania, AUSTRALIA$399. 00Bottle$4788.00 DozenABV: 48%
More recent releases from this distillery (established in 1994) mark a welcome departure from many (early) previous expressions that were frequently sabotaged by hessian bag, burnt rubber and/or sulphur-like notes. All three bottlings (Double Wood, American Oak Single Cask and French Oak Single Cask) are clean, complex and come highly recommended.
A well-aged Sullivan's Cove, filled into a cask in Nov 2012 and bottled in Dec 2022. 268 bottles produced. 48% Alc./Vol
- Sullivans Cove Single Cask TD0455 French Oak Second Fill Single Malt Australian Whisky (700ml)Hobart, Tasmania, AUSTRALIA$549. 00Bottle$6588.00 DozenABV: 48.1%
A well-aged Sullivan's Cove, filled into a cask in Nov 2013 and bottled in Dec 2024. 496 bottles produced. 48.1% Alc./Vol
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- 92
2024 Cape Mentelle Marmaduke ChardonnayMargaret River, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 13.2%Closure: StelvinA juicy, well fleshed, fruit driven Chardonnay.
Brilliant very pale straw colour with green tinged edges and a watery hue. Peach, tropical fruit and melon aromas are trailed by some spice end notes. Fleshy peach, tropical fruit and ripe melon flavours carry a nicely rounded feel across the mid weighted palate with some citrus and spice nuances in the background. Possessing good fruit intensity and fresh acidity it has a juicy finish.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 13.2% -
- 94
- 93
- Organic
2022 Inkwell Infidels PrimitivoMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$27. 99Bottle$335.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 14.4%Closure: StelvinPlump and juicy with ripe plum and strawberry jam flavours.
Matured in French and American oak barrels. Dark red core with black shaded edges and a red to dark red hue. Pronounced black plum and strawberry jam aromas are followed by some liquorice, vanillin spice and cinnamon notes. Plump and juicy, the mid weighted palate is flush with ripe plum and strawberry jam flavours. Also chiming in are liquorice, vanilla and spicy cinnamon elements. Velvet smooth tannins with a fleshy finish.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 14.4%Other Reviews…..
Inkwell make zinfandel and primitivo. Same, same, essentially. But the different blocks perform differently, so the nomenclature reflects that. This is genuinely reminiscent of Puglian primitivo, resplendent with dried fruits, currants, fig and date, blackberry, and hit heavily with spices, in an amaro and panforte register, anise to the fore, and underwritten by a dry, tarry earthiness. It’s opulent, in its way, but intensely savoury, too. Much more Puglia than California. And, of course, intrinsically McLaren Vale. Compelling. Drink by 2029.
93 Points
Marcus Ellis – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 94
- 90
2022 Guigal Cotes du RhoneCotes du Rhone, Southern Rhone, FRANCE$26. 99Bottle$323.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 15%Closure: CorkA bold and juicy Cotes du Rhone that has a chewy mouth feel.
With an average annual production of around 4 million bottles, this wine is a model of consistency year in year out and one of Cotes du Rhone’s best buys. The 2022 vintage is a blend of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre sourced from vines with an average age of 35 years. Maturation takes place in oak casks for a period of 18 months.
Dense black dark red colour with a deep dark red hue. Black raspberry and liquorice scents waft through the nostrils followed by some ripe black cherry, dried herb, earthy incense and pepper notes. Rich, concentrated and lush, the weighty palate is swamped with juicy black raspberry, black cherry and liquorice fruits. A ripe chewy tannin structure imparts a firm, robust mouth feel. Infusions of provincial herbs, scorched earth and pepper the undercard. Long opulently fruited finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 15%
Other Reviews….
The Cotes Du Rhone is smoking good, offering up blackberries, pepper, and garrigue in a round, supple, medium to full-bodied style. Based on 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, and 10% Mourvèdre, partially aged in oak foudres, this impressive effort shows remarkable quality for the appellation.
90-92 points
JebDunnuck.com - Archie Rose Fundamental Spirits True Cut Vodka (700ml)Sydney, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA$57. 99Bottle$695.88 DozenABV: 40%
Part of Archie Rose's Fundamental Spirits range alongside Straight Dry Gin & Double Malt Whisky, this neutral vodka is cold-distilled from local wheat, reclaimed orange peel, local apple, native river mint, lemon myrtle and triple filtered water. It features subtle hints of wheat, apple skin and fresh orange zest. 40% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... "an affordable simple high quality vodka good for cocktails in a modern household." - Archie Rose customer review
- Glenfiddich Gran Cortes Rare Sherry Cask Finish 22 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$499. 00Bottle$5988.00 DozenABV: 44.3%
Previously exclusive to Taiwan, but recently released in Australia and now cheaper than the official launch price, Gran Cortes XXII 22 Year Old is reported to be one of the rarest bottlings in the Glenfiddich Gran series. x-Palo Cortado sherry casks feature, resulting in a rich, well-balanced expression with a delicious Christmas Cake profile. 44.3% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... "The best Glenfiddich I’ve ever had! There are plenty of excellent high-aged Glenfiddich expressions, but this one stands out. It captures the essence of Glenfiddich’s signature character while enhancing all the best aspects. A must-have bottle for Glenfiddich lovers." - whiskybase.com
Awarded Best Distillers Single Malt 21 Years and over at the 2023 International Spirits Challenge.
- Rhum J.M. Jardin Fruite Agricole Rum (700ml)MARTINIQUE$114. 99Bottle$1379.88 DozenABV: 42%
The first in a series of three cocktail-focused special releases, aka, the "Atelier des Rhums" series. Each explores different flavour profiles achieved through various cask treatments and types. Made from sugarcane pressed within an hour of harvest, open tank fermented with French baker's yeast for 24 hours then aged for 2 years in lightly toasted French and American oak barrels; Jardin Fruité presents a fruit forward style, with a hint of grassy cane reminding you that this is still agricole. It sips well on its own and makes a killer upgrade to any tropical punch or daiquiri variation, but the rum shines brightest in a spirit-forward stirred cocktail like an old-fashioned or Rum Manhattan, the balance of fruit and spice making for a robust and characterful drink. 42% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Bright citrus and fruit aromas lead to a mellow palate with wood, ripe fruit, and grassy undertones. Well-balanced and particularly appreciated for its fruity freshness; a solid choice for those exploring young Agricole rums. - RumX
- 1993 Glendronach Single Cask No.5820 Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon 29 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$1199. 00Bottle$14388.00 DozenABV: 52.4%
Featuring thick, dark tones of dried figs, prunes, apricots and dates, PX puncheon #5820 had an outturn of 678 bottles at 52.4% Alc./Vol. Non-chill filtered.
While Glendronach single cask whiskies haven't been explicitly discontinued, they have completely disappeared from the distillery's website. Currently the Australian market has only three lines allocated. It’s said that their rarity is due to limited output and growing demand. That situation is partly due to Glendronach's closure from 1996 to 2002 which impacted the availability of older stock. It would also explain the distillery’s recent re-focus on core range expressions that coincided with a packaging upgrade in 2024. Typically offering outturns of around 600 bottles per cask, the single barrel selections are famous for offering snapshots of a particular cask at a specific point in time, making each one unique.
- 1993 Glendronach Single Cask No.4194 Oloroso Sherry Puncheon 28 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$1099. 00Bottle$13188.00 DozenABV: 52.8%
Described as "Luxurious and full-bodied", single cask #4194 reveals itself in flavours of leather and tobacco, intertwined with vibrant citrus zest; dried blueberries, roasted walnuts and raisins adding a beautiful sweetness. 669 bottles were drawn from a single Oloroso puncheon at 52.8% Alc./Vol. Non-chill filtered.
While Glendronach single cask whiskies haven't been explicitly discontinued, they have completely disappeared from the distillery's website. Currently the Australian market has only three lines allocated. It’s said that their rarity is due to limited output and growing demand. That situation is partly due to Glendronach's closure from 1996 to 2002 which impacted the availability of older stock. It would also explain the distillery’s recent re-focus on core range expressions that coincided with a packaging upgrade in 2024. Typically offering outturns of around 600 bottles per cask, the single barrel selections are famous for offering snapshots of a particular cask at a specific point in time, making each one unique.
- Haig Club Clubman Single Grain Scotch Whisky (700ml)Lowlands, SCOTLAND$79. 99Bottle$959.88 DozenABV: 40%
Haig Club Clubman is distilled at Diageo's giant Cameronbridge. It's then matured exclusively in ex-bourbon casks, allowing the sweet, gentle Single Grain to interact with the vanilla, butterscotch and sweet toffee flavours found in the casks. 40% Alc./Vol.
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- 92
- 95
2023 Tenuta Delle Terre Nere Etna RossoSicily, ITALY$69. 99Bottle$839.88 DozenABV: 14%Closure: CorkIt's easy to underestimate the impact the wines of Mount Etna have had over the last 10 years. From near obscurity, to now being some of the most highly sought after wines of Italy, led in part from producers such as Tenuta delle Terre Nere. The winery is owned by the widely acclaimed Marco De Grazia who is one of the winemakers responsible for bringing the wines of Etna to prominence on the world stage.
The red wines of Etna, produced from predominantly Nerello Mascalese, are often compared to a variety marrying the traits of Nebbiolo and Pinot Noir. Terre Nere take their wines a step further than most, and highlight the cru vineyards of the region with wines made at varying altitudes, along with vines planted on the pure Ellittico lava flow terroir. These delicate, perfumed, and intense wines translate the soil and season like few other wines in the world, and with demand far outweighing supply they are now increasingly hard to secure.
Other Reviews....
The brightness, lovely density and focus come through clearly here with an almost pinot sensibility and a long finish. It’s polished with fine tannins and a brilliant texture. Mostly grapes from San Lorenzo and Calderara Sottana vineyards. Drink or hold.
95 points
James SucklingThe 2023 Etna Rosso seduces with a burst of ripe cherries, cloves and sweet rose aromas. This is an energetic and wickedly fresh effort with a cascade of wild berry fruit and crunchy mineral tones that flow beneath an air of violet inner florals. A coating of fine tannins frames the finish without slowing its momentum as this tapers off with amazing length and a saturation of raspberry. The 2023 aims to please. Drink 2025-2029.
92 points
Eric Guido - Vinous - Rhum J.M. Epices Creoles Agricole Rum (700ml)MARTINIQUE$124. 99Bottle$1499.88 DozenABV: 46%
Debuting in 2024 and crafted by Master Blender, Karine Lassalle, Épices Créoles is aged for a minimum of 3 years in French and American oak barrels of varying sizes and char levels. The process of toasting the barrels results in a rum that's intensely spicy, but not spiced! 46% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... The nose is full of scintillating spice notes—particularly clove, allspice, and powdered ginger, with a bit of sweet nutmeg and other baking spices—and toasted oak. Tart, floral tropical fruit (mango, papyaya) comes in at the palate, mixed with herbal notes of sage and rosemary. Though it's decidedly fruity, the finish veers toward umami/earthy tones, with a balanced dryness, light to medium richness, and spark of spicy heat. 91 points - distiller.com
"Really nice agricole. Pepper and spice with a good heat." - rumratings.com
Notes from the producers... Nose: Delicate on the vanilla pod, honey and warm woody notes. After agitation, subtle notes of gingerbread with cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and ginger appear. Powerful and harmonious, the nose suggests a mouth with a bold character. Palate: The attack on the palate is powerful on spicy notes: cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, pepper, almost hot pepper… spicy heat gradually gives way to toasted, roasted and almost smoky notes of oak wood. Finish: Captivating the smoky notes with a persistent spicy feel left on the upper lips.
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1999 Signatory Vintage Auchentoshan 24 Year Old Symington's Choice Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Lowlands, SCOTLAND$450. 00Bottle$5400.00 DozenABV: 55.6%Mr. Symington clearly likes his malts matured in First Fill Oloroso butts. Given Auchentoshan's slightly lighter triple distilled spirit, we reckon this will be a 'cask driven' malt (read sherry bomb). Cask No.4 had an outturn of 689 bottles at 55.6% Alc./.Vol. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews.... All about the sherry and none about the distillate. That’s ok, it’s well done. More umami on this one. Tomato vine, empty soup can, plums for sure. Red berries, but not tart or sour. It’s very good! A little pepper on the back end and a little drying. - whiskybase.com