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- Bellarine Distillery Bear & The Koalas Bellarine Gin (700ml)Bellarine Peninsula, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenABV: 42%
This gin was originally a limited release to raise funds for Bear - the Koala detection dog , but due to overwhelming popularity the distillery have made it part of their core range. It has an intense lemon flavor with a luscious oily mouth feel arising from the lemon-scented Eucalyptus leaves and macadamia nuts. Coriander seed accentuates the citrus profile and cinnamon adds a touch of soft spice. Best served simply with Mediterranean tonic as a G&T or with Lillet Blanc as a martini. 42% Alc./Vol.
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- 91
- Australian Exclusive
Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (1000ml) - Whiskey Hunt Australia SelectionKentucky, UNITED STATES$149. 99Bottle$1799.88 DozenABV: 45.2%Whiskey Hunt Australia's debut with Woodford Reserve comes courtesy of the distillery's owners, Brown Forman. Guided by Woodford's Brand Ambassador, Andy Tsai, in December 2023 the group were invited to choose from three Woodford select profiles. Unlike most WHA releases which have been single cask picks, the Woodford Personal Selection Program asks customers to preference a bourbon that matches their palate, typically based on three distinct distillery 'profiles'. Jack Daniels (also owned by Brown Forman) have a similar approach. No.2 was judged the winner, showcasing aromas of oak shavings, cherry-dark-chocolate and dried peach, complemented by medium bodied flavours of burnt caramel, subtle smoke, orange spice cake and drying oak. True to the Woodford house style, the whiskey was distilled from a mash bill of 72% corn, 18% rye and 10% malted barley with 180 one-litre bottles imported to Australia. 45.2% Alc./Vol.
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- 89
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
Corryton Burge Sparkling Pinot Noir ChardonnayAUSTRALIA$23. 99Bottle$287.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesABV: 12%Closure: Diam CorkA fluffy mousse quickly evaporates leaving behind a very pale straw coloured base that has a fine bead flowing through it with plenty of persistence. Pear and red apple scents drift out of the glass followed by hints of quince and subtle lees like notes. Crisp and highly refreshing the palate features pear and ripe apple fruits over a citrus and lees back drop. Racy in its feel its finishes dry and slightly chalky.
Alc. 12% -
- 94
2023 Mr Riggs Cold Chalk ChardonnayAdelaide Hills, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$24. 99Bottle$299.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2024-2028)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinBrilliant pale straw colour with a faint greenish tinge to the edges and a watery hue. Elevated white peach and fleshy pear scents sail out of the glass trailed by some delicate honeysuckle, biscuit and wet stone notes. Delicious white peach and pear fruits carry nice shape across the mid weighted palate with notions of dried honey, biscuity nougat and subtle spice lying underneath. Possessing a beautifully balanced freshness it has a long cream tinged finish.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 93
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2018 Chateau Cadillac Le Bout du MondeBordeaux, FRANCE$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2024-2027)ABV: 14.5%Closure: CorkDeep dark red black in colour with a dark red hue. Rising out of the glass are aromas of blackcurrant, liquorice and earth which are trailed by some vanillin cedar, subtle tobacco and spicy leather notes. Rich blackcurrant and liquorice fruits carry good weight across the palate. Tertiary characters of spicy vanillin cedar, tobacco and scorched earth then move in. Firmish tannins lend a slightly grippy feel to the earth laden finish.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 14.5% -
- 91
2023 Hentley Farm Villain & Vixen ShirazBarossa, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2024-2029)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinDense inky black colour with a vibrant dark purple tinged hue. Lifted aromas of liquorice, dark plum and blueberry are trailed by some fennel, subtle toast and peppered dried herb notes. Juicy dark cherry, liquorice and plum fruits show good underlying freshness with some blueberry, fennel and peppered earth elements lingering in the background. Polished fine grained tannins with an amply fruited mid length conclusion.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 14.5% -
- 96
- 95
2022 Shaw & Smith ShirazAdelaide Hills, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2024-2032)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinDeep pitch black core with a dark red purple hue. Spicy plum, liquorice and blueberry scents blossom from the glass complexed by dried clove, smoked meats and peppered earth notes. Rich yet refined and savoury, dark to black cherry, red plum, liquorice and blueberry fruits flood the medium to full bodied palate over a blackpepper infused back drop of dried clove, earth and smoked meats. Showing ample freshness, flesh and energy it has fine grained tannins that impart a structural, almost muscular like feel. Concludes long, deeply fruited, peppery and savoury.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 13.5%Other Reviews….
A power of fruit and a power of spices. This is an excellent release. Sweet plums, smoked meats, black peppers and an array of cedar, bunchy herbs, stalk and toast characters. Tannin curls impressively through the back half of the wine; it feels both plush and fresh throughout; and while it’s definitely peppery (and floral) it’s the plummy, boysenberried fruit flavours that drive it. This is bang on excellent. Drink 2025-2036+
95 Points
Campbell Mattinson – The Wine Front -
- 93
- Reduced
2021 On The Wing Shiraz - Last StocksClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIAReduced from $22.99$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2024-2029)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinImpenetrable inky black heart with a near equally deep dark red black hue. Wafting out of the glass are ripe plum, liquorice and vanillin oak scents followed by some confectionary and spearmint nuances. Rich plush dark plum and liquorice fruits infused with mint are sprawled across the medium to full bodied palate. Spicy vanillin oak and subtle earth elements lie underneath. Silky smooth tannins concluding long and succulent.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 14.5% -
- 92
2023 Craven Karibib Vineyard Chenin BlancStellenbosch, SOUTH AFRICA$44. 99Bottle$539.88 DozenABV: 12.7%Closure: Diam CorkThe Stellenbosch wine region in South Africa's Western Cape is renowned for its diverse terroir, featuring ancient granite and shale soils that provide a strong foundation for viticulture. Its Mediterranean climate, with warm, dry summers and cooling breezes from False Bay, helps moderate temperatures and preserve grape acidity. This unique combination of soils and climate enables Stellenbosch to produce high-quality wines known for their depth and elegance. Dedicated to the region, the Cravens focus exclusively on single-vineyard wines from Stellenbosch, working closely with growers to craft wines that reflect their unique origins and sense of place.
In 2015 the Cravens discovered a beautiful bush vine Chenin Blanc vineyard in the Polkadraai Hills, previously farmed for sweet wine production. With some care, the block was transformed for dry wine production.. The fruit is whole-bunch pressed to a concrete tank for natural fermentation and malolactic conversion. The wine rests on lees for four months before its first racking, spending a total of nine months in concrete before bottling.
Alc. 12.7%Craven is one of the most interesting wine projects in South Africa - Jamie Goode, Wine Anorak, April 2017
Other Reviews....
The 2023 Chenin Blanc comes from a parcel next to Reyneke in the Karibib Vineyard and was aged entirely in concrete. This has a more complex and vibrant nose than the Chardonnay, revealing yellow fruit mixed with a nutty, slightly smoky scent. The palate is very well balanced with a citrus-fresh entry and a very subtle flor-like finish that comes through more clearly on the aftertaste. Superb. Drink 2024 - 2032.
92 Points
Neal Martin - Antonio Galloni's VinousMatured for nine months in concrete. Subtle notes of peach, orange and potpourri on the nose while the palate is medium bodied and tightly wound – the acidity well integrated and the finish gently savoury.
92 Points
Christian Eedes - Winemag - 2023 Craven Bluegum Grove Vineyard ChardonnayStellenbosch, SOUTH AFRICA$44. 99Bottle$539.88 DozenABV: 11.9%Closure: Diam Cork
The Stellenbosch wine region in South Africa's Western Cape is renowned for its diverse terroir, featuring ancient granite and shale soils that provide a strong foundation for viticulture. Its Mediterranean climate, with warm, dry summers and cooling breezes from False Bay, helps moderate temperatures and preserve grape acidity. This unique combination of soils and climate enables Stellenbosch to produce high-quality wines known for their depth and elegance. Dedicated to the region, the Cravens focus exclusively on single-vineyard wines from Stellenbosch, working closely with growers to craft wines that reflect their unique origins and sense of place.
Chardonnay, long enjoyed by the Cravens, inspired a decision to craft their own version, with fruit sourced from the Polkadraai Hills, known for adding salinity and freshness to white wines. In the cellar, the fruit was whole-bunch pressed, settled overnight, and transferred to neutral 500L French oak barrels for fermentation and malolactic fermentation. After seven months of aging, the wine was racked and bottled.
Alc. 11.9%Craven is one of the most interesting wine projects in South Africa - Jamie Goode, Wine Anorak, April 2017
Other Reviews....
Matured for seven months in older 500-litre barrels. Lemon and blossom on the nose. The palate is harmonious with good fruit concentration and bright acidity before a savoury finish. Hardly showy but not quite as stripped down as some vintages – just the right amount of creamy texture.
93 Points
Christian Eedes - Winemag -
- 96
Poli Marconi Vaca Mora Amaro Veneto (700ml)Veneto, ITALY$74. 99Bottle$899.88 DozenABV: 32%One of the finest Amaros to hit the market in recent years, Poli's Vaca Mora is a tribute to the region's original steam train - the Vaca Mora, or Black Cow - which started to make regular trips to Schiavon in the late 1800s. Stopping in front of GioBatta Poli's tavern, the 'Osteria Al Cappello', waiting passengers could tipple at a glass of wine or local bitters prepared from an infusion of herbs, fruit peels and roots. Poli's distillery took over the tavern premises in 1898, completing the association. The contemporary sienna-brown elixir is based on plants, herbs and flowers with digestive properties, however, unlike most Amaros, it tastes properly bitter with minimal sugar intruding on the freshness. Garden herbs, especially mint leaves feature, the sweet, silky entry giving way to earthy root-like notes, then more mint and herbal character before bitter peel, gentian and cinchona grip the palate. Simple soda works beautifully, making for a fabulous refresher. As for cocktails, we'd expect a little should go a long way. While there's considerable diversity in this category, from the citrus accents of Armacardo or the sweetness of Averna, this expression is closer to Alpine Amaros like Braulio. It should satisfy those looking for a digestif with pitch-perfect bittersweet balance and maximum freshness. 32% Alc./Vol.
Notes from the producers... a wooden box full of officinal herbs and mint leaves...balmy like a herbal shop.
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- Organic
2023 Domaine Christian Moreau Petit ChablisChablis, FRANCE$69. 99Bottle$839.88 DozenABV: 12.5%Closure: CorkDomaine Christian Moreau is one of the most respected names in Chablis blessed with magnificent vineyard holdings in the best areas of Chablis. The highlights are undoubtedly the amazing range of Grand cru vineyards including one single holding of approximately 3 hectares in Les Clos as well as 0.41 hectares of Clos des Hospices dans Les Clos plus slightly smaller holdings in Valmur, Blanchots and Vaudesir. The wines are gaining in even clearer expression with the vineyards having been certified organic since 2013 and together with some new tanks and other investments the results are showing clearly in the wines with each vintage. These are wines of precision, crystal clear typicity, and elegance that will age classically while enabling tremendous enjoyment throughout their lives.
The Petit Chablis vines are located at the top of the hill of Grand Crus only metres from the Grand cru Valmur, with another very small 0.4 hectare planting also at the crest of the hill of Grand Crus (just above Vaudesir) that the Moreau family have planted more recently.
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Dasher + Fisher Mountain Gin (500ml)Tasmania, AUSTRALIA$76. 99Bottle$923.88 DozenABV: 43.5%Burgess' "Mountain gin" is his Tassie riff on the classic London Dry. This full bodied juniper-bomb gives a starring role to native pepper berries harvested from the foothills of the Blue Tier, as well as herbs found on the way to Cradle Mountain. It's a fragrant shot of alpine freshness, with deep, lingering zingy coriander and earthy liquorice latching expertly onto the musky, piney juniper, and topped off by the zing of the mountain pepper. Our tasting from a small sample found a ripe, juniper-forward bouquet, menthol-fresh with aromas of crushed eucalyptus, pine needle, pepper and sea spray following through to a concentrated, medium dry burst of fresh juniper, black pepper, liquorice root and a coriander accented finish. The aftertaste is pleasingly spicy, balanced and long. A versatile gin to be enjoyed on its own or in classic cocktails. 43.5% Alc./Vol.
Gold Medal - San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2024
Trophy/Gold - Best London Dry Style Gin. 2017 Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Competition
- Willett Family Estate Single Barrel Rare Release (Barrel 9379) Cask Strength 7 Year Old Straight Rye Whiskey (700ml)Kentucky, UNITED STATES$399. 00Bottle$4788.00 DozenABV: 51.2%
An Australian exclusive from Willett. The importer's describe tobacco, chocolate and clove on the nose and a mouth still spicy but also a bit fruity with orange notes. 51.2% Alc./Vol. Collectable.
Willett Family Estate releases used to be commonplace at liquor stores across America. Nowadays, they're a rare sight. Most gets purchased directly at the distillery. Australia is lucky to receive anything at all. The remarkably high standard and limited nature of official Willetts means they will be on collector's radars more than ever before. Followers of this brand know that Willett are more than a little fanatical about wood selection, so you can be sure the barrels used here have been selected by a producer at the very top of their game. The only downside is that prices have gone up in the last few years and we expect they'll continue to increase.
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2022 Cloudy Bay Pinot NoirMarlborough, NEW ZEALAND$64. 99Bottle$779.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2024-2032)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinMatured in French oak for 11 months. Dark red core with black toned edges and a red hue. Fragrant aromas of dark cherry, plum and anise tied to dried herb, forest floor, dried meats and spicy cedar blossom from the glass. Rich dark cherry, plum and anise flavours are delivered with terrific intensity and power over a back drop of roasted meats, scorched earth, dried herbs and spicy cedar. Slightly grainy tannins provide structure. Good underlying freshness with a long savoury conclusion.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
- 93
- Organic
- Biodynamic
- Reduced
2023 Domaine Sainte Marie Tradition Rose - Last StocksProvence, FRANCEReduced from $34.99$31. 99Bottle$383.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2024-2025)ABV: 13%Closure: Synthetic CorkDomaine Sainte Marie has a history dating back to the 18th century. This Rose is made from a blend of certified organic and biodynamic Cinsault (40%), Grenache (40%), Tiburen (5%), Carignan (5%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (5%) grapes.
Very pale salmon pink colour. Alluring peach, strawberry and raspberry scents show plenty of elevation out of the glass with hints of blood orange and stony mineral notes also evident. Slipping across the palate with a silky feel are delicious peach, strawberry, raspberry, water melon and delicate spice flavours. Some wet stone characters lie underneath. Fresh acidity finishing dry, long and beautifully shaped. Highly moreish.
Drink over the next year.
Alc. 13% -
- 96
Bialy Bocian Slony Karmel (Salty Caramel) Liqueur (500ml)POLAND$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenABV: 16%A rye vodka base, Mediterranean sea salt, caramel and Polish milk make for a decadent liqueur - even those who don’t have a sweet tooth will find it hard to stop at one. Lifted aromas, fresh-cream flavours and a fluffy texture are spot on for the category, with a little white-chocolate adding a twist to the intense keynotes. Salted caramel perfection. Enjoy on its own, in coffee or with desserts. 16% Alc./Vol.
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Bialy Bocian Wisnia (Cherry) Liqueur (500ml)POLAND$44. 99Bottle$539.88 DozenABV: 30%This superb cherry specialty from Poland is abundant with marzipan and glace cherry flavours. Neither too sweet nor too dry, the juicy fruitiness is countered by warming base spirit and a gently tannic finish that lingers with marzipan, cherry pitts, and just a hint of dark chocolate. 30% Alc./Vol.
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2023 Teusner AvatarBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2024-2030)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinA Grenache, Mataro and Shiraz blend matured in seasoned oak. Deep dark red black core with a dark red hue. Alluring dark raspberry, plum and liquorice scents fill the nostrils complimented by some vanillin spice, earth and dried herb notes. Rich and succulent the plump palate is awash with dark raspberry, ripe plum and red liquorice fruits. Notions of vanillin spice, subtle dried herbs and pepper ensue. Amply powered it has velvet smooth tannins and concludes long, opulently textured and juicy.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews….
60/30/10% grenache/mataro/shiraz from the parishes of Ebenezer, Moppa, Seppeltsfield, Williamstown and Tanunda. The Avatar is always a firm favourite and the 2023 version does not disappoint. Medium bodied, pure plummy fruits, dredged with spice, citrus blossom top-notes, earth, gingerbread and a touch of sarsaparilla in the background. Ditto on the palate! Balanced, fine, gentle, pillowy tannins and a whole lot of drinkability. Drink by 2034.
94 Points
Dave Brookes – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 92
- Organic
- Reduced
2023 Cobaw Ridge Pyrenees Grenache - Last StocksPyrenees, Victoria, AUSTRALIAReduced from $69.99$64. 99Bottle$779.88 DozenABV: 14.5%Closure: Diam CorkThe inaugural release of Cobaw Ridge's "Negociant Wines" is sourced from M. Chapoutier's certified organic vineyards in the Pyrenees. These vineyards are cultivated with skill and care, fitting seamlessly with Cobaw Ridge's vision and objectives of honest wines produced from Organic Fruit. Crafted from fruit harvested from the outstanding "Landsborough" vineyard, this Grenache reflects the distinct qualities of the mudstone, quartz, and shale soil, which are wonderfully expressed in the wine. The grapes are delicately destemmed, with approximately 10% of whole bunches included in the process. After basket pressing, the wine is matured for 12 months in large oak barrels and bottled with a minimal addition of sulphur.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews....
From the Landsborough Vineyard which feels somewhat put in lights by Owen Latta of Latta wines but of course there’s others who have been there before and around and done well. Just my compass. Now, Cobaw Ridge has a crack, and it’s exciting to see the family extending their reach and interpreting sites that a reel of others do now, to see their take on things. This has around 15% whole bunches in wild ferment, with the wine pressed off and then chills out in larger format oak after.
It’s a sweeter, riper fruit profile but not rich, indeed, just a few rungs up the ladder from fuller, bold rose wines and frisky as all get out. That being said, lots of flavour, sense of sweet fruit, raspberry, red cherry, sweet cranberry, blood orange and a swirl of sweet spices and minty, herbal elements. A touch of chocolate in there too. It flows well, it feels smooth with just a faint grip. That ripeness perhaps gets away a little in the wine, but charm here for sure. Some malt and gentle grip of tannin comes in late but appreciated. Easy. Drink 2024 - 2028
92 Points
Mike Bennie - The Wine Front -
- 95
- Organic
2023 Cobaw Ridge Pyrenees SyrahPyrenees, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$59. 99Bottle$719.88 DozenABV: 13.5%Closure: Diam CorkThe inaugural release of Cobaw Ridge's "Negociant Wines" is sourced from M. Chapoutier's certified organic vineyards in the Pyrenees. These vineyards are cultivated with skill and care, fitting seamlessly with Cobaw Ridge's vision and objectives of honest wines produced from Organic Fruit. Crafted from fruit harvested from the outstanding "Landsborough" vineyard, this Syrah reflects the distinct qualities of the mudstone, quartz, and shale soil, which are wonderfully expressed in the wine. The grapes are delicately destemmed to small open vats for fermentation where the must is pumped over and gently hand plunged until dry. After basket pressing, the wine is matured for 12 months in a mix of 25% new French oak and old, small oak barrels, and then bottled with a minimal addition of sulphur.
Alc. 13.5%Other Reviews....
From the Chapoutier organic vineyard in Pyrenees. This off-site exploration for Cobaw Ridge a worthy project diversifying the interest in that wonderful estate and winery. It sort of suggests that things are good for sales of the estate wines and that this is interesting gravy – a good thing in an industry where woe is often a byword. The wines of course made with same care, attention, vessels and concern as per the estate wines. There is 25% new French oak employed here, though you couldn’t tell.
It’s one of those somewhat lighter weight wines yet distinguished by savoury, game meat characters and distinct crushed-rock minerality. It soars with perfume, dark fruited, stony, herbal, meaty, the palate an echo of this with streaks of pulverised pumice tannin and gently sweet fruit tempered by alpine herb and lavish black pepper. It’s a serious syrah, yet has refreshment factor and lift too. It has an edge, a cockeye and hip thrust, it is the wink of Alan Cooper and the laugh of Nelly Cooper and wholly Cobaw in derring-do and distinction. It invokes difference and charisma and charm. I’m so in. Drink 2024 - 2032.
95 Points
Mike Bennie - The Wine Front -
- Packaging may vary
Dasher + Fisher Raspberry Gin (500ml)Tasmania, AUSTRALIA$74. 99Bottle$899.88 DozenABV: 29.5%An award-winning gin, distinguished by its rich red hue that mirrors the freshness of the hand-picked Tasmanian raspberries infused in its creation. As you uncork the bottle, the aroma of fresh raspberries envelops your senses, following on the palate with a symphony of raspberry notes and a delightful interplay of sweet and tart, complemented by hints of spice and florals that add complexity and depth. Enjoy on its own over ice or mixed into your favourite cocktails to add a touch of fruity sophistication. 29.5% Alc./Vol.
Notes from the producers... The initial taste is a burst of ripe raspberries, offering a juicy and succulent experience that is both refreshing and indulgent. As the flavour unfolds, subtle notes of spice and florals emerge, adding layers of complexity that enhance the overall profile. The sweetness of the raspberries is perfectly balanced by a hint of tartness, creating a harmonious and well-rounded gin that is as versatile as it is delicious.
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Francois Voyer Cristal Grande Champagne Cognac Carafe (700ml)Cognac, FRANCE$2499. 00Bottle$29988.00 DozenABV: 43%Taking cognac packaging to another level is this stand-out Hors d’Age expression from Francois Voyer presented in a striking art deco-inspired case. Inside is housed a Sèvre crystal bottle, the gentle curves of the glass leading to a neck ribbon holding a gold-toned metal tag bearing the François Voyer name. A tall crystal stopper completes the decanter. The liquid inside is an appropriate match. A 15ml sample revealed a gorgeous, floral-soft bouquet, conjuring scents of mango and honey, dovetailing into vanilla and rancio. Despite being a minimum of 50 years old, the palate remains fresh, impeccably balanced yet surprisingly full-bodied with beautifully rounded flavours of passionfruit sorbet, quince paste, nectarine and Perique tobacco in a finish that fans out like a peacock's tail. The length and rebound are as expected, while the slightly higher abv helps to drive it all home. A pinnacle in Voyer's pantheon. 43% Alc./Vol.
Notes from the producers... refined and lusty aromas of coffee cocoa, spices (cloves, cinnamon) with delicate dried fruits, followed by incomparable notes of grand cru chocolate with light humus scents, delicate pepper and cedar wood rounded out by an incredibly rich and prolonged finish.
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2023 Cantina Tollo Rocca Ventosa Trebbiano d’AbruzzoAbruzzo, ITALY$11. 99Bottle$143.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2024-2025)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinCantina Tollo is located in the Italian village of Tollo which forms part of the Abruzzo region and is renown for delivering terrific value across its entry level range of Rocca Ventosa wines.
Brilliant very pale straw colour with a watery hue. Pear and red apple skin aromas ascend from the glass followed by hints of quince and wet stone. Slippery textured, the palate is decorated with pear and red apple skin flavours which overlay a delicate musk, light quince and wet stone back drop. Brisk acidity finishing dry with a lengthy aftertaste that has a supple and well rounded feel.
Drink over the next year.
Alc. 12% -
- 92
Francois Voyer XO 1er Cru de Cognac Carafe (700ml)Cognac, FRANCE$220. 00Bottle$2640.00 DozenABV: 40%Although it looks similar to Voyer's XO 'Gold', this 100% Ugni Blanc edition from Grande Champagne is a blend of slightly younger material (10-25 years old as opposed to 25-30). It's also designed as a choice for gifting, having a more embellished presentation. The nose evokes classic aromas of dried figs and apricots with hints of raisins, rancio, vanilla and cinnamon, following through with succulent dried fruits on the palate; there are nuances of sweet tobacco and triple sec too, trailing off with powdery tannins. Supple, confident and elegant as Grande Champagne should be. Tasted from a 30ml sample. 40% Alc./Vol.
Notes from the producers... AROMAS: Wild peach, plum and quince paste, balanced between fruits and wood with notes of vanilla. MOUTH: Great elegance with wood and fruit notes that are supple, yet powerful.
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2021 Tiefenbrunner Merus Weissburgunder Pinot Blanc - Last StocksAlto Adige, ITALY$37. 99Bottle$455.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2024-2026)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinBrilliant pale straw colour with a very distinctive glimmer of green skirting the edges and a watery hue. Pear, lime and green apple scents infused with fresh Mediterranean herbs are followed by slatey mineral like notes. Delicious pear, juicy apple and lime fruits fill the mouth over a back drop of fresh herb infusions, wet slate and minerals. Beautifully shaped and concentrated it finishes dry and slightly tangy. Crisp acidity with a long slatey mineral laced aftertaste.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 13.5%Other Reviews…..
Showing how wonderful Pinot Bianco can be in Alto Adige, this has aromas of white spring blossom, green apple and Alpine herb. On the polished, savory palate, fresh acidity accompanies green melon, Bartlett pear and Alpine herb before a tangy mineral close suggesting oyster shell.
93 Points
WineEnthusiast.com - Planteray Cut & Dry Coconut Rum (700ml)BARBADOS$119. 99Bottle$1439.88 DozenABV: 40%
Maison Ferrand has announced that its famous rum brand "Plantation" has changed its name to "Planteray Rum" with immediate effect. The company initially vowed to change the brand’s name in the wake of the 2020 murder of George Floyd which sparked widespread conversations about systemic racism and protests in more than sixty countries in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. The new name is a portmanteau with Plant referencing the sugar cane origin of rum and Ray referring to “the sun, being open to people, the heritage and savoir-faire of rum”.
To coincide with the announcement, Planteray has announced the release of Planteray Cut & Dry Coconut Rum, the first release to bear the new brand name. Using rum sourced from The West Indies Rum Distillery, the spirit drink is made in Barbados using locally sourced coconuts. Around one coconut is required to make one litre of the rum, each handpicked at peak maturity, the flesh hand-cut and sun-dried before being infused into the distillate. Four years of tinkering with recipes has resulted in a relatively limited product, intended to grow in sync with the increase of coconut agriculture on the island.In the meantime grab a bottle. It's an obvious choice for your next Pina Colada!
Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2023 – 95 points Great Value.
New Orleans Spirits Competition 2024 – Gold Medal & Best of category: Flavored Rum
- Lindenhof Ice 47 Apple Schnapps Liqueur (700ml)GERMANY$39. 99Bottle$479.88 DozenABV: 16%
A sweet apple schnapps, traditionally drunk straight or added to mulled wine. Alternatively use it in fruity cocktails. 16% Alc./Vol.
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Distilleries de Provence XII Dry Gin (700ml)FRANCE$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenABV: 42%Distillerie de Lure, founded in 1898 at Forcalquier in Provence has had a succession of owners for nearly 80 years, amongst whom was Henri Bardouin, a man with a passionate interest in plants and herbs. In 1974, Alain Robert and his small team took the helm of the company now known as Distilleries et Domaines de Provence. Their new gin is named in reference to the twelve plants and spices that go into its creation. The style leans towards classic London Drys. Taking full advantage of its Haute-Provence terroir, botanicals include thyme, rosemary, basil, eucalyptus, sweet almond and mint which join forces with small juniper berries to express the aromatic equivalent of a stroll through the garrigue. Tasted from a 30ml sample, you're greeted by a delightful bouquet of dried herbs, in particular fresh thyme, rosemary and distant juniper. A crisp, drier styled gin, it fans out in the mouth and ends with bittersweet herbs and delicate peppermint, piney juniper and tingling peppers. Herbaceous, fresh, well structured and elegant - not only good Martini material but a gin that genuinely reflects terroir and evokes a sense of place. 42% Alc./Vol.
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Midleton Very Rare Irish Whiskey (700ml) - 2024 BottlingCounty Cork, IRELAND$399. 00Bottle$4788.00 DozenABV: 40%Other reviews... Aromas of tantalizing citrus peels, rich vanilla toffee, zested lime, dried flowers, sliced pear, and hints of coffee, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The pot still spices are well integrated but play quite subtly in this vintage. The palate offers a light tropical fruitiness, plus nectarine, grape, papaya, citrus zest, spun sugar, vanilla, and American oak characteristics of honey, nutmeg, and toasted oak. A shift in flavor on the finish offers refreshment and zingy fruitiness akin to the 2018 vintage. 93 points - whiskyadvocate.com
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1993 Francois Voyer Straight From the Barrel Cask Strength Grande Champagne Cognac (700ml)Cognac, FRANCE$450. 00Bottle$5400.00 DozenABV: 53.6%Cognacs that are slowly diluted and bottled at 40% ABV are currently the most widely available. More recently a new category is emerging. Cask Strength (brut de fut) Cognac is a term used to describe a cognac that has been bottled straight from the cask. It means that the alcohol content is at a naturally reduced level, which can vary depending on the length of time it has spent aging, the specific barrel and the cellar conditions in which it was aged (humid or dry). These kinds of bottlings are bringing a traditional spirit to a new market, in particular, lovers of rum and single malt. Distilled in 1993 and bottled in 2023, Voyer's limited edition could be classified as XO, derived from a single barrel with a yield of 650 bottles at an impressive 53.6%. It's not only the most deeply coloured cognac from this house, but also heavier and woodier on the nose than any other of Voyer’s offerings, gathering definition with the thickness of fruit cake. There's even more power and depth on the palate in a fabulous oak-fruit extravaganza heightened by wood spices, slightly grippy tannins and a delectable tang. The finish turns Armagnac-like, accenting dried fruits, especially dates and figs. A tour de force by cognac standards, approachable uncut or fine-tune the balance with dilution if you must. Comparing this to cask-strength sherried single malts like Glendronach or Macallan would not be an overstatement. Tasted from a 30ml sample.
Notes from the importers... Nose: Touch of Almond, Bourbon Vanilla, Honey, White Pepper, and Jasmin. Palate: Powerful attack with volume and a lot of intensity. Finish: Soft and persistent ending. Notes of Licorice, Nuts and subtle notes of cloves.
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2023 Paracombe Pinot BlancAdelaide Hills, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2024-2025)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinBrilliant water like colour with greenish tinged edges. Delightful pear, lime and green apple scents stream out of the glass with some fresh herb and wet stone notes also evident. Scrumptious pear, lime and green apple fruits fill the mouth with infusions of fresh herbs and zingy stony mineral elements layered across the back half. Excellent intensity and drive with crisp acidity and a long delicious stony mineral laden finish.
Drink over the next year.
Alc. 12% - Highland Park Loyalty of the Wolf 14 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (350ml)Orkney Islands, SCOTLAND$59. 99Bottle$719.88 DozenABV: 42.3%
Gift size 350ml format.
A 14-year-old malt matured in ex-Sherry American oak casks and ex-Bourbon barrels. Bottled at a slightly higher than normal ABV of 42.3%, it’s described as exhibiting vanilla sponge cake, baked apples and cinnamon aromas and flavours with a light smokiness. It forms part of HP's Travel Retail series celebrating Orkney's Viking past.
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Crown Royal Peach Flavoured Canadian Whisky (1000ml)CANADA$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenABV: 35%Another addition to a growing line up of vibrant and deliciously sweet flavoured Canadians is Crown Royal Peach. Boasting the light and luscious character of Canadian whisky alongside the freshness of Georgia peaches, it's ideal for entertaining in the warmer months. Conversely, Crown Peach will work as an addition to warm winter cocktails. Alternatively, simply enjoy it on the rocks or add a splash to iced tea. 35% Alc./Vol.
- Johnny Drum Black Label Bourbon Whiskey (700ml)Kentucky, UNITED STATES$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenABV: 43%
Handmade in the heart of Bluegrass, Kentucky's famous Bourbon country by Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, Ltd. (aka Willett). The method of production has remained unchanged through five generations of the same family of Master Distillers. 43% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... The nose is reminiscent of walking along the edge of the woods where flowers, mint and honeysuckle are growing at the base of pine trees. The palate is an oily caramel carrying notes of oak and a peppery finish. - Bill Thomas, Jack Rose Dining Saloon
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Hennessy Paradis Extra Rare Cognac (700ml) - Older BottlingCognac, FRANCE$1999. 00Bottle$23988.00 DozenABV: 40%Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product pictured.
One step below Richard Hennessy and one of the top bottlings in the collection is this hors d'Age Cognac composed of several hundred rare eaux de vie. Paradis was created by Maurice Fillioux in 1979 as a tribute to his love of music. He compared the blend to ‘a symphonic orchestra’, as “classical music that takes you away and connects with your emotions.” The number of instruments in an orchestra is not necessarily a measure of its success, but rather the purity of sound it creates and the virtuosity of the conductor. The same holds true for Hennessy Paradis, in which eaux-de-vie are selected for their individual qualities that together create a harmonious and graceful cognac.
Other reviews... Blended from eaux-de-vie ranging from 30 to 130 years old, “this is the jewel of the Prestige collection,” I was told by the brand ambassador. Louis Vuitton has apparently designed a trunk to hold the ornate crystal bottle. So how is the juice inside? Unexpectedly light amber in color with a very complex nose of jasmine, citrus blossom, cedar forest and a touch of forest floor. In the mouth, it’s crisp, fresh and spicy, offering attractive notes of green tobacco, licorice and spring herbs, and a lean, angular structure that stands out. Yes, there’s lots of hype, and the price is astronomical, but with Paradis Impérial you will at least get a delicious, subtle, complex brandy.
95 points - Jason Wilson, Vinous.com - Johnnie Walker Blue Label The Signature Blended Scotch Whisky (1000ml)SCOTLAND$599. 00Bottle$7188.00 DozenABV: 43%
Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product pictured.
Delving into Johnnie Walker's archives uncovers this older style bottle. The original design was introduced in 1860 by Alexander Walker to make more bottles fit in the same space and reduce breakage. Reportedly, the Signature Series was the final release for Johnnie Walker before moving over to the more contemporary 'tiffany' design of today. Collectible.
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2022 Mont-Redon Reserve Cotes du RhoneCotes du Rhone, Southern Rhone, FRANCE$26. 99Bottle$323.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2024-2029)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinMont-Redon is one of Chateauneuf-du-Pape’s largest estate’s with almost 100 hectares under vine and has one of the longest histories in the entire Rhône Valley. The estate has passed through many families over the centuries, but it’s modern history really started in 1923 with the then manager, Henri Plantin. Henri was a colleague and contemporary of Baron Pierre Le Roy de Boiseaumarié, the man credited with spearheading the creation of France’s entire AOC system in 1936. It was Henri’s drive and vision that established the estate as one of the ‘Grand Crus’ in Chateauneuf du Pape. Since 2017 Mont-Redon has been managed by Pierre Fabre, Henri’s great-great-grandson who has brought with him a renewed enthusiasm for producing the very finest wines.
Mont-Redon also produce a great value Cotes du Rhone. The 2022 vintage is a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah destemmed and fermented in stainless steel with about two weeks on skins and gentle pump-overs to promote a fine tannin structure. It then sees a further 8 months maturation in tank.
Deep black dark red colour with a bright dark purple red hue. Aromatically attractive scents of spicy dark cherries, dark raspberry and liquorice scents flow from the glass complimented by some herbs du Provence and peppered dried meat notes. Juicy dark raspberry and cherry fruits fill the mouth followed by some liquorice, scorched earth, herbs du Provence and pepper elements. Ripe, slightly chewy tannins and bright acidity. Concludes fresh, succulent and peppery.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 14% - Weis Butterscotch Schnapps Liqueur (700ml)GERMANY$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenABV: 21%
Butterscotch flavoured liqueurs are some of the most popular in the schnapps category, partly because of their versatility. Try this with your favourite hot drink, over ice-cream, with Baileys for a perfect Cowboy or simply on its own as a shooter. 21% Alc./Vol.
- Weis Sour Apple Schnapps Liqueur (700ml)GERMANY$42. 99Bottle$515.88 DozenABV: 15%
Sour Apple liqueurs are typically fruity, low-alcohol concoctions aimed at replicating the flavour of crisp green apples. This version from the reputable German producer, Weis lands at 15% Alc./Vol.
- Weis Williams Christ Birne Pear Brandy (500ml)GERMANY$69. 99Bottle$839.88 DozenABV: 40%
A Williams pear based spirit from German distiller, Weis. Expect lots of orchard fruit notes with a spicy finish and a lingering sweetness. 40% Alc./Vol.
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Strathearn Inaugural Bottling Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$199. 99Bottle$2399.88 DozenABV: 50%Strathearn is one of Scotland’s smallest distilleries, located in Highland Perthshire, an area with a rich distilling heritage owing to its freshwater lochs. Prioritising flavour over alcohol yield, it is also reported to be the only distillery to use Maris Otter barley resulting in a deliciously creamy new-make. Maturation takes place in first-fill ex-bourbon, wine, port and sherry casks. Since independent bottler, Douglas Laing acquired the operation in 2019 there have been several prototype releases, however this bottling is considered the first representation of an official house style and comes presented in new livery. Offered at 50% without colouring or chill-filtration, we noted aromas and flavours similar to hay bails, Ovaltine and toasted cereals followed by hints of beeswax and sweet tobacco in a mouth-warming setting. Tasted from a 30ml sample.
Other reviews... From a combination of virgin, bourbon and sherry casks, around 7 years old on average. Perthshire's quasi-pocket distillery Strathearn now belongs to Douglas Laing. We've already tried two or three indie youngsters, they were good. Colour: light gold. Nose: bread and pastry dough plus candied fruits. Simply perfect. Right, that was a bit short, so say panettone, sourdough bread, rhubarb juice and bamboo shoots. How does that sound? With water: fresh brioche straight from the baker's. Lovely breakfast. Also a closed pack of cigarettes (how about Gold Leaf?) Mouth (neat): mango, beeswax, more rhubarb, golden syrup, pancake sauce, green tea (Gunpowder) and pink grapefruit. Great idea to have waited quite bit longer before releasing a first official, well, release. With water: water pulls out sweet roots. Gentian, carrots, all complex flavours that are highly desirable in my book. Finish: long, rather more on milk chocolate and some slightly gingered orange juice. Touch of fresh turmeric in the aftertaste. Comments: awesomely complex at this age. TBH we visited the distillery while it had just been built and the tiny gear had been a little, let's say, frightening. Mea culpa, much impressed today. 87 points - whiskyfun.com
Notes from the producers... Anticipate a rich Malted barley depth with gentle oak on the nose. Palate: The mouth-coating, syrupy palate brings honey and buttercream with baking spice and dried apricots. Finish: The warming finish is long with home baking and buttery oak biscuits.
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G.E. Massenez Poire Williams Eau de Vie (700ml)Alsace, FRANCE$109. 99Bottle$1319.88 DozenABV: 40%Created by Eugene Massenez in 1913 using ripe, hand-picked Williams pears, unlike liqueurs labeled as 'Poire William', this spirit is medium-dry instead of sweet, boasting fresh aromas of crisp pear and apple tart with grappa-like vibrancy and lip-smacking acidity. A flicker of alcohol and pepper heat fade with residual orchard fruit character. Serve it from the freezer in between courses to cleanse and revive the palate. 40% Alc./Vol.
Gold Medal - London Spirits Competition 2021
4 Stars - distiller.com
- Weis Cherry Schnapps Liqueur (700ml)GERMANY$39. 99Bottle$479.88 DozenABV: 16%
Cherry liqueurs are a traditional European specialty that probably started in Poland. As you'd expect, the sweet cherry flavour makes a delicious drink on its own, with your favourite mixer or even poured over ice cream. 16% Alc./Vol.
- Weis Plum Brandy (500ml)GERMANY$69. 99Bottle$839.88 DozenABV: 40%
A traditional Yugoslavian specialty where it's referred to as Slivovitz, plum brandies are also made in Serbia, the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary. In Germany and Switzerland they're referred to as eaux de vies or fruit brandies. One such example is Weis, which is distilled from the blue oat plum, aged for at least three years and rounded off with pure plum juice. In Eastern Europe, these spirits are normally enjoyed at room temperature. Alternatively, try them chilled as an aperitif or add a dash to your next glass of sparkling wine. 40% Alc./Vol.
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2023 Clonakilla Shiraz ViognierMurrumbateman, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, AUSTRALIA$128. 00Bottle$1536.00 DozenABV: 13%Closure: StelvinClonakilla's flagship, the Shiraz Viognier, represents a meticulous selection of the finest parcels from their Murrumbateman vineyard. The 2023 vintage presented challenges with a wet, cool spring that delayed vine growth, leaving uncertainty about whether the grapes would ripen. Fortunately, a warm late summer and mild autumn allowed the fruit to ripen perfectly by mid-April. The 2023 Shiraz Viognier showcases intense and pure fruit aromas, capturing the essence of cool-climate Shiraz. This vintage is style-defining, with an elegant and luminous palate, making it an exceptional example of Clonakilla's signature style.
Alc. 13%Other Reviews....
The flagship is in fine form from this cool vintage, rendering it elegant and quite exotic. Plus, 22% whole bunches in the ferment make an impact. It’s a touch sappy yet laden with heady aromatics – all florals with a dusting of Middle Eastern spices such as sumac. Super peppery. The mid-weighted palate is tight and a touch lean with red fruit accents, bright acidity and fine if plentiful tannins. It’s a wine you keep coming back to as it reveals more and differently. It's lovely and enticing; it feels light and ethereal, deceptive. Time will reward the patient as this builds more complexity, but it is seriously hard to resist now. Drink 2024 - 2035.
95 Points
Jane Faulkner - Halliday's Australian Wine CompanionI’ve loved Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier since the 1997 release and I love them from all manner of seasons. But gradually, over time, I’ve come to really prize the results of the cooler seasons, and the 2023 season was one of those. In a wine like Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier, which comes from a micro-climate, seasonal variation makes a distinct difference.
The finesse of this release. The fragrance too, which leads to a palate where just enough, feels like extra. It’s buoyant, juicy and perfumed, with a wild party of spice notes flying through the wine like happiness itself, or like confetti, either way there’s an air here of celebration. This wine sits on the apex of the road, where the rain meets the oil. The fruit flavours have a water-colour aspect; the texture coats the flavour in satin. We’ve come to expect all the above from Clonakilla’s flagship wine. What’s special, for me, in this 2023 release is the web of tannin, as dewy as it is strong. There’s a weave to this release. It’s a masterpiece of twigs, nuts and strings. If Morricone had been a winemaker he’d have made something like this. Orchestral. Spellbinding. Itself.
Abandon all resistance, ye who enter here.
Extra details: 22% whole bunches, 6% viognier, co-fermented, wild yeast, three week-ish maceration, 33%-ish new oak.
96 Points
Campbell Mattinson - The Wine FrontPut simply, this is one of Australia’s greatest wines, year after year, and one of only a handful that can be reliably called world class, without hesitation. It is also one of the world’s very best Shiraz Viognier blends, happily sitting beside the best from Cote Rotie. From a cool year, their third in a row, the blend is 94% Shiraz and 6% Viognier. 22% of the Shiraz was whole bunches and that was co-fermented with the Viognier, via wild yeasts. For maturation, the wine went into French oak barrels, both puncheons and barriques, with one-third of them new. Deep magenta, the nose exhibits all the joy and complexity that we have come to expect from this stellar wine. Focus, balance and seemingly endless length, this also has silky tannins and while there is an underlying exuberance with the fruit, everything is held in restraint. Cocoa powder, truffles, raspberries, spices, aniseed and tobacco leaves, the wine is utterly seamless with fifteen to twenty years ahead of it, with ease. Virtuoso winemaking resulting in a masterpiece. Drink 2024 - 2044.
98 Points
Ken Gargett - Winepilot -
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- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2021 Heathcote Creek ShirazHeathcote, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$24. 99Bottle$299.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2024-2028)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinMatured in a mix of new and 1 year old French oak for 16 months. Midnight black in colour with a dark red black tinged hue. Aromas of black cherry and liquorice mix with mulberry, vanillin cedar and spicy earth. Lush dark plum and liquorice fruits are sprawled across the mid weighted palate with vanillin oak, earthy dark chocolate and fennel characters lying underneath. Fleshy in its feel it has polished tannins and a generous mid length finish.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 14.5% -
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2022 Harbinger Cabernet Franc - Last StocksMacedon Ranges, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2024-2030)ABV: 13.5%Closure: Diam CorkBarrel matured in oak (23% new) for a period of 14 months. Midnight black colour with a vibrant red to dark red hue. Delightful red currant and red cherry aromas lead the way followed by hints of violet, vanillin cedar, delicate earth and spice. Very elegantly styled, the mid weighted palate features bright red currant and red cherry fruits over a background of dusty earth, vanillin cedar, infusions of fresh herbs and spice. Slightly dryish fine grained tannins with a refined mid length finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.5%
















































