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Naught Classic Dry Gin (700ml)Victoria, AUSTRALIA$87. 99Bottle$1055.88 DozenABV: 44%Naught’s take on a traditional London Dry sports strong aromas of lemon and lime peels, crushed pine buds and coriander over earthy, herbal notes and hints of liquorice root. A soft entry leads into a crisp, citrus-led profile with background juniper and chamomile tea; curry leaf and white pepper adding warmth and lift to the finish. Use it in Martinis or serve with tonic and a slice of lime or cucumber. 44% Alc./Vol.
Silver Medal - 2022 World Gin Awards.
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Naught Overproof Gin (700ml)Victoria, AUSTRALIA$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenABV: 57.4%The aromas give away the high alcohol in a spiritous amalgam of zesty citrus, semi-ripe orchard fruits, earthy, root-like notes and woody juniper. Follows in a dense, supple interplay of creamy lemon sorbet, vanilla and zingy citrus finishing with refreshing acidity and tingling spices, the alcohol now barely evident. Will elevate classic cocktails. 57.4% Alc./Vol.
Double Gold - San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2023
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Glenmorangie A Tale of Tokyo Limited Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$189. 99Bottle$2279.88 DozenABV: 46%"one of the best whiskies of the year..." - drinkhacker.com
"dazzling Glenmorangie, I'll buy a bottle or three." - whiskyfun.com
There's been a slow but steady outturn of whiskies matured in the quasi mythical mizunara oak, and not only from Japan. Now Glenmorangie add another to the list. 'A Tale of Tokyo' could just as well be called ‘A Tale of Mizunara’, given the long winded journey that transpired when 'Morangie's Head of Whisky Creation, Bill Lumsden decided to pursue it. He sums up mizunara as, “Quite weird, difficult to obtain and a challenge to work with" while conceding, “it has this kind of cult status, which is quite intriguing because if you look at in the cold light of day you would never use it for making oak barrels.”
It would seem that the project was lucky to get off the ground. Mizunara oak trees grow particularly slowly. It takes 200 years for them to be suitable for crafting into casks (American oak takes around half that time). The wood itself imparts strange flavours and is notoriously porous (not ideal for holding whisky!) and, on top of that, the oak is generally difficult to procure. After many years searching, Lumsden finally found a cooperage that would cooperate. “The owner knew Glenmorangie and he knew about the experimental things we’d done and so he agreed to craft some barrels for me,” says Lumsden. Together with Master Blender & Head of Whisky Creation, Gillian Macdonald, they decided to heavily toast the mizunara. Filled with Glenmorangie spirit, the two barrels yielded "weird flavours" including furniture polish notes. The experiment was a failure. However, Lumsden adds “We played around in the lab for a year or so and eventually ended up with the recipe we are most happy with. The biggest flavor contributor is the mizunara, but the flavor profile is classic Glenmorangie, with first-fill American oak bourbon barrels to lend creaminess and softness and take the edge off the mizunara and a bit of sweetness from Glenmorangie finished in oloroso sherry casks. The result is a dram as full of delicious sensory contrasts as a trip to Tokyo”. Officially launched in the UK in late 2023, the packaging for the new limited edition was brought to life by Japanese artist, Yamaguchi Akira, known for his bird’s-eye view designs. Dr. Bill is reportedly hidden multiple times in the artwork. 46% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... This is classic Glenmorangie, filtered through a different lens to just the right degree to create something that is both familiar and also new and exciting. The nose sets up the “tale” pretty cleanly: brightly sweet with vanilla and caramel dominant, but soon revealing layers of orange peel, tea leaf, some white pepper, and an umami richness that evokes soy-sauced mushrooms. Excellent balance, with a jasmine note coming forward after some time in glass. Chewy and fruity on the palate, here a mix of sweet clementines and almond nougat spar playfully on what quickly emerges as a light and lively experience. While the attack is gentle and accommodating, the whisky soon reveals more depth, bubbling up some flavors that are a little hard to pin down. Oaky, nutty, and increasingly savory, the whisky builds to a finish that offers notes of polished wood and more pepper, though the dessert-like sweetness is never far away. I’m not sure this evokes Tokyo exactly — to me, Tokyo will always taste like ramen and robots — but I’m not hung up on it. It’s one of the best whiskies of the year — and, I hope, one you’ll be able to find at a reasonable price. - drinkhacker.com
...Indeed it doesn't belong here, ha-ha. As I said, just a little 'Japanese' joke. This is a marriage (lovely term) of whiskies aged in mizunara (for a finishing I suppose), bourbon and sherry casks. Just a few years ago, we weren't thinking there would be so many of these 'rare' mizunara oaks that distillers are so fond of these days. Mind you, even Chivas Regal use them; Japan sells. Colour: straw. Nose: a fresh, citrusy Glenmorangie, with some chalk and clay, cider apples, lime and, perhaps, hints of fresh-sawn pinewood. Small quantities of liquorice allsorts and coconut balls. Mouth: very good, very juicy, very fruity, pretty much within its regional style. I know that's controversial but despite very different equipment, especially the stills, both neighbours Dalmore and Balblair are also producing this fresh and fruity style as long as no heavy sherry's involved. Juicy fruit, all-vitamin juice, melons and peaches, limoncello, orange brioche, small bananas, just a little spearmint too (is that the mizunara?)… Finish: not too long but clean and fruity. I would try to pour half a glass over some lemon sherbet, I'm sure that'll work. A little acacia honey in the aftertaste. Comments: dazzling Glenmorangie, I'll buy a bottle or three. Yes, despite the fact that it's NAS. Is it not? 88 points - whiskyfun.com
Double Gold - San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2023.
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Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition Irish Whiskey (700ml)IRELAND$74. 99Bottle$899.88 DozenABV: 40%Launched in March 2018, the second instalment in the Caskmates series follows the success of the Stout Edition. Both start with standard x-Bourbon and Oloroso matured Jameson whiskey as their base before being finished for unspecified periods in x-Jameson beer seasoned barrels - in this case it's IPA (Irish Pale Ale). Despite bottling at an entry level ABV, the series has received unanimous praise. 40% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Hoppy notes cloaking the crisp grains, green apple, and pomelo make for a happier marriage than its stout sibling. This is one of those whiskeys that continuously evolves in the mouth, progressing from a sweet, syrupy beginning of coconut macaroons, apple, and spices, to a creamier plateau of citrus, stewed fruits, and chocolate. It departs leaving the tongue weighted down with peppery spice and cooked apple. Unexpectedly delicious. Value pick. 90 points - whiskyadvocate.com
Finished in craft beer barrels, this quaffable whiskey offers a bright topaz hue and bracing tropical fruit and grapefruit peel notes. Almond, bitter chocolate and clove tones linger on the exhale. 90 points - wineenthusiast.com
"...The beer adds attractive fruitiness, particularly zesty grapefruit." 4.5 stars - diffordsguide.com
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Combier Liqueur de Noisette (Hazelnut) Liqueur (500ml)Saumur, Loire Valley, FRANCE$39. 99Bottle$479.88 DozenABV: 25%Prepared from an infusion of roasted hazelnuts, Combier's Noisette liqueur will enhance your kirs, hot drinks, culinary preparations with praline or vanilla, digestifs and cocktails: a God send for creative gourmands! 25% Alc./Vol.
- Mezcal Vago Ensamble Mezcal (700ml)Oaxaca, MEXICO$199. 99Bottle$2399.88 DozenABV: 50.8%
Vago's Ensamble represents a unique expression that will never be repeated. These field blends were common historically as Mezcaleros drew from the few ripe, rarer varietals which time, season and availability allowed. In this case, Emigdio Jarquin combines Madrecuishe, Tepeztate and Cuishe magueys, ground with a Tahona and distilled via a copper pot in 483 litre batches. Bottling unaged lands this high proof Joven at 50.8% Alc./Vol.
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Naught Sangiovese Gin (700ml)Victoria, AUSTRALIA$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenABV: 37.5%Aromas of Summer pudding follow in a tangy, lip-smacking medley of red berry, cherry slice, orange zest and warming cinnamon flavours, wrapped up in a gently bittersweet finish; ginny accents carrying the aftertaste. Drier, more tannic varietals seem to work best in these contemporary interpretations of Sloe Gin. 37.5% Alc./Vol.
Trophy - Melbourne Distilled Spirits Awards
Gold Medal / Outstanding - International Wine & Spirits Competition 2022
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Kim Crawford Sauvignon BlancMarlborough, NEW ZEALAND$14. 99Bottle$179.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2024-2025)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinBrilliant water like colour with greenish tinged edges. Pungent aromas of passionfruit and gooseberry leap out of the glass followed by some green apple, asparagus and herbaceous grassy notes. Mouth watering flavours of passionfruit, gooseberry and green apple are delivered with terrific intensity over a bed of asparagus and herbaceous grassy characters. Finishes dry with crisp acidity and a long scrumptious aftertaste.
Drink over the next year.
Alc. 12.5% -
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Aberfeldy 18 Year Old Bolgheri Tuscan Cask Finish Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$250. 00Bottle$3000.00 DozenABV: 43%Dewar’s Master Blender and Malt Master for Aberfeldy, Stephanie Macleod, is also passionate about wine. Marrying her two interests, she set out to see how different red wine casks effect whisky flavour. The first release in the series was a dram finished in Pomerol wine casks from Bordeaux. Subsequent bottlings have followed. This 2022 edition sees Aberfeldy finished in Bolgheri Tuscan red wine casks imparting robust, dark fruit flavours and an intense oak finish to the already fruity malt. Macleod takes a very active role in these maturations, repeatedly monitoring their progress ensuring that the malt doesn't get overwhelmed by red wine character. In this experiment, cherry frangipane and vanilla spice are said to be keynotes. 43% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... The casks used in this release came from Bolgheri, a small region of Tuscany. The Tuscan region is typically known for their Chianti wines, though Bolgheri has the distinction of introducing the world’s first “Super Tuscan Wine’. The terrain in Bolgheri is similar to the Bordeaux region in France (rocky limestone near the Tyrrhenian Sea), allowing non-native grapes from France, such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah, to be grown and used in the regions wines. Knowing that the same grapes grow in both France and Italy, its easy to see why Stephanie landed on using casks from the Bolgheri region....The idea to finish malts in red wine casks is an interesting idea, though hard to tell exactly how much it contributed to the final product. While the nose is a dense mess that’s hard to sort through, the palate is warm and inviting, with much complexity. Some water does help to open up the nose and palate, letting the Tuscan cask become more prevalent, yet it still seems like it could pull some more weight. - whiskeyreviewer.com
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2021 Terre a’ Terre Crayeres Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz - Last StocksWrattonbully, South Australia, AUSTRALIAReduced from $39.99$34. 99Bottle$419.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2024-2030)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinA blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon and 34% Shiraz aged in old French oak barriques and foudres for a period of 14 months. Totally opaque black dark red colour with a dark red hue. Elevated red to black currant and red liquorice aromas are trailed by subtle vanillin cedar, tobacco and spicy dried herb notes. Rich blackcurrant, blackberry and liquorice fruits are delivered with ample concentration and power as well as a fleshy texture. Lurking beneath are vanillin cedar, dried herb, subtle tobacco and spice elements. Fine grained tannins provide a firm framework for the bucket loads of generous fruit. The long expressive finish laden with spice and pepper.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews….
Hand picked, open fermented, matured in old French oak barriques for 14 months. Very attractive fresh mouthfeel; black fruits. A surprise packet. Radically different vinification to prior vintages. Drink by 2041.
96 Points
James Halliday – Australian Wine CompanionWines off the Crayères Vineyard in the Wrattonbully region serve as a reminder that terra rossa soils do exist outside of Coonawarra. Wrattonbully lies adjacent to Coonawarra and shares some of the distinctive ochre-red clay over limestone soils of its famous neighbour. The quality of Crayères Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz sourced off these soils is obvious. The Aussie red duo come to the glass, bright, fresh and purple-hued. The blend – 66% Cabernet, 34% Shiraz – exudes über-friendly Shiraz aromas, subtle and red fruited, with a touch of Cabernet-led earth and autumnal leaves with a light savoury influence. Less sweet fruited and spicy and definitely more dark cherry, bramble, earth and herbals to taste, concentrated and fleshy, with a warm embrace of oak. The palate is well defined in fine-knit tannins that persist, bringing good length. A classic style of Aussie Cabernet Shiraz producing a supple wine of some distinction. Seamless, too. Drink 2023-2033.
95 Points
Jeni Port – WinePilot.com -
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Rare Character 'Old Mate' Single Barrel Cask Strength 6 Year Old Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml)Kentucky, UNITED STATES$265. 00Bottle$3180.00 DozenABV: 57.61%Rare Character are purveyors of premium American whiskeys tailored to their customers and partners. Bottlings under the Old Mate label represent the first barrel picks to make it out of the USA and are exclusive to Australia. Aged six years nine months - only slightly longer than its sibling Bourbon - this single barrel selection might be initially cagey on the nose but coats the mouth with oily rye, becoming dense, chewy, bittersweet and gently tannic before a slow surge of dark chocolate, peppermint rock candy and dark rye bread. The finish leaves a spicy warmth followed by toasty American oak and hints of caramelised fruits. Distilled and aged in Indiana from a mash bill of 51% rye, 45% corn and 4% malt, this intense but relatively sweet expression maintains controlled tension until the last. Bottled in Kentucky. 57.61% Alc./Vol.
Notes from the bottlers... Winter mint, leather, brown butter, honey tea, fried dough; light apricot and peach jam on the finish, before rounding out with oak tannins, pepper, and vanilla. This spent a chunk of its life in metal and concrete warehousing; lending to the light tropical fruit and sweet notes, the rye spice is underlying the whole profile for a richer mouthfeel and complexity.
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2023 Clos Haut Peyraguey (375ml)Sauternes, Bordeaux, FRANCE$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenClosure: CorkClos Haut-Peyraguey traces its origins to the seventeenth century, when it formed part of the same large Sauternes estate as Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey, before being separated in the late nineteenth century with the highest and best-situated parcels retained as Clos Haut-Peyraguey. The name Peyraguey, derived from the local word for hill, reflects its elevated position in the commune of Bommes, where the vineyard sits among the highest slopes of the appellation, close to Chateau d'Yquem. The 21-hectare estate, classified as a Premier Cru in 1855 and notable as the smallest of the top-ranked properties at the time, is planted predominantly to Semillon with a smaller proportion of Sauvignon Blanc on gravel, sand and clay soils. Vinification and ageing take place in French oak, with maturation in up to 50 percent new barrels, producing a classically structured Sauternes that reflects both its altitude and historic pedigree.
Other Reviews....
The 2023 Clos Haut-Peyraguey is captivating. Scents of apricot, spice, tangerine peel, honey, marzipan and passion fruit caress the palate. There's a greater focus on freshness these days, but Clos Haut-Peyraguey remains one of the more extroverted wines in Sauternes, as witnessed by its 164 grams of residual sugar. Some of that is surely a reflection of the year in this particular case. Even with its initial exuberance, the 2023 finishes with fine energy and tension. Drink 2028-2053.
94-96 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousThe 2023 Clos Haut-Peyraguey has a more resinous, waxier bouquet than its peers due to the expressiveness of the 95% Sémillon. The palate is very viscous on the entry, harmonious and pure. There’s plenty of botrytized fruit, with superb tension and energy coiled up on the finish. This is an excellent Sauternes that should age gracefully in bottle. Recommended. Drink 2028-2060.
94-96 points
Neal Martin - VinousA young Sauternes with a solid center-palate of dried apple, apricot, spice and candied lemon. Medium- to full-bodied, sweet and bright. Attractive focus to this.
94-95 points
James SucklingLots of spicy orange, candied ginger, brioche, and sweet peach notes emerge from the 2023 Clos Haut-Peyraguey, a medium to full-bodied, balanced, elegant Sauternes that has lots of upfront charm and balance. It's not the most powerful or over the top wine in the vintage and shines for its overall balance and purity. It's a beautiful, classy Sauternes that will drink nicely right out of the gate.
94-96 points
Jeb DunnuckCaramel, brown sugar, roasted pineapples, vanilla, toasted orange peels, spice, candied oranges and apricots combine and make it happen in the nose, and palate. work together to create the attention seeking perfume. What's not to like? It is unctuous, spicy, racy, lush, ripe, and sweet On the palate, the wine is viscous, sweet, and intense. You find a wealth of honey-coated pineapples, apricots, mangos, marzipan, vanilla, and spice that are as creamy, and unctuous, as they are fresh, and vibrant. The wine blends 80% Semillon with 20% Sauvignon Blanc. Drink from 2028-2049.
94-96 points
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar Insider -
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2020 Siduri Willamette Valley ChardonnayOregon, UNITED STATES$69. 99Bottle$839.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2024-2027)ABV: 13.7%Closure: StelvinBrilliant pale straw to straw colour with greenish tinged edges and a watery hue. Intense ripe peach, apricot and bees wax like scents sail from the glass trailed by some lemon butter, biscuity nougat and spice notes. Fleshy ripe peach, pear and apricot fruits drive the mid weighted palate with bees wax, lemon butter, subtle almond and spicy nougat characteristics lingering through the back half. Gently creamed supple mid length conclusion.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 13.7%Other Reviews...
The 2020 Chardonnay Willamette Valley was matured for 10 months in 25% new French oak. It has youthful aromas of yellow peach and apples, cashews, toast and creamy undertones. The medium-bodied palate features generous, layered flavors delivered in an alluringly creamy texture. It has a foil of bright acidity and a long, energetic finish. 3,600 cases were made. Drink 2024-2034.
93 Points
Erin Brooks – Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate -
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Planteray (formerly Plantation) O.F.T.D. Overproof Rum (700ml)Caribbean,$139. 99Bottle$1679.88 DozenABV: 69%Mix with abandon, but OFTD stands up as a drink in its own right.
A blend of rums from Barbados, Guyana and Jamaica in the overproof dark style, replacing Plantation’s 'Original Dark Overproof' which was a Trinidad exclusive. "O.F.T.D." stands for "Old Fashioned Traditional Dark". In its conception, Alexandre Gabriel, Master Blender for Plantation Rum, brought together six rum luminaries - Jeff "Beachbum" Berry from Latitude 29, Martin Cate from Smuggler's Cove, Paul McFadyen from Trailer Happiness, Paul McGee from Lost Lake, Scotty Schuder from Dirty Dick, and Dave Wondrich, cocktail historian extraordinaire. After many tasting and blending sessions they formulated a rum ideally suited for use in top-shelf Tiki and tropical cocktails.
Distinguished by its deep topaz colour and super aromatics, this powerhouse is clearly made for boozy tropical libations and bar circuits. Banana fritter, dried mango, dates and molasses are up front with air contact adding pipe tobacco, balsa wood and dark chocolate. The intensely caney / grassy entry cranks up with flavours of raw sugar, liquorice strap, fruit mince pie and all-spice, capping off a surprisingly well balanced overproof expression with profound depth and staying power. Mix with abandon, but OFTD stands up as a drink in its own right. 69% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... The color is a nice toffee-coffee brown, which seems like it should be nice and easygoing, not an overproof bruiser. The nose quickly proves you wrong, offering a mix of Madeira, burnt sugar, black coffee, coal fire, and a mix of Caribbean spices… cloves, anise, and salty licorice. Very hot with alcohol (as it should be), this heat spills over into the palate, which offers a heavily charred barrel influence to dry out the rich molasses underpinning it. The secondary character includes some lingering orange peel, more of those heavy cloves, ginger, some petrol. It’s slightly nutty at times, and even a little floral if you can push past some rather intense and tarry licorice notes. If nothing else, at least the heavy amount of alcohol makes for a finish that gently burns away anything lingering on the palate, leaving behind some light but not unpleasant notes of tar and coffee grounds. It is tough to make a great overproof rum, but our friends at Plantation have done quite a good job of it. Let us honor their hard work of delving through hundreds of samples and historic reference points by taking a hearty pull from the OFTD flagon, no? - drinkhacker.com
...Some of the world’s best rums are being made by a man who cut his teeth on Cognac, Alexandre Gabriel, owner of Maison Ferrand. Not long after reviving that brandy house, Gabriel turned his attention to rum, creating Plantation and endowing it with a Cognac distiller’s sense of balance, elegance and variety. OFTD (Old-Fashioned Traditional Dark), created with input from rum specialists including cocktail historian David Wondrich and tiki expert Martin Cate, is a blockbuster. Earlier Plantation dark rums had relied exclusively on Trinidadian stocks, but OFTD instead blends Jamaican rum’s oily funk with Guyana’s focused intensity and Barbados’s lithe grace—all in a powerhouse package at 138 proof. This is a mixing rum that will stand up to even the stoutest of punches. - wineandspiritsmagazine.com
Summing up, the Plantation Old Fashioned Traditional Dark is a deserved yet unusual — perhaps even controversial — entry to the Key Rums series. It is a multi-country blend, not something that showcases a certain country. Yes, it was deliberately created to do only one thing, and therefore its value as an all-round consumer drink is somewhat circumscribed; yes it’s really strong, and sure…in that segment it stays and plays. Yet as I have suggested here, it has qualities over and above all that. It supercedes the modest aims of its creators, to the point where it actually can stand by itself. It remains, nearly a decade after its introduction, one of the most reviewed, commented on and widespread rums around and if its shine is less now than it was when first introduced and now that it has stiffer competition, there is no reason to doubt either its many uses or availability. It remains, for all its parent company’s woes, an incredibly popular and in-use bar staple and drinking adjunct to this day. It demonstrates, if nothing else, how well the Caribbean distillates work with each other in a way that is not often seen. And that’s no mean accomplishment for any rum – especially one made by this outfit – to claim. One can only ask why more of the company’s rums don’t adhere to its philosophy. - thelonecaner.com
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2022 Mayfield Vineyard Thomas ChardonnayOrange, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA$64. 99Bottle$779.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2024-2030)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinMatured in 2 new French oak puncheons on lees for a period of 11 months. Brilliant very pale straw colour with distinct highlights of green around the edges and a watery hue. Refined nose with aromas of nectarine and citrus intermixing with hints of biscuity oak, grapefruit, traces of dried honey and gun flint. Fresh, taut and elegant, the palate is bristling with energetic nectarine, citrus and pear fruits. Also evident is subtle bees wax, roasted almond and infusions of gun flint. Refreshing acidity with a linear finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
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- Organic
- Biodynamic
2021 Famille Paquet Macon-Davaye Les Pres CousinsBurgundy, FRANCE$59. 99Bottle$719.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2024-2030)ABV: 12.5%Closure: Diam CorkLocated in the heart of Burgundy, Famille Paquet is a 30 hectare property at the foot of the rocks of Solutré and Vergisson. The Paquets take great care of their vineyards, using organic and biodynamic compost and manage each of their 50 plots individually. The property is currently in conversion to organic viticulture.
Brilliant pale straw colour with a watery hue. Pronounced peach, pear and honeysuckle aromas mix with hints of crème brulee, citrusy nougat and wet stone notes. The fresh mid weighted palate features white peach and pear fruits over a delicate dried honey, citrusy nougat and wet stone back drop. Energised acidity with a long, elegant and vivid finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
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- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2022 Mrs Q Pinot NoirSouth Australia, AUSTRALIA$14. 99Bottle$179.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now (2024)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinDeep dark red black tinged colour with a dark red hue. Pronounced ripe dark cherry, plum and vanillin spice aromas mix with subtle earth notes. Ripe, plump and sweetly fruited, a hefty dose of vanillin cedar for the most part overwhelms dark plum, anise and spice flavours. Velvet smooth tannins with a juicy conclusion that has a prominent spicy vanillin cedar component running through it.
Drink now.
Alc. 13.5% - Coravin Argon Gas Supply Capsules Six PackUNITED STATES$84. 99Bottle$1019.88 Dozen
This pack contains six Coravin refill capsules enabling you to pour up to 90 glasses of wine.
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2018 Domaine Clarendon SyrahClarendon, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenCellar: 5 - 6 Years (2029-2030)ABV: 14.6%Closure: CorkImpenetrable inky black in colour with a deep dark red black hue. Wafting through the nostrils are potent scents of ripe blackberry, liquorice and black cherry which are trailed by vanillin cedar, scorched earth and peppered dried herb notes. Rich blackberry, liquorice and black cherry fruits are framed by muscular tannins. Vanillin oak, earthy fennel like characters, dried meats and blackpepper lie underneath. Dry grippy finish with a deep core of opulent fruit firmly sculptured by a tightly knit structure.
Cellar 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.6%Other Reviews….
Still with the meat fat and spice on the nose, the 2018 Domaine Clarendon Syrah is supple, elegant, midnight dark and pure. There is clarity here, without weight through the finish. It is more polished and less meaty/complex than the 2017 tasted beside it. Drink 2022-2032.
94+ Points
Erin Larkin – Robert Parker’s The Wine AdvocateAttractive Rhône-like aromas that belie the heady alcohol. Blue fruits, smoked meats, dried seaweed and a molten core of kirsch smeared with black olive paste. A big mouthful. The tannic kit and finish bit too drying to merit a higher score. Drink by 2024.
92 Points
Ned Goodwin – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion - 2017 Dumangin Balcones Batch 023 Single Cask 6 Year Old Single Malt American Whisky (700ml)Waco, Texas, UNITED STATES$260. 00Bottle$3120.00 DozenABV: 46.7%
The Dumangin whiskies follow in the footsteps of French pioneers like Michel Couvreur - only there's another layer of expertise bought to the table. While Gilles Dumangin clearly has a 'magic touch' when it comes to selecting and maturing world class singles and grains, he isn't just a buyer and bottler. He's an acclaimed winemaker applying his know-how. Whiskies arrive in Champagne to complete their maturation in 228 litre barriques in the cellars at Chigny-les-Roses. The Ratafia finishing gives them a distinctive signature: a subtle yet delicious, creamy, fruity twist unique to Champagne.
Balcones was discovered by Gilles during one of his sales trips. Waco, the town hosting the distillery is subject to an extreme climate. During Gilles’ August visit, the outside temperature was 48°C. As a result, the ageing of whiskies is dramatically sped up compared to cooler climes (five years here is like twelve or fifteen in Scotland). Finished for 21 months in a Ratafia Champenois barrel, batch 023 is a limited run of 265 bottles. 46.7% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Notes from the bottlers... Full mouthfeel with sweet tea, burnt marshmallow, cinnamon candies and marmalade with a very long finish with oak and pepper notes, followed by cardamom and roasted sweet corn.
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Imbue Distillery Cut the Tux Pinot Noir Brandy (700ml)Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$94. 99Bottle$1139.88 DozenABV: 54%Along with St.Agnes' Bartender's Cut, this high strength brandy makes a welcome addition to the category. Matured in Nillumbik Yarra Valley x-Pinot Noir barrels and bottled undiluted, it’s unashamedly big and bold but also beautifully balanced with rich dried fruit and Christmas fruit mince pie flavours backed up by a vivacious, warming finish. Sip and savour it neat or if you prefer something a little lighter (but still full of festive character) spritz up the classic "Sidecar" with some citrus tonic/soda for an arvo in the sun. 54% Alc./Vol.
Notes from the producers... Nose: Worn leather, pepper, caremelised fruits. Palate: Green apple, dried vine fruit, salted lquorice. Finish: Medium with soft tannins.
- Jack Daniels Bonded Triple Mash Blended Straight Tennessee Whiskey (700ml)Tennessee, UNITED STATES$109. 99Bottle$1319.88 DozenABV: 50%
JD's Triple Mash is a blend of three straight bottled-in-bond whiskeys, all distilled in the same season in Lynchburg, Tennessee. The 'BIB' classification certifies that the liquid was produced by a single distiller, during a single season and matured in a government bonded warehouse for at least 4 years. Composed of 60% Jack Daniel's Tennessee Rye, 20% Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey and 20% Jack Daniel's American Malt, expect pleasant notes of honey, malt whiskey and soft oak leading to a long lasting well rounded finish. 50% Alc./Vol.
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Imbue Distillery Angel's Share Port Cask Single Malt Australian Whisky (700ml)Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$149. 99Bottle$1799.88 DozenABV: 43%This pilsner grain based whisky was aged for three years in 100 litre barrels previously filled with Aussie Tawny port. A lovely, supple, rounded mouth-feel and a nice integration of fruity-malty flavours make for a dram that's dangerously easy to drink. Finishing hints of vanilla and Turkish Delight highlight the cask influence. 43% Alc./Vol.
Notes from the producers... Nose: vintage leather, licorice, roasted stonefruits, oak. Palate: black walnut, brown butter, treacle. Finish: fruit cake spice and dry tannins.
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Imbue Distillery Angel's Share Maize Australian Whisky (700ml)Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenABV: 46%Aged for 2.5 years in x-Bourbon and Australian Rye Solera barrels and created with American whiskey enthusiasts in mind, this blend of Australian grains opens with appealing toasted cereal aromas, the rye cask contributing a subtle oiliness (or is it the corn?); Semi-sweet grain flavours and suggestions of herbal teas turn nutty, spicy and malt-like. Lands somewhere between a malted rye and a quality Speyside single malt. 46% Alc./Vol.
Notes from the producers... Nose: cedar, new leather, vanilla. Palate: honey nut cornflakes, praline. Finish: pepper, aniseed myrtle.
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Imbue Distillery Angel's Share Bourbon Cask Single Malt Australian Whisky (700ml)Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$149. 99Bottle$1799.88 DozenABV: 43.5%Aged for three years in a Rye Solera barrel previously filled with Bourbon. Initially reticent aromas evoke green wood with air contact accenting dried banana and poached pear. Young yet tasty and very approachable, the palate leads with a soft, creamy entry where muesli bar and stone fruit flavours are complemented by orange spice cake and milk chocolate. Hints of cinnamon, vanilla and juicy fruit chewing gum enter through the finish. 43.5% Alc./Vol.
Notes from the producers... Nose: Banana, eucalyptus, leather polish, light caramel. Palate: Green orchard fruits, pinch of black pepper, passionfruit acidity. Finish: A just sweet vanilla custard with long, lingering spice.
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2023 Chateau Malartic Lagraviere BlancPessac Leognan, Bordeaux, FRANCE$140. 00Bottle$1680.00 DozenClosure: CorkOther Reviews....
The 2023 Malartic Lagravière Blanc, a blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Sémillon matured for 50% in new oak barrels, reveals a lemony, citrusy bouquet with aromas of lime tree leaves, pear and herbs. Medium-bodied to full-bodied, textural and layered, it’s framed by bright acids and a long, elegant and mouthwatering finish. Drink 2025-2035.
90-92 points
Yohan Castaing - Wine Advocate (Apr 27, 2024)The 2023 Malartic-Lagravière Blanc has a taut, correct and, in some ways, conservative bouquet that takes time to unfold in the glass. But, I appreciate the tension and mineralité. Hints of petrichor and Granny Smiths eventually take control. The palate is very well balanced with a fresh lemon sherbet-, orange pith- and lemongrass-tinged opening. There's a very appealing texture and impressive weight on the finish. Overall, this is a superb white Malartic to drink over the next 20 years. Drink 2026-2046.
92-94 points
Neal Martin - VinousThe 2023 Malartic-Lagravière Blanc is a seriously beautiful wine. Explosive aromatics meld into a core of orchard and citrus fruits. Bright acids pull it all together. I especially admire the wine's inner perfume and balance. This is one of the better dry whites of the year. A kiss of French oak lingers. Tasted two times. Drink 2025-2033.
92-94 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousA beautifully structured and complex white with pristine, bright citrus fruit and an exotic touch. There’s a mineral character to it, too, with oyster-shell and crushed-stone notes. It’s medium- to full-bodied with racy acidity that adds energy and tension. Very long finish with fine tannins that frame it nicely.
95-96 points
James SucklingMulled pears, subtle tropical fruits, classy oak, and subtle charcoal notes all shine in the 2023 Château Malartic-Lagravière Blanc, a gorgeously textured, medium-bodied white that has flawless overall balance, notable depth, and outstanding length.
93-95 points
Jeb Dunnuck -
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Campbeltown Loch Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Campbeltown, SCOTLANDReduced from $169.99$119. 99Bottle$1439.88 DozenABV: 46%"...a fully naked Campbeltowner, undisguised and maskless. Very cool proposition, and certainly a true 'regional malt'." - whiskyfun.com
This Springbank novelty could easily be mistaken for the Campbeltown Loch Blend, as the label looks almost identical - only the age statement has been dropped. It is, actually, a little more exciting than that. Instead of blending malt with grain whisky, Springbank have re-invented the label using Campbeltown single malts sourced from the district's five distilleries (or distillates): Unpeated Kilkerran forms the base, followed by Springbank, Glen Scotia, Hazelburn and Longrow. The upgrade promises a genuine celebration of Campbeltown character, and the distillates all get a showing - from the dirtiness of Glen Scotia to the minerality and citric fruits of Springbank, the chalkiness, saltiness, and florality of Kilkerran, to the peat of Longrow and the clean honeyed notes of Hazelburn. All were drawn from ex-Bourbon and x-Sherry casks and combined and bottled at Springbank, although the whisky's deep colour suggests more of the latter.
If you want to get your head around Springbank without emptying your wallet, Campbeltown Loch is about your only option. The peated elements do most of the heavy lifting, balanced by a lovely malt and sherry richness. That combination, capped off by a salivating salt and pepper tang recalls certain peatier bottlings of Springbank 10 year old (which is reasonable to assume as the inspiration for this whisky). Also bottled at 46%, there's no shortage of Campbeltown chutzpah on offer: Sweet and sooty with a coastal bite, it firmly ranks amongst the most flavoursome, characterful blended malts of recent years. Buy it whenever the price is right.
Other reviews... ...Now, I just see that this is actually a blended malt – I used to believe Campbeltown Lochs were blended Scotch, no? Looks like this one's made out of all single malts in Campbeltown, namely Springbank, Glen Scotia, Hazelburn, Macallan, Kilkerran/Glengyle and Longrow (spot the odd one out!) Colour: white wine. Nose: young, starting citric and chalky, with some lemonade and kiwi juice. Then there's sourdough, a fresh pack of lemon drops, yellow Haribos and a little lime grass. This one should repel any mosquitos, perhaps even Campbeltown's famous – and voracious - midges. Mouth: very good, with a similar chalky, doughy and lemony development, supplemented with a little fresh mint, green pepper and tiny roots and saplings (quinoa?) Finish: rather long, on pretty much the same flavours and with a smokier signature. Longrow, I presume. This wee chemicalness too… Comments: a fully naked Campbeltowner, undisguised and maskless. Very cool proposition, and certainly a true 'regional malt'. Perhaps for your favourite hipflask rather than for your most expensive crystal sniffer (a.k.a. fishbowl). 86 points - whiskyfun.com
...There’s a fruitier freshness and a slightly peppery grip added with a mineralic fizz that makes things a little more pleasing for me. Yet objectively, this remains good, easy sipping whisky and regardless of which batch you grab, you’ll be in good company. The rumours have moved towards this being mostly Glengyle malt (Kilkerran) in the mix here and that would make a lot of sense, despite that distillery only running 25% of the year (from the same team - and malt - as Springbank) they’ve been making whisky since 2004 ,and a lot more since 2018, they’ve gotta free up that precious warehouse space somehow. Why not step in to alleviate some of the demand for Campbeltown whisky with a good honest malt blend?...Very good indeed. - dramface.com
Notes from Springbank... Nose: A distinct buttery note and characteristic hint of sea salt introduce this dram, along with notes of ginger loaf and pecan pie. Palate: Creamy coffee, salted caramel, date syrup and crystallised brown sugar on the palate, with a subtle hint of peat smoke. Finish: The peat smoke builds in the finish, with a leathery note developing over time.
Collectors note: Springbank's labels almost always arrive with minor wearing and markings, most often to the top of the front labels. This is unavoidable. If you are likely to be disappointed by minor label scuffing, we recommend you don't buy these whiskies.
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2013 Charles Heidsieck Vintage Brut ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$210. 00Bottle$2520.00 DozenABV: 12%Closure: CorkOther Reviews....
A very striking nose with Reine Claude plums, old-fashioned apple varieties and some Nordic herbs. Structured and crisp with a very firm core, the finish driving and full of energy. Rich long finish with a chalky core. 60% pinot noir and 40% chardonnay, the make up of the blend very unconventional for this house. Drink or hold.
94 Points
JamesSuckling.comThe bouquet of the 2013 Brut Millésimé is compellingly fresh and minty, complicated by notes of white fruit—notably pear and apple—citrus and gentle spices, as well as a light touch of smoke. With aeration, elegant pastry notes come to the fore. On the palate, this is a structured, tension-filled but airborne Champagne with racy acidity, fleshy and charming texture and a long, penetrating finish. It should age well over the next eight to 10 years. Disgorged in 2022 with nine grams per liter, this is a blend of 57% Pinot Noir and 43% Chardonnay. Drink 2023 - 2038.
93 Points
Yohan Castaing - Robert Parker's Wine AdvocateAn alluring, detailed aroma that is reserved and layered rather than hugely outgoing at present. There’s some maturity though, a measured weight of light apricot, ripe pear and pale strawberry fruit. Delicacy is the main theme, with touches of blossom, white peach, and only a quiet praline and caramelised apple richness. Less austere than the 2008, more focused than the 2012 and already quietly harmonious, this superb 2013 closes with chalkiness and verve. This could well prove the most finely tuned of the recent Charles Heidsieck vintage releases. 57% Pinot Noir, 43% Chardonnay with nine years on lees. Drink 2023 - 2040.
95 Points
Tom Hewson - DecanterDisgorged in January of 2023, the 2013 Champagne Millésime Brut was the last vintage from the cellar master for Heidsieck prior to Cyril Brun. The 2013 Champagne Millésime Brut is a bright straw yellow color and is based on the crus of Les Mesnil, Avize, Averney, and Aÿ. It’s fresh with aromas of wet stones, fresh quince, and fresh jasmine flowers. It has a chalky and focused texture, with ripeness to balance it out, and a long, graceful finish. At this stage, it feels more forward with 57% Pinot Noir and the rest Chardonnay. A more mineral-tinged expression, it has a lot of charm and the promise of longevity over the coming two decades. It will be interesting to see how the Pinot shows itself over time. 8 grams per liter dosage. Drink 2024-2044
95 Points
Audrey Frick - JebDunnuck.comAged for eight years on the lees before disgorgement, the Champagne is deliciously toasty with acidity and fine dryness. Balanced and now finely mature, this great wine is ready to drink.
96 Points
Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast MagazineIntense aroma that combines ripe fruit – both citrus and pear – and also a touch of jasmine, as well as a deep, inviting yeasty autolytic character. Extremely complex and rewarding. On the palate, that same depth of yeasty/toasty character and the intense freshness of youthful fruit. An endless stream of very fine bubbles rising from the centre of the glass with bigger bubbles clinging to the sides – looks quite unusual. A powerful, long and vibrant wine that seems younger than its years. Extreme but balanced freshness with a slightly chewy finish as it warms up, as well as a suggestion of non-sweet honey. Excellent depth. Drink 2023 – 2032.
17.5 / 20 Points
Julia Harding MW - JancisRobinson.com -
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Martell Creation Grand Extra Cognac (700ml)Cognac, FRANCEReduced from $1,699.00$1599. 00Bottle$19188.00 DozenABV: 40%Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product pictured.
We all know the French love an archway. This one, in particular, was designed in celebration of such archways, by renowned French designer Serge Mansau. Now discontinued, the design exudes a creative and innovative ideal that reflects those very natures embodied in Jean Martell, who founded house Martell in 1715. A powerful expression, some of Martells oldest Eau-De-Vie was used to create this unique bottling. With oaky spice typical of Grande Champagne combined with the fresh fruit character found in the Borderies spirit, it is then aged for a minimum of 10 years in Martells cellars. A very generous offering, flavour-wise, expect a spice-laden marmalade experience. 40% Alc./Vol. - 1972 Martell Collection Millesimes Cognac (700ml)Cognac, FRANCE$1699. 00Bottle$20388.00 DozenABV: 43%
Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product pictured.
The third release from Martells Millesimes Collection, this expression has spent 43 years in house Martells oldest cellar, Chais de la Coquille. Said to have "reached its true sensory fullness", it has then been bottled in a cylindrical carafe designed to resemble the "Montre" used by the Cellar Master when selecting spirits for the blend. Described as being one of the more accurate expressions of Martell's spirit style, the producers have also made the “promise of an unforgettable tasting experience”. 43% Alc./Vol. -
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2021 Vasse Felix Filius Cabernet MerlotMargaret River, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$23. 99Bottle$287.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2024-2030)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinEstablished in 1967, the 2021 vintage celebrates 50 years of Margaret River Cabernet at Vasse Felix. Known as the ‘son of’ Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon, the Filius Cabernet Merlot combines Margaret River Cabernets classic structure and power with the succulence of Merlot to form a generous fruit driven blend that makes it an ideal earlier drinking style.
A delightful blend of Cabernet and Merlot that highlights all of Margaret River’s great qualities at an entry level price.
A blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot & 1% Malbec matured in 1-6 year old French oak barriques for a period of 10 months. Deep dark red black colour with a dark red hue. Lifted red to black currant and mulberry aromas are married to notions of vanillin cedar, tobacco, earthy black olive and bay leaf. Beautifully refined and elegant the mid weighted palate is layered with savoury red to black currant and mulberry fruits which meld into a spicy vanillin cedar, tobacco, earth and bay leaf infused back drop. Fine, seamlessly integrated tannin structure with a long highly finessed conclusion.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14% - Boatrocker Nocino Liqueur (500ml)Victoria, AUSTRALIA$61. 99Bottle$743.88 DozenABV: 33%
Using hand-picked organic green walnuts from the Macedon Ranges, this liqueur is based on a traditional Italian recipe dating back centuries. Rested in alcohol for 40 days and 40 nights with the addition of select botanicals, the finished elixir yields notes of walnuts, spices and earthy tones, with a rich and full-bodied palate and just a touch of bitterness. Ideal as a sipper after dinner but also works wonderfully in a walnut Old-Fashioned or a walnut Manhattan. 33% Alc./Vol.
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23rd Street Distillery Australian Whisky (700ml)Renmark, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$89. 99Bottle$1079.88 DozenABV: 40%Twenty Third Street's 'Australian' expression begins with a blend of locally grown barley malts. The wash is distilled through the distillery's historic Copper Pots stills with a focus on intensifying the natural flavours and sweet oils, then separated for maturation into ex-Bourbon casks and a small number of Tawny Port barrels. The warmth of the Riverland climate tempered by a well-insulated barrel hall sees maturation progress for a minimum of two years. Blending of archive portions adds further depth before bottling. This is another whisky that challenges imported brands, adding breadth to the local industry. Look for suggestions of vanilla malt, Summer pudding, citrus oils and crisp, peppery oak spices in a medium bodied and very approachable dram. 40% Alc./Vol.
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2021 Pikes Dogwalk Cabernets - Last StocksClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIAReduced from $22.99$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinNotes from the producers....
This luscious blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc is elegantly perfumed with concentrated blackcurrant flavours and long, fine tannins. Enjoy now or hide away for seven to ten years. 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc.
Other reviews....
A blend of 80% cabernet sauvignon and 20% cabernet franc. It's a pretty, pleasing cabernet(s) with light tannin strapping in dark and stewed forest berry fruit characters, a suggestion of cassis, some woody spice and minty herbal notes. Flows nicely with, good vigorous perfume of blueberry, leafy herbs and cedar. There's no hair out of place here, albeit a simple, easy drinking style in front of us.
89 Points
Mike Bennie - Halliday's Australian Wine Companion -
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2023 Chateau Haut-MarbuzetSaint Estephe, Bordeaux, FRANCE$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenClosure: CorkOther Reviews....
Always one of the Médoc's most sensual wines, the 2023 Haut-Marbuzet wafts from the glass with aromas of dark berries, cassis and cherries mingled with cigar wrapper in violets, revealing little trace of its maturation in new barrels. Medium to full-bodied, supple and layered, it's deep and seamless, with an enveloping core of juicy, fleshy fruit framed by sweet, melting tannin. It's a blend of 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.
92-94 points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Apr 27, 2024)The 2023 Haut-Marbuzet is terrific. Dark, vibrant and quite virile in its expression, the 2023 Haut-Marbuzet has so much to offer. Plum, blood orange, pomegranate, spice and new leather are some of the notes that leap from the glass. Today, the 2023 is quite primary in its intensity, yet all the elements are very nicely balanced. This is a fine showing. Drink 2028-2043.
92-94 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousThis is super-refined and polished with a lot of depth and richness, offering a mix of blueberry and deep dark chocolate that adds up to its captivating character. It shows impressive intensity and length, achieving a harmony that is both beautiful and elegant. The tannins are already well integrated. Long finish.
94-95 points
James Suckling -
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Kozuru The Banana Shochu (900ml)JAPAN$69. 99Bottle$839.88 DozenABV: 25%Komasa Brewery make this unusual schochu by combining a wine yeast from Sauvignon Blanc with sweet potato. The bouquet opens soft and vodka-like with a subtle perfume of semi-ripe banana that's echoed on the palate where it turns medium dry and lightly fruity. A gentle peel tang and crisp aftertaste brings a winey feel. Like many Japanese drinks, this is all about delicacy and restraint, so don't expect overt flavours. 25% Alc./Vol.
Trophy at the International Spirits Challenge 2021.
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Kyoya Purple & Pear Shochu (720ml)JAPAN$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenABV: 40%Founded in 1834, Kyoya is leading the way in the Japanese Gin category while staying true to its roots in premium shochu. Made with purple sweet potato and black koji, this pleasingly spicy, fruity example has a vibrancy and character comparable to unaged grappa. Floral soft aromas of fresh-sliced pear are complexed in a silky, medium-bodied delivery hinting at sour dough bread and fruit cake, ending with a light spirit kick. The aftertaste accents juicy dried fruits and pepper warmth. Recommended as a base for cocktails. 40% Alc./Vol.
Notes from the producers... Floral & pear notes with balanced hints of soft umami.
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Warninks Scharreleieren (Free-range eggs) Advocaat Liqueur (700ml)NETHERLANDS$34. 99Bottle$419.88 DozenABV: 14%Advocaat is derived from the Dutch word "Advocatenborrel" which means 'the drink of Advocates and Lawyers'. Its rich content of protein and minerals with fine brandy obviously provided food for legal argument! This special edition is made from egg yolks derived from free range chickens. It has a soft, creamy taste and texture. Spoon it neat with a dollop of whipped cream, also delicious over ice cream, cake or custard. 14% Alc./Vol.
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2023 Le Petit Mouton de Mouton RothschildPauillac, Bordeaux, FRANCE$450. 00Bottle$5400.00 DozenClosure: CorkOther Reviews....
Aromas of dark berries, cassis and cigar wrapper introduce the 2023 Le Petit Mouton, a medium-bodied, fleshy wine with good depth and density, its lively core of fruit framed by sweet, powdery tannins, concluding with a penetrating finish. It's a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.
91-93 points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Apr 27, 2024)The 2023 Le Petit-Mouton is fabulous. It could easy be a Grand Vin at another address. Rich, ample and beautifully resonant in the glass, the 2023 impresses with its notable palate presence. Dark red cherry, pomegranate, cinnamon, rose petal and new leather are some of the many notes that build. The 2023 is seriously impressive. Wow! Drink 2027-2043.
93-95 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousThis is a tighter and more compact Petit Mouton with a full-bodied, compact palate that is framed nicely by the tannins. Savory and juicy. Structured. Contained. 79% cabernet sauvignon, 12% merlot, 7% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. Better than 2022?
95-96 points
James SucklingCigar box, tobacco, flowers, smoke, truffle, mint, and creme de cassis form the nose. On the palate, the wine is packed with ripe, juicy, flavorful currants, herbs, spice, and black raspberries. There is length, purity, and freshness. Perhaps, most importantly, you have lift, sweetness, and creamy textures on the mid-palate, and finish. The wine blends 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12.% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot.13.3% ABV, 3.74 pH. Drink from 2028-2050.
92-94 points
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar Insider -
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Laphroaig 25 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - 2020 ReleaseIslay, SCOTLAND$1199. 00Bottle$14388.00 DozenABV: 49.8%Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not pictured.
Other reviews... A cask strength whisky, but don't expect a rambunctious blisterer. Age has given this one a mellowed beauty. It offers a deep, rich, soft peat influence on a thick and creamy palate, with dried seaweed, seashells, salinity, brine, charcoal, and muted medicinal notes—all imbued with sweet oak, lime, chocolate-covered marshmallows, and light pepper. Cooked pears, chocolate, and vanilla cream complete the finish. The peat has settled in, and a marvelous, mature whisky rises. 94 points - whiskyadvocate.com - 2002 Talisker Distillers Edition Double Matured Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Isle of Skye, SCOTLAND$250. 00Bottle$3000.00 DozenABV: 45.8%
Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product pictured.
Other reviews... This DE has lost its brown livery and goes for blue like all the other Taliskers, but it's kept its finishing in amoroso casks. Colour: gold. Nose: a rather gentler Talisker, we’ve already tried many vintages and this one isn’t very different, the sweeter raisiny (instead of vinous) touches blend well with the maritime, almost sardine-y profile, while the peat was toned down. Actually, I’m wondering whether this vintage isn’t a little better than earlier ones, it’s very well integrated and does not reek of wine or grapes at all. Wonderful notes of smooth and fruity olive oil (do you know Nyons?), brine and then orange zests. Also the smoke from menthol cigarettes? Very nice nose, subtle and complex. After fifteen minutes, pink grapefruits! Mouth: this time it becomes a little fizzy, with a little leather, bitter oranges, the expected pepper and a mild smokiness. Seaweed, nori, some menthol again and a slight feeling of shoe polish. Works. Finish: rather long, ashy and peppery. Always bitter oranges, esp. in the aftertaste. Some salt too – of course. Comments: I think it’s a good vintage, and that the finishing was done well, with a wine that complements the spirit rather than overwhelming it. 87 points - whiskyfun.com[2003 vintage tasted] Fleeting green apples on the nose, before sweetening with figs, sultanas, red berries, and chili. Peat smoke finally makes its presence felt. Full-bodied on the palate, with spicy smoke, dark chocolate, peaches, and Jaffa orange; the additional fruitiness courtesy of the amoroso cask influence. Long and softly smoky in the finish, with ginger and lingering fruit notes. 88 points - whiskyadvocate.com
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Stauning Smoke Danish Single Malt Whisky (700ml)DENMARK$149. 99Bottle$1799.88 DozenABV: 47%Made using barley smoked over heather and local peat, this is a nice addition to Stauning's core range. The style echoes Ardmore or peated Arran's with more sweet wood smoke or Highland peat than maritime character; the whisky glides across the tongue with a creamy, malty middle that gets lightly fruity and finely tannic towards the finish. Spices build, the smokiness persisting like a silky glaze over the malt, adding texture and length, ending with a delicious warming tang. Matured for 5-6 years in a mix of first-fill Bourbon, Madeira, Jamaica Rum and Virgin American oak casks. 47% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered. Batch 1-2022 tasted from a 50ml sample.
Other reviews... Gold color. Grainy aromas and flavors of whole grain bread dough, roasted sesame, cedar, arugula, incense, and wet barrel with a round, crisp, medium body and a tingling, medium-length finish displaying accents of green peppercorns. A young, zesty Whisky with a flashy, oaky style. Gold Medal - tastings.com
...You cannot not love a Distillery that would name some of its whiskies 'Kaos' or 'Bastard'. Now 'Smoke' is a little more civilised, I'm wondering why they haven't used 'b**** smoke' or even 'f**** smoke' instead. Colour: gold. Nose: mega-LOL. Sauna oils, burning rubber (dragster after a race), bicycle inner tube, teak oil, glues and greases, gun oil, brand new Harley dealership, new Tesla… I'm sure you're following me. Love this. Mouth: huge fun. Wondering if they haven't used smoked water, or if they haven't kind of barbecued some unsmoked rye whisky of theirs, or used any other unmentionable processes. Who cares, I'm a fan of this 'whisky' that got off the beaten tracks long ago. Salty rubber? Snuff? Chewing tobacco? All-purpose industrial grease? Finish: long. Chewing salted tyres. I know. Comments: what's the price of fun? How many b*** 'points'? The question is, would I buy a bottle? Certainly not, I would buy a 6-case and present my five best friends with a bottle. Each. 88 points - whiskyfun.com
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Imbue Distillery Citrus Agave Spirit (700ml)Victoria, AUSTRALIA$64. 99Bottle$779.88 DozenABV: 37%You can't call it Tequila because it's made outside the designated production zone, but this novel spirit is actually created using Mexican Blue Agaves, fermented and distilled by Imbue right here in Melbourne. It tastes nothing like Tequila, instead the flavour focus is on ripe blood orange and pink grapefruit. That's because it's blended with Imbue's citrus liqueur which employs a mix of seasonal off-cuts (oranges, lemons and limes are also included). The production process not only minimises wastage but also results in a very convincing alternative to Triple Sec - silky, sweet and juicy, though perhaps slightly lighter than most European equivalents. Super easy for your Summer Margaritas, Palomas and Sunrises - just grab your shaker and mix up the joy! 37% Alc./Vol.
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Speyburn 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$149. 99Bottle$1799.88 DozenABV: 46%A big seller in the US, but almost unkown in Australia, since 1991 Speyburn has been a part of the Inverhouse group with their fifteen year old debuting in 2017. The set up is slightly unusual, including steam driven stills and worm tubs. The result has been described as "...a deliberately sulphury new make [think Knockdhu, Dalwhinnie, Glenkinchie] which changes in cask to reveal the singular delicate, fragrant character which lies underneath." 46% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Well done: Not an off sherry butt in sight, helping to make this an enjoyably rich and fulsome malt. One of the most inventive and sympathetic Speyburns of all time. 91 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2023
...A mix of American and Spanish oak casks was used to mature this addition to the core range. A big blast of orchard and tropical fruits characterizes the early nose, along with honey, vanilla, and toffee. The palate also majors in fruit, this time principally oranges, plus caramel, cinnamon, milk chocolate, and lots of vanilla. The finish is quite short, with banana and ginger. 88 points - whiskyadvocate.com
... Colour: pale gold. Nose: leafier than the official 10, grassier, with even more raw barley, green tea leaves, grapeseed oil, some kind of greener plasticine, clay… Something clearly musty as well, the potato pit… etc. I find it really austere, but this rusticity’s pretty interesting. Unusual for sure. Mouth: rather sweeter and rounder, but all the leafy elements are still sitting there in the shadows. Vanilla-ed porridge, leather, bitter oranges, green tea, hints of spinach and sorrel… Good body at a good strength. Finish: rather long, rather on spices. Green spices, naturally, cardamom, a touch of mustard… Comments: serious whisky, perhaps a tad unsexy at times but at least it feels very honest, which I like. 80 points - whiskyfun.com
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- 90
Kozuru Mellowed Excellence Shochu (700ml)JAPAN$109. 99Bottle$1319.88 DozenABV: 41%Produced from 100% rice and matured in American oak puncheons for three to six years, this Japanese specialty blurs the lines between whisky and shochu bearing a resemblance to middle-aged Lowland grain or blended Scotch. Vanilla wafers, rice crackers and sweet cereals on the nose follow in a light, silky delivery with malty, biscuity flavours, frail vanilla, budding citrus oils and a spicy, finely tannic, dried grass and vanilla finish. This spirit's delicate character is easily lost with too much dilution. A few ice cubes are sufficient, or use it as a base for Summer long drinks. 41% Alc.Vol.
Other reviews... Gentle aromas of baked apples, plums and sweet vanilla with a complex and well-integrated palate. A powerful creamy texture and a soft oaky finish with dried fruits giving a balanced touch of sweetness. 98 points - International Wine & Spirits Competition
...Colour me (pleasantly) surprised! I found the Mellowed Kozuru really fantastic! It was incredibly vibrant and flavor forward but at the same time mellow and rounded, with a great flavour palette of florals and honey. This would be comparable to a hybrid of a sweet Sauternes white wine meeting a slightly dry Sake, moving from one profile to the latter. It’s got a really delightful creamy texture, depth and richness too - bright flavours surrounded by spices over an almost syrupy texture. It really striked me as elegant. The cask aging really did a great job of mellowing it out - and to that end, I couldn’t tease out any sense of the cask. There was no tannins or oakiness to be had, which I found really interesting as well. It’s as if the aging took place sans the woodiness of the cask. This was really approachable and friendly, very enjoyable to drink and definitely a stunner, quite unlike any other Shochu I’ve had in terms of depth, elegance and complexity. Top tier stuff! - 88bamboo.co
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- 92
- 93
- Nicks Import
2023 Chateau Bastor-Lamontagne (375ml)Sauternes, Bordeaux, FRANCE$39. 99Bottle$479.88 DozenClosure: CorkOther Reviews....
The 2023 Bastor-Lamontagne is terrific. In fact, this is one of the best vintages I have tasted. Passion fruit, pineapple, tangerine peel and mint are all beautifully lifted. Bastor-Lamontagne is always on the lighter, more airy side of Sauternes. The 2023 offers plenty of that finesse, but with a bit more mid-palate creaminess than in recent years. This is very fine effort. Drink 2026-2043.
92-94 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousMedium-sweet with a subtle spiciness. Lots of dried fruit with a floral and lemongrass undertone. Honeysuckle. Hints of lemon and dried apple. Excellent balance and finesse. 80% semillon and 20% sauvignon blanc.
93-94 points
James Suckling -
- 92
- 92
- Nicks Import
2023 Chateau Sigalas Rabaud (375ml)Sauternes, Bordeaux, FRANCE$64. 99Bottle$779.88 DozenClosure: CorkOther Reviews....
The 2023 Sigalas Rabaud is still taking shape in barrel, yet it possesses notable depth and textural richness, even in this somewhat unsettled state. I especially admire its dynamic energy and overall vibrancy. White peach, jasmine, spice, mint and exotic flowers all grace a Sauternes that is distinguished by its flavor concentration and complexity. Drink 2027-2043.
92-94 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousThis has a sweet spiced-pear, apple-tart and light honey character. Sweet, medium-bodied palate and a salty, spicy finish. Fresh and balanced.
92-93 points
James SucklingThis has lovely bitter orange zest with grip and tension wrapped up in luscious perserved lemons and marmalade. Super enjoyable, lifts through the palate, and showcases the pleasures of the vintage. Great quality. 140g/l residual sugar. Lambert des Granges family.
95 points
Jane Anson -
- 91
- 92
- Nicks Import
2023 Chateau Rayne Vigneau (375ml)Sauternes, Bordeaux, FRANCE$62. 99Bottle$755.88 DozenClosure: CorkOther Reviews....
The 2023 Rayne Vigneau is a wild, exotic Sauternes. Pear, jasmine, tropical fruit and hints of white truffle are some of the many aromas and flavors that give the 2023 its complex, wonderfully dynamic personality. Understated, airy and nuanced, Rayne Vigneau is compelling in 2023. Drink 2030-2048.
92-94 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousThere’s spice, botrytis, dried-apple and orange-peel character. Medium-bodied, sweet and refined. Not the richest example, but there’s purity to it.
91-92 points
James SucklingEnjoyably concentrated and intense, highly spiced as are many of the Sauternes wines in this vintage due to small yields, which gives focus and a welcome edge of bitterness to the exuberant nectarine, pineapple and fresh fig flavours. Silky texture. Vincent Labagère director.
93 points
Jane Anson
















































