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2023 La Prova Pinot Grigio - Last StocksAdelaide Hills, South Australia, AUSTRALIAReduced from $26.99$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2023-2025)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinBrilliant water like colour with greenish tinged edges. Delightful pear and red apple skin aromas jump out of the glass followed by some citrus and stony mineral notes. Delicious pear and red apple flavours are underscored by crunchy acidity. Nicely rounded mouth feel with some lime and stony mineral characters lingering through the back half. Finishes dry and fresh with plenty of persistence.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 12.5% - Malt Whisky Yearbook 2024$29. 99Bottle$359.88 Dozen
The Malt Whisky Yearbook has become an authoritative standard that whisky enthusiasts worldwide look forward to. This is the 19th edition, revised, fully updated and with new articles including:
Australia – the New Whisky Powerhouse
The Succession Conundrum
Oxidation – a Fascinating Enigma
Back To The Future – the Revival of Tradition
And more
In addition, six global whisky icons comment on the State of Whisky. And as always, it's fully revised and packed with new and up-to-date information on whisky distilleries from all over the world, hundreds of whisky shops, whisky sites and new bottlings. A comprehensive summary of the whisky year that was and all the latest statistics is also included. 285 pages. Paperback.
- Kilchoman Small Batch 2023 Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Islay, SCOTLAND$159. 99Bottle$1919.88 DozenABV: 48.7%
A Kilchoman matured in specially selected shaved, toasted & re-charred (STR) red wine casks, bottled non-chill filtered at high strength. The combination of 75% Bourbon, 20% red wine and 5% sherry casks results in a classic Kilchoman profile of citrus and peat smoke with layers of red fruits, cinnamon sweetness, and fresh vanilla. Founder, Anthony Wills adds, "...Rather than dominating, Loch Gorm’s oloroso maturation works in harmony with the natural character of Kilchoman. The 2023 release has a fantastic spectrum of flavour, from rich spices and macerated peaches to fresh citrus, ginger, orange zest and waves of salty peat smoke." 2520 bottles are available at 48.7% Alc./Vol. Non-chill filtered.
- Glengyle Distillery Kilkerran 8 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - 2017 ReleaseCampbeltown, SCOTLAND$399. 00Bottle$4788.00 DozenABV: 56.2%
A back release of the 8 year old - there have been more than one. At natural strength the classic Campbeltown notes will be on full show. Matured for 8 years in bourbon casks before being bottled in October 2017. 56.2% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
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Darling Distillery Gin (700ml)Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$78. 99Bottle$947.88 DozenABV: 42%Founders Karlos Gudic, Sean Waddingham and Ben Evans renovated Clifton Hill's 130-year-old Royal Hotel in 2020, making room for a 300-litre still that currently makes two gins. 'Darling Gin' is their classic London Dry, distilled with locally sourced botanicals like rosemary, oranges, green tea, lemongrass and pepperberry. Aromatically, it's bright and citrus-driven hinting at lime zest and grapefruit, with coriander, white pepper, juniper and dried herbs in tow. Those notes lead into medium-intense flavours of Meyer lemon and honey yoghurt, ending in a linear, peel-fresh, piney finish with lingering spices. This elegant, drier-styled gin is also surprisingly powerful at 42%.
GOLD - Australian Gin Awards 2021 - Classic Dry Gin
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Darling Distillery Coffee Gin (500ml)Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$64. 99Bottle$779.88 DozenABV: 38%This Melbourne specialty involves a week-long maceration of cacao nibs, hazelnuts and wattleseeds in the distillery's Darling Gin, blended with cold-drip coffee from Abbotsford’s Coffee Supreme and the natural sweetness of dates. Not sweet enough to be a liqueur, and with none of the traditional botanical notes associated with gin, the focus is on rich espresso coffee and intensely fruity dark chocolate flavours. Beneath that - and where the gin does become apparent - is the finish, adding a citrus and pepper lift that works to relieve the mid-palate sweetness. It's a bit of a stretch to call it gin, but it is better than many coffee liqueurs. Serve neat on ice with a thin slice of orange or shaken martini style. 38% Alc./Vol.
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Clover Hill Exceptionelle MVTasmania, AUSTRALIA$44. 99Bottle$539.88 DozenABV: 12.5%Closure: Diam CorkMV stands for multi vintage. Made from a blend of 59% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir and 6% Pinot Meunier it opens with a lacy white mousse that dissipates to reveal a pale straw coloured base that has pale gold tinged edges. A fine persistent bead weaves its way through its core. Citrus and oily toast like aromas intermix with yeast lees, hints of lime and chalky mineral notes. The racy, tightly knit palate sees flavours of citrus, yeast lees and green apple overlay chalky mineral elements. Tense and sculptured it finishes dry with crisp acidity and a vividly refreshing aftertaste.
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2017 Domaine de Ladoucette Baron de L Pouilly FumePouilly Fume, Loire Valley, FRANCE$180. 00Bottle$2160.00 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2023-2027)ABV: 12.5%Closure: CorkBrilliant pale straw colour with a greenish tinged outskirts and watery hue. Aromas of lime and green apple have a herbaceous grassy overlay with some green pear skin and stony mineral notes also evident. Vibrant lime and green apple fruits are underpinned by crunchy acidity with some herbaceous grassy characters, wet stone and minerals lingering through the long, elegant and zesty finish.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
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2022 Chalk Hill Luna ShirazMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2023-2028)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinDense pitch black in colour with a dark red black tinged hue. Elevated blackberry and liquorice aromas infused with blackpepper are trailed by vanillin cedar and scorched earth notes. Rich fleshy textured blackberry and liquorice fruits have an opulent feel with scorched earth, toasty vanillin cedar and blackpepper lying underneath. Velvety yet sturdy tannin structure with a finish that’s medium to long, generously fruited and peppery.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 14% - Status Grande Reserve Limited Edition Vodka (700ml)UKRAINE$129. 99Bottle$1559.88 DozenABV: 38%
A five-times filtration combined with cold-softening technology gives Status' premium offering an extremely mild flavour and soft texture. The distinctively shaped decanter-style bottle adds a sense of occasion to every pour. Distilled from a grain base. 38% Alc./Vol.
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2022 Dalla Mia Finestra ChardonnayYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2023-2029)ABV: 13.2%Closure: StelvinBrilliant pale straw colour with greenish tinged edges and a watery hue. Expressive scents of ripe peach, dried honey and cashew are followed by some nougat, hints of crème brulee and spice. Beautifully refined the mid weighted palate features white peach, nectarine and cashew flavours over a back drop of dried honey and biscuity nougat characters. Gently creamy yet elegant mouthfeel concluding medium to long with a nicely balanced freshness.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.2%Other Reviews…..
Upper Yarra Valley. 30% new oak. 100% malolactic fermentation.
Nectarine, lime, nuts, a little cedar and spice. It’s glossy and gently viscous, with a saline and savoury flavour, bright and tight citrus acidity through creaminess, lime and grapefruit, an edge of tropical fruit too, some pith-like texture and grip, with an intense and juicy citrus finish of excellent length. A bit different, and very good in that way too. Excellent. Drink 2023-2027.
94 Points
Gary Walsh – The Wine Front - Warenghem Distillery Armorik Dervenn 10 Year Old Single Malt French Whisky (700ml)Brittany, FRANCE$149. 99Bottle$1799.88 DozenABV: 46%
Aged in oak barrels sourced from the last cooper in Brittany, this a singular product with real provenance. Serge at whiskyfun.com tasted an earlier 4-5 year old Dervenn release and was impressed, stating "...I’d call it export-quality French malt whisky." So with the extra age of this bottling you can be sure it'll be better again. 46% Alc./Vol.
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2003 Chateau Lafite RothschildPauillac, Bordeaux, FRANCE$3299. 00Bottle$39588.00 DozenABV: 12.5%Closure: CorkOften seen as the most elegant of the First Growth wines, Chateau Lafite Rothschild has long been considered one of the greatest wines from not only Bordeaux, but from anywhere in the world. Prices too reflect its status as the most collectable wine in Bordeaux, spurred on since 2008 when it ruled the Chinese fine wine market.
While the vineyards are planted to 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, each year the proportions vary according to the vintage, normally with Cabernet Sauvignon accounting for 80-90% of the blend.
Ex-Chateau release 2023.
Other Reviews....
The 2003 Lafite Rothschild comes as close to perfection as any of the great Lafites made over the past three decades (1982, 1986, 1996, 2000, 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2010). This sensational effort came in at 12.7% natural alcohol, it is made in the style of one of this estate’s great classics, the 1959. Composed of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it exhibits a dense ruby/purple color to the rim along with a luxurious bouquet of cedarwood, lead pencil shaving, white chocolate, cocoa and cassis. Fat, rich, opulent and full-bodied with low acidity and stunning seductiveness and complexity, this noble wine possesses a bountiful, generous, heady style. It is just coming into its plateau of maturity where it should hold for 20-25 years. This is one of the candidates for the wine of the vintage – make no mistake about that. Drink 2014 - 2039.
100 points
Robert M. Parker, Jr. - Wine Advocate (Aug 2014)The 2003 Lafite-Rothschild famously shrugged off the merciless heat of that infamous summer when the temperature at the estate nudge 42° Celsius. It has a lovely bouquet of black plum, pressed iris, a touch of glycerin and (for Lafite) exotic scents of blood orange. The palate is powerful and intense as you would expect. There is great depth and volume with glossy black fruit laced with orange zest, smoke and melted tar. You can almost feel the summer in this Lafite-Rothschild but unlike many of its peers, it has requisite acidity to maintain freshness and avoid cloyingness on the finish. Whilst not my pick of modern-day Lafites, I have to doff my cap because it was and still is, one of the finest Left Banks of the vintage. Tasted at the Lafite-Rothschild 150th anniversary dinner at the estate. Drink 2020-2050.
96 points
Neal Martin - Vinous (May 2018)Spicy and rich, with a tobacco and berry character on the nose and palate I love the nose. Full bodied, with soft velvety tannins that give you so much. This goes on and on. Sexy and exciting right now, but leave this for five or six years.
98 points
James Suckling (March 2011)It has been several years since I lasted this wine, and the years have been kind to the wine. Now, it is supple, ostentatious, showy and also, rich with layers of ripe, red berries, cedar, herbs, tobacco leaf, and spice. The wine is full, deep and concentrated with an opulent finish that is drinking just great today.
99 points
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar Insider (April 2022) -
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2010 Chateau Mouton RothschildPauillac, Bordeaux, FRANCE$2299. 00Bottle$27588.00 DozenABV: 13.5%Closure: CorkChateau Mouton Rothschild holds a unique place in the history of Bordeaux, being the only property to have its ranking changed since the introduction of the 1855 Classification. Originally listed as a Second Growth, through the tireless efforts of Baron Philippe Rothschild to make a wine he truly believed could match the best in the world, the property was upgraded to First Growth in June 1973.
Known as the most flamboyant of the First Growth wines, Mouton Rothschild shows the rich and exotic side of Pauillac. Plantings on the 75 hectare property are a mix of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot.
Ex-Chateau release 2023.
Other Reviews....
Deep garnet in color, the 2010 Mouton Rothschild is a little closed to begin, slowly unfurling to reveal notes of baked black cherries, crème de cassis, blackberry compote and bouquet garni with suggestions of sweaty leather, pencil lead, cedar chest and black truffles plus a hint of crushed rocks. Full-bodied, the palate is solidly constructed of super firm, ripe, grainy tannins and lively acidity, framing the densely packed black fruit, finishing on a persistent mineral note. Drink 2023 - 2060.
98 points
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - Wine Advocate (March 2020)A wine of noble bearing and exceptional beauty, the 2010 Mouton Rothschild is a flat-out stunner. The aromatics alone are beguiling. On the palate, the wine is every bit as thrilling, with myriad layers of flavor that continue to open up in the glass. Graphite, gravel, smoke, plum, black cherry and savory herbs are all strikingly delineated throughout. Vivid and crystalline, the 2010 is a jewel of a wine, but it is impossibly young now. Readers who can be patient will be treated to a fabulous wine. Today, the 2010 reminds me of a more civilized version of the 1986. The 2010 is 94% Cabernet Sauvignon (the highest amount of Cabernet ever here). Dollops of Merlot round out the blend. Harvest took place between September 29 and October 13. Drink 2025-2060.
100 points
Antonio Galloni - Vinous (Jan 2016)Clearly a perfect wine that shows incredible depth of fruit with currants, dark chocolate, minerals and licorice. Full-bodied, tight and wound up with ripe tannins that let go and seduce you. Makes me want to drink it now. But this is a wine for the long term. Extraordinary. 94% cabernet sauvignon. Better in 2020.
100 points
James Suckling (March 2015)You can put the 2010 Château Mouton Rothschild up with the crème de la crème of this great vintage, and it shows the more masculine, structured style of the year while bringing that classic Mouton opulence and sexiness. Blackcurrants, smoked tobacco, graphite, and spring flower notes all shine here, and this beauty is full-bodied, has a flawlessly layered, balanced mouthfeel, and a blockbuster finish. This is classic Mouton magic, and it’s one of the most textured, seamless wines out there. Drink 2025-2050.
100 points
Jeb Dunnuck (June 2025)Smoked grilled tar on the nose, it feels both very 2010 and supremely Mouton - accomplished and confident. A more glamorous, enticing edge than the other Pauillac Firsts at this 10 year window. There are plentiful tannins but they are lined with air, and the overall feel is of plush, plumped fruits, like being rolled-up in luxurious sheets. It is very different in character to the other two Pauillac Firsts, but no less enjoyable. It feels higher in alcohol, more Cos than Lafite in terms of personality, in the way that Pichon Baron is more Latour than Comtesse, but it is nuanced and clever and surprising. Drink 2025 - 2050,
100 points
Jane Anson - Decanter (Jan 2020)Incredible in every sense of the word, this has everything you could want in a Pauillac and from Mouton Rothschild. Just as good, but different in style from the opulence found in the 2009, here you find incredible levels of intensity, density, richness, vibrancy and lift. The wall of fruit is perfectly ripe, expressing its purity along with crushed rocks, flowers, spice box, lead pencil, currants, cassis, blackberries, and Cuban cigars. The racy finish is seamless and crosses the 60-second mark with ease. This is not a wine for today. This is for the future. Your children can enjoy it at maturity. Drink from 2030-2080.
100 points
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar Insider (July 2022) -
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2010 Chateau MargauxMargaux, Bordeaux, FRANCE$2499. 00Bottle$29988.00 DozenABV: 13.5%Closure: CorkChateau Margaux has an impressive history of producing the best wines of Bordeaux, with winemaking on the property dating back to the 12th century. In the 1700’s Thomas Jefferson included Margaux in his list of the greatest four wines of Bordeaux, and this was later vindicated when Chateau Margaux was awarded First Growth status in the 1855 Classification.
Traditional in style, Chateau Margaux is a wine of finesse and purity, but also one with richness and aromatic complexity, with an enviable history of cellaring potential. Vineyards are planted to 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, while the final blend normally uses around 85% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Ex-Chateau release 2023.
Other Reviews....
Deep garnet in color, the 2010 Château Margaux features notions of minted blackcurrants, new leather and Black Forest cake with nuances of sautéed herbs, tar, underbrush and wild fungi plus a waft of cedar. Full-bodied, the palate has a rock-solid structure of firm, grainy tannins and bold freshness supporting the taut, muscular fruit, finishing long and earthy. Drink 2023 - 2060.
98+ points
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - Wine Advocate (March 2020)The 2010 Château Margaux continues to deliver the goods, but like the 2005, it is a wine that demands patience. Backward on the nose, this vintage offers black fruit, crushed violet petals and mint, graphite and cedar joining the chorus line. This bouquet is only in its first chapter. The palate is one of the most structured in recent years, gripping the mouth like a Latour, the tannins perhaps having firmed up a bit in the last couple of years. But this has a crucial line of acidity that counterbalances the payload of fruit concentration with a bravura finish that is like a brass section going full pelt. Wonderful. Tasted at the château. Drink 2030-2075.
97 points
Neal Martin - Vinous (Jan 2023)This was phenomenal from barrel and remains so. The aromas are spellbinding. It smells like a bouquet of pink roses and then goes to currants, berries and citrus. Full body, with wonderfully refined tannins. It starts discretely and then grows to different levels and dimensions like a slow but big high tide. The texture is so beautiful. Try it in 2020 or beyond.
100 points
James Suckling (Nov 2013)An undeniable star in Margaux – and from a vintage described as a “dream year” by Philippe Bascaules – the 2010 Château Margaux is a blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, and small amounts of Cabernet Franc, Carménère, and Petit Verdot, raised in new barrels. This deep purple-hued beauty offers up a sensational perfume of smoky tobacco, red and black fruits, and graphite. Full-bodied and powerful, it boasts ripe, polished tannins and incredible depth on the palate. While it's not yet in its prime drinking window, it has everything you could ask for and will have an incredible evolution over the coming 50+ years. Drink 2030-2080.
99 points
Jeb Dunnuck (June 2025)As we head out of Pauillac, you feel the register change. It takes a heartbeat to adjust, but then you start to see the beauty of a different style of 2010, a little more elegant, a little more sculpted, with concentration that sits deep in the body of the wine but builds more slowly through the palate. This shows the beauty of the appellation of Margaux in the way that you always want and hope the First Growths will - a signpost towards the rest, showing why they should be celebrated. Here are violet aromatics, soft black truffle flavours and silky, elongated tannins. Extremely good quality; fairly savoury berry fruits. As with all of these, there's a long long life ahead of it, and best to be put away for another five years at least. Drink 2025 - 2050.
99 points
Jane Anson - Decanter (Jan 2020)The perfume teases you with its depth and intensity of what’s to come with its aromas of violets, smoky oak, licorice, earth, vanilla and mélange of dark berries. From the first sip, the wine coats your palate and taste buds with pure, fresh, rich, thick, polished blackberries, silky tannins and a finish that builds and expands for close to 60 seconds! The wine continued to build and expand in the glass for the two hours we spent with the wine over lunch.
100 points
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar Insider (May 2013) -
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1998 PetrusPomerol, Bordeaux, FRANCE$11999. 00Bottle$143988.00 DozenABV: 13.5%Closure: CorkOther Reviews....
The greatest wine produced at this estate since the formidable duo of 1989 and 1990 is the 1998 Pétrus, a magical bottle that is a lot more complex and expressive today than was the case only a handful of years ago. Bursting with aromas of dark berries, pencil shavings, violets, licorice and black truffle, it's full-bodied, rich and seamless, with incredible depth at the core, beautifully refined tannins and a long, resonant finish. Even though this is probably the richest, most textural wine of the vintage, the 1998 isn't quite as broad and concentrated as the 1989, but if anything, it's even more precise and delineated. Drink 2020 - 2060.
100 points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Dec 22, 2023)The 1998 Petrus never fails to deliver. This is a fabulous example that confirms it is a true tour de force. It has a compelling bouquet with mineral-rich black and red fruit with unerring purity. In this bottle, I notice a hint of hickory not observed previously. The palate is medium-bodied with silky smooth tannins, perfect acidity and a sense of tension that counterbalances the sheer power and ambition of this, the best Bordeaux of the vintage bar none. I was not quite moved to give this a perfect three-figure score, but it flirts with perfection. Tasted at the Petrus dinner at Hide restaurant in London and at Epure restaurant in Hong Kong. Drink 2020-2060.
99 points
Neal Martin - Vinous (Dec 2019)The 1998 Petrus goes from strength to strength as it ages. It's a perfect wine and the wine of the vintage with Le Pin and Cheval Blanc. I was lucky enough to drink some over the weekend when a friend brought a bottle to dinner. It was stunning. It's so deep and characterful yet refined and subtle. It showed aromas of wet earth, mushrooms and dark fruits. Dry black olives came out as well. Full body, firm tannins and bright acidity. Very fresh and just opening up now. Walnut and chocolate character. So youthful. Decant two or three hours before serving.
100 points
James Suckling (June 2016)Richly-scented like you wouldn't believe, earthy truffle, undergrowth, black olive and rosemary fill the glass as your nose hovers over it, and don't let up right through the palate, providing waves of first aroma then flavour. At 22 years old this provides apt evidence of why Petrus 1998 is a legend of 20th century wine. The vintage plays to all of Petrus' strengths; a classic Merlot year that here combines velvety soft-edged tannins that caress and cushion the abundant black cherry, blackberry and bilberry fruit. Traces of campfire, mocha and liquorice are shot through every mouthful, and this is just so good. Jean-Claude Berrouet was at the helm at this point, expertly conducting the many strands of the wine. Harvest September 21, 22 and 23. A small yield meant just 2,400 cases compared to the usual 4,000. 50% new oak. Drink 2020 - 2032.
100 points
Jane Anson - Decanter (Sept 2020)It is out of my price range, but if you have the coin or friends with the bank, if you are seeking a Petrus with some age that is really hitting all the right notes, 1998 is the wine to buy. The wine is loaded from start to finish with chocolate-coated cherries, truffles, flowers, plums, smoke, touches of blue fruits, and a mild touch of menthol. Full-bodied, rich, opulent, silky, and fresh, the wine is polished, refined, intense, and palate-coating with purity and length. Drink from 2023-2050.
99 points
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar Insider (Sept 2023) - McHenry 10 Year Old Single Malt Australian Whisky (500ml)Tasmania, AUSTRALIA$174. 99Bottle$2099.88 DozenABV: 46%
For Australian whisky, this is well into middle age. Drawn from American oak barrels that have been sitting in the distillery sheds since McHenry started over twelve years ago, we're told the best flavours are found when it’s left to breathe for a minute or two before your first sip. 46% Alc./Vol.
Notes from the producers... Nose: The nose of this whisky presents an inviting bouquet reminiscent of a freshly baked vanilla cake, emerging with a delicate and alluring sweetness. As you delve deeper, the notes of caramel reveal themselves, entwined with the essence of warm, buttery toffee. This interplay between the vanilla and caramel is heightened by a nuanced undercurrent of light spice, akin to a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg, lending an extra layer of complexity to the aroma. The overall effect is akin to wandering into a kitchen as a cake rich with vanilla essence and caramelization emerges from the oven, enticing and comforting. Palate: Upon the first sip, the whisky glides onto the palate with an exquisite silkiness that imparts a velvety sensation, reminiscent of satin sheets. The initial touch reveals a harmonious blend of flavors where the vanilla and caramel from the nose seamlessly transition onto the palate. The taste unfolds into a symphony of traditional oak flavors, evoking the essence of aged wood, interwoven with hints of toasted almond and a faint whisper of dark chocolate. These oak characteristics tell a story of the whisky’s journey through time, as it draws forth the essence of the barrel it matured in. The aging process becomes palpable as the flavors deepen and develop, allowing you to truly taste the passage of years. Finish: The finish is a lingering embrace that envelops your tongue in a gentle warmth, akin to the embrace of a cozy blanket on a chilly evening. The initial burst of flavors slowly fades, leaving behind a soothing resonance that carries with it the echoes of the whisky’s journey. It’s a comforting and reflective moment, akin to the warmth of a hearthfire. As the whisky bids adieu, it leaves a memory of its intricate layers, evoking a sense of nostalgia and contentment, inviting you to relive the experience once more.
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Airlie Bank NV Yarra CuveeYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$24. 99Bottle$299.88 DozenABV: 12.5%Closure: CorkThe NV Yarra Cuvee is a mix of mostly Chardonnay with a dash of Pinot Noir from the Napoleone Vineyard. It combines one part from an older reserve base tank (dating back to 2010) and one part from the current vintage. The wine undergoes full malolactic fermentation, an addition of a touch of new oak, and brandy spirit.
Other Reviews....
80/20% chardonnay/pinot noir. Charmat method, with the NV wine sitting on full lees in tank. 6g/L dosage. A pale, bright green gold. Excellent bang for your buck here. Citrus, honey, some red fruits and just enough freshly baked biscuits to make it interesting. The palate is just dry enough, finishing clean and crisp.
90 Points
Philip Rich - Halliday's Australian Wine Companion -
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2021 Dalla Mia Finestra Pinot NoirYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2023-2029)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinThirty percent whole bunch inclusion with maturation taking place in French oak barriques (20% new) for a period of 10 months. Semi translucent dark red core with black toned edges and a light red hue. Fragrant red cherry, rhubarb and winter strawberry scents intermix with brambly dried herbs, forest floor and spicy cedar notes. Light in body cherry and rhubarb flavours carry a very elegant feel and only modest depth. Energetic acidity with fresh herb, brambly cedar, forest floor and spice elements also evident. Polished tannins with a fresh, savoury conclusion of medium length.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
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2018 Barwon Ridge Shiraz - Last StocksGeelong, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$39. 99Bottle$479.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2023-2029)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinIncludes a component of whole bunches with maturation taking place in French oak barrels. Midnight black in colour with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Intense ripe blackberry, liquorice and black cherry aromas are complimented by smoky vanillin cedar, clove and peppered meat notes. Rich blackberry, liquorice and dark plum fruits carry ample body weight and a plush feel across the full bodied palate. Deep, concentrated and opulent yet savoury, notions of vanillin cedar, scorched earth, dried meats and peppered herbs lie underneath. Velvety tannins finishing long, polished and peppery.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14% - Morris Rutherglen Sherry Barrel Finished Single Malt Australian Whisky (700ml)Rutherglen, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$149. 99Bottle$1799.88 DozenABV: 46%
Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product pictured.
Notes from the producers... COLOUR: Tiger-eye gemstone with copper highlights. NOSE: Spun toffee, baked fruit flan with peach compote and fresh sherry cask notes. PALATE: It has a unique Rutherglen character of being produced from all Australian ingredients and finished in Morris of Rutherglen award winning Apera casks. Producing a well-structured whisky with subtle spice, toasted nut and clean oak characters. FINISH: Delicious, candied lemon with gentle sage and marjoram herbal profile. - Sullivans Cove Single Cask TD0393 American Oak Second Fill Single Malt Australian Whisky (700ml)Hobart, Tasmania, AUSTRALIA$399. 00Bottle$4788.00 DozenABV: 51.3%
Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not pictured.
This second-fill American oak matured release was filled into a cask in Feb 2013 and bottled in May 2023. 241 bottles produced. 51.3% Alc./Vol.
From early bottlings that were sometimes awkward and experimental, Sullivan’s Cove has emerged as one of the top whisky producers in the Southern hemisphere. Founded in 1994, Patrick Macguire joined the company five years later as Head Distiller, spearheading a new bottle design and refining the portfolio. By 2007, the distillery gained international recognition with their American Oak winning Liquid Gold (95/100) in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible. Even greater praise was to follow, with the title of World’s Best Single Malt at the prestigious World Whiskies Awards in London in 2014. In 2016 the distilllery was sold, but the core range has persisted (American Oak, French Oak and Double Cask. For collectors, a special single cask range includes older age statements and cask strength expressions). Thirty years on, Sullivans Cove's output is better than ever, affirmed by a meticulous new distillery and significantly bigger production to meet global demand. The majority of the whiskies are aged in either 300L French oak ex-tawny barrels or 200L American oak ex-bourbon barrels and generally bottled between 6 and 9 years. - 2022 Hofgut Falkenstein Niedermenniger Herrenberg Riesling Spatlese Feinherb (Palm)Mosel, GERMANY$81. 99Bottle$983.88 DozenABV: 8.5%Closure: Cork
The Weber family of Hofgut Falkenstein have been making ultra-traditional Rieslings in the Saar district of the Mosel region since the mid-eighties; there they farm about 9 hectares in and around the villages of Niedermennig and Krettnach. Erich, the family winzer (winegrower in german) works alongside his middle son Johannes, who has joined him full-time in the vineyards and cellar in recent years. Ever since there has been more of a focus on Rieslings with residual sugar. The emphasis on their work is in the vineyard, where no pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers are employed and cover crops are grown to encourage biodiversity and, when necessary, competition with the vines for water. With their straightforward approach to winemaking the Webers craft light, distinctive and racy Rieslings displaying well-integrated acidity from their low yielding old vines, and are bottled traditionally by the cask.
Other Reviews....
The 2022er Niedermenniger Herrenberg Riesling Spätlese Feinherb Palm (the reference to this internal cask name is provided in small print on the label after the AP number) comes from different small parcels on the western side of the vineyard and was fermented down to off-dry levels of residual sugar. Slightly reductive at first, this quickly opens up to reveal beautiful notes of vineyard peach, Conference pear, minty herbs, and stone fruits. The wine proves incredibly creamy and refined on the delicately smooth and beautifully refined palate. The finish is more focused as zesty elements come through. Aromatic and fruity flavors are wrapped into fine spices and herbal elements in the after-taste. Drink 2027-2042.
94 points
Jean Fisch & David Rayer - Mosel Fine Wines - 2022 Hofgut Falkenstein Krettnacher Euchariusberg Riesling Auslese (Forster)Mosel, GERMANY$135. 00Bottle$1620.00 DozenABV: 7.5%Closure: Cork
The Weber family of Hofgut Falkenstein have been making ultra-traditional Rieslings in the Saar district of the Mosel region since the mid-eighties; there they farm about 9 hectares in and around the villages of Niedermennig and Krettnach. Erich, the family winzer (winegrower in german) works alongside his middle son Johannes, who has joined him full-time in the vineyards and cellar in recent years. Ever since there has been more of a focus on Rieslings with residual sugar. The emphasis on their work is in the vineyard, where no pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers are employed and cover crops are grown to encourage biodiversity and, when necessary, competition with the vines for water. With their straightforward approach to winemaking the Webers craft light, distinctive and racy Rieslings displaying well-integrated acidity from their low yielding old vines, and are bottled traditionally by the cask.
Other Reviews....
The 2022er Krettnacher Euchariusberg Riesling Auslese Förster (the reference to this internal cask name is provided in small print on the label after the AP number) was made from clean fruit harvested rather late at 90° Oechsle from vines planted in the 1960s in the prime Gross Schock sector of the vineyard and was fermented down to sweet levels of residual sugar. It offers a fresh and delicately floral nose of bright white and yellow fruits, candied grapefruit, may tree, cassis, and smoke. The wine is magnificently playful and juicy on the clean and bright palate. The finish is very long and crystal clear. This is a splendid and refined Auslese. Drink 2032-2062.
95 points
Jean Fisch & David Rayer - Mosel Fine Wines -
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The Glenallachie 8 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLANDReduced from $119.99$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenABV: 46%Created from a combination of Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry puncheons along with a small quantity of virgin oak casks and red wine barriques. 46% Alc./vol. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... From 'The valley of the Rocks'. Got to love those valleys, deer, brambles, tranquillity, now rocks… Don't they have a valley of the bagpipes too? This one's got everything as far as casks are concerned, oloroso, PX, red wine, virgin oak… Colour: rich gold. Nose: sweet, fruity easy, with pear liqueur, gooseberries, pineapples, guignolet (cherry liqueur), wine gums, coconut, marshmallows… No oak bomb this time, that's very cool. Mouth: indeed, sweet and easy, full of liqueurs and bonbons, orange drops, cream eggs, grenadine… Finish: medium, very sweet. More jellybeans. Cassis jelly, pomegranate syrup, Red Bull… Spices in the aftertaste. Comments: a very good, easy, sweet, syrupy young malt whisky. 82 points - whiskyfun.com
Notes from the producers... A nose of heather honey, butterscotch and cinnamon, followed by waves of ginger, toasted almonds and mocha lead to a pallet with lashings of treacle, dried sultanas and butterscotch, with cinnamon, peppermint and honeycomb.
- Pokeno Single Cask Virgin Cask Finish Single Malt New Zealand Whisky (700ml)NEW ZEALAND$179. 99Bottle$2159.88 DozenABV: 46%
After a full maturation in a first-fill bourbon barrel, Pokeno have re-racked this edition into a virgin oak cask, built to specification using 36 month air-dried American oak. A light toast and char has enhanced the distillery's classic citrus and vanilla notes, adding hints of shortbread, toasted caramel and cocoa. 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
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2012 Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame RoseChampagne, FRANCE$599. 00Bottle$7188.00 DozenABV: 12.5%Closure: CorkIn 1818, Madame Clicquot made the first-ever "rosé d'assemblage" champagne by mixing some of her red Bouzy wines with white ones. La Grande Dame Rosé honors her idea by using 90% Pinot Noir from the historical Grands Crus of Aÿ, Verzenay, Verzy, Ambonnay, and Bouzy, enriched by 10% Chardonnay from Avize and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. This base is then blended with 13% Pinot Noir red wine exclusively from the 'Clos Colin' parcel, situated in Bouzy. Aged on lees for 10 years in bottle before being disgorged and topped with a dosage of 8g/L.
Other Reviews....
The 2012 Brut Rosé La Grande Dame is the finest wine I've tasted from Veuve Clicquot in several decades. Offering up aromas of red berries, bee pollen, orange zest and freshly baked bread, it's medium to full-bodied, pillowy and precise, with a deep core of fruit and a vibrant, tightly coiled profile, concluding with a penetrating, sapid finish. This isn't the muscular, powerful Clicquot style of yesteryear, but it's a compelling effort in a fine-boned, more polished register. Drink 2023 - 2038.
94 Points
William Kelley - Robert Parker's Wine AdvocateThe new 2012 vintage of Veuve Clicquot's top rosé sweeps in full of dynamics and detail, the 13% proportion of red wine bringing a succulent red apple, rose and poached strawberry fragrance to 2012's finessed, narrowing build. There's an intriguing smoky/reductive streak at present too, setting off the fruit-forwardness and creamy undercurrent with a touch of drama and energy. This has the volume and immediacy to enjoy now, but even more impressive is the precision and build of a truly cellar-worthy rosé. 92% Pinot Noir from Äy, Verzenay, Verzy, Ambonnay and Bouzy (13% as red wine from Bouzy), 8% Chardonnay from Avize and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. Dosage 8 g/L. Drink 2023 - 2040.
95 Points
Tom Hewson - DecanterMaturity gives the wine toastiness while retaining the background of fine fruits and texture. It is an impressive Champagne, as always: rich while also balanced, with a touch of minerality. Drink the wine now.
95 Points
Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast Magazine -
- 94
Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Port Ellen Blended Scotch Whisky (750ml)SCOTLAND$1199. 00Bottle$14388.00 DozenABV: 43.8%Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not pictured.
Closing in 1981, Port Ellen has held its "Ghost" status for over 30 years, now. Yet Diageo don't seem to be running all that dry of it... Johnnie Walker believe they have done the extinct distilleries product justice with this Blue Label blend. The reviews seem to be backing up that idea too. 8 different single malts from every corner of Scotland have been used, including two more Ghost distilleries. First and foremost, Port Ellen, then grain whisky from Carsebridge and Caledonian and then malts from Dailuaine, Cragganmrore, Mortlach, Blair Athol and Oban. If you don't want to spend high 4 figures to experience this near forgotten dram, then here is your chance.
Other reviews.... This uninhibited, tempestuous expression of Blue Label highlights the artistry of the blender through the judicious use of closed distillery malts and grains. Coastal notes of sea spray, lemon, dirty peat smoke, cookies and cream, After Eight mints, caramel, and dry-roasted spice aromas. Combining lemon bonbon, waxy orange, cookie dough, fondant icing, and chocolate, with tobacco smoke, hints of peppermint, and grapefruit notes, this flagrantly outclasses the Brora variant.
94 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: Jonny McCormick 2018 -
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2020 Cheval des AndesMendoza, ARGENTINA$230. 00Bottle$2760.00 DozenCellar: Drink now - 10 Years (2023-2033)ABV: 14.5%Closure: CorkCheval des Andes is the brainchild of Pierre Lurton from Cheval Blanc with the dream to follow the original Malbec vines from Bordeaux to Argentina. Malbec was brought to Argentina in the mid-19th century, and having avoided the phylloxera epidemic that swept through Europe, the ungrafted vines here represent a unique opportunity to express Malbec in a way not possible with the grafted vines found elsewhere. With this aim, Chateau Cheval Blanc started a joint venture with Terrazas de Los Andes in 1999 and Cheval des Andes was born. Since then, a predominantly Malbec, Bordeaux-style blend has become the signature of Cheval des Andes. The 2020 vintage is a blend of 49% Malbec, 49% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot.
Dense pitch black heart with a deep dark red black tinged hue. A potent mix of black cherry, blackcurrant and liquorice scents greet the nostrils followed by hints of ripe blueberry, spicy vanillin cedar, dusty earth, provincial herbs and traces of graphite. Rich, mouthfilling and powerful, a tidal wave of black cherry, liquorice, blackcurrant and blueberry fruits engulf the palate. Beautifully integrated graphite like tannins lend polish and provide an exemplary framework. Earth, tobacco, vanillin cedar, black olives and spicy dried herbs form the underbelly. There’s a refined edge to the long, gorgeously seductive conclusion.
Drink over the next 8-10 years.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews....
The 2020 Cheval des Andes was harvested from the last of February for the first time ever. It was Gabillet's second vintage at Cheval des Andes, and that year, he had to start without waiting for Pierre Olivier Clouet and Pierre Lurton from Cheval Blanc; when they arrived, they had finished picking the Malbec, which surprisingly was fresher in Las Compuertas (because of the higher percentage of clay?) than in Altamira (where the vines suffered more stress), saving the freshness. They now harvest using cold trucks (for the first time), and they also started earlier in the morning (six in the morning, impossible earlier in Mendoza...), which he reckons was very good for the precision of the wine. They used 40% 225-liter barrels, 40% 400-liter oak barrels and 20% 2,500-liter foudres, half of them new and with an élevage of 15 months on average, depending on the lots and varieties from 12 to 18 months. The final blend was 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot, which makes a comeback as it was not used since 2016. The key was to finish the fermentation of the Petit Verdot without skins, and that way, they have been able to use it in the blends of 2021, 2022 and 2023 in small but increasing percentages. This is slightly riper than 2019, with a little more alcohol (14.5%) and with very good structural tannins but saving the freshness, and it has the spicy side from the Petit Verdot (Gabillet talks about white pepper). The wine has the ultra sleek and polished texture and the elegance and the balance that is the signature here; the wine is very clean and precise. I see very good regularity across the three vintages I tasted next to each other—this 2020 and the 2018 and 2019. Overall, this is a triumph over the adverse conditions of the vintage. They produced their usual 100,000 bottles (since 2018), as they are renewing their vineyards and want to keep the volume stable. They produce this volume from the 36 productive hectares they have in Las Compuertas and Altamira. Drink 2024-2034.
98 points
Luis Gutierrez – Robert Parker’s The Wine AdvocateRipe, baked dark cherries with spices and some violets. Hints of graphite, cocoa powder, incense and black pepper. Dried rose petals. A slightly fuller Cheval des Andes with tense, silky tannins and a lingering, generous finish. Ripe, but still has lots of restraint and precision. 49% malbec, 49% cabernet sauvignon with a 2% petit verdot. 24% of the malbec comes from Altamira and all the rest of the fruit come from Las Compuertas. Drink or hold.
97 points
JamesSuckling.comThe 2020 Cheval des Andes is a blend of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 49% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot from Paraje Altamira in the Uco Valley and Las Compuertas in Luján de Cuyo. Aged in French oak barrels, it's purple in the glass with a garnet sheen. The nose reveals a well-judged approach to the warmth of 2020, featuring ripe plum, redcurrant, mint and hints of white pepper over a bed of bay leaf and cedar. It's dry and velvety on the palate, with rich, polished tannins that deliver a juicy, balanced mouthfeel. The balsamic notes and rich palate reflect the year's character, while the finish is dynamic and long-lasting. Drink 2025-2035.
96 points
Joaquin Hidalgo - Vinous -
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2014 Philipponnat Clos des Goisses Extra Brut ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$550. 00Bottle$6600.00 DozenClosure: CorkPhilipponnat's Clos des Goisses vineyard is one of the most famous in all of Champagne, and having been purchased by the Philipponnat family in 1935 it immediately became its crown jewel. The name is taken from the local dialect “Gois” meaning very steep, and the vineyard is the steepest, directly south-facing site in the whole of Champagne with a gradient between 30-45%. Pinot Noir dominates the cuvee with the typical blend two-thirds Pinot and one-third Chardonnay, granting Clos des Goisses with power, structure, and exceptional longevity. Work is done almost entirely by hand, and no insecticides or synthetic herbicides are used in the vineyard. The 2014 release is a blend of 71% Pinot Noir and 29% Chardonnay, aged on lees for 8 years.
Note: Product comes without gift box.
Other Reviews....
The 2014 Extra-Brut Clos des Goisses, the latest rendition from this walled vineyard, reveals a fresh, energetic character with aromas of pear, peach, licorice, spices, white fruits, spring flowers and menthol. Medium to full-bodied, seamless and chiseled, this is a structured, tension-filled but ethereal Champagne with high acidity, sign of a cool-weather vintage. Although already thoroughly enjoyable, it should age well over the next 10 years. This is a blend of 71% Pinot Noir and 29% Chardonnay, disgorged with 4.25 grams per liter dosage. Drink 2023-2035.
95 points
Yohan Castaing - Wine Advocate (Nov 17, 2023)I tasted the 2014 Extra-Brut Clos des Goisses from a bottle disgorged a la volée, in other words with no dosage and no sulfur added. At this very early and unfinished stage, the 2014 appears to be a linear, focused Champagne built more on persistence and focus than body, which is to say very much in the style of the year. Of course, much can change with dosage. It will be interesting to see how things end up. The blend is 71% Pinot Noir and 29% Chardonnay, done 64% in oak, 36% in steel, with no malolactic fermentation in any of the lots. Drink 2024-2044.
94-96 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousThis is showing elegant and complex aromas of pie crust, cinnamon rolls, spiced apples and hazelnuts. Hints of mocha and berry crumble. Very creamy bubbles on the palate, with caressing pastry elements married to bright acidity. There’s richness, but it’s sleek and fresh at the end. 71% pinot noir and 29% chardonnay. Disgorged March 2023. 4.5g/L dosage. Drink or hold.
95 points
James SucklingMade from 71% Pinot Noir and the rest Chardonnay, the 2014 Champagne Clos des Goisses Extra Brut takes on a very pretty and floral profile. Pouring a bright straw hue, it’s lifted with the perfume of cherry blossoms, wet stone, fresh berries, and sweet brioche. Full-bodied, though more linear compared to the 2013 vintage, it’s highlighted by a refined, chalky texture with a pillowy mousse, building to a ripe and rounded mid-palate and a long, elegant finish with a flourish of white pepper spice. Though it’s certainly not the most powerful vintage for the vineyard, it’s very attractive. It will benefit from another couple of years and continue to improve over the next two decades. Disgorged in March of 2023, with 4.5 grams per liter dosage. Drink 2025 - 2045.
96 points
Audrey Frick - jebdunnuck.comFrom the 5.83-hectare walled vineyard in a cooler, 'classic' vintage for Champagne, giving this a finessed and charming expression. Baked pastry and soft lemon curd notes on the nose, smells inviting and softly floral - honeysuckle, jasmine, lemon and lime rind with some peach. Juicy and so zesty straight away, bright, mouthwateing, scintillatingly fresh and lively, thrilling even, with tiny persistent bubbles that instantly froth and fill the mouth. Alive and energetic with lemon rind and juice, succulent green apples and strawberries, grapefruit and ginger bitterness with touches of salinity and graphite dotting the finish. This makes you instantly want another glass, but this has structure too and such a long finish. No malolactic fermentation. Dosage 4.5g/l. Made by Charles Philipponnat and Thierry Garnier. Drink 2023 - 2042.
97 points
Georgina Hindle - Decanter -
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2014 Philipponnat Clos des Goisses Extra Brut Champagne Magnum (1500ml)Champagne, FRANCE$1099. 00Bottle$13188.00 DozenClosure: CorkPhilipponnat's Clos des Goisses vineyard is one of the most famous in all of Champagne, and having been purchased by the Philipponnat family in 1935 it immediately became its crown jewel. The name is taken from the local dialect “Gois” meaning very steep, and the vineyard is the steepest, directly south-facing site in the whole of Champagne with a gradient between 30-45%. Pinot Noir dominates the cuvee with the typical blend two-thirds Pinot and one-third Chardonnay, granting Clos des Goisses with power, structure, and exceptional longevity. Work is done almost entirely by hand, and no insecticides or synthetic herbicides are used in the vineyard. The 2014 release is a blend of 71% Pinot Noir and 29% Chardonnay, aged on lees for 8 years.
Other Reviews....
The 2014 Extra-Brut Clos des Goisses, the latest rendition from this walled vineyard, reveals a fresh, energetic character with aromas of pear, peach, licorice, spices, white fruits, spring flowers and menthol. Medium to full-bodied, seamless and chiseled, this is a structured, tension-filled but ethereal Champagne with high acidity, sign of a cool-weather vintage. Although already thoroughly enjoyable, it should age well over the next 10 years. This is a blend of 71% Pinot Noir and 29% Chardonnay, disgorged with 4.25 grams per liter dosage. Drink 2023-2035.
95 points
Yohan Castaing - Wine Advocate (Nov 17, 2023)I tasted the 2014 Extra-Brut Clos des Goisses from a bottle disgorged a la volée, in other words with no dosage and no sulfur added. At this very early and unfinished stage, the 2014 appears to be a linear, focused Champagne built more on persistence and focus than body, which is to say very much in the style of the year. Of course, much can change with dosage. It will be interesting to see how things end up. The blend is 71% Pinot Noir and 29% Chardonnay, done 64% in oak, 36% in steel, with no malolactic fermentation in any of the lots. Drink 2024-2044.
94-96 points
Antonio Galloni - VinousThis is showing elegant and complex aromas of pie crust, cinnamon rolls, spiced apples and hazelnuts. Hints of mocha and berry crumble. Very creamy bubbles on the palate, with caressing pastry elements married to bright acidity. There’s richness, but it’s sleek and fresh at the end. 71% pinot noir and 29% chardonnay. Disgorged March 2023. 4.5g/L dosage. Drink or hold.
95 points
James SucklingMade from 71% Pinot Noir and the rest Chardonnay, the 2014 Champagne Clos des Goisses Extra Brut takes on a very pretty and floral profile. Pouring a bright straw hue, it’s lifted with the perfume of cherry blossoms, wet stone, fresh berries, and sweet brioche. Full-bodied, though more linear compared to the 2013 vintage, it’s highlighted by a refined, chalky texture with a pillowy mousse, building to a ripe and rounded mid-palate and a long, elegant finish with a flourish of white pepper spice. Though it’s certainly not the most powerful vintage for the vineyard, it’s very attractive. It will benefit from another couple of years and continue to improve over the next two decades. Disgorged in March of 2023, with 4.5 grams per liter dosage. Drink 2025 - 2045.
96 points
Audrey Frick - jebdunnuck.comFrom the 5.83-hectare walled vineyard in a cooler, 'classic' vintage for Champagne, giving this a finessed and charming expression. Baked pastry and soft lemon curd notes on the nose, smells inviting and softly floral - honeysuckle, jasmine, lemon and lime rind with some peach. Juicy and so zesty straight away, bright, mouthwateing, scintillatingly fresh and lively, thrilling even, with tiny persistent bubbles that instantly froth and fill the mouth. Alive and energetic with lemon rind and juice, succulent green apples and strawberries, grapefruit and ginger bitterness with touches of salinity and graphite dotting the finish. This makes you instantly want another glass, but this has structure too and such a long finish. No malolactic fermentation. Dosage 4.5g/l. Made by Charles Philipponnat and Thierry Garnier. Drink 2023 - 2042.
97 points
Georgina Hindle - Decanter -
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1998 Philipponnat Clos des Goisses L.V. Extra Brut ChampagneChampagne, FRANCE$1199. 00Bottle$14388.00 DozenClosure: CorkPhilipponnat's Clos des Goisses vineyard is one of the most famous in all of Champagne, and having been purchased by the Philipponnat family in 1935 it immediately became its crown jewel. The name is taken from the local dialect “Gois” meaning very steep, and the vineyard is the steepest, directly south-facing site in the whole of Champagne with a gradient between 30-45%. Pinot Noir dominates the cuvee with the typical blend two-thirds Pinot and one-third Chardonnay, granting Clos des Goisses with power, structure, and exceptional longevity. Work is done almost entirely by hand, and no insecticides or synthetic herbicides are used in the vineyard.
The L.V. (Long Vieillissement / long ageing) release of Clos des Goisses is the rarest bottling to come from the vineyard in which only a few hundred bottles are ever released. Philipponnat's most recent L.V. comes from the 1998 vintage, and was disgorged 25 years after harvest in 2023 bottled with a very low 4.25 g/L dosage.
Other Reviews....
Disgorged in March 2023, the 1998 Extra Brut Clos des Goisses L.V. matured for 25 months in bottle and on lees. It reveals a brilliant, complex and intense bouquet with aromas of white pepper, smoke, orange peel, pastry, ripe fruits and flowers intertwined with a refreshing, delicate note of menthol. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and chiseled, it’s concentrated and racy with bright acids and an endless finish. Fully mature, it should age well over the next two to three years. This is a blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay. Drink 2023-2035.
95 points
Yohan Castaing - Wine Advocate (Nov 17, 2023)Pale golden color with notes of honey, dried pear, chopped nuts, white chocolate and truffles. Creamy and rich, with a delicious sweet and salty character alongside earthy and honey undertones. Soft bubbles. Complex and drinking beautifully after 25 years in the cellar. Disgorged in March 2023. 4.5 g/L dosage. Drink now.
97 points
James SucklingThe bright golden yellow 1998 Champagne Clos des Goisses Extra Brut is expressive and noble on opening, with notes of butterscotch, praline, white chocolate, cherry liqueur, and preserved apricot. Pure and ripe on the palate, it has an umami-like richness and is juicy with savory orange oil and grapefruit pith. It has a silky, supple mouthfeel with a refined mousse and a long finish, and it’s maturing wonderfully. Full-bodied, it’s an elegant wine but retains the characteristic power and length of this cuvée a fantastic finish. Saline and earthy, I might prefer to enjoy this over the next few years, but it will have a lot of life. Drink 2023-2033. Raised with cork not crown, it was disgorged in March 2023, with 4.5 grams per liter dosage. Approximately 100 bottles will be released. Drink 2023 - 2033.
95 points
Audrey Frick - jebdunnuck.comA library release of around 600 bottles from Philipponnat's oenotheque range. Salty aromas on the nose with fresh almonds - you can smell age and richness but the colour is remarkable, not at all deep gold or brown more bright gold, this smells older than it looks. Lots of pear, ripe and fresh with vanilla, sandalwood, floral scents and softly spiced accents on the nose alongside a faint truffle aroma. The palate is focussed and straight with an iodine, lemon and lime tang in the middle while the edges carry the maturity with smoked meat, cepe, buttery toast, vanilla cream pastry, salt and a touch of exotic fruit. Persistent, intense, complex, rich and so intriguing - a real ride of flavour and texture. A wonderful treat to taste a historic vintage direct from the estate and to be able to compare it to the initial release if you have any. Dosage 4.25g/l. Drink 2023 - 2032.
96 points
Georgina Hindle - Decanter -
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- Organic
2022 Cobaw Ridge Syrah RosePyrenees, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$46. 99Bottle$563.88 DozenABV: 12.7%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. The Syrah Rosé is obtained from the renowned "Shays Flat" vineyard, where the soil is rich in shale, mudstone, quartz, and iron-rich loam topsoil, and these characteristics are distinctly evident in the wine it produces. The grapes are gently pressed as whole bunches, followed by fermentation and maturation in large, seasoned oak barrels and terracotta Tinajas Amphora.
Other Reviews....
A new wine from Cobaw Ridge and one that took a bit of deliberation. Indeed, this is an excursion off the estate, sourced from Shay’s Flat in the Pyrenees, a certified organic site that a few Central Vic winemakers know well. This one is made in the Cobaw Tinajas, a suite of terracotta amphora that house other of their ‘domestic’ wines. Intrigue!
It’s a salty, minerally, high toned rose with a strong sense of tart red berries, crunchy cranberry, dusting of herbal, near alpine greenery and a whiff of white balsamic to lift it all. The palate is minerally plus, in the parlance, and shows more of the bouquet with a decided zing that feels refreshing and interesting though some technocrats may take umbrage, and fair enough. Crispness and crunch in that texture too – thank you for refreshing each sip – though you’d also call it a little hazy. Lovely stuff. Drink 2023 - 2026.
93 Points
Mike Bennie - The Wine Front -
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2018 Greenock Creek Roennfeldt Road ShirazBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$299. 00Bottle$3588.00 DozenABV: 14.5%Closure: CorkOther Reviews....
Greenock Creek's Shiraz Roennfeldt Road lives up to its reputation in 2018 and delivers a rich experience. While immense in concentration, it combines with youthful vibrancy, making for a killer package. It opens with a dark heart of chocolate, blackberry and black tar wrapped in a thick overcoat of new oak. There is a fantastic density of flavor to follow, an almost Port-y richness, with blackberry flavors topped by jammy complexity that all fits nicely into the overall experience. Powerful and long with a rich tannin core, this wine will power on for a decade and beyond. Drink 2025 - 2038.
97 Points
Angus Hughson - Antonio Galloni's VinousShiraz sourced from 120-year-old vines on the Greenock Creek estate in western Barossa. Concentration is always a leitmotif for this estate, but there is freshness and vitality, too, and that is what I dig about the wines. Super-ripe blackberry and black cherry fruits, fruitcake, espresso, prune juice, rum and raisin chocolate, roasting meats and Dutch licorice. Textured and velvety with compact chocolatey tannins. An altogether impressive wine that drinks beautifully. Drink 2023 - 2040.
97 Points
Dave Brookes - Halliday's Australian Wine CompanionIt has to be said: I loved the 2016 vintage of this wine. It is unapologetically Barossa and so intensely flavored, bolstered by a whack of oak and plenty of tannin... the wine isn't what I would normally chase for my own drinking. However, credit where it is due, this wine is brilliantly put together, and the fruit is clearly special. So, the 2018 Shiraz Roennfeldt Road is everything above. It is big, muscular, savory, oaky, sweet, full throttle and spicy. It's old school in a way that works in its favor, and it is evocative of roasted lamb, bonfires, winter nights and oak cellars. It's a stylized experience here, with big fruit and big oak. The rum and raisin character is endemic to the vineyard, although prior to learning this, I would have said that it was endemic to the wine. Same thing. It is lower in alcohol than all of the other cuvées at the estate and is all the better for it. This was the first time the wine was taken out of barrel before the three-year period—two years maturation for the 2018. It matured in 100% American oak (20% new). 14.5% alcohol, sealed under natural cork. Drink 2023 - 2038.
95 Points
Erin Larkin - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Historic Barrel Entry Bourbon Whiskey (700ml)Kentucky, UNITED STATES$270. 00Bottle$3240.00 DozenABV: 45.2%
The 18th Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection release continues to explore a particular aspect of whiskey making. This year’s is created from a mashbill of 72% corn, 18% rye and 10% malted barley and bottled at 45.2% Alc./Vol. New-make went into the barrel at 100 proof. The entry proof plays an important role in the maturation process, and the standard for barrel entry proof has changed over the past two centuries. The bourbon of the 19th century had a barrel entry of 100 to 103 proof, and after the repeal of Prohibition, barrel entry proof levels began to increase. Why is this significant?
Evrim Icoz from thewhiskywash.com explains, "A lot of distilleries use 125 proof (set as the maximum standard by law in 1962) as their base because this means they do not have to use as many barrels to hold the less watered down distillate. This saves a lot of space and money. However, there are notable distilleries that have lower than average barrel entry proofs such as Maker’s Mark (110 proof) and Michter’s (103 proof). When bourbon enters the barrel at a lower proof, it contains more water content compared to higher proof spirits. This higher water content allows for more efficient extraction of flavors from the wood during the aging process. The lower proof enables a slower and more gradual interaction between the bourbon and the barrel, allowing for the extraction of desirable flavors from the oak, such as vanillin, caramel, and other compounds that contribute to the bourbon’s flavor profile. Lower barrel entry proofs can result in less intense barrel influence on the bourbon. The wood influence, such as tannins and other compounds present in the oak, can be mellowed and balanced by the lower proof."
Bourbon writer, Fred Minnick points out, "...this subject is one of friendly debate; most agree with former Maker Mark’s Greg Davis, who notes that his 110 barrel entry proof doesn’t make Maker’s Mark better than Heaven Hill or another distillery going in at 125. “It just makes it different,” Davis says.
Other reviews... The bourbon starts off with a wonderful nose showcasing lighter aromas that feel like they’ve mingled together perfectly over time. It elicits reminders of a dusty bourbon from the 70s. But the palate abruptly changes course, focusing instead on drier flavors with a prominent bland oatmeal with a raisin note. A mingling of various light spices caps off the sip, with a pleasant warming heat before gently fading. While Historic Barrel Entry delivers a slightly elevated sip compared to the standard Woodford Reserve and is well-composed, the asking price doesn’t match the overall sip. For those who are fans of the series or the brand overall, this will be a subtle but pleasant hit, for everyone else though, the asking price may be a bit too steep. - breakingbourbon.com
- Husk Distillers Ink Sloe & Berry Gin (700ml)New South Wales, AUSTRALIA$74. 99Bottle$899.88 DozenABV: 26%
An antipodean take on the classic English sloe gin recipe. The base was distilled with some of Ink Gin’s star players - juniper berry, coriander, angelica and liquorice root with a tart infusion of sloe berries balanced by an explosion of sweet red berries. The final ingredient is Rosella flower. Growing wild on the fringes of tropical rainforest of northern Australia, rosellas are a type of hibiscus contributing a vibrant colour and a crisp, tart flavour. Bottled at a 'traditional strength' of 26%, the result is a refreshing lower strength “Drink Less - Enjoy More” option - perfect for sipping on the rocks. Note: Because the colour of Ink Gin is 100% natural, with no artificial stabilisers, it may fade over time. We recommend enjoying your bottle sooner rather than later.
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- 90
Whistle Pig PiggyBack 6 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey (700ml)Kentucky, UNITED STATES$119. 99Bottle$1439.88 DozenABV: 50%Following on from the very successful PiggyBack Rye release is this 6 year old Bourbon. A high corn mash bill with a dash of rye plus six years in char #3 barrels has resulted in a sweeter profile. Combined with a high ABV, it shines in citrus and sour drinks but boasts enough character to enjoy on its own.
Other reviews... Buttered bread, brown sugar, pecan pie, lemon juice, nutmeg, marzipan, and fresh pound cake highlight a warm and inviting nose. There’s a pleasant nuttiness on the palate, along with root beer spices, cocoa powder, cherry pie, and cinnamon hot chocolate all delivered on a creamy texture. Vanilla bean, baking spice, dried herbs, and cherry syrup punctuate the lengthy finish. Sweet dessert flavors paired with earthy and warming spices make this a winner. 90 points - whiskyadvocate.com
Double Gold - New York Wine & Spirits Competition 2023
- Lindores Abbey Aqua Vitae Botanical Malt Spirit (700ml)Lowlands, SCOTLAND$94. 99Bottle$1139.88 DozenABV: 40%
The earliest Aqua Vitae was made at Lindores Abbey around 1494. The current distillery team have gone to some lengths to recreate the recipe, re-imagining it as a versatile, contemporary spirit. Made on-site using locally grown green herbs such as Douglas fir, cleavers, sweet cicely as well as spices and dried fruits, the botanicals are blended with pot distilled spirit resulting in a quasi-gin-styled elixir that makes delicious mixed drinks. To get you started, try 50ml over ice in a Highball glass, topped with Ginger Ale, and garnish with a twist of orange. As it was when first conceived, the product is entirely natural, with no added sugars. 40% Alc./Vol.
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- 92
- 91
- Reduced
Hellyers Road Distillery The Journeyman Single Malt Australian Whisky (700ml)Tasmania, AUSTRALIAReduced from $174.99$149. 99Bottle$1799.88 DozenABV: 46.2%The journey of this whisky refers to the American oak casks that travelled from the US to Tasmania, and likewise, Port casks from Portugal. The respective whiskies have then embarked on another journey of 'marriage.' Each small batch is aged for a minimum of seven years. Reminiscent of Hellyer's peated 15 year old, there are nuances of feijoa, elderflower, or perhaps pavlova to the nose and palate, ending with a fresh finish suggesting grapefruit and mixed spices. A likeable and individual style that seems to be distinctive to this distillery, and possibly, Penderyn. The port is influence is indiscernible. Tasted from a 50ml sample. 46.2% Alc./Vol. Non-chill filtered.
Other reviews... Hellyers Road Journeyman is a combination of old (12 years) whisky matured in ex-bourbon casks, generally providing a creamy texture and soft sweetness, and younger (5-year-old) whisky matured in ex-fortified wine casks for more fruity, tannin and youthful brightness. And boy, is it a combo that works. You can see how well Hellyer's spirit develops with time. Orange poppy seed cake dominates the nose with an almost liqueur-like intensity, the buttery sweetness drawing you right into the glass. The incredibly gentle palate makes this a supremely easy whisky to drink, but the maturity shines through with a long, easy finish and lingering menthol and oak. Great everyday drinking, although perhaps a touch expensive in that role. 91 points - James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion
Notes from the producers... Green leaf and honeyed black tea with a hint of orange blossom. Mid palate: Marmalade and seared winter berries. Finish: Smooth, long with lingering hints of nutmeg.
- Lindores Friar John Cor Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - Chapter 1Lowlands, SCOTLAND$149. 99Bottle$1799.88 DozenABV: 60.2%
Matured in casks that previously held Bourbon, Monbazillac sweet wine and sherry, plus STR casks, this expression aims for a fruity well balanced malt at natural strength. The matte black bottle is inspired by the tunics worn by the monks that roamed the grounds of Lindores Abbey back in 1494. More chapters will follow. 60.2% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
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Kilchoman Fino Sherry Cask Matured 2023 Release Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Islay, SCOTLAND$189. 99Bottle$2279.88 DozenABV: 50%Not the first time Fino sherry casks have been matched with a peaty malt, but intuitively, the pairing should be complementary. Kilchoman founder, Anthony Wills obviously thought so, sourcing twenty fino butts from Bodega Jose y Miguel Martin in Jerez and ageing his whisky for over five years before bottling in 2023. If you didn't already know, Fino is a light, dry fresh and slightly salty style of sherry. Think of yeasty, saline notes with hints of Mediterranean herbs, fresh dough and almonds. It's hard to say if the Fino has had a positive impact on what is a profoundly maritime style-malt. It may have cancelled out some the distillery's latent fruitiness and heightened the salt'n'pepper tang. Overall the result is a slightly sedated but typically tasty and engaging Kilchoman, perhaps with more creaminess to the delivery than is usual. Wills adds, "The 2023 release elevates the fragrant green apple, stewed fruits, and sweet citrus while allowing for the unmistakable Kilchoman peat smoke to linger on the palate... another example of sherry casks working together, not against, our Kilchoman spirit." 50% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... An easy dram to sit back and just enjoy - a real bugger to try and analyse and get to the bottom of. 94 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2024
- Jim Beam Distillers Series No.7 Bourbon Whiskey (700ml)Kentucky, UNITED STATES$119. 99Bottle$1439.88 DozenABV: 37%
Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not pictured.
This is the seventh release in the Jim Beam Distillers Collector's series. This edition commemorates Frederick Booker Noe 1957 - Present (at time of bottling - d.2004).No tasting notes available.
- Jim Beam Distillers Series No.6 Bourbon Whiskey (700ml)Kentucky, UNITED STATES$149. 99Bottle$1799.88 DozenABV: 37%
Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not pictured.
This is the sixth release in the Jim Beam Distillers Collector's series. This edition commemorates Booker Noe 1929 - 2001No tasting notes available.
- Jim Beam Distillers Series No.5 Bourbon Whiskey (700ml)Kentucky, UNITED STATES$149. 99Bottle$1799.88 DozenABV: 37%
Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not pictured.
This is the fifth release in the Jim Beam Distillers Collector's series. This edition commemorates T Jeremiah Beam 1899 - 1977.No tasting notes available.
- 2021 Domaine Sylvain Cathiard Romanee Saint Vivant Grand CruBurgundy, FRANCE$5799. 00Bottle$69588.00 DozenABV: 13.5%Closure: Cork
Sylvain Cathiard built a fearsome reputation through the 1990's and early 2000's for producing some of the greatest wines of Burgundy. His ability to marry fragrant and perfectly ripe grapes with expertly chosen new oak set the standard at the time. While the wines were more approachable than his peers, they also had the requisite components to age and evolve gloriously for many years. Now under the stewardship of his son Sebastien, the wines have gained even more acclaim and are equally as well built for an envious evolution in the cellar.
Cathiard's plot of Romanee Saint Vivant is the smallest of the ten current owners with their 0.1673 ha of vines planted 1919. In a good year they are able to produce only three barrels of wine, however often it's much less meaning this is one of the rarest and most coveted wines of Burgundy.
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2019 Kooyonga Creek Castle Hill Road ChardonnayNorth East Victoria, AUSTRALIA$24. 99Bottle$299.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2023-2026)ABV: 14.4%Closure: StelvinAged for 9 months on lees and 3 months in new French oak. Bright yellow straw colour with hints of green around the edges and a watery hue. Pronounced ripe peach and honeycomb like aromas are followed by some crème brulee, bacon fat and spicy nougat notes. Rich, full and creamy the palate features concentrated yellow peach, tropical fruit and honeycomb flavours over a prominent toasty oak, crème brulee and spice back drop. Ample freshness with a long toasty oak and spice dominated finish.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 14.4% -
- 90
2021 Bindi Sergardi La Boncia ChiantiTuscany, ITALY$27. 99Bottle$335.88 DozenMinimum 6 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2023-2027)ABV: 13.5%Closure: Diam CorkDark red in colour with black tinged edges and a dark red hue. The nose offers up red currant and red cherry scents followed by some tobacco, dried herb and spicy earth notes. Mid weighted with an elegant feel, the palate features fresh red currant and red cherry fruits over dried herbs, earth and spice. Slightly grainy tannins with a savoury mid length conclusion.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13.5% - Chandon Garden SpritzYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenABV: 12.5%Closure: Cork
Garden Spritz offers a convenient and shareable concoction, combining artisanal sparkling wine and a carefully crafted blend of navel and blood oranges, dried orange peel, along with natural herbs and spices. This exquisite fusion features the Chandon sparkling wine base harmoniously paired with locally produced, 100% natural orange bitters from the Yarra Valley. The Chardonnay grapes infuse vibrant citrus notes, while Pinot Noir, in tandem with handcrafted orange bitters, imparts that distinctive, completely natural orange vibrancy.
All you need to do is add ice and a slice of orange, and for an added touch of drama, garnish with a sprig of rosemary.
















































