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- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
- Organic
2020 Tenuta Meraviglia BolgheriTuscany, ITALY$89. 99Bottle$1079.88 DozenMinimum 6 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2025-2033)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinConcentrated and powerful with a firm tannin structure and long, robust finish.
100% Cabernet Franc aged in French oak for approximately 12 months. Midnight black core with a dark red hue. Pronounced blackcurrant and liquorice aromas are interwoven with earth, spicy vanillin cedar, dried herbs and spicy leather. Rich black cherry, blackcurrant and liquorice fruits engulf the mouth with notions of scorched earth, dried herbs and spicy vanillin cedar in the background. Concentrated and powerful, it has a firm tannin structure and long, robust finish.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 14%Other Reviews…..
Delivers aromas of black currant and bell pepper that give way to ripe black currant, blackberry and violet flavors, accented by iron, tobacco and wild herbs. Reveals a touch of oak spices as this red unfolds on the fresh, lingering aftertaste. Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2035. 2,000 cases made.
92 Points
WineSpectator.com -
- 93
- 92
2023 Feudo Arancio InzoliaSicily, ITALY$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 13%Closure: Diam CorkZingy fruited finishing dry and slatey.
Brilliant pale straw to straw colour with green tinted edges and a watery hue. Aromas of pear, guava and mango fill the nostrils with some lime and slatey mineral notes also evident. Spicy pear, guava, green apple and lime flavours carry a river stone like feel as they marry into a slatey crushed rock back drop. Finishes very dry with zingy acidity and a slatey aftertaste.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 13%Other Reviews…..
From Sicily, it seems we rarely see examples from any other maker of this attractive white variety. A bit of a shame as, based on this, it is a most worthwhile variety. Still, as they say in the classics, love the one you’re with. A deep golden yellow hue here, the nose has a lovely gingery note along with florals, spices, citrus, tropical touches and herbs with a hint of stonefruits. This is an attractive textural style of medium length. Enjoy this wine now and over the next four to five years which represents great value. Drink 2024-2029.
92 Points
Ken Gargett – WinePilot.com -
- 93
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 Gill Estate Rivah Sauvignon BlancVictoria, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2025-2026)ABV: 12.8%Closure: StelvinScrumptious and intensely flavoured.
Brilliant water like colour with a faint greenish tinge around the rim. Pungent herbaceous gooseberry and passionfruit aromas are followed by some lime and subtle grassy notes. Mouth watering passionfruit, lime and gooseberry flavours are delivered with fabulous intensity. Subtle green apple and herbaceous grassy elements linger underneath. Crisp acidity with a long scrumptious finish.
Drink over the next year.
Alc. 12.8% -
- 95
- 96
2022 Bleasdale Frank Potts Cabernet BlendLanghorne Creek, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2025-2033)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinMid weighted with ample richness, a sturdy structure and elegant conclusion.
The founder, the highly inventive, industrious and resourceful Frank Potts (1815 - 1890), to whom this wine is dedicated, was a 19th century genius, and a pioneer who has been described as being “made of the right stuff and well worthy of the grand old land that gave him birth.” He arrived in Australia as a 21 year old, having set sail from Plymouth England, and landing late in 1836. By the 1860’s, he had planted the original 30 acres of vineyard on the banks of the Bremmer Creek. Potts was highly admired - “One meets with extraordinary characters through life, but I doubt whether his equal could be found. In appearance a stranger would take him to be a poor labourer, with a thin, spare figure and long unkempt hair and invariably wearing his shirt sleeves tucked up. Although a most uncouth-looking person, and yet this man is a perfect genius! There is not a single thing mechanical or otherwise undertaken by him which he does not succeed in...” So remarked Inspector Tolmer, who was later to become Commissioner of Police, South Australia. Frank was one of the first to recognise the benefits of red gum. After building several houses for himself, he made tools and a bullock dray to cut down and haul these massive timbers in order to construct a gigantic twin wine press and several enormous wine vats. He also created the irrigation system that's still in place today. What little spare time he might have had was spent building a piano and various race winning yachts!
A blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Malbec, 6% Petit Verdot and 4% Merlot with maturation taking place in French oak puncheons and hogsheads (25% new) for a period of 12 months. Pitch black heart with a dark red black tinged hue. Pronounced red currant, red liquorice and red plum aromas intermix with hints of mulberry, dusty vanillin cedar, subtle tobacco and bay leaf. Flowing across the mid weighted palate with ample richness are red currant, red liquorice and mulberry fruits complimented by dusty earth, vanillin cedar, spicy tobacco and infusions of bay leaf. Slightly chalky, fine grained tannins lend a sturdy structure. Long elegant conclusion.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 13.5%Other Reviews…..
Cabernet sauvignon (72%), malbec (18%), petit verdot (6%) and merlot (4%), aged for 12 months in French oak, 25% new. Salt and pepper, blueberry and blackcurrant, cloves and minerally/ferrous characters. This is a seriously good wine. It's characterful, balanced, lengthy and interesting, its dark-berried fruit flavours sunk deep into the palate, its freshness maintained, and its finish as convincing as everything that came before. Drink by 2040.
96 Points
Campbell Mattinson - James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
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2022 Henschke Tappa Pass ShirazBarossa, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$110. 00Bottle$1320.00 DozenCellar: Drink now - 10 Years (2025-2035)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinDeeply fruited and silky textured with an energetic feel.
From vines up to 70 years old located in Eden Valley (68%) and the Barossa Valley (32%) with maturation taking place in 10% new and 90% seasoned French oak hogsheads for a period of 20 months.
Midnight black heart with a bright dark red hue. Pronounced dark plum and liquorice aromas have a smoked meat overlay with some vanillin cedar, clove and peppered earth notes also evident. Deeply fruited and silky textured, the medium to full bodied palate is layered with dark plum and liquorice fruits. Some blackberry, smoky vanillin cedar, earth and peppered meat elements the undercard. Energetic feel with very polished tannins and a long, refined finish.
Drink over the next 8-10 years.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews…..
If someone said to me, pick a Henschke wine to drink tonight, any wine. Well, one would be a blithering idiot not to opt for Hill of Grace, but I would not be at all unhappy if this was the choice. It is, year after year, always a favourite among some exceptional wines. 100% Shiraz from 70-year-old vines, 68% Eden Valley and 32% Barossa. Maturation was for twenty months in French oak hogsheads, 10% new. From a top vintage, this will surely rank among the very best Tappa Pass that the Henschkes have released – and that is saying something! A vibrant maroon hue, the nose suggests a complete wine, utterly harmonious. There is focus, a seductive and seamless structure, an alluring and beguiling texture, impeccable balance and immense length. At the conclusion, there are silky tannins, though they seem to almost disappear on contact. Notes of cassis emerge on the palate. A wine with real persistence, this has twenty years ahead of it, if needed. Stunning. Drink 2025-2045.
97 Points
Ken Gargett – WinePilot.comThe brilliant burst of colour is the first indication that this is something special. The nose doesn’t disappoint. Highly perfumed with floral plum and cherry notes and a little light chocolate. Graceful lines on the palate, which is expressive and powerful, though the influence of Eden Valley adds a lightness of touch. Only 10% new French oak and the rest seasoned, but that little oak influence brings a delightful lift to the palate. Outstanding wine.
97 Points
Ray Jordan -– WinePilot.com68/32% Eden Valley/Barossa Valley shiraz sourced from up to 70-year-old vines. Ripe satsuma plum, black cherry and blackberry fruits with hints of black olive tapenade, bay leaf, five-spice, cedar, vanilla pod, licorice, dark chocolate, earth and pan juices. I'm really liking the fruit density and velvety palate travel of the '22s; there is a real generosity to the fruit. Tight, powdered schisty tannins and a bright seam of acidity with excellent persistence on the finish. Drink by 2038.
94 Points
Dave Brookes - James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 93
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2023 Pagos del Rey El PilloToro, SPAIN$23. 99Bottle$287.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinRich and super juicy with a lingering vanillin spice element.
Tempranillo matured for 3 months in American oak barrels. Very deep dark red black colour with a dark red hue. Attractive dark raspberry, liquorice and ripe black cherry scents greet the nostrils with some scorched earth and spicy dried herb notes also evident. Rich and super juicy the palate is awash with dark raspberry, liquorice and black cherry fruits which slide over a back drop of subtle vanillin oak, earth and spicy dried herbs. Excellent intensity with ripe, slightly chewy tannins. Succulent conclusion with a lingering vanillin spice element to it.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 14% -
- 92
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2023 Fox Creek Red Baron ShirazMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinRich, juicy and amply weighted with a succulent blackpepper laced finish.
Pitch black in colour with a deep dark red black hue. Pronounced liquorice and ripe blackberry aromas intermix with toasty vanillin oak, hints of dark plum and pepper. Rich and juicy, the amply weighted palate is awash with liquorice and dark plum fruits. Subtlety toasted vanillin cedar and peppered earth elements follow on. Plush mouth feel with velvety tannins and a succulent blackpepper laced finish.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 14.5% -
- 91
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2025 Lola Pinot GrigioKing Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 12.8%Closure: StelvinFruity, entry level Pinot Grigio.
Brilliant water like colour with a faint greenish tinge around the edges. Intense pear and red apple skin aromas leap out of the glass with whiffs of rosewater and musk also evident. Pear, tropical fruit and green apple flavours overlay a musk and wet stone back drop. Finishes dry and crisp with a tropical fruit aftertaste.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 12.8% -
- 94
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- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
- Biodynamic
2021 Brancaia Chianti Classico RiservaTuscany, ITALY$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: 5 - 6 Years (2030-2031)ABV: 13.5%Closure: Diam CorkSavoury red to black fruits with lively acidity and chalky tannins lend energy, tension and grip to the elegant finish.
A biodynamic blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Merlot matured for 16 months in barrel. Midnight black dark red heart with a red to dark red hue. Spicy red to black currant, red cherry and rose petal aromas evolve out of the glass followed by some earth, dried herb and tobacco notes. Savoury red to black currant fruits are intermeshed with dusty earth, tobacco, dried herb, leather and spicy cedar elements. Lively acidity and chalky tannins lend energy, tension and grip to the elegant finish.
Cellar 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.5%Other Reviews…..
The nose is headlined by tart and sweet blackberries, but also has the density of dark chocolate and espresso bean and the freshness of fennel. A cool palate balances blackberries and earth against salt and pepper, while tense, poised tannins create a sophisticated feel. Happily, this Riserva has clearly been given careful attention even as Gran Selezione tends to steal the focus now.
94 Points
WineEnthusiast.comVery attractive interplay of dark berries, chocolate and toasted spices with good concentration and depth. Bright, focused and so juicy, with a medium body and steady acidity. Savory and crunchy. Drink or hold.
94 Points
JamesSuckling.comA mix of black cherry, blackberry and floral flavors is underscored by a firm structure in this fleshy red. Intense and balanced, with a lingering, mineral aftertaste. This feels crisp in the end, offering a light tactile feel around the gums. Sangiovese and Merlot. Best from 2027 through 2045.
94 Points
WineSpectator.com -
- 93
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 Frenchman’s Cap Pinot GrisTasmania, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinLusciously fruited, dry and fresh with a nicely rounded finish.
Bright pale straw to straw colour with a watery hue. Spicy pear and red apple skin aromas drift from the glass followed by some quince, musk and honeysuckle notes. Luscious pear and Jonathan apple fruits overlay a musk, quince and cinnamon spice back drop. Dry and fresh it finishes nicely rounded with good length.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
- 90
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 Snake & Herring Bizarre Love Triangle Pinot GrisGreat Southern, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$23. 99Bottle$287.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinA tense, elegant Pinot Gris with brisk acidity.
Brilliant pale straw colour with a watery hue. Pear and red apple skin aromas are trailed by some delicate quince and spice nots. Pear, citrus and red apple skin flavours overlay a spicy quince back drop. Finishes very dry with brisk acidity and some lime elements lingering through the somewhat tense and elegant conclusion.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 93
2024 Moppity Vineyards Lock & Key Pinot NoirTumbarumba, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinA ripe yet savoury Pinot Noir.
Deep dark red core with black toned edges and a red to dark red hue. Lifted dark cherry and rhubarb aromas are complimented by notes of bramble, dried herbs, forest floor and spice. Rich, juicy dark cherry and strawberry fruits meld into a back drop of bramble, dried herbs, rhubarb, forest floor and spicy cedar. Slightly grainy tannins with a long ripe yet savoury conclusion.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 94
2025 RieslingFreak No. 5 Clare Valley Off Dry RieslingClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$26. 99Bottle$323.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 9.5%Closure: StelvinRacy and fruity with an off dry finish.
Brilliant water like core with flashes of green around the edges. Ripe lime, red apple, orange blossom and faint honeysuckle scents drift through the nostrils followed by some gentle wet stone notes. Racy ripe lime, red apple and mandarin fruits overlay a subtle honeysuckle and flinty mineral back drop. Crisp acidity lending a zingy feel across the long fruity, off dry finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 9.5% -
- 96
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2023 Coldstream Hills ChardonnayYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinRich and gently creamy in its feel with a long, refined finish.
Fermented and matured on lees for a period of 7 months in a mix of seasoned and new French oak barriques, puncheons and vats. Brilliant pale straw colour with highlights of green around the outskirts and a watery hue. Delightful nose with aromas of white peach, nectarine, dried honey and cashew streaming out of the glass. Notions of biscuity nougat and spice also chime in for additional nuance. Rich and gently creamed in its flow across the palate, flavours of white peach, nectarine and dried honey are featured over a cashew, biscuity nougat and spice back drop. Beautifully balanced acidity finishing long, refined and shapely.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13%Other Reviews……
Barrel fermented and matured in a combination of seasoned and new French oak barriques, puncheons and vats. A light, bright green gold. Gee, Andrew Fleming and the team have a lovely touch when it comes to making chardonnay. Gentle aromas of nashi, just-ripened nectarines and a hint of vanillin spice. The palate has good mid-palate intensity, juicy acidity and a long, even finish. A steal at this price, really. Drink by 2028.
95 Points
Philip Rich – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 89
- 92
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2021 Franz Haas Pinot NeroAlto Adige, ITALY$69. 99Bottle$839.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinLight and savoury with earthy cherry and rhubarb flavours over a dried herb and spice back drop.
Semi translucent red to dark red colour with black tinged edges and a light red hue. Aromas of dried cherries and rhubarb mix with strawberry, dried herbs and spicy earth. Light and savoury the palate features earthy cherry and rhubarb flavours over a dried herb and spice back drop. Slightly grainy tannins with a spicy mid length finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 13.5%Other Reviews….
A fresh and tight pinot with aromas of sliced strawberries, cherries and lemon zest. Pink peppercorns, too. Medium-bodied, juicy and transparent, with fine tannins and excellent clarity. Drink now. Screw cap.
92 Points
JamesSuckling.com -
- 93
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
- Organic
- Biodynamic
2021 Poggio Landi Rosso di MontalcinoTuscany, ITALY$59. 99Bottle$719.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 13.5%Closure: Diam CorkElegant and red fruited with a savoury finish that shows good tension.
Dark red core with black shaded edges and a red to dark red hue. Spicy red currant and red cherry aromas intermingle with dried herbs, earth and subtle tobacco. The elegant mid weighted palate features red currant and red cherry fruits over a spicy back drop of dried herbs, dusty earth and tobacco. Bright acidity and fine, slightly chalky tannins lead into a savoury finish that shows good tension.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
- 92
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 Glaetzer-Dixon Uberblanc RieslingTasmania, AUSTRALIA$34. 99Bottle$419.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 12.7%Closure: StelvinCrisp red apple skin and quince flavours with lemon butter and stony mineral characters in the background.
Bright straw colour with some green tints around the edges and a watery hue. Lifted pear and red apple aromas mix with whiffs of honeysuckle, quince and lemon butter. Red apple skin and quince flavours meld in a subtle back drop of lemon butter and stony mineral characters. Crisp acidity. Finishes dry, picking up traces of dried pear and bees wax through the aftertaste.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 12.7% -
- 97
2022 Yalumba Paradox ShirazBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$46. 99Bottle$563.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2025-2033)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinOne of Yalumba’s distinguished site wines, the Paradox is sourced from the Northern Barossa and is made with an emphasis on velvet like texture and the use of less new oak than many of its counterparts. Maturation taking place in French oak puncheons, with only 8% new oak employed, for a period of 17 months.
Rich, expansive and enveloping, this marries Barossa opulence with a gorgeously refined finish.
Magnificent colour featuring a super saturated inky black core and a deep black dark red hue. Seducing the olfactory senses are captivating blackberry, liquorice and dark plum aromas which interact with delicately smoked vanillin cedar, fennel, dark chocolate and peppered earth notes. Rich, silky and concentrated across the full bodied yet perfectly proportioned palate is a sumptuous flow of blackberry, liquorice and dark plum fruits. Undertones of spicy vanillin cedar, subtle scorched earth, dark chocolate and peppered fennel lend further interest. Boasting fantastic power and depth yet not heavy handed in it’s feel, it has velvet smooth tannins and a long, opulent yet gorgeously refined finish.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 14% -
- 91
- 91
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2021 Les Dauphins Cotes du Rhone Grenache SyrahCotes du Rhone, Southern Rhone, FRANCE$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinMedium bodied with juicy black fruits, slightly chewy tannins and a savoury finish.
A blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah. Deep dark red black tinged core with a dark red hue. Emanating out of the glass are dark raspberry and cherry aromas infused with herbs du Provence. Some liquorice and peppered earth notes are also evident. Juicy black raspberry and liquiorice fruits carry medium body weight over a scorched earth and peppered dried herb background. Slightly chewy tannins with a savoury mid length conclusion.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 13.5%Other Reviews…..
Cracking value for a full flavoured French red from the Rhône Valley, this is 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah. The colour is that of a dark, bruised plum. Aromas swirl through smoked meats, dark berries, warm earth, plums, soy, cloves and leather. The wine has freshness, focus and good persistence with fine tannins. Enjoy it over the next four to five years. Cracking value. Drink 2024-2029.
91 Points
Ken Gargett – Wine Pilot.com -
- 92
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2020 Craiglee Cabernet SauvignonSunbury, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$44. 99Bottle$539.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2025-2033)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinAn elegant red fruited Cabernet.
Deep dark red black colour with a dark red hue. Spicy red to black currant and mulberry aromas intermix with tobacco, dried herb and earthy cedar notes. The elegant palate features red currant, red cherry and mulberry fruits over a delicate vanillin cedar, earthy dried herb and subtle spicy tobacco back drop. Slightly dryish, fine grained tannins with good freshness and an eloquent mid length finish.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
- 95
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- 96
2024 Hatch Flaxman Valley RieslingEden Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2025-2033)ABV: 11.3%Closure: StelvinTense and focused with a long, zippy finish.
Brilliant water like core with flashes of green around the edges. Pronounced lime juice and Granny Smith apple scents jump out of the glass followed by some lemon and chalky mineral like notes. Zesty lime, lemon and Granny Smith apple fruits are underscored by crisp, laser like acidity. Wet steel and chalky mineral elements lie underneath. Tense and focused it finishes long and zippy.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 11.3%Other Reviews…..
A fragrant and pure riesling sourced from a single vineyard in Flaxman Valley, high up in the Eden Valley. Pale with a flash of green and aromas of Bickford's lime cordial, freshly squeezed lime and grapefruit with hints of Christmas lily, lime sorbet, crushed quartz, lemongrass, grapefruit zest and frangipani. Lightly textured, but it's really all about that tubular core of lime and the mineral propulsion system. Tension, precision and velocity writ large. Drink by 2040.
95 Points
Dave Brookes – James Halliday’s Australian Wine CompanionA classic Eden Valley Riesling, from a great year, and in particular, the Flaxman Valley sub-region. A very pale lemon hue, this is a brilliant follow-up to the initial release last year – at least as good, probably better. This in your cellar for the next decade or two will make you think you are wise indeed. And you would be correct. Wonderful aromatics, with notes of florals, lemon curd, limes and a supporting line of sea breeze acidity. The wine has balance, intensity and finesse. A wonderful Riesling, with serious length and a fifteen years plus ahead of it. A star, and there is room here for this to elevate its score in the coming years. Drink 2025-2040+
96 Points
Ken Gargett – WinePilot.com -
- 92
2021 Old Mill Bendigo ShirazBendigo, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$14. 99Bottle$179.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 15.1%Closure: StelvinRich, opulent fruit pitted against heavily charred oak.
Dense inky black heart with a deep dark red black hue. Potent ripe black cherry, blackberry and liquorice aromas are pitted against prominent toasty oak and peppered earth notes. Rich, thick and concentrated, the opulent palate is powered by lavish blackberry, liquorice and ripe black cherry fruits. Toasty vanillin oak then moves in overwhelming the back half. Some scorched earth and pepper elements also chime in. Velvety yet underlyingly sturdy tannins with a lingering charry oak and peppered earth aftertaste.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 15.1% -
- 93
- 92
2024 Harewood Estate Denmark Pinot NoirGreat Southern, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinA juicy quaffing Pinot.
Red to dark red core with black toned edges and a bright red hue. Aromas of dark cherry, strawberry and more subtle anise are trailed by some dried herb, earth and spicy cedar notes. Juicy dark cherry and strawberry fruits are delivered with impressive intensity over a background of anise, earth and subtlety toasted cedar. Polished tannins with a long fruit driven finish that’s quite moreish.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 14%Other Reviews….
West Aussie Pinot has grown from a curiosity to a serious example of this great grape, which offers value, flavour and great drinkability. Denmark has established itself at the forefront of this movement. A garnet/pale crimson hue, this is quite a savoury style of Pinot and a most welcome one. We have notes of leather, undergrowth, mushrooms, red cherries and a touch of nutmeg oak. On the palate, we move more to the red cherry end of the spectrum. This is well crafted and neatly balanced, with good acidity and impressive length. Enjoy for the next six years. Drink 2025-2031.
92 Points
Ken Gargett – WinePilot.com -
- 90
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
- Biodynamic
- Organic
2023 Paxton MV ShirazMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinRich juicy fruits framed by a rigorous tannin structure and bright acidity.
Inky black in colour with a deep black dark purple hue. Blackberry and liquorice aromas are complimented by vanillin cedar, hints of leather and peppered earth notes. Rich juicy blackberry and liquorice fruits are framed by a rigorous tannin structure and bright acidity. Some leather, earthy vanillin cedar and pepper elements lie underneath. Generous yet sturdy mid length finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 14% -
- 92
- 94
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 Wellington & Wolfe Eylandt Off Dry RieslingTasmania, AUSTRALIA$44. 99Bottle$539.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 8%Closure: StelvinA light, fruity off dry Riesling that has an electric feel to it.
Brilliant water like colour with a faint greenish tinge around the edges. Aromas of lime zest, red apple skin and orange blossom are followed by hints of honeysuckle and flinty mineral notes. Fruity red apple, lime and mandarin flavours have a racy feel across the light, electric palate. Crisp acidity with subtle honeysuckle and zingy mineral elements lingering through the long, elegant off dry finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 8%Other Reviews….
I'm a sucker for an off-dry riesling. 'Breakfast wines' my German mates call them, with their modest alcohols and RS to get the day started. Lemon, lime, white peach and green apple all make an appearance here, with a sorbet-like intensity to its carry, a slick of mineral salts and stone, a scattering of dried herbs and a lovely balance between sweetness and acidity. Drink by 2035.
94 Points
Dave Brookes - James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 96
2024 Poonawatta The Eden RieslingEden Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 11.8%Closure: StelvinConcentrated and mouth watering with crisp acidity lending a steely feel to the long scrumptious finish.
Brilliant water like core with highlights of green around the edges. Intense lime and lemon aromas jump out of the glass followed by some orange rind, chalky talc, Granny Smith apple and steely mineral notes. Mouth watering lime, lemon and green apple fruits carve out a crunchy feel across the palate with chalky talc, orange rind and flinty mineral elements in the background. Crisp acidity lending a steely feel to the long scrumptious finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 11.8% -
- 92
2024 Gill Estate Rivah Pinot GrigioVictoria, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2025-2026)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinA delicious Pinot Grigio that carries lovely textural shape across the palate.
Brilliant very pale straw colour with a watery hue. Aromas of pear, red apple and honeysuckle are followed by hints of quince and spice. Delicious red apple and pear fruits are delivered with plenty of intensity, carrying lovely textural shape across the palate. Traces of honeysuckle and musk lie underneath. Brisk acidity with a moreish finish.
Drink over the next year.
Alc. 13% -
- 93
2024 Monte Tondo Mito SoaveVeneto, ITALY$16. 99Bottle$203.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2025-2026)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinScrumptious Soave with a river stone like textural feel to the long appealing finish.
The Monte Tondo vineyard can be found nestling in the gentle hills of Soave just a few kilometres from Verona on a slope overlooking the valley. Today it is 4th generation brother and sister team, Luca and Marta Magnabosco, who carry on their family’s passion for the land and its wines.
Twenty-five hectares of vineyards are situated on the best plots that the Soave zone can offer on predominately volcanic soils: Monte Tenda, Monte Foscarino and Monte Tondo. The wines produced, from 100% Garganaga, are intensely perfumed with an unmistakable Soave character somewhere between florals and fruitiness.
Brilliant pale straw colour with a watery hue. Elevated pear and red apple skin aromas fill the nostrils followed by hints of quince and spice. Intensely flavoured pear, red apple and lime fruits are layered across the scrumptious palate with some subtle quince and stony mineral elements the undercard. Refreshing acidity with a river stone like textural feel to the long appealing finish.
Drink over the next year.
Alc. 12% -
- 95
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2024 Hatch Watervale RieslingClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinRacy and mouth watering with superb intensity and drive.
Chris Hatcher, affectionately known as Hatch, has been a winemaker for almost 50 years including more than 35 years at Wolf Blass where he picked up numerous awards including the Jimmy Watson Trophy and three time IWSC international winemaker of the year. Having recently retired from the corporate winemaking scene Hatch has embarked on his own personal venture for which his first releases have received widespread critical acclaim.
Brilliant water like core with green toned edges. Intense lemon and lime scents are followed by some Granny Smith apple, chalky talc and mineral notes. Racy lime, lemon and green apple fruits are delivered with superb intensity and drive across the mouth watering palate. Infusions of fresh herbs and chalky mineral elements lie underneath. Crisp acidity finishing long and zippy.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 12%Other Reviews…..
Clare Valley Riesling, here from the Watervale sub-region, is one of the great gems of the Aussie wine treasure chest. For me, while the Flaxman’s might have been lineball with last year’s release, this is surely a step-up. A must for the cellar. Pale gleaming lemon in colour, the nose offers us exquisite floral notes and citrus, especially grapefruit. Fragrant and elegant, we have spices, limes and hints of river stones. Such balance! A majestic Riesling. There is a riot of flavour and yet an arcade of elegance. We have a line of oyster shell acidity, while the wine really does have impeccable balance (worth mentioning twice) and superb length. A Riesling which will drink beautifully, ageing gracefully, over the next fifteen to twenty years. Love it. Given Chris Hatcher’s decades of experience in the Aussie wine industry and his contacts, I guess it is no surprise. Drink 2025-2045.
97 Points
Ken Gargett – WinePilot.comA spicy, sleek, tightly wound riesling of intensity, inward concentration, true lime and pink grapefruit characters, a touch of floral lift. There's a lick of nutty savouriness underlying, too. So energetic, vigorous and frisky. It's classic stuff, done well, and with stuffing in the wine. Yes thanks. Drink by 2040.
95 Points
Mike Bennie – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 91
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 Moppity Vineyards Lock & Key ChardonnayTumbarumba, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinA fleshy textured, fruit driven Chardonnay.
Brilliant pale straw colour with a subtle greenish tinge around the edges and a watery hue. Nectarine and citrus aromas intermingle with melon and subtle dried honey notes. The fruit driven palate features peach and melon flavours over citrus and flashes of honeysuckle. Fleshy textured it finishes nicely rounded and fruity.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 92
2024 TarraWarra Estate ChardonnayYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$34. 99Bottle$419.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinFresh, elegant Yarra Valley Chardonnay.
Fermented and matured in 100% French oak puncheons, demi muid and barriques (10% new oak) for a period of 7 months. Brilliant pale straw colour with a faint tinge of green around the outskirts and a watery hue. Aromas of pear and nectarine are interwoven with hints of biscuity nougat, dried honey and a faint whiff of gun flint. Fresh nectarine and pear fruits are underpinned by citrusy acidity which lends an energetic feel. Biscuity nougat and flint elements also chime in. Finishes fresh and elegant.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 90
2023 Santa Cristina ToscanaTuscany, ITALY$26. 99Bottle$323.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinA juicy, medium bodied Tuscan blend with a savoury finish.
An entry level blend from Antinori produced from Sangiovese, Merlot, Syrah and Petit Verdot. Deep black dark red core with a dark red hue. Ripe cherry and liquorice aromas are followed by some dried herb, tobacco and vanillin spice notes. Juicy cherry and red currant fruits decorate the medium bodied palate with notions of dried herbs, earth and spicy tobacco in the background. Slightly chewy tannins with a savoury conclusion.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 92
- 93
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2023 Bosward TourigaBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinFresh, savoury and elegant with blue to black fruits.
Midnight black colour with a dark red black tinged hue. Nosing features aromas of black cherry and liquorice with a leather overlay followed by some earth, dried herb and spice notes. Making a supple entrance onto the mid weighted palate are fleshy morello cherry, blueberry and liquorice fruits which morph into a leather, earth and spicy dried herb back drop. Fresh with nicely integrated, polished tannins and a mid length finish that’s both savoury and elegant.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 12.5%Other Reviews….
Deep crimson with blossom-flecked fruit tones of blackberry, blueberry and boysenberry with underlying hints of five-spice, dried citrus rind, turned earth, blueberry pie and licorice. There's a light, graphite-y edge to the powdery tannins, a thick tide of ripe black fruits on the palate and a siren-like call to fire up the barbie and slap on some steaks as the wine slowly fades. Me gusta. Drink by 2032.
93 Points
Dave Brookes – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 91
- 92
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2023 Riposte The Sabre Pinot NoirAdelaide Hills, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2025-2029)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinVibrant brambly red fruits with a supple feel and elegant finish.
Semi translucent red to dark red colour with black tinged edges and a light red hue. Fragrant violet, red to dark cherry and rhubarb scents drift through the nostrils followed by some dried herb, bramble and spice notes. Vibrant red cherry and rhubarb flavours intermix with bramble, forest floor and spicy dried herb elements. Supple mouth feel with polished tannins and an elegant mid length finish.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13.5%Other Reviews…..
The 2023 The Sabre Pinot Noir is all cherries and exotic spice, with lean, leafy characters on the mid-palate. This is a complex wine of presence and finesse, but with the 2024 Dagger so fresh in my mind, I can't help searching for some of that perfectly ripe, concentrated and yet capacious fruit that I tasted there. This is undoubtedly more complex and has cherry pip, aniseed, clove and iodine, so gravitate to what makes you sing. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Drink 2025-2033.
92 Points
Robert Parker – The Wine Advocate -
- 92
2023 Apsley Gorge Vineyard Pinot NoirTasmania, AUSTRALIA$69. 99Bottle$839.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinA funky Tassie Pinot that has a meaty feel and a fresh, savoury finish.
Established in 1988 this tiny vineyard is planted to Pinot Noir (5.5 hectares) and Chardonnay (1 hectare) and is located several kilometres inland from the coast near the entrance to the Apsley Gorge national Park north-west of Bicheno. The vineyards unique situation near the entry to the gorge brings breezes in the afternoon which have a distinct cooling effect which means this vineyard is typically one of the last to harvest in Tasmania with harvest usually being around the first week of May.
Since 1999 winemaking has been undertaken by owner Brian Franklin who also does vintage each year in Burgundy with Philippe Charlopin (himself mentored by his friend Henri Jayer) in Gevrey Chambertin, and is helped here in Tasmania by young French winemakers including Philippe Charlopin’s son Yann.
Aged in a combination of new and two year old French oak barrels. Red to dark red core with black shaded edges and a vibrant red hue. Funky yet intense nose with red to dark cherry and strawberry aromas infused with a mix of smoky graphite and dried herb notes followed by some earthy rhubarb and spicy stalk scents. Light to medium bodied, the palate has a meaty flavour profile of cherries, strawberries, earthy graphite, dried herbs, smoked meats and spice. Fine grained tannins concluding fresh and savoury with a meaty feel.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
- 91
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 Water Wheel ChardonnayBendigo, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$17. 99Bottle$215.88 DozenMinimum 6 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinRound and generous with a rich texture.
Barrel fermented in French oak puncheons and demi muid with extended lees contact. Brilliant pale straw colour with highlights of green around the edges and a watery hue. Aromas of ripe peach and nectarine mix with honeycomb, toasty oak and spicy nougat. Rich, fleshy textured ripe peach and melon fruits meld into a crème brulee, biscuit and vanilla spice background. Finishes generous and round with a dash of spice.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
- 95
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2023 Ashton Hills Estate Piccadilly Valley Pinot NoirAdelaide Hills, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$69. 99Bottle$839.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinA moreish, silky textured Pinot that finishes long, supple and spicy.
Fourteen percent whole bunch inclusion with maturation taking place in French oak barriques (17% new) for a period of 9 months. Semi translucent red to dark red colour with black toned edges and a light red tinged hue. Fragrant red cherry, violet, strawberry and rhubarb aromas are complimented by dried herb, bramble and spicy cedar notes. Silky textured, the palate has a moreish flavour profile of cherries, strawberries and rhubarb over a forest floor, bramble, dried herb and spice back drop. Polished tannins finishing long, supple and spicy.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13%Other Reviews……
A lower-yield year with prolonged ripening and coolness alongside. It's a svelte and meticulous pinot noir, tightly coiled around a strongly minerally profile with brisk acidity dragging the wine long and to a distinct, persistent finish. There's tart red cherry, some smoky spice elements, a touch of forest floor and brambly blackberries in the mix, clove as a gentle indicator of oak seasoning and an array of exotic souk-like aromatics and flavours lending complexity. The wine is quite understated in its profile but delivers a strong sense of structure and tension, length and control. It's a very fine pinot noir leaning beautifully into its more savoury flex. Utter charm is the result. Drink by 2038.
96 Points
Mike Bennie - James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion - Parker's Heritage Collection 14 Year Old Cognac Barrel Finished Kentucky Straight Malt Whiskey (750ml) - Eighteenth ReleaseKentucky, UNITED STATES$649. 00Bottle$7788.00 DozenABV: 53.5%
Collector's note: there is a minor scuff to the lower front label.
Parker's 18th edition is another in collaboration with Master Blender, Alain Royer, who Heaven Hill has partnered with on two previous releases. Filled in March 2009 the 14-year-old, 65% malted barley and 35% corn whiskey yielded 128 barrels. It was then finished in 56 larger, reconstructed heavy toast Cognac barrels for almost four months. The original whiskey barrels were from the fourth floor of Rickhouse O and the sixth floor of Rickhouse Q. Once re-barreled, the Cognac barrels were aged in Rickhouse H1 on the fifth floor. Described as rich and velvety with flavours of molasses and bittersweet chocolate followed by cloves and nutmeg, the liquid was non-chill filtered in order to preserve the natural flavours of the aging process. 53.5% Alc./Vol.
With previous releases having won multiple awards from Whisky Advocate, Whisky Magazine, the Ultimate Spirits Challenge and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the Heritage Collection series stand as some of the most critically lauded American Whiskeys in recent memory. Past bottlings have won awards ranging from “Best Special Barrel Finished Bourbon” and “Best North American Whiskey” to “American Whiskey of the Year” and “Best of Show, Brown Spirits.” Extremely limited stocks.
- Rooster Rojo Espadin Joven Mezcal (700ml)Oaxaca, MEXICO$94. 99Bottle$1139.88 DozenABV: 43%
The Espadín variety is employed for the majority of mezcal production. The style here offers light smoke with undertones of fruit and a white pepper finish. 43% Alc./Vol.
- Bruichladdich Black Art 11.1 24 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Islay, SCOTLAND$799. 00Bottle$9588.00 DozenABV: 44.2%
Other reviews... So still pre-reopening juice (so Invergordon-Jim Beam Brands). Utterly love the blurb on the 'label' (well, the stencil), no stoopid AI could have ever written that true piece of post-modern literature. Colour: amber. Nose: it's on quince jelly, juicy sultanas, pinecones, a little talc, fond de taint, pollens, pink pepper and oregano, caraway, something syrah-y, pizza oil (I know that's not very romantic), tomato sauce, sage… An unusual construction that rather loses you, but it's full of (unlikely) charms. Mouth: I find this arrival weirdly spicy and woody. A lot of wood spices (oak, pine, fir), heavy spices, cumin and clove, lees, stalk… I know it's me but this is not my kind of concoction, not on the palate, even if brighter notes of oranges would then try to balance it all. Weird drink. Finish: long, bitter, sour and leafy. Almost some artisanal Italian bitter. Comments: I've always had troubles with the Black Arts. In the first place, I've never quite understood the idea behind them, but knowing that it's a highly successful line, I'll simply tip my hat to them and bow modestly before this modern art of doing bizarre mixtures. 84 points - whiskyfun.com
- Rooster Rojo Smoked Pineapple Tequila (700ml)Jalisco, MEXICO$76. 99Bottle$923.88 DozenABV: 38%
This unusual tequila features Red Rooster Reposado aged for at least two months in ex-Bourbon barrels, then infused with top-quality Red Spanish cooked pineapples. All natural flavours. 38% Alc./Vol.
- Rooster Rojo 100% Agave Anejo Tequila (700ml)Jalisco, MEXICO$77. 99Bottle$935.88 DozenABV: 38%
Made via cooking the piña with steam in autoclaves for 10 hours, the distillate is aged in oak for a minimum of one year in used bourbon barrels. Expect aromas and flavours of vanilla, coffee, a hint of tobacco, some spicy oak and brown sugar. 38% Alc./Vol.
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2021 Paracombe Cabernet SauvignonAdelaide Hills, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinRich, concentrated and solidly built with lush black fruits.
Dense pitch black heart with a very deep dark red black hue. Intense ripe blackcurrant aromas mix with liquorice, vanillin cedar, tobacco, earthy black olive and spicy dried herb notes. Rich, concentrated and solidly built, lush blackcurrant and liquorice fruits swamp the full bodied palate. Cigar box, earthy black olive and spicy bay leaf elements sit underneath. Firm, grainy tannins impart some grip across the robust yet ripe and fleshy finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5% - Rooster Rojo 100% Agave Blanco Tequila (700ml)Jalisco, MEXICO$64. 99Bottle$779.88 DozenABV: 38%
The red rooster is a very special bird in Mexico - a sign of the sun, and a key part of the national identity. The brand of tequila that bears its name selects piñas aged 6-7 years. Only fruit with a residual sugar content of 24-27% is chosen. These piñas are then halved to preserve their sweetness and twice distilled in stainless steel pot stills. This ensures that the exceptional agave flavours and aromas are preserved. Their Blanco is said to taste softer and smoother than other examples because of a unique filtration process during which pure water is filtered through Mexican silver. The flavour is initially sweet with a subtle yet distinct peppery spice. 38% Alc./Vol.
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- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2022 Snake & Herring Corduroy ChardonnayMargaret River, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinAmply concentrated and creamy textured.
Bright straw colour with highlights of green around the edges and a watery hue. Nectarine and lemon butter top notes are followed by biscuity oak, subtle bees wax and gun flint scents. On the palate nectarine, pear, grapefruit and bees wax flavours are delivered with plenty of concentration and carry a creamy textural feel. Notions of biscuity oak, nougat and gun flint sit underneath. Fresh acidity with a medium to long finish that’s nicely fleshed.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 12.5%Other Reviews….
Only dags and dads wear corduroy surely, but this wine is super classy. Fine, long and pure with gossamer-like acidity threaded through the lemon, lime and white nectarine flavours. It comes lightly spiced and lightly textured with some delicate leesy accents. Savoury, too, and mouth-watering with the right amount of tension to delight and even more pleasure to come in time. Drink by 2032.
95 Points
Jane Faulkner – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 89
Rooster Rojo 100% Agave Reposado Tequila (700ml)Jalisco, MEXICO$69. 99Bottle$839.88 DozenABV: 38%Other reviews... Though aged for a mere two months, this Tequila sports a vibrant golden hue, a rich, butterscotch aroma and a weighty, moderately sweet palate redolent with vanilla and coconut, exiting with peppery prickle. 89 points - wineenthusiast.com
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- 95
Grand Marnier Triple Sec Liqueur (500ml)Cognac, FRANCE$65. 99Bottle$791.88 DozenABV: 40%Made with oranges and Cognac, Grand Marnier is a liqueur immortal and one of the world's best known curacaos. Aged in the cellars of Chateau de Bourg in Cognac and blended with fruit from the French West Indies, the company's entry level bottling has become a bar standard, combining the tantalizing fragrance of Seville oranges with the warm, intoxicating rush of extra-aged cognac in a 49/51 blend. Offering superb purity and definition with notes of mixed peel, orange cake and vanilla and a concentrate of citrus peel and mandarin flavours, what's also admirable about this timeless liqueur is its expert balance; the lively spirit backbone and the finish that winds up fresh, mildly tart and vibrant with lingering honeyed-citrus flavours.
If you want an even more indulgent experience, three super premium releases set the bar higher, introducing increasing proportions of (primarily) Grande Champagne Cognacs, sometimes boasting incredible age, adding further depth and complexity to an already remarkable liqueur. Whichever you choose, these expressions are best appreciated neat, on the rocks or in a snifter glass at room temperature. 40% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... The aroma is a sweet/sour, tangerine/Mandarin orange perfume that never stops enchanting. At the palate entry the orange zest’s acidity mingles gracefully with the Cognac’s alcohol, making for delicious drinking. Satiny finish. 90-95 - wineenthusiast.com
Seasoned Casanovas also recommend Grand Marnier for a “Royal Romance”:
In shaker; one-fourth each of Passionfruit juice and Grand Marnier, half gin, shake well and serve.
Or try the popular B52:1/3 Grand Marnier
1/3 Coffee liqueur
1/3 Irish cream liqueur
Pour delicately on a bar spoon the coffee liqueur, the Irish Cream then the GRAND MARNIER liqueur into a shooter glass. Serve without mixing.The Charleston
1 shot of Cherry Brandy Liqueur (e.g. Cherry Heering)
1 shot of Grand Marnier
top up with lemonade and ice
Method: Pour the cherry brandy and the orange liqueur into a highball. Stir well, then fill a highball glass with ice cubes and pour the cocktail directly over them . There is no need to use a strainer in this instance. Top up with the chilled lemonade to taste, then serve. -
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2022 Aramis The Bastion ShirazMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$27. 99Bottle$335.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinRich, voluptuous and weighty with a velvety yet robust tannin structure.
Impenetrable inky black colour with a very deep dark red black hue. Intense liquorice and ripe black cherry scents engulf the nostrils followed by some vanillin oak, whiffs of mocha and peppered earth notes. Rich voluptuous liquorice and ripe black cherry fruits saturate the weighty palate. Vanillin oak, fennel, mocha and peppered earth elements sit in the background. Velvety yet robust tannin structure concluding long, lavishly textured and sumptuous.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews……
The estate’s flagship Shiraz, from their own vineyards in McLaren Vale, this is impressive drinking. Deep magenta in colour, the wine reveals good intensity right from the kick-off. The aromas weave through notes of cloves, vegemite, dark chocolate, cold tea, dried herbs, mulberries and hints of a dusty road. A wine of real intensity, but one which is well balanced and with drive. The oak integration has been competently handled and there is a lingering finish. Enjoy this over the next ten to twelve years. Drink 2025-2037.
93 Points
Ken Gargett – WinePilot.com