Availability:
What's New
We boast Australia's fastest growing online selection of wines, spirits and liqueurs added to weekly. If you can't find what you're looking for, call us on 1800 069 295 and we'll try to track it down.
-
- Reduced
Seaweed & Aeons & Digging & Fire & Sherry Casks 10 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Islay, SCOTLANDReduced from $119.99$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenABV: 40%Other reviews... An undisclosed single malt from Islay, 25% of which was finished 1st fill oloroso sherry octaves. The name is very 'Atom', while, conversely, I believe 1992 is on the phone asking for its bottling strength back. Colour: gold. Nose: but what's this? An OB Laphroaig 10yo from circa 2002? This very particular aroma of iodine, hessian, seawater and cough medicines. Extremely easy and rather nicely attuned to a very specific aroma of 'peat smoke' in the most classical sense. I find it disconcertingly charming. Mouth: it is probably the bottling strength, but this really does feel like drinking a decent batch of OB Laphroaig 10. There's a few citrus fruits, soft peat smoke and rather a lot of wet rocks and medical embrocations. I have to say, it's quite a lot of fun. Finish: medium, perhaps a tad short, but still nicely medicinal, on iodine, light TCP notes and good old peat smoke. Comments: There's a lot about this that, on paper, I probably shouldn't enjoy because it goes against the modern geek code - whatever that is. But this is actually a rather clever and very good, easy quaffing wee Islay dram. Someone at Beam should go check the Laph 10yo vatting tank for syphons though… either that or Atom have developed cloning technology. If that's the case, do they take requests? Shotgun Bowmore Bouquet! 85 points - whiskyfun.com
-
- Reduced
Seaweed & Aeons & Digging & Fire 10 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Islay, SCOTLANDReduced from $109.99$89. 99Bottle$1079.88 DozenABV: 40%Seaweed & Aeons & Digging & Fire is an essentially an independent label developed by the clever marketing team at Atom Brands (the owners of Master of Malt and That Boutique-y Whisky Co in the UK). Whiskies are sourced from an undisclosed Islay distillery with 25% taken from first-fill Oloroso sherry casks. All are bottled non chill filtered. This is the entry level version. 40% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Nose: seaweed and iodine indeed, with a bonfire on a beach and earthy peat. Charcoal and black pepper. All this is mellowed by generous toffee and red apple sweetness, salted peanuts and some medicinal herbs. Actually this is more complex than I expected. Mouth: sweet peat. Now the sherry is more prominent. Peaches with burnt edges, hints of caramel sweets and vanilla pastry. Plum jam. Ashes and light chocolate. Overall rather modest peat. Never grabbing you by the throat, but a rather rich style nonetheless. Hints of aniseed later on. Finish: medium length, on chocolate, honeyed cinnamon pastry and hints of dried seaweed. Warming smoke in the end. While bottled at a low ABV, it offers the classic Islay markers in a nice way. Really affordable and offering a lot of ampersands for the money. Available from Master of Malt for instance. There is also a cask strength version if you prefer something a little stronger, or an 18 year old version. Some of them also add some Speyside whisky to the mix. - whiskynotes.be
-
- Reduced
Seaweed & Aeons & Digging & Fire & Sherry Casks & Cask Strength 10 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Islay, SCOTLANDReduced from $179.99$159. 99Bottle$1919.88 DozenABV: 54.9%Peat and sherry are a great combo, and if you've tasted similar expressions from the Elements of Islay range, you'll already know that the team behind Atom Brands tend to do it very well. This is understood to be the cask strength version of the Seaweed & Aeons 10 year old Sherry Cask edition, featuring the same smoky Islay single malt, though instead of just 25% of it being finished in sherry casks, the entirety of the whisky was. Around 1200 units are offered per batch, this one landing at 54.9% Alc./Vol. and bottled without chill filtration.
Other reviews... [Batch 2 tasted] This one is full sherry finished. Colour: orangey amber. Nose: a notable gear shift, this is much creamier and displays a more velvety smokiness. Resinous hardwoods, smoked teas, verbena, eucalyptus, tea tree oil and smoked meats. The sherry sits behind the peat and doesn't feel too jarring, it's rather more about wood spice and peat smoke together I would say. With water: softer spice tones, coal dust, bonfire embers and this impression of medicinal herbs. Mouth: a similarly easy arrival, all on soft wood spices, smoked teas, sweet peat smoke, natural tars, wood resins, putty and aniseed. More impressions of herbal cough syrups and things like hessian and wormwood. I like it a lot but it strays very close to being a little too wood-dominant for me. With water: not too sure with water, I think it loses a little definition and the alignment between peat and wood goes slightly awry. There's still plenty of sooty and peaty 'oomph' about it though. Finish: rather long, all menthol tobaccos, bitter herbal extracts, spices, liquorice and tar. Comments: this one veers about quite a lot. Lots of emphatic, peaty pleasures to be had, but for me the wood is a tad too much here. However if you enjoy this rather creamy, spicy modern wood-forward style then you'll probably have a blast. Quite clever wee concoctions these Seaweed things, I would say. 86 points - whiskyfun.com
Notes from the bottlers... Nose: Oatcakes, vegetal peat, hot Ribena, assorted BBQ meats, molasses, clove-studded orange, and just a hint of chocolate mousse. Palate: Cinder toffee, cinnamon, peat still shining through, a slow build of red grape and jammy raisin, with some citrus lift. A subtle touch of singed hay later on. Finish Meaty malt returns, with warm oak in support. The red grape tannins continue and last on the finish. Overall: A top expression that shows what can happen when peat and sherry meet without clashing against each other.
- Butterscotch & Vanilla & Toast & Generations 30 Year Old Blended Grain Scotch Whisky (700ml)SCOTLAND$129. 99Bottle$1559.88 DozenABV: 40%
If you're a grain whisky fan, this may be new to you: Not a single grain, rather a blend of single grains, so the grain equivalent of a Blended Malt. As for the taste, we're told that the title speaks for itself. 40% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Notes from the bottlers... Nose: Honeycomb, red grapes, immensely buttery, Golden Grahams, a smidge of waxy orange peel, polished oak, and a touch of floral spring breeze. Palate: Thick with rich butterscotch, freshly baked cookies dotted with chocolate chunks, slightly peppery at points with a dry hint of toasted cedar. Finish: Waxy peels from the nose return, with layers of vanilla, cinnamon, gingerbread, and treacle for company.
- 2012 Benromach Contrasts High Enzyme Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$149. 99Bottle$1799.88 DozenABV: 46%
Here’s a novel Benromach that marks a first for the distillery: Released in early 2025 in the UK and made using unpeated barley with a high enzyme content (otherwise employed for the production of Grain Whisky or in industrial brewing). A contrast to the usually robust and slightly smokey Benromach, this is instead a fresher style with fruity facets and sweet and savoury notes, including apple aromas, lots of citrus fruits, sweet pineapple and honeycomb as well as notes of jasmine and peppermint. Distilled in 2012 and aged for twelve years, it comes bottled at 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... A playful series by Benromach, featuring some relatively classic elements (more peat) and some more unusual ones, such as a comparison of kiln-dried and air-dried oak, or this high-enzyme malt, which is usually used to produce grain whisky. This is what is called high-DP malt with a lot of nitrogen (DP = diastatic power), and it’s used to convert the mash into fermentable sugars. Typically, about 10% is added to grains like maize or wheat. It’s worth noting that in Scotland, the use of additional enzymes in other forms is not allowed, though it’s permitted elsewhere. Let’s taste this high-DP malt, which should be sweeter and maybe even a little sugary… Colour: white wine. Nose: indeed, it’s very sweet, evoking bottled apple juice, an enormous pile of marshmallows, and touches of very vanilla-forward oak. It feels quite far removed from those slightly ‘dirty’, robust, and smoky Benromachs we love so much. Mouth: yes, it’s sweet, with plenty of apple again, marzipan, grapefruit, and above all a rather noisy oakiness. A standard Benromach would normally handle such situations brilliantly, but this baby Benromach (if I may) struggles a bit with the wood. It almost reminds one of a young Auchentoshan. Finish: medium length, with a hint of orange and perhaps papaya, then more apple juice and a lingering sensation of wood, almost like sawdust. Comments: not bad at all, really, but perhaps best suited for our friends who already have all the ‘normal’ Benromach expressions on their shelves. And remember, it’s only experimental. 82 points - whiskyfun.com
-
- 94
Redbreast 18 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey (700ml)County Cork, IRELAND$350. 00Bottle$4200.00 DozenABV: 46%"...a silky and dessert-filled experience that is unlike any other Redbreast I’ve encountered." - drinkhacker.com
Bridging the gap between the distillery's older and younger offerings, Redbreast 18 Year Old is a novel and welcome addition to the range. While ex-bourbon casks are included, this new expression relies mostly on first-fill oloroso casks, also sporting whiskeys aged in barrels that previously held cream sherry - a first for the brand. Says Master Blender, Ian McCabe, "By incorporating cream sherry casks sourced from the Antonio Páez Lobato cooperage, we’ve created a whiskey that boasts a rich profile of dark chocolate, blackcurrants and hazelnuts.” It contrasts against its nearest neighbour, the 15-year-old, which he describes as more savoury and herbaceous. Also notable is the addition of liquid aged in Ruby Port, a component that was until now used exclusively in the top-of-the-line 27-year-old and the even rarer Dream Cask. By all reports, Redbreast 18 year old is a cracker that ups the richness on others in the line up, making for a superb dessert whiskey. 46% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... The nose is luxuriously appealing, with milk chocolate, maraschino cherry, bramble, black currant, Nutella, baked citrus, apricot, mango, oak spices, toasted nuts, and cinnamon bark. Smooth and polished on the palate, the complex cask regime serves up flavors of milk chocolate, licorice, black grape, sultana, date, ginger root, currants, and clove. The finish serves up dried fruit and licorice, with hints of leather and coffee bean. 94 points - whiskyadvocate.com
...The nose is rich and expressive and clearly inspired by those newer cask types. Top notes of strawberry shortcake, sugared almonds, and black cherry are airy but still decadent, acquiring an almost creamy texture with time in the glass. The aroma is elevated further by undertones of vanilla bean and crème brulee with fresh berries. A hint of peppery pot still spice adds some energy to an otherwise silky and dessert-filled experience that is unlike any other Redbreast I’ve encountered. The palate follows a similar theme, lush and syrupy initially with cherry cordial and blackberry jam, veering almost too far into the dessert dram lane. Things course correct however on the midpalate with more traditional Redbreast notes of white pepper, breakfast cereal, banana pudding, and candy apple before finding remarkable harmony on a long, warm finish accented with ripe red berries, vanilla cream, and candied ginger. Truly impressive. Without having sampled the 27-year-old, I have to say this is my favorite Redbreast to date. - drinkhacker.com
- Delord Floc de Gascogne Rouge (700ml)Armagnac, FRANCE$44. 99Bottle$539.88 DozenABV: 17%
Echoing Cognac's own Pineau des Charentes, this Gascon specialty is made by blending the partially fermented juice of Merlot, Cabernet and Cabernet Franc grapes with one-third Delord Armagnac. The mixture is then aged in old oak barrels, to preserve the fresh fruitiness. Recommended as an aperitif with foie gras, melons or as an after dinner treat. 17% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... Toffee fudge, tobacco, raspberry and blackberry with dark chocolate. 4.5 stars - diffordsguide.com
-
- Nick's Import
Aberfeldy 15 Year Old Cadillac Cask Finish Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$149. 99Bottle$1799.88 DozenABV: 43%"...a delightful whisky and one of Aberfeldy’s best ever." - drinkhacker.com
Finishing this 15-year-old Aberfeldy in Semillon sweet white wine casks from Cadillac brings a balance of opulence and freshness to the whisky. Malt Master, Stephanie Macleod sourced the casks from a 40-hectare estate in the heart of Entre-deux-Mers, Gironde, just south of Bordeaux. Exuding notes of yellow fruits, florals,and a burst of citrus, seamlessly melding with Aberfeldy's signature soft, honeyed character, the wine influence makes the whisky brighter than the 12 year old, also giving it more body and a longer finish. 43% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... A 15 year old single malt finished in French semillon “Cadillac” white wine casks. I presume Cadillac refers to the region of France near Bordeaux, known for its sweet wine production, but details are scarce. This is a delightful whisky and one of Aberfeldy’s best ever. The nose is beautiful and sweet, though there’s a slightly savory quality that evokes notes of dried flowers, toasted oak, and a gentle maritime edge. Lemon curd and tangerine are the most prominent fruit elements, but these are kept in check, at least for now. The palate is where this whisky really shines, as all of the above come together in beautiful fashion, really showcasing the citrus notes of lemon and orange, filtered through golden syrup, gentle sandalwood, and a layer of baking spices. Cohesive but complex, it’s bright and immersive, with a noteworthy layer of honey on the finish. Sauternes is made (in part) from semillon grapes, and I have to assume this whisky was finished in a similar type wine barrel. No complaints from me. This review was delayed because I broke my first sample bottle; very glad I stuck it out waiting for a replacement. - drinkhacker.com
- Kirin Fuji Single Blended Japanese Whisky (700ml)JAPAN$139. 99Bottle$1679.88 DozenABV: 43%
This typically elegant Japanese blend includes whiskies up to 16 years of age with a portion double distilled in traditional pot stills. Awarded 'Best Japanese Blended' at the World Whiskies Awards 2024, Fuji Gotemba's Master Whisky Maker, Jota Tanaka sums it up as "Delicate, but with lots of layers of flavours, all in harmony." Exclusively matured in American oak and bottled at 43% Alc./Vol., Tanaka recommends pairing it with fresh sashimi or fish carpaccio with roasted root vegetables like potato and radish.
- Overeem Distillery Single Cask OHD-080 12 Year Old Single Malt Australian Whisky (700ml)Tasmania, SCOTLAND$450. 00Bottle$5400.00 DozenABV: 46%
This is it. The final cask from Overeem's 12 Year Old Bourbon series. Each has paid tribute to distillery founder and Tasmanian Whisky Pioneer, Casey Overeem, but has also aimed to celebrate the return of Overeem Whisky to its founding family. This expression symbolises all of the above, and simply stands alone as a delicious single cask whisky that upholds all of the qualities and attributes of the previous editions in the series. It speaks of Casey's dedication to quality and consistency, his meticulous eye for detail across all aspects of whisky creation, and his overarching promise "to create a whisky that would one day stand alongside the great whiskies of the world." Bottled at 46% with no chill filtration.
Notes from the producers... Nose: Bounty chocolate bar, sherbet, vanilla syrup, banana & candied orange peel. Palate: Beautiful Tasmanian malted barley, rich oils, fruit tingles, creme brulee, stone fruits & toffee. Finish: Fruit tingle, lemon zest, vanilla & fresh buttered raisin toast.
-
- 92
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2023 Marnong Estate ChardonnaySunbury, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$24. 99Bottle$299.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinDelicately flavoured with an energised feel to the elegant finish.
Brilliant very pale straw colour with highlights of green around the outskirts and a watery hue. Nectarine, pear and lime scents are trailed by faint dried honey, biscuit and citrusy mineral notes. Light to mid weight and possessing a brisk feel, the palate is delicately flavoured with nectarine, pear and citrus fruits which meld into a subtle dried honey, biscuit and mineral backdrop. Fresh acidity lending an energised feel to the elegant finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- Nick's Import
The Clydeside Distillery Napier Sherry Cask Matured Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Lowlands, SCOTLAND$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenABV: 46%Robert Napier, for whom this whisky is named, led quite the life as a Marine Engineer. He set up his own business in 1815 and the quality of his steam engines soon put him in high demand. He expanded his business in 1841 to include an iron shipbuilding yard in Govan (across the river from the Clydeside). Several of Scotland’s most esteemed shipbuilders apprenticed under him and he was made the primary engine builder for the Admiralty after he proved that his engines were cheaper and more reliable than those built on the Thames in London. Clydeside have adopted Napier's mantra of "quality, quality, quality." That focus on quality includes longer fermentation times - 72 hours, compared with the 48 hours that are standard at larger distilleries, plus slower distillations. “We’ve instilled that into everyone in the production team, and everyone’s bought into it — there’s no rushing the distillation so they can knock-off early on a Friday,” says Master Distiller, Alistair McDonald.
The whisky that bears Napier's name is an oloroso sherry cask matured 6 year old, promising notes of ripe berries, sweet rose, orange marmalade, cherry and vanilla with a warming clove and ginger finish. 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... A satisfying sherry bomb of a dram with little in the way of youth and no sign of any immaturity. The prominence of the oak suggests some good quality casks – with plenty of life in them – were utilised in the making of the thing and that all adds to the intensity of the experience. Perhaps if I was nitpicking, the finish seemed a wee bit on the short side but that might be something that develops over subsequent batches. In the meantime, this is an impressive release from the Clydeside and could be one to keep an eye on in the years to come – especially if you love a sherry-matured dram. - ascotonscotch.com
-
- 95
2022 Mollydooker Blue Eyed Boy ShirazSouth Australia, AUSTRALIA$59. 99Bottle$719.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 16%Closure: StelvinEnormously weighted, rich and powerful with a voluptuous texture.
Fruit was sourced from McLaren Vale and Langhorne Creek with maturation taking place in American oak, 54% new and 46% 1 year old. Dense ink black heart with a very deep dark red black hue. Potent ripe blackberry, liquorice and toasty vanillin oak aromas flood the nostrils with some black cherry, earthy fennel and blackpepper notes ensuing. Rich, densely concentrated and voluptuous, the palate has a thick coating of liquorice, blackberry and black cherry fruits layered across it. Toasty vanillin oak, scorched earth and peppered fennel elements lie underneath. Enormously weighted and powerful it has velvet smooth tannins and a long lavish finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 16% -
- 96
- 96
- 98
2022 Moss Wood Cabernet SauvignonMargaret River, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$140. 00Bottle$1680.00 DozenCellar: Drink now - 12 Years (2025-2037)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinRich, glossy textured, concentrated and powerful yet brimming with a youthful freshness.
The 2022 vintage marks the 50th release of Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon. Midnight black at it’s core with a vibrant dark red hue. Flowing from the glass are elevated aromas of cassis, liquorice and violets trailed by some vanillin cedar, ripe mulberry, tobacco and spice notes. Rich, concentrated and powerful yet brimming with a youthful freshness, ripe blackcurrant, plum, red liquorice and mulberry fruits engulf the medium to full bodied palate. Notions of vanillin cedar, subtle earthy tobacco and spicy dried herbs are flanked across the back half. Ripe, glossy feel with finely integrated yet structurally firm tannins. Concludes long, deeply fruited and polished.
Drink over the next 10-12 years.
Alc. 14%Other Reviews…..
This stunning Margaret River Cabernet has 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot included. The team talk of some of the difficulties encountered by Margaret River wineries during this year, but everything is relative and a difficult vintage here seems to be the dream of many other regions. It was a year that finished extremely well, though, with a longer than average ripening period. Yields were down but in the end, some stellar fruit was harvested. Maturation was in French oak, 16% new, for around seventeen months. A deep maroon hue, there are notes of spices, herbs, black fruits, cloves, cassis, graphite, chocolate and tobacco leaves. A touch of biscuity oak, very well integrated, this is a wine of focus and intensity, and at all times it is immaculately balanced. Utterly seamless and seductive, there is a line of fine acidity running the full journey and the silkiest of tannins on the finish. This will easily sail through the next fifteen to twenty years, providing immense pleasure along the way. A superb Cabernet. Drink 2025-2045.
98 Points
Ken Gargett – WinePilot.comThis was a very good vintage in Margaret River after the slightly more challenging ’21. This has the refined elegance and prettiness that is the Moss Wood DNA. The colour is quite pale compared to some previous vintages, but don’t be fooled into thinking this is some shrinking violet. Violets, yes, but plenty more in an engine room that is balanced and poised as the tannins and almost lyrically laid oak harness the exquisitely bright fruit. So well balanced. A wine of immense charm and appeal. I defy you to stop after the first sip.
98 Points
RayJordanWine.com.au94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. Here we have a classic Moss Wood Cabernet, and maybe, though don’t mind me, it puts me in mind of the 2001 for richness and presence.
It’s a powerhouse Cabernet and classic Moss Wood in terms of intensity and regal carriage. Black fruit, dried cranberry, cedar, nutmeg, dried flower perfume, tobacco, and damp earth. It sweeps though the palate with grilled nuts, toast, fresh blackberry, a whole lot of sweet grainy tannin and black tea perfume, acidity is balanced and present, and the finish thunders and goes very long. Quite a wine. Outstanding. Drink 2028-2044+
96+ Points
Gary Walsh – The Wine Front -
- Nick's Import
The Clydeside Distillery 2023 Limited Edition Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Lowlands, SCOTLAND$129. 99Bottle$1559.88 DozenABV: 60.6%The first Clydeside Limited Edition is a cask strength expression bolstering the intensity of the generally softer Lowland style. Everything is ramped up, from the orange marmalade and fruity malt aromas, to the sweetness of the malt and the high pitch burst of spices. It also demonstrates how well Clydeside's spirit shines from standard ex-Bourbon casks. 60.6% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Notes from the producers... Nose: Bursting with sweet aromas of ripe tropical fruit and vanilla pastries Palate: Peach and plum, candied orange & marmalade Finish: Tart citrus, cream soda & lingering spice.
-
- 94
2024 Wilson Watervale RieslingClare Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$23. 99Bottle$287.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinTense and zippy with a long racy finish.
Brilliant water like core with greenish tinged edges. Lime and citrus aromas leap out of the glass followed by some orange rind, talc and chalky mineral notes. Lemon and lime fruits are shaped by crisp acidity which lends a tense, zippy feel. Orange rind, chalky talc and steely mineral elements unwind across the back half. Dry and chalky with a long, racy finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 12% -
- 90
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 Zilzie Selection 23 Pinot NoirVictoria, AUSTRALIA$11. 99Bottle$143.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2025-2027)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinA generously fruited quaffing Pinot.
Dark red colour with black toned edges and a light red hue. Spicy cherry and strawberry aromas mix with bramble and dried herb notes. Light to medium weight with a supple feel, the palate sports juicy cherry, strawberry and rhubarb flavours over a bramble, earthy dried herb and spice back drop. Smooth polished tannins with a spicy and generously fruited finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 93
- 95
2024 Giant Steps RoseYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2025-2026)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinA delicious, beautifully textured Rose.
Pale damask pink tinged colour. Gorgeous aromas of raspberry, strawberry, peach and musk drift through the nostrils with plenty of intensity followed by some wet stone notes. Delicious peach, raspberry and strawberry fruits flood the mouth with notions of musk and wet stone in the background. Excellent concentration with a beautifully textured, supple mouth feel. Brisk line of acidity with a long moreish finish.
Drink over the next year.
Alc. 12% -
- 91
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 BC Wines Pinot NoirVictoria, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 13.9%Closure: StelvinLight and supple with a spicy red fruited finish.
Semi translucent red to dark red colour with a light red hue. Aromas of cherry and strawberry laced with mint are followed by some rhubarb, bramble and spice notes. Light and supple in its flow across the palate, cherry and strawberry fruits are featured over a back drop of dried herbs, rhubarb and spicy bramble. Vibrant acidity and polished tannins with a spicy red fruited finish.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 13.9% -
- Nick's Import
The Clydeside Distillery Stobcross Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Lowlands, SCOTLAND$89. 99Bottle$1079.88 DozenABV: 46%Ever since the Kinclaith stills at Strathclyde fell silent, Glasgow has been without a malt whisky distillery. The city's whisky renaissance recently took another step forward with The Clydeside, the second distillery to open there in over 100 years. Owners, Morrison Glasgow Distillers have been synonymous with single malts for generations. The family’s independent bottling business, A.D. Rattray, traces its roots back to 1868. For their latest project, the family worked closely with the late Dr. Jim Swan to refine wood selections and develop a ‘light but fruity spirit’, less grassy than other Lowland malts, instead veering toward a spicier Speysider. The concept was "...to reflect Glasgow’s past in bringing tobacco and spices to the UK." An inaugural distillation took place on the 6th November 2017 and the distillery's first whisky was bottled in 2021.
Like other newcomers (think Lochlea, Raasay or The Hearach), Clydeside's presentation is sleek and modern, designed to stand out on the shelves. A nautical theme is evident on the labels, split in half by a horizontal stripe, echoing the Plimsoll line along a ship’s side indicating the maximum depth to which it may be safely immersed when loaded with cargo. The whiskies arrive reasonably priced and it's pleasing to note that they're bottled at a minimum of 46%, without chill filtration.
The Stobcross is named after a historic cross which once marked the route to Dumbarton Rock. The whisky is matured in a combination of Bourbon and Sherry casks. It's a fresh, lively style with floral notes, tropical tones, orchard fruits and hints of white pepper.
Other reviews... The Stobcross is obviously youthful, and it’s light, fruity and uniformly enjoyable, but to expect anything more than this would be unreasonable – it’s the first output from a completely new distillery. The flavour components that I’m finding show it’s got the makings of really interesting whisky – the tobacco whiffs in particular, but it does, like Wally said when we were chatting about it recently, feel like it could have benefitted with a little bit longer in the cask if only to develop the hints of flavours that always seem to be at arms reach. You want to grab hold of them and give them a good scrutinising, but they remain elusive, distant and frustratingly fleeting. A good opening gambit however and, with more time spent in the casks to develop the interesting flavour signatures, there’s no doubt the spirit flowing from the Clydeside Distillery will deliver the experience hinted at in the Stobcross. There’s a lot to be excited about and, with new and re-established distilleries popping up each year, Clydeside is perfectly positioned to become a prominent presence in what’s becoming Glasgow’s 21st century industrial revolution. - dramface.com
-
- 90
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 Buller Wines RLB Sauvignon BlancKing Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$16. 99Bottle$203.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2025-2026)ABV: 11.5%Closure: StelvinA straightforward refreshing Sauvvy B.
Brilliant water like core with a greenish tint to the surrounding edges. Lifted passionfruit and herbaceous gooseberry aromas mix with some lime and delicate grassy asparagus notes. Refreshing passionfruit and lime flavours fill the mouth with some gentle herbaceous grassy elements also evident. Crisp acidity with a dry mouth watering finish.
Drink over the next year.
Alc. 11.5% -
- 92
2024 Clarence House Estate Pinot NoirTasmania, AUSTRALIA$34. 99Bottle$419.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 13.8%Closure: StelvinJuicy and fresh with an inky feel and bright acidity.
Very deep black dark red colour with a vibrant purple red hue. Intense but youthful, the nose offers up aromas of freshly crushed ripe cherries, violets and anise which mix with clove, inky earth, dried meat and spice notes. Juicy and fresh the palate features spicy cherry, anise and winter strawberry fruits over dried clove and earth. Inky feel with bright acidity and slightly grainy tannins. Concludes with a crunchy blue to dark fruited aftertaste.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.8% -
- 93
2023 All Saints Estate DurifRutherglen, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$26. 99Bottle$323.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinRich, concentrated and muscular.
Dense pitch black heart with an equally deep dark red black hue. Ripe black cherry, liquorice and dark to black plum fruits intermix with toasty vanillin cedar, earth and blackpepper. Rich, concentrated and muscular, black cherry, liquorice and black plum fruits overlay prominent toasty vanillin oak and peppered earth elements. Robust, tightly wound tannin structure with a chewy medium to long black fruited finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5% -
- 95
2024 Forest Hill Vineyard RieslingMount Barker, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$26. 99Bottle$323.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2025-2033)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinA searingly intense Riesling sculptured by steely, laser like acidity.
Brilliant pale straw colour with greenish tinged edges and a watery hue. Lime zest, lemon and orange rind scents leap from the glass with some wet steel, chalk and flinty mineral notes also evident. Searing lime, lemon and Granny Smith apple flavours are delivered with plenty of intensity and are sculptured by steely, laser like acidity. Chalk and flinty mineral elements extend across the back half. Superb drive with a long, tense finish.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 12% -
- 89
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 30 Mile Sauvignon Blanc$10. 99Bottle$131.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesA simple yet flavoursome entry level Sauvignon Blanc.
Brilliant water like colour with greenish tinged edges. Aromas of tropical fruit, melon and green apple are followed by some delicate herbaceous notes. The flavoursome palate features passionfruit, lime and green apple fruits over subtle cut grass and mineral elements. Nicely rounded mouth feel with a lick of brisk acidity on the fruity finish.
Drink now.
Alc. 12% -
- 92
2024 Paladino Pinot GrigioVeneto, ITALY$13. 99Bottle$167.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2025-2026)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinA fantastic entry level Pinot Grigio that delivers both intensity and texture.
This fantastic entry level Pinot Grigio that delivers on both intensity and texture was produced by the Rocca family who have been producing wines since the late 1800’s. This wine hails from the Veneto region in northeastern Italy, renowned for its picturesque vineyards and a climate that is ideal for producing crisp white wines.
Brilliant pale straw colour with greenish tinged edges and a watery hue. Lifted pear and red apple aromas are complimented by hints of dried honey, lime and wet stone. Featuring more than admirable concentration for its price and a gorgeous slippery textural feel, the palate is layered with delicious pear, red apple and lime fruits. Wet stone back drop with brisk acidity leaning into a refreshing finish that carries a supple feel.
Drink over the next year.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 93
- 92
2024 Delatite Deadman’s Hill GewurztraminerMansfield, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$23. 99Bottle$287.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2025-2028)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinA dry, fresh and exotic Gewurztraminer underpinned by zippy acidity.
Brilliant pale straw core with highlights of green around the edges and a watery hue. Fragrant aromas of rosewater and lychee are joined by Turkish delight, musk and ginger spice. Delicious lychee, citrus and musk flavours are underpinned by zippy acidity with some Turkish delight and ginger elements trailing off into the distance. Finishes dry, fresh and exotic with a dash of spice.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 14%Other Reviews……
A Delatite institution – one that deserves greater attention. Brings the spiciness, the liveliness, the aromatic beauty of the grape alive combined with a cool-climate acid drive. Beautifully pure lychee, rosewater, tarragon and citrus – delicate, enticing – delivered with a fine acid
edginess. Finishes dry and gently powdery. Delectable. Drink by 2028.
92 Points
Jeni Port – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 94
- 92
2023 JJ Hahn Hermann’s Vineyard ShirazBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinMedium to full bodied with a rich, plush and spicy palate.
Aged in a 50/50 mix of seasoned French and American oak barrels for a period of 14 months. Pitch black heart with a dark red black tinged hue. Spicy dark plum and liquorice aromas evolve from the glass followed by some meaty graphite like notes and peppered earth scents. Rich, plush and spicy, the medium to full bodied palate is decorated with fleshy dark plum and liquorice fruits. Spicy vanillin cedar, subtle scorched earth and peppered fennel accents lie beneath. Opulent mouth feel and velvet like tannins finishing long, lush and spicy.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14%Other Reviews…
Whole berries are fermented here before a maturation period of fourteen months in an evenly divided mix of French and American oak. The colour here is a deep magenta, while the nose exhibits notes of warm, dusty roads, black cherries, bay leaves, ripe plums and dark chocolate. This is a silky, finely rendered Shiraz, with a supple texture and very good length. The palate sees those bright, black cherries really come to the fore while there is a fine line of acidity running the length. This wine is an eight to ten year proposition, over which time it will surely improve further. Drink 2024-2034.
92 Points
Ken Gargett – WinePilot.com -
- 96
2022 Cloudy Bay ChardonnayMarlborough, NEW ZEALAND$59. 99Bottle$719.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2025-2031)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinRich and concentrated with a creamy like textural feel.
Brilliant pale straw colour with flashes of green to the edges and a watery hue. Intense ripe peach, nectarine and pear aromas fill the nostrils followed by some biscuity oak, subtle citrusy nougat and gun flint notes. Rich, fleshy white peach and nectarine fruits are in the drivers seat with notions of dried honey, cashew, biscuity oak and infusions of gun flint layered across the back half. Creamy like textural feel. Excellent concentration with a long beautifully fleshed finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13% -
- Nick's Import
2010 A.D. Rattray Cask Collection Craigellachie 14 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$159. 99Bottle$1919.88 DozenABV: 57.1%Around 14 years old seems to be a good age for Craigellachie, a fact confirmed by the official release 13 year old which remains the distillery's leading line. Long fermentations are responsible for a fragrant, fruity aspect in the distillate, giving it a tropical and slightly floral edge that's most noticeable in mature examples. In this 14 year old from Rattray, tradition and heritage meet experimentation and modernity via an “old-style” spirit drawn from an x Bourbon barrel acquired back in 2010. It's been given an extra layer of complexity through finishing in a first-fill Burgundy red wine cask. Matching casks with secondary woods is a continual learning process. Here the bottlers say the spirit has gained appreciable notes of Pinot Noir, complementing Craigellachie's characteristically full-bodied base. Cask No.18 yielded 296 bottles at 57.1% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Notes from the bottlers... Colour: Nectarine gold. Nose: Fresh iris, blackcurrant jam and apricot toasted oat crumble. Palate: Charred peach, dried cranberry and rose petal jelly. Finish: Spiced berry compote with a sprinkling of toasted pine nut.
- Ardnamurchan AD/ Sherry Cask Release 2024 Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$149. 99Bottle$1799.88 DozenABV: 50%
The importer tells us that these Ardnamurchan Sherry Cask Releases have a slightly different barrel makeup each time. The distillery is offering them annually to differentiate them from previous versions - hence '2024' in the title. Likely more mature stock is added each vintage, and no doubt their skills in blending the final whisky are honed as the liquid matures. The much-anticipated second edition has been bottled from a parcel of 15 unpeated ex-sherry Hogsheads and 10 peated ex-sherry casks filled in 2018 and 2019, including nineteen Oloroso butts and two PX butts. The deep mahogany colour shows their influence which comes through as a wonderful medley of red fruits, bonfire smoke, brine and dense nutty sherry. It will leave you wondering how a young whisky can taste so 'old'. This West Highland gem is becoming preferred over sherried Islays for many peat heads. The only question is, will Ardnamurchan sustain the quality over time? 21000 bottles produced. 50% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... The Sherry Cask Release is once again a success; the sherry is evident but does not overpower the distillery character with smoky fruitiness. The whisky has a lot to offer and shows that a strong sherry influence does not have to lead to sticky sherry bombs, but can produce complex whiskies. Another Ardnamurchan that is extremely enjoyable. - whiskybase.com
Notes from the producers... Nose: Murray mint, bonfire on the beach, salted peanut ice-cream, tomato stalks, Brazil nut, sundried tomatoes, teriyaki beef jerky, relish and tamari. Unctuous. Palate: Tarry rope, bung cloth, smoky bacon, old tractor shed, peanut brittle, sticky spare-ribs. Red plum and cherry, then shifts to chalk cliff and meaty traits above on later half. Finish: Crashing waves, sea-salt, bothy fireplace and cigar shop.
-
- Nick's Import
2013 A.D. Rattray Cask Collection Glen Moray 10 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$149. 99Bottle$1799.88 DozenABV: 64.3%Rattray contend that few makes are more amenable to finishing than Glen Moray. Its soft, fruity elegance matches well to a great variety of cask types. Sauternes wood, in particular, enhances the inherent sweetness of the spirit, highlights the abundant citric notes and peppers it all with a gentle spice. Starting life in a Bourbon hogshead before been transferred to a first-fill Sauternes Barrique for over two years, cask No.892 had an outturn of 264 bottles at a potent ABV of 64.3%. Yet, despite the extreme alcohol, tasters have stated, "Keep your hands off the water, this Glen Moray can also be enjoyed at cask strength." Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... Nose: Amazingly smooth with flattering fruit aromas and a complementary honey sweetness. Apricot cream, peach, walnuts with summer honey. Behind this I find dark malt biscuits, delicate vanilla and a hint of caramel. Palate: The sweetness of the Sauternes hits you hard here. Apricot jam, ripe mandarins, orange zest, Jaffa biscuits, golden syrup. Then the alcohol can no longer hide, a slight spiciness of ginger and cinnamon emerges. - whiskybase.com
Notes from the bottlers... Colour: Deep amber. Nose: Honey poached apricot, vintage marmalade and butterscotch sauce. Palate: Caramelised pear, Curaçao orange and spiced gingerbread loaf. Finish: Indulgent toffee apple interspersed with lively cinnamon and clove.
-
- 92
- 93
Kilchoman Sauternes Cask Matured 2024 Release Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Islay, SCOTLAND$189. 99Bottle$2279.88 DozenABV: 50%After a six year absence, Kilchoman's Sauternes matured expression is back, this time boasting a full-term maturation instead of a five month finish. Founder, Anthony Wills selected a combination of fresh and refill Sauternes barriques (22% vs 78%) from two separate years, the youngest being 2018. The result is not too dissimilar to the last version, with flashes of dried apricots and peaches detectable through the savoury, earthy peat reek. A bit of a sweetie at mid palate where the oils thicken until typical Kilchoman peat overtakes, ash and pepper in tow, with an unexpectedly, dry chewy finish that shows some wet stone minerality. 50% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... The nose thrills with gooseberry, honeysuckle, kiwi, linseed oil, passion fruit, lemon sorbet sprinkled with sea salt, and the caramelized meringue peaks of a baked Alaska. It has a slightly waxy mouthfeel with lush summer fruits from the sauternes cask showing Golden Delicious apple, banana, apricot, star fruit, and honey, with a late arrival of peat smoke. Water polishes the fruit notes but unleashes more smoke. 93 points - whiskyadvocate.com
- Marionette Pineapple Liqueur (500ml)AUSTRALIA$61. 99Bottle$743.88 DozenABV: 25%
Marionette scoured sunny Queensland for the sweetest pineapples they could find and ended up in Mareeba. There they discovered perfect baby pineapples at the family-owned Piñata farms, picked small for extra sweetness. The resulting liqueur offers bright green pineapple skins on the nose, with a palate of fresh pineapple acid and a punch of bold true fruit flavour. The skins add a green clove spice, with a finish of tropical fruit warmth. Enjoy in a Jungle Bird, Rum Old Fashioned, or Hotel National Special. 25% Alc./Vol.
-
- 97
- 99
- 99
2018 Mount Mary Quintet (1500ml)Yarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$599. 00Bottle$7188.00 DozenCellar: 10 - 20 Years (2030-2040)ABV: 13%Closure: CorkThis legendary Yarra Valley Cabernet blend continues to grow in stature under the tenure of Sam Middleton with the 2018 vintage receiving widespread critical acclaim as one of the best Quintets yet. A blend of 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot the wine saw 22 months maturation in a combination of 25% large format oak (1500L or larger), 30% in new barriques (225L) and the remainder in 2-5 year old barriques.
Totally opaque black dark red colour with a bright dark purple red hue. The nose presents a lovely combination of red to black currant, violet and ripe mulberry aromatics followed by complexing elements of dusty earth, vanillin cedar, faint notions of sweet tobacco and spicy fresh herb notes. Showing great finesse and class a wave of rich red and black currant fruits ride the medium weighted palate underscored by ripe mulberry, earthy graphite characters, subtle dusty cedar, dried herbs and spice. Graceful power with beautifully refined tannins seamlessly integrated with the fruit and a youthful freshness – the framework ideal for long term cellaring. Concludes with a long, elegant finish that’s layered with perfectly ripened red fruits.
Cellar 10-20 years.
Alc. 13%Other Reviews....
Stands proudly at the head of the Mount Mary portfolio. A blend of 44% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 16% cabernet franc and 5% each of malbec and petit verdot, each variety handled according to its structure. Open/static fermenters, wood/stainless steel, 10-14 days on skins, 35% new oak from a range of coopers and forests, 16-20 months in barrel. Mesmerisingly silky, with a kaleidoscope of fruit and secondary flavours.
99 points
James Halliday - Wine CompanionThis is a great edition of this standard bearer for elegant Yarra Valley claret. The nose is detailed and fresh with a central theme of red and dark berries, cedar, cocoa powder, violet-like florals and light leafy notes. The palate has such expressiveness with impressively vibrant red cherries, plums and berries, all in unison with faultlessly fine, long and seamless tannins. This is delicious now and will age so well. The greatest Quintet ever? Certainly in my lifetime!
99 points
Nick Stock - JamesSuckling.com44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot. The holy trinity of Cabernet from south of the equator, for me at least, is Te Mata Estate Coleraine, Cullen Diana Madeline, and Mount Mary Quintet.
Blackcurrant, cherry, raspberry, violet, an empty box of chocolates, and subtle leafy perfume. Medium-bodied, deft delivery of intense small-berried red and black fruit, tobacco and dried flowers with a discreet seasoning of cocoa, embroidered with pure and vital acidity, fine carbon tannin, and a supremely long and fresh finish. If there were a dictionary of wine, this would be listed under the word ‘class’.
97+ points
Gary Walsh - The Wine Front -
- 98
- 97
- 97
2017 Mount Mary Quintet (1500ml)Yarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$599. 00Bottle$7188.00 DozenCellar: 10 - 15 Years (2029-2034)ABV: 13%Closure: CorkEstablished in 1972 by Dr John Middleton, Mount Mary is one of Australia’s mostly highly regarded small wineries. In more recent times John Middleton’s grandson, Sam, has taken on the wine making reigns with great success. Their flagship Quintet, a Bordeaux inspired blend layered with bright expressive red fruits and beautifully structured is the epitome of elegance.
Graced with finesse, elegance and class, this is an exquisite Quintet.
Totally opaque black dark red colour with a dark red hue. The nose is superb and features perfumed like aromatics of violets, ripe red to black currants and subtle mulberries that work in perfect harmony with complexing elements of cedar, dusty earth, light dried herb notes, hints of black olives and spice. Graced with finesse, elegance and class, this is an exquisite Quintet. Decorating the medium bodied palate is a delightful core of ripe red currant and mulberry fruit that’s underpinned by spicy cedar, a light dusting of earth, infusions of fresh herbs, traces of tobacco and black olive. Exceptionally fine tannins along with fresh, finely tuned acidity provide fantastic structure for long term cellaring. Concludes very long and refined with a red fruited aftertaste that’s tinged with elements of dusty cedar, light tobacco, dried herbs and spice.
Cellar 10-15 years.
Alc. 13%Other Reviews….
It’s 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec, 4% Petit Verdot. Mount Mary has hit a purple patch with their Quintet over the past few vintages, and their Royal Purpleness continues in 2017.
Such perfume. It’s head spinningly fragrant. I’m thinking violet, cigar box, nougat, spicy biscuits, mint, chocolate and sweet wet earth, along with a core of intense raspberry, cherry and blackcurrant. It’s medium bodied, lithe but dense, rich cherry chocolate sprinkled with baking spices, crisp cranberry acidity, high pixel tannin, sweetness of fruit with a savoury ferrous edge. The finish is supremely long, all graphite and perfume, crisp definition and aniseed trailing in the aftertaste. Fine and rare. Drink 2025-2047.
97 points
Gary Walsh – The Wine Front
I saw this wine blind recently (in a largely international tasting) and could not place the variety or region. I can see why here today: the fruit in the 2017 Quintet is almost unbelievably red fruited. It is buoyant and supple and speaks eloquently of raspberry seed, black cherry, red apple skins, blond tobacco, hints of sweet roasted meats (distant wafts only), enoki mushroom and red miso; the experience is inchoate and thrilling in equal measure. In isolation, perhaps, it may be easy to assume that the wine, given its age versus purity quotient, is simple. But given what we know about the capacity for aging carried by this vineyard/cuvée, I'd say you were grievously mistaken to judge it in that manner. This is a sleeper wine and one that hasn't even started to show us what it is capable of. It's a superstar. 13% alcohol, sealed under natural cork.
97+ points
Erin Larkin - Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate -
- 97
2020 Mr Riggs The Chap Shiraz Cabernet SauvignonSouth Australia, AUSTRALIA$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2025-2033)ABV: 14.5%Closure: Diam CorkRich, concentrated and powerful with a long, refined finish.
Personally tailored by Mr Riggs this high end offering comes appropriately dressed in a dark blue bound presentation box that even smells like a new suit! Fruit is sourced from Ben’s own Piebald Gully vineyard in McLaren Vale whilst the Coonawarra Cabernet component comes from Weatherall vineyards. A blend of 68% Shiraz and 32% Cabernet Sauvignon maturation took place in a mixture of French (80%) and American (20%) oak, of which 35% was new, for a period of 22 months.
Dense midnight black core with a deep dark red black hue. Engulfing aromas of blackberry, liquorice and blackcurrant combine with vanillin cedar, subtle tobacco, earthy dark chocolate and spice notes. Making a rich, velvety entrance onto the medium to full bodied palate are concentrated blackberry, liquorice, blackcurrant and dark chocolate flavours. Exhibiting magnificent power and depth, notions of vanillin cedar, earth, delicate tobacco and spice extend across the back half. Beautifully integrated tannins lend a mild firmness to the long, refined finish.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews…..
The colour is something akin to a black hole – so deep, opaque and impenetrable. It’s a blend of McLaren Vale shiraz and Coonawarra cabernet sauvignon, and this is just the fifth release from the first in 2012. The McLaren Vale component from the cooler Clarendon subregion brings both elegance and a vibrant middle palate, sweetness and density. The earlier ripening Coonawarra input is all about structure and definition. But this is not a bruising big wine. It is refined and elegantly presented with a brilliance and purity of fruit. Hard to put down now, but cellaring for 20 years would not be a problem.
98 Points
Ray Jordan -
- 93
2010 Jasper Hill Emily's Paddock Shiraz Cabernet FrancHeathcote, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$199. 00Bottle$2388.00 DozenABV: 14%Closure: CorkOther Reviews....
Liquorice and tar. Peaty and mineralic; tight on the finish. Opens wonderfully in the glass, revealing more over an hour. I went back to this wine time and time again. A long detailed finish, yet needs five years to settle down and ten to really strut its stuff.
93 Points
JamesSuckling.com - Isle of Raasay Dun Cana Sherry Quarter Cask Second Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$199. 99Bottle$2399.88 DozenABV: 52%
Isle of Raasay's second annual Dun Cana release departs from their signature malt, exploring different cask types. For the second edition, peated and unpeated spirit is matured separately in ex-American rye casks, which previously held Woodford Reserve, before a secondary six-month maturation in Pedro Ximénez and oloroso sherry quarter casks. The distillery says the use of the smaller 125-litre casks “accelerates the maturation process” to deepen the resulting flavours of pepper spice, sultanas, vanilla toffee and salty chocolate. The whisky is named for Dùn Cana, the highest point on Raasay, as a tribute to the landscape of the distillery’s home. 52% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... Nose: Initially vanilla, followed by a few nutty aromas, including almonds, hazelnut praline, and pecan pie. Spice, ginger, and cardamom. Palate: Complex, like the nose. A few more fruit-forward notes here, like plums, berries, and peach. Almonds. Bakewell tart. Gingerbread. Finish: Long, as expected, given it is more than 50% ABV. A lingering fruitiness, which works well. Comment: Commendable in its complexity, especially with the way it merges a spicy nuttiness with a softer fruit combination. This has been crafted with skill. - whiskymag.com
-
- 99
2017 Mount Mary Pinot Noir (1500ml)Yarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$599. 00Bottle$7188.00 DozenABV: 13%Closure: CorkOther Reviews….
Vines average age 27yo, hand-picked, bunch-sorted on vibrating tables, open-fermented with cultured yeast, 14 days on skins, matured in French barriques (25-30% new). Glorious colour; the bouquet has the complexity you expect from a 20+yo Burgundy with aromas of field and forest floor. The palate is utterly exceptional, with perfect balance and length. The multitude of flavours swirl and dance - red tree fruits, red cherry foremost, plums close behind, thence to field and forest floor, capturing wild raspberry and strawberry. Sam Middleton thinks this will be one of the all-time greats of Mount Mary, and I'm sure he is right. Drink by 2037.
99 points
James Halliday – Australian Wine Companion -
- 91
Cape Byron Mac Liqueur Cask Single Malt Australian Whisky (700ml)New South Wales, AUSTRALIA$149. 99Bottle$1799.88 DozenABV: 45%Many distillers have explored secondary maturations with casks that have previously held sweet sherry and fortified wines, but not much has been done with liqueurs - let alone nut liqueurs. Now, Cape Byron Distillery is the first in the world to make a Macadamia Liqueur Cask matured Whisky, launching in 2025 with a limited release of 550 bottles. The new experiment is their most broad appeal offering to date. It almost smells like a whisky liqueur as heather honey, light peach, cantaloupe and vanilla greet the nose, matched by one of the softest deliveries ever from this distillery. Some of Cape Byron’s juicy tropical fruit character is retained, leaning towards dried banana or mango. The sweetness detracts a little from the vibrancy, making approachability rather than complexity a strong point. Regardless, if you're after a malt with a soft texture and a sweeter edge, you should find this more than satisfactory. 45% Alc./Vol. Non-chill filtered.
Notes from the producers... The liqueur has imparted decadent notes of butterscotch, coffee and dark chocolate to season ex-bourbon casks ready for maturing this malt whisky within the subtropical rainforest.
-
- 94
2014 Jasper Hill Emily's Paddock Shiraz Cabernet FrancHeathcote, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$199. 00Bottle$2388.00 DozenABV: 15%Closure: CorkOther Reviews....
(raised in French oak barrels, 20 percent of them new) Bright purple. Vibrant, expansive aromas of dark berries, floral pastilles, pipe tobacco and smoky minerals. Broad, alluringly sweet and seamless in texture, offering intense black raspberry, cherry cola and bitter chocolate flavors and a suave candied rose flourish. Shows a compelling interplay of power and finesse and no rough edges. Gains spiciness with air and finishes youthfully tannic and extremely long, featuring resonating floral and tobacco notes. Drink 2022 - 2031.
94 Points
Josh Raynolds - Vinous -
- 95
- 95
2009 Jasper Hill Emily's Paddock Shiraz Cabernet FrancHeathcote, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$199. 00Bottle$2388.00 DozenABV: 13.5%Closure: CorkOther Reviews…..
A fragrant blue and black fruit bouquet offset by cedar and sage; the palate reveals restrained power, is tightly wound and full of fine grained tannins, fresh fruits and a seductive earth derived savouriness to the firm and dry finish. Drink 2025.
95 points
James Halliday – Australian Wine Companion
Jasper Hill’s Emily’s Paddock is mostly shiraz – with a defining splash of cabernet franc. A lot has been made over the years of the “terroir” difference between Jasper Hill Emily’s and Georgia’s, but it’s the cabernet franc that really differentiates them. This is a pearler. It’s a class act on all fronts. It’s rich with perfume, and powerful in the mouth, but then dry and grainy and interesting through the finish. It promises, and then delivers. Blackberry, fresh raspberries, smoky oak, eucalypt, blooms of violet and creamier, more cedary elements too. It doesn’t have any excess alcohol heat and yet it’s alive with flavour and perfume. Blew me away with its beauty.
95 points
Campbell Mattinson – The Wine Front - Isle of Raasay Peated PX Sherry Quarter Cask Australian Exclusive Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$220. 00Bottle$2640.00 DozenABV: 59.4%
A special limited edition bottled for the importer as an Australian Exclusive. Matured in an ex-Pedro Ximenez quarter cask for a speedy maturation, the style is rich and smokey with vibrant dark fruits. 129 bottles are available at a cask strength of 59.4% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
-
- 98
- 95
- 96
2018 Mount Mary Pinot Noir (1500ml)Yarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$599. 00Bottle$7188.00 DozenABV: 13.3%Closure: CorkOther Reviews....
Bunch-sorted on vibrating tables, Oscillys-destemmed whole berries, 10-14 days on skins, matured 14-18 months in oak (25% new). Not a hair out of place, all the boxes with big ticks. A perfumed bouquet with rose petals and tantalising hints of forest, the vibrantly fresh palate with a diamond-clear stream of red fruits and spices. The length is awesome.
98 points
James Halliday - Wine CompanionA complex and attractive pinot that offers bright, vibrant red-cherry aromas with a gently spicy edge, aided by some well integrated oak influence. The palate has quite vivid red-fruit flavors, smoothly aligned tannins and a gently creamy edge to the finish. Bright, tangy resolve with resilient fruit flavors. Delicious. Drink over the next five years.
95 points
Nick Stock - JamesSuckling.comGee, they’ve turned out a very good Pinot Noir in 2018.
Strawberries, roses, cinnamon toast and biscuits, a whisper of undergrowth. Medium-bodied, autumnal feel, a little rhubarb, coolness and ‘mineral’ feel, finesse to the acidity and supremely ‘elegant’ feel to the wine, fine graphite tannin, and a wonderfully long and fragrant strawberry and spice finish. Gee, this is a special wine. I’m smitten.
96 points
Gary Walsh - The Wine Front -
- 96
- 95
2021 Cloudy Bay Te Koko Sauvignon BlancMarlborough, NEW ZEALAND$89. 99Bottle$1079.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2025-2030)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinTexturally mouth filling and superbly concentrated, this is one of New Zealand’s benchmark Sauvignon Blancs.
Brilliant pale straw colour with greenish tinged edges and a watery hue. Intense gooseberry, citrus and green apple aromas infused with herbaceous grassy notes flood the nostrils. Hints of grapefruit, asparagus and flinty mineral notes ensue. Mouth filling flavours of herbaceous gooseberry, citrus and grapefruit are complimented by grassy asparagus like characters, pencil shavings and flinty mineral elements. Superbly concentrated, it has crisp acidity and a long, dry finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13.5%Other Reviews…..
Te Koko is arguably the wine that launched the concept of premium Sauvignon Blanc in New Zealand in the 1980s—no mean feat. On the nose, this 2021 Te Koko Sauvignon Blanc leads with pink grapefruit, nashi pear, white pepper, layers of crushed shells and brine, with hints of vanilla pod and star anise. In the mouth, all of the above with additional cut fennel, suggestions of marzipan, graphite and white pepper. There is a gentle lees texture and brilliant length of flavor. Excellent wine. The only reason you could possibly not like this wine is if you don't like Sauvignon Blanc, and even then, I'd insist that you try it. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Drink 2023-2036.
95+ Points
Erin Larkin – Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate - Overeem Distillery Core Range Trio Gift Pack (3 x 50ml)Tasmania, AUSTRALIA$74. 99Bottle$899.88 Dozen
A delightful little gift for someone wishing to explore the core range of Overeem Single Malt Whiskies. The gift Box contains 3 x 50ml miniatures of Overeem's Bourbon, Port, & Sherry Cask Matured Single Malt Whiskies, all presented at 43% ABV 'Distiller Strength'.
-
- Nick's Import
Edradour Cream Liqueur (700ml)Highlands, SCOTLAND$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenABV: 17%The Edradour Cream Liqueur has been specially formulated for the distillery using only the finest ingredients, which naturally include Edradour single malt whisky! Delicious on its own, in coffee or poured over ice cream (don't mix it with carbonated drinks). Refrigerate once opened as this is a milk product.
Notes from the producers... Nose: Creamy with malt expectancy. Palate: A satisfying touch of Edradour. Silky smooth and creamy with a distinct butterscotch, chocolate flavour. Finish: Mellow aftertaste with a hint of hazelnut. 17% Alc./Vol.
Various reports from visitors to the distillery include comments like, "As someone who’s not a fan of the likes of Baileys this is simply divine. Not heavy to drink and leaves a fantastic aftertaste too."