What's Hot

Produced from certified organic vines on Quealy's Balnarring vineyard. Winemaker Tom McCarthy has used only the free-run portion of the juice, conserving delicacy, vibrancy and fine natural acidity. There was zero sulphur used until after malolactic fermentation and a touch of barrel ferment was employed to add depth, though there was no battonage.
Brilliant pale straw colour with a faint tinge of green running around the outskirts and a watery hue. Nosing reveals pear, green apple and citrus aromas with some faint dried honey and spice notes in the background. Showing good flesh are juicy pear flavours which overlay citrus, dried honey and spice characters. Dry crisp finish with a pleasing medium to long aftertaste.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 13.1%

Other Reviews….
Pitch-perfect pinot grigio. All ginger spiced nashi pear, lemon zest and pith with fennel and crunchy daikon. Palate has texture with light phenolics and fine acidity plus a moreish saline hit. Delicious. Drink by 2024.
95 points
Jane Faulkner – James Halliday’s The Wine Companion

Founded in 2003, Bodegas Eidosela is the brainchild of a small group of enterprising, like-minded local growers (61 in total) dedicated to producing their own, quality Rías Baixas wines. The Bodegas is located in the sub-zone Condado de Tea (county of the River Tea, which flows into the Miño) and has a total of 48 hectares under vine, planted to Albariño, Treixadura and Loureiro in 600 separate parcels, the biggest being just 2 ha. Each vineyard is owned by a member of the Bodegas’ co-operative.
Stainless steel handling, with 50% of the blend aged 4 months on lees in tank. Brilliant very pale straw colour with greenish tinge edges and a watery hue. Aromas of pears, green apple and lime are trailed by wet stone and fresh herb notes. Crunchy green apple and pear flavours fill the mouth over a back drop of limes infused with fresh herbs and subtle stony mineral characters. Nicely rounded mid palate feel finishing dry with crisp acidity and a scrumptious aftertaste.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 12.5%

Brilliant pale straw colour with a subtle tinge of green around the outskirts and a watery hue. Elevated white peach and nectarine aromas combine with light dried honey, biscuity oak, citrusy nougat and gun flint notes. An energetic burst of white peach and nectarine fruits is layered across the palate with great intensity. Faint notions of dried honey, light biscuity oak, traces of nougat and infusions of gun flint sit underneath. Dry fresh finish. Understated in its power its builds incrementally into a long refined and flinty aftertaste.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.5%

Other Reviews…..
The bright straw-green hue heralds a beautifully handled wine. The fragrant bouquet of fused fruit and oak is increased on the harmonious, perfectly balanced palate. There's ultimate detail to the wine, with white peach all the way through to the finish and aftertaste. Drink by 2030.
97 points
James Halliday – Top 100 2020

Highly perfumed, deliciously fruited and supple, this is a classic example of Yarra Valley Pinot Noir.

Sourced from vines on average 20 years old, this Pinot was matured in a mixture of 1-6 year old French oak puncheons for a period of 11 months. Dark red in colour with black tinged edges and a dark red hue. Very fragrant, perfumed aromatics of violets, dark cherry and strawberry blossom out of the glass trailed by forest floor, dried herb and spicy cedar notes. Powering across the palate are delicious ripe cherry, strawberry and subtle anise flavours which are underscored by notions of forest floor, herbs and spicy cedar. Excellent intensity with a supple mouthfeel and finely shaped tannins providing structure. Long savoury conclusion.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.5%

The Watson Family continue to churn out outstanding Bordeaux blends, the latest rendition of their entry level Wilyabrup Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot, from 2018, a vintage they state “will certainly go down in history as one of Margaret River’s greatest”, delivers fantastic value. A blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 8% Malbec, 6% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot it was matured in French oak (5% new) for 14 months.

A product of the spectacular 2018 Margaret River vintage, this superb blend marries rich blackcurrant fruit with finesse and elegance.

Black as night in colour with a very deep dark red black tinged hue. Sailing out of the glass are aromatics of ripe blackcurrants, subtle liquorice and mulberry fruits which meld into notions of dusty vanillin cedar, spicy tobacco and bay leaf notes. Boasting excellent intensity, the palate is a marriage of rich blackcurrant fruit, finesse and elegance. Mulberry, dusty vanillin cedar, cigar box, black olive and spicy bay leaf elements also chime in for added complexity. Fine grained, yet tightly knit tannins provide a sturdy underbelly. Finishes long, refined and dusty.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 13.5%

Other Reviews…..
54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 8% Malbec, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. Only 5% new oak, and in many respects, I prefer this lower oak input, more charming style from Woodlands. And the value is outstanding.
Medium-bodied, but dense in feel with savoury flavours of black olive and earth, dark chocolate, blackcurrant and blackberry, some sage and floral perfume. Tannin is tightly packed, acidity fresh and cool, and the finish is again all pencil and black olive, and pretty long with it, a slick of tannin as it goes. Lovely wine. Very adult in style, if you will. Drink 2020-2028+
94 points
Gary Walsh – The Wine Front

Bollinger’s trademark depth and richness are on full show here. A blend of 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Meunier with over 85% of the blend sourced from Grand and Premier crus.
Pours with a fluffy white mousse.The base colour is pale straw with tinges of gold around the edges. Very fine bead with a steady stream of bubbles. The nose exhibits Bollinger’s hallmark richness with pronounced aromas of baked bread, yeast lees and oily toast like characters followed by cashew, almond and citrus notes. Rich, mouthfilling flavours of baked bread, yeast lees, oily toast like characters, citrus and cashew. Creamy textural feel with good freshness on the finish. Long aftertaste of baked bread, oily toast like characters, yeast lees and cashew.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc 12%

Other Reviews....
Surely the most underpriced champagne on the market today, yet one of the most complex. The 60/25/15% pinot noir/chardonnay/pinot meunier blend is of scant importance compared with the 400 components with 60% reserves, the oldest 8+ years old. Majestically complex and layered in a jewelled crown of freshness.
96 points
James Halliday's Top 100 2020

Lovely aromas and flavors of ripe black cherry and currant fruit, graphite, toast and candied Meyer lemon zest are set in this racy Champagne, with a refined, finely detailed mousse. The mouthwatering finish is long and spicy. Drink now through 2022. 
93 points
Wine Spectator

Bollinger’s NV Special Cuvée knocks it out of the park. Made from 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay and the rest Pinot Meunier, with 30% of the blend brought up in barrels, it boasts a rich, deep, medium to full-bodied style as well as terrific notes of lemon curd, crème brûlée, caramelized stone fruits, and hints of toasty nuttiness that develop with time in the glass. It’s a big, rich Champagne that stays balanced and pure. Beautiful stuff. Drink 2018-2028.
93 points
JebDunnuck.com

Fine bubbles combine nicely with the cooked apples, pie crust and lemon rind. Some biscuit, too. Full body. Layered and creamy with a crisp finish. Always delicious. Drink now.
92 points
JamesSuckling.com

Estate grown at Reillys St Clare vineyard in Watervale, the resultant wine was matured in French oak hogsheads for 18 months. Impenetrable inky black heart with a deep dark red black hue. Wafting from the glass are heady liquorice and ripe blackberry scents followed by some black cherries, vanillin cedar, scorched earth and pepper notes. Boasting imposing size and density for its price, rich liquorice, black cherry and blackberry fruits are underscored by a robust tannin structure. Toasty vanillin oak, earth and pepper elements ensue. Slightly grippy finish with an opulent but chewy aftertaste.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 15.5%

A blend of 49% Shiraz, 34% Grenache and 17% Mourvedre with maturation taking place in French oak hogsheads (10% new) for a period of 15 months. The Shiraz component was sourced from old vineyards at Krondorf, Marananga and Ebenezer, with a parcel from Eden Valley included for its vibrant aromatics and flavour. Grenache was sourced from vineyards at Tanunda and Ebenezer, and Mourvèdre from Light Pass and Ebenezer.
Midnight black in colour with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Aromas of ripe dark plum, dark raspberry, blackberry and liquorice mix with vanillin oak, earthy leather characters and spicy pepper. Rich with a plush mouthfeel and satiny tannins, the palate is awash with dark plum, liquorice and dark raspberry fruits. Elements of earth, vanillin oak, dried herbs and spicy pepper sit underneath. Excellent depth and power with a long succulent conclusion.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5%

Other Reviews….
A very satisfying combo with no variety fighting for the lead. Expect a melody of red fruits lightly spiced with a fleck of herbs for good measure and meaty-stock flavours, too. The savoury and shapely tannins in tune with the more medium-weighted palate. Finishes fresh and buoyant. A ripper drink. Drink by 2030.
95 points
Jane Faulkner – Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate

Striking, with dark, compact notes of huckleberry, wild blackberry, blueberry and espresso that are fragrant, pure and generous. Velvety tannins and details of cigar box, gunpowder tea, fresh cracked black pepper and spice go on and on. The finish is epic. Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvèdre. Drink now through 2035.
94 points
Wine Spectator

Sparkling Shiraz is a unique Australian wine that’s synonymous with the Great Western region having been in production since the early 1900’s. The base wine for this cuvee is left on yeast lees in bottle for 24 months or more and disgorged in the traditional method. The dosage liqueur contains a small quantity of very old Best’s Liqueur Muscat.
Pours beautifully with a thick purple tinged mousse that shows excellent hold. The tiniest of bubbles flowing through a dense pitch black dark red coloured core with excellent persistence. Wafting out of the glass are heady scents of dark plum, blackberry and liquorice which meld into toasty vanillin oak, dark chocolate and spice notes. Rich and toasty the palate is packed with luscious blackberry, liquorice and sarsaparilla flavours that are married to vanillin oak, scorched earth and cinnamon spice elements. Dry energetic finish with a long and generous creamy textured aftertaste.
Limited stocks – this normally sells out prior to Christmas.
Drink over the next 8-10 years.
Alc. 14.5%

Pours with a frothy mousse that shows good hold over the pale straw coloured base. Flecks of pale gold are littered around the edges and an exceptionally fine, vivid bead courses its way through the core. Complex aromatics of toasty yeast lees characters, pear, citrus, roasted almonds and brioche filter their way through the nostrils. Airy yet nimble across the palate with a satiny feel, pear and citrus fruits interplay with notions of yeast lees, light baked bread characters, subtle cashew and traces of oiliness. Excellent concentration and power finishing dry with crisp acidity and a long expressive aftertaste.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 12.5%

Other Reviews….
A firm and vivid Champagne with a precise, focused palate. Full-bodied and dry. It’s very layered and bright with light pineapple, peach, praline, cooked-apple and stone aromas and flavors. It’s very subtle and focused at the end. Integrated with richness and high acidity. Good depth. Reminds me of the 1995. Very clean. Solid. Lovely to drink already, but will age nicely.
98 points
JamesSuckling.com

A graceful Champagne, featuring fragrant notes of toasted brioche and grilled nut that are more subtle on the palate, with a rich underpinning layered with a pure chime of tangerine and accents of candied ginger, toasted saffron and lime blossom. This bundles a lot of concentrated flavor into a lithe frame, with the fine mousse caressing the palate through to the lasting finish. Drink now through 2035.
96 points
Wine Spectator

The challenging vintage (botrytis) may have reduced the usual massive production, using only the best fruit harvested with military precision. On tirage for 8 years. The complex and expressive bouquet opens for a palate with flavours from quince to honey circling around a core of stone fruit, the finish penetrating.
97 points
James Halliday's Top 100 2020