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The UK's No.1 Australian Wine Specialist
Maison de Grand Esprit Vougeot Premier Cru 2018
"In 25 years I believe this is the most undervalued wine I have ever sampled. If you believe Utopos and Standish are underestimated / under-priced, which they are, dial up the knob and wait until you open a bottle of this.
For the money – this is 100/100."
Perhaps one of the longest tasting notes / introductions I have written nonetheless, I feel it’s important to provide a little context to the style and the intended market together with my tasting note. This wine came to us by way of Treasury Wine Estates (owners of Penfolds, Wolf Blass, etc.) who have been very busy in France with the aim to disrupt the traditional old-world mould of French wines. The areas covered being Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne and Provence. Initially, their target audience was Asia which is not surprising given Penfolds’ huge success and the success of French fine wine sales. A perfect marriage…
However, in March 2021, China imposed a five-year tariff of up to 218 percent for Australian wine sold in quantities of less than two litres. This effectively shut the door on Aussie wines sales – the impact being immense, bordering disastrous with wine exports to China plunging to circa $12 million annually compared with $1.3 billion before Beijing imposed these punishing tariffs. Consequently, many Aussie wine producers have been forced to re-think their immediate and long-term strategies and reason why exciting parcels and projects are coming to the fore, and to our attention.
All that is rare is expensive, so they say, and to some degree the wines from Burgundy align themselves to this maxim however, they also produce a lot of overpriced mediocrity. But it sells and sells pretty quickly. I recall attending a big Burgundy En-Primeur tasting with Magda – the range was enormous, and we sampled every wine that was shown. Magda and I both agreed – wines starting from £750.00 per case of six were sensational. Most wines below this price point were decidedly average and overpriced.
Recently, a six-pack of 2017-2018 Premier Cru, red wines arrived courtesy of Treasury Wines. I found all of the 2017s not to my liking – a little forced and perhaps overly stylised, but the 2018 Premier Cru Vougeot was sensational. Sampling aside – I drank the bottle throughout the evening. I adore Pinot Noir and Chardonnay however, and on a like-for-like basis (price wise) with Australia, Burgundy is either miles behind or Australia is infinitely undervalued.
The grapes sourced for this 2018 Premier Cru Vougeot are grown exclusively within officially classified Premier Cru vineyards of the Vougeot commune. Vougeot is a small commune in the Cote de Nuits (a sub-region of Burgundy). The commune is tiny and most of the vineyard space is taken up by one of Burgundy's largest Grand Cru sites, the Clos de Vougeot which are incredibly expensive (most being north of £150 per bottle).
This wine is built in a ‘New World’ frame and will appeal to many of you. A one-off offer and a wine which I cannot endorse enough.
Stuart McCloskey “As Pinot Noir goes, the bouquet is intense and dreamy – peonies flow into a complex fusion of wild hedgerow fruits, cherry and plum liquor, the spicing is sweet and feels exotic, blood orange oozes through which gets me tingling with excitement. The mouthfeel is pure sensuality – glossy, fleshy and sumptuous. The tannins are svelte and melt into the smörgåsbord of wild hedgerow fruit. ‘Luscious’ comes to mind, but I must stress, this is not overworked. The quality of fruit is exceptional as is the winemaking (everything you expect from Treasury). The layers of flavour are phenomenal – I adore the sweet, exotic spice. The sorbet-like feel provided by more blood orange pleases me no end.
In 25 years I believe this is the most undervalued wine I have ever sampled. If you believe Utopos and Standish are underestimated / under-priced, which they are, dial up the knob and wait until you open a bottle of this. For the money – this is 100/100. I would happily pay north of forty quid and wouldn’t bat an eye. Simply faultless and absolutely delicious… Tasted twice (two separate bottles) with identical and joyous responses. Sorry Australia, you / we have nothing on-par (or remotely close) for the same money. Drink now to 2030. Served using Zalto Burgundy glassware.”
Given the phenomenal price – this wine is only available by the six-pack rather than individual bottles. You will have to take my word for it, which and over the years, I hope has never failed you.
All wines will be shipped directly from LCB and not via DPD.
*Delivery charges will apply to all orders, but we have factored this in when pricing the wine. Respectfully, even those customers who loathe paying one-pence for delivery - you will either miss-out or give us a huge slap on the back for bringing you one of the best value wines we have ever launched.
Delivery date
The wine currently sits in Burgundy – ETA into the UK being week of 19 June.
We will provide an exact ETA nearer the time.
This very special offer closes on Monday 15 May
Maison de Grand Esprit Vougeot Premier Cru 2018
£65.00 Under Bond per case (6x75cl)
£94.50 Duty Paid per case (6x75cl) plus delivery
Equivalent to just £15.75 per bottle
New Release from Moss Wood
Their Iconic Cabernet Sauvignon
Available for delivery August 2023
Moss Wood Cabernet is one of Margaret River’s historic wines, planted in 1969 and the first vintage was 1973. It’s the estate’s iconic flagship wine and has been classified by Langton’s since 1990. It has long been Western Australia’s best Cabernet Sauvignon and all of the auction data in Australia reveals that it consistently rates as Australia’s most collected Cabernet Sauvignon.
2020 is already being hailed as an instant classic for Margaret River, despite a multitude of challenges presented both during the growing season and harvest (namely, Covid-19!). As Keith Mugford writes, “Temperatures were moderate, with virtually no extreme heat and our warmest day was 37 °C. The Cabernet varieties made their way steadily to full ripeness, very slightly ahead of average, no surprise given the significant crop loss. For the record, Cabernet Sauvignon took 116 days to go from flowering to harvest, compared with the average of 121. Cabernet Franc took 111 days, a week less than average. None of the above had any negative impact on quality and the season 19/20 was near perfect for grape ripening. The average temperature was a Goldilocks-like 20.4°C, the were no disease problems and we kept the birds at bay. The vines easily ripened their crop and Cabernet Sauvignon picking got under way on 13th March and with a median harvest date of 22nd March, the vintage was 8 days earlier than average.”
Pushed to compare Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 to another vintage,
Keith had the following to say:
“When we arrive at our cellaring advice, we always come up with the same question. What are the comparable vintages from the past? The prior years with similar yields were 1981, 2009, 2015 and 2016 and of those, the first two were hail-affected. The 2020 definitely brings back memories of the tannins of the ’81 but also some of the pretty aromas of the ’15. The key for us, though, is the 2020 is very much in the style of former and with that as our cellaring guide, this new vintage has a long life ahead and we anticipate relatively gradual development. As always, it has Moss Wood’s typical early balance, with a youthful fruit depth that is enjoyable now. However, do not be fooled. Beneath the velvet glove is a clenched fist that will keep this wine going for many decades and it may well repeat the performance of its older sibling and take 2 decades to show significant development.”
There are few producers of Cabernet Sauvignon in the world who achieve the consistent high levels of quality that Keith Mugford does at Moss Wood and dare I say no one does it at such unbeatable value for money. We think this quote from Matthew Jukes a leading global critic on Australian wines sums things up nicely when it comes to Moss Wood Cabernet - “Moss Wood is my favourite producer of Cabernet in Australia. There are a handful of other Aussie producers existing in the same stratosphere as Moss Wood and obviously a few Italians and Californians too who compete with the top Bordeaux, but of all the elite performers this estate represents the finest value for money.”
2020 Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon
“THE LATEST MOSS WOOD CABERNET HAS BEEN RELEASED. AND YET AGAIN IT WILL FIT SNUGGLY IN THE TOP ECHELON OF NEW RELEASE AUSSIE CABERNETS.
It is a great wine from this great Margaret River estate. But it also a wine with a difference from recent releases, although it is still unmistakably Moss Wood.
The most striking thing is that this is one of the prettiest and perfumed of any Moss Wood I can recall. And that’s saying something because Moss Wood is known for its perfumes and aromatics as much as it is for its soft palate profile.
This one is also somewhat closed and restrained on the palate now with its firm thread of chalky tannin holding things tightly, to the point where I suspect it will be at least 20 years before it starts to reveal its true potential.
Another simply sublime edition of this great wine. The volume of fruit was down almost 60% but the small berry influence has added even more intensity and depth, if that is possible with this wine. Interesting point of difference is that the combination is slightly different from previous vintages with 90% cabernet sauvignon, 3% cabernet franc and 7% petit verdot. The petit verdot certainly brings a darker berry influence with slightly firmer tannins. The aromas are a seductively perfumed with a combination of violet and redcurrant with a subtle black olive and mulberry. But the palate, oh the palate, is simply a joy. Smooth graceful lines with fine chalky tannins supply essential definition and support and harmoniously played oak. At the moment it is quite restrained but with age, a treasure trove of delights will be released. It is a wine destined for even greater things. Extraordinary.”
Cellar: 30 years
"Such an evocative bouquet of black cherries, blueberry, lots of red fruits, anise, fruit cake spice, lavender, florals (iris), graphite, sweet, rolled tobacco, fresh cedar, the faintest hint of vanilla and blood orange (The infusion is magnificent). The palate is harmonious with an almost ethereal quality – rather mesmerising in an understated way. Confident, cohesive and luxurious whilst retaining a discreet side. This is going to be a very special wine with essential bottle age (a minimum of 10-15 years) however, perfect sensuality, fine tannins (there are no hard edges) and the silky-smooth sheen will satisfy those who lack patience. For now, the flavours fan out and flow to the magical tune of ripe mulberry, a cornucopia of black fruits, blueberry compote and sweet, exotic spice. Decant for 3-4 hours, sit back and immerse yourself into the caressing, lapping waves of wonderfulness… Just a joy. Drink now (just one bottle to satisfy one’s curiosity) and nestle the rest away for a decade or two. Served using Zalto Bordeaux glassware.”
£300.00 per case under bond (6x75cl)
Buy two or more cases for £280.00 per case
Discount will be automatically deducted at checkout
Available for delivery August 2023
It’s worth mentioning that we are not planning on stocking the 2020 Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon (there may be the odd bottle left over as we buy in cases of six).
2021 Moss Wood Chardonnay
"I think that this is the very best Moss Wood Chardonnay I have seen for a very long time. This sits with the finest the region can offer."
“If one may begin with the bottom line up top, I think that this is the very best Moss Wood Chardonnay I have seen for a very long time. This sits with the finest the region can offer. Indeed, I’d go further. Moss Wood has an enviable record for its stunning Cabernet. If they maintain this standard with the Chardy, it won’t be long before it is on a par with the Cab. Perhaps the cooler vintage suited the style a little more. The future will reveal if that is so. The fruit was whole-bunch pressed, settled, seeded with a variety of yeasts for fermentation which sees the juice transferred to French oak barrels, half new, at the halfway mark. Maturation then continues for over a year.
Straw/yellow, it is immediately apparent that this is one of the more complex Chardonnays you’ll come across at the moment – wonderful stuff. The nose exhibits cashews, mandarins, white peaches, stonefruit, all through to a fabulous palate, immaculately balanced and with unrelenting intensity. There is oak, sure, but it has melded so well you hardly notice it. Supple, creamy, and a finish that just seems to linger forever with hints of lime marmalade. This is an absolutely brilliant and stunning Margaret River Chardonnay that should live for many years”.
Cellaring tips from the winery: Given the very high quality of the year, we strongly recommend the 2021 for cellaring and suggest a minimum of 10 years for some bottle development but it can be aged well beyond 20 years to reach full maturity. However, there is one proviso, it is very enjoyable now and will tempt even the most dedicated cellaring person.
In Bond @ £340.00 IB per case of 12
13 bottles and 3 under bond cases remain
In stock and available for immediate delivery
New Releases from
Leeuwin Estate Art Series
We are delighted to unveil the new Art Series Collection from Leeuwin.
As ever, attention builds with each, annual release. Sampling the wines is always a thrill however, these wines are built for the mid-long haul (particularly the Chardonnay) which must be taken into consideration. It is clearly evident that Leeuwin produces some of Australia’s best and most coveted wines – I enjoy pitching them against some of our own agencies which always creates fascinating, in-house debate.
Pricing: We have been provided with their ‘Recommended Sales Prices’ which will be obeyed from 9:00am Tuesday 9 May. Until then and given the increase in price versus the current state of economic play versus selling their collection, we feel it prudent to provide some relief. For the avoidance of doubt, we are not disrespecting Leeuwin – instead, we are being mindful of you and your wallets. RSPs are provided for each wine.
Leeuwin deliver all wines in cases of 12x75cl which can be a stretch when buying for under bond storage. Accordingly, we have liaised with our bonded warehouse, LCB and plan to break the cases down to packs of 6x75cl. This may help with budgeting and choosing a wider range…
Do not fear about retaining original boxes as these are delivered in the flimsiest of cardboard. That said, buy two 6 packs and you’re guaranteed the original 12-pack box.
All duty paid stock is available by-the-bottle.
Dispatching will commence on Monday 22 May for arrival on the 23 May
"It would not surprise me if this was considered the greatest Leeuwin chardonnay yet..."
2020 Leeuwin Art Series Chardonnay
£80.95 per bottle
Will revert to £86.95 after launch offer
58 bottles remain
£390.00 Under Bond per case (6x75cl)
Will revert to £420.00 after launch offer
Only 3 cases remain
99 Points – Ray Jordan "It would not surprise me if this was considered the greatest Leeuwin chardonnay yet. You would get no argument from me... there is elegance and power here. Subtle layered wine. It was a year of great concentration and power. Has pear and lime character that is part of the DNA. The fruit is generous, especially about the mid palate. Has a subtle and not overstated flinty character with a lift of spice. The oak is brilliantly managed and complementary. It's very tight and precise and the whole-bunch technique gives it that stalky, phenolics character. There's a savoury almond meal character on the finish. Incredible length and power here. The minerally character on the finish is quite pronounced. In the top three, certainly, of any Leeuwin chardonnay."
Stuart McCloskey "As expected, the bouquet is razor sharp and needs coaxing out of the bottle (decant and serve in generous sized glassware). With time, yuzu, liquorice, quartz, flint, lemon peel, lime, fresh mint and jasmine responds to aeration. Similarly, the palate cuts the same path of cleanliness. Seriously impressive and oozes class in the most nonchalant of ways. Perfectly balanced, melodious in fact. The texture washes across the palate with sumptuous ease. Acidity is introduced like an arrow, and straight through the middle. Incisive, taut and fresh. Flavours cover the citrus spectrum – confit lemon along with oodles of minerals and satisfying salinity. Another vintage that is built for the long term – drinking now (if you aerate) through to 2040+. Outstanding and it’s easy to see why this continues to be one of Australia’s greatest Chardonnays… Served using Zalto Burgundy glassware.”
The 2020 Chardonnay vintage at Leeuwin Estate
2020 produced another outstanding, characteristic Margaret River vintage. Chardonnay was a stand-out varietal, with remarkable natural acid and fruit
weight.
Winter of 2019 yielded typically wet and windy conditions, filling dams on the Estate. Chardonnay was the first varietal to burst in mid-August, encouraged by a prolonged period of sunny weather in late July.
Summer was generally warm with few hot days. Veraison was considerably earlier in 2020, first noted in the Estate's Pinot Noir vineyards in mid-December, while Chardonnay followed in the final week of December.
Chardonnay harvest commenced in early February and continued over a fortnight, as different sites expressed the influences of their terroir on flavour and ripeness.
"Gently cooling and wonderfully long. Just fabulous and by far the best Art Series Shiraz release to date."
2020 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Shiraz
£29.95 per bottle
Will revert to £32.95 after launch offer
£135.00 Under Bond per case (6x75cl)
Will revert to £150.00 after launch offer
Stuart McCloskey “Again, another release that showcases nature’s flavours, poise, elegance, and a wine that is comfortable with itself. Sweet spice, raspberry liquor, cherry, bountiful black fruits (mineral tinged) earth, violets, freshness and lift from orange peel, along with a waft of sea spray… The palate is medium bodied, fabulously fresh - the mouthfeel is generous and sits on the side of ‘red’ fruits together with a pinch of cinnamon and anise (served judicially). Super-sleek, unapologetically soothing and I love the sorbet-like character which comes via blood orange. Gently cooling and wonderfully long. Just fabulous and by far the best Art Series Shiraz release to date (well, to me). Drink now (decant for 2-3 hours) and cellar for 10+ years. Sampled using Zalto Bordeaux glassware.”
The 2020 Shiraz vintage at Leeuwin Estate
2020 produced another outstanding, characteristic Margaret River vintage.
Winter of 2019 was typically wet and windy, although overall winter rainfall was lower than average. Chardonnay was the first variety to burst in the middle of August, encouraged by a prolonged period of sunny weather in late July and early August. Budburst was then noted in the Riesling and Cabernet through late August and September.
Summer was generally warm with few hot days. Veraison was first noted in the Estate Pinot Noir vineyards in mid December, which is significantly earlier than usual. Nets went onto the vineyards through early January, although a good show of Marri blossom in the region kept the birds away from the ripening vines until March, when the Marri flowering was complete.
Harvest commenced in the final week of January, with Pinot Noir being picked for the Estate Brut. Mild, temperate days and cool nights allowed the reds to develop beautiful tannin, flavour and sugar ripeness. Harvest of the Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz begain in mid-March and the last Estate fruit was picked on April 4.
"Gosh this is good... Leeuwin Estate cabernet is now right up there with the best."
2019 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon
£43.95 per bottle
Will revert to £50.95 after launch offer
£205.00 Under Bond per case (6x75cl)
Will revert to £240.00 after launch offer
Stuart McCloskey "The bouquet is jaw-droppingly wonderful and exudes cooling and soothing ribbons of mulberry, blackcurrant, blackberry, liquorice, graphite, smoked oyster shell, violet, coconut and fresh cedar – florals emerge with more aeration. Like the Chardonnay, everything feels so natural and unforced – Mother nature provides the flavour. No more, no less… Just perfect for fans of Cabernet Sauvignon. The palate firmly sits on the same unforced footing, yet the flavour spectrum is expansive and luminescent. Freshness walks a perfect path through the ripe fruit(s) and the tannins are comfy and certainly do not encroach. Cassis, mulberry along with blackcurrant wrap around the fresh oak – exceedingly pure and utterly seamless. For me, this delivers everything I look for in a young Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now (decant for 2-3 hours) and cellar for 10+ years. Sampled using Zalto Bordeaux glassware.”
Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front “Gosh this is good. This is the region and the variety and the estate all committing to the task and combining to exemplary effect. Such structure, such fruit, such balance and such impact. Blackcurrant and pencils, dark chocolate and herbs, some eucalypt lift and even some florals. Tannin, my word, it’s beautifully formed, a keel with wings, a determinant. I kept tasting this wine and it kept telling me things. Leeuwin Estate cabernet is now right up there with the best.”
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon vintage at Leeuwin Estate
A sensational vintage in Margaret River, with mild late-vintage weather allowing for the development of excellent flavour and tannin profiles in the red wines.
Winter of 2018 was characterised by typical wet and cold weather. Pruning was challenging, with few blue sky days. It will be remembered for the weeks of strong west to north westerly winds off the Indian Ocean, with several days of southerly hail to add to the strenuous pruning experience. Temperatures in early spring were mild, delaying flowering by ten days over much of the vineyard. Later in the season, the weather improved significantly and warm blue sky days were common place. A significant 52mm of rain in late January established the unirrigated vineyards for a perfect finish to ripening.
In a year where there was no Marri tree blossom to distract the birds from the grapes, every net on the Estate was used and reused. The Cabernet and Shiraz harvest commenced with gusto in mid-April and concluded in the final days of the month.
"Lick smackingly delicious, uber pure and will appeal to those looking for leanness, cleanliness and a crisp walk in the mountains."
2022 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Riesling
£23.95 per bottle
Will revert to £26.95 after launch offer
£105.00 Under Bond per case (6x75cl)
Will revert to £120.00 after launch offer
Stuart McCloskey "The bouquet is super fresh – wonderfully so. Zingy lime, mango sorbet, yuzu, green apple and packed with quartz and chalk. The wine is very young and really requires at least 5-years. Today, the palate is delicate and leads with crisp, green apple, lime juice, pine needle, chalk – zesty and zingy (if you get my drift). Acidity and salinity are bountiful, but remain unintrusive. Simply, at this stage of the wine’s life circle, freshness and citrus remain at the core. Lick smackingly delicious, uber pure and will appeal to those looking for leanness, cleanliness and a crisp walk in the mountains. Served using Zalto Universal glassware. Drink now, but better after 2028…"
Winemaker "Lively and fragrant, amongst chamomile, kaffir lime leaf, Thai basil and galangal, there is a bursting array of finger limes, lemon sherbet and grapefruit zest. Distantly there are subtleties of ocean spray, samphire and petrichor."
The 2022 Riesling vintage at Leeuwin Estate
2022 provided a fantastic vintage at Leeuwin Estate.
Spring of 2021 was typically wet and windy. September and October’s temperatures were milder than usual, delaying shoot growth and flowering dates. Sunny conditions in early-mid November produced a surge in vine growth and a rapid period of vine flowering. Conditions were warm throughout January and February, with the welcome arrival of the sea breeze a daily constant.
There was a substantial showing of Marri blossom around the vineyard and on the capes, so local birds showed little interest in the ripening grapes. Harvest commenced on February 4 with Pinot Noir, followed by the Riesling on February 28. Riesling grapes were picked in the cool of the night.
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