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98 Points - James Halliday "Citrus and passionfruit blossom soar as you swirl the glass, and the palate achieves the seemingly impossible with the volume of turbo-charged fruit. It reaches every receptor in the mouth and there's no hint of added acidity, the balance and length faultless."

97+ Points - Stuart McCloskey “This is right up my street so far as Sauvignon Blanc goes. A distinct personality and shows Sauvignon Blanc in the finest of forms. I selected Zalto’s Bordeaux glass as I wanted immediate aeration (Universal is perfectly fine). The bouquet delivers an immediate impact of struck match, smoked minerals along with blackcurrant leaf. Wait for a few minutes for the yellow stone fruits, lime zest, lemongrass, kaffir leaf, fresh, green pepper and wafts of sea spray to develop. A tropical element sits in the background and will come to the fore with more bottle age – Passionfruit and fresh ginger juice being the most obvious. The palate delivers outstanding levels of complexity along with layer-upon-layer of character which most Sauvignon Blancs can only dream of. Kudos to Matt and Sophie. Scintillating freshness combined with deep, textural perfection – wonderful mouthfeel which covers every facet. Savour the yellow stone fruit infused with a smoky mineral wash – the epically long, salty finish is incredible. Wonderful, serious and certainly one of Australasia’s best available examples. Fantastic. Drink now to 2027.” 

18 Points - Julia Harding MW | JancisRobinson.com “If the Holdaway Sauvignon was all about the fruit, with a little bit of winemaking, this is more about the winemaking but could not be built like this without that same fruit quality and intensity – as it opens there’s blackcurrant leaf and an almost hidden note of tropical fruit and richness. Marked struck-match, smoky, cordite first impression, but not excessive unless you don’t like this style. This is bold, fresh, with the start of some cedary development of bottle age. On the palate, the texture is rounded and deep, filling the mouth but still incredibly fresh. Long, mouth-watering, salty finish, and a promise of more bottle-aged complexity to come. Delicious now but no rush. Classy, complex, distinctive. For lovers of Sauvignon in the style of Dogpoint Section 94."

97+ - 98 Points - Stuart McCloskey “Parallels have already been drawn to Coche Dury which are unmistakable as are similarities to Domaine Leflaive. The bouquet fascinates – smoky popcorn, toasted nuts, hay, milk, a fresh rasp of nutmeg and saline – super savoury with the faintest lemon twang on the end. Fascinatingly complex and a wine I could sniff for hours.  The palate is beautifully detailed and fine boned. I love the texture – silky and caressing. Power juxtaposed with finesse. This is immensely satisfying whilst raising questions of intrigue. Wonderfully complex albeit in a nonchalant way. Drink now (do not overchill) to 2030. Served using Zalto Bordeaux glassware.”

18 Points - Julia Harding MW | JancisRobinson.com "Seductive and well-judged ‘reductive’ (smoky, struck-match) aroma and really toasty as it opens up, something cedary. Very Coche Dury but, most importantly, there is the fruit intensity to carry off this winemaking style. Nutty, creamy, mealy citrus. So many things going on that it makes you slow down to try to enjoy all this complexity. Deep, deliciously fresh and incredibly persistent with an aftertaste of savoury/mineral citrus. Worth every penny of its NZ price of $45 (from the producer's website). Classy and got better and better over the few days post opening."

Seventh Son Grenache Shiraz is quite a different wine for Mitolo and a commitment to the McLaren Vale region and its most revered varieties. The Grenache portion, sourced from old bush vines off the sands of Blewitt Springs, provides rustic, lighter, earthier flavours than the fruit forward, softer Shiraz portion sourced from the Lopresti vineyards. When blended together though these opposites provide a great foil for each other, creating a complex and intriguing wine. There is no new oak influence in this wine, with older oak barrels chosen for the èlevage. The tannins are sandy, almost gritty, helped along by the tiny dollop of Sagrantino, a little Italian twist on a classic blend from southern France and McLaren Vale. This is a wine made more in the earthy style of the wines of Mitolos European heritage, yet still speaks loudly of place, McLaren vale, with its generosity and purity.

Serpico, the flagship Mitolo Cabernet, is made using the Amarone technique of drying grapes before fermentation. This process concentrates flavour contributing mid palate plushness, complexity and mouth coating yet silky tannins. It’s a unique wine that is rich and structured yet has the balance of elements crucial to the Mitolo style. Fruit for Serpico comes from the Lopresti vineyard, and more specifically the Chinese Block, which is located at the southern end of McLaren Vale about 3km east of the coastal town of Port Willunga. The Cabernet in this vineyard is planted on black Biscay clay which along with the ideal Mediterranean climate produces wines of concentrated varietal character.

96 Points - Angus Hughson, Wine Pilot “You’d think they were crazy making an Amarone style from cabernet sauvignon. Amarone is one of Italy’s greatest wines made from dried grapes which concentrate the flavours and tannins to create long lived wines. This is a gorgeous wine, and my pick of the current new releases, which packs a serious punch. The colour is deep suggesting a big dense style but the wine is surprisingly light on its feet. Sweet, pure and vibrant blackcurrant fruits are tempered by dried herbs with some sweeter blackberry underneath. Oak is there too but sits in the background. This then leads to a bold and explosive palate full of power and energy – fruit pastille flavours are supported by fine acidity that is all underpinned by significant but well handled tannins. It is soooooo long too with the fruit concentration holding that flavour for minutes. A delicious wine stacked full of personality that is hard to put down.”

96 Points - Sam Kim, Wine Orbit “The wine shows stunning fruit purity as well as seductive complexity with cassis, sweet plum, tobacco and spicy oak characters. It’s impressively concentrated and persistent, displaying awesome power brilliantly structured by loads of fine tannins. Multi-layered and graceful. At its best: 2024 to 2039.”

The Style: Angela is a slightly different expression of Shiraz which is sourced from Sandra’s block, located about 5km south of the Chinese Block we use for our G.A.M. Shiraz. We have always used grapes from Sandra’s block as a blending component in our Jester Shiraz but as this vineyard has matured, it has shown its potential to stand alone as a single vineyard wine. We have always loved the slightly brighter fruit profile and complete structure that we get from Sandra’s block. It has the ideal power and weight to sit between our Jester Shiraz and premium G.A.M. Shiraz. Angela is lifted with pure, ripe berry flavours at the forefront and subtle oak, allowing the fruit flavours to shine.

95 Points, Sam Kim, Wine Orbit “Fabulously ripe and offering excellent fruit purity, the wine shows perfumed aromas of black/blueberry, violet, dark cocoa and roasted nut on the nose with a hint of spicy overtone. The palate displays superb concentration and richly textured mouthfeel, wonderfully supported by fleshy texture and velvety tannins, making it delectably satisfying.”

Stuart McCloskey “In two words - Cooling and soothing best describes the bouquet along with dried tea leaves, graphite, kelp, saddle leather, Indian ink, plum and spiced black fruits. I detect a little waft of iodine too. To me, simply lovely and I am very happy. Everything about the ’16 is modest and effortless. It’s one of those wines which makes you want to light the fire and open a good book. The palate flows to the same soulful and pleasing tune. Filigree tannins provide the faintest hug of grip. No, it’s not overly complex, yet there is no disappointment. The fruit is generous, edged with sweetness with a little woodsmoke – a rounded lusciousness with a lift of minty freshness. Blackberry, brambly / hedgerow fruit, violet, tobacco, mint and cedar. From start to finish, this flows with absolute enjoyment and so much prettiness. It’s faultless. Focus on the tasting note and not the lack of a score (it’s an in-house test!). Served using Zalto Bordeaux glassware. Decant for an hour or so. Drinking now to 2028.”

97 Points - Stuart McCloskey “Put this in a blind tasting and tell me it’s almost ten-years of age - astonishing. Moreover, this kills off the argument that New World Sauvignon Blanc cannot age well. Of course, the caveat being that it must be ‘very good’ in the first instance, which this is. The freshness and vitality is extraordinary – I am genuinely bowled over. The bouquet expands with nettle, passionfruit, baked apricot, blackcurrant leaf, fennel seed, fennel throngs (essentially anise-like fresh herbs), lemon grass, freshly grated lemon zest (almost sorbet like freshness to the lemon), a little ginger and fresh Thai spices. Spiced, poached pear and guava if you leave a drop in the glass for a minute or two. Simply delectable and would serve as a dream pudding. The flavours are mouth filling and range from ripe stone-fruit and spice. Lemon drives the citrus with a soupçon of lime and fresh herbs. The wine’s structure remains firm and completely intact – there’s nothing blowsy about this. Wonderfully clean and moreish. Set aside your prejudice for New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc - This is an example of great winemaking and most importantly, a delicious wine. This is an emphatic, mature release. The wine was bottled in November 2014 and cellared at the winery prior to its release. Served using Zalto Bordeaux glassware. Drink now to 2025.”

Delivery ETA to UK August 2022

Incredibly vibrant and expressive on the nose with layers of lemon flesh, lime juice, apples and grapefruit at the forefront. Elevated and lifted notes of lemon myrtle, sweet jasmine, kaffir lime leaf, coriander seed and sea spray promote the purity and clarity.

Lively and concentrated palate with focus and finesse. Cut lime and lemon zest meet with minerality and a tightly coiled acid structure. A saline thread is evident throughout with delicate and textural layers towards the crisp and talc-like finish.

Delivery ETA to UK August 2022

17.5 Points - Tamlyn Currin, JancisRobinson.com "This smells so good: fresh black pepper (so fresh it’s like peppercorns straight from the drying mats). Deep, delicious, meaty sweet fruit. Violets, daphne with a blue-purple-fruited lusciousness and yet the wine is, at the same time, dry and savoury. Grounded yet ethereal. Determined yet open. Muscled tight yet fluid. Extraordinary ying-yang balance of opposite but complementary forces."

96 points - Ray Jordan, The West Australian "A 20 per cent inclusion of whole bunch fermentation has played a strong hand in elevating this beautiful example of the quality of the 2019 vintage. It has such life and vibrancy and that is largely due to that whole bunch inclusion. Brilliant, bright colour with hues of crimson and purple on the fringes. The palate is in that medium zone, with an effortlessly graceful ease about it. Spicy and perfumed with a mix of cherry and plum. Oak, which is a mix of one, two and new oaks, is brilliantly managed to gently coax all that is good from this variety. Love the mouth feel and the long, focused chalky feel in the mouth."

Delivery ETA to UK August 2022

99 Points - Andrew Caillard MW, The Vintage Journal "Deep crimson. Classical blackcurrant cedar aromas with lifted espresso, roasted chestnut notes. Inky deep and beautifully concentrated wine with dense blackcurrant, dark plum, dark chocolate flavours, fine grainy/chocolatey tannins and perfectly integrated cedar oak. A superb grainy firm finish and mineral length. A great Leeuwin Estate Cabernet."

17.5 Points - Tamlyn Currin, JancisRobinson.com "Truly elegant in every way. One sip of this wine and I can feel its beauty. It has a pure-fruited translucency and the whisper of pine needles, a mint-cold freshness, tannins reaching long, tenacious, slender from top to bottom, embedded through the fruit. A wine with a sweet heart, taut purpose, exquisitely formed clarity."

Delivery ETA to UK August 2022

99 points - Ray Jordan, WinePilot.com "In many ways the most Burgundian of any of the Leeuwin releases, this will rank up there with the best to date. There’s a waxy light mealy aroma which picks up nuances of limestone and spice with a trace of grapefruit. But it is the palate that really distinguishes it. There is an austerity with the minerally chalky feel that cuts through the fruit extending to a finish of extraordinary length. Precision and focus harness a wine of great power and poise before dry savoury edges lift the finish.”

Stuart McCloskey "The Majella sparkling Shiraz has a lovely mousse / palate feel and sings loud and proud. The base wine is matured in 2nd and 3rd use French oak hogsheads for 5 months before secondary fermentation. The wine is on “lees” for 12 months and using méthode traditionnelle, the bottles are hand riddled, then disgorged with a small dash of vintage port."

Dave Phinney "Bright violet in the glass, the 2020 8 Years in the Desert is the epitome of our style, the reason we are even here in the first place. As it’s being poured, the aromatics hit squarely on the nose with a perception of sweetness: pure brambly raspberry juice and blueberry preserves with a hint of white pepper and High Sierra forest floor. Yet, the perceived sweetness on the nose is just that, perceived, and doesn’t carry through to the palate. Lush and enveloping with a beam of acidity, notes of blackberry pie, plum and kirsch flourish. Ultra-round tannins and lingering raspberry, the wine finishes in slow-motion."

Dave Phinney "Bright violet in the glass, the 2020 8 Years in the Desert is the epitome of our style, the reason we are even here in the first place. As it’s being poured, the aromatics hit squarely on the nose with a perception of sweetness: pure brambly raspberry juice and blueberry preserves with a hint of white pepper and High Sierra forest floor. Yet, the perceived sweetness on the nose is just that, perceived, and doesn’t carry through to the palate. Lush and enveloping with a beam of acidity, notes of blackberry pie, plum and kirsch flourish. Ultra-round tannins and lingering raspberry, the wine finishes in slow-motion."

Stuart McCloskey “This is a style of Chardonnay that makes friends with those seeking a weighty expression of the varietal, yet it tempers with wonderful seduction. The bouquet unfurls to brine, stone fruits, quince, honeysuckle, ripe apricot, crisp apple, quartz, confit lemon and a gentle waft of oak. The palate enjoys a creamy opulence whilst at its core, acidity provides vim and vigour. It opens beautifully and gains stature with a little aeration.  I opted for Zalto’s Burgundy glass which worked a treat – for best results, ensure you use a large bottomed glass and do not overchill. This is full of energy and provides bucketloads of deliciousness - A wine that quenches the soul. Yes, it’s a fuller style however, everything is measured and perfectly controlled which will assist cellaring (5-8 years). The flavours linger – oh do they linger as they take five-or-so-minutes before they disappear into the distance, which is mighty impressive. This is a wine of immense beauty…”

The fruit is sourced from two vineyards in Hawke's Bay, 20-year-old Clone 15 and 95 vines that are dry farmed on a silty loam over gravel with some limestone influence, and old Mendoza vines grown on river terrace soil, light loam over gravel. 

• 1 x Dr Edge Chardonnay Tasmania 2019
• 1 x Dr Edge Chardonnay East 2019
• 1 x Dr Edge Chardonnay North 2019
• 1 x Dr Edge Chardonnay South 2019

95 Points - Joe Czerwinski "The 2019 Anaperenna Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon is an 84-16 blend, all sourced from the northern end of the Barossa Valley. Bottled in October 2020 and scheduled to be released in October 2021, it features lovely lift and delicate herbal nuances on the nose, plus hints of red and black currants and blackberries. Full-bodied and supple, it's also crisp, long and velvety on the finish, picking up delicious nuances of vanilla, dark chocolate and bright, fresh fruit."

The Yarra Valley has a reputation across Australia as being a region that is buzzing with creativity. With experimental winemakers, pushing the boundaries, creating a culture of ground breaking, innovative winemaking that is driving Yarra Valley’s reputation as one of the most exciting regions in Australia today. This six pack showcases some stunning bottles from some of the most exciting winemakers that we work with.

• 1 x Hoddles Creek 1er Cru Pinot Noir 2018
• 1 x Wantirna Estate Amelia Cabernet Merlot 2018
• 1 x Soumah Equilibrio Pinot Noir 2019
• 1 x Soumah Single Vineyard Hexham Chardonnay 2018
• 1 x Wantirna Estate Isabella Chardonnay 2019
• 1 x Hoddles Creek Estate Pinot Gris 2018

Six of our award winning white wines from 2021, a mixture of our top Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Marsanne and white blends.

• 1 x Coulter Wines C1 Chardonnay Adelaide Hills 2019
• 1 x Mulline Bannockburn Fumé Blanc 2019
• 1 x JC's Own Freestyler 2020
• 1 x Little Reddie Lancefield Chardonnay 2019
• 1 x Gemtree Wines Small Batch Marsanne 2020
• 1 x Grey Sands Blanc de Noir 2019

White wines are great crowd pleasers from the outset – superb as an aperitif, they also pair extremely well with a huge variety of foods. We understand that choosing from our colossal collection can be a daunting task. We have put together a selection of our favourite white wines which offer some of the best value we have ever seen.

• 1 x Wantirna Estate Isabella Chardonnay 2019 (98 Points)
• 1 x Domaine Naturaliste Artus Chardonnay 2019 (97+ - 98 points)
• 1 x Grey Sands Blanc de Noir 2019 (97+ Points)
• 1 x Stolpman Vineyards L'Avion Roussanne 2017 (98+ Points)
• 1 x Coulter Wines C1 Chardonnay Adelaide Hills 2019 (97+ - 98)
• 1 x Mulline Bannockburn Fumé Blanc 2019 (98 Points)

** Available for delivery from End July 2022 ** 

98-99 Points - Stuart McCloskey “The bouquet smoulders with an intoxicating mix of autumnal fruits, spiced plum, sour cherries, rose petal, bergamot, blood orange and the full array of Asian spice. Light soy (soy, soused plum), liquorice stick and rehydrated porcini mushroom provide savoury intrigue along with an obvious saltiness - the marine lift is unmissable.  The palate feel is ample and enveloping – wonderfully seamless and surprisingly elegant. The tannins melt into a sumptuous core of fruit – black raspberry liquor too. The acidity is pitched perfectly – blood orange sorbet (almost effervescent – you’ll see). The finish is incredibly long and carries on for minute after minute.  In my experience, there are a handful of Pinot Noirs that offer such striking individuality – a nonconformist, but far from being wacky, and just for the sake of being ‘different.’  This wine is a striking demonstration of how far Pinot Noir can be pushed – it feels dark, brooding and mysterious. The complexity is entrancing. A very special experience and wine. Drink now to 2030+. Decant for 1-2 hours. Served using Zalto Burgundy glassware.”

97 Points - Decanter "Among all of the different regions where Chardonnay has impressed in Australia, the Yarra is perhaps the one where the fruit itself charms most readily from the off. This steel-green wine carries its oak very lightly, and the fruit sings out: nectarine, peach and dessert apple all draw the drinker into the glass. On the palate, the wine is soft, tender, almost juicy: its perfect ripeness apparent in that limpidity of expression, and in the seamless incorporation of vibrant and rounded acidity into a natural and succulent poise. The oak, once again, is almost invisible: a swelling of tone rather than flavour. The only danger with deliciousness of this order is that you might be tempted to drink it all too quickly. Fine quality raw materials suggest there's no hurry here."

97+ / 98+ Points - Stuart McCloskey “The concept behind Soumah’s Equilibrio range is to promote the very best barrels, clonal mix and new oak integration to create a few cases that will benchmark the potential of each vintage. A faint whiff of sulphur / gunflint. Tightly coiled and flirts between mineral and flint. With time, lemon oil expands the aromatics along with the most delicate, white flowers – a lovely sense of harmony. The palate has a beautiful tension and is far from flamboyant. Yuzu, freshly squeezed lemons, crushed stones / stony minerality provide a perfect crystal-like delineation. Reserved but far from miserly. More succinct, precise and as per its name, effortless equilibrium. It is tempting to drink now, but I would find a dark corner and ignore it for 2-3 years for that special experience. Better still, come back in a decade. In short, it is a very, very fine wine”. Served at a cool warehouse temperature & utilising Zalto’s Bordeaux glassware (I recommend decanting for 30 minutes too).

6-packs are offered with their original wooden cases

99 Points - James Suckling “Wow. Fantastic aromas of blackberries, currants, minerals, violets and graphite. Full-bodied with firm, silky tannins that are incredibly polished and intense, yet ever so refined and integrated in the wine. It goes on for minutes. The is one of the best modern-day Orenos so far. Best in 2025 and onwards.”

All three bottle orders are packed in their own presentation boxes.

One of the distinctive features of this vineyard, located in the Los Árboles district of Valle de Uco, are the native forests of Chañar trees, preserved in a nature reserve for the indigenous species of flora and fauna in the region. This Estate is characterized by poor, yet free-draining, stony and alluvial soils. Combined with the favourable climatic conditions of the 2018 vintage, makes this an extraordinary wine indeed. Aged for 18 months in a combination of new and second use French oak barrels, bottled unfined and unfiltered.

99 Points - James Suckling “Blackberries, ink and blueberries with black-tea and bark undertones. Full-bodied with density and richness that is well framed with beautiful, round and polished tannins and a seamless texture. Goes on for minutes. Try after 2026, but already great.” 

The Marchiori Estate in Perdriel, Luján de Cuyo is comprised of clay-loam and sandy-loam soils that vines of over 80 year old can penetrate deeply. This vineyard was the source of the inaugural vintage release of Cobos Malbec 1999. This wine was aged for 18 months in a combination of new and second use French oak barrels before being bottled in November 2019, unfined and unfiltered.

All three bottle orders are packed in their own presentation boxes.

97 Points - James Suckling “Blackberry, blueberry, dark-mushroom and dark-walnut aromas follow through to a full-bodied, tight palate and a gorgeous, dark-berry center palate. Creamy and polished. Lovely finish. Violets and mushrooms. From 80-year-old vines. Hard not to drink now, but better in 2024.” 

Vineyards are located in Tupungato and Tunuyan in the Uco Valley at up to 1,172 metres elevation. The 2019 vintage was characterised by great thermal amplitude, low rainfall and ideal health conditions throughout the harvest period, enabling even fruit ripening, optimum concentration of grapes and good acidity. This wine was aged for 12 months in new and second hand French oak barrels and bottled unfined.

97 Points James Suckling  “Intense aromas of cooked apple, pie crust, butterscotch and salted caramel follow through to a full, intense and deep palate with layers of fruit, light phenolics and savoriness. It’s a plush, rich white.” 

Our Family Selection of Reds is specially curated to give you and your loved ones optimum taste without breaking the bank. You are sure to raise a smile with these wines, and as for their price, they punch well above their weight. Maximum deliciousness and that's all. Truly scrumptious wines to share... or not!

• 1 x Elderton E Series Shiraz Cabernet 2017
• 1 x Artisans of Barossa Barrel Blend Shiraz 2019
• 1 x Hentley Farm The Marl Shiraz 2018
• 1 x Hardys HRB Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
• 1 x Gemtree Wines Bloodstone Shiraz 2019
  
• 1 x Ghost Rock Estate Pinot Noir 2019

The perfect introduction to The Vinorium and the exclusive producers we work directly with. These six carefully chosen red wines are a selection of our favourite Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and red blends and all offer outstanding value for money.

• 1 x Elderton E Series Shiraz Cabernet 2017
• 1 x Hardys HRB Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
• 1 x Rymill 'Maturation Release' Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
• 1 x Soumah Single Vineyard Hexham Pinot Noir 2019
• 1 x Domaine Naturaliste Discovery Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
• 1 x Wild Duck Creek Yellow Hammer Hill Shiraz Malbec 2018

97-98 Points - Stuart McCloskey "This has been opened for 48 hours (although not decanted) and sampled after the Obsidian. The bouquet pulls you in as the fruit is incredibly deep and brooding – extraordinary concentration. In short, the palate is broad and loaded with ripe, black fruits – the tannins are suede like. The overall feel is impeccable and moreish and a very different animal compared to the Obsidian. In long, this straddles potency and finesse, with a masterful touch – quite a skill. There’s a date-like richness with minerality and florality, providing lift. This flows with charisma and ribbons of silk, those seeking textural paradise need to look no further.  I will add a caveat – the tannins do provide a framework which keep building, but I believe this is very much needed to balance the plushness. Yet again, this is driven by purity and nothing dominates. There’s a stony minerality which is fascinating and works a treat alongside the dark, inky fruit. A magnificent wine and one which will keep delivering for a decade or more… Served using Zalto Bordeaux glassware." Sampled July 2021.

JC’s Own is the solo venture of Jaysen Collins. We know Jaysen very well, through his Massena wines that he produces with his friend, Barossa veteran and Vinorium favourite, Dan Standish. It’s fair to say that Jaysen follows a creative style of winemaking, interfering as little as possible and allowing the grapes to do the work for him. This five pack contains his latest vintage releases to arrive at The Vinorium and includes a mix of Grenache, Shiraz, Marsanne and GSM.

• 1 x JC's Own Greenock Shiraz 2019
• 1 x JC's Own Angaston Foothills Grenache 2019
• 1 x JC's Own Ferine Grenache 2020
• 1 x JC's Own Freestyler 2020
• 1 x JC's Own Rock: It GSM 2019

* Every purchase of 6 bottles will include the original wooden case * 97+ - 98 Points – Stuart McCloskey “There are some wines which look so sexy in a glass – the gloss and clarity is remarkable (perfect viscosity too). Wonderfully classical – the bouquet and palate flow to the same tune of yellow stone fruits, salty lemon, yuzu, there’s a distinct lemon sherbet-like feel, spring flowers, minerals and a creamy chalkiness. Medium-bodied and showing serious pedigree. Tightly wrapped, racy, balanced to perfection and almost perfect which is daft to declare for such a young wine. This screams Margaret River, and is a faultless example of a varietal Chardonnay. This is, in short, a truly spectacular wine and joins the list of epic ‘new’ releases from Australia. Drinking now to 2030+. Please keep a few bottles for ten years as this (I believe) will be its highpoint. Do not overchill and I advise to decant and serve using Zalto’s Bordeaux glassware.”

* Every purchase of 6 bottles will include the original wooden case * 97+ - 98 Points – Stuart McCloskey “There are some wines which look so sexy in a glass – the gloss and clarity is remarkable (perfect viscosity too). Wonderfully classical – the bouquet and palate flow to the same tune of yellow stone fruits, salty lemon, yuzu, there’s a distinct lemon sherbet-like feel, spring flowers, minerals and a creamy chalkiness. Medium-bodied and showing serious pedigree. Tightly wrapped, racy, balanced to perfection and almost perfect which is daft to declare for such a young wine. This screams Margaret River, and is a faultless example of a varietal Chardonnay. This is, in short, a truly spectacular wine and joins the list of epic ‘new’ releases from Australia. Drinking now to 2030+. Please keep a few bottles for ten years as this (I believe) will be its highpoint. Do not overchill and I advise to decant and serve using Zalto’s Bordeaux glassware.”

Winemaker Notes: Expressive Riesling crafted in clay amphora (lightly cloudy).

Living wine relying on ancient knowledge and intuition. Energetic wine of expressive character and lo-fi technique. Domaine Simha Amphorae wines are crafted in white clay fermentation vessels. Derived from the cosmic golden ratio, the ovoid shape promotes a gentle passive convection current. Wine is energised by constant motion and naturally maintains a stable temperature. Micro porosity allows wine to breathe and evolve over time. Intricate geometric patterned Amphorae labels reference the exquisite architectural beauty of jali screens carved in stone.

Lotus blossoms floating in a cool pond.
Perfumed dewdrops on soft petals, lemon vervain, limestone, umami.
Memories on the wind.

 

David and Diana Anderson first planted vines in their family-run Heathcote estate Wild Duck Creek Estate in 1974. Today, the total area under vine totals some 15 ha that are dedicated to Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon that have helped them achieve cult status in the eyes of many. Their first commercial release was in 1991 and things have only got better with the couple now joined by their son, Liam who is going full steam ahead with biodynamic practices in the vineyard. This six pack provides this perfect introduction to Wild Duck Creek wines with a mix of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and their red blends.

• 1 x Wild Duck Creek Springflat Shiraz 2003
• 1 x Wild Duck Creek Cornella Shiraz 2018
• 1 x Wild Duck Creek Ducks & Drakes Cabernet 2018
• 1 x Wild Duck Creek Springflat Shiraz 2015
• 1 x Wild Duck Creek The Dabbler Cabernet Carmenere 2018
• 1 x Wild Duck Creek Yellow Hammer Hill Shiraz Malbec 2018

These bottles represent the pinnacle of our rather impressive range. We have personally scored every bottle in this case at least 97 points so we’re confident that you will be beyond impressed with every one of these six different Australian Cabernet Sauvignons. This is a great starting point for tasting the immense quality of Cabernet currently being produced by our talented Australian winemakers. Our own tasting notes for each of the wines in the case can be found below and they provide the perfect description of each wine.

• 1 x 2019 Utopos Cabernet Sauvignon (98+ Points)
• 1 x 2015 Grant Burge Corryton Park Cabernet Sauvignon (97-97+ points)
• 1 x 2018 Wild Duck Creek The Dabbler Cabernet Carmenere (97 points)
• 1 x 2018 Wantirna Estate Amelia Cabernet Merlot (97+-98 points)
• 1 x 2019 Gemtree Wines Phantom Red Blend Ten (97-98 points)
• 1 x 2015 John's Blend Cabernet Sauvignon (97 points)

These bottles represent the pinnacle of our rather impressive range. We have personally scored every bottle in this case at least 97 points so we’re confident that you will be beyond impressed with every one of these six different Australian Shiraz bottles. This is a great starting point for tasting the immense quality of Shiraz currently being produced by our talented Australian winemakers. Our own tasting notes for each of the wines in the case can be found below and they provide the perfect description of each wine.

• 1 x 2019 Utopos Shiraz (98 points)
• 1 x 2018 Vinden Fountainhead Shiraz (97+ points)
• 1 x 2018 Wild Duck Creek Cornella Shiraz (97+ points)
• 1 x 2019 JC's Own Greenock Shiraz (97-98 points)
• 1 x 2019 Gemtree Wines Ernest Allan Shiraz (97-98 points)
• 1 x 2018 John's Blend Margarete's Shiraz (98 points)

These bottles represent the pinnacle of our rather impressive range. We have personally scored every bottle in this case at least 97 points so we’re confident that you will be beyond impressed with every one of these six different Pinot Noirs. This is a great starting point for tasting the sky high quality of Pinot Noir currently being produced by our talented Australian winemakers. Our own tasting notes for each of the wines in the case can be found below and they provide the perfect description of each wine.

• 1 x Ghost Rock Bonadale 2cl Pinot Noir 2018 (97++ Points)
• 1 x Wantirna Lily Pinot Noir 2019 (97-98 Points)
• 1 x Mulline Sutherlands Creek Pinot Noir 2019 (97++ / 98 Points)
• 1 x Cobaw Ridge Pinot Noir 2017 (97 Points)
• 1 x Soumah Equilibrio Pinot Noir 2019 (97-98 Points)
• 1 x JC's Own Morialta Pinot Noir 2019 (97+ Points)

96+ Points - Lisa Perrotti-Brown "Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Rauzan-Ségla rocks up with vibrant notions of cherry pie, warm cassis, blackberry preserves and red roses with hints of cinnamon stick and cloves. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is completely filled with wonderfully pure red and black fruits, framed by firm, very ripe, fine-grained tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and spicy. Yum! The blend is 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot."

Trophy Winner Yarra Valley Wine Show 2020

(Best other single red varieties and their blends)

Winemaking 
Whole berry fermentation was encouraged with both varieties to encourage a fleshy fruit-full palate. Gentle hand-plunging twice daily for minimal tannin extraction. The individual components spent 9 months in old French oak barriques in the underground cellar before blending and bottling.

1 x Yarra Yering Dry Red No. 1 2017 (98 Points - James Halliday)

1 x Yarra Yering Dry Red No. 2 2016 (97 Points - James Halliday)

1 x Yarra Yering Underhill Shiraz 2014 (98 Points - James Halliday)

97 Points - James Halliday “95% shiraz, 2% viognier, 2% mataro, 1% marsanne, whole berries open-fermented with some stalks added back in, some batches with frozen viognier skins on the bottom, some with marsanne skins, matured for 12 months in French barriques (30% new). The most highly aromatic bouquet with perfumed fruits and spices dancing on the forest floor, the palate a liquid expression of the bouquet. Alive with juicy, gently savoury tannins beating a beautiful tattoo, the finish drawn out by the peacock's tail of the multifaceted aftertaste.”

 Royal Melbourne Wine Awards 2019: Gold

Winemaking 
Hand-harvested, crushed and destemmed into half tonne open fermenters. Hand-plunged twice daily with some extended time on skins to soften the Cabernet tannins. Basket pressing and malolactic fermentation in two-year-old French barrels for 12 months.

Produced only in exceptional vintages, Cabernet Sauvignon vines of over 50 years old at the Marchiori Estate are planted at 1000m altitude in deep clay loam soils, with a substrata of river washed cobbles and round stones. Aged for 18 months in a combination of new and second use French barrels before bottling unfined and unfiltered. This is an exceptional wine demonstrating concentration, richness with balance and sophistication.

98 Points - James Suckling “Blackcurrants and blackberries in the nose with licorice, sweet tobacco, iron and tile. Black olives too. Full-bodied, tight palate with intense, super fine tannins that give the wine a seamless and almost endless finish. I like the iodine and tile undertones to this. Wonderful center palate. Perhaps the best Volturno yet? 88% cabernet sauvignon, 11% malbec and 1% cabernet franc. Try after 2025.” 

Vineyards are located in Tupungato and Tunuyan in the Uco Valley at up to 1,172 metres elevation. The 2019 vintage was characterised by great thermal amplitude, low rainfall and ideal health conditions throughout the harvest period, enabling even fruit ripening, optimum concentration of grapes and good acidity. This wine was aged for 12 months in new and second hand French oak barrels and bottled unfined.

97 Points James Suckling  “Intense aromas of cooked apple, pie crust, butterscotch and salted caramel follow through to a full, intense and deep palate with layers of fruit, light phenolics and savoriness. It’s a plush, rich white.” 

The Marchiori Estate in Perdriel, Luján de Cuyo is comprised of clay-loam and sandy-loam soils that vines of over 80 year old can penetrate deeply. This vineyard was the source of the inaugural vintage release of Cobos Malbec 1999. This wine was aged for 18 months in a combination of new and second use French oak barrels before being bottled in November 2019, unfined and unfiltered.

97 Points - James Suckling “Blackberry, blueberry, dark-mushroom and dark-walnut aromas follow through to a full-bodied, tight palate and a gorgeous, dark-berry center palate. Creamy and polished. Lovely finish. Violets and mushrooms. From 80-year-old vines. Hard not to drink now, but better in 2024.” 

The cardinal wine and founding inspiration for the Viña Cobos portfolio involves a vine and cluster selection of the highest quality Malbec fruit from within their top estates. Harvested at optimum ripeness between March 15th and May 4th. Aged for 18 months in a combination of new French Taransaud and second use barrels before bottling unfined and unfiltered.

99 Points - James Suckling “Incredible purity of fruit in the nose, offering crushed, perfectly ripe blackberries and currants with raspberries and citrus. Some black liquorice, too. It’s full-bodied with density, precision and gorgeously fine tannins. Great length going on for minutes. A blend of mostly Chañares with some old-vine fruit from Marchiori and Zingaretti. Such precision to this. Tight now. Try after 2026.” 

One of the distinctive features of this vineyard, located in the Los Árboles district of Valle de Uco, are the native forests of Chañar trees, preserved in a nature reserve for the indigenous species of flora and fauna in the region. This Estate is characterized by poor, yet free-draining, stony and alluvial soils. Combined with the favourable climatic conditions of the 2018 vintage, makes this an extraordinary wine indeed. Aged for 18 months in a combination of new and second use French oak barrels, bottled unfined and unfiltered.

99 Points - James Suckling “Blackberries, ink and blueberries with black-tea and bark undertones. Full-bodied with density and richness that is well framed with beautiful, round and polished tannins and a seamless texture. Goes on for minutes. Try after 2026, but already great.” 

Perched high up on the hillside of the Eden Valley, this beautifully positioned vineyard is surrounded by ancient Yaccas. Yacca Block sits at the top of Menglers Hill and is a prime example of the role sub-regionality plays in serious winemaking, with this vineyard only a 25 minutes drive from the western ranges of the Barossa Valley. The soil here is a mix of both quartz and ironstone and the vineyard’s high altitude allows for slow ripening that leads to a very soft and elegant shiraz.

Crafted exclusively for the cellar door. The first time this wine has ever been exported. You're the guinea pigs!

Crafted exclusively for the cellar door. The first time this wine has ever been exported. You're the guinea pigs!

Hell Freezes Over is a Chardonnay from single vineyard in Ashton, Adelaide Hills. “This is what happens when an old mate rings you out of the blue and tells you he owns one of the best vineyards in the Adelaide Hills, and would I take a look – 30 year old vines of the Gin Gin clone on a steep westerly slope based on sandy loam over sandstone at the superior Ashton end of Piccadilly Valley. After years of saying ‘We’ll make a Chardonnay when Hell Freezes Over’… well here you have it and it’s delicious” Michael Twelftree

Hell Freezes Over is a Chardonnay from single vineyard in Ashton, Adelaide Hills. “This is what happens when an old mate rings you out of the blue and tells you he owns one of the best vineyards in the Adelaide Hills, and would I take a look – 30 year old vines of the Gin Gin clone on a steep westerly slope based on sandy loam over sandstone at the superior Ashton end of Piccadilly Valley. After years of saying ‘We’ll make a Chardonnay when Hell Freezes Over’… well here you have it and it’s delicious” Michael Twelftree

93 Points - Robert Parker

David Powell takes pride in his Châteauneuf du Pape-styled The Steading, and the 2004 (a 60% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, and 20% Shiraz blend aged 22 months in old wood) is a superb example of this cuvee. Its deep plum/ruby colour is accompanied by a big, rich bouquet of resiny pine forest scents interwoven with kirsch liqueur, blackberries, pepper, and spice. Full-bodied, pure, heady, complex, and nuanced.

94 Points - Jay Miller (robertparker.com) "The 2006 Pressings Shiraz Caravan of Dreams was aged for 18 months in new American oak. It offers an expressive nose of cedar, spice box, pencil lead, game, and blueberry compote. Dense, full-bodied, and structured on the palate, it has a big core of concentrated, savory blue and black fruit, with pepper and chocolate notes making an appearance. Give it 6-8 years of additional cellaring and drink it from 2015 to 2030."

**Available for delivery Mid-Late June 2022**

99-100 Points  - Stuart McCloskey “The Standish was noticeably more approachable (48 hours in the decanter) and reminds me a little of the 2019, albeit with a touch more charge. The bouquet is mesmerising and delivers an intoxicating mix of saturated black and blue pastille fruits, crème de mûre, mulberry, Indian ink, violet and lavender. There’s a noticeable brininess overtone to all the fruit. Sea kelp and graphite are a marriage made in heaven… The palate glides like silk – not a hair out of place. The unerring sense of purity and sensuality is overwhelming. Exquisite, in a word. My notes are flowing with more ease suggesting accessibility. That said, this still needs 5-8 years and will be at its best in 20-25 years. Full-bodied, supremely balanced - tannins are firming. The fruit is wonderfully pure, luscious, extravagant and provides a wonderful rich lacquer-feel inside of the mouth. This is an incredible release and I can sense my tasting note is gaining pace – bewildering. Polished, dark fruits in abundance, cloaked with saline, graphite, licorice and mocha. Wonderfully intense and decadent. The finish is never-ending and keeps giving. Dried, blood orange after minutes… Bloody amazing. Truly, so. Served using Zalto Bordeaux glassware.”

Dan Standish "Darker red fruit spectrum – red liquorice, raspberries and pomegranate. Christmas spice and mocha, structured firming mouthfeel. Finishes with a freshness and taught completeness."

99 Points - Stuart McCloskey “I feel an emotional charge each time I open and sample any wine from Standish. That’s a rare quality. The bouquet is a beautiful symphony which gently weaves its way through Autumnal notes, blood, rusty iron, violets and graphite. It comes across dark and the fruit brooding. Blueberry and plum compote adding a little sweetness. There’s spice and espresso too – sweet and exotic. Wait five minutes and enjoy the salinity / sea kelp. The palate is on another level, in fact, to most Aussie Shiraz. Supremely complex and multi-layered – the mouthfeel impersonates silk. The density akin to double cream. The flow of fruit is plush, pure and utterly seamless – acidity and freshness provided judiciously and are perfectly judged. I like how the tannins grip. From there, this soars on and only finishes when you fall asleep… Epic, in a word. Drink now (decant for 12-hours) to 2040+. Served using Zalto Bordeaux glassware. Sampled 24 Nov 2021.”

**Available for delivery Mid-Late June 2022**

98 Points - Erin Larkin, RobertParker.com "The 2020 The Schubert Theorem Shiraz was made with fruit from the Roennfeldt Road vineyard in Marananga, with 70% whole bunches in the ferment. This is the only cuvée in the collection that sees any inclusion of a different maturation vessel: the northeastern corner of the vineyard goes into concrete, because it retains the pure blue fruit characters that so define the wine. When one considers the dirt that is in this vineyard (and I ask you, without dirt, just where would we all be?), when one sees its black, shaley sparkle, one can get a sense of what to expect in the wine. It is always the black, brooding beast of the pack, but there is always—and I repeat, ALWAYS—a core of very pure fruit at its heart. This year is no different, and it is encased in fine but structuring tannin. It soars long across the palate, and yet within it, this wine is elegant and pliable. If the Lamella is the intriguing, pretty wine, and The Standish is the savory powerhouse, then The Relic is the iron fist–velvet glove... which makes this the enigma. I cannot overstate how attracted I am to the prowling, slinking nature of it. The tannins here—of all the wines—have a blueberry skin gravel to them; they are chalky and fine and a little bit gritty… excellent. This is a sensation, in every respect. A hot contender for best wine in the release this year.

**Available for delivery Mid-Late June 2022**

99 Points - Erin Larkin, RobertParker.com "The 2020 The Relic Shiraz-Viognier is made with fruit from the Hongell family vineyard in Krondorf, with 15% to 20% whole bunches in the ferment and 1% Viognier skins co-fermented. This is the best I’ve seen it. There’s something about the combination of the hot year and the diminished yields—it has recoiled and recompressed the Viognier on top of and into the Shiraz and brought them into balance/harmony. Beneath its floral and stone fruit guiles is a pool of savory, muscular, red-dirt Shiraz. There is bacon fat and pure berry fruit and spice for days… I’ve recently looked at a previous vintage of this wine alongside an older but immaculate Chateau d’Ampuis, and while their origins were clear in the glass, the Relic proved an Australian perspective more than relevant. The balance between the varieties—and the classic push/pull of sweet and savory—is more harmonious this year than in any I can remember, and the only thing I am more excited about when I consider this wine is what I will say next year, through the lens of an excellent, cool and elegant year. What a fine pair they will make."

**Available for delivery Mid-Late June 2022**

6 x Standish Lamella Shiraz 2020 (98-100 Points - Stuart McCloskey)

6 x Standish The Standish Shiraz 2020 (99-100 Points - Stuart McCloskey)

**Available for delivery Mid-Late June 2022**

6 x Standish Lamella Shiraz 2020  (99-100 Points - Stuart McCloskey)

6 x Standish The Relic Shiraz Viognier 2020 (98-100 Points - Stuart McCloskey)

96+ Points - Stuart McCloskey “Welcome back my dear friend – you have been missed. The bouquet is Christmas in a glass – sweet and sour cherry, a little game peering through, cinnamon stick, cedar, orange peel and blood orange sorbet. Delectable, in a word. The palate mirrors the bouquet with the addition of pomegranate and cooling, spiced red-fruits (there’s a crunch to them – cranberry in particular). Etched to perfection and I believe this overdelivers (as it has done every vintage). A little frisky due to the sorbet-like feel, which is just a joy and unmistakable. I detect graphite and dried mint on the long finish. Beguiling it is not however, and given its price tag, this overdelivers on flavour, personality and character. It’s an effortless bottling of delicious, well-priced Pinot Noir. I love it. Drink now to 2026. Served using Zalto Burgundy glassware.”

96+ Points - Stuart McCloskey “Welcome back my dear friend – you have been missed. The bouquet is Christmas in a glass – sweet and sour cherry, a little game peering through, cinnamon stick, cedar, orange peel and blood orange sorbet. Delectable, in a word. The palate mirrors the bouquet with the addition of pomegranate and cooling, spiced red-fruits (there’s a crunch to them – cranberry in particular). Etched to perfection and I believe this overdelivers (as it has done every vintage). A little frisky due to the sorbet-like feel, which is just a joy and unmistakable. I detect graphite and dried mint on the long finish. Beguiling it is not however, and given its price tag, this overdelivers on flavour, personality and character. It’s an effortless bottling of delicious, well-priced Pinot Noir. I love it. Drink now to 2026. Served using Zalto Burgundy glassware.”

97+ Points - Stuart McCloskey “A thoroughly intriguing bouquet providing a striking mix from rich, deep fruit, to a cupboard full of spice and cool climate game notes.  That’s the simplistic take. Now, for the full edition. Lead pencil, fresh, French oak, violet pastille, blueberry, blackberry, damsons and juniper are tinged with a smokiness – spiced fruitcake, milky cardamom, clove and cinnamon, which roll into black olive tapenade and liquorice. Hugely complex and evolves wonderfully in the glass. The palate is harmonious – the fruit glides effortlessly. There’s a sense of weightlessness – incredibly suave and sophisticated. A wonderful side to Aussie Syrah. The fruit is cooling but ripe and brooding, which is part of the wine’s charm. Pastille violet with a spiced fruitcake thrust. The tannins are woven like silk, freshness is evident. Beautifully elegant without the slightest sign of being mean… All the elements fall magically into place.  Glorious – truly so. Drink now to 2030. Decant for a few hours. Served using Zalto Bordeaux glassware.”

97+ Points - Stuart McCloskey “A thoroughly intriguing bouquet providing a striking mix from rich, deep fruit, to a cupboard full of spice and cool climate game notes.  That’s the simplistic take. Now, for the full edition. Lead pencil, fresh, French oak, violet pastille, blueberry, blackberry, damsons and juniper are tinged with a smokiness – spiced fruitcake, milky cardamom, clove and cinnamon, which roll into black olive tapenade and liquorice. Hugely complex and evolves wonderfully in the glass. The palate is harmonious – the fruit glides effortlessly. There’s a sense of weightlessness – incredibly suave and sophisticated. A wonderful side to Aussie Syrah. The fruit is cooling but ripe and brooding, which is part of the wine’s charm. Pastille violet with a spiced fruitcake thrust. The tannins are woven like silk, freshness is evident. Beautifully elegant without the slightest sign of being mean… All the elements fall magically into place.  Glorious – truly so. Drink now to 2030. Decant for a few hours. Served using Zalto Bordeaux glassware.”

97+ - 98 Points - Stuart McCloskey “Buttered popcorn vies with flinty characters, which effortlessly slip to white toast, yeasty bread, cashew, nutty nougat and camomile. There’s a sense of savouriness over fruit, save for the confit lemon and pear. The palate is glossy, bordering viscous without any sense of heaviness. Complex and in a fascinating savoury style. Lemon buttered toast, nutty (creamed cashew), camomile, baked apple and crème pat? Floral – really, quite extraordinary. The length is mindbogglingly long, spicy and goes on for minute after minute. This is an ambitious creation and very different to many Aussie Chardonnays.  Utterly captivating. Acidity is delivered thoughtfully along with a sense and feel of salinity. This is a marvelous expression of Australian Chardonnay. Unique without trying to be. Sculpted without effort. Precise without being measly. Mesmerising, it’s as simple as that. Decant for 30 minutes and do not overchill. Served using Zalto Burgundy glassware. Drink now to 2030 and possibly beyond.” Tasted 9th December 2021

97+ - 98 Points - Stuart McCloskey “Buttered popcorn vies with flinty characters, which effortlessly slip to white toast, yeasty bread, cashew, nutty nougat and camomile. There’s a sense of savouriness over fruit, save for the confit lemon and pear. The palate is glossy, bordering viscous without any sense of heaviness. Complex and in a fascinating savoury style. Lemon buttered toast, nutty (creamed cashew), camomile, baked apple and crème pat? Floral – really, quite extraordinary. The length is mindbogglingly long, spicy and goes on for minute after minute. This is an ambitious creation and very different to many Aussie Chardonnays.  Utterly captivating. Acidity is delivered thoughtfully along with a sense and feel of salinity. This is a marvellous expression of Australian Chardonnay. Unique without trying to be. Sculpted without effort. Precise without being measly. Mesmerising, it’s as simple as that. Decant for 30 minutes and do not overchill. Served using Zalto Burgundy glassware. Drink now to 2030 and possibly beyond.” 

A truly unique site planted in the 1980s to Pinot Noir and Gewurztraminer, sitting on the north side of Mount Macedon near Hesket, this close planted vineyard almost kisses the clouds at 800m above sea level. Showcasing the unique microclimate and soil profile of the area, the north-facing vines grown on granite outcrop produce grapes with great acid and fragrance.

Winemaker: Cherry fruits and floral notes fil the palate. There are complexities galore all sitting on a precise palate of lacy fine tannins with lovely acid core. The palate is long and persistent with evolving complexities as time goes by in the glass. A fine example of cool climate, single vineyard, high altitude Macedon Ranges Pinot Noir.

A truly unique site planted in the 1980s to Pinot Noir and Gewurztraminer, sitting on the north side of Mount Macedon near Hesket, this close planted vineyard almost kisses the clouds at 800m above sea level. Showcasing the unique microclimate and soil profile of the area, the north-facing vines grown on granite outcrop produce grapes with great acid and fragrance.

Winemaker: Cherry fruits and floral notes fil the palate. There are complexities galore all sitting on a precise palate of lacy fine tannins with lovely acid core. The palate is long and persistent with evolving complexities as time goes by in the glass. A fine example of cool climate, single vineyard, high altitude Macedon Ranges Pinot Noir.

96 Points - Stuart McCloskey “We revisit the Malakoff Vineyard which is owned and nurtured by Father and son viticultural team Robert and Cameron John. Robert explains that “each Shiraz clone exhibits its own characteristics at our vineyard, elegant, spicy characters for the PT23 [clone], softer rounder characters for the BVRC30 [clone], and high fruit intensity with a hint of black olive character for the Best’s old block clone. There is, however, an overarching inky spice character across each clone from our terroir that makes our vineyard unique.”

As expected, he’s spot-on with the inky characteristic – spice too. What I am drawn to is the unmistakable cooling, marine feel – sea kelp, salty ocean spray and fresh sage leaf. The nose (a touch reductive) provides a profusion of dusty, sweet spice along with white pepper and cedar. It feels a little broody. The palate is wonderfully fresh, bright and frisky with high notes of cranberry, raspberry, orange peel and graphite. Immensely spicy – perhaps, spiced fruit cake. This is wonderfully pure, long and shapely – freshness never fades. Delicious and a point of difference to lots of Aussie Shiraz. Drink now (decant for a few hours) to 2028. Served using Zalto Bordeaux glassware.”

96 Points - Stuart McCloskey “We revisit the Malakoff Vineyard which is owned and nurtured by Father and son viticultural team Robert and Cameron John. Robert explains that “each Shiraz clone exhibits its own characteristics at our vineyard, elegant, spicy characters for the PT23 [clone], softer rounder characters for the BVRC30 [clone], and high fruit intensity with a hint of black olive character for the Best’s old block clone. There is, however, an overarching inky spice character across each clone from our terroir that makes our vineyard unique.”

As expected, he’s spot-on with the inky characteristic – spice too. What I am drawn to is the unmistakable cooling, marine feel – sea kelp, salty ocean spray and fresh sage leaf. The nose (a touch reductive) provides a profusion of dusty, sweet spice along with white pepper and cedar. It feels a little broody. The palate is wonderfully fresh, bright and frisky with high notes of cranberry, raspberry, orange peel and graphite. Immensely spicy – perhaps, spiced fruit cake. This is wonderfully pure, long and shapely – freshness never fades. Delicious and a point of difference to lots of Aussie Shiraz. Drink now (decant for a few hours) to 2028. Served using Zalto Bordeaux glassware.”

95 Points - Stuart McCloskey “I love the bouquet which invites you in to clove, cinnamon, cacao nibs, coffee, garrigue, warm earth, dark cherry and cola. The palate is medium-bodied, supremely fresh and takes you down a blood orange path which appeals to me. Bright and frisky with oodles of white pepper and savoury spice. Fleshy, tensile, immensely satisfying and displays fine clarity with a spicy cut and thrust finish. Wait a minute or two and blood orange gently creeps back in. Just lovely. Drink now to 2026 (ish). Served using Zalto Bordeaux glassware. Decant for a few hours…”

95 Points - Stuart McCloskey “I love the bouquet which invites you in to clove, cinnamon, cacao nibs, coffee, garrigue, warm earth, dark cherry and cola. The palate is medium-bodied, supremely fresh and takes you down a blood orange path which appeals to me. Bright and frisky with oodles of white pepper and savoury spice. Fleshy, tensile, immensely satisfying and displays fine clarity with a spicy cut and thrust finish. Wait a minute or two and blood orange gently creeps back in. Just lovely. Drink now to 2026 (ish). Served using Zalto Bordeaux glassware. Decant for a few hours…”

96+ Points - Stuart McCloskey “In Victoria’s Pyrenees, the Malakoff Vineyard has become one of the state’s most celebrated grower sites, supplying fruit to a shimmering galaxy of winemaking stars. The site was first celebrated by Northern Rhône superstar Michel Chapoutier, with just under a third of a hectare of Viognier planted and demand for this wonderful varietal is huge. The bouquet is powerful, evocative and delivers everything that good-to-great Viognier should; jasmine tea, jasmine flower, apricot, fresh ginger, smoky quartz, lime zest along with buckets of freshness and sea spray, if left for a while. The texture overdelivers for a wine of this value as every facet is covered with a gloriously rich and silky mouthfeel. Super spicy, which contrasts a treat with the texture – the fruit yields from the orchard and comes by way of quince, pear and apple (spiced in a light syrup) along with a little apricot. The flavours build and keep building. Acidity lies at its core and delivers freshness galore. This is the perfect definition of textural sexiness. The velvet-like texture is highly addictive. A soupçon of ginger honey finishes a masterful showing. Just brilliant. Nothing more – nothing less. Drink now to 2028. Do not overchill. Served using Zalto Bordeaux glassware.” 

96+ Points - Stuart McCloskey “In Victoria’s Pyrenees, the Malakoff Vineyard has become one of the state’s most celebrated grower sites, supplying fruit to a shimmering galaxy of winemaking stars. The site was first celebrated by Northern Rhône superstar Michel Chapoutier, with just under a third of a hectare of Viognier planted and demand for this wonderful varietal is huge. The bouquet is powerful, evocative and delivers everything that good-to-great Viognier should; jasmine tea, jasmine flower, apricot, fresh ginger, smoky quartz, lime zest along with buckets of freshness and sea spray, if left for a while. The texture overdelivers for a wine of this value as every facet is covered with a gloriously rich and silky mouthfeel. Super spicy, which contrasts a treat with the texture – the fruit yields from the orchard and comes by way of quince, pear and apple (spiced in a light syrup) along with a little apricot. The flavours build and keep building. Acidity lies at its core and delivers freshness galore. This is the perfect definition of textural sexiness. The velvet-like texture is highly addictive. A soupçon of ginger honey finishes a masterful showing. Just brilliant. Nothing more – nothing less. Drink now to 2028. Do not overchill. Served using Zalto Bordeaux glassware.” 

97 Points - Stuart McCloskey “The tempo changes and concentration is heightened as the 2020 Little Hampton deserves attention – it’s not a wine to guzzle without consideration. The bouquet develops at a glacial pace, it needs 1-2 hours in the decanter or pour into your glass and leave for the same time. Orange zest, paprika, nutmeg, cinnamon, thyme, dried mint, liquorice, juniper and earth escape from the glass. The palate provides freshness in abundance, the red fruits have a coolness about them. Sweetness comes by way of raspberry – tartness / acidity is delivered, albeit judicially, by cranberry and pomegranate. Wonderfully crisp, even the tannins provide a fresh lift. I enjoy the sense of calmness – it’s one of those wines which insists on you slowing down and taking the time to appreciate its complexity. This is one for the cellar and I look forward to revisiting in 12-18 months’ time. Drink 2023 to 2030. Served using Zalto Burgundy glassware.”

97 Points - Stuart McCloskey “The tempo changes and concentration is heightened as the 2020 Little Hampton deserves attention – it’s not a wine to guzzle without consideration. The bouquet develops at a glacial pace, it needs 1-2 hours in the decanter or pour into your glass and leave for the same time. Orange zest, paprika, nutmeg, cinnamon, thyme, dried mint, liquorice, juniper and earth escape from the glass. The palate provides freshness in abundance, the red fruits have a coolness about them. Sweetness comes by way of raspberry – tartness / acidity is delivered, albeit judiciously, by cranberry and pomegranate. Wonderfully crisp, even the tannins provide a fresh lift. I enjoy the sense of calmness – it’s one of those wines which insists on you slowing down and taking the time to appreciate its complexity. This is one for the cellar and I look forward to revisiting in 12-18 months’ time. Drink 2023 to 2030. Served using Zalto Burgundy glassware.”

Jane Faulkner, James Halliday Wine Companion – “Such a solid performer. It’s wonderfuly fragrant; all florals, exotic spices, cherries and cola. Unencumbered by new oak flavour (aged in used French hogsheads and puncheons), it’s all about the purity of fruit and drive across a fuller-bodied palate. It’s laced with velvety tannins and the finish is long as it is fresh.”

Jane Faulkner, James Halliday Wine Companion – “Such a solid performer. It’s wonderfuly fragrant; all florals, exotic spices, cherries and cola. Unencumbered by new oak flavour (aged in used French hogsheads and puncheons), it’s all about the purity of fruit and drive across a fuller-bodied palate. It’s laced with velvety tannins and the finish is long as it is fresh.”

Winemaker: beautiful supple front palate of lime and green apple leading into a fresh line of refreshing Riesling acidity. The palate is framed by some chalkiness and phenolic grip adding interest. A long finish and the lingering pithy citrus leads you back for more. Our 11th vintage of Riesling from this outstanding vineyard is totally delicious as a young wine, but has the intensity and structure to age gracefully through the medium term.

Campbell Mattinson, James Halliday Wine Companion – “Different take on riesling but a good one. It’s cool-headed style, sans rush, where slate, grapefruit and lime-leaf flavours take their time to travel through the palate; we’re out of the rapids here and into the cool flow of the creek. It’s an easy pleasure to take.”

Winemaker: beautiful supple front palate of lime and green apple leading into a fresh line of refreshing Riesling acidity. The palate is framed by some chalkiness and phenolic grip adding interest. A long finish and the lingering pithy citrus leads you back for more. Our 11th vintage of Riesling from this outstanding vineyard is totally delicious as a young wine, but has the intensity and structure to age gracefully through the medium term.

Campbell Mattinson, James Halliday Wine Companion – “Different take on riesling but a good one. It’s cool-headed style, sans rush, where slate, grapefruit and lime-leaf flavours take their time to travel through the palate; we’re out of the rapids here and into the cool flow of the creek. It’s an easy pleasure to take.”

Winemaker: Charred dark cherry fruits flow onto the palate. A rich velvet mid palate is encased with grippy meaty tannins. Smokey notes add depth and hints of forest floor are beginning to evolve. A very long palate with fine acidity for balance.

Winemaker: Charred dark cherry fruits flow onto the palate. A rich velvet mid palate is encased with grippy meaty tannins. Smokey notes add depth and hints of forest floor are beginning to evolve. A very long palate with fine acidity for balance.

96 Points - Stuart McCloskey “Geelong is a great place to nurture Pinot Gris. This is a very fine, cooling example that provides bags of texture, abundant flavour and a fabulous perfume (not necessarily in that order!). The bouquet unfurls at a gentle pace to pear, sweet spice, heady floral notes, a sweeping of vanilla, honeycomb (slightly burnt sugar, if you get my drift), nougat and peach syrup. The texture is a dreamboat of silk – a slick of oiliness which just adds to the textural pleasure. It’s refined, graceful and demonstrates how good Aussie Pinot Gris can be. The palate provides spiced orchard fruits, warming ginger along with a lick of salty minerals. The finish is wonderfully long, tactile, spicy and the acidity keeps the package alive. Delightful wine and tremendous value. Great aperitif and will please all lovers of Riesling, Chardonnay and those who love wines with gloss and sheen. Faultless, in my opinion. A ‘dry’ example – not sweet, despite my flavour profile. Served using Zalto Bordeaux glassware (Universal will be fine). Drink now to 2028.”

96 Points - Stuart McCloskey “Geelong is a great place to nurture Pinot Gris. This is a very fine, cooling example that provides bags of texture, abundant flavour and a fabulous perfume (not necessarily in that order!). The bouquet unfurls at a gentle pace to pear, sweet spice, heady floral notes, a sweeping of vanilla, honeycomb (slightly burnt sugar, if you get my drift), nougat and peach syrup. The texture is a dreamboat of silk – a slick of oiliness which just adds to the textural pleasure. It’s refined, graceful and demonstrates how good Aussie Pinot Gris can be. The palate provides spiced orchard fruits, warming ginger along with a lick of salty minerals. The finish is wonderfully long, tactile, spicy and the acidity keeps the package alive. Delightful wine and tremendous value. Great aperitif and will please all lovers of Riesling, Chardonnay and those who love wines with gloss and sheen. Faultless, in my opinion. A ‘dry’ example – not sweet, despite my flavour profile. Served using Zalto Bordeaux glassware (Universal will be fine). Drink now to 2028.”

Winemaker: Sourced from the premium Longest View vineyard in Geelong, the maritime site reflected in a minerality and saltiness which frames the wine. This is a great example of maritime Chardonnay. A warm dry growing season in Geelong. A settled flowering led to good crop levels and vineyards enjoyed an even warm summer which allowed full flavour ripeness whilst still retaining good acidity.”

Winemaker: Sourced from the premium Longest View vineyard in Geelong, the maritime site reflected in a minerality and saltiness which frames the wine. This is a great example of maritime Chardonnay. A warm dry growing season in Geelong. A settled flowering led to good crop levels and vineyards enjoyed an even warm summer which allowed full flavour ripeness whilst still retaining good acidity.”

97 Points - Sam Kim, Wine Orbit "This is totally seductive and delicious; it's wonderfully matured with dark berry, charcuterie, cedar, dried herb and leather notes on the nose. The multi-layered palate delivers outstanding concentration and persistency backed by seamlessly pitched tannins, offering structure as well as lavish texture. At its best: now to 2026."

97 Points - Bob Campbell MW, Gourmet Traveller Wine "Pegasus Bay’s winemaking team uses traditional Burgundian methods, including small vat fermentation and ageing the wine in French oak barriques for 18 months. Made “in small quantities in the best vintages from the oldest vines”, this flagship pinot noir is a powerful combination of intense plum, cherry and berry flavours with haunting floral notes, Oriental spices and an intriguing savoury, forest floor, rustic character. A delicious pinot with ageing potential."

96 Points - Sam Kim, Wine Orbit "Wonderfully complex and engaging, the wine shows dried cherry, toasted spice, smoked game and roasted nut characters on the nose. It's superbly silky and flowing on the palate with matured fruit flavours combined with a spicy undertone, finishing impressively long and satisfying. At its best: now to 2024."

Lisa Perrotti-Brown - "Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Palermo gives up gregarious scents of kirsch, Black Forest cake and warm cassis with hints of dried mint, dark chocolate and rose hip tea plus a waft of unsmoked cigars. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with ripe black berry layers, framed by velvety tannins and a lively line, finishing long and fragrant."

95 Points - Stuart McCloskey “Pour and allow a few minutes before tucking into the glorious scents of smoked flint, grapefruit, citrus and crisp, green apple. The palate is bursting with stone fruits, green apple, flint, grapefruit, saline and fresh fennel – spicy too. Texturally, there’s grip and a real mid-palate chew which adds to the wine’s complexity. The acid profile is pitch perfect, it is tight and controlled. It feels polished and refined, the length is incredible for a wine of this value. There’s bags of life left in it as it is so bright and vigorous. I love the long, phenolic grip. Incredibly satisfying and comes highly recommended. Drink now to 2025. Served using Zalto Bordeaux glassware.” 

97 Points - Stuart McCloskey “The bouquet is a dream of cool climate heaven – Stone fruits, grapefruit, a little struck match enveloped in a briny hug. White pepper comes through with more aeration as does ripe peach and mandarin (I suggest decanting for 30 minutes and serve at garage temperature). Sensational aromatics. The palate begins with chewy, pithy grapefruit, flint, chalk, quince, stone fruits, sea spray, with some spice too – sweet spice. The acidity cuts through the palate with laser like precision. I love how the wine uncoils at a pace all of its own. Equally, I respect its individuality. Precise, fine, very memorable and difficult to find fault at this price level. Drinking wonderfully now however, I would love to see another five-or-so years bottle age. Served using Zalto Burgundy glassware.”

93 Points - James Halliday "Crisp, tangy expression of the grape that seeks out the less-travelled road. Citrus, melon and cut radish with aromas highlighting a dusty pungency. It's neither overly tropical in fruit nor herbal, but a combination of both, the latter highlighted on the palate. Texture is building with time in bottle."

93 Points - James Halliday "Crisp, tangy expression of the grape that seeks out the less-travelled road. Citrus, melon and cut radish with aromas highlighting a dusty pungency. It's neither overly tropical in fruit nor herbal, but a combination of both, the latter highlighted on the palate. Texture is building with time in bottle."

95 Points - James Halliday "Another interesting study in structure – and the relationship between texture and acidity – from Mulline winemaker Ben Mullen. Quite a philosophical question to ponder as you delve into this chardonnay, juicy and crisp in nectarine, white peach, grapefruit and quince. Good line and length on the palate, courtesy of rapier-like acidity. Taut but plenty of flavour in reserve."

95 Points - James Halliday "Another interesting study in structure – and the relationship between texture and acidity – from Mulline winemaker Ben Mullen. Quite a philosophical question to ponder as you delve into this chardonnay, juicy and crisp in nectarine, white peach, grapefruit and quince. Good line and length on the palate, courtesy of rapier-like acidity. Taut but plenty of flavour in reserve."

95 Points - James Halliday "A smart chardonnay that distances itself from fruit-driven, ultra-clean styles, preferring a more complex restraint. Aromas of lemon, fig and rockpool are subdued. Texture plays a big role here too, so there's tart citrus acidity and pithy grapefruit, lemon zest and green apple. A slow burn of flavour build-up and length. Give it time."

95 Points - James Halliday "A smart chardonnay that distances itself from fruit-driven, ultra-clean styles, preferring a more complex restraint. Aromas of lemon, fig and rockpool are subdued. Texture plays a big role here too, so there's tart citrus acidity and pithy grapefruit, lemon zest and green apple. A slow burn of flavour build-up and length. Give it time."