Australia & NZ
These far-flung wine regions may be referred to ‘new’ when compared against the historic European wine regions, but they have a long winemaking history. Spared from Phylloxera, Australia in particular has world's highest concentration of venerable vines and legendary producers such as Penfolds, Henschke and Tyrell’s have been around for over 150 years. Though for many years piggybacking on Europe’s successes, branding their own wines as ‘Chablis’, ‘Hermitage’ etc., Australia now have created a real identity of their own, making inimitable styles like Coonawarra Cabernet or Hunter Valley Semillon.
New Zealand doesn’t quite have as an extensive history but has established itself in an astonishingly short amount of time as a reliable source of whistle clean, distinctive examples of varietals like Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc.
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Australia & NZ
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Halliday Wine Companion (96)
An outstanding release of this vaunted wine. It's intense, it's racy, it's complex and nuanced in its fruit, spice, mineral and subtle savoury elements, all of it woven into an extremely persistent and poised textural experience. There's stacks of flavour in all this, yet held within a tensile thrust of raciness and faint chalky pucker. And long, very long. One for the ages here.Inc. TAX€617.41 -
Inc. TAX€120.49 -
Wine Enthusiast (90)
A well-made sparkler, Jansz's Premium Cuvée shows lovely nuances of toast and superfresh lemon zest layered over ripe apple scents. It's light and fresh, with a slight creaminess to the texture, with flavors that lean toward apple and citrus, but with some savory undercurrents of toast and mushrooms. Drink now.Inc. TAX€157.79 -
Wine Advocate (97+)
The Barry brothers sent me a second bottle of the 2022 The Florita Riesling, which I am tasting here today, because they felt that it wasn't showing as well as it could the first time when I tasted it in October (it had only been bottled four weeks prior). In truth, I think it was showing just as well then as it is now, and it is a superstar. 2022 seemed to harness the fruit from the vineyard and boost it: more power, more concentration, more acid, more vivid ... just such exceptional wines. I've said this before, but 2022 could easily be the best vintage in the last 20 years, and for those who know, that takes us back to the great, the age-worthy, the revered 2002 vintage. This is a collector's year. Do not waste the opportunity, because the vintage, coupled with the screw-cap closure, will allow the wine to age for a long time.Inc. TAX€293.58 -
Vinous (93)
Light, bright yellow. Highly expressive citrus, orchard and pit fruit scents are complemented by subtle floral, honey and mineral nuances. Silky and round on the palate, offering pliant peach, tangerine and pear flavors that deepen slowly with air. Shows very good power and clarity on the floral-driven finish, which lingers with strong persistence.Inc. TAX€458.80 -
Halliday Wine Companion (97)
This is the bromance wine of Peter Barry and Mosel luminary Ernst Loosen, who met in 1995 over their love and respect of riesling. The winemaking is the same – hand-picked fruit off the Wolta Wolta block, wild-yeast fermentation in a 2800L German oak fuder and 12 months on lees. It's then racked off and spends another year in stainless steel. This is the second incarnation of this collaborative wine and a very fine follow-up. It's quite savoury, with a touch more phenolics adding to its shape. It does have the same texture, and off-dry feel that seems to be defining this wine. It's pure, it's energetic, it's something special yet again.Inc. TAX€366.30 -
Vinous (92)
The 2013 Coddington Chardonnay has one of the most Burgundy-like aromatics of recent years, well defined with touches of smoke and granite. The balanced palate offers a saline entry, moderate acidity, hints of tangy marmalade and clementine and a nicely poised, lightly spiced finish. Very fine. Tasted at the Kumeu River Chardonnay vertical in London.Inc. TAX€978.94 -
Vinous (94)
The 2014 Coddington Chardonnay has an attractive, slightly waxy, yellow flower and peach skin bouquet that takes time to unfold, but it is worth the wait. The palate is fresh and well balanced with a fine line of acidity and gorgeous white peach and Japanese yuzu notes toward the mineral-driven finish. An outstanding release from Kumeu River. Tasted at the Kumeu River Chardonnay vertical in London.Inc. TAX€1,014.37 -
Wine Advocate (91+)
The 2015 Coddington Chardonnay is youthfully muted with subtle suggestions of lemon curd, lime leaves and grapefruit peel plus a yeasty, toasty, cedary waft. Light to medium-bodied, fine, fresh and delicate in the mouth, it delivers good citrus and yeasty notes.Inc. TAX€499.57 -
The Real Review (95)
Ripe stone fruit/peach/nectarine flavours with nutty oak, vanilla, and bready yeast lees flavours. Complex and accessible wine that would benefit from a little bottle age but is deliciously accessible now.Inc. TAX€261.29 -
Wine Advocate (92)
The 2015 Estate Chardonnay is more open-knit and less taut than the single vineyard wines, with an expressive nose of ripe nectarines, pink grapefruit and guava, plus underlying notes of baking bread and ginger. Medium-bodied, it offers richness and good depth in the mouth with a an approachable, refreshing backbone and great harmony.Inc. TAX€418.54 -
The Real Review (91)
Bright, tangy, high-energy wine with grapefruit, green apple, oyster shell and lemon blossom flavours supported by taut acidity that gives the wine a nod in the direction of Chablis.Inc. TAX€324.61 -
The Real Review (91)
Bright, tangy, high-energy wine with grapefruit, green apple, oyster shell and lemon blossom flavours supported by taut acidity that gives the wine a nod in the direction of Chablis.Inc. TAX€326.14 -
Inc. TAX€615.32 -
Inc. TAX€414.94 -
Inc. TAX€406.27 -
Matthew Jukes (18.5+)
The winemaking regime is identical to the preceding wines – hand-harvested, whole-bunch pressed, wild yeast fermented in 100% oak, and it spends 11 months in barrel (25% new) after malo. This time, a piercingly fresh bouquet is driven along briskly by a strident citrus theme. Super-tasty, really long and with an amazing volume of flavour, this is my favourite of the ‘Premier Cru’ wines. Grab some now, for fear of missing out. You can drink it today without the wine police visiting you, but it will sing in a couple of years and hold easily for a decade!Inc. TAX€641.74 -
The Real Review (94)
Fragrant, aromatic chardonnay with slightly green tree fruit flavours, citrus/lime and a backbone of nicely integrated and pleasantly vibrant acidity that helps drive a lengthy finish. A smattering of nutty yeast lees adds extra interest.Inc. TAX€449.74 -
Vinous (94)
The 2014 Hunting Hill Chardonnay has a beautifully defined bouquet of mineral-soaked citrus fruit, flint and white flowers, subtle but extremely focused. The well-balanced palate offers a fine bead of acidity, discreet touches of apricot and ginger and superb depth toward the finish. A spicy residue lingers long after the wine has departed. This is yet another brilliant release from Kumeu. Tasted at the Kumeu River Chardonnay vertical in London.Inc. TAX€977.17 -
Wine Advocate (94+)
The 2015 Mate's Vineyard Chardonnay is a cracking example of this vineyard/vintage, starting with a youthfully reticent nose of lemon curd, grapefruit juice and peach blossoms with hints of crushed stones, lime leaves and brioche. The medium-bodied palate is tightly wound with an electric backbone of freshness supporting the intense citrus and mineral flavors, finishing with great length. It needs another 3-4 years in bottle to really get into its groove.Inc. TAX€1,141.57 -
Vinous (97)
The Chardonnay Mate's Vineyard, appears to have gone on a yoga retreat in 2020: not only is its usual powerful self, but it's remarkably zen too, exuding a sense of calmness. It is full-bodied, round and offers fruit ripeness, but the propensity of the Mendoza clone to hen-and-chicks means that it retains a sense of nerve, with powerful citrusy acidity providing the needle that pulls a tight thread through this wine's core. The 2020 is still far too young, and it is aromatically shy, but even in its full mature glory, it won't exhibit aromatic fireworks – nor should it. This is Chardonnay. Okay, you might detect lemon and limes, white flowers and just-ripe white nectarine, with 30% new oak imbuing an additional layer of savoriness, but when it comes down to it, this wine's trump card is in its shape, texture and persistence.Inc. TAX€556.38 -
The Real Review (94)
Tangy, refreshing wine with white peach, apple, lime/citrus, ginger/yeast lees and subtle spicy oak flavours with a thread of oyster shell/saline characters. Stylish wine from a favourable vintage.Inc. TAX€251.58 -
The Real Review (94)
Bright, fresh, elegant wine with oyster shell, grapefruit/citrus, green apple and spicy oak flavours with a vibrant backbone of mouth-watering acidity and peppery phenolics. High energy wine that is drinking well upon release.Inc. TAX€274.54 -
Wine Pilot (99)
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.Inc. TAX€1,388.77 -
Ray Jordan (99)
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.Inc. TAX€2,019.07 -
Wine Advocate (93)
Has been through a few subtle iterations in recent years and this one reverts to a previous style which is more generous and immediately flavoursome. Has a creamy texture with a light lemon curd and peachy stone fruit all held with deliberate restraint to give it that extra polish and classy dimension.Inc. TAX€388.12 -
Wine Advocate (97)
The 2019 Burnside Vineyard Chardonnay is flinty, spicy and lean, with curry leaf, a hint of Champion Ruby (rolling tobacco in Australia—think Golden Virginia) and a bit of saltbush (local flora). It is very smart. The cooler year is moderated by the close proximity to the beach here—it is briny and so good. I could drink a lot of this. It has a beautiful clean finish. Excellent.Inc. TAX€246.82 -
Halliday Wine Companion (96)
From a schistous single vineyard close to the coast, this was made sans additions with an ambient ferment, evident lees handling and maturation in French oak of the utmost quality, to boot. More generous aromatically than wines made of fruit from the souther zones, the wine nevertheless boasts a nervous mineral tension underlying its swag of stone fruit flavours. The mid-palate boasts a hint of curd, but none of the excessive sulphidic funk of many contemporary expressions.Inc. TAX€276.59 -
Halliday Wine Companion (95)
Grown on limestone and sand-loam soils close to the ocean. The coolest of the single vineyard chardonnay sites. Aromas of cashew and oatmeal mingle with white-fleshed stone fruit and a suggestion of salty sea breezes. Tight and precise on the palate, green apple and citrus curd flavours run into a long, textural, minerally finish. Drink by 2027Inc. TAX€220.38 -
Decanter (96)
Delicate, pure and enticing bouquet of citrus blossoms, apple, minerals, autolysis notes and gentle wood spice suggestions. Equally layered and long on the palate, where the flavours mirror the nose and develop more complexity as the wine relaxes in the glass. Pure fruited with indulgent textures and flavours.Inc. TAX€216.78
-
Halliday Wine Companion (96)
An outstanding release of this vaunted wine. It's intense, it's racy, it's complex and nuanced in its fruit, spice, mineral and subtle savoury elements, all of it woven into an extremely persistent and poised textural experience. There's stacks of flavour in all this, yet held within a tensile thrust of raciness and faint chalky pucker. And long, very long. One for the ages here.In Bond€496.00 -
In Bond€94.00
-
Wine Enthusiast (90)
A well-made sparkler, Jansz's Premium Cuvée shows lovely nuances of toast and superfresh lemon zest layered over ripe apple scents. It's light and fresh, with a slight creaminess to the texture, with flavors that lean toward apple and citrus, but with some savory undercurrents of toast and mushrooms. Drink now.In Bond€113.00 -
Wine Advocate (97+)
The Barry brothers sent me a second bottle of the 2022 The Florita Riesling, which I am tasting here today, because they felt that it wasn't showing as well as it could the first time when I tasted it in October (it had only been bottled four weeks prior). In truth, I think it was showing just as well then as it is now, and it is a superstar. 2022 seemed to harness the fruit from the vineyard and boost it: more power, more concentration, more acid, more vivid ... just such exceptional wines. I've said this before, but 2022 could easily be the best vintage in the last 20 years, and for those who know, that takes us back to the great, the age-worthy, the revered 2002 vintage. This is a collector's year. Do not waste the opportunity, because the vintage, coupled with the screw-cap closure, will allow the wine to age for a long time.In Bond€226.00 -
Vinous (93)
Light, bright yellow. Highly expressive citrus, orchard and pit fruit scents are complemented by subtle floral, honey and mineral nuances. Silky and round on the palate, offering pliant peach, tangerine and pear flavors that deepen slowly with air. Shows very good power and clarity on the floral-driven finish, which lingers with strong persistence.In Bond€373.00 -
Halliday Wine Companion (97)
This is the bromance wine of Peter Barry and Mosel luminary Ernst Loosen, who met in 1995 over their love and respect of riesling. The winemaking is the same – hand-picked fruit off the Wolta Wolta block, wild-yeast fermentation in a 2800L German oak fuder and 12 months on lees. It's then racked off and spends another year in stainless steel. This is the second incarnation of this collaborative wine and a very fine follow-up. It's quite savoury, with a touch more phenolics adding to its shape. It does have the same texture, and off-dry feel that seems to be defining this wine. It's pure, it's energetic, it's something special yet again.In Bond€296.00 -
Vinous (92)
The 2013 Coddington Chardonnay has one of the most Burgundy-like aromatics of recent years, well defined with touches of smoke and granite. The balanced palate offers a saline entry, moderate acidity, hints of tangy marmalade and clementine and a nicely poised, lightly spiced finish. Very fine. Tasted at the Kumeu River Chardonnay vertical in London.In Bond€771.00 -
Vinous (94)
The 2014 Coddington Chardonnay has an attractive, slightly waxy, yellow flower and peach skin bouquet that takes time to unfold, but it is worth the wait. The palate is fresh and well balanced with a fine line of acidity and gorgeous white peach and Japanese yuzu notes toward the mineral-driven finish. An outstanding release from Kumeu River. Tasted at the Kumeu River Chardonnay vertical in London.In Bond€808.00 -
Wine Advocate (91+)
The 2015 Coddington Chardonnay is youthfully muted with subtle suggestions of lemon curd, lime leaves and grapefruit peel plus a yeasty, toasty, cedary waft. Light to medium-bodied, fine, fresh and delicate in the mouth, it delivers good citrus and yeasty notes.In Bond€379.00 -
The Real Review (95)
Ripe stone fruit/peach/nectarine flavours with nutty oak, vanilla, and bready yeast lees flavours. Complex and accessible wine that would benefit from a little bottle age but is deliciously accessible now.In Bond€199.00 -
Wine Advocate (92)
The 2015 Estate Chardonnay is more open-knit and less taut than the single vineyard wines, with an expressive nose of ripe nectarines, pink grapefruit and guava, plus underlying notes of baking bread and ginger. Medium-bodied, it offers richness and good depth in the mouth with a an approachable, refreshing backbone and great harmony.In Bond€304.00 -
The Real Review (91)
Bright, tangy, high-energy wine with grapefruit, green apple, oyster shell and lemon blossom flavours supported by taut acidity that gives the wine a nod in the direction of Chablis.In Bond€252.00 -
The Real Review (91)
Bright, tangy, high-energy wine with grapefruit, green apple, oyster shell and lemon blossom flavours supported by taut acidity that gives the wine a nod in the direction of Chablis.In Bond€253.00 -
In Bond€468.00
-
In Bond€301.00
-
In Bond€301.00
-
Matthew Jukes (18.5+)
The winemaking regime is identical to the preceding wines – hand-harvested, whole-bunch pressed, wild yeast fermented in 100% oak, and it spends 11 months in barrel (25% new) after malo. This time, a piercingly fresh bouquet is driven along briskly by a strident citrus theme. Super-tasty, really long and with an amazing volume of flavour, this is my favourite of the ‘Premier Cru’ wines. Grab some now, for fear of missing out. You can drink it today without the wine police visiting you, but it will sing in a couple of years and hold easily for a decade!In Bond€516.00 -
The Real Review (94)
Fragrant, aromatic chardonnay with slightly green tree fruit flavours, citrus/lime and a backbone of nicely integrated and pleasantly vibrant acidity that helps drive a lengthy finish. A smattering of nutty yeast lees adds extra interest.In Bond€356.00 -
Vinous (94)
The 2014 Hunting Hill Chardonnay has a beautifully defined bouquet of mineral-soaked citrus fruit, flint and white flowers, subtle but extremely focused. The well-balanced palate offers a fine bead of acidity, discreet touches of apricot and ginger and superb depth toward the finish. A spicy residue lingers long after the wine has departed. This is yet another brilliant release from Kumeu. Tasted at the Kumeu River Chardonnay vertical in London.In Bond€777.00 -
Wine Advocate (94+)
The 2015 Mate's Vineyard Chardonnay is a cracking example of this vineyard/vintage, starting with a youthfully reticent nose of lemon curd, grapefruit juice and peach blossoms with hints of crushed stones, lime leaves and brioche. The medium-bodied palate is tightly wound with an electric backbone of freshness supporting the intense citrus and mineral flavors, finishing with great length. It needs another 3-4 years in bottle to really get into its groove.In Bond€914.00 -
Vinous (97)
The Chardonnay Mate's Vineyard, appears to have gone on a yoga retreat in 2020: not only is its usual powerful self, but it's remarkably zen too, exuding a sense of calmness. It is full-bodied, round and offers fruit ripeness, but the propensity of the Mendoza clone to hen-and-chicks means that it retains a sense of nerve, with powerful citrusy acidity providing the needle that pulls a tight thread through this wine's core. The 2020 is still far too young, and it is aromatically shy, but even in its full mature glory, it won't exhibit aromatic fireworks – nor should it. This is Chardonnay. Okay, you might detect lemon and limes, white flowers and just-ripe white nectarine, with 30% new oak imbuing an additional layer of savoriness, but when it comes down to it, this wine's trump card is in its shape, texture and persistence.In Bond€445.00 -
The Real Review (94)
Tangy, refreshing wine with white peach, apple, lime/citrus, ginger/yeast lees and subtle spicy oak flavours with a thread of oyster shell/saline characters. Stylish wine from a favourable vintage.In Bond€191.00 -
The Real Review (94)
Bright, fresh, elegant wine with oyster shell, grapefruit/citrus, green apple and spicy oak flavours with a vibrant backbone of mouth-watering acidity and peppery phenolics. High energy wine that is drinking well upon release.In Bond€210.00 -
Wine Pilot (99)
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.In Bond€1,120.00 -
Ray Jordan (99)
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.In Bond€1,645.00 -
Wine Advocate (93)
Has been through a few subtle iterations in recent years and this one reverts to a previous style which is more generous and immediately flavoursome. Has a creamy texture with a light lemon curd and peachy stone fruit all held with deliberate restraint to give it that extra polish and classy dimension.In Bond€286.00 -
Wine Advocate (97)
The 2019 Burnside Vineyard Chardonnay is flinty, spicy and lean, with curry leaf, a hint of Champion Ruby (rolling tobacco in Australia—think Golden Virginia) and a bit of saltbush (local flora). It is very smart. The cooler year is moderated by the close proximity to the beach here—it is briny and so good. I could drink a lot of this. It has a beautiful clean finish. Excellent.In Bond€187.00 -
Halliday Wine Companion (96)
From a schistous single vineyard close to the coast, this was made sans additions with an ambient ferment, evident lees handling and maturation in French oak of the utmost quality, to boot. More generous aromatically than wines made of fruit from the souther zones, the wine nevertheless boasts a nervous mineral tension underlying its swag of stone fruit flavours. The mid-palate boasts a hint of curd, but none of the excessive sulphidic funk of many contemporary expressions.In Bond€212.00 -
Halliday Wine Companion (95)
Grown on limestone and sand-loam soils close to the ocean. The coolest of the single vineyard chardonnay sites. Aromas of cashew and oatmeal mingle with white-fleshed stone fruit and a suggestion of salty sea breezes. Tight and precise on the palate, green apple and citrus curd flavours run into a long, textural, minerally finish. Drink by 2027In Bond€165.00 -
Decanter (96)
Delicate, pure and enticing bouquet of citrus blossoms, apple, minerals, autolysis notes and gentle wood spice suggestions. Equally layered and long on the palate, where the flavours mirror the nose and develop more complexity as the wine relaxes in the glass. Pure fruited with indulgent textures and flavours.In Bond€162.00
