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.
Australia & NZ
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Wine Advocate (97+)
Very deep purple-black in color and showing an attractive nose of warm blackcurrants, blueberries and licorice with a complex undercurrent of mocha, cedar, menthol and grilled meat, the full-bodied 2010 St Henri Shiraz is relatively rich in the mouth, offering tons of fruit structured by firm, fine tannins and refreshing acid. It finishes with great persistence. Drink it 2015 to 2030+.Inc. TAX€1,107.18 -
Wine Advocate (96+)
The 2012 Shiraz St Henri is very impressive with its elegant, sophisticated and well-crafted expression of this superb vintage. As always, there is no new oak employed here, simply 50+ year old large oak vats. This vintage has a dollop (3%) Cabernet Sauvignon, contributing a lovely cassis lift to the heady perfume. Deep garnet-purple colored, it displays a gorgeous nose of commendable purity and intensity with notes of red and blackcurrants, freshly crushed blackberries, menthol, cinnamon stick, bacon fat and cloves. Rich and already expressive on the palate, it is nonetheless built for the long haul with firm, ripe and grainy tannins carrying the fruit to a long and layered finish. This should be a long-lived St Henri that should cellar gracefully for at least 2 decades.Inc. TAX€706.38 -
Jancis Robinson (18)
Thick deep purple. Refined, really complex nose. Super-ripe purple fruit and lovely polish. So clean and fresh on the end. Suave and velvety. Complete. Lightly salty and beautifully smooth yet with masses of tannins underneath.Inc. TAX€613.98 -
James Suckling (98)
This is a much anticipated vintage for St. Henri, and it does not disappoint. The complexity of fruit here is stunning, together with a very complex and playfully fragrant, spicy edge with graphite, roasted coffee and woody spices, framing a core of very fresh blackberries, red and dark cherries and blueberries. So fresh and brimming with fruit aromas. The palate has a stunning array of deeply fleshy fruit flavors with a superb sense of length and powerful, ripe tannin, underpinning vibrant, fleshy fruit that is beautifully assembled in a refined, elegant and impressively pure mode. So long and pure. Silky and elegant. A real masterpiece, taking its place among the finest vintages like 2010, 1990 and 1971. 95% shiraz and 5% cabernet sauvignon. Drink over the next three decades.Inc. TAX€574.38 -
Wine Advocate (97)
The 2018 St Henri Shiraz is a terrific effort, perhaps rivaling the top-flight wines under this label in 1976 and 1986. Remarkably fine and silky in texture yet simultaneously dense and concentrated, it showcases the amazing fruit harvested in 2018. Boysenberry, mulberry and mocha shadings all swirl together effortlessly in a whorl of full-bodied elegance, finishing long and effortless. Mainly Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale, it includes smaller amounts of fruit from Port Lincoln, Robe, Padthaway, Clare Valley and the Adelaide Hills, all aged 12 months in large old wooden vats.Inc. TAX€552.78 -
Matthew Jukes (19+)
With impeccable balance along the entire length of the prodigious flavour, this is a connoisseurs’ St Henri with an upright, stern and no-nonsense feel. There is no trace of flirty fruit, nor is there any sense of excess ripeness, just mannerly, bookish order with toned, not over-worked muscle and little overt opulence. With fascinating anti-fruit notes of spice, earth, dried leaves and chypre, this will be a slow-moving St Henri, and the grippy finish will allow it the time to mature slowly and with the utmost focus and determination towards being an admirably classic St Henri.Inc. TAX€907.98 -
Halliday Wine Companion (98)
68/32% cabernet sauvignon/shiraz, from the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Coonawarra, Wrattonbully, Robe and the Clare Valley. Parcels matured separately for 22 months in 100% new American oak hogsheads; 1400 cases. Stature, power and might. The framework of cabernet in the presence of 100% new American oak hogsheads projects a 707esque presence, within which a one-third inclusion of shiraz builds dramatic palate depth and intrigue. It is as if all the grandeur of 707, Grange and 389 have been united in one dramatic whole. The result delivers structural endurance, a grand display of monumental fruit and a line and length that hark back to the glory days of Bin 60A and all the subsequent legends of Penfolds cabernet shiraz. Superblend, A-class indeed!Inc. TAX€788.53 -
Wine Advocate (96)
Gently toasted almond and subtle pencil shavings give some indication of the 35% new French oak that was used to age the 2016 Chardonnay Yattarna. Ripe peach, pear and melon fruit fills out the medium to full-bodied palate, then really grows in intensity and focus on the long finish. This is the most complete Yattarna I've ever tasted, blending richness and acidity in a seamless fashion. It's a blend of fruit from Tasmania (51%), Henty (23%), Adelaide Hills (14%) and Tumbarumba (12%).Inc. TAX€1,093.98 -
Halliday Wine Companion (98)
57/32/11% Tasmania/Tumbarumba/Adelaide Hills fruit. Matured 8 months in 55% new French oak barriques. The tension, endurance and sheer molecular detail of Yattarna propels it to the pinnacle of Australia’s pointy chardonnay pyramid, and 2019 follows confidently in the hallowed footsteps of the sublime 2018. This is a vintage that demands a great deal of time to unfurl. Tight, compact, focused and immensely determined, it leads out in its virile youth with the finest struck flint and gunpowder. A pinpoint singularity of white-fruit precision focuses a laser line of pure white acidity that projects from its core through a finish of astounding line, length and promise. Powder-fine, crystalline minerality surges long and strong. Another epic Yattarna. Vintage on vintage, has Yattarna now ascended to become Penfolds' greatest wine of all?Inc. TAX€1,097.58 -
Emanating regality from Adelaide Hills, Australia, Petaluma Chardonnay 2015 strikingly exemplifies artful winemaking. This esteemed Chardonnay is crafted by Petaluma's master winemakers, a producer celebrated for its commitment to premium quality, sustainability, and viticulture rooted in the region's unique character. The grapes are scrupulously handpicked from distinguished vineyards, ensuring only optimal fruit is selected for this sophisticated varietal.
Extended lees maturation, followed by nine months in French oak-barrels, establishes Petaluma Chardonnay 2015's radiant depth and complexity. This process imparts notes of white peach, fresh pear, and smoky oak, culminating in a luminous finish. Its fine, textured palate echoes sublime elegance with its perfectly balanced acidity.
Renowned wine critics affirm its pedigree, lauding the invigorating freshness and intensity intertwined in the Petaluma Chardonnay 2015. Drinking magnificently now, this remarkable Chardonnay will continue to evolve majestically over the next decade. It's a testimony to Petaluma's definitive craft of exemplary wines.
Inc. TAX€700.07 -
The esteemed Petaluma Tiers Chardonnay 2013 embodies the finest manifestation of Australian terroir. Hailing from the hilly viticultural landscape of the Adelaide Hills, this singular wine is renowned for its precision and complexity. The winemakers at Petaluma drew upon their deep knowledge of the Piccadilly Valley's cool, crisp growing conditions to craft this Chardonnay. The grapes were hand-picked and nurtured using traditional methods, including wild yeast fermentation and regular hand stirring of lees to enhance complexity and texture.
The Petaluma Tiers Chardonnay 2013 broadcasts a vibrant array of green apple and white peach flavours, encapsulated by an irresistible flinty minerality. Its exquisite acidity and generous oak maturation result in a delicately layered, structural wine which lingers on the palate. Truly, it is a testament to Petaluma's commitment to expressing the idiosyncratic character of their cool climate vineyards through years of refined skill and artistry.
Inc. TAX€710.87 -
James Suckling (98)
This has really transformed into a complex, bottle-matured riesling with lemon-rind, lemon-butter and toasty aromas. The palate is very smoothly arranged and the wine has taken on a glossy textural quality over the five years in bottle. The length and intensity here is so impressive. This is breathtakingly pure, yet complex and drinkable. Drink or hold. Screw cap.Inc. TAX€183.92 -
Halliday Wine Companion (97)
2002 vines. Wigan is king of Eden Valley riesling and yet again one of the top releases of the year. Still a magnificent straw-green at just 5yo, it's at that magic moment where primary and secondary characters unite in equal measure. All the fresh lime and Granny Smith apple of youth, backed by rising buttery, spicy, roast almond maturity. Brilliant acid line charges an astonishing finish that lasts for 30 seconds. Yes, I timed it! For all it represents, this might just be the bargain of the year.Inc. TAX€149.34 -
James Suckling (97)
So vibrant for it’s age, this has great concentration of candied-lime and grapefruit-zest character. Terrific structure and energy on the driving palate, but all of this is wrapped in rich citrus fruit to create stunningly complete harmony. Very long and compact finish that suggests this has at least a further decade of aging potential. Drink or hold. Screw cap.Inc. TAX€215.58 -
James Suckling (96)
Attractive bath powder and lemon blossom as well as white peach, grapefruit and some flint. The palate has a super fleshy feel with a blaze of acidity and long, fresh lemon, grapefruit and white-peach flavors. Good acidity and concentration. Drink or hold. Screw cap.Inc. TAX€191.58 -
James Suckling (96)
A very fresh, piercing nose of sliced lemon with plenty of sweet perfume, too. The palate is similarly intense and vibrant with white stone-fruit and lemon flavors, delivered in an impressively intense and balanced mode. Drink or hold. Screw cap.Inc. TAX€151.98 -
Matthew Jukes (18.5)
The sample bottle for this wine arrived a couple of hours after I had finalised the 100 Best Australian Wines Report for 2022/23. It will surely join the throng in the 2023/24 Report, which I will be launching in September because it is the most impressive Pewsey Vale Riesling I can remember. There is a Tardis-like quality to this wine that completely bewitches the senses. It grabs the attention from the off with a textbook, breezy, citrus and saline perfume. Then the palate takes over with exultant flavours and sensuality, and it is immediately apparent that this is no ordinary seventeen-pound bottle of white wine! 2022 PV is an ‘attention grabber’, and I hope that I have your attention when I say that the coming spring and summer will not be complete without a couple of cases of this wine in your cellar.Inc. TAX€130.88 -
West Australian Wine Review (97)
Cooler season has resulted in this distinctly linear almost Burgundy-like expression of Margaret River Chardonnay. It's one of the tightest Pierro Chardonnays that I can recall, but I suspect it will age to reveal some of those beautiful vineyard qualities. Chalky minerality with a little butterscotch and savoury notes turning the screws to tighten a focussed finish. Beautifully integrated palate.Inc. TAX€783.77 -
Halliday Wine Companion (98)
Named after the family matriarch. Selection of the best parcels of fruit from the Polish Hill River estate. pH 2.93, TA 8.23 g/L, RS 3.1 g/L. Pikes' flagship, but also a Clare Valley flagship. It's not often a 6-month-old riesling can be described as luscious, but that's the impact of this wine. It's citrus focused, of course, and it also has keynote acidity, but it's the honeyed mouthfeel and flavour that hits the jackpot.Inc. TAX€237.18 -
Jeb Dunnuck (95)
Another gem in the lineup, the 2016 Shiraz Barossa & Eden Valleys is equal parts from each region brought up in foudre. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by scents of black raspberries, currants, incense, Christmas spice, and sage, with exotic peppery notes developing with time in the glass. Full-bodied, deep, silky and layered, on the palate, it’s another brilliant wine from this family that’s going to keep for over a decade.Inc. TAX€1,185.97 -
Jeb Dunnuck (95)
Another gem in the lineup, the 2016 Shiraz Barossa & Eden Valleys is equal parts from each region brought up in foudre. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by scents of black raspberries, currants, incense, Christmas spice, and sage, with exotic peppery notes developing with time in the glass. Full-bodied, deep, silky and layered, on the palate, it’s another brilliant wine from this family that’s going to keep for over a decade.Inc. TAX€579.18 -
Wine Advocate (96+)
The 2022 Cuvée Aux Antipodes Blanc is a magnificent triumph of yields. Where previously this 1.8-hectare plot produced anywhere from six to eight barrels of wine, the 2022 produced 23 barrels of wine—very exciting for followers of this cuvée. On the nose, the wine is showing its youth, but far from being inchoate, it is long and polished through the very long finish. It's got lashings of stone fruit and preserved citrus, white pepper, star anise, shaved fennel, juniper and cold buttered toast. This is a wonderful wine of potential and kaleidoscopic complexity, although it is far tighter and more compact than previous years. Searingly good. This was an unlabeled bottle pre-release. 13% alcohol, sealed under Diam.Inc. TAX€736.42 -
The Real Review (97)
Winemaking orchestrated by François Millet from Chambolle-Musigny. Seductively silken texture with great mouth-feel. Dense, fruit-packed wine with cassis, dark cherry, berry and chocolate/mocha flavours. Nicely layered finish revealing true complexity.Inc. TAX€930.78 -
The Rimapere Plot 101 Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2021 is a captivating embodiment of the Marlborough region's distinct character. Produced by Baroness Ariane de Rothschild's Rimapere estate, exceptional care is taken with the sustainable viticulture and hand harvesting practices. The maritime climate, abundant sunlight, and stony soil of Marlborough imbue the wine with its applauded zesty citrus and tropical fruit notes, underlaid subtly with complex minerality.
This vintage has been vinified in stainless steel vessels to maintain its purity and vivacious character. The slow, cool fermentation process accentuates the aromatic profile, artfully balancing the vibrant acidity with the rich fruit concentration - delivering an overall harmonious palate. A remarkable testament to New Zealand's winemaking prowess, the Rimapere Plot 101 Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2021 accentuates each meal with its crisp, fresh finish making it a splendid choice for wine connoisseurs globally.
Inc. TAX€356.92 -
Vinous (93)
Deep, shimmering ruby. Dried cherry, blackberry, licorice and woodsmoke on the spice-inflected nose. Concentrated black and blue fruit, floral pastille and mocha flavors are braced by a spine of juicy acidity. Shows firm, spicy cut on the persistent finish, which features steadily emerging tannins and a hint of bitter cherry pit.Inc. TAX€739.07 -
Vinous (95)
Opaque violet. Intense, perfumed kirsch, blackberry, violet, incense and baking spice scents, along with savory hints of olive paste and botanical herbs. Shows impressive depth as well as energy to the appealingly sweet red and dark fruit preserve, fig paste and licorice flavors. Hefty but shows unlikely finesse as well, finishing impressively long and smoky, with the floral and spice notes repeating. Raised in used French and American oak hogsheads.Inc. TAX€169.42 -
The Rockford Moppa Springs Shiraz 2018, hailing from the esteemed Rockford estate located in South Australia's Barossa Valley, is a harmonious medley of elegance and bold flavours. Using dry-grown grapes, this Shiraz is subjected to traditional open-top fermentation, enhancing the wine's depth and complexity. The meticulous attention to detail is evident in the captivating fusion of lush fruit notes and fine tannins that offers ample structure. A showcase of the warmth and power of the Barossa, this wine's palate boasts a rich tapestry of peppery spice, dark chocolate, and ripe blackberries.
An incarnation of the winemaker Robert O'Callaghan's philosophy, the Rockford Moppa Springs Shiraz 2018 stays true to its roots, celebrating the traditional winemaking techniques and regional character. This wine is a testament to the prowess of Barossa Valley's terroir and the resolute passion for excellence embodied in every bottle at Rockford Estate.
Inc. TAX€432.52 -
Delight your palate with the exquisite nuance of the Rockford Moppa Springs Shiraz 2019. This illustrious vintage personality hails from the sun-drenched terroirs of Moppa Springs, in Australia's renowned Barossa Valley. Conceived in the sturdy hands of winemaking legends at the prestigious Rockford winery, this Shiraz bears a playful blend of luscious berry flavours and subtle spice undertones.
The crafting process diligently honoured tradition, employing open fermenters and basket pressing techniques. This extraordinary fermentative ballet lends the wine its graceful complexity. The Rockford Moppa Springs Shiraz 2019 ages for 20 months in well-seasoned American and French oak, manifesting a balanced interplay of fruit density and oak-whispered depth.
Prepare for an immersive sensory journey—an aromatic symphony of blackberry, pepper, and light mocha, a palate echoing with succulent fruit richness, and a lingering finish that conjures memories of whispered vineyard tales. A distinct pleasure for the discerning wine connoisseur—Rockford Moppa Springs Shiraz 2019 truly demonstrates mastery in a bottle.
Inc. TAX€490.12 -
The Rockford Rod & Spur Shiraz Cabernet 2019 is an exquisite blend, hailing from the esteemed Rockford winery nestled in South Australia's iconic Barossa Valley. This remarkable wine showcases the perfect marriage of Shiraz's hearty spice with the strength and structure of Cabernet Sauvignon. Produced through traditional basket pressing, the Rockford Rod & Spur Shiraz Cabernet 2019 highlights the winemakers' commitment to preserving artisan winemaking methods. Its luscious palate exhibits abundant ripe blackcurrant, plum, and hints of chocolate with an elegantly spiced finish, revealing layer after layer of intense, complex flavours. Rockford’s dedication to quality and respect for time-honoured techniques results in an exemplary wine, reflective of its authentic Barossa roots – making the Rockford Rod & Spur Shiraz Cabernet 2019 a must-have for any serious collector or those seeking the decadent indulgence of a truly premium South Australian wine.
Inc. TAX€546.52 -
James Suckling (95)
This has very attractive, ripe-blackberry and dark-plum aromas with blueberry and earthy, spicy notes, too. There’s composure and concentration on the palate, showing very even-paced tannin and fruit. Full-bodied, yet balanced. Long, blackberry and blueberry flavors. The tannins hold long and smooth. Drink or hold. Screw cap.Inc. TAX€280.19
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Wine Advocate (97+)
Very deep purple-black in color and showing an attractive nose of warm blackcurrants, blueberries and licorice with a complex undercurrent of mocha, cedar, menthol and grilled meat, the full-bodied 2010 St Henri Shiraz is relatively rich in the mouth, offering tons of fruit structured by firm, fine tannins and refreshing acid. It finishes with great persistence. Drink it 2015 to 2030+.In Bond€904.00 -
Wine Advocate (96+)
The 2012 Shiraz St Henri is very impressive with its elegant, sophisticated and well-crafted expression of this superb vintage. As always, there is no new oak employed here, simply 50+ year old large oak vats. This vintage has a dollop (3%) Cabernet Sauvignon, contributing a lovely cassis lift to the heady perfume. Deep garnet-purple colored, it displays a gorgeous nose of commendable purity and intensity with notes of red and blackcurrants, freshly crushed blackberries, menthol, cinnamon stick, bacon fat and cloves. Rich and already expressive on the palate, it is nonetheless built for the long haul with firm, ripe and grainy tannins carrying the fruit to a long and layered finish. This should be a long-lived St Henri that should cellar gracefully for at least 2 decades.In Bond€570.00 -
Jancis Robinson (18)
Thick deep purple. Refined, really complex nose. Super-ripe purple fruit and lovely polish. So clean and fresh on the end. Suave and velvety. Complete. Lightly salty and beautifully smooth yet with masses of tannins underneath.In Bond€493.00 -
James Suckling (98)
This is a much anticipated vintage for St. Henri, and it does not disappoint. The complexity of fruit here is stunning, together with a very complex and playfully fragrant, spicy edge with graphite, roasted coffee and woody spices, framing a core of very fresh blackberries, red and dark cherries and blueberries. So fresh and brimming with fruit aromas. The palate has a stunning array of deeply fleshy fruit flavors with a superb sense of length and powerful, ripe tannin, underpinning vibrant, fleshy fruit that is beautifully assembled in a refined, elegant and impressively pure mode. So long and pure. Silky and elegant. A real masterpiece, taking its place among the finest vintages like 2010, 1990 and 1971. 95% shiraz and 5% cabernet sauvignon. Drink over the next three decades.In Bond€460.00 -
Wine Advocate (97)
The 2018 St Henri Shiraz is a terrific effort, perhaps rivaling the top-flight wines under this label in 1976 and 1986. Remarkably fine and silky in texture yet simultaneously dense and concentrated, it showcases the amazing fruit harvested in 2018. Boysenberry, mulberry and mocha shadings all swirl together effortlessly in a whorl of full-bodied elegance, finishing long and effortless. Mainly Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale, it includes smaller amounts of fruit from Port Lincoln, Robe, Padthaway, Clare Valley and the Adelaide Hills, all aged 12 months in large old wooden vats.In Bond€442.00 -
Matthew Jukes (19+)
With impeccable balance along the entire length of the prodigious flavour, this is a connoisseurs’ St Henri with an upright, stern and no-nonsense feel. There is no trace of flirty fruit, nor is there any sense of excess ripeness, just mannerly, bookish order with toned, not over-worked muscle and little overt opulence. With fascinating anti-fruit notes of spice, earth, dried leaves and chypre, this will be a slow-moving St Henri, and the grippy finish will allow it the time to mature slowly and with the utmost focus and determination towards being an admirably classic St Henri.In Bond€738.00 -
Halliday Wine Companion (98)
68/32% cabernet sauvignon/shiraz, from the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Coonawarra, Wrattonbully, Robe and the Clare Valley. Parcels matured separately for 22 months in 100% new American oak hogsheads; 1400 cases. Stature, power and might. The framework of cabernet in the presence of 100% new American oak hogsheads projects a 707esque presence, within which a one-third inclusion of shiraz builds dramatic palate depth and intrigue. It is as if all the grandeur of 707, Grange and 389 have been united in one dramatic whole. The result delivers structural endurance, a grand display of monumental fruit and a line and length that hark back to the glory days of Bin 60A and all the subsequent legends of Penfolds cabernet shiraz. Superblend, A-class indeed!In Bond€654.00 -
Wine Advocate (96)
Gently toasted almond and subtle pencil shavings give some indication of the 35% new French oak that was used to age the 2016 Chardonnay Yattarna. Ripe peach, pear and melon fruit fills out the medium to full-bodied palate, then really grows in intensity and focus on the long finish. This is the most complete Yattarna I've ever tasted, blending richness and acidity in a seamless fashion. It's a blend of fruit from Tasmania (51%), Henty (23%), Adelaide Hills (14%) and Tumbarumba (12%).In Bond€893.00 -
Halliday Wine Companion (98)
57/32/11% Tasmania/Tumbarumba/Adelaide Hills fruit. Matured 8 months in 55% new French oak barriques. The tension, endurance and sheer molecular detail of Yattarna propels it to the pinnacle of Australia’s pointy chardonnay pyramid, and 2019 follows confidently in the hallowed footsteps of the sublime 2018. This is a vintage that demands a great deal of time to unfurl. Tight, compact, focused and immensely determined, it leads out in its virile youth with the finest struck flint and gunpowder. A pinpoint singularity of white-fruit precision focuses a laser line of pure white acidity that projects from its core through a finish of astounding line, length and promise. Powder-fine, crystalline minerality surges long and strong. Another epic Yattarna. Vintage on vintage, has Yattarna now ascended to become Penfolds' greatest wine of all?In Bond€896.00 -
Emanating regality from Adelaide Hills, Australia, Petaluma Chardonnay 2015 strikingly exemplifies artful winemaking. This esteemed Chardonnay is crafted by Petaluma's master winemakers, a producer celebrated for its commitment to premium quality, sustainability, and viticulture rooted in the region's unique character. The grapes are scrupulously handpicked from distinguished vineyards, ensuring only optimal fruit is selected for this sophisticated varietal.
Extended lees maturation, followed by nine months in French oak-barrels, establishes Petaluma Chardonnay 2015's radiant depth and complexity. This process imparts notes of white peach, fresh pear, and smoky oak, culminating in a luminous finish. Its fine, textured palate echoes sublime elegance with its perfectly balanced acidity.
Renowned wine critics affirm its pedigree, lauding the invigorating freshness and intensity intertwined in the Petaluma Chardonnay 2015. Drinking magnificently now, this remarkable Chardonnay will continue to evolve majestically over the next decade. It's a testimony to Petaluma's definitive craft of exemplary wines.
In Bond€561.00 -
The esteemed Petaluma Tiers Chardonnay 2013 embodies the finest manifestation of Australian terroir. Hailing from the hilly viticultural landscape of the Adelaide Hills, this singular wine is renowned for its precision and complexity. The winemakers at Petaluma drew upon their deep knowledge of the Piccadilly Valley's cool, crisp growing conditions to craft this Chardonnay. The grapes were hand-picked and nurtured using traditional methods, including wild yeast fermentation and regular hand stirring of lees to enhance complexity and texture.
The Petaluma Tiers Chardonnay 2013 broadcasts a vibrant array of green apple and white peach flavours, encapsulated by an irresistible flinty minerality. Its exquisite acidity and generous oak maturation result in a delicately layered, structural wine which lingers on the palate. Truly, it is a testament to Petaluma's commitment to expressing the idiosyncratic character of their cool climate vineyards through years of refined skill and artistry.
In Bond€570.00 -
James Suckling (98)
This has really transformed into a complex, bottle-matured riesling with lemon-rind, lemon-butter and toasty aromas. The palate is very smoothly arranged and the wine has taken on a glossy textural quality over the five years in bottle. The length and intensity here is so impressive. This is breathtakingly pure, yet complex and drinkable. Drink or hold. Screw cap.In Bond€137.00 -
Halliday Wine Companion (97)
2002 vines. Wigan is king of Eden Valley riesling and yet again one of the top releases of the year. Still a magnificent straw-green at just 5yo, it's at that magic moment where primary and secondary characters unite in equal measure. All the fresh lime and Granny Smith apple of youth, backed by rising buttery, spicy, roast almond maturity. Brilliant acid line charges an astonishing finish that lasts for 30 seconds. Yes, I timed it! For all it represents, this might just be the bargain of the year.In Bond€108.00 -
James Suckling (97)
So vibrant for it’s age, this has great concentration of candied-lime and grapefruit-zest character. Terrific structure and energy on the driving palate, but all of this is wrapped in rich citrus fruit to create stunningly complete harmony. Very long and compact finish that suggests this has at least a further decade of aging potential. Drink or hold. Screw cap.In Bond€161.00 -
James Suckling (96)
Attractive bath powder and lemon blossom as well as white peach, grapefruit and some flint. The palate has a super fleshy feel with a blaze of acidity and long, fresh lemon, grapefruit and white-peach flavors. Good acidity and concentration. Drink or hold. Screw cap.In Bond€141.00 -
James Suckling (96)
A very fresh, piercing nose of sliced lemon with plenty of sweet perfume, too. The palate is similarly intense and vibrant with white stone-fruit and lemon flavors, delivered in an impressively intense and balanced mode. Drink or hold. Screw cap.In Bond€108.00 -
Matthew Jukes (18.5)
The sample bottle for this wine arrived a couple of hours after I had finalised the 100 Best Australian Wines Report for 2022/23. It will surely join the throng in the 2023/24 Report, which I will be launching in September because it is the most impressive Pewsey Vale Riesling I can remember. There is a Tardis-like quality to this wine that completely bewitches the senses. It grabs the attention from the off with a textbook, breezy, citrus and saline perfume. Then the palate takes over with exultant flavours and sensuality, and it is immediately apparent that this is no ordinary seventeen-pound bottle of white wine! 2022 PV is an ‘attention grabber’, and I hope that I have your attention when I say that the coming spring and summer will not be complete without a couple of cases of this wine in your cellar.In Bond€90.00 -
West Australian Wine Review (97)
Cooler season has resulted in this distinctly linear almost Burgundy-like expression of Margaret River Chardonnay. It's one of the tightest Pierro Chardonnays that I can recall, but I suspect it will age to reveal some of those beautiful vineyard qualities. Chalky minerality with a little butterscotch and savoury notes turning the screws to tighten a focussed finish. Beautifully integrated palate.In Bond€615.00 -
Halliday Wine Companion (98)
Named after the family matriarch. Selection of the best parcels of fruit from the Polish Hill River estate. pH 2.93, TA 8.23 g/L, RS 3.1 g/L. Pikes' flagship, but also a Clare Valley flagship. It's not often a 6-month-old riesling can be described as luscious, but that's the impact of this wine. It's citrus focused, of course, and it also has keynote acidity, but it's the honeyed mouthfeel and flavour that hits the jackpot.In Bond€179.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (95)
Another gem in the lineup, the 2016 Shiraz Barossa & Eden Valleys is equal parts from each region brought up in foudre. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by scents of black raspberries, currants, incense, Christmas spice, and sage, with exotic peppery notes developing with time in the glass. Full-bodied, deep, silky and layered, on the palate, it’s another brilliant wine from this family that’s going to keep for over a decade.In Bond€951.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (95)
Another gem in the lineup, the 2016 Shiraz Barossa & Eden Valleys is equal parts from each region brought up in foudre. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by scents of black raspberries, currants, incense, Christmas spice, and sage, with exotic peppery notes developing with time in the glass. Full-bodied, deep, silky and layered, on the palate, it’s another brilliant wine from this family that’s going to keep for over a decade.In Bond€464.00 -
Wine Advocate (96+)
The 2022 Cuvée Aux Antipodes Blanc is a magnificent triumph of yields. Where previously this 1.8-hectare plot produced anywhere from six to eight barrels of wine, the 2022 produced 23 barrels of wine—very exciting for followers of this cuvée. On the nose, the wine is showing its youth, but far from being inchoate, it is long and polished through the very long finish. It's got lashings of stone fruit and preserved citrus, white pepper, star anise, shaved fennel, juniper and cold buttered toast. This is a wonderful wine of potential and kaleidoscopic complexity, although it is far tighter and more compact than previous years. Searingly good. This was an unlabeled bottle pre-release. 13% alcohol, sealed under Diam.In Bond€595.00 -
The Real Review (97)
Winemaking orchestrated by François Millet from Chambolle-Musigny. Seductively silken texture with great mouth-feel. Dense, fruit-packed wine with cassis, dark cherry, berry and chocolate/mocha flavours. Nicely layered finish revealing true complexity.In Bond€757.00 -
The Rimapere Plot 101 Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2021 is a captivating embodiment of the Marlborough region's distinct character. Produced by Baroness Ariane de Rothschild's Rimapere estate, exceptional care is taken with the sustainable viticulture and hand harvesting practices. The maritime climate, abundant sunlight, and stony soil of Marlborough imbue the wine with its applauded zesty citrus and tropical fruit notes, underlaid subtly with complex minerality.
This vintage has been vinified in stainless steel vessels to maintain its purity and vivacious character. The slow, cool fermentation process accentuates the aromatic profile, artfully balancing the vibrant acidity with the rich fruit concentration - delivering an overall harmonious palate. A remarkable testament to New Zealand's winemaking prowess, the Rimapere Plot 101 Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2021 accentuates each meal with its crisp, fresh finish making it a splendid choice for wine connoisseurs globally.
In Bond€275.00 -
Vinous (93)
Deep, shimmering ruby. Dried cherry, blackberry, licorice and woodsmoke on the spice-inflected nose. Concentrated black and blue fruit, floral pastille and mocha flavors are braced by a spine of juicy acidity. Shows firm, spicy cut on the persistent finish, which features steadily emerging tannins and a hint of bitter cherry pit.In Bond€593.00 -
Vinous (95)
Opaque violet. Intense, perfumed kirsch, blackberry, violet, incense and baking spice scents, along with savory hints of olive paste and botanical herbs. Shows impressive depth as well as energy to the appealingly sweet red and dark fruit preserve, fig paste and licorice flavors. Hefty but shows unlikely finesse as well, finishing impressively long and smoky, with the floral and spice notes repeating. Raised in used French and American oak hogsheads.In Bond€138.00 -
The Rockford Moppa Springs Shiraz 2018, hailing from the esteemed Rockford estate located in South Australia's Barossa Valley, is a harmonious medley of elegance and bold flavours. Using dry-grown grapes, this Shiraz is subjected to traditional open-top fermentation, enhancing the wine's depth and complexity. The meticulous attention to detail is evident in the captivating fusion of lush fruit notes and fine tannins that offers ample structure. A showcase of the warmth and power of the Barossa, this wine's palate boasts a rich tapestry of peppery spice, dark chocolate, and ripe blackberries.
An incarnation of the winemaker Robert O'Callaghan's philosophy, the Rockford Moppa Springs Shiraz 2018 stays true to its roots, celebrating the traditional winemaking techniques and regional character. This wine is a testament to the prowess of Barossa Valley's terroir and the resolute passion for excellence embodied in every bottle at Rockford Estate.
In Bond€338.00 -
Delight your palate with the exquisite nuance of the Rockford Moppa Springs Shiraz 2019. This illustrious vintage personality hails from the sun-drenched terroirs of Moppa Springs, in Australia's renowned Barossa Valley. Conceived in the sturdy hands of winemaking legends at the prestigious Rockford winery, this Shiraz bears a playful blend of luscious berry flavours and subtle spice undertones.
The crafting process diligently honoured tradition, employing open fermenters and basket pressing techniques. This extraordinary fermentative ballet lends the wine its graceful complexity. The Rockford Moppa Springs Shiraz 2019 ages for 20 months in well-seasoned American and French oak, manifesting a balanced interplay of fruit density and oak-whispered depth.
Prepare for an immersive sensory journey—an aromatic symphony of blackberry, pepper, and light mocha, a palate echoing with succulent fruit richness, and a lingering finish that conjures memories of whispered vineyard tales. A distinct pleasure for the discerning wine connoisseur—Rockford Moppa Springs Shiraz 2019 truly demonstrates mastery in a bottle.
In Bond€386.00 -
The Rockford Rod & Spur Shiraz Cabernet 2019 is an exquisite blend, hailing from the esteemed Rockford winery nestled in South Australia's iconic Barossa Valley. This remarkable wine showcases the perfect marriage of Shiraz's hearty spice with the strength and structure of Cabernet Sauvignon. Produced through traditional basket pressing, the Rockford Rod & Spur Shiraz Cabernet 2019 highlights the winemakers' commitment to preserving artisan winemaking methods. Its luscious palate exhibits abundant ripe blackcurrant, plum, and hints of chocolate with an elegantly spiced finish, revealing layer after layer of intense, complex flavours. Rockford’s dedication to quality and respect for time-honoured techniques results in an exemplary wine, reflective of its authentic Barossa roots – making the Rockford Rod & Spur Shiraz Cabernet 2019 a must-have for any serious collector or those seeking the decadent indulgence of a truly premium South Australian wine.
In Bond€433.00 -
James Suckling (95)
This has very attractive, ripe-blackberry and dark-plum aromas with blueberry and earthy, spicy notes, too. There’s composure and concentration on the palate, showing very even-paced tannin and fruit. Full-bodied, yet balanced. Long, blackberry and blueberry flavors. The tannins hold long and smooth. Drink or hold. Screw cap.In Bond€215.00
