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- Rusty Barrel Spiced Rum (700ml)Caribbean,$79. 99Bottle$959.88 DozenABV: 40%
Rusty Barrel Spiced expression is a seductive blend of premium 5-year-old Caribbean rums and rich spices including coffee, vanilla, cocoa, orange peel and cinnamon. It has a subtle and curious sweetness of cocoa accompanying the lingering flavours of coffee and vanilla on the finish. Tiki culture fans will love the Polynesian styled bottle. 40% Alc./Vol.
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- Nick's Import
KWV 3 Year Old Brandy (750ml)SOUTH AFRICA$59. 99Bottle$719.88 DozenABV: 40%KWV is the second largest brandy producer in South Africa, sourcing chenin blanc and colombard grapes from over fifty different cooperatives and vineyards. Their distillate is casked at around 70% ABV, typically in either fine-grained Limousine or coarser-grained Tronçais oak casks. After three years, anything intended for additional aging is transferred into older barrels. A combination of new and older oak casks are used, as well as some that formerly held wine. The entry-level three-year-old is double pot distilled for a full, fruity taste including flavours of apple and pear. It's solid as a mixer or everyday drinker, but if you're looking for a brandy with more finesse, check out the superior age statements in the award-winning KWV range. 43% Alc./Vol.
- Aquafab Cocktail Foamer (500ml)Ballarat, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$24. 99Bottle$299.88 Dozen
Designed by Australian bartenders as a plant-based cocktail foamer, Aquafab brings together many of the moral and ethical practices that are in demand. For starters, it's packaged in a recyclable Tetra Pak with a screw cap. It's made entirely from Aquafaba, the leftover liquid from a tin of chickpeas, completely plant-based. One 500ml carton replaces 16 eggs or 5 cans of chickpeas when making a foamy, sour cocktail. All without wasting egg yolks or chickpeas. Also, there's a handy week-long calendar on the back to mark when you first opened. 16 servings per package. Shake well before opening. Refrigerate after opening and consume within 3 days.
- Aberlour A'bunadh Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - Batch 081Speyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$149. 99Bottle$1799.88 DozenABV: 61.6%
Aberlour’s cask strength A’bunadh has long been a darling of single malt aficionados, released in batches and now onto #081 (overseas may have even more recent bottlings). Each varies in proof and flavour as proportions of older or younger material make the cut, but the brief remains the same: Make a 100% ex-oloroso sherry aged malt using the inventory at hand (anywhere from 5 to 25 years old). Keep it natural, which means zero chill filtration, keep it balanced and keep it affordable. No information about the number of bottles from each batch of A’bunadh is offered, but they're large outturns for a global community, which makes for a significant blending challenge. That hasn't stopped collectors and fans of sherried malts from stocking up on those that are deemed better than others. With or without water, whichever way you like it, A'bunadh is worth checking out as you encounter it, at least so long as value remains Pernod-Ricard's priority. 61.6% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Notes from the producers... Aromas of Spiced orange, dark bitter chocolate on the palate harmonising with rich, deep notes of Oloroso Sherry. On the palate, orange, black cherries, dried fruit and ginger spiked with dark bitter chocolate and enriched with Sherry and Oak. Full bodied and creamy. Long and luscious. The sweetness of the red fruit lingers and is eventually replaced by a bitter sweet chocolate, spice and oak. A little water opens up the whisky and reveals more of the fruitier side of the profile, but at the cost of that rich, chewy mouth feel.
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Amrut Bagheera Sherry Cask Finish Single Malt Indian Whisky (500ml)Bangalore, INDIA$79. 99Bottle$959.88 DozenABV: 46%Other reviews... With the magnificent Mysore Palace on its label, and a nose of garam masala, overripe banana, coffee bean, hazelnut, and prune juice, this is definitely an Amrut to experience. Flavors ebb and flow through cereal notes, Agen prunes, raisins, vanilla essence, dried fruits, stewed apple, and dark autumnal fruits, all underpinned by glittering spicy base notes. It finishes with cola-flavored candy, dwindling sweetness, and encroaching leathery notes. (Editors' Choice) 91 points - whiskyadvocate.com
...I find it funny that they would have felt the need to tell you that this was made out of 99% unpeated and 1% peated malted barley. We do know that peat tends to dominate, even when in small proportions, but 1%? Or is this an homeopathic peater? Ha-ha, yet a new concept! Colour: gold. Nose: a few sulphury touches at first (from some sherry wood, not form those 1% I'm sure… or wait, am I wrong, Amrut?) then some mentholated raisins and salted fudge, bicycle inner tube, the old unused coal pit in the basement, ye auld fireplace... Mouth: I like it ten times better on the palate. And guess what, the peat does feel. Truffle and smoke, salted lemon marmalade, sweet Thai soup (coconut, coriander, pepper, bouillons…) Finish: long, still a little 'unusual', I would suppose we'll need a little time to get accustomed to this new homeopathic style, but there sure is a thing here. Bottom line, 1% feels a lot! Comments: I'm glad I tried this one. It reminds of Miles, remember, if you do a wee mistake, repeat it many times and everybody will applaud and believe you did it on purpose (loosely reported, of course he said it better). 84 points - whiskyfun.com
- Waubs Harbour Kelp Revival Limited Edition Single Malt Australian Whisky (500ml)Tasmania, AUSTRALIA$240. 00Bottle$2880.00 DozenABV: 45.7%
Made in support of the ambitious endeavour to regenerate the nearly-extinct Giant Kelp forests throughout Tasmania, including an exciting trial site just a stone’s throw from our distillery. Matured in Apera Sherry casks, finished in a rare 70 year old Tawny Port cask and married with a smidge of coastal peated whisky (for a nutty, earthiness not smokiness) that’s balanced, with a unique complexity. Anticipate notes of sweet juicy fruits and rich chocolate coated sultana with a beautifully complex nutty overlay. Adds one taster, "At 45.7% ABV you don’t get any alcohol burn, but rather a smooth and very tasty tongue covering whisky that stretches out around your mouth thanks to that salty element and big port soaked sultanas. Really enjoyed this whisky and can’t wait to get my hands on a bottle. Waubs Harbour Whisky has another winner on their hands with this one."
- Sullivans Cove Single Cask TD0409 French Oak Barrel Single Malt Australian Whisky (700ml)Hobart, Tasmania, AUSTRALIA$799. 00Bottle$9588.00 DozenABV: 47.5%
Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some light creasing/scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not pictured.
Part of the French oak single cask series. These tend to be a little spicier and drier than the American oak bottlings. TD0409 was filled into barrel in August 2013 and decanted in early 2024 with an outturn of 359 bottles. 47.1% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
- Rusty Barrel Gold Rum (700ml)Caribbean,$89. 99Bottle$1079.88 DozenABV: 40%
An aged fusion of 5 & 8-year-old Caribbean gold rums developed in collaboration with an international Master Distiller. Created as a standalone sipper, it promises smooth vanilla & oak aromas as well as raisins and floral notes with a delicately sweet honeycomb and butter biscuit palate. Eye-catching packaging adds to the tasting experience. 40% Alc./Vol.
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Kilchoman 100% Islay 13th Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)Islay, SCOTLAND$179. 99Bottle$2159.88 DozenABV: 50%Distilled from barley grown on the Kilchoman farm in 2012, 2013 and 2014, this the 13th edition was matured for a minimum of eight years before 44 bourbon barrels were selected for the release. Says Anthony Wills, Kilchoman's Founder, “The 13th Edition is the first release since 2019 where I have opted for solely bourbon barrels... I selected predominantly fresh casks, this gives the whisky lovely layers of buttery vanilla and caramel flavours which pair beautifully with the citrus sweetness of our spirit.” 50% Alc./Vol. Non chill-filtered.
Other reviews... Selected from barrels using malts from Islay’s 2012–2014 harvest, the nose bursts with honey, lemon mousse, and barley, with gentle smoke woven through, and later notes of cinnamon, butterscotch, malt, and caramel. The initial sip is juicy, with honey, chocolate, malt, cherry, and smoke, adding Cadbury fruit and nut bars, butterscotch, creamed banana, and barbecued meats, with a finish of hot smoke, sooty embers, and dark chocolate. 92 points - whiskyadvocate.com
- Cape Byron Serendipity Peated Single Malt Australian Whisky (700ml)New South Wales, AUSTRALIA$179. 99Bottle$2159.88 DozenABV: 46%
An Australian interpretation of a traditional Scottish whisky, ‘Serendipity’ is Cape Byron's peated offering, aged in American oak ex-bourbon casks. 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Notes from the producers... The palate reveals soft charred oak, lemon meringue, and roasted nuts, intertwined with delicate smoke, hints of white peach, gingerbread, and shortbread. -
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- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2022 Schild Estate ShirazBarossa, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2024-2029)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinDense pitch black heart with a dark red black tinged hue. Aniseed and ripe plum aromas sail out of the glass followed by some vanillin cedar and peppered fennel notes. Rich plush dark plum and liquorice fruits are delivered with ample concentration over a toasty vanillin oak, earthy fennel and pepper back drop. Velvet smooth tannins finishing long and succulent.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews…..
A smooth and textured Barossa red displaying oodles of the dark plummy fruit characters you expect. Aromas of spices, roasted coffee grounds and chocolate pervade over the suggested sweetness of the ripe plummy, blackberry fruits. Seamless integration of oak and fruit with fine buoy tannins in support. Drink 2024-2034.
92 Points
Ray Jordan – WinePilot.com -
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Distilleries de Provence Fluo 26 Liqueur d'Absinthe (Absinthe) Liqueur (700ml)Provence, FRANCE$74. 99Bottle$899.88 DozenABV: 26%An absinthe liqueur infused with wormwood, green anise, mugwort, lemon balm and peppermint (amongst other botanicals). It packs in some of the flavours traditionally associated with Absinthe, like liquorice, spearmint and subtle woody-herbaceous notes, but it's sweet and lacking the intensity of Absinthe proper which can land anywhere between 50% to 70% ABV. The twist is that this is reported to glow in the dark under certain lighting conditions due to the presence of a natural colouring agent called riboflavin. Not for Absinthe purists, more for pouring over crushed ice or in a shot. 26% Alc./Vol.
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2020 Fermoy Estate Cabernet MerlotMargaret River, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$23. 99Bottle$287.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2024-2029)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinMatured for 18 months in French oak barriques. Midnight black dark red colour with a dark red hue. Aromas of blackcurrant infused with black olive and cigar box emerge from the glass followed by some earth and spicy capsicum notes. Rich blackcurrant fruits are intermeshed with dusty vanillin cedar, tobacco, dill like characters and spicy black olives. Good flesh and body with a firmish tannin structure concluding medium to long.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 14.5%Other Reviews….
Lots of seductive aromas from violets, mulberries and Middle Eastern spices to fresh basil. A youthful, vibrant combo, although the tannins are somewhat unforgiving, they’ll be fine in time. There’s enough vitality and interest to pour this now alongside a rack of sumac-spiced lamb. Drink by 2035.
92 Points
Jane Faulkner – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion - Weis Peach Schnapps Liqueur (700ml)GERMANY$39. 99Bottle$479.88 DozenABV: 16%
Created using aromatic white peaches, enjoy this sweet schnapps well chilled, on the rocks or add a shot to sparkling wine. 16% Alc./Vol.
- Sullivans Cove Single Cask TD0175 American Oak Barrel Single Malt Australian Whisky (700ml)Hobart, Tasmania, AUSTRALIA$599. 00Bottle$7188.00 DozenABV: 47.4%
Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some light creasing/scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not pictured.
Part of the American oak single cask series. TD0175 was filled into barrel in December 2006 and decanted in mid 2022 yielding a tiny outturn of just 190 bottles. 47.4% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
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2021 Eden Hall Block 4 ShirazEden Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$34. 99Bottle$419.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2024-2030)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinEden Hall was established by David Hall, a well-respected spinal surgeon, and his wife Mardi when they purchased the Avon Brae property in 1996. They quickly set about re-establishing the vineyard and the first commercial release was in 2004. Today the property has over 80 acres under vine. Sourced from selected rows in Eden Hall’s Block 4 vineyard, the wine was matured for 22 months in French oak and spent more than a year in bottle prior to release. The talented Phil Lehmann was the winemaker of this large scaled 2021 Shiraz.
A powerhouse of dense, rich, voluptuous fruit.
Impenetrable inky black in colour with a very deep dark red black tinged hue. Wafting out of the glass are heady aromas of ripe blackberry, liquorice and dark plum which are married to toasty vanillin oak, dark chocolate, fennel and peppered earth notes. Rich, voluptuous and dense, the palate is a super concentrate of ripe blackberry, liquorice, dark plum and black cherry fruits. Smoky vanillin oak, fennel and peppered earth elements also chime in to add further interest across the back half. Velvet smooth yet solidly structured tannins. Boasting magnificent power and depth it has an ultra-long finish that’s decadently rich and plush.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5% -
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2022 Fraser Gallop Estate Innovation Cabernet SauvignonMargaret River, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$32. 99Bottle$395.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2024-2032)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinThe Innovation Range is a new series of wines for Fraser Gallop which encourages their winemaking team to combine tradition with technology to refine and push the boundaries of wine-making techniques.
A blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Petit Verdot matured in second use French oak barrels for a period of 18 months. Midnight black heart with a dark red black tinged hue. Intense red to black currant and ripe mulberry scents sail through the nostrils trailed by some cedary tobacco, red liquorice, faint black olive and bay leaf notes. Refined and elegant yet amply fruited, the mid weighted palate sports red to black currant, mulberry and red liquorice fruits which are complimented by vanillin cedar, tobacco, dusty earth and bay leaf characters. Fine grained tannins concluding long and finessed.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 14% -
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2022 Heirloom Vineyards Coonawarra Cabernet SauvignonCoonawarra, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: 6 - 8 Years (2030-2032)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinMatured in 30% new American and French oak for 18 months. Magnificent impenetrable inky black heart with a near equally deep dark red black hue. Intense ripe blackcurrant and mulberry scents fill the nostrils complimented by vanillin cedar, tobacco, earthy dried herb and spice notes. Rich blackcurrant and liquorice fruits are framed by firm tannins which impart a tense, grippy feel. Cedary tobacco, earthy black olive and spice characters are also evident. Concludes dry and austere with a muscular feel.
Cellar 6-8 years.
Alc. 14.5% -
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- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2023 Chalk Hill Tempranillo GrenacheSouth Australia, AUSTRALIA$24. 99Bottle$299.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2024-2029)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinFruit was sourced from McLaren Vale and Barossa Valley. Deep dark red black colour with a bright red purple tinged hue. Attractive dark raspberry, liquorice and blueberry scents sail through the nostrils followed by some vanillin spice and subtle inky earth like notes. Juicy cherry, liquorice and spicy dark raspberry fruits are layered across the mid weighted palate with infusions of fresh herbs and earth lying underneath. Fresh acidity and fine grained tannins with a vibrant blue fruited finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
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2022 Rippon GewurztraminerCentral Otago, NEW ZEALAND$64. 99Bottle$779.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2024-2029)ABV: 13%Closure: Diam CorkBrilliant pale straw colour with a watery hue. Initially restrained, the nose offers up fresh lychee and grapefruit aromas which intermix with citrus, quince and flinty mineral notes. More forward than the nose, the palate features luscious pear, lychee and honeysuckle flavours over a back drop of subtle musk and delicate ginger characters. Finishes dry with fresh acidity lending energy to the long generously textured and spicy finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13%Other Reviews…..
A tight and focused white with lavender, sage, dried apples, melon and lychees. Medium-bodied, dry and flavorful but very refined. Drink now.
93 Points
JamesSuckling.com -
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- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2022 Cascina Galarin Le Querce Barbera d’AstiPiedmont, ITALY$37. 99Bottle$455.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2024-2029)ABV: 14%Closure: CorkDense black dark red colour with a vibrant red to dark red hue. Showing good lift out of the glass are aromas of dark cherries and liquorice infused with fresh herbs. Hints of inky earth and incense are also evident. On the palate crunchy acidity underpins juicy cherry, raspberry and red liquorice fruits. Subtle inky earth, infusions of incense, blueberry and spice elements ensue. Slightly chewy tannins with an energetically fruity and bright finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 14% -
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2022 Patrick Piuze Fortis Petit ChablisChablis, FRANCE$69. 99Bottle$839.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2024-2027)ABV: 12.5%Closure: CorkBrilliant pale straw core with straw green tinged edges and a watery hue. Lifted aromas of pear infused with wet slate drift from the glass followed by some citrus and stony mineral like notes. Delicious pear and citrus fruits are delivered with ample intensity and are nicely rounded in their shape across the palate. Traces of lime, wet slate and smoky mineral elements ensue. Finishes dry with a brisk feel to the acidity. Concludes with good length and volume.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
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2021 Frankland Estate Rocky Gully ShirazFrankland River, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2024-2030)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinA blend of 85% Shiraz, 10% Malbec and 5% Touriga Nacional. Midnight black core with a dark red black tinged hue. Nosing offers up aromas of black cherry, blackberry and liquorice which are trailed by some vanillin cedar, scorched earth and peppered meat notes. Rich, weighty and succulent, concentrated black cherry, liquorice and blackberry fruits flood the mouth over a spicy vanillin cedar and peppered earth back drop. Sturdy, medium grained tannins with a long juicy yet slightly robust finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14% -
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2023 Opawa Sauvignon BlancMarlborough, NEW ZEALAND$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2024-2025)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinBrilliant pale straw colour with greenish tinged edges and a watery hue. Grassy gooseberry and citrus aromas are intertwined with some herbaceous asparagus like notes and hints of capsicum. Concentrated ripe gooseberry, citrus and green apple flavours meld into a back drop of herbaceous grassy characters and capsicum. Zesty acidity with a distinct herbaceous grassy edge to the finish.
Drink over the next year.
Alc. 13% -
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2023 Kooyong Single Vineyard Pinot NoirMornington Peninsula, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$56. 99Bottle$683.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2024-2030)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinSemi translucent red to dark red colour with black toned edges and a vibrant red hue. Wonderfully fragrant out of the glass aromas of violet, red to dark cherry, strawberry and subtle rhubarb meld with notions of fresh herbs, forest floor and spicy cedar. Light in body and quite supple in its feel, savoury red cherry and strawberry fruits are featured over a spicy cedar, forest floor, subtle dried herb and spice back drop. Fine grained tannins concluding medium to long with a sense of refinement.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
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2023 Paralian Spring Hills Vineyard ShirazMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$42. 99Bottle$515.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 8 Years (2024-2032)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinDense inky black in colour with a very deep dark purple black hue. Elevated scents of blackberry, dark plum and liquorice sail through the nostrils followed by some smoky vanillin oak, earthy dried herb and peppered meat notes. Somewhat restrained on the mid weighted palate, flavours of blackberry, liquorice and blueberry carry a refined, meaty feel. Spicy vanillin cedar, earth and peppered herb characters ensue. Tightly wound, grainy tannin structure with a savoury medium length conclusion.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 13.5%Other Reviews…..
From two blocks, the 1998 one on Holocene sand, and the 1975 plating on sand and ironstone. This was picked in two tranches, mid and late April, the latest for this wine. Fermented separately with 10 to 20% whole bunches; 10 months in French puncheons (14% new). This is absolutely singing at this early stage. Though darkly fruited, spicy and tarry, it’s a wine of poise, verve and refinement twinned with joyously engaging drinkability. The Rhône echoes are there, but it’s a wine of place. Dried black cherry, blue fruits, coal, graphite, salumi, white pepper, leather and dark rye, the palate lithe, sinewy, absent of overt fruit sweetness, the tannins detailed, complex and authentic of feel. Drink by 2032.
96 Points
Marcus Ellis – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
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- Preservative Free
- Organic
2024 Tamburlaine Organic Wines Preservative Free Pinot Noir$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesOrganic
Preservative FreeMin 12
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- Biodynamic
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2022 Wittmann 100 Hugel Pinot BlancRheinhessen, GERMANY$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2024-2027)ABV: 12%Closure: StelvinBrilliant pale straw colour with highlights of green around the edges and a watery hue. Pear and red apple scents emerge from the glass followed by a whiff of honeysuckle, quince and wet stone. Fresh pear, lime and green apple fruits grace the palate underscored by zingy mineral laced acidity. Finishes dry and crisp with an energised aftertaste that has a zesty feel to it.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 12%Other Reviews…..
I love the nose of snow peas and fine green beans of this very successful dry pinot blanc. Medium-bodied with stacks of fresh fruit and excellent balance at the well-structured finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink now. Screw cap.
90 Points
JamesSuckling.com - Chivas Regal 12 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky (4500ml) - 1990s Bottling - Including CradleSpeyside, Highlands, SCOTLAND$399. 00Bottle$4788.00 DozenABV: 40%
Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product pictured.
The name 'Schivas' is derived from the old Gaelic 'seimh as', meaning 'the narrow place.' It perfectly describes the spot where a medieval castle once stood, at a narrow stretch of the River Ythan, in Aberdeenshire in the North East of Scotland. In 1950, Chivas Brothers began the search for a secure supply of fine malt whisky. Strathisla Distillery in Keith, the oldest and most beautiful distillery in the Highlands, was the obvious choice. The distillery was purchased and now the highly praised Strathisla Single Malt Scotch Whisky lies at the heart of the Chivas Regal blend. Aged for a minimum of 12 years, Chivas is distinguished by its light, lingering aroma, full, smooth, balanced palate with a hint of smoke - very subtle and complex. 'A good whisky blender knows intimately the character of all the whiskies he uses,' says Chivas's Master Blender Colin Scott. 'They are as unique as people. Some are subtle, some are bolder. My job is to produce a distinctive blend of whisky of the highest possible quality which is consistent in flavor and bouquet from year to year. I would describe Chivas Regal as smooth, with a honeyed richness, round and full-bodied, slightly smoky with a long, lingering finish. The classic, premium Scotch whisky.'Other reviews... Nose: Distinct marshmallow. Peach blossom. Faint cocoa. Palate: Light hazelnuts. Cream. Buttercups. Violets. Lavender. Herbal. Finish: A little snappy and aggressive. Comment: The flavours tail off, as though the whisky is going to sleep. Smooth and easy, but lacks livliness. Springtime never quite blossoms into summer.. Rating: 75 - Michael Jackson, www.whiskymag.com
Brilliant golden amber color. A somewhat closed nose of light caramel, toast, and vapor. A soft, buoyant entry leads to a off-dry, somewhat thin light-to medium-bodied palate with sweet toasty malt, peppery spice, and a brush of grain alcohol. Finishes dryly with a quick, hot fade. International Review of Spirits Award: Bronze Medal 83 points (Recommended) - tastings.com
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2022 Dandelion Vineyards Menagerie of The Barossa Grenache Shiraz MataroBarossa, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 5 Years (2024-2029)ABV: 14%Closure: StelvinDeep dark red black tinged colour with a dark red hue. Elevated dark raspberry, ripe cherry and liquorice aromas mix with dried herb, fennel and peppered earth notes. Rich succulent dark raspberry, cherry and liquorice fruits make a plush entrance onto the medium to full bodied palate. Notions of dried herbs, subtle blueberry, scorched earth and peppered fennel characters ensue. Polished tannins finishing with a lick of freshness on the long juicy conclusion.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 14%Other Reviews…..
A delicious blend of 73% grenache, 19% shiraz and 8% mataro, some whole-bunch action, matured for 12 months in seasoned French oak. Ripe plums, blue and mulberry fruits with hints of exotic spice, ginger cake, black tea, cola, sarsaparilla, stemmy spice and amaro tones, roasting meats and earth. Chocolate-dipped raspberries join the fray on the palate, which features pure fruit, sandy tannin support and a tide of morello cherry on the way out. Drink by 2033.
93 Points
Dave Brookes – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
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De Bortoli Este Cuvee SparklingYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenABV: 12%Closure: Diam CorkA blend of 80% Chardonnay, 14% Pinot Noir, 4% Pinot Blanc and 2% Pinot Meunier. A fluffy white mousse subsides slowly to reveal a pale straw coloured base that’s threaded by a very fine and persistent bead. Baked bread, pear and yeast lees aromas fill the nostrils with some citrus and quince notes also evident. Fine and elegant the palate features pear and citrus fruits over quince like characters. Racy, chalk tinged feel with vivid acidity lending tension to the refreshing finish.
Alc. 12%Other Reviews…..
A blend of mainly chardonnay (78%) with pinot noir/pinot blanc/pinot meunier. A multivintage blend with 6g/L dosage. Good complexity at this pricepoint with its gentle toastiness, a little citrus and marzipan. The palate is flavoursome and balanced, finishing nutty and dry.
92 Points
Philip Rich – James Halliday’s Australian Wine CompanionMade with the three traditional grape varieties of Champagne but with some added Pinot Blanc, 60% of the base wine coming from the 2018, 2019 and 2020 vintages. Lemon curd, green apple, white flowers, sea spray, pastry and cream. Yummo. The bubbles are fine and silky, and the mouthfeel and fruit are resonant. I enjoyed it immensely by itself but also drank it with a very large amount of cheese. For only $28 you’re getting some very tasty sparkling wine here.
93 Points
Brendan Black – WinePilot.com -
- 93
2022 Laroche Reserve ChardonnayFRANCE$29. 99Bottle$359.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2024-2026)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinBrilliant pale straw colour with highlights of green around the edges and a watery hue. Citrus and pear aromas are intermeshed with hints of dried honey, oyster shell and stony mineral notes. Pear, citrus and wet slate flavours carry a shapely river stone like feel with some flinty oyster shell like elements lingering through the back half. Dry with brisk acidity and a stony mineral laden finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 92
- 93
2023 Kumeu River Estate ChardonnayKumea River, NEW ZEALAND$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2024-2030)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinDrawn from six different vineyard sites in the Kumeu region this Chardonnay is 100% barrel and malo-latic fermented then matured for 11 months.
Brilliant pale straw colour with greenish tinged edges and a watery hue. Aromas of nectarine and citrus mix with biscuity oak, faint bees wax and gun flint. Fresh citrusy acidity underpins flavours of pear, lime and green apple with some delicate biscuit, bees wax and gun flint elements in the distance. Finishes dry with an elegant, saline energised aftertaste.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 12.5%Other Reviews….
This is fresh, crunchy and clean, with mineral and spice notes and plenty of salty undertones. Sliced lemons and apples. Medium-bodied with a fresh finish. Drink now. Screw cap.
93 Points
JamesSuckling.com -
- 91
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2024 Mayfield Vineyard Sophie’s Godmother Sauvignon BlancOrange, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA$27. 99Bottle$335.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2024-2026)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinBrilliant water like core with highlights of green around the outskirts. Aromas of tropical fruit and green apple are followed by some lime and fresh herb notes. Light and zippy, lime and green apple fruits meld into a fresh herb and wet stone infused back drop. Finishes dry with brisk acidity and an elegantly refreshing aftertaste.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 12.5% -
- 93
2024 Heirloom Vineyards Sauvignon BlancAdelaide Hills, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$23. 99Bottle$287.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 1 Years (2024-2025)ABV: 11.5%Closure: StelvinBrilliant water like colour with a faint tinge of green around the edges. Pungent passionfruit aromas leap from the glass trailed by some ripe gooseberry, lime, green apple and faint grassy notes. A bounty of passionfruit and tropical fruit flavours decorate the palate with some lime, green apple and subtle herbaceous characters lying underneath. Crisp acidity finishing long and mouth watering.
Drink over the next year.
Alc. 11.5% -
- 92
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2021 Second Nature ShirazMcLaren Vale, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$17. 99Bottle$215.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 4 Years (2024-2028)ABV: 14.5%Closure: StelvinTotally opaque black dark red colour with a dark red hue. Aromas of liquorice, dark plum and toasty vanillin oak move through the nostrils followed by some dried herb and peppered earth notes. Rich succulent liquorice and dark plum fruits fill the mouth with vanillin oak and peppered earth elements lying underneath. Fleshy mouth feel with polished tannins and bright acidity. Exuberantly juicy conclusion.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 14.5% -
- 92
- 93
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2023 Aunt Alice Night Sky Pinot NoirTasmania, AUSTRALIA$44. 99Bottle$539.88 DozenMinimum 12 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2024-2030)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinSemi translucent red colour with black toned edges and a vibrant red hue. Fragrant violet and clove scents sail out of the glass complimented by some red cherry rhubarb, brambly cedar, forest floor and spice notes. Light in body the palate has a savoury profile of red cherries, rhubarb, brambly earth, fresh herbs and spice. Fine grained tannins with an elegant mid length finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 12.5%Other Reviews….
Tamar Valley pinot noir, clones 667, D5V12, D4V2, 50% whole-bunch pressed to French oak, 10% new for nine months. It's a pretty-smelling little thing. All raspberries, wild strawberries and red cherries, it is. Cut with fine spice, amaro herbs, dried meats, a touch of undergrowth, wildflowers and a touch of toasty oak. Spacious and detailed with fine, chalky tannin and a minerally cadence, it is great drinking. Drink by 2033.
93 Points
Dave Brookes – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 92
- 92
2023 Airlie Bank Garden RedYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2024-2027)ABV: 12.5%Closure: StelvinA blend of Grenache, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir that underwent 100% whole bunch fermentation and maturation in seasoned French oak puncheons. Dark red core with black toned edges and a red to dark red hue. Ripe dark cherry and plum scents intermingle with dried herb, red liquorice and spice notes. Juicy cherry, plum and wild strawberry flavours overlay a red liquorice, pomegranate, fresh herb and spice back drop. Bright acidity and fine grained tannins finishing fresh fruity and spicy.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 12.5%Other Reviews….
A blend of grenache/petit verdot/cabernet franc/pinot noir and matured in older French puncheons. Instantly appealing with its lifted red fruits, mountain herbs and floral notes. Light to medium bodied, this well-priced, gently juicy yet still nicely structured wine is begging to be served very lightly chilled at your next outdoor gathering. Drink by 2026.
92 Points
Philip Rich – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion -
- 94
- Reduced
2023 Dalrymple Pinot NoirTasmania, AUSTRALIAReduced from $39.99$34. 99Bottle$419.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2024-2030)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinFruit was sourced from Dalrymple’s own vineyards at Pipers River and Coal River Valley along with growers in Swansea and Ouse. Utilising a variety of blocks, different clones and slightly different aspects each of these sites made its own unique contribution to the final blend. The cooler northern maritime location at Pipers River produces Pinot Noir that is focused and structured, while the Coal River Valley in the south adds texture and softness to the mid-palate. Five to twenty five percent whole bunches were included depending on the site and maturation took place in French oak barriques (20% new) for a period of 9 months.
Dark red core with black toned edges and a red hue. Wonderfully perfumed nose with aromas of violet, red to dark cherries, strawberries and subtle anise sailing out of the glass followed by notions of spicy cedar, forest floor and fresh herbs. Light, fresh and supple in its feel, delicious red cherry, strawberry and delicate rhubarb flavours move across the palate with forest floor, fresh herbs and spicy cedar lingering underneath. Polished tannins and bright acidity with the elegant, red fruited finish showing a savoury edge.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13.5%
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- 94
Distilleries de Provence Noix de la Saint Jean (Walnut) Aperitif (700ml)Provence, FRANCE$49. 99Bottle$599.88 DozenABV: 15%Made using nutmeg, clove, cinnamon and hand-crushed Dauphine green walnuts harvested at St John’s Day, this tasty provincial specialty is a vermouth-meets-ruby-port kind of aperitif that crosses categories. Deep, ruddy red to umber-brown in colour with earthy, bitter herbal notes pitched against ripe plums, riper red berries and walnuts (the latter lingering at the finish which takes a cue from bitters), Noix de la Saint Jean makes a moreish drinking experience on its own, but you can also pair it with chocolate, nut-based desserts and cheeses such as Roquefort, Blues, Stilton and Fourme d'Ambert. 15% Alc./Vol. Refrigerate after opening.
Notes from the importers.... Nose: On the nose, the dominant aroma is walnuts completed by a more spicy note of spice bread and dried fruit. Palate: On the palate, the aromas of this aperitif are marked by the walnut and nut stain subtly flattered by a spicy note of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Noix de la Saint-Jean is well balanced between acidity and sugars with a good volume on the palate. The astringency of this nut gives this aperitif a good lingering flavour. Its tannins are fine and not very dry at the finish.
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- 92
- 92
De Bortoli Sparkling Pinot Noir RoseYarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA$19. 99Bottle$239.88 DozenABV: 12%Closure: Diam CorkPours with an exuberant mousse which dissipates to reveal a damask pink tinged core that has a steady stream of bubbles coursing through it. Aromas of peach and strawberry mix with some baked bread, lees and delicate sherbet notes. Mouth watering pear and strawberry flavours carry an airy feel across the palate with notions of lees and raspberry also evident. Finishes dry with crisp, refreshing acidity and a nicely shaped conclusion.
Alc. 12%Other Reviews…..
Fizz made from Pinot Noir sourced from the Yarra Valley, parcels were fermented discretely and given five months on lees before the secondary fermentation. Dosage is seven grams/litre. A very pale orange pink with notes of florals, redcurrants and spices, with hints of cherries and strawberries. This is a gentle and delightfully elegant style of fizz, with a creamy texture that is finely balanced with a crisp finish. There is a chalky, minerally backing here with a lingering finish. Delicious drinking now and for the next couple of years. Drink 2024-2026.
92 Points
Ken Gargett – WinePilot.com -
- 95
2018 Nicks Secret BFD Barossa Cabernet SauvignonBarossa Valley, South Australia, AUSTRALIA$24. 99Bottle$299.88 DozenABV: 15%Closure: CorkOther Reviews.....
Solid and bold Barossa cabernet, packed with blackcurrants and cassis, met in full force by dense, dark chocolate oak. It holds itself with composure, thanks to a rigid mesh of impressively fine-grained tannins and well-pitched acidity, maintaining confidence and assurance through a long finish. Unashamedly Barossan yet unmistakably cabernet. Patience. Drink by 2038.
95 points
Tyson Stelzer - James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion - Martell Cordon Bleu Cognac (3000ml) - With Wooden CradleCognac, FRANCE$1499. 00Bottle$17988.00 DozenABV: 40%
Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product pictured.
Created according to Edouard Martell's own 'recipe' in 1912, this XO standard is something of a benchmark for many Cognac lovers. It's marked by a predominance of eaux-de-vie from the Borderies appellation, a 'lesser' terroir which has garnered well deserved prestige over the last few decades.Cellar Master, Christophe Valtaud, says of Cordon Bleu: "Here we have a unique Cognac in the XO category. Martell Cordon Bleau is endowed with beautiful complexity and rich aromas, making it a legendary Cognac. Its high proportion of Borderies marks this blend, expanding on its caramelized character with the smoothness of sweet spices, gingerbread, and roasted cocoa beans".
Other reviews...Bouquet is semisweet and prune-like; several minutes of aeration unleashes much deeper scents of honeydew melon, cantaloupe, roasted almonds and apple butter. The palate entry is full bodied, generous and sweet; at midpalate, the flavor profile turns satiny as scintillating tastes of black cherry, black coffee and Macadamia nut blanket the tongue. Aftertaste is extended, smoky and luscious. 90-95 points - wineenthusiast.com
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- 93
- Reduced
Andre Clouet Silver Brut Nature Grand Cru ChampagneChampagne, FRANCEReduced from $99.99$89. 99Bottle$1079.88 DozenABV: 12%Closure: CorkWhen it comes to Pinot Noir in Champagne, the grand cru villages of Bouzy and Ambonnay rank amongst the greatest in the region. And one of the most talented exponents from here is the Clouet family based in Bouzy. Champagne Andre Clouet have been producing Champagne for over two centuries, and under the guidance of Jean Francois Clouet the wines have never looked better. While his wines are exuberant and concentrated, Jean Francois manages to counter this with immaculate finesse and detail on the palate.
Silver Brut Nature is a rich yet elegant 100% Pinot Noir expression, bottled with Zero Dosage to highlight the wine's precision. It includes 35% reserve wines, with 10% of the maturation taking place in barrel.
Alc. 12%Other Reviews....
A bold and generous champagne for Brut Nature, the bone-dry finish mellowed by the ripe-apricot character, plus hints of toast and melted butter. Not super-elegant, perhaps, but gives a lot of pleasure and has entirely its own style. 100% pinot noir. Drink now.
93 Points
JamesSuckling.com -
- 94
2024 Maude Pinot GrisCentral Otago, NEW ZEALAND$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2024-2026)ABV: 13.5%Closure: StelvinFifty percent fermented in seasoned oak barrels to add body weight and texture this Central Otago Pinot Gris consistently delivers great value. Brilliant very pale straw, almost water like colour with a faint tinge of green around the outskirts. Intense pear, lychee and rosewater scents leap from the glass followed by some musk and honeysuckle notes. Luscious yet fresh and energetic, the palate is awash with pear and lychee fruit. Some distinct musk characters and infusions of rosewater lie in the background. Lively acidity enlivens the long dry to off dry finish.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 13.5% -
- 87
- Special Order Product – Delayed Dispatch
2022 Mount Riley Pinot NoirMarlborough, NEW ZEALAND$22. 99Bottle$275.88 DozenMinimum 6 bottlesCellar: Drink now - 3 Years (2024-2027)ABV: 13%Closure: StelvinSemi translucent red to dark red colour with black toned edges and a light red hue. Spicy dark to black cherry and anise aromas mix with toasty cedar and dried herb notes. Light in body and showing only moderate power, dark cherry and anise flavours meld into a toasty oak, dried herb and spice back ground. Slightly chalky tannins and bright acidity clip short the elegant finish.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 13% -
- 94
Bushmills 25 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey (700ml)County Antrim, IRELAND$1699. 00Bottle$20388.00 DozenABV: 46%An impressively old Bushmills that spent four years in bourbon and sherry casks before slumbering in an x-Port cask for twenty one years. Bottled at 46% without chill filtration, it will be Irish at its most decadent.
Other reviews... Spending 21 years in a first-fill ruby port cask has imbued this superb whiskey with firm, plump, and intense fruit flavors with layers of raspberry, black currant fruit pastilles, blackberry jelly, and peppercorn. Bushmills and port casks are a heavenly match, and this has a warm, enveloping fruitiness on the tongue, with raspberry, plum, cranberry sauce, a surge of clove and pepper, milk chocolate, and a dry finish. 94 points - whiskyadvocate.com
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- 92
2022 Joseph Faiveley Bourgogne Pinot NoirBurgundy, FRANCE$59. 99Bottle$719.88 DozenCellar: Drink now - 6 Years (2024-2030)ABV: 13%Closure: Diam CorkDomaine Faiveley is one of the biggest domaines in Burgundy with the fruit for this Bourgogne being sourced mainly from plots situated in Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune and Côte Chalonnaise.
Red to dark red core with black toned edges and a light red hue. Fragrant red cherry and red currant aromas mix with fresh herb, delicate spicy cedar and earth notes. Delicious red cherry, red currant and subtle winter strawberry fruits overlay a spicy cedar, earth and fresh herb infused back drop. Slightly dryish, fine grained tannins finishing with good freshness and a savoury conclusion that has an elegant feel.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 13%