Australia
Australia
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(1x75cl) 2015Vinous (95)
Opaque, bright-rimmed purple. Intense blackcurrant, cherry pie, pipe tobacco and incense aromas are lifted by suave lavender and smoky mineral flourishes. Stains the palate with bitter cherry, cassis and fruitcake flavors that are braced by a core of zesty acidity and given a spicy edge by a snap of black pepper. Shows outstanding definition and impressive depth and finishes extremely long, with powerful dark fruit thrust, smooth, slow-mounting tannins and a whiplash of candied violet.Inc. VAT£122.00 -
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.Inc. VAT£487.18 -
Vinous (95)
Saturated violet. Spice-accented cherry, cassis and licorice aromas show fine detail and a smoky mineral topnote emerges as the wine opens up. Vibrant blackberry and bitter cherry flavors are supported by a core of zesty acidity and become sweeter and deeper on the back half. Smoothly melds depth and vivacity and finishes juicy and extremely long, with mounting tannins and lingering dark fruit and licorice qualities.Inc. VAT£477.58 -
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. VAT£493.18 -
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. VAT£457.18 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (98)
Dark plum colour, intense with a kick of smoky oak. A wine that showcases the concentration and spice to an Australian Shiraz even without any new oak, puts the focus on aromatics, fragrant grilled cumin, rose petal, black olives, baked spice and grilled herbs. Just awesome - but don't approach yet, this honestly could do with six or seven years to even rev up to the starting blocks. Tasted during the September Releases, and also at an incredible vertical held in Paris back in January that more than showed how St Henri can hold its own and improve for decades. Peter Gago chief winemaker.Inc. VAT£446.98 -
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. VAT£862.32 -
Halliday Wine Companion (99)
72% Tasmania (predominantly Central Highlands and Coal River Valley, with a little Derwent Valley), 22% Tumbarumba (for minerality and linearity), 6% Adelaide Hills (for richness); matured eight months in 60% new French oak barriques. An ultra-cool climate blend of Tasmania, Tumbarumba and Adelaide Hills fruit wastes no time in setting the terms of engagement with a wine of infinite class. The flinty/smoky aromas introducing an almost painful intensity on the mercurial palate, a celebration of white-fleshed stone fruits. It has made light work of 8 months in 100% new French oak. Struts its stuff without a care in the world.Inc. VAT£605.89 -
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. VAT£782.66 -
(6x75cl) 2022Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (98)
Grip, tension and pleasure spring to mind as soon as you get onboard with this wine. So much depth and confidence on display, with a slate, gunsmoke and cold ash wave that offsets the rich citrus fruit, all laced with sage, lemongrass and white tea. Tom King director, Peter Gago chief winemaker.Inc. VAT£704.66 -
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. VAT£418.40 -
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. VAT£454.40 -
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. VAT£163.67 -
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. VAT£126.19 -
The Peter Lehmann Stonewell Shiraz 2008 is a riveting fusion of intense flavours and elegance, showcasing the enduring prowess of the Australian Barossa Valley vineyards. Produced by respected wine artisan, Peter Lehmann, this label hails from vineyards over 30 years old, embodying the rich heritage and quality of the region. The wine's creation method foregrounds traditional wine-making principles - handpicked, meticulously destemmed and crushed, followed by open fermentation and maturation in new French oak hogsheads. Deeply garnet in colour, it unfurls an opulent bouquet of dark chocolate, liquorice, and ripe blackberries, graduating into a long, velvety finish. The Peter Lehmann Stonewell Shiraz 2008 offers an outstanding exemplification of premium Barossa Shiraz, with its multi-layered complexities and remarkable ageing potential. A truly exquisite wine, awaiting the discernment of the contemporary connoisseur.
Inc. VAT£365.15 -
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. VAT£193.46 -
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. VAT£169.46 -
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. VAT£139.84 -
(6x75cl) 2022Matthew 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. VAT£110.66 -
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. VAT£199.84 -
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. VAT£1,006.75 -
(6x75cl) 2012Experience the sophisticated depth and refinement of Ring Bolt Cabernet Sauvignon 2012. Handcrafted in the globally renowned Margaret River wine region, Western Australia, this vivacious 2012 vintage encapsulates the area's coastal temperate climate and distinctive gravelly loam soil, to deliver unparalleled quality. Produce of meticulous winemaker Peter Gambetta, the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are carefully harvested, before undergoing the time-honoured Bordeaux-style vinification process. The end result is a wine that seamlessly captures a bold, powerful profile on the nose, brimming with ripe fruit, complemented by supple tannins and rich, integrated oak nuances in the palate.
From its robust ruby hues to its satisfyingly long finish, the Ring Bolt Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 exhibits a perfect harmony of strength and elegance. A crowning achievement from Ring Bolt winery, it promises to uplift your fine wine collection and enchant the discerning connoisseur.
Inc. VAT£236.69 -
(6x75cl) 2008Halliday Wine Companion (95)
Strong red-purple; right in the mainstream of the Rockford Basket Press style, with blackberry, plum and a hint of mocha driving the bouquet, and the smooth, supple palate; you absolutely know the wine is idling along, unused power under the bonnet; perfect balance and structure.Inc. VAT£1,024.78 -
(6x75cl) 2009
Crafted in the Barossa Valley, the Rockford Basket Press Shiraz 2009 exemplifies Australia's quintessential wine-making prowess. Its grapes are harvested from old, dry-grown Barossa vineyards and, going beyond the norm, hand-picked by local growers. The heritage technique of basket pressing employed in producing this vintage is a painstaking Rockford tradition, yielding a refined intensity that distinguishes it from its contemporaries.
A favourable 2009 vintage lent it a profound depth and complexity, with a mature nose of plum, blackberry, and spice interlaced with hints of mocha and vanilla. Bedecked in brooding purple, this Shiraz stands out for its sensuous mouthfeel, presenting a symphony of dark fruit notes expertly balanced with nuances of oak and a delightfully long finish.
Aged to perfection, this liquid treasure by Rockford, an iconic boutique winery, encapsulates their commitment to maintaining the integrity of regional and varietal characters. A treat for the discerning oenophile, the Rockford Basket Press Shiraz 2009 is a delectable testament to traditional winemaking at its finest.
Inc. VAT£975.20 -
Delighting the palate with elegance and class, the Rockford Rifle Range Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 exudes craftsmanship only found in esteemed Australian wineries. This superb wine is meticulously produced in the Barossa Valley, an internationally recognised region celebrated for creating exquisite Cabernet Sauvignon. Rockford, the producer, is renowned for preserving traditional winemaking methods, established over generations.
The 2019 vintage is a masterful blend of intensity and refinement. Its captivating bouquet carries the alluring scent of blackberries, complemented by a delicate hint of forest floor. The palate is rewarded with a rich, complex array of ripe fruit flavours, underscored with subtle oak. A meticulous balance of tannins ushers in a persistent finish, meriting the expert craftsmanship that defines Rockford wines.
For connoisseurs in search of genuine quality and authenticity, look no further than the Rockford Rifle Range Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, a tribute to the timeless art of winemaking.
Inc. VAT£102.53 -
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. VAT£104.93 -
(12x75cl) 2005Wine Advocate (96)
The 2005 Shiraz “Heysen” is a blend of three vineyards. It was aged in 40% new French oak, 20% new American oak, and the balance neutral French. The nose reveals wood smoke, toast, game, bacon, blueberry, and blackberry. This leads to an opulent, complex, and intensely flavored wine which merits 6-8 years in the cellar. This lengthy wine will drink well through 2025.Inc. VAT£573.67 -
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. VAT£241.55 -
Halliday Wine Companion (96)
A beautiful grenache, clarity its watchword: colour, aroma, varietal expression and aftertaste. Perfumed red berries of every description flow through the light to medium-bodied palate where pomegranate is foremost in shaping mouthfeel and flavour. Irresistible now or in 10 years hence.Inc. VAT£263.98 -
(6x75cl) 2021James Suckling (99)
A gloriously detailed, focused and concentrated rendition of grenache, this has a punchy and energetically youthful stance. The nose has such fresh and vivid raspberries and boysenberries, together with some red plums, floral bursts and a gently sappy edge. Such pure fruit here. The palate has a smooth outer layer that glazes compact, fine and layered tannins seamlessly. Super-fresh finish with bright acidity. The fruit power here is supercharged. Drink or hold. Screw cap.Inc. VAT£247.24
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(1x75cl) 2015
Vinous (95)
Opaque, bright-rimmed purple. Intense blackcurrant, cherry pie, pipe tobacco and incense aromas are lifted by suave lavender and smoky mineral flourishes. Stains the palate with bitter cherry, cassis and fruitcake flavors that are braced by a core of zesty acidity and given a spicy edge by a snap of black pepper. Shows outstanding definition and impressive depth and finishes extremely long, with powerful dark fruit thrust, smooth, slow-mounting tannins and a whiplash of candied violet.In Bond£99.00 -
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£386.00 -
Vinous (95)
Saturated violet. Spice-accented cherry, cassis and licorice aromas show fine detail and a smoky mineral topnote emerges as the wine opens up. Vibrant blackberry and bitter cherry flavors are supported by a core of zesty acidity and become sweeter and deeper on the back half. Smoothly melds depth and vivacity and finishes juicy and extremely long, with mounting tannins and lingering dark fruit and licorice qualities.In Bond£378.00 -
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£391.00 -
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£361.00 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (98)
Dark plum colour, intense with a kick of smoky oak. A wine that showcases the concentration and spice to an Australian Shiraz even without any new oak, puts the focus on aromatics, fragrant grilled cumin, rose petal, black olives, baked spice and grilled herbs. Just awesome - but don't approach yet, this honestly could do with six or seven years to even rev up to the starting blocks. Tasted during the September Releases, and also at an incredible vertical held in Paris back in January that more than showed how St Henri can hold its own and improve for decades. Peter Gago chief winemaker.In Bond£352.50 -
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£700.00 -
Halliday Wine Companion (99)
72% Tasmania (predominantly Central Highlands and Coal River Valley, with a little Derwent Valley), 22% Tumbarumba (for minerality and linearity), 6% Adelaide Hills (for richness); matured eight months in 60% new French oak barriques. An ultra-cool climate blend of Tasmania, Tumbarumba and Adelaide Hills fruit wastes no time in setting the terms of engagement with a wine of infinite class. The flinty/smoky aromas introducing an almost painful intensity on the mercurial palate, a celebration of white-fleshed stone fruits. It has made light work of 8 months in 100% new French oak. Struts its stuff without a care in the world.In Bond£487.00 -
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£635.00 -
(6x75cl) 2022
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (98)
Grip, tension and pleasure spring to mind as soon as you get onboard with this wine. So much depth and confidence on display, with a slate, gunsmoke and cold ash wave that offsets the rich citrus fruit, all laced with sage, lemongrass and white tea. Tom King director, Peter Gago chief winemaker.In Bond£570.00 -
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£328.00 -
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£358.00 -
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£121.23 -
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£90.00 -
The Peter Lehmann Stonewell Shiraz 2008 is a riveting fusion of intense flavours and elegance, showcasing the enduring prowess of the Australian Barossa Valley vineyards. Produced by respected wine artisan, Peter Lehmann, this label hails from vineyards over 30 years old, embodying the rich heritage and quality of the region. The wine's creation method foregrounds traditional wine-making principles - handpicked, meticulously destemmed and crushed, followed by open fermentation and maturation in new French oak hogsheads. Deeply garnet in colour, it unfurls an opulent bouquet of dark chocolate, liquorice, and ripe blackberries, graduating into a long, velvety finish. The Peter Lehmann Stonewell Shiraz 2008 offers an outstanding exemplification of premium Barossa Shiraz, with its multi-layered complexities and remarkable ageing potential. A truly exquisite wine, awaiting the discernment of the contemporary connoisseur.
In Bond£285.00 -
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£144.00 -
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£124.00 -
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£100.00 -
(6x75cl) 2022
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£75.00 -
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£150.00 -
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£799.00 -
(6x75cl) 2012
Experience the sophisticated depth and refinement of Ring Bolt Cabernet Sauvignon 2012. Handcrafted in the globally renowned Margaret River wine region, Western Australia, this vivacious 2012 vintage encapsulates the area's coastal temperate climate and distinctive gravelly loam soil, to deliver unparalleled quality. Produce of meticulous winemaker Peter Gambetta, the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are carefully harvested, before undergoing the time-honoured Bordeaux-style vinification process. The end result is a wine that seamlessly captures a bold, powerful profile on the nose, brimming with ripe fruit, complemented by supple tannins and rich, integrated oak nuances in the palate.
From its robust ruby hues to its satisfyingly long finish, the Ring Bolt Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 exhibits a perfect harmony of strength and elegance. A crowning achievement from Ring Bolt winery, it promises to uplift your fine wine collection and enchant the discerning connoisseur.
In Bond£178.00 -
(6x75cl) 2008
Halliday Wine Companion (95)
Strong red-purple; right in the mainstream of the Rockford Basket Press style, with blackberry, plum and a hint of mocha driving the bouquet, and the smooth, supple palate; you absolutely know the wine is idling along, unused power under the bonnet; perfect balance and structure.In Bond£834.00 -
(6x75cl) 2009
Crafted in the Barossa Valley, the Rockford Basket Press Shiraz 2009 exemplifies Australia's quintessential wine-making prowess. Its grapes are harvested from old, dry-grown Barossa vineyards and, going beyond the norm, hand-picked by local growers. The heritage technique of basket pressing employed in producing this vintage is a painstaking Rockford tradition, yielding a refined intensity that distinguishes it from its contemporaries.
A favourable 2009 vintage lent it a profound depth and complexity, with a mature nose of plum, blackberry, and spice interlaced with hints of mocha and vanilla. Bedecked in brooding purple, this Shiraz stands out for its sensuous mouthfeel, presenting a symphony of dark fruit notes expertly balanced with nuances of oak and a delightfully long finish.
Aged to perfection, this liquid treasure by Rockford, an iconic boutique winery, encapsulates their commitment to maintaining the integrity of regional and varietal characters. A treat for the discerning oenophile, the Rockford Basket Press Shiraz 2009 is a delectable testament to traditional winemaking at its finest.
In Bond£792.00 -
Delighting the palate with elegance and class, the Rockford Rifle Range Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 exudes craftsmanship only found in esteemed Australian wineries. This superb wine is meticulously produced in the Barossa Valley, an internationally recognised region celebrated for creating exquisite Cabernet Sauvignon. Rockford, the producer, is renowned for preserving traditional winemaking methods, established over generations.
The 2019 vintage is a masterful blend of intensity and refinement. Its captivating bouquet carries the alluring scent of blackberries, complemented by a delicate hint of forest floor. The palate is rewarded with a rich, complex array of ripe fruit flavours, underscored with subtle oak. A meticulous balance of tannins ushers in a persistent finish, meriting the expert craftsmanship that defines Rockford wines.
For connoisseurs in search of genuine quality and authenticity, look no further than the Rockford Rifle Range Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, a tribute to the timeless art of winemaking.
In Bond£82.00 -
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£84.00 -
(12x75cl) 2005
Wine Advocate (96)
The 2005 Shiraz “Heysen” is a blend of three vineyards. It was aged in 40% new French oak, 20% new American oak, and the balance neutral French. The nose reveals wood smoke, toast, game, bacon, blueberry, and blackberry. This leads to an opulent, complex, and intensely flavored wine which merits 6-8 years in the cellar. This lengthy wine will drink well through 2025.In Bond£446.00 -
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£182.00 -
Halliday Wine Companion (96)
A beautiful grenache, clarity its watchword: colour, aroma, varietal expression and aftertaste. Perfumed red berries of every description flow through the light to medium-bodied palate where pomegranate is foremost in shaping mouthfeel and flavour. Irresistible now or in 10 years hence.In Bond£200.00 -
(6x75cl) 2021
James Suckling (99)
A gloriously detailed, focused and concentrated rendition of grenache, this has a punchy and energetically youthful stance. The nose has such fresh and vivid raspberries and boysenberries, together with some red plums, floral bursts and a gently sappy edge. Such pure fruit here. The palate has a smooth outer layer that glazes compact, fine and layered tannins seamlessly. Super-fresh finish with bright acidity. The fruit power here is supercharged. Drink or hold. Screw cap.In Bond£190.00
