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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Matthew Jukes (20++)
You have seen my MoneyWeek article above and this time that is all you are getting. This wine WILL feature in my 100 Best Australian Wines Report 2021-22, which WILL be released this year. Forgive me for the capitals, but I have had enough of this pandemic and so I am pressing on regardless. You already know my score, but here it is again and it certainly bears repeating. But before I type this perfect number again I would like to inform you that I tasted 450 bottles of 2020 En Primeur Bordeaux this year and I would, of course, love you to download this Report from this website. The reason for mentioning this is that none of them warranted a perfect score, so I hope that this underlines just how remarkable it is that The Caley has done this twice in five years and also, with an average of 19.6/20, this accounts for my lofty headline at the top of this article.Inc. VAT£551.58 -
The Real Review (99)
Good depth and hue of colour it's still purple-tinted at this age. The bouquet is fresh and bold, replete with forest-floor/mint and dried-herb nuances, while the palate is very powerful, concentrated, full-bodied and firmly constructed. Deep-set cassis fruit as well, still partially in hiding. This is a dense, power-packed cabernet-driven red with abundant tannins. Tremendously long finish. A magnificent wine, which has what it takes to age and reward cellaring for the long term. (80% Coonawarra cabernet, 20% Barossa shiraz)Inc. VAT£242.66 -
The Real Review (97)
Ink black core, deep ruby and purple tones into the rim. Heady nose of ripe mulberry, ironstone, anise and cedar shavings. The palate fills with plush blue and purple fruits, an instant realisation that many elements are in play, all melded with a seamless purity that impresses. Savoury notes of ferrous minerals, dark spices and mocha all build this wine up whilst fine, gravelly tannins ensure that intensity translates to a driven and incredibly long palate. This is just a pup but so approachable in its texture, will build even more as it ages.Inc. VAT£440.98 -
Vinous (96)
The 2015 The Signature cellar release is powerful yet understated with mulberry, blackberry and clove spice against a backdrop of beautifully integrated oak. This is rich, fleshy and still youthful, with a lovely even flow. Its fruit power and tension are still holding strong. The 2015 is getting close to its peak but has plenty left to give over at least a decade, if not two.Inc. VAT£367.18 -
James Suckling (96)
A very youthful vintage, this is taut and will age very well. Aromas of blackcurrants, tar, blackberries and baking spices lead to a palate that has such an intense, gently smoky thread with a succulent, juicy red-plum, berry and spice finish. Light espresso. Super long-aging Signature here. A blend of Barossa cabernet sauvignon and shiraz. Try from 2024.Inc. VAT£297.58 -
Inc. VAT£357.20 -
Halliday Wine Companion (97)
A stellar viognier. A wine that fans of the northern Rhone, such as myself, increasingly hold in great esteem. A complete understanding of the physiological tendencies of the variety is apparent: a salubrious texture. Unafraid of viscosity, weight and phenolics. Then, the aroma! Apricot, orange blossom, cumquat, honeysuckle and crystalline ginger. Long, slippery and yet not out of hand. A gentle chew and impeccable oak management reining it all in across the seams. Very fine.Inc. VAT£237.49 -
Inc. VAT£318.72 -
Halliday Wine Companion (96)
Sourced from a propitiously sited single plot, where sand meets ironstone. Sorted abstemiously following hand picking. Wild fermented on skins for 16 days. Élévage in a combination of new and older French puncheons, in addition to a 25L foudre following a barrel cull and blending. Density and pliancy, the calling cards. All offset by the juiciest red cherry-skinned tannins flecked with violet, blueberry, rose petal and spice, directing the fray. Tactile barely describes this, so moreish and conducive to the next glass, as it draws the saliva in preparation.Inc. VAT£108.53 -
James Suckling (100)
So plush with a mix of red and blue-fruit aromas on the nose, as well as blood-orange and almost violet-like floral notes. The palate is very plush and juicy with such a long, seamless and silky feel. Super intense and very, very plush with deep, deep rich fruit. Mouthwatering. Super long. Super rich.Inc. VAT£793.18 -
Halliday Wine Companion (95)
Relatively bright but light colour; a super-elegant, supple palate and spotless bouquet; natural acidity gives the wine its special brightness and length; new French oak and tannins play a pure support role to a classy wine which has tremendous length.Inc. VAT£757.00 -
Halliday Wine Companion (99)
Follows Bailey Carrodus's method of co-fermenting small amounts of viognier, marsanne adding floral notes, and mataro adding spice. It's another exquisite wine from '17, capturing all the senses immediately you assess the bouquet and palate. It's only just into medium-bodied territory, but it's mouthwatering in its intensity, red fruits flying high like a gaudy scarlet kite.Inc. VAT£123.72 -
Decanter (95)
Floral, mineral, complex bouquet of peach blossom, apple, herbs and stony almost silty minerals. A satin texture is contrasted by crisp acidity and a core melon, white peach and gooseberry fruit. Enticing and complete with a lick of sea salt, mineral and blossoms on the finish. Delicious and complete. Drinking Window 2021 - 2026Inc. VAT£153.49
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Matthew Jukes (20++)
You have seen my MoneyWeek article above and this time that is all you are getting. This wine WILL feature in my 100 Best Australian Wines Report 2021-22, which WILL be released this year. Forgive me for the capitals, but I have had enough of this pandemic and so I am pressing on regardless. You already know my score, but here it is again and it certainly bears repeating. But before I type this perfect number again I would like to inform you that I tasted 450 bottles of 2020 En Primeur Bordeaux this year and I would, of course, love you to download this Report from this website. The reason for mentioning this is that none of them warranted a perfect score, so I hope that this underlines just how remarkable it is that The Caley has done this twice in five years and also, with an average of 19.6/20, this accounts for my lofty headline at the top of this article.In Bond£450.00 -
The Real Review (99)
Good depth and hue of colour it's still purple-tinted at this age. The bouquet is fresh and bold, replete with forest-floor/mint and dried-herb nuances, while the palate is very powerful, concentrated, full-bodied and firmly constructed. Deep-set cassis fruit as well, still partially in hiding. This is a dense, power-packed cabernet-driven red with abundant tannins. Tremendously long finish. A magnificent wine, which has what it takes to age and reward cellaring for the long term. (80% Coonawarra cabernet, 20% Barossa shiraz)In Bond£199.00 -
The Real Review (97)
Ink black core, deep ruby and purple tones into the rim. Heady nose of ripe mulberry, ironstone, anise and cedar shavings. The palate fills with plush blue and purple fruits, an instant realisation that many elements are in play, all melded with a seamless purity that impresses. Savoury notes of ferrous minerals, dark spices and mocha all build this wine up whilst fine, gravelly tannins ensure that intensity translates to a driven and incredibly long palate. This is just a pup but so approachable in its texture, will build even more as it ages.In Bond£347.50 -
Vinous (96)
The 2015 The Signature cellar release is powerful yet understated with mulberry, blackberry and clove spice against a backdrop of beautifully integrated oak. This is rich, fleshy and still youthful, with a lovely even flow. Its fruit power and tension are still holding strong. The 2015 is getting close to its peak but has plenty left to give over at least a decade, if not two.In Bond£286.00 -
James Suckling (96)
A very youthful vintage, this is taut and will age very well. Aromas of blackcurrants, tar, blackberries and baking spices lead to a palate that has such an intense, gently smoky thread with a succulent, juicy red-plum, berry and spice finish. Light espresso. Super long-aging Signature here. A blend of Barossa cabernet sauvignon and shiraz. Try from 2024.In Bond£228.00 -
In Bond£277.00 -
Halliday Wine Companion (97)
A stellar viognier. A wine that fans of the northern Rhone, such as myself, increasingly hold in great esteem. A complete understanding of the physiological tendencies of the variety is apparent: a salubrious texture. Unafraid of viscosity, weight and phenolics. Then, the aroma! Apricot, orange blossom, cumquat, honeysuckle and crystalline ginger. Long, slippery and yet not out of hand. A gentle chew and impeccable oak management reining it all in across the seams. Very fine.In Bond£180.00 -
In Bond£247.00 -
Halliday Wine Companion (96)
Sourced from a propitiously sited single plot, where sand meets ironstone. Sorted abstemiously following hand picking. Wild fermented on skins for 16 days. Élévage in a combination of new and older French puncheons, in addition to a 25L foudre following a barrel cull and blending. Density and pliancy, the calling cards. All offset by the juiciest red cherry-skinned tannins flecked with violet, blueberry, rose petal and spice, directing the fray. Tactile barely describes this, so moreish and conducive to the next glass, as it draws the saliva in preparation.In Bond£87.00 -
James Suckling (100)
So plush with a mix of red and blue-fruit aromas on the nose, as well as blood-orange and almost violet-like floral notes. The palate is very plush and juicy with such a long, seamless and silky feel. Super intense and very, very plush with deep, deep rich fruit. Mouthwatering. Super long. Super rich.In Bond£641.00 -
Halliday Wine Companion (95)
Relatively bright but light colour; a super-elegant, supple palate and spotless bouquet; natural acidity gives the wine its special brightness and length; new French oak and tannins play a pure support role to a classy wine which has tremendous length.In Bond£595.00 -
Halliday Wine Companion (99)
Follows Bailey Carrodus's method of co-fermenting small amounts of viognier, marsanne adding floral notes, and mataro adding spice. It's another exquisite wine from '17, capturing all the senses immediately you assess the bouquet and palate. It's only just into medium-bodied territory, but it's mouthwatering in its intensity, red fruits flying high like a gaudy scarlet kite.In Bond£100.00 -
Decanter (95)
Floral, mineral, complex bouquet of peach blossom, apple, herbs and stony almost silty minerals. A satin texture is contrasted by crisp acidity and a core melon, white peach and gooseberry fruit. Enticing and complete with a lick of sea salt, mineral and blossoms on the finish. Delicious and complete. Drinking Window 2021 - 2026In Bond£110.00

