The UK's No.1 Australian Wine Specialist

Stu's Top Sale Picks

Whites

Only 25 bottles remain

Massena Old Vine Semillon 2021

Stuart McCloskey “Wonderfully refreshing with gentle, phenolic grip (a little chalky). There’s an obvious mineral feel to the wine which I really enjoy. This is in a great place,  (lovely it is too)..."

Was £17.50
Now £13.50

Domaine Naturaliste Discovery Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2021

5 Star Customer Review “A really good blend.  It has the ripe fruit of sauvignon blanc with the semillon providing some lovely texture and sophistication.  Classy summer drinking (you'll have to go to another country for the summer though!)"

5 Star Customer Review “Light and floral but with a bit of depth from the semillon. An excellent wine with good balance and a long finish. I suspect this one might keep for a few years."

Was £16.50
Now £14.50

"Superb wine, incredibly controlled, tremendously complex... A brilliant, top drawer release."

JC's Own Morialta Chardonnay 2020

Stuart McCloskey “The bouquet is glorious and flows to a rich and moreish tune of stonefruit, spiced, poached apple & pear, honey, pineapple, oatmeal, almond, confit lemon and lime leaf. Glimmers of flint / minerals along with the faintest whiff of struck match. The palate opens to ripe citrus and cooling stone fruits. Minerality and freshness aplenty along with textural grip from chalk and flint. There’s a briny edge which I really like. Wonderfully mouth filling, unctuous, whilst cleansing at the same time. Superb wine, incredibly controlled, tremendously complex, but and very much like the man behind the wine, in a quiet way. A brilliant, top drawer release. Drinking now (decant for 30 mins) to 2030. Served using Zalto Burgundy glassware.”

Was £27.95
Now £22.95

"This is a grown-up style of Sauvignon Blanc – Silken, briny, a touch of tonic bitterness, grippy and all served with intelligent sensitivity. Glorious today..."

Greywacke Wild Sauvignon 2014

Stuart McCloskey “A glorious example that shows New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc (the better, alternative style) in the best light. One-of-a-kind style which is unique and so, so pleasing. 10-years-on, the bouquet is incredibly detailed and multifaceted. Tarragon, elderflower, gooseberry, blackcurrant, candied lime zest, apricot, layers of minerality and salt – incredibly compact, wonderfully cooling and supremely fresh. Who would have thought this was ten-years of age. Equally, the palate displays vitality and shows no signs of withering anytime soon. Textural – I love the phenolic grip. Supremely complex and powerful, but far from clumsy. Lots of palate volume – lip smacking freshness, too. This is a grown-up style of Sauvignon Blanc – Silken, briny, a touch of tonic bitterness, grippy and all served with intelligent sensitivity. Glorious today and will continue to evolve for a further 5-8 years. Perfect, New World Sauvignon Blanc. Served using Zalto Universal glassware.”

Was £35.00
Now £29.95

"I doff my cap to the sheer quality - this oozes complexity and varietal purity."

Lange Estate Providence Road Chardonnay 2021

Stuart McCloskey "An ever-improving Chardonnay which is drinking much better than in November ’22. I doff my cap to the sheer quality - this oozes complexity and varietal purity.
Top notes of Meyer lemon, grapefruit, lime, stone fruits, fresh ginger, and a waft of salty sea spray. Minerality and more citrus continue to develop with aeration. I suggest using Zalto's Burgundy glassware (or similar) as this wine benefits from a big bowl. Noticeably linear in style however, the wine is beginning to fill out with textural richness. Slippery on the palate which creates a seductive, textural edge to the palate feel. Salinity and stone fruits vie for attention - crackles of acidity keep the wine super-clean, juicy and fresh. The flavours fade slowly – excellent length.  All-in-all, an excellent Chardonnay that will continue to drink beautifully for the next five years. Tremendous value."

Was £17.50
Now £13.25

"The finish is racy and super long… A wonderful Chardonnay that speaks of its surroundings."

Shadowfax Midhill Chardonnay 2019

97-98 Points - Stuart McCloskey “The bouquet is explosive but does require a little aeration (30 minutes in a decanter will do the job nicely). Lemon oil, citrus, limestone and chalk aplenty – it’s so fresh and taut (the zippy acidity really crackles), which are all terroir indicators referencing this wine’s elevated (550m) site in the Macedon Ranges. The palate feel, fruit, structure and acidity are all in harmonious chorus. Similar to the bouquet, the palate strides forward with citrus in abundance – almost lip smacking. The texture is deeply satisfying with satiny ribbons of lemon curd and Yuzu. The vineyard was planted back in 1993 which aids the wine’s tremendous concentration. The finish is racy and super long… A wonderful Chardonnay that speaks of its surroundings. One for the cellar and I very much look forward to revisiting the wine over the coming years. Drink now to 2035. Served using Zalto Bordeaux glassware.”

Was £34.95
Now £26.00

"Pure, precise, detailed and simply, darn right delicious."

Nocturne Wines Sub Regional Chardonnay 2021

Stuart McCloskey "From An Ugly Duckling Into A Swan: I struggled with this when she first arrived – too tight, too mean and if I dare say, far too ordinary. By chance or mistake I recently opened a bottle at home and was genuinely gobsmacked by the transformation, the shape, the form, and most importantly, the flavour…
The bouquet is epic and immensely pleasing – grapefruit, waxy citrus, finger lime, oodles of buttered / honeyed orchard fruits, poached, spiced pear along with orange oil. The palate is ample, the fruit is fleshy (a touchy pithy) and supported by lively acidity. Wonderful length which shows its quality.  Pure, precise, detailed and simply, darn right delicious. This will work a treat with smoked fish. Mistakenly served using Zalto universal glassware which I haven’t changed. Delightful now, but this will be perfect in 3-5 years. Perfect for a hot summers’ day, 2026."

Was £24.00
Now £17.95

Reds

"The palate is sensual, supremely elegant, and without one single flaw."

Standish The Relic Shiraz Viognier 2018

100 Points - Stuart McCloskey "The perfume is incredibly complex and difficult to pin down. Certainly exotic, super-intense and fills your olfactory senses with one hell of a wave of dark red / blue fruits (black raspberry liqueur) sweet spices and a wild-floral character. The palate is sensual, supremely elegant, and without one single flaw – far too moreish making returning the glass to the tasting table very difficult indeed. The fruit saturates your palate, but and from the very first sip, the level of poise is breathtaking. Less powerhouse and more ethereal brilliance. Deeply impressive and perhaps my favourite out of the collection. Decanted for 3.5 hours and served with Zalto Bordeaux glassware. Drinking window from 2020 to 2050++."

Was £71.50
Now £61.50

"At this price, this delivers the complete package – a real jewel…"

Utopos Shiraz 2019

98 Points - Stuart McCloskey “I love the colour – midnight aubergine if I were designing a colour for Farrow & Ball. The bouquet has obvious similarities to my first note. The brooding character is unquestionably the charm. If I am being honest, it is difficult to encapsulate into words – lots of hand movements but the words have obviously left me. I find the aromatic conundrum utterly fascinating – I could spend an entire day swirling and sniffing. I am drawn to the ocean with warmed oyster shell, sea kelp, ocean spray, all working harmoniously with Indian ink and graphite. Über sophisticated and undoubtedly showing better than my February sample. The palate provides all the classic Barossa signatures – perhaps with a touch of amplification without, and I stress, any clumsiness. The palate feel is sensual, but it does take time to discover (I suggest a long decant of at least 6-8 hours). Contrary to my original note, I do not believe this is to be ‘opulently hedonistic.’ Yes, the fruit is ripe (as are the tannins) but it’s the coiled tension which provides an intellectual perspective along with lots of ‘energy’. The length is astonishing with touches of spice entering minutes later. At this price, this delivers the complete package – a real jewel…. Drinking from now to 2040+. Ideally, tuck a case away for 10-15 years. Keep the other case available and sample a bottle every 2-3 years.” 

Was £34.95
Now £29.95

Larry Cherubino Uovo Cabernet Touriga 2021

Stuart McCloskey - “The bouquet is simply gorgeous and invites you in to rose petal, violet, blackberry, tobacco, lead pencil, earth, black olive, new leather, sweet anise and alpine herbs. The palate is wonderfully ripe and succulent, yet perfectly balanced. You’ve got to love the texture – plush, evolving, juicy and ripe. Acidity quenches and sets the palate up for more. I don’t believe this wine attempts to be the most complex, but and in anyone’s language, this is outright delicious, incredibly moreish, fresh and satisfying. For the price, it ticks all my boxes. Impressive. Very impressive. Drink now to 2030. Served using Zalto Bordeaux glassware.”

Was £20.50
Now £17.75

"Pure and simple, this is an outstanding wine with so much personality."

Glaetzer-Dixon Mon Pere Shiraz 2018

98 Points - Stuart McCloskey “The bouquet is a wild ride of hedgerow berries, plum, sweet, smoky spice, fresh alpine herbs, pepper, a real sense of vivacity provided by the deep aroma of blood orange. Violet, liquorice and woodsmoke finish off the masterpiece. The palate is vibrant, hedgerow fruits (cranberry too) are in abundance along with blood orange. Freshness is also provided aplenty– it’s chiselled and on-point. Pure and simple, this is an outstanding wine with so much personality (and an individual one at that). Wonderfully fresh and spicy. Characteristically, this leans a little towards Pinot Noir rather than Shiraz although, a little meaty, garrigue funk is emerging… There’s no doubting this wine will age, yet it’s absolutely delicious and ready to be enjoyed today. A special wine crafted with intelligence and gentle hands. Outstanding, in a word. Drink now to 2035. Served using Zalto Bordeaux glassware.”

Was £42.50
Now £36.50

"You literally sink into the glass – texturally, it’s akin to nestling into a velvet sofa."

John's Blend Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Stuart McCloskey “The bouquet reveals calming, and cooling waves of sea kelp, Indian ink, graphite, cassis, liquorice, violet and blackberry pastille, blueberry, raspberry and florals from dried rose petal. There’s a wonderful ‘marine’ influence which really gets me going. The flavours: You literally sink into the glass – texturally, it’s akin to nestling into a velvet sofa. The fruit is sweet, plush and highly addictive – the flavours fan out and cover every facet with crème de cassis, mulberry, blackcurrant, plum and vanilla – oh my word. This will seriously appeal to all those seeking a wine that delivers on the ‘sensual’ side – there isn’t one grain out of place. Wonderful length. Plush and incredibly delicious. You would be wrong if you believe this wine to be OTT. Far from it – wonderful contraction but there’s a lightness too. This is ripe and ready for drinking now but has the quality and structure to age in the cellar for at least a decade. It will be fascinating to see the development in 5-8 years when I feel it will be hitting its stride. Decant for 3-4 hours. We served on the cooler side of room temperature which I recommend. Lovingly consumed using Zalto Bordeaux glassware.” 

Was £33.00
Now £25.00

"Hands down my favourite Grenache and I am utterly stupid for not buying more."

Gemtree Wines Small Batch Grenache 2019

97-98 Points - Stuart McCloskey “Unquestionably, the sexiest Grenache bouquet which I have come across for a very long time. The profusion of aromatics is heady, heavenly with a wonderous exotic twist of juniper, mint, clove, raspberry and sweet spice – spiced blood orange with a little more aeration. The floral bouquet is something rather special but difficult to pin down at this stage. As a whole, the bouquet invites you in like a temptress – it’s impossible not to be seduced! The palate is equally alluring with ribbons of sweet, soft fruit which cascade effortlessly and naturally. The tannins are willowy and the acidity juicy. The flavour profile is akin to the bouquet with a little salinity and savouriness in the background. Hands down my favourite Grenache and I am utterly stupid for not buying more – what on earth was I thinking? This is so charming, sexy and really doesn’t require more than an hour in a decanter. It will cellar, but from a point of intrigue alone as this beauty is ripe and ready now. Served using Zalto Bordeaux glassware. Drink now to 2025+”

Was £30.95
Now £22.95

"So suave – more of a seductive charmer, which makes for a perfect winters' partner."

Pegasus Bay Aged Release Pinot Noir 2013

Stuart McCloskey "As Burgundian a Kiwi nose will ever achieve – Iron, rose petal, pomegranate, violet, redcurrant, mint, aromatic spice, liquorice, smoky minerality, dried mushroom, truffle, earth, dried orange skin, menthol and undergrowth. A real sense of aged autumn in a glass. Classic Pinot, that’s for sure… The palate is silky, tactile and immensely enjoyable. I can see me sitting down with a fire, goose breast, red cabbage and the entire bottle. Wonderfully refined, the tannins are svelte and melt away. Lots of minerality… Flavours build slowly. So suave – more of a seductive charmer, which makes for a perfect winters' partner. It’s certainly showing its pedigree. I am smitten and look forward to enjoying a bottle over the Christmas break. Outstanding and released at the optimum time. Served using Zalto Burgundy glassware (no need to decant). Drink now to 2026." 

Was £41.50
Now £35.50

Ata Rangi Martinborough Pinot Noir 2019

98 Points — Nick Stock, James Suckling.com 
A complex wine from the outset with gently reductive notes and modern oak spice threading into fresh cherry, spiced bread, rose, forest wood and blood orange, as well as darker cherry notes. The palate tells the full story. This displays real power and definition with clear-cut and powerful tannins. The intensity of the red-cherry fruit is impressive and the way it occupies the finish with length and uplift is the thing that defines great pinot noir per se. Strong vintage. Drink over the next decade. 

Was £61.95
Now £54.50

Ata Rangi Martinborough Pinot Noir 2020

98 points – James Suckling "A beautiful nose of sliced strawberries, crushed cherries, violets, grated nutmeg and a hint of white pepper. Some hibiscus, too. Supremely vibrant and perfumed with fine tannins that run the length of the medium-bodied palate. Textural. Ground spice and fresh fruit are intertwined, providing wonderful depth and complexity. So long as well. Seamless balance. Superb."

Was £64.20
Now £57.95

"Exceedingly good and yet again, provides lots of wine for the money."

Lange Estate Fifth Generation Shiraz 2021

Stuart McCloskey "Vintage variation is on show and proves Australian wine isn’t a one trick pony. The bouquet unfurls to cherry pie, the sweetest raspberry, blueberry, sweet spice, mint-chocolate, bay leaf, fresh pencil shaving, leather and warm earth. Seaweed too, but more aeration is required to coax this fragrance out.  Characterised as ‘medium-bodied’ however, it packs a flavourful punch. Dense, ripe, red and black fruits (too numerous to reference – I love the cloak of anise). There’s lovely shape and form to the wine – the tannins are slender and the acidity thoughtfully delivered. Juicy and delicious being two of the best attributes. A sweet / sour plum compote is the final act.  Exceedingly good and yet again, provides lots of wine for the money. Drink now to 2030+. Decanted for an hour and served using Zalto Bordeaux glassware." 

Was £24.50
Now £19.50

Coulter Wines Sangiovese Cabernet 2021

Stuart McCloskey “Inspired by the great Sangiovese & Cabernet Sauvignon blends of the old world and the first super-premium offering under the Coulter label. The perfume soars with exuberance – wonderfully attractive. Sweet spices provide a warming hug to the plush, ripe fruit (black cherry, raspberry, blueberry and pomegranate). Liquorice moves to cedar, to mint and onto violet and rose petal florals. Sage and rosemary provide a lovely backdrop as does the zip from zesty blood orange. The palate has the sweetest entry which glides to cheek-puckering freshness. Nicely done… The palate feel is silky, fleshy (luxurious I suppose) whilst retaining lots of freshness. Tell-tale blood orange provides sculptured perkiness. Highly attractive. I could see myself enjoying a bottle during a spring afternoon in the sun. Drink now through to 2030. Served using Zalto Bordeaux glassware (just as lovely in the Burgundy glass.”

Was £30.95
Now £25.95

"A frisky delight…"

Aylesbury Estate Q05 Tempranillo 2021

Stuart McCloskey "The bouquet grows to spiced red fruits, violet, soused cherry, cola, Campari-like bitters, wood and orange zest. Black olive, anise, leather and fresh, black pepper develop with more aeration. The palate is firm and wonderfully refreshing. The spiced fruit (raspberry, cherry and orange) provide a real prickly tang – a vigorous shake down, if you like… This is never going to win awards or huge scores however, this is crafted to provide vibrancy and bucket loads of fun (albeit with a touch of seriousness). The sweet spice and salinity tick all my boxes. Why serve expensive rosé when you can put this on ice for 10-minutes and wow not only yourself, but all your guests too. I’m left doffing and bowing. A frisky delight…"

Was £19.95
Now £15.50

Chateau Montlandrie 2015

17+ Points - Matthew Jukes “The aroma here is sublime with the oak is already fully integrated into the mass of red fruit. As always this is a tannic beast and it will require eight to ten years to soften but the perfume suggests that it will be beautiful when it gets there. I am normally a little sceptical about Montlandrie, but in 2015 it is a success.”

Was £24.95
Now £21.00

JC's Own Morialta Pinot Noir 2020

Jaysen Collins - "I spent a few years living in the eastern foothills of Adelaide and would regularly grab a beer at the pub at the top of the hill, watching the sunset move across the city to the coast. I used to pass a newish vineyard on the way there, but never gave it much notice. Now twenty years later, after seeking out a new pinot vineyard in the Adelaide Hills, I found myself back at the same pub after sampling or picking grapes at this vineyard. A little full circle moment for me.

Leading up to harvest, I had been ruminating on a style of medium bodied pinot that reflected the vivid intensity the sun gives shimmering off the ocean. I always chase brightness in wines, so high altitude fruit suits this as a start – box ticked. I had imported a few concrete fermenters for the clarity and energy they give to Grenache. As Grenache ripens after Pinot, I had a chance to ferment this wine in cement, to see if it would give the same vitality. The style is pretty much as I intended - is it the vineyard, is it the fermenter – a bit of both? Pull a cork and decide for yourself."

Was £26.95
Now £22.95

Many clearance wines are down to the last few bottles.

When they're gone, they're gone for good...

Only 17 bottles remain

Domaine Naturaliste Purus Chardonnay 2021

97 points – Gold Award, James Halliday “The glittering green hue is a pointer to what is to come. Complex barrel ferment aromas bring crushed cashew and a funky wreath of blanched almonds into play. It is the brightest and quicksilver-lightest on its feet of the three chardonnay siblings, with fantastic length and perfect balance”

Was £33.95
Now £29.95

97-Points, Erin Larkin - 9 bottles remain

Thistledown Where Eagles Dare Single Vineyard Shiraz 2020

97 points - Erin Larkin, RobertParker.com “The fruit for the 2020 Where Eagles Dare Shiraz is from the Matchoss Vineyard in the Eden Valley. One assumes the title refers to the great elevation at which this vineyard is situated; 550 meters above sea level is a commanding perch. The dirt up there is pink quartz pressed into ironstone, and it's compacted into all the dirt roads you care to drive down. It's a beautiful thing, actually. Aromatically, the wine offers up sumac, biltong and mulberries with a graphite, crushed lead-pencil character. The wine is minerally and layered with black tea, spring flowers, red apple skins and a raft of forest berries. Really smart, and a decant is going to open this up untold.”

Was £41.50
Now £35.95

Sadly, a one-off gem and not to be repeated – our last 25 bottles

Glaetzer-Dixon Tasmania Nouveau Chardonnay 2019

"The texture is silken and flavours ripe, which translates to immediate enjoyment... the way the flavours fan out on the finish is such a joy. The savoury style adds a further level of complexity… Outstanding."  

Was £23.50
Now £17.50

Our last 10 bottles

Glaetzer-Dixon Uberblanc Riesling 2019

"Unquestionably, the best, young Aussie Riesling I have ever sampled and certainly a step-up from the previous vintage. Utterly gorgeous."  

Was £20.95
Now £16.95

Last Bottle - 99 Points

Vina Cobos Chanares Estate Malbec 2018

99 Points - James Suckling “Blackberries, ink and blueberries with black-tea and bark undertones. Full-bodied with density and richness that is well framed with beautiful, round and polished tannins and a seamless texture. Goes on for minutes. Try after 2026, but already great.” 

Was £72.50
Now £62.00

MMAD Vineyard Blewitt Springs

Huge scores / low stocks / great prices…

Final three, 100 Point Magnums

JJ Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldkap 2019 (Magnum)

100 Points - James Suckling "Welcome to one of the most beautiful faces of the Mosel. Essence of yellow fruit, from peach through mango to papaya. So concentrated, yet so vibrant and so pristine with such a mind-boggling number of nuances that your nervous system is pushed to the limit, in the nicest possible way. The generous sweetness is already well integrated, but this is made for the many decades to come. Drinkable now, but better from 2025."

Was £192.50
Now £165.00

SAVE £9.45 per bottle

After Five Wine Co Single Vineyard Grenache 2018

James Halliday's Wine Companion "From the Zerk vineyard at Lyndoch. An almost ethereal bouquet, displaying aromas of raspberry, rose perfume and sweet vanillin spice. Rich and easy drinking (in a positive way) on first impression, there's depth and dimension to the flavour and texture which builds in the mouth and develops further as the wine breathes. High quality for now or later."

Was £28.95
Now £19.50

Sale Ends

9.00am Monday 29 January

Now accepted by The Vinorium