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The UK's No.1 Australian Wine Specialist  Quickly selling out, the 2021 Aylesbury Estate Gamay was one of (if not ‘the’) best Aussie Gamay to pass my lips, which I am sure is a sentiment shared by those who snaffled a case or two. Interestingly, we have received more, ‘tell me when it’s back in stock’ notifications for this, than any other wine in our portfolio, which says an awful lot… We sampled the new collection and found no favour with the Gamay release. Stylistically, it delivered everything that Gamay should however, it lacked that indefinable quality of the previous release. Disappointed was an understatement, but that’s vintage variation for you… Regrettably, we pulled the plug on our pending order, which and from a winery perspective, isn’t great news, but it demonstrates that we only offer agency wines that we really love. Filling a price point is best left for others as we are in the game of delivering unwavering brilliance (at all price levels). By surprise (he says with a smidgeon of cynicism) 336 bottles of our beloved ’21 Gamay was found by the winery / taken off another order, which we snapped up along with 240 bottles of the new, 2022 Pater Chardonnay, another tremendous release. Aylesbury Estate has been a fantastic find – The wine quality is exemplary and the value unmatched (certainly, compared to everything we have sampled this year). I am pleased to see they made James Halliday’s Dark Horse finalists 2023 too, which aligns with our feelings. Ryan Gibbs, sixth-generation Gibbs family member, says being nominated for the 2023 Dark Horse Winery is, “humbling, and satisfying that the blood, sweat and tears are being recognised in our wines." Ordinarily, we would send the pallet directly to the bond however, it’s Christmas and the team and I have drunk every bottle we owned. For selfish reasons only, both wines are only available duty paid as there was no way LCB would land these beauties before Christmas.  "A sheer joy and one of the best value wines of 2023...Highly recommended is an understatement. There are no negatives..."  2021 QO5 GamayStuart McCloskey “The compliments are becoming rather embarrassing. In a nutshell, this is the best New World Gamay I have sampled / drunk in the last 27-years. In terms of price, this is seriously undervalued and puts many other Gamays / Pinot Noirs (they are cousins!) priced around the £25-£30 mark to absolute shame. The bouquet is an infusion of black cherry, brambly, hedgerow red fruits, sweet cinnamon, unmistakable blood orange which makes me skip with joy and sweet lavender. Aromatic subtleness concludes with fruit skins and earth. Today, this is thrilling to drink – the palate is another textural bomb (incredibly sensual). Fresh, fleshy, rich, expansive, silky and seamless are just a few descriptions. A sheer joy and joins one of the best value wines of 2023 (all from the same producer). Highly recommended is an understatement. Buy it and serve using Zalto’s Burgundy glassware (or a similar sized bowl). There are no negatives save for the fact that my glass has emptied far too quickly (no spitting allowed). Drink now to 2028.” £19.95 per bottle or Buy 6 bottles and pay £17.25 per bottle The NEW 2022 Pater Series Chardonnay "The magic happens on the palate as the weight and glossy texture amaze. Oily viscosity punctuated by ineffable weightlessness – mindboggling stuff."  2022 The Pater Series ChardonnayStuart McCloskey “Such a wonderful wine. A quick sniff followed by a sip, and you feel the undeniable quality. As per the previous release - the bouquet takes a little coaxing (I suggest a quick decant and do not overchill). With aeration, the bouquet develops to a wonderous melange of lemon meringue pie, spritzy lemon zest, freshly grated ginger, lemongrass, orange oil, custard and poached pears. The magic happens on the palate as the weight and glossy texture amaze. Oily viscosity punctuated by ineffable weightlessness – mindboggling stuff. Acidity strikes through the centre of the wine like a bolt of lightning. There’s a voluminous sense on the palate, yet in a laid-back style. Brilliant! Nothing forced is nothing gained. This is the difference between using farmed rather than wild fish… Yes, it costs more to be wild and natural. Yes, it costs more to select by hand however, the end result is one of pure beauty. The flavours and texture speak naturally – fleshier, solid and ooze with splendour. Serve with a whole side of wild sea trout cured with fennel and Pernod. Zalto Burgundy glassware being another great partner… Drink now to 2030+." £24.95 per bottle or Buy 6 bottles and pay £21.75 per bottle  The BEST Cabernet Sauvignon you will drink for under thirty quid... "This is a beautiful example of Western Australian Cabernet Sauvignon. Serve at a swanky supper and pretend you paid double the cost – you’ll get away with it."  2018 The Pater Series Cabernet SauvignonGold Medal | Geographe Wine Show 2021 Stuart McCloskey “Sampled over two days. The bouquet is a heady mix of red and black currant, blackberry, boysenberry, blueberry, dark chocolate, fresh toast, graphite, lavender and blackcurrant pastille along with fresh lead pencil shavings. Black olive, bay leaf, lavender, and floral notes emerge on day two. The palate is wonderfully fresh, firm, balanced and serious – I can feel myself sitting more upright prior to taking my next sample. The tannins and acidity provide the framework for extended cellaring (ten-years and more). This is a beautiful example of Western Australian Cabernet Sauvignon. I would strongly recommend buying a case – enjoy six bottles over the next 5-6 years and serve the rest at a swanky supper and pretend you paid double the cost – you’ll get away with it. Sheer enjoyment – just wonderful… Served using Zalto Bordeaux glassware.” £26.95 per bottle or Buy 6 bottles and pay £23.95 per bottle Also available in bond £103.75 per case (6x75cl) 8 cases remain "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…"  2021 QO5 TempranilloStuart 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…" £19.95 per bottle or Buy 6 bottles and pay £17.25 per bottle Also available in bond £70.25 per case (6x75cl) "This is delicious, especially at this price point...lots of flavourful satisfaction. It’s easy to appreciate the quality and easy to drink this all day long."  2019 Waterfall Gully Cabernet SauvignonStuart McCloskey “A thoroughly enjoyable sibling, which delivers a cracking set of aromas and flavours. This is delicious, especially at this price point. The bouquet opens to cassis, blackcurrant, brambly blackberry, a little chocolate and bay leaf. The palate is medium-bodied and the flavours roll with ease. I admire the freshness and the balance (very neat and tidy). There really isn’t anything not to like. Of course, this does not enter the realms of complexity, but it does provide lots of flavourful satisfaction. It’s easy to appreciate the quality and easy to drink this all day long. Drinking now through to 2026…” Erin Larkin, Halliday Wine Companion “This is a riotous feast of berry aromatics - it's so bright that it brings a smile to the dial. The palate follows as instructed, lending a crunchy nouveau vibe to the wine. Not strictly serious cabernet, but seriously joyful, with enough layers of interest to hold attention. Ripper.” £14.50 per bottle or Buy 6 bottles and pay £12.95 per bottle Also available in bond £97.45 per case (12x75cl)     |
