Mature Whites

93 Points - Stuart McCloskey

Less intense than both the ’02 and ’07, however the palate is well-balanced on the entry with fine citrus lemon, grapefruit and just a hint of spice. Good weight and quite linear towards the finish but great persistency. Drinking now.

** Offered in a Lanson presentation case ** 

98 Points - Stuart McCloskey "Fully mature as one would expect and all the better for it. The nose is incredibly inviting with lemon peel, orchard fruits, brioche, poached pear and finishes with deep honey notes with touches of caramel and Fino Sherry. Despite being practically 20-years of age, the palate is razor sharp, full of energy, broad and textural which are the hallmarks of great Grand Cru vineyards (Avize and Cramant). The wine offers an indescribable sense of completeness – Imagine spiced, poached pears melded with a brioche richness, paired with candied fruits and a killer thread of acidity. A Michelin Star pudding if this could be translated into a bowl… Dazzling and a highly addictive Champagne. Truly exceptional. Possibly disgorged November 2012 but that is not clear on the bottle. Served at warehouse temperature and using Zalto Universal Glassware."

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96 Points - James Halliday "Hand-picked, whole bunch-pressed, fermented in French oak (15% new), with natural mlf; 11 months in oak. Gleaming green-gold; the cashew/walnut complexity of the bouquet carries through to the palate, but here takes second place to its intense pink grapefruit core. Awesome second-tier wine."

Exclusive to The Vinorium

97 Points - James Halliday "This wine breaks all the accepted rules/wisdom. Hand-picked, whole bunch-pressed, barrel-fermented in used barrels; matured for 11 months with some lees stirring; once bottled it is held for 18 months' further maturation. Glowing straw-green; it is a truly remarkable wine, with rapier-like intensity and prodigious length to its display of nectarine, gooseberry and citrus before the flinty acidity on its finish. 280 dozen made."

17 Points - Julia Harding (JancisRobinson.com) "Winemaker Stuart Pym was founder/winemaker at Stella Bella. Importer Vinorium have snaffled all the Flowstone library stock. But volumes are very small. Extremely smoky and reductive – flinty more than struck match. Dog Point Section 94 style with excellent freshness and intensity. Drive and length and complexity in that reductive style and deliciously fresh on the long finish. Complex but no loss of vibrancy."

David Schildknecht (robertparker.com) "The Eyrie 2011 Chardonnay – harvested October 26 – is dominated by bright, juicy grapefruit and lime tinged with their piquant pips as well as with saliva-liberating salinity. Straight and penetrating as an arrow; amazingly buoyant (but then, there’s only 11.7% alcohol!); refreshing yet richly lees-inflected, this wine’s textural allure and length would be unlikely, I contend, in a Chardonnay that had not gone through malo-lactic conversion and whose malic acid was likely to coarsen and mask fruit and finer points. And anybody who imagines that this conversion is incompatible with a vivaciously and bracingly high acidity and low pH – not to mention with clarity of flavors – just needs to let the wine in question serve as a delicious counterexample! A streak of salinity serves to enhance the mouthwateringly sustained and invigorating finish. This outstanding value is apt to remain riveting through at least 2020 – a prognostication I venture with plenty of track record to back it up."

The aromas and flavours invoke impressions of ripe stone fruits, such as nectarines and peaches, supported by hints of tropical spices, passionfruit and lycees. There is a backbone of tangy lime- and lemon-like citrus fruits which add a zesty “nervosity”. It has a spine of minerality and crisp acidity which keep it tight-knit and focussed, drying out its lingering after-taste.

Stuart McCloskey "Stylish Sauternes from an outstanding vintage. At perfect maturity and awaiting the company of Stilton or Roquefort."

Indeed quite dry, as expected however, it’s super delicious and invigorates the palate. Minerality sings a beautiful tune and we adore the richness and creaminess which adds such balance.

18+ Points – Raymond Chan "Bright straw-yellow colour with pale green hues on edge, this has a softly fresh and full nose of concentrated, pure lime juices, white stonefruits and acacia florals, with richness and density. Dry to taste, the palate has elevated acidity providing raciness and zesty lime and apple-like flavours on a well-weighted palate with body, presence and concentration. The wine has very fine, smooth textures enlivened by the acidity which carries through to a sustained finish showing pure citrus fruit nuances. This should age well."

91 Points - Stuart McCloskey

Well-structured and concentrated with layers of fruit and an inner-core of minerality. Perhaps lacking the definition of the '99 but a delicious wine nonetheless. Drinking now.