New Arrivals

98 Points - James Suckling

The aromatic layering here is impressive, where plenty of toasty, spicy, cinnamon-scented French timber is played into rich red and dark cherries as well as a brambly, undergrowth-like edge. Peppery moments and sweet, autumnal leafy notes lurk beneath. The palate's bathed in pitch perfectly ripened pinot fruits such as red and purple cherries, dark plums, blackberries and blueberries. The tannins are seductively fine and even, the acidity is bright, and this runs effortlessly along delivering concentrated fruit flavors amid nicely matched oak spices that warm up the expansive finish. A rare and certainly costly bottle of NZ pinot that delivers on the promise of pleasure and interest. Drink now through to 2025.

94 Points - James Suckling

The Old Weka Pass Road pinot from the 2013 vintage is very much reflective of the same DNA seen in the Bell Hill bottling from the same vintage, but only a lighter and more transparent rendering. It delivers redder cherry-fruit aromas, and is quite fragrant and pure, but less of the darker fruits and swanky oak-derived overtones. The palate's fine, elegant and focused with a core of bright and crunchy red cherries. Quite elegant and refreshing. The texture is chalky, supported by tannins that hold a linear shape and an almost crunchy edge. Drink now to 2020.

96 Points - James Suckling

One of the most complete and complex New Zealand chardonnays on release, this 2013 Bell Hill has beautifully judged reductive flintiness across grapefruit, peach and hazelnut aromas, not to mention lemon curd and wet stones. The palate's built around an arc of succulent and appealing acidity that draws concentrated fruit flavors in the lemon, grapefruit and peach spectrum long and even. A texturally flawless, great wine. Drink now to 2020+.

96 Points - James Halliday

Margaret River and Chardonnay go hand in hand, but the expressions of this variety across the region are many and varied. The Flowstone Queen of the Earth Chardonnay is from one tiny patch of vines in the southern reaches of the region.

96 Points - James Halliday

95 Points - James Halliday

Fruit off a Karridale single vineyard, the whole-berries pressed to old barriques and a (600l) demi-muid for 11 months with lees stirring. From that a wine that is palate-focused and free of the nervy pressures of immediacy has been created, says winemaker Stuart Pym. This is intensely flavoured, high-toned and complex: imagine crushed gravel, Chinese tea-smoke, and lemon verbena with crackling acidity yet texture galore.

95 Points - James Halliday 

50% shiraz, 48% grenache and 2% mourvedre, the shiraz crushed and destemmed for open fermentation, the grenache and the mourvedre were 100% whole bunch open-fermented and foot-stomped; the shiraz was pressed at 6 degrees baume to finish fermentation in used oak; matured for 7 months in used barriques and puncheons, 230 dozen made. Vivid crimson-purple colour beyond east coast shiraz grenache blends; the energy of the blaze of red fruits on the palate is utterly compelling, and creates the long finish and aftertaste, underlined by superfine tannins.

95 Points - James Halliday

75/25%, the shiraz crushed and destemmed for open fermentation, the grenache whole bunch and foot-stomped for 3 weeks, thence to barrel, the shiraz was pressed mid-ferment to barrel to complete its fermentation and 7 months' maturation. Has an utterly enticing array of berry flavours, spices and wild herbs, the latter helping to lift and cleanse the palate.

96 Points - James Halliday

From a dry grown vineyard in Wilyabrup, planted in the late '70s. Hand-picked, open fermented for 17 days then heads to French oak barriques for 3 years, and once bottled allowed to relax for 15 months. What a wine. Complex yet refined with florals, cassis and warm earth, full-bodied but long and pure with svelte tannins. Only 92 dozen made.

96 Points - James Halliday

From a dry grown vineyard in Wilyabrup, planted in the late '70s. Hand-picked, open fermented for 17 days then heads to French oak barriques for 3 years, and once bottled allowed to relax for 15 months. What a wine. Complex yet refined with florals, cassis and warm earth, full-bodied but long and pure with svelte tannins. Only 92 dozen made.

97 Points - James Halliday

From a dry-grown Wilyabrup vineyard planted late '70s, hand-picked, open-fermented, 17 days on skins, matured in used French oak for 3 years. Excellent colour; a suave Margaret River cabernet with all its bolshie cabernet tannins now in the role they will play long term; the bouquet has some elusive violets, the mouthfeel and overall structure picture perfect, the flavours of cassis and bay leaf enough to melt a pinot lover's heart.

97 Points - James Halliday

Hand-picked from a single dry-grown vineyard in Wilyabrup; open-fermented in 1-tonne pots, 17 days post-fermentation maceration, matured for 3 years in new French barriques, plus 15 months bottle age, 9 dozen made. Briefly tries to hide its beauty, but has to let the rivulets of cassis caress the tongue and cheeks of the mouth, supported by persistent, but extraordinarily fine, silky tannins.

95 Points - James Halliday

From a single dry-grown vineyard in Wilyabrup planted in the late ?70s; hand-picked, open-fermented and macerated for 3 weeks thereafter; pressed to new French barriques and left there for 3 years; 85 dozen made. The result is a wine that nods to the Right Bank of Bordeaux, with foresty/savoury notes at ease with the autocratic black fruits of cabernet.

97 Points - James Halliday

The first crop from the 0.5ha planting in '04, hand-picked, whole bunch-pressed; fermentation and mlf in French oak (50% new); 17 months in barrel with occasional stirring; once bottled it is held for 36 months before release. The mouthfeel is exceptional, almost succulent, and yet full of activity as the oak and mineral components also find the taste receptors; the length of the palate is awesome. 75 dozen made.

91 Points - James Halliday

70/30%, fermented separately in open-fermenters, the cabernet remaining on skins for 17 days, the touriga for 9 days, matured in French oak (20% new) for 24 months, plus a further 24 months bottle age. Stuart Pym has got his teeth into this bone, and isn't about to let go. It's got flavour, texture, structure, a point of difference - what it doesn't have is the finesse or logic of his other wines.

96 Points - James Halliday

The cabernet comes from a 25yo vineyard in Wilyabrup, the touriga from a 35-year-old patch of vines in Yallingup. The parcels were separately open-fermented, and thereafter spent 2 years in French oak (20% new); once blended and bottled, the wine was held for 2 years prior to release. While the Queen of the Earth Cabernet Sauvignon makes no secret of its autocratic provenance, this is an immediately and unequivocally joyous blend of cassis and small red fruits, its tannins fine and soft.

95 Points - James Halliday

The cabernet comes from a 25-year-old vineyard in Wilyabrup, the touriga from a 35-year-old patch of vines in Yallingup. The parcels were separately open-fermented, and thereafter spent two years in French oak (20% new); once blended and bottled, the wine was held for 2 years prior to release. Some colour development; a super-elegant, medium-bodied wine, with supple blackcurrant/black cherry flavours, fine-grained tannins and great length. 250 dozen made.

91 Points - James Suckling

"This has a wonderful acid intensity with stone and lemon undertones. A linear and tight white. So focused that it is almost unforgiving. But the fruit density and purity brings it all together. Drink now."

Lagar de Cervera is La Rioja Alta S.A.'s property in Galicia and produces one of Spain's most distinctive whites. Situated in the north-west, it has established a reputation for producing superb wine of great depth and freshness. The 2016 vintage stands our for its aromatic intensity and zingy citrus flavours. The climatic conditions of the year, with heavy Spring rains followed by a Summer drought and high temperatures, concentrated the flavours. Some additional lees contact enhanced the density and complexity of the wine on the mid-palate whilst maintaining its freshness.

Delivery Mid October

100 Points - James Suckling

This is an extraordinary merlot with such purity and focus. Flowers such as violets and hints of orange peel. It is full-bodied yet incredibly energetic and structured. The finish goes on for minutes. Seamless texture. Fresh yet dense. Contrasty. Best Redigaffi ever. Hard not to drink now but a wine for decades.

On the nose it expresses intense and refined notes of mature citrus fruit, exotic fruit and white flowers. On the palate it is fleshy and juicy with a vibrant, crystalline fruitiness which perfectly reflects the sunny, but not excessively hot year. The long lingering fruity finish leaves the palate clean and fresh.  Axel Heinz, Winemaker

95 Points - Antonio Galloni

Raen's 2015 Royal St. Robert Cuvée is an exotically beautiful, almost overwhelming wine endowed with superb depth and intensity in all of its dimensions. A burst of ripe red and purplish-hued stone fruits rushes across the palate. Rose petal, lavender, spice, blood orange and spice overtones follow in short order...

98 Points - James Suckling

This has a perfect nose of blackberry, tar, black pepper, thyme, cloves and rose petal. Full body and firm and very silky and polished tannins. The finish goes on for minutes. Best ever. Great class. 92% carmenere and 8% petit verdot. Drink in 2019 but so gorgeous now.

92 Points - Wine Enthusiast

There's no mistaking the variety, with plentiful aromas of fresh herb and cherry alongside vanilla and light barrel accents. The dark fruit flavors are supple with a mesmerizing texture and an exquisite balance that extends through the coffee-filled finish. The attention to detail throughout is impressive, especially for a wine at this price.

95 Points - Jeb Dunnuck (erobertparker.com)

The 2013 Syrah Lagniappe is a drop dead gorgeous Syrah that does everything right. Its almost opaque purple color is followed by a complex, layered bouquet that includes ample black and blue fruits, ground pepper, lavender, olive and hints of bacon fat. This gives way to a medium to full-bodied, layered, silky 2013 that has a great mid-palate, juicy acidity and a great finish. I’d happily drink it today, but it should be at its best from 2018-2028.

99 Points - Monica Larner (eRobertParker.com)

Alessandro Mori is the Sangiovese whisperer: l'uomo che sussurrava il Sangiovese. I need to say it in Italian, too, because it sounds so beautiful. The 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Madonna Delle Grazie is a phenomenal wine that speaks so highly of the potential of the mighty Tuscan grape, Sangiovese. This wine mirrors all the greatest attributes of the 100-point 2010 edition. Most significantly, it delivers profound purity and a most authentic varietal voice that sings both the high notes and the bass-baritone. First you have the wine's dark ruby appearance that is brilliant and vibrant but beautifully concentrated. Then you have the multilayered bouquet that skillfully presents ethereal notes of wild berry and grilled herb on first nose. Click for Full Tasting Note

The Lower East Southern Blend presents a complex nose of fresh raspberries, clove and bacon. On the palate it opens up with an array of juicy plums, blackberry which are complemented by stones, baking spices and tar. A compelling blend of fruit and earth, with a beautifully balanced acidity and satisfying meaty bite. Perfect match for slow roasted and braised meats!

96 Points - Monica Larner (erobertparker.com)

Made strictly according to the Sangiovese playbook, the Il Marroneto 2012 Brunello di Montalcino shows that exacting Sangiovese precision and personality. This is Alessandro Mori's greatest talent. He takes this workhorse grape and gives it a platform to articulate its most hidden and intricate inner feelings and sentiments. This is a bright and very tight red wine that will benefit from more years to flesh out further. All those budding aromas of wild berry, licorice, cola, and blue flower are strategically in place and ready to explode in time. The wine opens to a luminous dark ruby color and a compact mouthfeel that is spicy and fresh on the close. This is an impressive annata wine that shows the personal evolution of a man and his estate.

  Decanter World Wine Awards: Silver 2016

97+ Points - Antonio Galloni

The 2006 Comtes de Champagne is striking, especially in the way it brings together elements of ripeness and freshness in a hypothetical blend of the 2002 and 2004. Smooth and creamy on the palate, the 2006 is all about texture. There is a real feeling of density and weight in the 2006, qualities I expect to see grow with time in the bottle. All the elements fall into place effortlessly. The 2006 has been nothing short of magnificent both times I have tasted it. Comtes de Champagne remains the single best value (in relative terms) in tête de cuvée Champagne. I suggest buying a case and following it over the next 20-30 years, which is exactly what I intend to do. There is little doubt the 2006 Comtes de Champagne is a magical Champagne in the making.

90 Points - James Halliday

Bright, clear crimson; full of pretty red fruits. It simply can't have been fermented with no pigeage for 10 days on skins then matured in used hogsheads - with no pigeage it would reach 2-3% alcohol intracellular fermentation and then cease all activity.

100% Cabernet Franc and the colour is incredibly striking – Blood orange / copper.  Both the nose and the palate evoke a big bowl of summer fruits – strawberries and raspberries, although the acidity is present to add balance and freshness. The additional bottle age adds depth and complexity which is often missing with Rosé wines. Wonderful persistency, much preferred over MIP’s ‘Classic’ and a steal at the price...

97 Points - James Halliday

Four clones were planted ‘69, ‘81 and ‘84, making these vines (on average) some of the oldest in Australia. This is in classic Yarra Yering style: rich, powerful and complex, but doesn’t go over the top, its varietal expression plain for all to see, its length exceptional, its longevity likewise.

91-93 Points - Robert Parker

The 2003 Shiraz Dry Bore is a full-throttle effort aged 24 months in a combination of French and American hogsheads. Its opaque ruby/purple color is accompanied by aromas of loamy soil, pepper, herbs, black currants, and berries. Spicy, rich, slightly rustic, but impressively endowed, it should drink well for a decade or more.

James Halliday

Savoury, earthy, cedary, briary tones to blackcurrant fruit; a bright, clean finish bringing fruit back to the fore.

92 Points - Robert Parker

The 2001 Ironstone Pressings is a blockbuster effort displaying a deeper, more saturated color as well as more aging potential (12-15+ years). Possessing a boatload of tannin, huge blackberry, peppery fruit notes along with hints of balsam wood and loamy soil undertones, it is an extremely impressive yet tightly-knit red.

93 Points - Robert Parker

After re-tasting the 2002 The Dead Arm Shiraz, I believe my initial rating is correct. It still plays it close to the vest, exhibiting loads of cassis, asphalt, smoke, and barbecue spice-like aromas along with full-bodied flavors. Well-made and impressive.

94 Points - Antonio Galloni

The 2013 Zinfandel Geyserville is every bit as fabulous from bottle as it was from barrel last year. Ripe and voluptuous on the palate - yet with a super-classic conception of structure, the 2013 offers superb depth and impeccable overall balance. Waves of dark red cherry, pomegranate, spice, tobacco lead to more savory/ferrous notes that develop in the glass. Saline notes give the 2013 much of its energy and vivacity. This is a tremendous effort from Ridge.

91 Points - Campbell Mattinson (The Wine Companion)

In some ways it's light and juicy, in others it's every bit a child of the Barossa. It tastes of asphalt, blackberry and gum leaves, and is firm through the finish, but it's not heavy and indeed generally feels effortless.

16.5 Points - Jancis Robinson -

‘Lively green fruit and easy. What’s not to like?!’

The weighty mid-palate also shows peachy ripeness along with crisp acid minerality that gives the wine a refreshing cleansing quality. This wine is delightful as an aperitif, and even better to drink with fish and shellfish.

95 Points - James Halliday

No mlf. A semillon-based white Bordeaux style. While already very complex, toasty and full-bodied, its acidity (left intact by the exclusion of mlf) slices through the palate like King Arthur's sword, and giving the illusion of green lemon and herb/green capsicum flavours. Will be fascinating to watch its development.

One of the most esteemed domains in Connawarra. It is located in the heart of the famous Terra Rossa and, influenced by the region’s unique terroir, produces wine of great complexity and distinction.

92 Points - James Halliday “Powerful, concentrated and focused black fruits and earth plus touches of bitter chocolate; tannins imposing, but balanced by fruit and oak.”

93 Points - Robert Parker

The 2002 Ironstone Pressings GSM may be the finest example of this cuvee I have yet tasted. A blend of 75% Grenache, 20% Shiraz, and 5% Mourvedre, its deep ruby/purple color is accompanied by an explosive perfume of dried herbs, black fruits, ground pepper, licorice, and old oak. This full-bodied, powerful, opulent blend boasts loads of fruit, wonderfully sweet glycerin, and a long finish with outstanding purity, definition, and structure.

95 Points - Antonio Galloni

The 2013 Lytton Springs has really come together over the last year, far exceeding my early expectations. Powerful and explosive in the glass, the 2013 boasts tons of inky blue/purplish fruit, mocha, spices, new leather, lavender and licorice. Readers will have to give the Lytton Springs at least a few years to shed some baby fat, but it is nearly impossible to resist, even at this early stage...

Made from original 1969 plantings and 1980 cuttings from the original vines at Yarra Yering. A highly individual style, reflecting its single vineyard origin A little ginger cream spice and texture from barrel maturation and fermentation add layers, depth and intrigue while the fresh line of acidity drives the palate prolonging the fruit flavour.

94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck (erobertparker.com)

Readers looking for a killer Syrah to purchase to see what Washington is all about couldn't do any better than a bottle of the 2013 Columbia Valley Syrah from Gramercy. Possessing lots of gamy, olive, peppery, lavender and salted meats, with a core of ripe plum and darker fruits, this beauty is full-bodied, supple, polished and utterly seamless, with no hard edges and a clean, focused finish that keeps you coming back to the glass. Buy this beauty by the case and drink it over the coming decade.

The 2002 in Coonawarra was unusually cool and dry with yields well below the average. Our Shiraz achieved excellent concentration of flavor and balance. Maturation in predominantly French oak barriques for 24 motnhs has contributed a subtle chocolate and cedar complexity to typical regional characters of ripe berries, durty mulberry and plum. Fine grained tannins complement a memorable lingering finish.