WineStar

from The WineStar Journal
Wednesday, September 30th 2009
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Prices valid until 5pm AEST 06/10/2009 unless sold out earlier. E&OE. Click on product name to proceed

Here we go again…
Ok, here’s something you don’t see every week in The Journal. An apology. What is more expected is seeing me trying to weasel my way out of it and turn it into a positive. Ordinarily I wouldn’t say sorry for selling out of a wine. It is after all what we try and do every time we make a recommendation. However I put my foot in it a bit last week stating our featured wine, a Cleanskin McLaren Vale Shiraz would “last less than 10 days in our possession”. That over 500 cases went in around an hour made that an ordinary call – 10 minutes would have been closer to the mark. Hand on heart; I am sorry we could not satisfy demand for that wine. To that end, this week we have a Cleanskin Cab Sav from the same winery – and we are giving away cases of the stuff for free. Of course there is a catch but it is very much achievable. Are we mad? Probably, but having sold out of the Cleanskin McLaren Vale Shiraz as well as the main feature white and sparkling from last Journal, it makes fiscal sense to be in a ‘giving’ mood.

The last month or so of Journal features have revolved around Shiraz, Shiraz and more Shiraz so the time is right to look at Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux inspired styles. In true kiss and make up style we offer a $27 McLaren Vale Cab Sav for $19.99 with some bottle age to boot, domestic and international third party endorsements, capital city Gold and, with every dozen purchased, a free dozen Cleanskin McLaren Vale Cab Sav from the same winery that gave us last week’s record sell-out. To be clear, the bonus is 12 bottles, not one bottle!

Despite making a number of Shiraz, there is only one Hardys Tintara McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 where all the best fruit goes into. It is a classic example of McLaren Cab. Chocolassis! For the unfamiliar (and that would be everyone given I just made that word up) that is the magic combination of dark chocolate and cassis, the former a hallmark of quality Cab Sav from these parts, the latter a native of the variety. This is a dark, brooding Cab. More your Dark Knight of dark fruit, mint, leaf and spice as opposed to the simple Ribena jobs. The colour is a youthful deep purple despite a few years on it, the nose belies its $27 price point and is as serious as Cab can be and get from these parts. The ripe and abundant fruits are harnessed by a savouriness that keeps the whole package in check. An excellent wine.

This wine won Gold at the Royal Adelaide Wine Show. James Halliday (92 points) likes it and the globally influential Wine Spectator gives it 90 points, which in relative terms is a huge score considering its modest retail price. However we make it even more modest, not only slashing more than 25% off retail (to make it $19.99 per bottle) but throwing in a dozen bottles of a Cleanskin McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon. I’ll leave you to work out the nett cost of the 24 bottles you end up with but any way you cut it, it’s a good deal.

I mentioned the focus on Cab Sav this week. We have a limited number of cases of the Flametree Reserve Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 (95 points Mattinson, 94 points Halliday). This is the Reserve version of the wine which you may remember is the reigning Jimmy Watson Trophy Winner. Yet more evidence of the incredible red vintage in WA in 2007. To make that case even stronger, the Picardy Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2007 is regarded by the winery as their best yet. With 94 points from Halliday and excellent reviews by The Wine Front and The Big Red book, it is hard to argue. This incidentally is one of very few Merlot dominant wines I consistently recommend.

Half-price Tyrrells Semillon
A few weeks ago we featured the Tyrrells Stevens Semillon 2005 (96/100 Halliday) which was very well received, this week we up the ante a little and lead with the Tyrrells Belford Hunter Valley Semillon 2002 further up the line of Tyrrells stable of Semillon stars! The vines for this wine were planted almost 80 years ago and the resultant wine is what we have come to expect from Tyrrells and this variety. Aside from plenty of reviews it has scored Capital City Gold medals in Melbourne and Adelaide. It never ceases to amaze me how good a value Semillon is, here is an example with plenty of bottle age, despite its youthful zest and the price tag dwarfs its quality. The amazing news here is we offer it for half its $29.99 retail price tag. That’s right $14.99 per bottle, no fine print. I can only imagine that Tyrrells have bucket loads of this but at this rate, we’re happy to assist in lightening up that load! To reiterate, Tyrrells make a stack of Sems, and this one sits under the Vat 1 and above all others!

The Shaw & Smith Sauvignon Blanc 2009 has a stack of reviews, especially for a recently released 2009 vintage wine. The headline 96 points by James Halliday will ensure this again will sell out long before next vintage. The new vintage De Bortoli Gulf Station Chardonnay 2008 simply picks up where previous vintages left off. Again, the catch phrases ‘bargain’ and ‘value’ used by wine media. We also ride the crest of a recent good wave of success with imports in this newsletter. This time the popular Valminor Albarino 2008 a Real McCoy Albariño produced in Spain and best of all the freshness is maintained with a screwcap seal.

Half-price Show Tawny
The Lauriston Show Tawny has a remarkable show record, listed in full here for all the propeller heads out there. It comes in a deep based glass etched bottle as can be seen here. Furthermore, every second bottle is presented in a stylish gift-canister. I predict many a repeat purchase of this once people taste the wine and see the packaging and decide what a nice gift it would make. Please make sure you keep a few for yourself as by the time you come back, it will be all gone!

Blended from selected vintages dating back over 70 years, the wine is characterised by nutty complexity, fine spirit and soft aged overtones. Made from a blend of Grenache Madeira Shiraz & Tokay this is a small oak barrel aged tawny port made from only the very best vintages. You will not buy better Tawny Port for this money. Intense complex; abounding in the rich and elegant aromas of aged fruit, spicy oak, rancio, brandy and chocolatey coffee aromas, and possessing a full, well balanced palate characterised by lingering fruit and warm brandy flavours. So why is it called ‘show’ tawny? This wine has won over 30 Trophies and over 60 Gold Medals at Australian Shows.

Freight News
Our freight page calculator is now fully functional. It shows free freight & insurance on dozen lot purchases to more than 98% of the population – the new calculator alleviates any confusion.
Until next week,
Happy Wining

Bert Werden bert.werden@winestar.com.au

Red :

Hardys Tintara McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 - $239.88 per dozen or $19.99 per bottle
Buy 12 bottles and receive 12 bottles of McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 free (Freight free to Zones 1, 2 & 3)

Chocolassis! For the unfamiliar (and that would be everyone given I just made that word up) that is the magic combination of dark chocolate and cassis, the former a hallmark of quality Cab Sav from these parts, the latter a native of the variety. This is a dark, brooding Cab. More your Dark Knight of dark fruit, mint, leaf and spice as opposed to the simple Ribena jobs. The colour is a youthful deep purple despite a few years on it, the nose belies its $27 price point and is as serious as Cab can be and get from these parts. The ripe and abundant fruits are harnessed by a savouriness that keeps the whole package in check. An excellent wine. Now – 2014+; Quality: Excellent BW; WineStar© September 2009

Deep garnet with bright red hues. Vibrant dark berries and black currant accented by hints of chocolate. A touch of anise is accompanied by subtle notes of spicy oak. Stylish with a rich, fruit-driven palate. Medium- to full-bodied with flavors of ripe forest fruits, spice and hints of cocoa are followed by a long, bold finish.

Full of magimix cassis fruit and dark chocolate, with a restrained girdle of French oak to join the tannins in tightening up the finish. Cork.14% alc. Rating 92 points Drink 2015 $27 Date Tasted Mar 08 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion

This generous red has firm tannins but also plenty of rich plum, cherry and savory, thyme-scented meat flavors to make it feel fleshy and vibrant. Best from 2009 through 2013. 90 points; Wine Spectator

Gold Medal - Royal Adelaide Wine Show 2007
Highly Commended - Sydney International Wine Show 2008

Flametree Reserve Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 - $539.88 per dozen or $44.99 per bottle
This wine is produced with our best parcel of cabernet grapes. A concentrated fruit driven wine with flavours of dark fruit and wild berries. A wonderfully balanced palate and tannin structure provide great length and persistence to the finish. This wine will benefit from cellaring for 5+ years.

The ’standard’ Flametree cabernet merlot won last year’s Jimmy Watson Trophy and lo and behold, they have a higher grade cabernet (or at least higher-priced). I hope they stood up at the award ceremony and said, You call THAT a cabernet? THIS is a cabernet …And it is a far superior wine to the standard release. This is really good booze. It’s thick and chocolatey, pencilly and long. It has lots of velvety tannin and a curranty, earthen character that is ripe but not overtly sweet. Cabernet is such a superior grape to shiraz - you find yourself nodding smugly, knowingly, at yourself as you drink this. The Jimmy Watson Trophy was one thing … this wine is actually the goods. Rated : 95 Points Alcohol : 14% Price : $49 Closure : Screwcap Drink : 2012 - 2020 By Campbell Mattinson; The Wine Front

Dense purple-crimson; has all the depth and concentration one could possibly wish for, oozing blackcurrant and licorice, the tannins and 18 months in French oak providing structural integrity. Screwcap. 14% alc. Rating 94 Drink 2020 $49 Date Tasted Dec 08 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2010

Picardy Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2007 - $287.88 per dozen or $23.99 per bottle
The new release 2007 Picardy Merlot/Cabernet is a blend of 53% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc and 23% Cabernet Sauvignon. This delicious wine, made very much in the style of the Merlot dominant St Emilion/Pomerol wines, is all about elegance and refinement. Medium bodied, fine-structured palate; very attractive cassis, blackberry and cedar mix, perfectly balanced with the oak judged to perfection; delightful mouthfeel and texture and a complex finish. The 2007 vintage is probably the best the yet - the Pannells feel they have now really nailed the 'magic formula' to make this Bordeaux blend.

This is a wine in the style of the Merlot dominant St Emilion/Pomerol region - fruity but elegant and with excellent structure which will reward cellaring. The outstanding features of this wine are its structure, fine grained tannins, low pH without high acidity, excellent colour and pronounced fruit flavours. It should drink superbly for up to twenty years. Winery Notes

Bright colour; a most attractive and fragrant wine with fresh cassis notes giving a juicy cast to the palate, supported by fine tannins and quality French oak. Cork. 14% alc. Rating 94 Drink 2015 $25 Date Tasted Jul 09 James Halliday Wine Companion

We like the style of this, but it won’t be for everyone. Its flavours are a walk on the wild side: sausage meat, plums, twigs, aniseed and (Walsh reckons) sweet grass. It’s also a touch dilute. The thing is, though, that there’s a touch of class here. And it’s exquisitely balanced. And, basically, we just like its style. Drink 2010 - 2017; Price: $24.95 Alcohol: 14. Seal: Cork; Score: 91 Points; The Big Red Wine Book; Campbell Mattinson & Gary Walsh.

The Big Red Book 2009/2010 - The Top 100 Reds At $20 or Less

The Big Red Book 2009/2010 - #12 - The Top 25 'Other Reds' At $20 or Less

Ninth Island Pinot Noir 2008 - $239.88 per dozen or $19.99 per bottle
Ninth Island, although often shrouded by ocean mists, is visible from our vineyards in northern Tasmania. The island name has been used for our range of fresh, early drinking style wines that capture the distinctive cool-climate flavours and nature of Tasmania. Brilliant and vibrant pinot noir, with subtle purple hue. Lifted aromas of dark cherries, sweet cranberries, the soft perfume of violets and wild flowers, with that distinctive Ninth Island berry fruits and raspberry richness, all finishing with a faint background of mocha chocolate and under tones of pepper berry spice. A beautiful bright lift of flavour on the palate, concentrated and long, with the characteristic hallmark of good pinot noir. At first the taste is supple round and delicate but soon bursts with richness and power as the delicious Pinot flavours fill your mouth, A wine that captures your palates attention. Sensual, velvety fine long textured mouth-feel. Sweet lifted and fleshy fruit on the mid-palate and that is a fine balance of satisfyingly integrated tannins and long captivating finish. Drink now to 2010.

Good colour hue and depth; fragrant and vibrant, with abundant red fruits and a touch of forest floor/sap to add interest. Screwcap. 13.5% alc. Rating 93 Drink 2014 $27.50 Date Tasted Feb 09 James Halliday Wine Companion 09

This was reviewed (positively) pre-release nearly six months ago for The Big Red Wine Book, and I reckon it looks just as good now. Bright raspberry and cherry fruit backed with particularly fetching pencilly cedar oak and a bit of funk. Light to medium bodied (with the emphasis on light), dry and fresh with appropriate tannic grip and decent length. Fresh and breezy but characterful too. Excellent value. Drink : 2009 - 2013 91 points Gary Walsh, The Wine Front

With a few exceptions the entry point for Australian pinot seems to be about $20.00. But that’s the nature of the beast that needs a cool climate and low yields to deliver flavour and structure. Ninth Island (part of Pipers Brook, owned by Belgium based Kreglinger) is a very good example of entry-level pinot, it seems light and fine at first sip, but there’s a depth to it that grows as you sip irresistibly to the end of the bottle. Chris Shanahan, The Canberra Times

Ninth Island was one of the first ‘value’ pinot noirs to shake up the Australian pinot market. It’s still doing the business. Oh, lots of character here! Full of lovely pencilly, earthy, peppery flavours on a core of bright, cherried fruit. You’d almost call it Euro-styled. It’s a pulpy (don’t mention the mill), generous wine with the enjoyment factor turned to high. There’s a bit of sex-on-a-forest-floor funkiness here – or, put it this way: it’s not a technocratic wine; it’s a wine that rocks and rolls. Drink: 2009–2012. Price $27.50; Seal - Screwcap; Score: 91 points The Big Red Wine Book; Campbell Mattinson & Gary Walsh

Wirra Wirra RSW Shiraz 2006 - $719.88 per dozen or $59.99 per bottle
This wine is named after Robert Strangways Wigley, a noted South Australian eccentric cricketer who established Wirra Wirra in 1894. He produced a much-acclaimed shiraz, which was exported to England and the Empire until his death in 1925. The cellars fell into disuse after the 1936 vintage, until first cousins Greg and Roger Trott rebuilt the ironstone winery by hand in 1969. McLaren Vale, as well as being home to some of the oldest shiraz vines in the world, is blessed with climatic conditions and soil types which are ideal for growing this variety. These factors contribute directly to the regions’ reputation for producing shiraz of world acclaim and have a profound influence on the style and quality of this wine.

100% Shiraz. 100% McLaren Vale, South Australia. Each vineyard batch was matured separately in oak for 22 months prior to blending. Of the final blend, 95% of wine was stored in French oak and the remaining 5% in American oak barrels. New oak consisted of 70% of the blend. Deep plum with a bright garnet rim. Lifted plums and blueberries fill the aroma with subtle violets and perfume notes. Smoky oak and savoury characters add a wonderful complexity to the fruit character. The palate is mouth filling with rich plums and black cherry fruits. Fine cedary oak with aniseed and dark chocolate add layers to the fleshy red fruits. A wine with great balance of power and style.

It is hard to visualise a wine with more regional character than this, dark chocolate a translucent veil for the blackberry fruit; has outstanding texture and structure on the back palate and finish. 14.5º alc. Rating 95 Points Drink 2021 $60 Date Tasted Mar 08 James Halliday Wine Companion

White :

Tyrrells Belford Hunter Valley Semillon 2002 - ~~$359.88 per dozen or $29.99 per bottle~~ - $179.88 per dozen or $14.99 per bottle
The grapes for this wine come from the Belford Vineyard owned by the Elliott family, situated 15kms north, north west of the Tyrrell’s Winery. The vines were planted in 1993 and are 4.15 hectares in size. Belford produces the bigger, softer, of our premium Semillon vineyards. With age, it develops honey characters but maintains its natural fresh acid.

The grapes were all hand picked and traditionally fermented under temperature controlled conditions in stainless steel using a neutral yeast. The wine was then stabilised prior to bottling.

The vines for this fruit were planted in 1933 and bordered by a creek. It is a richer, fuller style with attractive, delicate flavours, and clean and long with complexity. Top-Rating Wines $18 to $25; National Liquor News - 30 May 2008

An outstanding clean, crisp, aged semillon, yet it's still a baby with years ahead of it yet. Excellent delicate varietal fruit aromas and deep, intense flavours with bright, zippy acidity. Winestate - 25 March 2008

Lovely lemony bouquet layered with honeyed characters. Refreshing palate with lovely citrus flavours and a firm, crisp acid backbone, all supported by complex toastiness. Semillon $30+ Winestate - 28 October 2008

Gold Medal - Royal Melbourne Wine Show
Gold Medal - Royal Adelaide Wine Show

Shaw & Smith Sauvignon Blanc 2009 - $275.88 per dozen or $22.99 per bottle
The grapes are hand-picked (leaving sunburnt or otherwise defective bunches unpicked), crushed, must-chilled and cold-fermented with various yeasts, with one month lees contact. Simple. It has a highly aromatic and scented bouquet of nettle, citrus and herb, the vibrant palate with great thrust and persistence. A distinguished vintage of a distinguished line. 96 points James Halliday

Australia’s sauvignon blanc doyen - by reputation. Or market position. Though I notice that I wasn’t a huge fan of the 2008 Shaw and Smith Sauvignon Blanc. Fresh, crisp, appropriately flavoured and attractive through the finish. Tastes of passionfruit and grass, lemon and slate. Yes, there is a bit of slateyness to this wine. And it gives it some class. And it makes me say, for the first time in a few years, that this wine deserves its reputation. I like the texture here too, even though it’s mostly about cut and thrust. Very good release. Rated : 93 Points Alcohol : 13% Price : $25 Closure : Screwcap Drink : 2009 - 2011 By Campbell Mattinson; The Wine Front

Beautiful aromatic nose. Lemon, apricot and peach - terrific crystalline fruit. Fine peach flavour and great intensity with citrus freshness and no greenness. Long and zesty. 18 Points; Julia Harding MW, www.jancisrobinson.com

Nice basil leaf and bright herbaceous fruit characters sit across citrus and tropical fruit aromas. The palate has a juicy, crisp style and very tidy, bright acidity holding everything in place, finishing with zesty, clean appeal. 92 Points; Nick Stock, Wine 100 September 2009

This is the archetypal Aussie sauvignon blanc, celebrating its 20th vintage: intense, focused and juicy, with a tight structure and taut acidity. Delicious. Peter Forrestal, The Sunday Times 12 July 2009

Shaw and Smith has a far greater Hills profile and produce one of the country's best-known sauvignon blancs. Celebrating the winery's 20th anniversary, the 2009 version has everything that has given this wine a huge following - fresh, zingy, almost tropical fruit with just a sense of the varietal's more obvious herbaceousness. As well, there's an exciting grapefruit pith textural line, underpinning a satisfying mid-palate weight. Tony Love, Adelaide Advertiser 1 July 2009

Unlike so many wineries, Shaw & Smith have decided there are a few wines they can do well and have concentrated on them. Not for these guys tinkering around with the latest styles, fads and varieties. Yet when they started, the wines made could hardly have been said to fit the usual mould. In the early days, very few people were dabbling with sauvignon blanc. It was little more than the proverbial sparkle in the eye of most kiwi winemakers. Shaw & Smith took it on, defined it for Australia and still to this day lead the pack. Is there any other wine about which one could say that it has led its category ion quality almost every year for 20 years? Not that I can think of. And 2009 sits with the best. Possibly it's a little more along the herbaceous end of the spectrum than some buts its legions of fans will be very happy with the vintage. Ken Gargett Courier Mail 8 September 2009

De Bortoli Gulf Station Chardonnay 2008 - $179.88 per dozen or $14.99 per bottle
Fruit is selected from both our Estate as well as some premium vineyards in both the lower and upper Yarra Valley. Fruit is harvested in cool conditions. The fruit is pressed gently and the juice is roughly racked to new and used barrels and some tanks for fermentation. The juice is allowed to ferment naturally with ambient yeast. The lees are stirred regularly until December to integrate flavours, after which the various components are racked, blended and bottled.

Light straw with slight green edges. The nose shows hazelnuts, some mineral notes and undertones of citrus. Tight, lean complex citrus fruit with barrel complexity and nutty undertones. Long flavoured palate with excellent balance. 2008 saw timely December and January rainfall followed by warm dry days and cool nights. Harvest dates were earlier than normal.

What a gem from this brilliant Yarra Valley range. The Gulf Station wines over-deliver on quality. This is a beautifully made Chardonnay. Its white peach fruit is carried by clean, fresh acidity and enhanced by the merest touch of oak. Delicate and refined, this is an impressive commercial chardonnay. Fergus McGhie, Canberra Times, August 2009

A BARGAIN for a top-drawer chardonnay from the much-vaunted Yarra Valley. It has delicate aromas of peach and vanilla with hints of crisp fresh pears and is loaded with bright, clean citrusy flavours which dominate the superb, slightly crunchy texture. There is good length and a fine and an elegant acid finish. Widely available. Jeff Collerson, Daily Telegraph, August 2009

Pewsey Vale Eden Valley Riesling 2008 - $191.88 per bottle or $15.99 per bottle
One of the many lovely rieslings from this vintage, ripened in the cool January and February, and picked before the March heat. Strong green tinges foretell a powerful, complex bouquet leading into a palate bursting with regional lime juice fruit; has great vibrancy, thrust and length. From Eden Valley, SA Drink now-2015 with gazpacho 94 points, $17.95, S, 12.5° alc Halliday’s Top 100 – The Weekend Australian November 8-9, 2008

Lively lime and lemon juice aromas, pristine and focussed, abundant florals and ripe lime citrus. The palate's a ball of fresh minerals and fine lemon/lime citrus flavours, pushing deep, long and flavoursome on a piercing acid line. 96 points; Nick Stock, WBM100 (Aus), December 2008

There is so much going for Pewsey Vale Eden Valley Riesling. Here are just some of the descriptors that we brainstormed in less than a second. World-class, historic, stylish, reliable, classis, racy, exciting, gripping, pure, beautiful, age-worthy but immediately enjoyable, bargain-priced . . . we could go on. The 2008 adds finesse, very fine, ethereal, delicate and exceedingly long and minerally to this list of notes, making this our favourable release in a decade. Matthew Jukes & Tyson Stelzer, Taste: Food & Wine 2009 (Aus), October 2008

Rich yet bracing with minerality, citrus, unripe pineapple flavours and an elegance that works as an aperitif and at the table. Steve Spurrier, Decanter Magazine (UK), August 2008

Valminor Albarino 2008 (screwcap) - $359.88 per dozen or $29.99 per bottle
Of all the Albariño produced in Spain, and believe me there is stacks, this is consistently my favourite producer. Albariño makes Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris look even more boring than they can be. What hits first is the gorgeous aromatics of flowers, honey and peach - perhaps a touch of vanilla. A subtle crunch of acidity follows in the mouth where the fruit lingers but always harnessed by the acid. Exceptionally balanced wine and one that is dangerously easy to drink lots of. I have been saying for many years (no, really I have) that this variety could be huge in Australia once two things happen. Firstly we need some local examples (which we now have) and secondly, the imported examples, particularly this one, need to be finished under screwcap in order to maintain the freshness and avoid any tainting issues. Well, ask and you shall receive, this is now a must buy or must try whichever way you look at it. BW; WineStar© August 2009

A quick Google reveals literally dozens of great reviews for this wine, the 2008 has just landed and as such there is no press. But it will come, and fast...here is the winery propaganda, somewhat translated..

Pre-selection and Albariño grape analysis from the vineyards, selection table in the winery previous to destemming. Maceration in cold temperature (10ºC) during 6-8 hours. Static settling of the juice. Pressing. Alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel under an automatic temperature control. Stabilisation of the wine, filtering through a tangential filtering and bottling. Resting in the bottle for 30 days previous to distribution.

Valmiñor appears to be brilliant with a yellow-lemon livery colour. In the nose, the wine shows its great complexity market by intense aromas of fresh grape, citrics and soft reminders of apple skin and balsamic fine details. In the mouth, Valmiñor combines an strong fruity freshness with a rounded acidity, resulting an equilibrated and involving wine that boats an opulent taste with elegant mouth aromas.

Fortified:

Lauriston Show Tawny 500ml - ~~$360~~ $179 per dozen - (prices include freight and insurance to Zones 1, 2, 3)
This wine has a remarkable show record, listed in full here for all the propeller heads out there. The Tawny comes in a deep based glass etched bottle as can be seen here. Furthermore, every second bottle is presented in a stylish gift-canister. I predict many a repeat purchase of this once people taste the wine and see the packaging and decide what a nice gift it would make. Please make sure you keep a few for yourself as by the time you come back, it will be all gone!

Blended from selected vintages dating back over 70 years, the wine is characterised by nutty complexity, fine spirit and soft aged overtones. Made from a blend of Grenache Madeira Shiraz & Tokay this is a small oak barrel aged tawny port made from only the very best vintages. You will not buy better Tawny Port for this money.

Intense complex; abounding in the rich and elegant aromas of aged fruit, spicy oak, rancio, brandy and chocolatey coffee aromas, and possessing a full, well balanced palate characterised by lingering fruit and warm brandy flavours. 19.9% alcohol volume. This wine has won over 30 Trophies and over 60 Gold Medals at Australian Shows. Full list.

Mid-tawny in colour. A complex bouquet that offers lovely rancio, coffee and spice characters with a disarming freshness and hint of nougat. Stylish on the palate, showing a gorgeous interplay of old rancio and dried fruit flavours. Seamless spirit integration, pin-sharp balance and an outstanding length of persistence. Rating – 5 Stars * * * * * - Winestate Magazine

Last Week:

Yering Station Pinot Noir 2007 - $239.88 per dozen or $19.99 per bottle
Stronger colour than many from ’07; likewise, more powerful than prior vintages, with tannins quite evident, although not excessive; plum and black fruits will hold the palate for the longer term. Screwcap. 13% alc. Rating 94 Drink 2014 $26 Date Tasted Aug 08 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2010

Grosset Polish Hill Riesling 2009 - $479.88 per dozen or $39.99 per bottle
Grosset Polish Hill riesling at its best. Extreme length. It’s not as austere as a young wine as Polish Hill riesling sometimes is, but it has so much bite through the finish that I’m not worried about it in terms of ‘developing too early’. Make no mistake, this is a smashing wine. Orange rind, lime, intense focus and a flourish to its tail. Rated : 96 Points Alcohol : 13% Price : $45 Closure : Screwcap Drink : 2013 - 2020 By Campbell Mattinson; The Wine Front

Past Features:

Shiraz – Click here for full list of Shiraz
Clonakilla Hilltops Shiraz 2008 - $323.88 per dozen or $26.99 per bottle - 94/100 Halliday
Gramps Shiraz 2006 - $203.88 per dozen or $16.99 per bottle - Commercial Bargain of the Year in The Big Red Wine Book (2009/2010)
Mike Press Adelaide Hills Shiraz 2008 - $150 per dozen - 92/100 Tyson Stelzer
Cabernet Sauvignon – Click here for full list of Cabernet
Ringbolt Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 - $239.88 per dozen or $19.99 per bottle - Trophy for Best Cabernet Sauvignon & Gold Medal - Macquarie Royal Sydney Wine Show 2009
Yalumba The Menzies Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - $479.88 per dozen or $39.99 per bottle - The Stodart Trophy - 96/100 Halliday
Capel Vale Debut Cabernet Merlot 2005 - $191.88 per dozen or $15.99 per bottle - 94/100 Halliday

Other Reds – Click here for full list of Pinot Noir
Provenance Pinot Noir 2007 - $299.88 per dozen or $24.99 per bottle - 96/100 Halliday;
Paringa Estate Peninsula Pinot Noir 2008 - $299.88 per dozen or $24.99 per bottle - 95/100 Halliday;

Chardonnay – Click here for full list of Chardonnay
Voyager Estate Margaret River Chardonnay 2006 - $359.88 per dozen or $29.99 per bottle - 96/100 Halliday; 96/100 Nick Stock
Chandon Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2007 - $239.88 per dozen or $19.99 per bottle - 96/100 Halliday
Stonehaven Stepping Stone Padthaway Chardonnay 2006 - $120 per dozen – 90/100 Halliday, Highly Commended Wine - Sydney International

Riesling – Click here for full list of Riesling
O'Leary Walker Polish Hill River Riesling 2008 - $215.88 per dozen or $17.99 per bottle - 95/100 Halliday
Leasingham Bin 7 Clare Valley Riesling 2008 - $203.88 per dozen or $16.99 per bottle – 96/100 Halliday
Jim Barry Watervale Riesling 2008 - $155.88 per dozen or $12.99 per bottle - 94/100 Halliday

Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc/Other – Click here for full list of other Whites
Delatite Pinot Gris 2008 - $239.88 per dozen or $19.99 per bottle - 95/100 Halliday
3 Tales Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008 - $179.88 per bottle or $14.99 per bottle
Tyrrells Stevens Semillon 2005 - $239.88 per dozen or $19.99 per bottle - 96/100 Halliday

Champagne – Click here for full list of French Champagne
Laurent Perrier Brut Nv 750ml - $719.88 per dozen or $59.99 per bottle
Roederer Brut Premier - $839.88 per dozen or $69.99 per bottle - 5 Stars * * * * * Huon Hooke and Ralph Kyte-Powell; Epicure Uncorked

Sparkling - Click here for full list of Aussie bubbles
De Bortoli Rococo Blanc de Blanc Nv - $215.88 per dozen or $17.99 per bottle – 92/100 Tyson Stelzer WBM Monthly
Leasingham Magnus Sparkling Shiraz 2004 - $179.88 per dozen or $14.99 per bottle – 2 Gold Medals; Excellent BW; WineStar©

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