| Australian | 2570 |
| Italian | 902 |
| Burgundy | 804 |
| Imported | 550 |
| Bordeaux | 452 |
| New Zealand | 353 |
| Champagne | 311 |
| Rhone | 211 |
| Sauternes / Barsac | 189 |
| France | 159 |
| Chablis | 100 |
| Port | 53 |
| Spirits | 37 |
| Whisky | 36 |
| Total Lots: | 6727 |
| CULLEN Diana Madeline | 2010 |
| CULLEN Diana Madeline | 2010 |
| WOODLANDS Margaret | 2014 |
| MARTELL XO Extra Old | NV |
| PENFOLDS Grange Hermitage | 1985 |
| CULLEN Diana Madeline | 2004 |
| HARDYS Eileen Hardy | 1996 |
| PENFOLDS Bin 128 | 2016 |
| PENFOLDS Grange | 2002 |
| FERMOY ESTATE Reserve | 2020 |
| PENFOLDS Grange |
| HENSCHKE Hill of Grace |
| MOSSWOOD Cabernet |
| ROCKFORD Basket Press |
PARAGON - Hibiki is the paragon of harmony - Hibiki is a noble blend of innumerous malt and grain whiskies from Suntory's globally acclaimed Yamazaki, Hakushu and Chita distilleries. These whiskies are meticulously blended to created a sense of "wa" - a oneness which unveils a full orchestra of flavours and aroma. Suntory's excellent Hibiki 12 Year Old blended Japanese whisky, including malts from Yamazaki and Hakushu distilleries. On the nose is a juicy marmalade with real chunks of orange, cooked apples dusted with cinnamon, thick honey and plum wine. The palate is crushed almonds, stewed fruits, clove-studded oranges. Sherried malt and a subtle core of oak. The whisky finishes bright and flavoursome with crisp apple and citrus.
| DEB 0002 | 1 700ML BOTTLE 43% Alc./Vol - Freight only for buyers in Australia | Current Bid: $460 |
RARE & SPECIAL - A triple cask that is matured in a combination of sherry seasoned European oak casks, sherry seasoned American oak casks and American oak casks seasoned with bourbon. This complex combination of oak casks delivers an extraordinarily smooth and delicate character, full of citrus fruits, vanilla and fresh oak. DISCONTINUED
| GRE 0006 | 1 700ML BOTTLE BOXED 40% Alc./Vol - Freight only for buyers in Australia | Current Bid: $92 |
SUPERB - RP97+ - The 2019 was a hard act to follow, but the 2020 Adrianna Vineyard River kept its poise, though it showed a little riper and with grainier tannins that gave it some faint rusticity and earthiness. This is one of three Malbecs from the Adrianna Vineyard in Gualtallary, from a stony part of the vineyard, hence its name. The wine matured in large oak foudres, and the oak is still perceptible and might need a little more time to get integrated. This tends to be the most austere of the three bottlings, even in the warmer years like 2020, and it shows a little more fruit. It's juicy but beautifully textured with a spicy twist of curry that reminded me of some bottlings from El Enemigo in El Cepillo. It seems to open up slowly in the glass—the violet and berry aromas get complicated by some spice (curry?)—and the palate feels more layered. This is a superb expression of the austere wildness of Gualtallary. 5,700 bottles were filled in December 2021.
| XNE 2917 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $219 | |
| XNE 2916 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $219 | |
| XNE 2915 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $219 |
FANTASTIC - RP97 - The 2023 Adrianna Vineyard Chardonnay White Bones leads with its quintessentially lifted, vibrant bouquet of citrus rinds, dried spices, white flowers and fresh herbs, continuously developing additional complexity from its biological aging under flor. The palate combines live-wire focus with ethereal richness and a gently creamy core that runs through its mouthwatering and mineral-drenched finish. A fantastic iteration of the exotic, precise profile readers have come to expect from this pioneering Gualtallary Chardonnay reference point.
RIPER - RP96 - I had the opportunity to taste two vintages (2020 and 2021) of the top whites side by side and could see the differences of the two years quite clearly, as the wines express the natural conditions of the year quite faithfully. The 2020 White Stones Chardonnay is riper than the other three wines; it's a very good wine, but it shows the warmer year with a rounder mouthfeel, faintly creamy, still a little closed in the nose, which slowly reveals yellow fruit and some spice. The palate is quite gentle, with 13% alcohol and very good balance. 7,500 bottles produced.
SERIOUS - RP98 - The 2021 White Stones Chardonnay is subtler and more elegant, a little closed with moderate ripeness and alcohol (12.5%) and a mineral palate with strong chalky sensations. It might be worth reproducing their explanation about this wine, one of the finest whites in Argentina: "The term 'white stones' refers to the composition of said rows of soil, with white oval stones covered by gravel. The vineyard 'Adrianna' is planted at an altitude of almost 1,500 meters above sea level, in the district of Gualtallary in Tupungato. The stony soil prevents deep root growth, providing optimum drainage. These soils are very poor in organic matter and contribute to support vines' permanent stress conditions. The cool nights allow for very slow ripening, optimal acid retention and low yields." This is serious and tasty. 7,300 bottles produced
| XNE 0538 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $154 | |
| XNE 0555 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $154 | |
| XNE 0539 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $154 |
INTROVERTED - RP97 - The 2022 Adrianna Vineyard Chardonnay White Stones is more introverted, understated and explicitly chiseled than its more textural and exotic White Bones companion. On the nose, it opens with transparent yet focused aromas of citrus pith and crushed stones, introducing a sleek, vibrant and laser-focused palate. The finish is similarly angular and incisive, continuously generating additional depth and dimension with time in the glass. While I slightly preferred the White Bones bottling due to its extra gear of complexity and textural depth, this is another clear-cut yardstick by which to measure the progress of Argentine white-wine production.
OVERTURE - RP95 - Opus One had picked 91% of their fruit before the fires started in 2017, and only two lots were eliminated from consideration. The 2017 Opus One, bottled in July 2019, is a blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8.5% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 4.5% Merlot and 1% Malbec. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it slowly grows on the nose, revealing compelling notes of baked black cherries, mulberries, black raspberries, warm cassis and blackberry pie with nuances of spice cake, yeast extract, tapenade, licorice and dusty soil with a waft of wild sage. Medium-bodied, the palate has a lively skip in its step, featuring bags of juicy raspberry and cassis-laced fruit and a refreshing line, supported by ripe, plush tannins, finishing long and graceful.MUSEUM RELEASE
SOARS - RP98 - Very deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Opus One soars out of the glass with bright, bold boysenberries, warm cassis and ripe, juicy black plums notes, plus emerging nuances of lilacs, oolong tea, cinnamon stick, tilled soil and black truffles. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with tightly wound layers of crunchy black fruits, supported by firm, grainy tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing with lifted fruitiness and on a lingering mineral note. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 0621 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $834 | |
| XNE 0619 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $834 |
STRIKING - RP95 - Dark ruby in color, with just a bit of lightening at the rim, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon offers up striking aromas of damp moss, loam and black cherries, framed by hints of cedar and vanilla. It's medium to full-bodied, rich and velvety in feel, with a long, complex finish redolent of dried spices. It should drink well for at least another decade, probably more.
| WHI 0010 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $180 |
LONG-TERM - RP95+ - The exquisite, well-made 1996 vintage Champagne is a backward, long-term proposition that remains 1-2 years away from its apogee. The 1996 Cuvee Elizabeth Salmon Rose reveals a light pink hue as well as vivid strawberry, raspberry, and berry fruit with hints of smoke, crushed rocks, and even a touch of rhubarb in the background. Boldly-flavored, with crisp acidity, with most of its character at the back of the mouth, this is a brilliant, medium to full-bodied vintage rose to drink over the 10+ years.
BEAUTIFULLY - RP96 - Incorporating fully 10% still red wine, Billecart's 2009 Brut Rosé Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon is showing beautifully, delivering fragrant aromas of plums, stone fruits, petals, sweet spices and marzipan. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and elegant, it's seamless and pillowy, with bright acids and a pure, precise profile, concluding with a bright, saline finish. In 2009, it was vinified entirely in stainless steel.
| ACC 15605 | 1 BOTTLE BOXED | Current Bid: $269 | |
| XDW 1568 | 1 MAGNUM Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $784 | |
| XDW 1575 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $314 | |
| XDW 1580 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $314 |
FINEST - RP97+ - A blend of 45% Pinot Noir and 55% Chardonnay, the 2012 Brut Rosé Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon is a real success, wafting from the glass with aromas of red berries, rose, peony, orange blood and dried flowers. Medium to full-bodied, vinous and broad, it's dense and deep with a multidimensional core of fruit, racy acids and a textural structure, concluding with a long, delicate, mouthwatering finish. This is one of the finest rosé I've tasted at this address. Kudos! - MUSEUM RELEASE
| XDW 1587 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $364 | |
| XDW 1590 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $364 |
PERFECT BILLECART STYLE - RP96 - The 2008 Brut Cuvée Nicolas François was disgorged during the third quarter of 2022 with less than three grams per liter. It has a delicate, pure, clean bouquet with aromas of orchard fruits, spring flowers, honey and licorice, with hints of brioche and pastry with aeration. Medium to full-bodied, chiseled and crystalline, with racy acids and a chalky texture, the palate is tense and the finish is long, penetrating and salty. It exhibits perfect Billecart style, yet tension is present, a sign of the vintage. It is a blend of 60% Pinot Noir (sourced from Aÿ, Mareuil and Verzenay) and 40% Chardonnay from Mesnil, Chouilly and Cramant, and it matured 83% in tanks and 17% in old oak barrels. MUSEUM RELEASE
| ACC 17113 | 1 BOTTLE BOXED | Current Bid: $319 | |
| XDW 1641 | 1 MAGNUM Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $994 | |
| XDW 1643 | 1 MAGNUM Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $994 | |
| XDW 1644 | 1 MAGNUM Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $994 |
FULL BODIED, FLESHY & ENVELOPING - RP96 - Disgorged with eight grams per liter dosage, Bollinger's 2014 Brut La Grande Année Rosé wafts from the glass with aromas of tangerine oil, red berries, warm biscuits and English walnuts. Full-bodied, fleshy and enveloping, it's a broad, vinous Champagne, with a deep core of fruit and racy acids, complemented by a delicate pinpoint mousse and concluding with delicate and enlivening phenolic grip on the finish.
| ACC 15505 | 1 BOTTLE BOXED | Current Bid: $269 | |
| ACC 15506 | 1 BOTTLE BOXED | Current Bid: $269 | |
| ACC 15508 | 1 BOTTLE BOXED | Current Bid: $269 | |
| ACC 15509 | 1 BOTTLE BOXED | Current Bid: $269 |
MOUTHWATERING - RP95 - The Krug vintage 2000 Brut smells strikingly redolent of sea breeze, kelp, and piles of oyster and mussel shells, allied to lemon oil and toasted hazelnuts. On the palate, the aforementioned elements serve for compulsive salivation, while a lusciously juicy amalgam of lime, grapefruit and apple tinged with piquancy of their pips buoys the salty wave of mineral matter into a profoundly protracted finish that bursts with brightness and at the same time reveals mouthwateringly savory crab shell reduction and a hitherto largely hidden dark side of smoky Latakia tobacco, dark-roasted coffee, and toasted grains. Expect this to merit following for 12-15 years.
| A11 0001 | 1 BOTTLE BOXED | Current Bid: $499 |
RP93 - No Notes - 1988 Champagne was a strange vintage that was released after the forward 1990 - Apples and Oranges? - Dom V Krug? - My experience - the 1988 Krug is one of the most exciting /memorable champagnes I have EVER enjoyed - This one is for the experienced Champagne surveyor
| PET 0001 | 1 BOTTLE BOXED Slight label damage | Current Bid: $451 |
TENSION-FILLED - RP96 - The 2006 Dom Pérignon comes from a very rich vintage with an early ripeness that brought a lot of aromatic maturity. The white-golden prestige cuvée contains a bit more Chardonnay than Pinot Noir and opens with a deep and seductive, pretty accessible nose with intense yet fresh fruit aromas of pineapples, with peaches and tangerines. Lively and elegant on the palate, this is a full-bodied, unusually aromatic and fruity DP with a long and tension-filled expression.
| SPA 0002 | 1 BOTTLE Slight label damage | Current Bid: $300 |
BEAUTIFULLY - JH95 - Primarily MV6 clone planted '76, '97 and '07. Batches of pinot noir from a number of blocks were fermented with wild yeast, 20% whole bunches. Matured 10 months in French hogsheads (25% new and mainly Troncais). A dry and moderate season saw ripening accelerate after Christmas, leading to a 'slightly' early harvest. The fruit powers through, led by black cherry and red plum with violets, dried flowers and herbs. All combine beautifully on the palate, woven tight by fine tannins. This is a solid youngster with the kind of force of fruit intensity that we normally associate with the maker.
| CEL 0183 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $84 | |
| CEL 0184 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $84 | |
| CEL 0185 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $84 | |
| CEL 0186 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $84 |
ROOTSY - JH96 - From their best pinot site, both destemmed and whole-bunch fruit, extended maceration, wild fermentation and 12 months in French oak hogsheads. Another top year for Serré, the embodiment of pinot power teamed with refined poise. A rootsy (aka dusty beetroot), red -fruited, hyper-spiced, aromatic entrance. Supremely confident in promise and delivery. So much to take in: forest floor, game, black cherry, smoky cranberry, with a floral interlude of violet and lavender. Tannin weaves its way through to the finish.
| PUN 0006 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $76 | |
| PUN 0007 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $76 | |
| PUN 0008 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $76 |
PRECISION - JH96 - An immaculate representation of pure Barossa power and grace; dark fruits are laced with red; the fruit on the palate is pure bright, focused, and incredibly long and harmonious; made with precision, skill and great care.
| GRE 0005 | 1 BOTTLE Cellar damaged label | Current Bid: $104 |
THE BOY'S LINE UP - Another classic BLAST from the past - LINE UP? - Yep! Only 6 bottles of the E&E Black Pepper!
| JOH 0098 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $88 | |
| JOH 0099 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $88 | |
| JOH 0100 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $88 | |
| JOH 0101 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $88 | |
| JOH 0102 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $88 |
BEAUTIFUL - JH97 - The quite beautiful colour announces a quite beautiful medium-bodied wine with glorious red and black cherry fruit, superfine tannins and classy oak all in total harmony - so much so you can forget just where you are on the journey through to the finish
| TUR 1133 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $52 | |
| TUR 1134 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $52 |
WORLD - JH96 - Vines planted 1868, 1966, '70 and '92, hand-picked and sorted, open-fermented with 25% whole bunches, matured for 17 months in French oak (20% new). There should be no doubt that this is absolutely of world quality. It ticks each and every box with its deep colour, evocative bouquet smelling of 'old money' (in wine terms), a long and velvety palate, the finish simply wanting you to start the process over again.
DEEPEST - JH96 - From vines planted 1868, 1966, '70 and '92, hand-picked, sorted, fermented with 25% whole bunches, the remainder whole berry, matured for 17 months in French barriques and hogsheads (20% new). The deepest colour and largest build of the Best's Shirazs, here black and blue fruits have fine, but not apologetic, tannins running alongside the fruits - which don't give it (the tannins) even a passing glance.
| TUR 1014 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $48 |
ASSURED - JH94 - This is understated and slightly surly, but its future is as bright as ever. It will need time. It tastes of black cherries, saltbush, dark earth and herbs, with a thin layer of cedarwood oak helping to tie it all together. Tannin is fine and filigreed; length is pulsing and assured. It's medium in weight, and it will become more expressive as it matures
RARE & SPECIAL - Original Icon
| KC1 0001 | 1 BOTTLE Cellar damaged label | Current Bid: $153 |
BLESSED - JH97 - Deep crimson-purple; made predominantly from vines planted in 1868, and is genuinely a wine that is only made in the best vintages. I can't help but think when I taste a wine such as this that my ashes will have been scattered decades before it fulfils all of its potential. It has lashings of blackberry, plum, blackcurrant and touches of licorice and mint; the tannins are quite obvious, but ripe and in balance for a wine so blessed with great fruit. Bottle no. 833 of 4200.
| 106 0881 | 1 BOTTLE Stained label | Current Bid: $160 | |
| 106 0882 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $160 |
PINOT MORE - JH95 - Off two blocks from original plantings in 1868. 25% whole bunch during fermentation, nine months' ageing in French hogsheads. The original and still the best, old vines bring such complexity and depth to this wine. Fragrant in cranberry, red cherry and wild strawberry fruits that meld with dried herbs, rosehip and musk. Medium bodied, it offers upbeat cherry-led flavours that are bright and brisk across the palate with background herbals and a note of red licorice. Sinewy, fine tannins provide both juiciness and a sense of elegance.
TOP - JH96 - Best's remains at the top of its game because of wines like this; wines that hold true to the Thomson family's winemaking philosophy, celebrating old vines and its distinguished sites. It all comes together beautifully, perfectly, in Thomson Family Shiraz. Tasted 1 year before release and it's already an elegant and noble wine. Dark berry fruit, hints of sage and cassia bark with gentle leafiness. Oak and tannins, well, they are seamless and supple. A complex life awaits.
GREAT - JH97 - The leader of the Brokenwood pack, matured in French oak. Deep crimson-purple; you can see the size of the castle, but the drawbridge is up, and the moat very deep. There is only one thing to do: buy as much as you/your partner can afford, and don't return for at least 5, preferably 10, years. This has all the attributes of a great Graveyard, its balance (the key) and length unimpeachable.
| TUR 1128 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $176 |
ICON - JH99 - One of Australia's icons. The decision not to use any new French oak, and to limit the alcohol to 13.5%, has resulted in a wine with a unique sense of place. It is also superbly balanced, dark fruits married to superfine tannins - another feature of a classic Hunter shiraz.
| TUR 1129 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $220 |
PINGED - JH99 - A single block of mainly 50yo vines. Take a bottle with you to drink with Maurice O'Shea and he'll be ecstatic. It's supple, perfectly balanced, a pure expression of a quirky vineyard that has been the work of winemaker Iain Riggs for 4 decades. '18 was a great vintage, and he pinged it.
| TUR 1130 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $220 |
VENERABLE - JH96 - A stellar wine boasting an intensity of flavour, palate-staining levels of extract and a forensic precision to the tannins that forces one to swish the wine about the mouth while chewing every ounce of nourishment from it. Subdued at first, before 2019's ripe kit of black cherry melds with lilac florals and a long trail of pepper, Indian spice mix and charcuterie flavours. A venerable wine in the making.
| TUR 1131 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $176 |
ULTRA-STYLISH - JH98 - This is an ultra-stylish, well-made Graveyard with tightly coiled fruit and a serious demeanour. In fact, it would be easy to miss its greatness, especially alongside riper styles, if one wasn't paying attention. Quiet and reserved with a youthful crimson hue, the fruit is tensioned within an intricate matrix of acidity and tannin. With aeration, one sees exotic black cherry characters nestled within a dense, sculpted, savoury palate. It's a slender, majestic shiraz that has grace and restrained power. It will be an extremely long-living wine, and I can't wait to see how it transforms with time. One for the future.
| XNE 2901 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $289 | |
| XNE 2900 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $289 | |
| XNE 2899 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $289 | |
| XNE 2898 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $289 |
AWESOME - JH97 - The 49yo vines are planted on a hillside of red volcanic soil. In deference to the extreme quality of the fruit, only 20% new French oak was used in the maturation. An exceptional wine from an exceptional vintage, with awesome texture, structure and balance to the savoury/earthy regional inflection of the fruit profile. This is classic Hunter Valley shiraz that will live loner than most who buy it.
| SHU 0140 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $55 |
BRAVO - JH99 - From a 1ha vineyard in an amphitheatre with three different soil types, six clones mutated into a single Tout Pres clone planted at 7300 vines per ha, the densest planting on the estate, hence Tout Pres translating to "very cosy', 100% whole bunches open-fermented, matured in new French (Allier) oak. What a difference a year makes, especially when one vintage ('15) is brilliant. This wine has a depth to its silently throbbing power from the moment it enters the mouth to the lingering aftertaste. It would be impossible to buy a Burgundy of this quality for less than $250. Bravo.
| TUR 1087 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $130 | |
| TUR 1088 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $130 |
HARMONIOUS - JH96 - Bright crimson-purple; an elegant and vibrant wine, the purity of its varietal fruit expression quite exceptional, as is the handling of the French oak and tannins; the finish is very long and totally harmonious.
| TUR 1126 | 1 BOTTLE Slight label damage | Current Bid: $72 |
GLORIOUS - JH98 - Handpicked fruit was berry sorted before fermentation of 30 days on skins; 18 months in French oak (50% new). This is a glorious cabernet, its blackcurrant, cedar and spice bouquet leading into a seamless, perfectly balanced palate with cassis and redcurrant fruit framed by cedary oak. The amazing tannins, softly woven into the fabric of the fruit, gives this wine its ultimate class. Very different to the 2011.
| WHI 0022 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $81 | |
| TUR 1127 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $72 |
EXCELLENT - JH96 - Includes 15% merlot. Another excellent wine with neatly compact flavours and definition. Beautiful tannin structure, the palate silky and refined, the cassis, the oak, the spices all dutifully playing their part.
| SHU 0357 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $51 | |
| SHU 0358 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $51 |
OUTSTANDING - JH96 - Jim Chatto's eight-clone blend from the Isle vineyard is in fine fettle with the '23 release. Cherry compote, raspberry pip and dark cherry with hints of dried jasmine and some liminal lavender tones along with a sweep of Medina spice, cocoa nibs, blood orange, turned leaf litter, dried cranberry and citrus rind, struck flint and sea spray. Such a lovely flow and sense of grace to the wine's travel this year with superfine, gypsum dust-like tannins suffusing through the pure berry fruits. A sapid, sour-cherry acid line sets the cadence nicely as the wine trails off. Outstanding stuff.
| XBW 2661 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $64 | |
| XBW 2662 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $64 | |
| XBW 2679 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $64 |
WOW - RP100 - The fitting capstone to what was a terrific vintage for Clarendon Hills, the 2015 Astralis Syrah is destined to become a McLaren Vale legend. Remarkably precise, complex and pristine aromas of anise, pepper, mint and blueberries lead the way. They're followed by a full-bodied yet impeccably ripe palate that's dense and concentrated yet supple, leading into a velvety, nearly endless finish. Wow.
| PUN 0009 | 1 BOTTLE Cellar damaged label | Current Bid: $160 | |
| PUN 0010 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $180 | |
| PUN 0011 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $180 |
TIME IS RIGHT? - RP97+ - The inky, tannic 2016 Astralis Syrah will no doubt need some time before it reaches its apogee. Right now, it only hints at that potential. Appetizing scents of roasted meat and cinnamon toast meet red raspberries and black cherries on the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate is densely concentrated and richly textured but closed, locked up by firm, dusty tannins that bar the lengthy finish from expanding and being truly expressive. I'm tempted to say buyers should check in on the wine in five years, but that may not be enough time. If you absolutely must check it out now, taste it repeatedly over the course of a full evening to catch glimpses of espresso, black olives and delicate herbal nuances.
| XWA 1256 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $339 | |
| XWA 1251 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $339 | |
| XWA 0778 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $339 |
A BEAUTY - RP97+ - The 2017 Astralis Syrah is a very fine wine. It is not a big wine. Perhaps its reputation for being a big, extracted wine is a misnomer these days. It has intention and drive and clarity and length—and the length of flavor is so long that it allows reassessment over and over again. It has cassis and blackberry, raspberry pip and salted licorice. It is perfumed and balanced, and it takes time to develop. Unctuous. Satisfying. Supple. Attractive. Beautiful. Eminently balanced. A beauty.
| XWA 1526 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $314 | |
| XWA 1545 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $314 | |
| XWA 1485 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $314 |
SUPERB - JH97 - As expected the wine is young and buoyant, with a highly fragrant perfume of red fruit, fresh blackberry, violets, roasted meat and a little tar; the palate reveals the true potential of this superb wine with a cascading array of flavours and thrillingly silky tannin, poised acidity and a peacocks tail on the very long and precise palate.
| TUR 0872 | 1 BOTTLE Slight label damage | Current Bid: $104 |
JH95 - Light, bright crimson-purple; a highly fragrant bouquet of red fruits and subtle spices leads into a medium-bodied palate; here more savoury characters join the red fruit flavours, lengthening the finish and aftertaste. Due for release Sept 2011.
| TUR 0873 | 1 BOTTLE Slight label damage | Current Bid: $84 |
GLORIOUS - JH98 - The perfumed, spicy bouquet with red flowers and fruits doesn't prepare you for the intensity and piercing length of its beautifully balanced medium-bodied palate. This is a truly glorious wine that draws you back again and again to explore the wealth of red fruit flavours, and the majesty of its texture and structure.
| SHU 0331 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $78 | |
| SHU 0334 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $78 |
EXHILARATING - JH97 - This has class stamped all over it from the moment you first taste it, sweeping away any necessity to describe the colour or bouquet; it creates a sparkling river of dark fruits that run from the tip of the tongue through to the elegant, but oh so complex, finish and aftertaste. Exhilarating.
| TUR 1023 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $32 | |
| TUR 1024 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $32 |
GUILE - JH97 - Has the guile that is at the heart of Craiglee style, the flavours fresh, with more red fruit than black, an omnipresent pinch of spice, and a splash of licorice and forest all combining to seduce the senses before you register the underlying intensity and length of the fruit. Tannins and French oak are also present, but it's not until the finish and aftertaste that they leave their mark.
| TUR 1081 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $32 | |
| TUR 1082 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $32 | |
| TUR 1083 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $32 |
DIANA MADELINE - JH98 - For some years has been my pick as the best Australian cabernet merlot blend, and this vintage does nothing to change my mind. Densely coloured, the bouquet is crammed with rich cassis fruit and oak, as is the imperious palate, with layer upon layer of fruit woven through with powerful but ripe tannins. Cullen Cab Merlot changed name to Diana Madeline in 2001
| 303 0243 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $144 | |
| 303 0244 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $144 | |
| 303 0245 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $144 | |
| 303 0246 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $180 | |
| 303 0247 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $180 | |
| 303 0248 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $180 |
QUIXOTIC - A Dream ahead of its time - a Labour of Love - PERFECTLY refrierated cellar storage history
| 303 0234 | 1 BOTTLE Slight label damage | Current Bid: $29 | |
| 303 0235 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $32 | |
| 303 0236 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $32 | |
| 303 0237 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $32 |
JH94 - Excellent hue and depth; a complex, medium to full-bodied web of texture and flavour; perfectly balanced oak and tannins supporting blackcurrant fruit; long finish.
| KC1 0002 | 1 BOTTLE Cellar damaged label | Current Bid: $117 |
PERFECTION - JH97 - This is as close to perfection as one can imagine in terms of structure, texture and its complex fruit flavours. Great now, greater still in another 10 years, and who knows how long thereafter. Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Cabernet Franc/Petit Verdot.
| TUR 1112 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $130 |
ELEGANT - JH95 - The usual complex blend of Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc/Merlot/Malbec, wild yeast-fermented and matured for 13 months in French oak. It has excellent colour, and is made in the 'new' medium-bodied Cullen style; the texture is silky, and the tannins are not the least aggressive, making it a very elegant and fresh wine that will doubtless age for as long as you wish.
| TUR 1113 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $130 |
GRACE - JH96 - A 77/10/6/4/3% blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, petit verdot, malbec and cabernet franc. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced, its array of blackcurrant, redcurrant, earth and spice fruit flavours are clearly varietal. Effortless grace, sure to develop beautifully over the next 20-30 years.
| PUN 0017 | 1 BOTTLE Slight label damage | Current Bid: $111 | |
| TUR 1114 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $130 | |
| TUR 1159 | 1 MAGNUM | Current Bid: $280 |
ASTONISHING - JH98 - A 76/17/7% blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc aged for 19 months in French barriques (38% new). The palate has astonishing power and length given its alcohol, reflecting the years during which the vineyard has been managed biodynamically, the soil filled with life and beneficial micro-organisms that are indisputably having a positive impact on the vines. You might well be looking at a wine from Bordeaux's Left Bank, coiled up like a spring, but perfectly balanced, the finish almost painfully long.
| TUR 1115 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $130 |
DRINK NOW - OR - IN 40+ YEARS - JH98 - 87% Cabernet sauvignon, with 7/3/2/1% merlot/cabernet franc/malbec/petit verdot. Matured for 15 months in barrique, 45% new. Cassis and red licorice on the nose, bay and saltbush, too. The palate is salty and fine with layers upon layers of spice and texture. The tannins are like finely textured gills, stacked as delicately as the folds in a mushroom. The length of flavour unfurls and extends across the palate, taking so long to fade that this entire tasting note is possible off one sip. The rest are just for pleasure. Drink it now, or in 40+ years from now… both will be possible.
| KC1 0003 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $84 | |
| KC1 0004 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $84 | |
| KC1 0005 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $91 | |
| KC1 0006 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $84 | |
| KC1 0007 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $84 | |
| KC1 0008 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $84 |
GOSH - JH97 - Diana Madeline. The name evokes a lot of emotions, for what the woman stood for then and what the wine stands for now. The 2021 vintage equals 50 years of cabernet sauvignon plantings at Cullen. When released in early 2023, it was on what would have been her 100th birthday. It’s a wine that can come from nowhere else, so strong is its sense of place. Expect to swoon over aromas of roses, violets and mulberries doused in baking spices, a ferruginous quality as much as detailed if persuasive tannins. It’s complex, complete and structured. Gosh, what a wine. What a woman. The perfect combination.
| TER 0004 | 1 BOTTLE Slight cellar damaged label | Current Bid: $94 | |
| TER 0006 | 1 BOTTLE Slightly stained label | Current Bid: $94 |
DNA - JH97 - The best wines are distinctive with a clear DNA link to place. Diana Madeline is one such wine. An excellent deep purple hue with an ever-changing array of aromas: one minute spice, mulberries and cocoa when first poured, and next full of savoury notes of black olive tapenade, nori and menthol. As usual, it’s beautifully framed yet the fuller-bodied palate is plumped up by textural, expansive tannins and finishes long. Get a spot ready in the cellar, this has time on its side.
DELIGHTS - JH97 - This Diana Madeline delights as soon as it's poured. A deep, dark purple-red and so vibrant. Ah the aromas next – all cedar wood, oak spices and warm earth with fresh mulberries and blackberry essence. It has concentrated, fabulous fruit on the fuller-bodied palate yet there’s a fineness, too, with supple tannins enmeshed in lively acidity. It’s a gorgeous drink. Too young now as it’s still showing off its youthful exuberance. Give this a few more years in the cellar to build more complexity and detail; it's guaranteed to age beautifully for another two or so decades.
BENDED KNEE - JH98 - Block 3 hand picked on a fruit day, whole-bunch basket pressed, fermented in concrete egg, matured for 6 months in new French puncheons. Rosewater, pistachio, crushed cashew, yellow peach, flint and cap gun, struck match and saltbush. The saline acid carves a snaking track down the palate, like a lone snowboarder on a freshly groomed run. The length of flavour is interminable, and the impact of the oak is hard to distinguish. This is concentrated, otherworldly, and utterly unique. Bended knee required. Hail Margaret River chardonnay.
| KC1 0009 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $105 | |
| KC1 0010 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $105 | |
| KC1 0011 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $105 | |
| KC1 0012 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $105 | |
| KC1 0013 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $105 | |
| KC1 0014 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $105 |
COMPELLING - JH96 - Even if this is a rich rendition full of white stone fruit, quince paste with pomelo dusted in ginger powder and daikon radish, it has the Kevin John thumbprint. And while all that’s all well and lovely, it’s how this feels that makes it special: a density of fruit yet succulence, fleshy and full with umami lees, this is pulsing with flavour and energy and the oak gives off a savoury appearance. As always, compelling.
| TER 0003 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $121 | |
| XBW 2680 | 1 MAGNUM Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $349 | |
| XBW 2681 | 1 MAGNUM Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $349 | |
| XBW 2695 | 1 MAGNUM Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $349 |
PLEASING - JH96 - A warm and dry vintage in ’24 yet the fruit was picked early, between the 11th and 19th January, with five hand harvests according to the biodynamic calendar. Aged 6 months in 50% new French oak puncheons. And yet, it's almost a pared-back style given the richness and flavour we’re accustomed to with Kevin John – everything reined in by fine acidity. It’s a pleasing outcome. Grapefruit and white peach, cedar/caramel oak spices and a light fragrance of lemon blossom. Not all upfront fruit; there’s a savouriness throughout, a fine layer of nougat/nutty lees and a tug of phenolics that adds more shape.
PERFECT - JH99 - Two-thirds whole berries/one-third crushed into 300l terracotta amphorae for wild fermentation, 10 weeks on skins before pressed to French oak (66% new) for 5 months. This is a truly beautiful and graceful cabernet. Its purity of varietal fruit expression, its perfect fruit/oak/tannin balance and its length are exceptional.
CONSULT THE ORACLE - Rare Special Sublime - Made in TINY quantities - Harmony of the spheres that elevates the senses - A Con job? - NO - Explanations are best left to faith and the ultimate test - FABULOUS wine in the glass
| XBW 2790 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $664 | |
| XBW 2794 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $664 | |
| XBW 2796 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $664 |
DELIGHT - JH96 - Hand picked under a full moon on a fruit day. The journey of Vanya is a delight to behold and of course, drink. A wine shaped by 100% cabernet and complete in every way. It’s fragrant with florals, woodsy spices, cassis, mulberries with a dusting of cocoa and warm earth. It’s medium-bodied, long and detailed with beautifully shaped tannins – fine, ripe and textural. Approachable now yet time will give this more layers and depth.
| TER 0002 | 1 BOTTLE Cellar damaged label | Current Bid: $397 |
EXCELLENT - JH96 - Deep colour; vivid hue; fresh black fruits, licorice, toasty oak and sappy complexity are all evident on the bouquet; the palate is dark and chewy, but falls short of being ponderous, as the wine progresses at an even and stately pace across the palate; excellent execution indeed.
| TUR 1042 | 1 BOTTLE Slight label damage | Current Bid: $51 |
DECADE - JH96 - From a 105yo south-facing vineyard, two-thirds crushed on top of one-third whole bunches for open fermentation, 11 days on skins, matured for 30 months in French barriques. Little wonder it's $100 a bottle. The depth, power and intensity of the thick velvet mantle of black fruits, licorice, spice and charcuterie will require a decade or more of patience if you are to extract the best of a very different shiraz.
| SHU 0373 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $55 | |
| SHU 0374 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $55 | |
| SHU 0375 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $55 | |
| SHU 0376 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $55 | |
| SHU 0480 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $55 |
STRATOSPHERE - JH98 - Cabernet reaching for the stratosphere and placing its fingertips fairly in the vicinity. This takes the flesh and bone of Devil's Lair Cabernet Sauvignon and adds muscle, of the rippling type. Blackcurrant, black olive, truffle, sweetly spiced oak, peppercorn and brighter, almost pretty, redcurrant notes. There's a dusting of chocolate too; the flavours here flex and contract, relax and unveil, in waves. Gravelly tannin maintains a firm rule. Persistence: it looks tomorrow in the eye.
| TUR 1063 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $80 | |
| TUR 1064 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $80 |
ENORMOUS - JH96 - Demonstrates the Barossa Valley's capacity to produce shiraz with enormous depth and length without dead fruit; just mouthwatering, velvety shiraz flavours, tannins and oak in the chorus.
| DON 0169 | 1 MAGNUM BOXED | Current Bid: $133 |
BRICK HOUSE - RP97 - Sourced from a tiny single block of vineyard planted in 1915, the very deep garnet-purple 2013 Fifteen Shiraz is a brand new, 100% Shiraz wine aged in 100% new French oak. It opens to an incredible nose loaded with dark chocolate and crushed blueberries, plums, cloves, raw meat, licorice, tar and a whiff of incense. Big, powerful and concentrated, it is built like a brick house and framed by firm, grainy tannins. It finishes quite earthy and long in the finish. Less than 100 cases were produced.
| WAY 0141 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $173 | |
| WAY 0142 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $170 | |
| WAY 0143 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $170 |
EXCEPTIONALLY SCENTED - JH97 - Light straw-green; an exceptionally scented, blossom-filled bouquet, including wild flowers as well as citrus and apple; a very intense, juicy and sculptured palate, with squeaky acidity running throughout. Likely to have a very low pH, and has a commensurately long palate and lingering aftertaste.MUSEUM RELEASE
RIGHT - JH96 - This snaps, crackles and pops with all the right aromas and flavours of a cooler-climate red. Made without any new oak (mostly in 3500L foudres) allowing the fruit to shine – all plums and cherries – yet by no means a fruity wine. Pepper and florals, ironstone and brown spices, the mid-weighted palate well-modulated with textural tannins and such juicy acidity.
EFFORTLESS - JH96 - The finest, most complete Olmo’s Reward to date comprising cabernet franc 58% cabernet franc, 26% cabernet sauvignon, 11% malbec and 5% petit verdot. Red fruits, earth and spice sashay across the medium-bodied frame meeting finely crafted tannins. Pure and long on the finish and seems effortless. Certainly effortless to drink.
| ACC 18108 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $70 |
DISTINGUISHED - JH96 - A blend of cabernet franc, merlot, cabernet sauvignon and malbec, each variety open-fermented separately, matured for 15 months in French oak. As rich as it its complex and vice versa. A distinguished wine
| ACC 16903 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $65 |
BEAUTIFUL - JH96 - Cabernet franc, malbec and cabernet sauvignon. It took me a number of years to understand this wine, and it wasn't until I understood the Frankland River regional DNA that the flavours, but most specifically, the textures here, made sense to me. This is concentrated and supple to start, but the flow of tannins doesn't tread the same path of say, a Margaret River cabernet blend (nor should it). Here, the tannins are gravelly and leaning towards rustic, speaking of ferrous and ironstone. They lend a graphite quality and are the key to this wine. The fruit is abundant within the framework of the phenolics; a snow dome of cassis, blackberry, nori, iodine, blood plum and licorice. It's a beautiful wine with longevity and patience in equal measure.
FINEST - JH96 - Cabernet franc is at the heart of Olmo’s Reward with glugs of cabernet sauvignon and for the first time mourvadre and a splash of malbec. This is up there as one of the finest to date. A seamless combination of the varieties morphs into a unified, harmonious red. Supple, fine tannins yet intrinsically powerful in a way, as they coat the fuller-bodied palate, but this never feels big or weighty. The finish is as long as it is beautiful.
| ACC 17907 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $64 |
LOVELY - JH96 - An off-dry style, and a portion is usually aged on lees in old oak and the rest in stainless-steel tank. This is lovely. Full of mandarin juice and peel, makrut lime and the creamiest nougat lees flavour – divine. It’s delicate, stylish and so appealing. Most importantly, the acidity brings everything in alignment, so the sweetness just fleshes out and rounds out the palate.
PROFOUND - WOW - JH97 - Certified organic. Fruit from the Isolation Ridge vineyard on the estate property. The nose is so fragrant that it takes some time to unpick it all. Winter mandarin, pink peppercorn, citrus blossom, blackberry, plum, licorice, clove, star anise, lavender and fennel flower. In the mouth, the graphite and black-tea tannins are a masterclass in svelte. They weave and thread through all aspects of the experience, becoming briefly savoury, before trailing out over a long finish. It is the tannins that reveal to us how inchoate this wine truly is. It needs time. It will be superlative. For now, it is tightly wound, coiled even and needs time to unfurl and show its potential. What a profound wine. Wow. Owns the Syrah moniker
BEST - JH96 - This is Freycinet at its best, red fruits opening proceedings, then standing back for forest floor to bring complexity front and centre. Those pure and perfectly ripened cherry/strawberry/raspberry fruits then reassert their prime role in a pinot that has years to go, tannins and acidity their guidelines.
| SHU 0170 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $60 | |
| SHU 0169 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $60 | |
| SHU 0168 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $60 |
BURGUNDY - JH97 - This is an exceptional pinot, built in the mould of a top Burgundy with 25% new oak, beautifully extracted tannins of lithe detail, and a quotient of whole-cluster rasp that speaks exactitude! All the components converge to deliver a complex potpourri of clove, cardamon, cinnamon, five-spice, mulch, campfire and red fruits a go go. This deserves to be placed among the country's very best. Savoury and thoroughly compelling.
| SHU 0476 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $70 | |
| SHU 0477 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $70 |
DELIGHTFUL - JH96 - Pinot purity right here, folks. There’s a certain precision and definition too. A delightful combo of joy and complexity: rhubarb and freshly grated beetroot, sweet red cherries, florals and warm spices, with the oak neatly tucked in. Superfine tannins, laser-like acidity and terrific length seal the deal.
| CEL 0046 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $76 | |
| CEL 0047 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $76 | |
| CEL 0048 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $76 |
GREATEST - JH98 - Named after the Applejack eucalypts that surround the vineyard, which was planted at Gladysdale in 1997. Seven clones including 114, 115, MV6, D2V5, D5V15, Pommard and Abel! I've long considered the Applejack vineyard to be one of the greatest sites for pinot in Australia and I'm not sure I've seen a better version than the 2021. A deep, bright, crimson purple. Maraschino cherry into plum, there's an exotic and riotous amalgam of Asian five-spice and a gentle savoury, umami character. What elevates this vintage is the concentration, along with Applejack's trademark perfume and spice. Just so vibrant and fresh on the palate, the tannins are both silky and plentiful. You will have no problems opening and enjoying this now, but the wine's track record suggests you'll thank me if you still have some to drink 7–10 years from now, if not longer.
| CEL 0049 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $79 | |
| CEL 0050 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $79 | |
| CEL 0051 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $79 | |
| CEL 0052 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $79 | |
| CEL 0053 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $79 | |
| CEL 0054 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $79 |
IRRESISTABLE - JH98 - Named after the Applejack eucalypts that surround the vineyard, which was planted at Gladysdale in 1997. Seven clones comprising 114, 115, MV6, D2V5, D5V15, Pommard and Abel. Whole bunches (15%) and 20–25% new French barriques. Like a Mahler symphony, all of the elements of this wine are in perfect harmony. Aromas of crushed rose petals, red and black cherries, satsuma plums and subtle hints of sandalwood and fennel fronds. There's a little charcuterie and a discreet touch of wet stone. On the palate, this is the most concentrated, structured and saline Applejack I can remember, yet you barely notice the tannins due to the core of pure raspberry and cherry fruit. There's a gentle sappiness on the long, lingering finish. Simply irresistible.
| CEL 0055 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $79 | |
| CEL 0056 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $79 | |
| CEL 0057 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $79 | |
| CEL 0058 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $79 | |
| CEL 0059 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $79 | |
| CEL 0060 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $79 |
BENCHMARK - JH98 - Pinot Noir of the Year. Named after the Applejack eucalypts that surround the vineyard, which was planted at Gladysdale in 1997 by Ray Guerin. Seven clones comprising 114, 115, MV6, D2V5, D5V15, Pommard and Abel. Whole bunches (40%) and 20–25% new French barriques. 2022 was a hard act to follow, but this superb wine gives it a shake. Exotic, aromatic and pure with its bouquet of wild strawberries, dark cherries, quince, spices and flowers. Densely packed, this saturates the palate, but, as always, it's light on its feet at the same time. Seamless tannins round out another benchmark for what's already a benchmark wine.
| CEL 0061 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $79 | |
| CEL 0062 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $79 | |
| CEL 0063 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $79 | |
| CEL 0064 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $79 | |
| CEL 0065 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $79 | |
| CEL 0066 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $79 |
EXQUISITE - JH97 - From Lou Primavera's 2001-planted vineyard at Woori Yallock; 25% whole bunches on the clone 115 component, while clones MV6 and G were destemmed. Matured in French barriques (25% new). Wonderfully perfumed and vibrant with its aromas of cranberries, wild strawberries, a little Sichuan pepper, fresh citrus oil and musk roses at dusk. A wine of exquisite finesse and excellent depth, the tannins are very fine and long, as is the finish. This will provide much enjoyment over the next decade or so.
| CEL 0067 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $76 | |
| CEL 0068 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $76 | |
| CEL 0069 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $76 | |
| CEL 0070 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $76 | |
| CEL 0071 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $76 | |
| CEL 0072 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $76 |
YUMMO - JH96 - From Lou Primavera's 2001-planted vineyard at Woori Yallock; 15% whole bunches and matured in French barriques (25% new). A light, bright crimson. Aromas of strawberry compote, tamarillo, sage and rose petals. A little reduction and graphite too. The palate is succulent and plush with silky tannins, making this the yummo, drink-now, single-vineyard wine from Giant Steps in '23.
| ACC 18114 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $69 | |
| ACC 18113 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $69 | |
| ACC 18112 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $69 | |
| ACC 18422 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $69 | |
| ACC 18423 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $69 | |
| ACC 18424 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $69 |
ENERGETIC - JH97 - Made from a 50/50% blend of Gingin and Bernard clones planted between 100 and 200m in Gruyere. Whole-bunch pressed to French puncheons (25% new oak) with 15% mlf. Right now, this is the most salivating and seductive of Giant Step's superb array of single-vineyard chardonnays from '23. Perfectly ripened white peach, pear and some marine scents lead onto the palate, which is gently textured, saline and structured. The finish is energetic, nutty and long
| ACC 17675 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $59 | |
| ACC 18251 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $59 | |
| ACC 18252 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $59 | |
| ACC 18254 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $59 |
SUPERSTAR - RP98 - The 2018 The Eye of Ra Shiraz is wildly aromatic: blood plum, pastrami, cracked peppercorns, clove bud, mountain herbs (alpine mint?), boysenberry, blackberry (actually, every black berry you can name), dark chocolate, squid ink, blueberry, resin and char. In the mouth, the wine is velvety and concentrated, with a surprising amount of detail embedded and embossed into the folds of tannin that shape the wine. This is very big, make no mistake, but also balanced between its sweet and savory sides. A galaxy of complexity exists in this glass. It shows the 2018 vintage off to its best effect: ripe, dense, concentrated, fresh and beguiling. Super good. The drinking window is conservative, however, as I prefer a modicum of primary fruit. It's important to note that it will age gracefully beyond that point, so it is up to you... The fruit for this cuvée is from Ebenezer, largely from Adrian Hoffman. Diverse soil types in the vineyard allow for diversity in picking and fruit flavors; this here is from the sandy/free-draining sections of the Ebenezer vineyard—from four blocks in the vineyard. It was handpicked, and picked based on flavor, then crushed, destemmed and cold fermented, barrel selection. It matured in 300-liter hogsheads for 14-16 months, in a combination of French oak coopers (100% new). Packaged in a black metal box, under natural cork and wax, this is a superstar.
| XBW 2925 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $449 | |
| XBW 2929 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $449 | |
| XBW 2931 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $449 |
COMPELLING - JH97 - Hand-picked, 30% whole bunches, 7 days cold soak, open-fermented, 14 days on skins, hand-plunged, matured in French puncheons (50% new) for 14 months, 150 dozen made. A totally compelling wine with its multiplicity of messages, half deriving from the terroir and vintage, half from the vinification. It is at once savoury/earthy/leathery and brightly fruited, the fragrance superb, the medium-bodied palate with an overarching drive to its predominantly red fruits.
| SHU 0397 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $31 | |
| SHU 0398 | 1 BOTTLE Label damage | Current Bid: $24 |
OLYMPIAN - JH98 - The 22nd release of Meshach celebrates the great '12 Barossa Valley vintage. The colour is still deep crimson-purple, setting the pattern for the bouquet and palate to follow. A wine of the highest quality in the Olympian class of Barossa Valley shiraz, seamless, calmly powerful and perfectly balanced. Black fruits dominate, but this is no one-dimensional power play, with hints of licorice, bitter chocolate and graphite. The tannins and oak contributions are perfectly placed and paced
| TUR 1102 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $120 | |
| TUR 1103 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $120 |
INCREDIBLE - RP95+ -Deep garnet in color, the 2007 Roennfeldt Road Shiraz displays an incredible array of aromas: sandalwood, oolong tea, cinnamon stick, cardamom, damp earth, tobacco, cedar, licorice and menthol over a core of dried mulberries and fruit cake. Very full-bodied and densely packed with spiced, dried berry flavors, it has a good line of enlivening acid, medium to firm grainy tannins and a long finish with the oak still poking through. It is approachable now but should drink best 2024+.
| ACC 17193 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $247 |
FIFTY - WOW - The best? 50th Pressie - Guaranteed to WOW everyone at the Big Birthday celebration - Made when Aussie Fortified was King of the Vines
BREATHTAKING - JH97 - 100% McLaren Vale from 106yo vines in Upper Tintara and from McLaren Flat. Open-fermented with pneumatic pigeage/punch down, 3 days cold soak, 14 days on skins. The vivid, deep crimson-purple hue tells of an intense mix of blackberry and blackcurrant flavours, with breathtaking texture, the ultimate fist in an iron glove. A 25-year life span is extremely conservative.
| SHU 0161 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $70 | |
| SHU 0162 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $69 | |
| SHU 0163 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $69 |
SIXTY - WOW - The Best? 60th Pressie - Guaranteed to WOW everyone at the Big Birthday celebration - Made when Aussie Fortified was King of the Vines
| GGR 0199 | 1 BOTTLE Cellar damaged label | Current Bid: $299 |
COMPLEX - JH97 - Sourced from the 158yo Stonegarden Vineyard to produce a lone 600l barrel, this vintage with new oak for the first time - with the addition of mataro, the new oak component ended up around 85%, seamlessly integrated. This dips into more savoury, earthy tones darkening the fruit and spice without ever losing its line on the slighter fuller palate. A complex and compelling wine with excellent length, detail and charm.
| SHU 0499 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $43 |
WONDERFUL - JH96 - A blend of organic/biodynamically farmed 99/1% cabernet sauvignon/merlot from the Cyril Henschke vineyard in the Eden Valley from the outstanding 2021 vintage. A beautiful bright magenta/crimson in the glass with a pretty, lifted aromatic profile. Plum, blackberry and blackcurrant with notes of sage, bay leaf, dried herbs, violets and crushed stone. Fruit pure and detailed with a very long, graceful finish and superfine, powdery, granitic tannins. A wonderful release for the Cyril Henschke.
| ACC 17764 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $159 | |
| ACC 17765 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $159 | |
| ACC 17769 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $159 |
PROFOUND - RP97 - Deep brown-brick in color, the 1991 Hill of Grace offers intensely scented notes of warm black fruits, Chinese dried plums, dar chocolate-covered cherries and licorice. It is very pure, full-bodied and rich in the mouth, with profound and seductive flavors, a great backbone of crisp acid and firm, finely-grained tannins through the long finish. It is mature now but no rush to drink. MUSEUM RELEASE
| ACC 18037 | 1 BOTTLE Museum Release | Current Bid: $1149 |
TICKS EVERY BOX - JH97 - Full crimson-purple; the fragrant bouquet of spiced red and black flower and fruit aromas, the palate so perfectly proportioned and weighted it is easy to just drink it, knowing it ticks each and every box for a classic medium-bodied shiraz. But there's much more to be discovered: the cedar, earth and licorice subtext to the primary web of black fruits and superfine tannins will do for a start.
| 99G 0001 | 1 BOTTLE BOXED | Current Bid: $680 | |
| 99G 0002 | 1 BOTTLE BOXED | Current Bid: $680 |
BEETHOVEN - JH99 - From a very good vintage, the colour shows no sign of age, the bouquet and palate reminiscent of a Beethoven symphony, throbbing with power, its black fruits in a web of fine, ripe tannins, building inexorably to the last movement, constantly revisiting and rephrasing all that has gone before.
| TUR 1065 | 1 BOTTLE BOXED | Current Bid: $733 |
PERFECT - JH99 - It's been worth the wait, and then some, for this is a flawless Hill of Grace. It's an old cliche, but it's unavoidable: it is the ultimate iron fist in a velvet glove. While the fruit remains supreme, there are savoury tannins to support the 50-year cellaring potential of the wine. It is bottled under screwcap, not the elegant Vino-Lok of past vintages, because you want the most secure closure for ultra-long cellaring. The wine? Perfect colour, fragrant dark cherry/berry aromas and flavours, positive tannin and French oak support, great aftertaste.
| PUN 0004 | 1 BOTTLE BOXED | Current Bid: $682 |
SPECTACLE - JH99 - From a core of vines planted around 1860 (plus some 100+ and 35+yo vines) at 400m elevation. Matured 18 months in 85/15% French/ American oak, 29% new. Such effortless grace and caressing elegance, in the presence of commanding endurance that will sustain it for half a century. This is the paradox that defines the legendary fable that is Hill of Grace. The 2016 embodies this: the profound depth of black fruits, bathed in the inimitable fragrance and exotic Chinese five-spice that characterises these old vines, set to tannins more finely textured yet more commanding than ever. Resist the seductive temptations of its youth and drink the 2015 first, because the true spectacle of 2016 is decades away.
| LPE 0002 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $680 |
CLASSIC - JH99 - This release will go down in the annals of Australian fine wine as one of the classic releases for Hill of Grace. With a strong vintage and even stronger pedigree, the gnarled old, circa 1860s-planted, shiraz vines have really come up with the goods with this release and as I sit to taste this wine with Stephen Henschke he shakes his head and says, "it just amazes me that my grandmother's grandfather planted these vines". The eagle-eyed will notice a skip in vintage. The yields were down horribly in 2020 across all the Henschke vineyards but man, did 2021 deliver. Super bright magenta/crimson in the glass with a wonderfully deep aromatic profile. Doris plum, blackberry and black cherry with hints of mace, sage, panforte, cedar, dark chocolate, tapenade, pepper, charcuterie, graphite, crushed quartz and violets. From the aromatic detail to the amplitude, purity and flow of fruit, the wine is absolutely on song with stunning length of flavour and presence on the palate, sailing away slowly with tight, fine-grained tannins and the most graceful of travels on the palate. An absolute classic for this wine.
| ACC 18259 | 1 BOTTLE BOXED | Current Bid: $799 | |
| ACC 18260 | 1 BOTTLE BOXED | Current Bid: $799 |
GREATS - JH98 - I used to live next door to this 109-year-old vineyard for nearly a decade and have seen the hard work and attention to detail that goes into its farming. The 2021 is an absolute stunner from a great vintage and I've no doubt that this will age gracefully for decades. The length of flavour with this release is quite something; the fruit is sleek, plush and on-point pure. Blackberry, Doris plum and black cherry layer with spice and hints of sage, bay leaf, pepper, olive tapenade, anise, violets and stone. Velvety and graceful in its flow on the palate with a fresh mineral cadence and superfine, powdered granitic tannins for support. It'll go down as one of the greats.
| ACC 17770 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $209 | |
| ACC 17771 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $209 | |
| ACC 17772 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $209 | |
| ACC 17773 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $209 | |
| ACC 17774 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $209 | |
| ACC 17775 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $209 |
GRACEFUL - JH95 - 100% organic/biodynamically farmed shiraz from the Wheelwright vineyard in the Eden Valley, planted by Cyril Henschke in the 1960s. Deep crimson with plush satsuma plum, black cherry and blackcurrant fruits underscored with hints of fine spice, sage, coal dust, cedar, violets, dark chocolate and crushed stone. I really like the flow of fruit in the Wheelwright this year; plush yet graceful with fine, compact tannins providing ample structure for cellaring.
SUPERB - JH96 - Like all the 2009 Hentley Farm wines, the crimson-purple colour is superb, but this has a second quality to its flavour and structure, perfectly ripened blackberry, plum and black cherry fruits playing tag with each other and the quality oak in which they have been matured, in the end captured and calmed by outstanding tannins that both provide the necessary structure, but also add a savoury farewell to gently dry out the finish.
| TUR 1037 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $160 |
EXPRESSIVE - RP96 - Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2010 Shiraz Clos Otto shows expressive notes of cassis, blackberry preserves, mint and licorice highlighted by dark chocolate, earth and loam hints plus whiffs of cinnamon and cardamom. Full-bodied and quite elegant in the mouth, it is nicely balanced between medium to high acid and medium to firm, velvety tannins before finishing long. Drink it from 2015 to 2030+.
| TUR 1038 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $170 |
REMARKABLE - JH97 - Individual estate parcels, machine-harvested, destemmed and crushed, open-fermented with cultured yeast, 8 days on skins, matured in French oak (70% new) for 22 months, blended after 6 months in oak. An exotic bouquet with new shoe leather and a sprinkle of sultry spices, the full-bodied palate with supple blackberry fruits to the fore and an underlay of integrated French oak. There is a finesse to the overall texture, structure and flavour that is remarkable.
| TUR 1039 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $360 | |
| TUR 1040 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $360 |
WIN - JH97 - The 2021 vintage of this wine was an absolute belter and the 2022 carries on in fine form. It's classic Barossa for sure; all dark plum, blackberry, fruitcake spice and earthy goodness. But there is a beautiful contemporary gloss to the fruit here with fine, ferrous tannins, layers and layers of spice and a bright, minerally cadence pushing the wine forward. Power with buoyancy and plenty of cellaring potential = a win all-around. Nice one.
| XRO 0066 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $250 | |
| XRO 0065 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $249 | |
| XRO 0064 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $249 |
IMPOSSIBLE - JH98 - A 65/35% blend; the intense bouquet of black fruits leads into the luscious, velvety palate that achieves the impossible of being light on its feet, thanks in no small measure to the cassis fruit component; the velvety tannins and fully integrated oak help sweep the wine along the course of its very long palate.
| TUR 1053 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $110 |
POWERHOUSE - JH96 - A veritable powerhouse, as the wine usually is. This is deadly serious cabernet sauvignon, like a knight in full-body armour. Inside there is a wealth of blackcurrant/ blackberry fruit, and tannins as a second line of defence. When and how to attack is the question.
| SPI 0316 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $48 |
CIRQUE du SOLEIL - JH97 - A fitting tribute to Margaret River's father, Dr John Gladstones. A Cirque du Soleil wine, immensely complex, yet feline and sure-footed as it plays with fresh cassis fruit, fine-grained sandy tannins and French oak of the highest quality, rearranging these components again and again.
| SPI 0329 | 1 BOTTLE Stained label | Current Bid: $46 | |
| SPI 0330 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $46 | |
| SPI 0331 | 1 BOTTLE Stained label | Current Bid: $46 |
THRIVES - JH96 - Recognises Margaret River's founding father Dr John Gladstones. It thrives in its moderate alcohol, which in turn serves to emphasise the cassis/blackcurrant and black olive fruit; the tannins, too, are precisely weighted. However, the new French oak, while correct for the medium and long term, still needs time to fully integrate.
GLORIOUS - JH96 - Immensely powerful and concentrated, yet not the least jammy or alcoholic. Glorious blackcurrant, spice, earth and bitter chocolate; fine, long tannins; very good oak management. High quality
| TUR 1035 | 1 BOTTLE Slight label damage | Current Bid: $80 |
THUNDER - JH96 - The usual mega-style which manages to avoid being elephantine, simply needing the 20 years or so which Jack believed any red wine worthy of the name required. Layer upon layer of blackberry, blackcurrant and plum fruit, the new oak long since swallowed up, the tannins rendered mute by the thunder of the wine.
| TUR 1036 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $64 |
AGES - JH97 - Includes 5% merlot, hand-picked, destemmed, wild yeast open-fermented, matured for 16 months in Bordeaux-coopered French oak (50% new). Why on earth the GI on the front label should read WA when the wine is solely from the Justin Vineyard in Frankland River I'll never know. Deep, vibrant crimson-purple, this is a wine built for the ages on its rock of ages blend of deep-seated cassis fruit, high quality oak and full-on cabernet tannins.
| SHU 0444 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $78 | |
| SHU 0445 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $78 |
BANKABLE - JH96 - If you're after bankable quality in your cellar then look no further. This is a mighty wine. It has muscle, it has flesh, it melts in your mouth and it triggers your brain too. It's the complete package. It's dark with berried flavour, coated in smoky vanillin oak, alive with spice and earth, and shoots ripples of flavour and tannin out through the finish. Top notch in all respects.
| SHU 0414 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $90 | |
| SHU 0415 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $90 | |
| SHU 0416 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $90 | |
| SHU 0417 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $90 | |
| SHU 0418 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $90 |
LOST LEGEND - From the dawn of Howard Park (second vintage?) - Low level - doubtful condition - Historic and very rare
| DUR 0007 | 1 BOTTLE Mid shoulder & label damage | Current Bid: $24 |
THE LEGEND BEGINS - JH97 - Full red-purple; a superb mix of blackcurrant, cassis and briar fruit with gently spicy French oak on the bouquet leads on to an unusually concentrated yet not heavy wine on the palate with layer-upon-layer of flavour, cassis/blackcurrant/blackberry fruit and fine, lingering tannins. Bordeaux seldom does better than this.
| DUR 0008 | 1 BOTTLE Cellar damaged label | Current Bid: $40 |
WOVEN - JH97 - Matured for 14 months in 67% French, 33% American oak, 70% new. A deeply woven bouquet of blackberry, blackcurrant and plum flows through into the rich, multilayered palate; while oak and ripe tannins are also plentiful, the balance and harmony of the wine mean it is not the least ponderous.
| TUR 1089 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $240 |
RP95 - The 2012 Shiraz The Armagh was bottled 60% under Stelvin and 40% under cork. This is bottle I'm tasting from is Stelvin. There is quince and raisin on the nose and in the mouth here. It's really delicious, with soft eating-licorice on the mid-palate. Note of ferrous and blood plume through the wine. There is peat and lichen too, along with freshly turned earth; I love the middle palate through to the finish, which is particularly good. It has a tight finish and is the lowest in alcohol (13.7%) of the lineup, from the cool year that was 2012. It matured for 20 months in 60% new French and 40% new American hogsheads (300 liter). It's hard to imagine that this will do anything other than age exceptionally gracefully.
| TUR 1090 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $220 | |
| KC1 0019 | 1 BOTTLE Slight label damage | Current Bid: $200 |
RIOT - JH95 - Strong barrel ferment aromas lead off, scenting this fully flared wine with deli meats and smoked backstop aromas. Then the fruit: blue and black allusions all. Anise, clove, cardamom and vanilla-cased oak. Lots. Yet while it confers a guideline to the riot of fruit and warmth, it is nestled within the ensemble rather than smothering it. The tannin management: creamy and luxuriant, yet authoritative, is this wine's focal point. MUSEUM RELEASE
ICONIC - RP97 - The vineyard that the fruit for this iconic Australian wine is sourced from was planted in 1968, giving us the benefit of over 50 years of vine age—a very good thing when we consider fruit tannin and concentration. In addition to the vineyard placement and vine age, Clare Valley benefits from a wide-ranging array of elevation (190 meters to 610 meters) with high diurnal range. All of this means ripe wines, tense wines, and powerful wines, which just about sums up Clare Valley. So, to this wine: The 2019 The Armagh Shiraz is complex, layered and spiced, with a multitude of hung deli meats and small goods packed in alongside the purple fruits and exotic spice. The wine is supple, for all the power, and unfurls over a long finish to show the muscle and might of this iconic wine. In a vertical of four vintages (2016, 2017, 2018 and this 2019), this has the second-highest alcohol of the lot, at 14.1%, showing that concentration and density doesn't have to come at the expense of finesse. I love this.
| XSA 2070 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $349 | |
| XSA 2071 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $349 | |
| XSA 2072 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $349 |
DECADENCE - JH95 - A thunderous release on hand. It feels a bit darker fruited and woody than the 2020, but maintains its impressive presence and structure galore. Opens with a procession of dark berries, clove and mahogany spice, fig and date richness, mocha with some turned earth and faint eucalyptus-like characters. The texture delivers grip, swerve and pucker. More of the clove/cedar woodiness here, dried fruits, ferrous characters, dark berries, stewed plum and a swish of bramble and minty lift to taste. The texture is fleshy but comes with ribbons of firm, gravelly tannin, the finish long and gently palate staining with saline and graphite mineral elements. Decadence plus. In its grippy, dry form now, it shows that time in cellar is advisable.
NEVER - RP97+- I once tasted through a vertical of The Armagh Shiraz with Tom and Sam Barry, and it was as illuminating as it was enjoyable. I still think about that day when I taste current-release Armaghs, as I learned something vital about my own approach to the wine during that tasting. In a nutshell, the winemaking has never been better or more precise than it is under Tom Barry's direction. The wines across the board have better clarity and precision than ever before, and the construction takes a back seat to the vineyard in almost all cases, which is the highest form of compliment I can think to give to any winemaker. In the case of The Armagh Shiraz, the early wines were matured in American oak and sealed under cork. Closure willing, great bottles of these old wines are great experiences, and I feel no shortage of nostalgia when I drink them. The wines of the current day are sealed under screw cap and matured in French oak, and the wine has never been better, fresher, nor more sophisticated. As the nostalgic shackles of the past are removed bit by bit each vintage, the incremental improvements to viticulture and winemaking are exposed, and so through the "loss" of one aspect, the gain of another is had.
| XNE 2867 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $374 | |
| XNE 2866 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $374 | |
| XNE 2865 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $374 | |
| XNE 2864 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $374 |
SUPERLATIVE - JH97 - Superlative Clare! Grapefruit pulp, lemon zest, jasmine, bath salts and Thai herb notes stream across a bow of limestone-derived minerality and palate-whetting acidity. This is long, penetrative across a multitude of layers and yet, despite the razor-sharp definition, relaxed. There is nothing hard or abrasive about this. It flows long with alacrity in its step! This will reward patience in the cellar.
| SHU 0408 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $47 | |
| SHU 0409 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $47 | |
| SHU 0410 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $47 | |
| SHU 0411 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $47 | |
| SHU 0412 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $47 |
COMPELLING - JH96 - Soft and supple, medium-weight white wine of modest development, good retention of freshness and a pitch-perfect mesh of citrus fruit, gin and tonic characters, green olive, red apple with calling cards of maturity in truffle, creme brûlée, honey and a touch of sizzled butter. A very pleasing balance of all elements, an intensity and inherent complexity on show. It delivers a very serious white wine expression, compelling for its intensity and yet freshness.
GRANGE-LIKE - JH97 - Represents the best wine of the vintage, sourced from the and Eden Barossa Valleys, matured for 20 months in French hogsheads (75% new). The aim is a structured (achieved in spades) and elegant (give it 10 years) expression of shiraz. My query on elegance is due to the obvious French oak: it simply needs a Grange-like decade to come into integrated balance.
| TUR 1084 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $80 | |
| TUR 1085 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $80 |
MASTER - JH97 - John Duval is a master blender. This is all about the best of the vintage, fruit from various sites across the and Eden Barossa Valleys, to morph into the mighty Eligo. A powerhouse of flavour yet never loses focus. Dark plums infused with star anise, cinnamon, Dutch licorice and soy sauce. Full-bodied with velvety rich tannins. It gets the most oak - French hogsheads 54% new, aged 18 months, and needs time to settle in. It will.
| TUR 1070 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $68 | |
| TUR 1071 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $68 |
BEST - JH97 - From the stellar '21 vintage, the Eligo represents the best of the year and is a split of a range of amazing vineyard sites from the Barossa (62%) and Eden (38%) valleys. It's concentrated and essence-like with deep, resonant blackberry, black cherry and Doris plum fruits with hints of clove, cinnamon, purple flowers, licorice, dark chocolate, cedar, olive tapenade, pan juices and earth. Thick shouldered but balanced and harmonious with melt-in-the-mouth, chocolatey tannins and exceptional length of flavour.
| XSA 2598 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $94 | |
| XSA 2599 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $94 | |
| ACC 18374 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $94 | |
| ACC 18375 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $94 |
SPECTACULAR - JH97 - The shiraz is grown on the 113-year-old estate vineyard, and is matured in 40% new and 60% one-year-old French barrels. The colour is spectacular, as is the profound depths of the blackberry, liqueur-soaked plum, licorice, bitter chocolate and spice fruit, oak a further adornment.
| PUN 0031 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $48 |
RP95 - From vines planted in 1893, Kaesler's 2010 Old Bastard Shiraz continues to evolve at a glacial pace. It hints at raspberry and mint on the nose, then delves deep into dark chocolate. Full-bodied, dense and nearly fudge-like in its intensity and perception on the palate, it remains potent and long on the finish.
| PUN 0029 | 1 BOTTLE Slight label damage | Current Bid: $125 |
LOVE - JH96 - I dragged a bottle of this wine over to New Zealand to drink with my father on his 70th birthday. He loved both the wine and the sentiment and the empty bottle still sits in his workshop. He's 87 now and still a magnificent old bastard, as is this wine. It's classic Barossa. Ancient vines planted 1893. It feels wise, like its parent vines have seen it all in their lifetimes, and I'm sure they have. Blackberry, black cherry and plum, layers of spice, pressed flowers, chocolate, earth, panforte and pan juices. It's full bodied but there's a loose-knit spaciousness to its form; all grace and latent power; tannins powdery fine and finish long and true. I love it.
| XPU 0080 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $249 | |
| XPU 0075 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $249 | |
| XPU 0076 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $249 | |
| XPU 0077 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $249 | |
| XPU 0078 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $249 | |
| XPU 0079 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $249 |
PLAY - JH96 - Shares the bright colour of Eduard, but both the bouquet and palate move onto another dimension of complexity and power. Don't be alarmed, the wine is a very good example of ancestor vine shiraz (planted 1875) that has been given its head in the winery. It has a full-bodied palate, augmented it's true, by abundant ripe tannins, but they will settle down quickly, leaving the blackberry and plum fruit free room to play in.
| SHU 0529 | 1 BOTTLE BOXED | Current Bid: $118 | |
| SHU 0530 | 1 BOTTLE BOXED | Current Bid: $118 | |
| SHU 0531 | 1 BOTTLE BOXED | Current Bid: $118 | |
| SHU 0532 | 1 BOTTLE BOXED | Current Bid: $118 |
UNCHALLENGED - JH98 - This wine sits unchallenged at the head of the Kalleske shiraz tree. The grapes were treated with the care and attention they deserved in a small open fermenter for 12 days using a heading down screen that submerged the cap, pressed to French hogsheads (new and used) for 2 years. It's got a juicy, supple mouthfeel with an unexpected lightness and finesse.
JH95 - Fred and Herbert Kay planted 4.8ha of cuttings from Hardys' Tintara Vineyard in July 1892, the first crop in 1897; this comes from the surviving 1.6ha, made in open fermenters built in 1896, matured for 20 months in new American and Baltic oak. A full-bodied, black-fruited wine as gnarly as the ancient vines, but none the worse for that.
| TUR 1027 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $80 | |
| TUR 1028 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $80 |
WOW - JH98 - Wow. This is an extraordinary wine, handled with kid gloves from day 1. Biodynamically grown, hand-picked, refrigerated van to Giant Steps' Healesville winery, destemmed or whole bunches, large format French oak, no fining or filtration. It's faintly turbid, the bouquet pretty red/purple fruits. Then comes the extraordinary power, pulse and drive of the palate, building intensity second-by-second, but equally building dazzling freshness. It tastes like 12.5% alc, not 14.5%. The tannins are imbedded within the fruit flavours, you sense them, but can't isolate them. The finish is endless, ditto aftertaste.
| TUR 1029 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $32 | |
| TUR 1030 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $32 |
SEAMLESS - JH97 - A 61/18/11/10% blend of cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, merlot and petit verdot. Good colour, although not especially deep; the bouquet is fragrant, speaking first about the complex fruit cepage, secondly about its place. Red and black fruits join in seamless union with new French oak and fine-grained tannins. A wine that can give pleasure now or in the far distant future. A diabolical cork fought to the end, leaving wreckage all over the tasting table.
| EST 0005 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $72 | |
| EST 0006 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $72 | |
| EST 0007 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $72 | |
| EST 0008 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $72 |
ALL-TIME GREAT - JH98 - A classic blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, shiraz and petit verdot, hand-picked, berry-sorted by hand, cultured yeast, 7 days on skins, matured for 18 months in French oak (30% new). Only 13% alcohol, but gloriously juicy cassis and stone fruit tannins. The paradox is a blazing hot summer and one of the all-time great Follys.
| EST 0019 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $60 | |
| EST 0024 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $60 |
JUST SO - JH96 - Blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, petit verdot and shiraz. The classic Folly Hunter red blend rarely ceases to amaze with its great subtlety and finesse, even in a challenging year such as '18 which was hot, drought-affected and short. The wine is in great form with a mellifluous aroma of fine-edged fruit, leaf, dark chocolate and the prettiest violets. The wine fairly glides with poise, balance and some of the smartest, seamless oak going. Everything is in its place, just so.
| EST 0025 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $64 | |
| EST 0026 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $64 | |
| EST 0027 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $64 | |
| EST 0028 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $64 | |
| EST 0029 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $64 | |
| EST 0030 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $64 |
GUILTY - JH97 - 67/13/13/7% cabernet/merlot/shiraz/petit verdot. Hand picked, sorted, fermented in open-top vessels and pressed directly to French barrels (30% new), resting for 18 months. A beautiful wine of exquisite detail and perfume. Currant, mulberry, violet, mulch, mint, graphite, anise and black olive. Sage-rolled tannins, impeccably hewn of sinew and fine grained oak. Delicate, sappy and mellifluous. So measured. So classy. Dangerously easy to drink already, it reminds me of a great chinon. I feel guilty spitting it.
| EST 0040 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $56 |
EXCELLENT - JH96 - From a single vineyard planted by George Fife Angas in the 1890s, matured in French oak (30% new) for 25 months. Intense, powerful, focused dark fruits, savoury tannins. Excellent texture/structure.
| SHU 0388 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $59 | |
| SHU 0389 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $59 | |
| SHU 0390 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $59 |
PURITY - JH96 - Destemmed, crushed, matured for 12 months in French oak (40% new). The unadorned purity of this cabernet follows precisely in the footsteps of its predecessors. It is unlike most other Margaret River cabernets, a red brother to the Art Series Chardonnay, even if not quite as magical as that wine. The '13 regional vintage was highly rated at the time, a rating justified today. MUSEUM RELEASE
CERTAINTY - JH97 - After berry sorting, cold soak and maceration, pumping over three times daily, the wine pumped to French barriques for mlf and 9 months maturation. The Art Series range has a clear family approach to each wine, a focus and sophistication that brings certainty to its long-term maturity. MUSEUM RELEASE
FREAK - JH97 - This was a freak vintage in the hands of many winemakers in WA, capable of power, balance, ripeness and glory. This has pomegranate, red licorice and peppered raspberry. The fruit flavours, while slinky and seductive, are not the major player here. And that is saying something. The key to the brilliance of this wine, like the '14, the '10 and to some extent the '05 before it, is the texture. The tannins. They are tightly woven, very fine and serve to support the fruit and the acid. This wine is built on a stable scaffold of tannin that both cushions the experience and defines it. What a wine. MUSEUM RELEASE
JOY - JH96 - One of the distinctive features of this wine, and in a way a DNA link to all Art Series cabernet, is its savouriness. It’s the rolled tobacco, nori, iodine and whiff of new leather plus the cedary oak, but these are not separate, they form a whole impression. There’s also the core of excellent fruit, the structure, the supple tannins and the bright acidity. And the joy of drinking it. MUSEUM RELEASE
SCINTILLATING - JH97 - If you were sitting quietly in a corner, contemplating the vicissitudes of life, and a glass of this exceptional chardonnay came your way, well, all would be very well indeed. And you’d perk up. It’s a wine that tends to be scintillating in youth, driven by all manner of citrus flavours – lemon, pink grapefruit with a dash of lime but also a mille-feuille of leesy lusciousness, oak spices and a moreish savouriness. It seems powerful and explosive with its acidity, drive and energy yet manages to remain classy and complex.
| ACC 18283 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $74 | |
| ACC 18284 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $74 | |
| ACC 18285 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $74 | |
| ACC 18286 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $74 |
UTTER PLEASURE - JH98 - Leeuwin Art Series Chardonnay on release is an achingly painful thing to drink, because once you've known the utter pleasure these wines bring at 5 or more years of age, it becomes a mess of cognitive dissonance to drink them so young. They are closed, taut, coiled, but more than anything, populated by rippling fruit that undulates untold through the interminably long finish. They typically don't reveal their kaleidoscopic spice and prismatic fruit flavour until a little further down the track. So, all I can humbly do here, is place the vintage in context. Through the lens of the cool year, this glitters with a purity and finesse that is deeply attractive. Aligned in style with the 2017. MUSEUM RELEASE
MESMERISING - JH97 - A wine that tells the story of chardonnay's evolution in Margaret River and remains at the top of its game because it's a pure expression of place as much as the producer. It’s refreshing, classy and superfine, the acidity reining everything in and towards an outrageously long finish. Mesmerising. MUSEUM RELEASE
SCINTILLATING - JH97 - If you were sitting quietly in a corner, contemplating the vicissitudes of life, and a glass of this exceptional chardonnay came your way, well, all would be very well indeed. And you’d perk up. It’s a wine that tends to be scintillating in youth, driven by all manner of citrus flavours – lemon, pink grapefruit with a dash of lime but also a mille-feuille of leesy lusciousness, oak spices and a moreish savouriness. It seems powerful and explosive with its acidity, drive and energy yet manages to remain classy and complex.
BEAUTIFUL - JH96 - The same layers of complexity and spice as the 2017, with all the ripe fruit and power hallmarks of the 2018 vintage. Bouncy and chewy, the tannins are woven into the fruit. Fruit, oak, acid and tannins are integrated and elegant, showing cohesion and harmony from the get-go. Cool-climate elegance is the lasting impression of this wine, as is the fine, chalky tannin profile that ultimately carries the fruit over the course of the palate. Very detailed. Margaret River can be responsible for seriously beautiful shiraz – this is one.
| ACC 18132 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $49 | |
| SHU 0438 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $39 | |
| SHU 0439 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $39 | |
| SHU 0440 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $39 | |
| SHU 0441 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $39 |
AMAZING - JH97 - Matured for 20 months in French barriques (40% new). High quality Hunter Valley shiraz such as this has amazing ability when tasted alongside full-bodied shiraz from any other region, be it warm or cool, to glide past without even needing to acknowledge the quality or style of those other wines. Spicy, earthy, great texture and length; this is reminiscent of Maurice O'Shea's wines (those wines without the benefit of a screwcap).
| SHU 0087 | 1 BOTTLE Slight label damage | Current Bid: $47 |
MILITARY - JH97 - From the Black Cluster Vineyard planted '69, fermented in a new 3500l foudre, transferred to French barriques (55% new) for 18 months maturation. While only medium-bodied, this is a wine for future generations to glory in; the fruits are predominantly in the red berry range, the tannins and oak line up in support with military precision and immacluate balance.
| SHU 0113 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $35 |
BEAUTY - RP96 - A terrific effort, the 2015 Marsican Shiraz is a 220-case barrel selection of the best Shiraz in the cellar. It's an artful blend of fruity (blackberries and blueberries) and savory (black olives and roasted meat) in a full-bodied, creamy-textured package. Rich, supple and long, it's a true beauty, ending with elegance and aplomb.
| TUR 1041 | 1 BOTTLE Stained label | Current Bid: $160 |
STUDY - Before "premiumisation" - Commercial wine producucers just used ALL the fruit available - This was a great vintage in WA - Who knows where the fruit came from - Lets assume the quality exceeded to retail price - Further reserch needed
| GRE 0001 | 1 BOTTLE Into neck, slight label damage | Current Bid: $5 |
SIX GOLD - JH96 - The second release of Moppity's flagship wine from a single block, co-fermented with 2% viognier, matured in new and used French puncheons for 36 months. There's no room for argument about a wine that received six gold medals, the most recent from the Great Australian Shiraz Challenge '17, earlier from Melbourne and NSW Wine Awards. The viognier has disappeared into the voluminous folds of black fruits.
| SHU 0478 | 1 BOTTLE BOXED | Current Bid: $66 |
PURE - JH95 - From 51yo vines, 88/8/4% cabernet sauvignon/petit verdot/cabernet franc. Matured for 29 months in French oak (15% new). The 2017 vintage is responsible for cabernets of incredible poise and layering. This is not a thundering power piece, rather an intricately detailed and mesmerising wine, with fine folds of flavour: bay leaf, raspberry, star anise, sage, hints of fennel, pomegranate and pink peppercorn. This is pure, floral, pretty, and very long. Moss Wood has proven its capability for graceful ageing and this will be no exception.
| CEL 0170 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $120 |
ANOTHER GREAT - JH97 - This is a masterclass in refinement. It is svelte and streamlined, the cool, mineral spool of flavour across the tongue is what the 2019 vintage can look like at its most restrained and harnessed. The length of flavour basically flutters out over the finish, so weightless and enduring. The 2018 that came before it had a thundering, legendary quality - legs widespread, hands on hips, power pose. This is the creative in the family, the quiet guy. It's intriguing and intelligent and thoughtful ... poignantly red fruited, spicy and super-supple. I'm descending into hyperbole. It's unnecessary. This is another great Moss Wood release.
| CEL 0180 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $120 |
LOVELY - JH96 - There’s as much a Moss Wood DNA thumbprint as a regional one here. This shows off violets, cedary/toasty oak (thankfully not too much), chocolate and a slight ironstone character. Fuller bodied yet the palate is smooth and contained with fine-grained, almost silky tannins, plus dabs of sweet mulberries and blackberries with refreshing acidity tying everything together. Rather lovely now but will garner more complexity in time.
| ACC 16932 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $119 | |
| XBW 3240 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $119 | |
| XBW 3264 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $119 | |
| XBW 3265 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $119 |
MOST COLLECTED - RP97+ - I taste in batches of six, pouring each glass, gassing the bottles and working my way through the flight. Today, this 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon was poured in glass number five, and so it has had some time to breathe. Upon pouring, the nose was so abundantly, luxuriatingly steeped in graphite, fresh lead pencil (a smell so potent and specific and good), forest floor and pure, summer raspberry. After 20 minutes or so in the glass, the oak has begun to recede, and the fruit is swelling up. The 2022 season in Margaret River was warm, dry and early, and the quality of the Cabernets (particularly) was stellar. While the oak is a feature at this stage, the fruit is so sensationally poised and powerful that this will be a super superstar in the decades to come. We know that the old Moss Woods prevail even now—corks willing—and so aided and abetted by modern screw caps, these wines will patiently plod through the coming decades with ease. This is one of Australia's most collected/cellared premium wines for a reason. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap
| XBW 3285 | 1 MAGNUM Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $284 | |
| XBW 3279 | 1 MAGNUM Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $284 | |
| XBW 3284 | 1 MAGNUM Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $284 |
THIS IS A WINE - JH98 - Grown on the estate's 'Old Block' of shiraz vines, planted in 1969. It spent 16 months in French oak barriques (50% new). It's a magnificent release. It's fluid, elegant and controlled but, just a bit, it also stamps its feet and says: the world is mine. It's awash with cherry/plum, peanut shell, black pepper and floral flavours, and it's both silken to the touch, and (super) long through the finish. This is a wine.
JH95 - Just the right edge of black pepper and a substantial base of juicy, engaging cherry-plum fruit. This is the Langi song sung true and proper. There are no rough edges here, and no signs that it's trying too hard either. It's a quality wine – it just is. It lays out everything in good measure and ties all the pieces together confidently through the finish.
STAR - RP96 - The 2016 Shiraz Reserve is a star, marrying hints of mint with dark chocolate, blackberries and black olives. Full-bodied and plush, it features a lovely velvety texture that persists right to the end of the long finish. Big, powerful and intense, it retains a sense of softness and elegance, driven by the fineness of the tannins and notions of red raspberries that appear on the finish.
| SHU 0492 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $35 | |
| SHU 0493 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $35 | |
| SHU 0494 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $35 |
DESTINED - Created in partnership with Japanese designer NIGO, Penfolds ‘65F by NIGO’ Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2021 is the final, limited-edition release in a trilogy of collector-focused collaborations. This wine honours the 65-foot chimney at Magill Estate, a towering symbol of Penfolds’ history, while offering a rare opportunity for design and wine enthusiasts alike to own a piece of Penfolds’ contemporary legacy.
Each bottle is presented in a custom-designed gift box featuring: A reimagined Penfolds label inspired by designs from the 1930s to 1950s. Archive-style tissue wrap showcasing early 20th-century Penfolds logos With its striking design, exceptional wine, and limited global release, '65F by NIGO' is destined to become a sought-after piece for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Appearance: Deep garnet with an inky core and vibrant crimson rim. Nose: Aromatic notes of dark berries, baking spice and pomegranate molasses, supported by well-integrated French oak. Palate: Supple yet structured, offering layers of blueberry, fig, and fine-grained tannins in a poised, medium-to-full-bodied frame.
| JOH 0001 | 1 BOTTLE BOXED | Current Bid: $251 |
IMPECCABLE - JH96 - Striking hue, depth and clarity; the bouquet and palate sing in unison with a rich brocade of black cherry and stitches of cedary French oak (ex 30% new hogsheads) and fine-grained tannins. Its balance and length are impeccable.
| PUN 0018 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $22 | |
| PUN 0019 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $22 | |
| PUN 0020 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $23 | |
| PUN 0021 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $23 | |
| PUN 0022 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $31 | |
| PUN 0023 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $23 |
EXCEPTIONAL - JH97 - The wine spent 18 months in new French oak, and is fundamentally different to Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep purple-crimson, it has exceptional focus, intensity and length, cedary notes of French oak precisely woven through the vibrant blackcurrant fruit, reaching a crescendo on the finish. It follows in the footsteps of a one-off Coonawarra cabernet from the 1973 vintage, also given the Bin 169 tag.
| CHR 0002 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $166 | |
| CHR 0003 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $166 |
SINGLE - JH98 - A single vineyard wine, matured for 14 months in new French oak in which it finished the final stages of its fermentation. The bouquet is laden with cassis of startling purity, and while cedary oak is a major player, it is so well-integrated it doesn't overwhelm, let alone challenge, the fruit.
| TUR 1076 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $160 | |
| TUR 1077 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $160 |
| TUR 0951 | 1 BOTTLE BOXED | Current Bid: $600 |
SUPERSTARS - JH96 - A 51/49% blend of cabernet sauvignon and shiraz sourced from seven regions in SA, matured for 14 months in American oak hogsheads (40% new). Shares the exceptional depth of purple-crimson colour with the other superstars of this vintage. It is full-bodied, with layer-upon-layer of flavour, yet has a plush, welcoming character. The perfectly ripe blackcurrant and blackberry fruit has a coat of Belgian chocolate, the oak already submerged under the fruit.
| TUR 1144 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $61 |
GREAT - JH97 - Deep, dense crimson-purple; the profound bouquet offers every kind of black fruits imaginable, large and small, yet somehow leaves a space and air in the mix for more complex secondary characters to emerge given time - lots of it. The palate takes all this, and adds to it with barrel ferment characters introducing licorice and touches of wild herb. This wine fully lives up to the great expectations held of it (and the vintage). Arguably the bargain of the release.
| TUR 1025 | 1 BOTTLE Slight label damage | Current Bid: $75 | |
| TUR 1026 | 1 BOTTLE Slight label damage | Current Bid: $75 |
PERENNIAL - JH96 - This '20 release marks the 60th anniversary of Bin 389. It is a 57/43% blend from McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Padthaway, Coonawarra, Robe and Wrattonbully, matured in American hogsheads (38% new). A perennial favourite of mine, though the price does cause me to blink. It has great colour, and a supple mouthfeel that invests the wine with a hint of elegance, underlined by the fluid, flawless balance, the length a given.
| PUN 0016 | 1 BOTTLE Slight label damage | Current Bid: $61 |
PENFOLDS BIN 707 - History of Greatness
| NIK 0598 | 1 BOTTLE High shoulder & label damage | Current Bid: $360 |
THE "SIXES" ARE COMING! - 1986 BIN 707 - ONE OF THE BEST?
| NIK 0601 | 1 BOTTLE Slight label damage | Current Bid: $400 | |
| NIK 0602 | 1 BOTTLE Into neck, cellar damaged label | Current Bid: $400 |
PENFOLDS FIVE STAR - Rewards of Patience - Drink now to 2045 - Deep brick crimson. Intense cassis, blackcurrant, polished leather, dark chocolate and sage aromas with espresso/leafy complexity. Lovely concentrated blackcurrant, dried plum, mulberry, and liquorice flavours, fine-grainy tannins, silken/supple mid-palate and underlying roasted chestnut/vanilla oak. Finishes cedar/leafy firm. Beautiful density, power and elegance. One of the great Penfolds reds of this decade. “A seriously good wine and developing very well. Has the blood lines of Bin 64.” (JH) “A towering monument to Barossa cabernet, built on dark, ripe fruit and load-bearing tannins. A celebration of the tanned muscular varietal character that old vines in warmer climes can bring.” (NR)
| 106 0894 | 1 BOTTLE Cellar damaged label | Current Bid: $560 |
NV - PENFOLDS G3 Rating RP97 - The very first release of this new, somewhat iconoclastic and yet intrinsically delicious concept, this NV G3 is a blend of Grange 2008, 2012 and 2014, although fans of Grange should not expect it to taste like any of these; G3 possesses a style all its own. Very deep garnet-black colored, it has a full-throttle, up-front nose of incense, fruit cake, chocolate-covered cherries and preserved plums with touches of cinnamon stick, cloves, cigar box and Chinese five spice, plus a waft of potpourri. Full-bodied, velvety, rich and oh-so-decadent, this is true hedonist’s wine, with a very, very long spice-layered finish. To quote Homer Simpson, “Sacrilicious!” It is actually open for business and drinking deliciously right now, though should cellar for a good 20+ years. Only 1,200 bottles were made. +. Robert Parker Wine Advocate Lisa Peroti-Brown - Issue date 01 November 2021 - Drink date 2017 -2037
Not reviewed by James Halliday Wine Companion
NV - PENFOLDS G3 PENFOLDS FIVE STAR - Drink 2025 to 2060. An expertly blended and limited bottling of three Grange vintages – 2008, 2012 and 2014. A wine that explores the essence of Grange. The proportions of each vintage have been carefully matched to create a unique expression of the Penfolds House Style. A multi-vineyard, multi-regional, multi-vintage wine comprising 100 percent Grange DNA and evoking the traditions of past Penfolds winemakers. Deep crimson. Intense dark chocolate, ripe blackberry, dark plum, roasted walnut and liquorice aromas. Dense, compact and saturated with deep-set blackberry graphite, dark plum fruits and fine-plentiful chalky brambly textures. Intense vanilla, mocha and roasted nut notes with fresh, integrated acidity. Finishes chocolaty firm and inky long. Received 100 points from James Suckling. “Primary and lush with creamy richness, ripe dark fruits, mocha oak and sappy long but integrated tannins.” (JR) “Brooding, intense, concentrated, complex and powerful with an impressive velvety softness.” (FW) PENFOLDS Rewards of Patience 2020
| PUN 0001 | 1 BOTTLE BOXED | Current Bid: $6240 |
NV - PENFOLDS G4 - Rating RP99 - A blend of Grange from the 2002, 2004, 2008 and 2016 vintages, Penfolds's NV G4 is likely more of a curiosity-collectible than anything else, given its otherworldly price tag and limited production (2,500 individually numbered bottles). That said, if you're lucky enough to get your hands on a bottle, I hope you ultimately drink it, preferably shared with good friends. It comes across as relatively youthful, with plenty of primary fruit (raspberries and blackberries), cedar and vanilla and dusty tannins. Concentrated and full-bodied, it does show glimpses of slightly aged characters—hints of roasted meat, caramel and tobacco—but I would still give this another five years before I'd broach a bottle. If you're on a non-billionaire budget, you might rather have three or four bottles of Grange—but G4 will certainly give you bragging rights.+. Robert Parker Wine Advocate Joe Czerwinski - Issue date 24 July 2020 - Drink date 2025 -2045
Not reviewed by James Halliday Wine Companion -
NV - PENFOLDS G4 - PENFOLDS FIVE STAR - - Drink 2025 to 2060+. Four exceptional Grange vintages all connected to each other through combined oak maturation – 2002, 2004, 2008 and 2016. A unique experience of layered complexity and richness. Comprising 100 percent Grange DNA, Penfolds g4 has been expertly blended to fully animate and integrate the strengths of each Grange vintage. Peter Gago’s limited release multi-vintage Grange takes Max Schubert’s multi-regional masterpiece, where the sum is greater than the whole, to a new imaginative level. Deep crimson. Intense elderberry, blackberry, ginger and roasted walnut/ chestnut/vanilla mocha aromas. Richly concentrated and expansive with dense blackberry, black cherry and bramble flavours, ginger, vanilla and grilled nut complexity and fresh-integrated acidity .Finishes firm and solid with liquorice and dark chocolate notes. Fresh and juicy with all the elements still unsprung, despite the near two-decade maturation period of the oldest vintage. This is Penfolds Grange through the prism of a time machine. Will last and last. Received 100 points from James Suckling and London’s World of Fine Wine magazine. “A rosebud with many petals. Intense, focussed and richly layered with very refined granular tannins and integrated new oak. Elemental and unknitted but should come together with further age.” (NB) “Softer and silkier than g3, reflecting the relative maturity of its components.” (NR) PENFOLDS Rewards of Patience 2020
| PUN 0002 | 1 BOTTLE BOXED | Current Bid: $3060 |
PENFOLDS G5 - Rating JH98 - Blend of Grange 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012 and 2010; 97/3% shiraz/cabernet; predominantly Barossa (probably roughly 70%), McLaren Vale and Clare, with a little Coonawarra, Wrattonbully and Adelaide Hills and a tiny inclusion of Magill; 2200 bottles. Bookended by the sublime 2018 and 2010 harvests, the final blend in the G series is a monumental take on Grange. Its black-fruit density and definition are all-encompassing, and it delivers every detail of all there is to love of its 5 component vintages in larger-than-life proportions. Dark chocolate, black olives and coal steam are framed in an impeccably fine lattice of tannins of towering proportions that will see it out for half a century. A fitting crescendo to the G series and a worthy tribute to 70 years of Grange. James Halliday Wine Companion Tyson Stelzer- tasted 31 October 2021 - Drink by 2068
Not reviewed by Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Released after the publication of - 2020 Rewards of Patience
| PUN 0003 | 1 BOTTLE BOXED | Current Bid: $2448 |
CANNY GRANDFATHER - Grab a bargain - recent release - looks original condition - Buy it for the gift drawer - OR - Put it in the escape kit
| GRE 0007 | 1 BOTTLE BOXED | Current Bid: $60 |
CLINIC CERTIFICATION - Buy with confidence - PENFOLDS Grange Shiraz 1990 - PENFOLDS FIVE STAR - Rewards of Patience - Drink now to 2060 Medium-deep crimson, intense blackberry, dried plum, grilled nut, shellac, walnut panforte, cherry liqueur and chinotto aromas with roasted chestnut and vanilla notes. Generous ripe blackberry, dark chocolate, panforte, grilled nut and shellac flavours with chocolaty tannins, mocha vanilla spice and oak notes with beautifully balanced acidity. Finishes chocolaty firm with plenty of mineral length and freshness. A decadent and hedonistic wine with extraordinary fruit density and attack. One of the greatest. 95 percent shiraz, 5 percent cabernet sauvignon. Kalimna Vineyard (Barossa Valley), Barossa Valley, Clare Valley and Coonawarra. Voted Red Wine of the Year by Wine Spectator magazine in December 1995. “A famous vintage and wine. Everything is laid out with infinite precision finesse and length. At the peak of perfection.” (JH) “Fresh, vibrant and voluminous with layers of cedar, spice and mulberries and underlying but animated tannins.” (FW)
| DUR 0006 | 1 BOTTLE Penfolds Red Wine Clinic 2014 & slight label damage | Current Bid: $800 |
CLINIC CERTIFICATION - Buy with confidence
PERFECT 30 BIRTHDAY PRESSIE - MOVE FAST - ALL GONE - TOO GOOD TO LAST IN THE CELLAR
PENFOLDS FIVE STAR - Rewards of Patience - Drink now to 2050 . Deep crimson. Fresh smoky coffee, mocha, blackberry and graphite aromas with liquorice herb garden/sage complexity. Generous and supple with dark cherry, blackberry, blackcurrant, dark plum fruits and fine plentiful chalky tannins, sweet mocha and vanilla oak, superb mid-palate density and salted liquorice/grilled nut complexity. Finishes grainy firm with persistent sweet apricot, mulberry fruit. One of the great vintages of the 1990s. 94 percent shiraz, 6 percent cabernet sauvignon. Kalimna Vineyard (Barossa Valley), Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Magill Estate (Adelaide). Maturation of Grange temporarily discontinued at Magill. “Gridlock tannins indicate the wine is caught between adolescence and maturity. Leave it for a while.” (JH) “Bright and elegant with balsamic blueberry and blackberry fruits and pretty cedar spice notes. Mature palate with attractive richness, fine firm tannins and savoury complexity.” (FW)
| GGR 0208 | 1 BOTTLE Cellar damaged label | Current Bid: $999 | |
| JOS 0001 | 1 BOTTLE Faded label, slight label damage | Current Bid: $601 |
RP100 - PENFOLDS Grange Shiraz 2008 - PENFOLDS FIVE STAR - Rewards of Patience – Drink 2025 to 2060 - Drink 2025 to 2060. Deep crimson. Beautiful dark cherry, blackberry pastille, dark chocolate and mocha aromas with sweet apricot and stone fruit notes. Generously supple and inky with ample blackberry pastille and blackcurrant fruits, fine dense chalky tannins, superb mid-palate buoyancy, underlying mocha notes and long fresh ripe sweet tannins. Finishes chocolaty firm with plenty of liquorice notes. A riper-style Grange with marvellous power and density from a classic Penfolds year. 98 percent shiraz, 2 percent cabernet sauvignon. Barossa Valley, Clare Valley and Magill Estate (Adelaide). Difficult growing conditions were overcome by meticulous vineyard management and fruit selection from earlier ripening, older vines. Received 100 points from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. “Animated fresh blueberry, mulberry and incense aromas. Beautifully supple and surprisingly graceful with polished tannins, oak complexity and well-integrated acidity.” (NB) “Youthful and exuberant with cassis, bitter chocolate, violet and liquorice characters. Chewy/grippy tannins, superb density and tension.” (JR)
PENFOLDS Grange Shiraz 2014 - PENFOLDS FIVE STAR - Rewards of Patience – Drink 2035 to 2070
Deep crimson. Fresh elemental elderberry,blackberry, sage and aniseed aromas with roasted chestnut, vanilla oak and herb garden notes. Densely packed with concentrated blackberry cassis and dark cherry fruits, fine plentiful chalky/grainy firm tannins, superb mocha and vanilla oak complexity and fine integrated but crunchy acidity. Finishes smooth and velvety. A substantial and multi-layered wine with extraordinary density and balance. Many decades ahead of it. 98 percent shiraz, 2 percent cabernet sauvignon. Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Wrattonbully, Coonawarra, Clare Valley and Magill Estate (Adelaide). “Sumptuously dark-fruited with plush chocolaty textures. Like a black velvet jewel box where the diamonds will only be seen in years to come.” (NB) “Deep-set perfectly ripe plums, quince, cinnamon, star anise, ecclesiastical spices and blacksmith’s leather. Compressed and taut with powdered chocolate/fine-grained tannins.” (NR)
| ZSM 0002 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $496 |
MOST DECORATED - PENFOLDS FIVE STAR - Bin 95 - Rewards of Patience - Drink now. Medium crimson. Fresh and mature with parsnip, aniseed and slightly soupy miso and demi-glace notes with a touch of crushed ant. Developed gamey, roasted walnut, roasted parsnip, dark chocolate and leathery flavours, with fine loose-knit/sinewy tannins and long fresh acidity. Some dried roses and vellum notes. Still holding, but rare. 90 percent shiraz and 10 percent cabernet sauvignon. Magill Estate and Morphett Vale (Adelaide), Kalimna Vineyard (Barossa Valley) and McLaren Vale. The most decorated Grange – winner of 12 trophies and 52 gold medals during its relatively short career on the Australian wine show circuit. Spent only nine months in oak. Named by US magazine Wine Spectator as one of 12 “Wines of the Millennium” in 2000. Bin 95 is the most common bottling and commercially available. Also released as Bins 13, 14, 53, 54 and 148A. “Still showing some cut flowers, mocha and sweet fruits but not a great bottle despite its fame and history.” (JH) shoulders, expansive tannins and slightly menacing snarl despite its flagging energy.” (NR)
| NIK 0555 | 1 BOTTLE Penfolds Red Wine Clinic 2018, slight label damage | Current Bid: $6080 |
PENFOLDS RECORKING - Buy with confidence - Re-corked by Penfolds 1980s? - Red Zinc Capsule with PENFOLDS GRANGE HERMITAGE embossed - Pre Recorking Clinic Series
| IAN 0001 | 1 BOTTLE Into neck & cellar damaged label. Re-corked by Penfolds 1980s? - Red Zinc Capsule with PENFOLDS GRANGE HERMITAGE embossed | Current Bid: $3100 |
PENFOLDS FOUR STAR - Rewards of Patience - Drink Soon. Medium-deep brick crimson. Intense roasted walnut panforte and hazelnut aromas with apricot, stone fruit, cedar and floral notes. Generous developed panforte and apricot flavours, sweet and plentiful tannins and underlying roasted walnut, grilled nut, vanilla oak complexity with integrated acidity. Finishes slightly leathery but chalky firm with attractive espresso and ground coffee notes. Just past its peak of development, although the elements are still aligned. Rare. 95 percent shiraz, 5 percent cabernet sauvignon. Kalimna Vineyard (Barossa Valley), Barossa Valley, Magill Estate and Morphett Vale (Adelaide), McLaren Vale. Jimmy Watson Trophy Winner. Released as Bin 95 (also as Bins 69, 70 and 71). “Dried leaves, faded roses, liquorice and ecclesiastical smoke. Muscular firm in structure with the fruit fading away.” (NR) “Spice box, cedar and sandalwood. Tertiary on entry but the finish still carries delicate sweet fruit. Graceful and elegant.” (FW)
CLINIC CERTIFICATION - Buy with confidence
| NIK 0615 | 1 BOTTLE Penfolds Red Wine Clinic 1998, capsule damage, label damage | Current Bid: $2240 | |
| NIK 0616 | 1 BOTTLE Penfolds Red Wine Clinic 1998 & cellar damaged label | Current Bid: $2240 |
CLINIC CERTIFICATION - Buy with confidence
| NIK 0554 | 1 BOTTLE Penfolds Red Wine Clinic 1991, label detached | Current Bid: $2400 |
CLINIC CERTIFICATION - Buy with confidence - RP90 - A blend of 95% Shiraz and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, this was considered "a good wine from an undistinguished vintage." It certainly was outstanding in June in Adelaide, showing a terrific nose of blackberry jam intermixed with sweet earth, plum, brown sugar, and tobacco. Full-bodied, deep, rich, and fully mature, this layered, concentrated, very fresh wine even exhibited some espresso-infused chocolate in the finish. It should drink well for another 5-7 years. RP 2002 TASTING
| JKN 0002 | 1 BOTTLE Penfolds Red Wine Clinic 2004 & cellar damaged label | Current Bid: $620 |
RARE BIRD - Very Fine Condition - All from the same caring home
| EDM 0001 | 1 BOTTLE Stained label, slight capsule damage | Current Bid: $405 |
CLINIC CERTIFICATION - Buy with confidence
| DUR 0001 | 1 BOTTLE Penfolds Red Wine Clinic 2014 & label damage | Current Bid: $600 | |
| DUR 0002 | 1 BOTTLE Penfolds Red Wine Clinic 2014 & label damage | Current Bid: $600 |
CLINIC CERTIFICATION - Buy with confidence - PENFOLDS Grange Hermitage Shiraz 1986 - PENFOLDS FIVE STAR - Rewards of Patience - Drink now to 2045 - Deep crimson. Evolved blackberry and dark chocolate aromas with mocha, roasted chestnut, liquorice notes and herb garden nuances. Richly concentrated, dense and powerful with pronounced dark chocolate, mocha, blackberry liquorice flavours, fine muscular tannins, meaty dried herb complexity and underlying roasted chestnut and vanilla oak notes. Firm chocolaty graphite finish with an attractive inky plume. A landmark Grange vintage. 87 percent shiraz, 13 percent cabernet sauvignon. Kalimna Vineyard (Barossa Valley), Barossa Valley, Clare Valley, McLaren Vale and Modbury Vineyard (Adelaide). Don Ditter’s last Grange. “Evolved, concentrated dark berry and slightly caramelised fruit with grippy unresolved tannins.” (NB) “A savoury, meaty, earthy wine with sweet brambly fruit poking through. An ironstone spine and sternfirmness.” (NR)
PENFOLDS FIVE STAR - Rewards of Patience - Drink now to past. At the end of its optimum life. Some bottles holding up with advanced maturity but fine sinewy tannins. Very rare. 90 percent shiraz, 10 percent cabernet sauvignon. Magill Estate and Morphett Vale (Adelaide) and Kalimna Vineyard (Barossa Valley). The third and final “hidden Grange”. Released as Bin 46 (also Bins 49 and 95). The Bin 95 bottling was the most commercially available. Specimen - Very Collectable
| NIK 0567 | 1 BOTTLE Very high shoulder & slight label damage | Current Bid: $7288 |
WOW - JH98 - Wow. A 61/39% blend of Barossa shiraz and Coonawarra cabernet led to 1962 Bin 60A, Max Schubert's single greatest wine. This inherits Bin 60A's regional and varietal blend, its extreme longevity and impeccable balance between fruit, oak and tannins. All it needs is lots of time.
| TUR 0649 | 1 BOTTLE BOXED | Current Bid: $340 |
PENFOLDS FIVE STAR - Rewards of Patience - Drink now to 2050. Deep crimson. Intense fresh youthful blackberry, dark cherry aromas with praline panforte notes. Beautiful and plush ripe blackberry, dark plum and inky fruits with brick dust/fine ripe tannins and plentiful, new vanilla oak complexity. Impressively buoyant, seductive and compact with ample sweet fruit flavours and fine assertive structure. Should go the full distance. “Intense vivid and ripe black and blue fruits with attractive richness and oak balance on the palate. Acidity a touch sharp at the finish.” (NB) “Classic Penfolds red wine with the fruit at peak of ripeness without being overripe.” (JH)
| PUN 0030 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $89 |
ST HENRI - FOREVER CLASSIC - Aced the Test of Time - As good now as it was 60 years ago!
| NIK 0137 | 1 BOTTLE Very high shoulder, capsule damage, leaky, & label damage | Current Bid: $280 |
PENFOLDS FIVE STAR - Rewards of Patience - Drink now to soon
Medium-deep brick crimson. Intense orange peel, camomile, rose garden and cassis aromas with beautiful roasted coffee notes. A superbly concentrated wine with orange peel, rose garden, dried herb and chinotto flavours. Superb fine silky textures, long fresh acidity and smoked meat notes at the finish. A beautiful wine and one of the great St Henri vintages of all time.
“Ravishingly silky and succulent with meaty savoury notes. The palate still has plenty of fruit sweetness and depth supported by very fine supple tannins.” (NB) “Dark berries and dry leaves, a lick of sweet soy and char siu, spice and smoke. A suppleness and restrained fleshiness. Some cola and chinotto notes at the finish.” (NR)
| NIK 0496 | 1 BOTTLE High shoulder & cellar damaged label | Current Bid: $320 |
PENFOLDS FIVE STAR - Rewards of Patience - Drink now to 2032 -Medium-deep crimson. Intense dark cherry, roasted walnut and sandalwood aromas with cocoa notes. A richly concentrated wine with apricot, raspberry and dark cherry flavours, fine lacy textures and attractive mid-palate suppleness. Firm and chalky al dente finish with chinotto notes. Really lovely wine with elegance, suppleness and developed sweet fruit. “Opulent and creamy with kirsch, raspberry liqueur, potpourri and exotic spices, fine plentiful tannins and resonating floral notes. A powerful wine with underlying delicacy.” (JR) “Dried cherries with clove, cedar and pencil shavings. Modulated power on the palate with a core of sweet red fruit, spice, cigar box and coating tannin finesse.” (FW)
| NIK 0502 | 1 MAGNUM Very high shoulder & cellar damaged label | Current Bid: $400 |
PENFOLDS FIVE STAR - Rewards of Patience - Drink 2023 to 2045 - Medium-deep crimson. Fresh blackberry, cassis, black cherry, dark chocolate, ginger and five-spice aromas. Beautifully concentrated black cherry, cassis and liquorice flavours, ripe and dense chocolaty textures, rose garden and aniseed notes and pronounced indelible acidity. Finishes chalky firm and minerally. A great St Henri vintage. “Beautifully composed with ripe blackberry and raspberry fruits and fresh liquorice graphite notes. Very stylish and silky with a very intricate weave of succulent fruits and extra fine-grainy tannins.” (NB) “Joins the quintet of 1971, 1990, 1996, 2004 and 2016 as one of the all-time greats.” (PG)
PENFOLDS FIVE STAR - Rewards of Patience - Drink 2023 to 2045 - Medium-deep crimson. Intense blackberry, dark plum, mulberry and brambly liquorice aromas. Plush and richly flavoured with ripe blackberry, mulberry, dark chocolate and liquorice flavours, roasted walnut notes and fine plentiful chalky/muscular tannins. A chocolaty grippy firm finish. Plenty of torque in this wine. “Bright, flowery, detailed and textured with an energetic crunch of raspberries and blackberries.” (NR) “Plenty of elegant black cherry and mulberry, sweet spices of clove, cinnamon and chocolate. Medium bodied compared to 2010 with a fine sweet tannin structure.” (FW)
| TUR 1094 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $89 | |
| TUR 1095 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $89 |
ADORABLE - JH97 - Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Port Lincoln, Robe, Padthaway, Clare Valley and Adelaide Hills fruit. Matured 12 months in 50+yo vats. The effortless, unassuming self-assuredness of St Henri holds a unique and beloved place in the assemblage of Penfolds heroes, and 2018 marks a particularly special release. Accomplished, spicy, glossy black fruits of grand integrity unfold to magnificent effect in the glass, contrasting a fine-boned frame of rigid yet graceful, powder-fine tannins that carry a finish of long-lingering line and alluring appeal. I look forward to spectating from the sidelines as its fruit slowly unfurls over the decades to come. An adorable St Henri that exemplifies all that this label stands for.
| TUR 1145 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $72 | |
| TUR 1146 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $72 | |
| TUR 1147 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $72 | |
| TUR 1148 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $72 | |
| TUR 1149 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $72 | |
| TUR 1150 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $72 |
PROFOUNDLY - JH98 - 55/45% cabernet sauvignon/shiraz, from Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Coonawarra, Wrattonbully, Robe and the Clare Valley. Matured, fully blended, for 19 months in 54% new French oak hogsheads; 5000 cases. Blending just post-harvest is virtually unheard of at Penfolds, and the effect of maturing almost equal proportions of cabernet and shiraz together is a harmony and integration astonishing in a youthful blend of such monumental longevity. The 2 varieties entwine seamlessly with French oak, with the tension of cabernet and the body of shiraz interlocking with dark chocolate and coffee bean. Tannins are superfine and mineral, laying out a grand trail of longevity that meets every bit of expectation in the grand lineage of Penfolds blends. A world away from Superblend A, yet intrinsically aligned to the very letter of its DNA. The pair beg the question of picking favourites, but for me they are both profoundly unique yet impossible to separate. Ask me again in 2 decades.
| KMH 0276 | 1 BOTTLE BOXED | Current Bid: $748 |
BEAUTIFUL - JH96 - A beautiful wine, intriguingly more elegant than the Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot LTCf, with a silky fragrance and mouthfeel, the accent on a rainbow of red fruits, the tannins exceptionally fine.
| WAY 0235 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $42 | |
| WAY 0233 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $42 | |
| WAY 0232 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $42 |
ICONIC - JH96 - The dense and deep colour is as expected, likewise the powerful full-bodied palate, overflowing with sultry blackberry fruit backed by a cornucopia of licorice, dark chocolate and spice seasoning; given the power of the wine, the tannins are not at all aggressive. A fulfilling 25th release of this iconic wine.
| SHU 0081 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $39 | |
| SHU 0082 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $39 | |
| SHU 0083 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $39 |
JH90 - Mid-garnet; surprisingly elegant and light-bodied; has good flavour and length but seems a fraction under-ripe; better than the other extreme.
| PHO 0020 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $200 | |
| PHO 0021 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $200 | |
| PHO 0022 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $160 |
JH95 -CLASSIC - The brown glass, high-shouldered proprietary bottle gives the right message: this is a classic, gently understated Barossa Shiraz that will sail on for decades if the dubiously short cork permits. Drinking it sooner would not be a capital offence.
| PHO 0023 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $192 | |
| PHO 0024 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $192 | |
| PHO 0025 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $192 | |
| PHO 0027 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $192 | |
| PHO 0028 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $192 |
JH95 - The beautiful label, traditional brown bottle, and the wine within, all have an allure. It's the richness and depth of the tannin structure - velvety and ripe, the suppleness on the palate, the savoury thread with coffee grounds, pepper, bitumen and yes oak but everything in its place plus its heady perfume with florals and red plums.
| KC1 0020 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $151 |
TALKING -JH97 - Nearly 30 parcels of old, dry-grown fruit from some of the finest grape-growing families in the Barossa. Open-fermented and matured in American and French oak for nearly 2 years. Deep colour; arguably the Barossa's most emblematic shiraz, faithfully reflecting the best features of a seamless assembly of district flavours picked at precisely the right time. This is fruit talking, not alcohol, not oak, not rough tannins.
| GIL 0035 | 1 MAGNUM BOXED | Current Bid: $440 |
ROCKY'S ROAD - not enough wine - too much demand - Why stir up more interest with reviews
| GJ3 0059 | 1 BOTTLE Slight label damage | Current Bid: $160 | |
| GJ3 0060 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $160 | |
| GJ3 0061 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $160 | |
| GJ3 0062 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $160 |
ROCKY'S ROAD - not enough wine - too much demand - Why stir up more interest with reviews
ROCKY'S ROAD - not enough wine - too much demand - Why stir up more interest with reviews
| MJB 0216 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $145 | |
| MJB 0217 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $116 | |
| MJB 0218 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $116 | |
| MJB 0219 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $116 | |
| MJB 0220 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $116 |
ROCKY'S ROAD - not enough wine - too much demand - Why stir up more interest with reviews
| JEL 0474 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $179 | |
| JEL 0475 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $179 | |
| JEL 0476 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $179 | |
| JEL 0477 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $179 | |
| JEL 0478 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $179 | |
| JEL 0479 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $179 |
CHRISTMAS BLESSING - Year long GRACE
| MJB 0210 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $90 | |
| MJB 0211 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $90 | |
| MJB 0212 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $90 | |
| MJB 0213 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $90 | |
| MJB 0214 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $90 |
PROFOUND - RP96 - A flagship cuvee, the 2003 Shiraz Black Guts is fashioned from a 47-year-old vineyard planted in the Vine Vale section of Barossa. Its wood regime of 30 months in a combination of new American and new as well as old French barrels resulted in a fabulous expression of Barossa Shiraz. Deep, full-bodied, and intense with peppery, blackberry, smoky, roasted meat, and herb characteristics, a huge, expansive, chewy mouthfeel, and a stunning, 50-second finish, this profound Shiraz is approachable, but should age beautifully for 15-20 years.
| DUR 0009 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $45 |
LONG-LIVED - JH96 - From vines c1900 grown in the Eden Valley. What a wine this is for its complexity, depth of flavour and its sheen. Fantastic purple-noir; layers of dark fruit lifted with a heady fragrance of lavender and violets, a sprinkling of licorice and wood spices lead onto a full-bodied palate. No shortage of tannins, yet there's this bright acid lift on the finish, both ensure this will be long-lived.
| SHU 0286 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $66 | |
| SHU 0287 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $66 | |
| SHU 0288 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $66 | |
| SHU 0289 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $66 | |
| SHU 0290 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $66 | |
| SHU 0281 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $66 |
SUPERB - JH98 - Fraser McKinley has nailed the cooler 2023 vintage with his Hoffmann Dallwitz release. It's essential; as in it presents itself as a pure essence of northern Barossa syrah with the characteristic Ebenezer compression and a sense of detail that only comes with an obsession for site expression and the craft of gentle winemaking. It's concentrated and presents with impressive fruit density, but there's a beautiful energy and freshness to its form. As always, the fruit is pure and perfectly poised; black cherry, blackberry, boysenberry and blue fruits. The cut of spice is deep and exotic, floral flecks and raspberry pip lift, a glimpse of dried herbs, dried meats and violets in the rear-view mirror with an earthen overtone with compact, powdery tannins as the wine fades out. Superb.
| JIM 0090 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $161 | |
| JIM 0091 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $152 | |
| JIM 0092 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $152 | |
| JIM 0093 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $152 | |
| JIM 0094 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $152 | |
| JIM 0095 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $152 |
RELIC OR WRECK? - Bottled for 1979 WA 150 Anniverary
| GRE 0003 | 1 BOTTLE Label damage & slight capsule damage | Current Bid: $10 |
IMMACULATE - JH96 - Very good colour; aromatic spice and blackberry; has a degree of finesse not always found in St Peters; immaculate judgment of oak and fruit. Quality cork.
| SHU 0070 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $59 |
MAJESTIC - JH97 - Extended pre-fermentation cold soak. Good crimson-purple; an unambiguously full-bodied cabernet, laden to the gills with all things cabernet - blackcurrant, black olive, earth, tar and tannins genuflecting to no-one, new French oak (60%) and 18 months in barrel all provide the answers to the secrets of this majestic wine.
| ACC 17342 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $74 |
ETERNAL - JH96 - Incredible power and depth of flavour here; its impression on the palate feels eternal. Cassis, blackberry, violet, finely dispersed herbs, thyme and bay. The tannins are resolute, mesh like, woven through the fruit. A little dark chocolate, graphite, pencil shavings, cedar and cigar box. Longevity is a given; cellar and share selectively.
REMARKABLE - JH96 - The Vivienne is a true celebration of Denmark chardonnay. This limited release was hand harvested across three select picks, the fruit was whole-bunch pressed to new and old French barriques, where it matured for 10 months. A rich and decadent wine, yet, for all its billowy grandeur, the mineral tension of the '22 vintage imparts electric energy and vitality, unlocking the equilibrium of the wine. Plumes of stone fruit, white peach and grilled mango cheeks, with creme fraîche spooned atop and lime zest sprinkled over. It is detailed, pithy and resolute. A remarkable wine.
EXCELLENT - JH96 - The identity of the vineyard is not disclosed, but it's very good on the incontrovertible evidence of this remarkable mataro, a variety that is notoriously difficult to manage on its own in the winery. The colour is excellent, as is the depth of the complex fruits that range across red and purple into a savoury/earthy eventide of flavours and dusty tannins.
| SHU 0294 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $31 | |
| SHU 0295 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $31 |
BUTTONS - JH96 - This flint-struck wine from Samantha Connew pushes all my buttons. It's chalky and fruit-pure with wisps of struck-match that slowly make their way through the ripe stone and citrus fruits. This is followed by a swell of soft spice, crushed stone, meadow flowers and almond paste. It's tautly stretched, dry and savoury, with a long, linear draw across the palate. Finishes focused and true with background tones of grilled hazelnut, crème fraîche and soft spice.
| ACC 18211 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $54 | |
| ACC 18212 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $54 | |
| ACC 18213 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $54 | |
| ACC 18214 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $54 |
TRUE - JH96 - If you seek a fruit-pure, flint-struck pinot noir, you are indeed in the right place. Those reductive tones lie nicely simpatico with the pure red/dark cherry, plum and raspberry fruits and there are hints of medina spice, amaro, twiggy bits, turned earth, crushed mountain herbs and purple florals in the mix. On the palate, there is a fine balance and tension between fruit, reduction and fine minerality. The wine shows a composed, complex array of spice, sinew and lovely pure fruit, finishing long, flinty and true.
| ACC 18205 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $57 | |
| ACC 18206 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $57 | |
| ACC 18207 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $57 | |
| ACC 18208 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $57 | |
| ACC 18209 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $57 | |
| ACC 18210 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $57 |
YEARN - JH98 - 88/12% grenache/mourvèdre. Hand-picked fruit from an established block of bush vines. 8% of grenache was whole bunches, the rest whole berries sorted and gravity-fed to a single large French oak vat (1600L). Wild ferment. 10 days on skins prior to basket pressing direct to seasoned French oak for 11 months. Harvested 8/4/2019, pH 3.55, TA 5.1, RS 0.3g/L, 176 cases produced. What sets hearts on fire the world over for Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the muscular, ferrous, salty raspberry humbug and minerally chutzpah. It sets the high-tide mark for grenache. We grenache drinkers yearn for it. And here it is. The strength of Frankland River is its ability to marry sweet (glossy) red fruit to savoury, gravelly earth. The 2018 was a staggering showpiece, this is more restrained, cooler and finer, yet equally long. Choose your weapon.
| KC1 0028 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $92 | |
| KC1 0029 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $92 | |
| KC1 0030 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $92 | |
| KC1 0031 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $92 | |
| KC1 0032 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $92 | |
| KC1 0033 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $92 |
POETIC - JH98 - Hand picked from a single parcel of 22yo syrah vines. Berries sorted and gravity-fed to a French oak vat (1600L) and 22 demi-muids. 54% whole bunches, wild ferment, 11 days on skins prior to basket pressing direct to large-format French oak (8% new), matured for 11 months. Harvested 27/3/2019, pH 3.62, TA 5.2, RS 0.2g/L. 176 cases produced. Bacon fat, maple, salted pomegranate, raspberry, graphite, red dirt, mulberry and pink peppercorn. Like the Hokusai wave, this crashes and courses with flavours and textures, ebbing and flowing on the palate. This is balanced, restrained, long, powerful and most importantly, shaped and structured by supple, chewy tannins. They hold the fruit in the cups of their hands and usher it through a very long finish. A weightlessly poetic wine.
| KC1 0022 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $92 | |
| KC1 0023 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $92 | |
| KC1 0024 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $92 | |
| KC1 0025 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $92 | |
| KC1 0026 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $92 | |
| KC1 0027 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $92 |
SUPER - RP98+ - The 2021 Lamella Shiraz is made with fruit from the Angas family vineyard, Hutton Vale Farm, Eden Valley. The vineyard was planted with cuttings from the Mt Edelstone (Henschke) vineyard and represents the final pick of the season each year. Made with 100% whole bunches in the ferment, the wine opens with characteristic jasmine tea, bergamot, raspberry, graphite and star anise on the nose. The whole-bunch component, far from overtaking the fruit, is seamlessly integrated from the first instance this year. The wine is a cohesive whole and shows an elegance and presence that is beguiling, to say the least. If anything, the 2021 Lamella is full of aching potential; its future is writ upon the balance of fruit and skin/stalk tannin, freshness and density. For lovers of this cuvée, I cannot recall seeing it so balanced and poised on release. The 2018 (a vintage I reference constantly for its high quality and fruit presence) may challenge this statement, however the cool vintage that birthed the Lamella this year has produced a wine of definition and untold potential. Super. Sealed under natural cork. 14.9% alcohol.
| LDE 0044 | 1 BOTTLE Cellar damaged label | Current Bid: $108 |
No Robert Parker Wine Advocate review
BLOCKBUSTER - RP96 - The 2020 The Standish Shiraz was made with fruit from the Laycock family vineyard, in Greenock. The first vintage was 1999. This vintage saw 30% whole bunches in the ferment. It offers notes of red dirt, a bit of blood, salted heirloom tomato and satsuma plum. This is concentrated, compacted, plush, dense and muscular, with notes of ras el’hanout, allspice, torched cinnamon and salted Dutch licorice. This wine is like playing "Magic Eye." There’s a lot going on, but if you relax, a pattern emerges and the detail becomes obvious for all to see. Within the fine but plushly tannic frame, there is saltbush and bay leaf, exotic spice and cascading layers of berry fruits. The dirt in which the roots are entangled similarly shows its colors—and these are red, ochre, earth and dust. At first glance, the foolish and the rash will overlook this for being singularly muscular and full-bodied, but like all the best IYKYK (if you know, you know—wink wink) scenarios, there is far more than meets the palate here. Another blockbuster Standish.
| LDE 0042 | 1 BOTTLE Cellar damaged label | Current Bid: $88 | |
| LDE 0043 | 1 BOTTLE Cellar damaged label | Current Bid: $88 |
MINI RAYAS -JH97 - The qualitative apogee when it comes to grenache, rivalled by few and equalled only by Yangarra. Even better than the superb 2021. Sourced from the highest, coolest site in the Vale, the venerable Smart vineyard. Ironstone imparts a ferrous bite to pithy sour cherry, cranberry, campfire, pomegranate, tamarind and sandalwood notes with a grind of white pepper across a lattice of pin bone tannins, curtailing sweetness while promoting stunning length. This is excellent. Superb! Transparent and brimming with a sense of pinoté, like a mini Rayas. A great wine of the present as much as the future. Among Australia's very greatest reds. I don't score above 97, but this could be worth a point higher.
| CEL 0145 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $80 | |
| CEL 0146 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $80 | |
| CEL 0147 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $80 | |
| CEL 0148 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $80 | |
| CEL 0149 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $80 | |
| CEL 0150 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $80 |
WORLD'S BEST - JH96 - Sourced from the old, sandy Blewitt Springs Home Block of Sue Trott. Fermented wild, with attenuated maceration in eggs and the inclusion of 30% whole bunches imparting turmeric, sandalwood, cardamon scents and finely wrought, granular tannins akin to nebbiolo. Real pinosity and sap to this. Succulent notes of kirsch, fecund strawberry and anise. A parry of tension and thrust of gentle sweetness. Remarkable freshness. A wine that places domestic grenache among the world's best.
| CEL 0127 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $80 | |
| CEL 0128 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $80 | |
| CEL 0129 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $80 | |
| CEL 0130 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $80 | |
| CEL 0131 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $80 |
SALIVA SAPPING - JH97 - Raspberry, lilac and rosehip behind. The tannins, a saline scape of bridling force that stretch from the attack to the long, chalky finish. Delicious. Concrete ferment, layered bunches and destemmed material to promote perfume and a mezcal whiff of the best parts beyond a border of control. Saliva-sapping energy.
| CEL 0136 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $80 | |
| CEL 0137 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $80 |
FLAMBOYANT - JH96 - This is pretty. Lifted and fresh and laden with sweet, succulent red fruits, tangerine zest, musk, kirsch, rosewater and lilac. Blewitt over the Charming Man from Clarendon. This is brighter, floral, earthier and sweeter; the Clarendon is tighter, more textural, airier and considerably more savoury. Clarendon wins, but it is not always the case. This is still a brilliant, flamboyant grenache, if not a little sweet across the diaphanous tannic seams. It is a treat to witness the rise of grenache, the flag bearer of the most exciting chapter of Australian wine to date.
| CEL 0139 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $80 | |
| CEL 0140 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $80 | |
| CEL 0141 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $80 | |
| CEL 0142 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $80 | |
| CEL 0143 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $80 | |
| CEL 0144 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $80 |
SUBLIME - JH97 - From Sue Trott’s Blewitt Springs vineyard, planted in '52 to deep Maslin Sands. The Trott vineyard typically throws a slightly darker fruit profile, and this wine can be a little slower to emerge after bottling, but this year it’s open, perfumed and engaging from the beginning. That’s not to say it’s simpler – far from it. Refined, elegant, suffused with pressed florals and dark spice notes, rosehip tea, dried black cherry, iron, fennel seed and warm stone, the shape and drive reminiscent of nebbiolo, though more Valtellina than Langhe. That comparison is just for communication, as this is strikingly its own thing, another arrow finding the bullseye to show why modern Australian grenache is one of world wine’s most exciting categories. Sublime.
| ACC 18106 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $59 |
WORLD CLASS - JH96 - Blewitt Springs, an Australian grand cru equivalent. Old bush vines, as is the wont. Wild fermented with a good portion of whole bunches, some in concrete pyramids sans agitation, before ageing in concrete and large neutral oak. Brilliant! Like a slinky, before release over the top step, as riffs on persimmon, Seville orange, rosehip, pomegranate and impeccably ripe cherry clafoutis unwind and expand with a rattle. Long. A sandy scape of gorgeous tannins. World class.
FLAGSHIP - JH97 - This wine befits its flagship status, a perfect exhibition of concentration and class. Perfectly ripe grapes are sourced from the low-cropping old-vine Pokolbin Estate vineyard. The intense dark fruit is impressive, nestled within a sculpted, structural frame. All the elements of fruit intensity, tannin and acidity are perfectly proportioned, and there is an engaging brightness and energy despite its power. It will age gracefully and is a must-have addition to any shiraz lover's cellar.
| DON 0171 | 1 MAGNUM BOXED | Current Bid: $188 |
BIGGER-BODIED - JH96 - A 64/36% blend from multiple parcels spread across six vineyards, vinified separately, 15% whole bunch grenache, 30% whole bunch syrah, 5-16 days cold soak, wild fermentation, basket-pressed to used oak. Deeply coloured; medium to full-bodied, noticeably bigger-bodied than the Grenache, with black fruits.
| ACC 18382 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $77 | |
| SHU 0458 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $55 | |
| SHU 0459 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $55 | |
| SHU 0460 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $55 |
STAR - JH98 - A 58/42% blend, four parcels separately vinified, 5-6 days cold soak, extended wild fermentation. Exemplary colour and clarity. As ever, a sumptuous wine, perfect in its balance and symmetry, everything in its seemingly preordained place. Bekkers is a star.
| ACC 17747 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $69 | |
| SHU 0148 | 1 BOTTLE Slight label damage | Current Bid: $47 | |
| SHU 0147 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $47 |
BIG FAN - JH96 - Grenache sourced from gnarled old vines over on the western range. Despite the fact that I had a close call with a fired-up brown snake in this vineyard, I'm a big fan of this wine. It's got a cruisey, loose-knit and expressive savoury vibe: all detailed raspberry, mulberry and red plum shades and a gorgeous array of gingery spice, red licorice, star anise, sarsparilla, cola, Chinese barbecue shop and earth. This openness of expression is juxtaposed by a cascade of chalky tannin and a mineral-rich focus with an exotically spiced plume of red fruits on the exit.
| ACC 17207 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $149 | |
| ACC 17208 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $149 | |
| ACC 17209 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $149 |
SENSATIONAL - RP99 - The 2004 RunRig essentially typifies everything I love about the 2004 vintage in Barossa. It has energy and focus, softness where it matters and length above all. The texture of this wine on the palate is superb—silky, seamless, long, gracious. This is balanced, harmonious, sensational. That's about all that needs to be said about this. It is absolutely excellent and aging slowly. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under natural cork.
| KC1 0021 | 1 BOTTLE Cellar damaged label | Current Bid: $156 |
JH94 - Has all the expected vibrancy and complexity of flavour in this wine; rounded and velvety fruit sweetness (not residual sugar) backed by ripe tannins and just the right amount of oak.
| TUR 1054 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $236 |
BEAUTIFUL - RP98 - The 2012 RunRig is silky and seamless, akin the 2010 tasted alongside. RunRig was not made in the 2011 vintage, due to the cold and wet conditions (which did suit some varieties, and some terrific wines were made). Aromatically, the wine is all about garden roses and tapenade, roasted meat and sweet summer tomatoes. This is a beautiful wine. 15.5% alcohol, sealed under natural cork.
| TUR 1135 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $208 |
SEAMLESSLY - RP97 - The 2013 RunRig is entirely fresh and marks a significant point in the aging evolution of this cuvée. Now 12 years from harvest, the wine shows youth and vitality, alongside a cavalcade of tertiary characters. This is the point at which one can stand and look both into the future (of what this wine will look like as an older wine) and see its past, too (i.e., what the wine looked like in its youth). These precipice vintages are important to mark, and in the context of the RunRig, that precipice may occur at 12 years from harvest. Aromatically, for the first time one notes raspberry, cherry, licorice, blood plum, star anise and cracked fennel seeds. There is also leather, autumn leaves and a hint mahogany, all of which merge seamlessly. 15.5% alcohol, sealed under natural cork.
| TUR 1072 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $208 | |
| TUR 1073 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $208 |
OH SO SATSIFYING - RP97+ - Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2014 Run Rig opens with a bang, delivering intense fruits of the forest and blackberry preserve notes with hints of sandalwood, cardamom, dried Provence herbs, Indian spices and garrigue. Full-bodied, rich, concentrated and oh, so satisfying, the beauty ticks all the great Barossa Shiraz boxes and then some. It is still relatively primary, so I’d recommend giving it another 2-3 years at least in bottle and drink it over the next 20+.
| ACC 17221 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $324 | |
| ACC 17222 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $324 |
TOUR DE FORCE - RP98 - Who would've thought that in the context of Barossa Shiraz, the 2015 RunRig would seem like a relative bargain? It's certainly much less expensive than Grange or Hill of Grace will be when they're released. It's also more approachable in its youth, with enormously appealing aromas of grilled fruit, savory complexities and rich, velvety tannins. Of course, it's full-bodied and concentrated, with the stuffing to age for up to a couple of decades, and it has a long, licorice-tinged finish. Winemaker Ian Hongell, who joined Torbreck from Peter Lehmann, may not have made this wine, but he deserves a lot of credit for the blending and finishing of this tour de force.
| ACC 17214 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $294 | |
| ACC 17215 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $294 | |
| ACC 17216 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $294 |
RIP-SNORTER - RP97+ - The 2016 RunRig comes from a warm, dry vintage that was responsible for red wines of great power and presence. The rain that feel during this season was remarkably well timed at all points. Aromatically, the wine leads with all its inkiness and power: saturated raspberry, black cherry, pomegranate, licorice and star anise. In the mouth, the wine has a cocoa/chocolate sweetness and thick textural structure. This is a wine of intensity and power, and stylistically, it aligns itself with the 2010 vintage. This is a rip-snorter of a wine that will age for many decades. 15% alcohol, sealed under natural cork.
| TUR 1137 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $240 | |
| TUR 1138 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $240 |
RP95 - The 2017 RunRig leads with leather and pressed incense, dark berry fruit and tapenade. The palate is far lighter than the nose would suggest, offering black cherry and raspberry seed. This is finer than the 2016 tasted alongside, which has a truly weighty fruit profile in the mouth. This may perhaps lend itself to drinking a little earlier than some other vintages in this lineup. It's a lovely wine from a cold and wet vintage, perhaps not dissimilar in conditions to 2023. 15% alcohol, sealed under natural cork.
| ACC 17217 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $299 | |
| ACC 17219 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $299 | |
| TUR 1136 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $228 |
ELOQUENT - RP99 - The 2018 RunRig is perfectly eloquent of the 2018 vintage. It was warm and dry, and the reds produced both in Barossa and Eden Valleys were of very high quality. Here, the 2018 could be stylistically compared to 2016, however the 2018 offers tremendous chisel and definition of both the tannins and the nuanced fruit profile. This is a brilliantly polished and sleek wine that, while approachable and ready for drinking now, offers none of the gracious complexity that it will no doubt develop with patient cellaring. Should you wish to see the potential of this wine, plan to open a bottle in 2040. Should you feel impatient, opening a bottle now will suffice—it is very good today. 15% alcohol, sealed under natural cork.
| TUR 1096 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $220 | |
| TUR 1097 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $220 |
SUPER - JH97 - Torbreck's shiraz/viognier blend is a Barossa icon wine for its plushness of fruit and sense of latent power. The 2020 version is in fine form with intense blackberry, plum and cherry fruits framed by deep, dark spice, cedar, vanillin oak, star anise, dark chocolate, roasting meats, crème de cassis and earth. Long, ripe granitic tannins cascade through the opulent black fruits and the wine's architecture suggests that it will have long and distinguished cellaring potential. Super stuff.
| TUR 1086 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $220 |
SUPERSTAR - RP98 - The 2022 RunRig had 2% Viognier added to the Syrah after barrel maturation, from the current vintage. I've clarified this with winemaker Ian Hongell, because my incorrect memory ran toward skins only. Glad I asked. Aromatically, the wine is so fresh and detailed; it hints at latent power and intense concentration, but it doesn't overbear on this point. On the palate, the wine has everything we could hope for—intense, balanced red fruit, a splay of ductile tannins and such a light fluffiness to the profile that I find it most appealing indeed. The discussion here today is regarding the comparison to the great 2021 vintage. It was a freak, out-of-the-box year that blessed producers with a spot-free growing season, good yields and excellent quality fruit. The wines, for the most part, will endure through the decades with grace and ease. The 2022s are tighter, fluffier, more fruit forward and, in my opinion, slightly more delicious, but over the long term, backing the 2021s to go the distance seems the blue-chip option. We can discuss this again in 20 years (2045) when that answer will have become more clear. In the words of Ferris Bueller, "Life moves pretty fast." I love this wine today. It's a superstar. 15.5% alcohol, sealed under natural cork and wax.
POWER WITH GRACE - JH96 - 100% shiraz sourced from the parishes of Gomersal, Krondorf, Marananga and Ebenezer, aged for 12 months in French oak. Glossy red purple in the glass with characters of ripe satsuma plum and macerated summer berry fruits, Asian five-pice, cedar, licorice and Old Jamaica chocolate. Fruit weight, purity and intensity perfectly on point here, tannins too, fine and long. There just seems to be so much packed into the wine yet everything is in proportion and true. Power with grace.
| ACC 17476 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $109 | |
| ACC 17478 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $109 | |
| ACC 17479 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $109 | |
| ACC 17480 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $109 |
CHAMPION - JH96 - Shiraz from the parishes of Gomersal, Krondorf, Marananga and Ebenezer matured in French oak (40% new) for 24 months. This year's Factor sports an inky, graphite-led intensity of fruit and a sense of purity. Compression, too, with deep satsuma plum, blackberry and black cherry fruits initially feeling compact and tight before exploding onto the palate with substantial tannin heft and layers of dark spice, cedar, licorice and dark chocolate. While you could happily tuck into this tonight, it will cellar like a champion
| ACC 17194 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $99 | |
| ACC 17195 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $99 |
ABSOLUTE JOY - RP100 - The Laird is Powell’s new baby, coming from a single 5 acre / 2 hectare vineyard of Shiraz in the Marananga sub-region planted in the 1960s that recently became available for contracting. This is a very different wine from Run Rig. What is most striking about it is the combination of power and elegance in this first vintage, coming from a very good year in the Barossa. Matured for 3 years in new Dominique Laurent “Magic Casks” (Troncais French oak barriques with thicker staves designed for the long aging of Shiraz), 2005 The Laird gives a deep garnet color and pronounced nose that shows savory and spice notes over the fruit, with aromas of hung meat, Peking duck, fertile loam, underbrush, tree bark, anise, cumin seed, menthol, dried roses and lavender over warm black cherries, crush blackberries and fruit cake. The tight-knit, full-bodied palate is very fine with a high level of silt-like tannins and crisp acid running through the concentrated fruit and savory flavors, finishing very long with lingering earth and spice notes. At 14.8% declared alcohol, this is by no means one of the biggest wines in the Barossa, but it is most certainly one of the best. It’s an absolute joy to drink now but it is recommended readers give it 4-5 years more in bottle to soften and marry and enjoy it to 2030+.
| CHR 0046 | 1 BOTTLE Cellar damaged label | Current Bid: $586 | |
| CHR 0047 | 1 BOTTLE Cellar damaged label | Current Bid: $586 |
DESTINED - JH97 - Only available to Wine Club members now, the main release 5 years down the track. Made from the estate's Short Flat Vineyard, the blocks dating back to '23, this is destined to add yet more trophies to the Tyrrell's warehouse of such tributes. Its balance and mouthfeel are remarkable, supple and juicy, yet cleansed by gently insistent acidity.
| SHU 0209 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $70 | |
| SHU 0210 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $70 |
GREAT- JH97 - Great wines like Tyrrell’s Vat 1 Semillon are celebrated for their clarity of expression and remarkable intensity – qualities that shine brightly in the '19 vintage. The mid-palate is beautifully open and generous, showcasing powerful citrus flavours and micro hints of flint, wet river stones, lemon curd and greengages. The true strength of this vintage lies in its refreshing, succulent mid-palate, harmonious balance and ultra-cleansing finish, making it a superb accompaniment to food. It is at the beginning of its evolution, and its refinement and grace set it apart.
GRACEFUL - JH96 - 90/8/2% cabernet sauvignon/petit verdot/malbec. Wild ferment, matured in French oak (44% new) for 18 months. Not enough can be said in favour of the 2018 vintage, producing wines just like this. Powerfully ripe and dense, with epic length of flavour. This is a structural and concentrated cabernet capable of decades of graceful evolution in the cellar. Wild raspberry, salted licorice, aniseed, pomegranate, ferrous and kelp. Saline acid. It comes in at under $50, and long may that continue, for it is one of the great-value premium wines of the region.
| PUN 0033 | 1 BOTTLE Slight label damage | Current Bid: $35 |
JH95 - Tightly focused and structured; particularly fine but persistent tannins add much to the texture; blackcurrant and touches of French oak complete the picture of a high quality wine. Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz. High quality cork
| TUR 1011 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $70 | |
| TUR 1160 | 1 MAGNUM Slight label damage | Current Bid: $150 |
MESMERISING - JH96 - The bouquet reveals an electric array of black fruits, cedar, olive, violets and dried leaf; its complexity and completeness is revealed on the full-bodied palate, as the layers of fruit give way to fine-grained tannins and precise acidity; the finish is long, succulent and thoroughly mesmerising. Cabernet/Malbec/Petit Verdot.
| TUR 1012 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $70 |
EXEMPLARY - JH96 - Simply called Heytesbury because the percentages of the varieties used changes from year to year (this year 10% malbec, 13% petit verdot and 77% cabernet sauvignon). It is a complex, layered wine that nonetheless retains finesse, its predominantly blackcurrant and plum fruit given texture and structure by outstanding ripe tannins and cedary French oak; exemplary length and balance.
| TUR 1013 | 1 BOTTLE Slight label damage | Current Bid: $75 |
REMARKABLE - JH97 - The icon red of Vasse Felix, a blend of cabernet sauvignon, malbec and petit verdot, bypassing merlot. The perfumed bouquet stands on its own considerable merits, but it is the implacable insistence of the blackcurrant fruit, wrapped around the juicy malbec, that lifts this wine onto another plane. Is it medium-bodied, medium to full-bodied or full-bodied? It all depends on which facet you concentrate on, but for my money, it's a remarkable medium-bodied wine.
| PUN 0035 | 1 BOTTLE Slight label damage | Current Bid: $65 |
EXCEPTIONAL - JH97 - Often when a structured and very young flagship wine is up for tasting, I’ll assess it initially, maybe try it with food, and spend a couple of days thinking about it and retasting. They need respect. But this time, I poured a big glass of Tom Cullity and enjoyed it immediately, as it’s approachable and complete. Even a few days later, no signs of fading. This is exceptional. There’s a certain refinement within, almost open-knit. A whorl of dark fruit, from mulberries to red berries, very spicy, very savoury, ferrous, full of nori, licorice, florals and more. It’s complex, shaped by beautifully defined tannins, the length long, the pleasure factor 10 out of 10 with ageability the same.
RELIC OR WRECK? - COMMORATIVE BOTTLING
| GRE 0002 | 1 BOTTLE Mid shoulder, severe label damage, signs of past weeping, corroded capsule | Current Bid: $5 |
VERY GOOD - JH96 - Deep colour; a powerful bouquet and even more powerful palate, with layers of blackcurrant and cassis seamlessly interwoven with spicy/mocha oak, tannins strong but perfectly balanced; very good mouthfeel.
| TUR 1107 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $40 | |
| TUR 1108 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $38 |
EXTRA - JH96 - Set in the context of the six preceding vintages, this wine has developed an extra degree of polish and finesse, red fruit nuances emerging alongside the black fruit flavours of its youth; the line, length and balance are impeccable.
| TUR 1109 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $35 | |
| TUR 1110 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $41 |
BORDEAUX - JH96 - Dense crimson-purple; proclaims its class from the first whiff of blackcurrant and cedar, the powerful but perfectly balanced palate strongly evocative of Bordeaux, with black olive and high quality tannins underwriting the long finish, oak judged to perfection.
| TUR 1105 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $41 |
TICKS - JH97 - This is a highly credentialled wine that ticks every imaginable box; fruit, tannins and oak are seamlessly balanced and integrated on the bouquet and palate alike, the texture at once silky yet precise; best of all is the fusion of blackcurrant/redcurrant fruit with the gently savoury, fine-grained, tannins.
| WHI 0008 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $50 | |
| TUR 1106 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $28 |
JH94 - Dark, deep purple-red; a concentrated, dense and powerful bouquet with brooding, dark fruits leads to a massively concentrated palate with a complex array of fruit flavours in the mint/blackberry/briar spectrum, finishing with persistent tannins. Notwithstanding all the power and concentration, is immaculately balanced.
| JMO 0125 | 1 BOTTLE Stained label | Current Bid: $92 |
WUTHERING WEDOUREE - no scores - notes
| JMO 0232 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $71 | |
| JMO 0233 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $70 |
LUSH - JH95 - 52/42% cabernet/malbec, with 1920, 1940 Eastern and 1970 Western blocks included. Quite lush, quite upfront and accessible this release; coffee and chocolate, vanilla and raspberry, malt and blonde tobacco, mint and faint ginger all hallmarks in the young wine here. Has a grippy, granular feel to the texture, plushness, too. Soft and long, dark berries to the fore in taste with more cardamon, clove and cinnamon chiming in. A bit of mild, citrusy zinginess through the finish – a note to mention, standing out from the wine a little. Overall a generous, plush, comforting red wine, with distinction in fruit intensity and detail of spice, herbal lilt and judicious oak seasoning, but the balance needing time.
| NIK 0587 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $80 | |
| NIK 0588 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $80 |
EPITOME - JH97 - Full purple-crimson hue. An elegant Wendouree Cabernet Sauvignon, only 2yo? Oxymoron? Believe me, this is the epitome of elegance in cabernet terms, with a fluid line and mouthfeel, cassis and a hint of mint to the fore, fine-grained tannins as much on the aftertaste as the finish. A wine that progressively reveals its latent power as it is re-tasted again and again.
| JMO 0136 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $92 | |
| JMO 0135 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $92 |
LOVE - JH97 - 100% cabernet sauvignon from the 1920 and '75 plantings on the Eastern and Central Vineyards. The moment the wine is poured into the glass, the bright, deep colour tells you this wine will assert its authority in no uncertain fashion. Yet it does so by stealth, first revealing the cassis fruit and (in the best sense) mint. There is no bombardment by often autocratic cabernet tannins; just as was the case with the '13 vintage, it is elegant, dispensing tannins slyly. Three very different wines, and I love them all, so the points are the same.
| JMO 0289 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $79 | |
| JMO 0290 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $79 |
WUTHERING WEDOUREE - no scores/notes to be found
| JMO 0275 | 1 BOTTLE Stained label, capsule damage | Current Bid: $72 |
GREAT - JH96 - More refined and intense than the 2003, with great strength of line, and excellent balance; the breadth of fruit flavours is slightly finer and more supple than the 2002, but not as intense.
| TUR 1078 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $100 |
ELEGANT - JH97 - Purple-crimson; much better clarity than the Malbec; strong black berry and licorice aromas lead directly into a firm, though medium-bodied, palate; has the energy, thrust and length missing from the Malbec, yet is exceptionally elegant, reflecting its low alcohol. Is one of those rare wines which get better sip by sip (or mouthful). Postscript: I wrote those words before I referred back to the identical comment made about the 2005 Shiraz.
| TUR 1132 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $144 |
ADMIRABLE - JH96 - Medium crimson-purple; a complex bouquet with black fruits, spice and earth introduces a medium-bodied palate with great mouthfeel and even greater length; the flavours promised by the bouquet are all there in a synergistic display, asking the question is the sense of place or the purity of varietal expression the most admirable? The problem is the answer changes each time you come back to the wine. Three immaculate corks, perfectly inserted, give the 2008 Wendourees a good chance of reaching at least half their natural life span.
| CHR 0071 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $166 | |
| CHR 0073 | 1 BOTTLE Slight label damage | Current Bid: $154 |
REFINED - JH95 - Bright, clear crimson; a super-elegant and refined shiraz, with black cherry, blood plum and blackberry fruit to the fore; the tannins do make their presence felt on the finish, as does a touch of French oak, but neither threaten the balance of the wine.
| TUR 1079 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $100 |
PERFECT - JH98 - A perfect rendition of medium-bodied shiraz, burdened neither by massive alcohol or oak, allowing the black fruits, led by blackberry and supported by hints of licorice and earth, free play. The overall texture is exceptional, the tannins smooth and supple.
| TUR 1080 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $100 |
FLAWLESS - JH97 - 100% shiraz from Central Vineyard bushvines planted in 1893, and the Eastern Vineyard planted in 1919. The wine takes a lot of air via glass swirling to express itself, but ultimately does so emphatically. Plum, black cherry and spices paint the flavour picture, and expand prodigiously on the back-palate and finish. As the late Len Evans would have said, it has flawless line, length and balance.
| ADS 0791 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $136 | |
| ADS 0792 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $136 |
JH95 - From the 1919-planted Eastern vineyard. A huge whiff of Australian bush to start, so too red cherry, raspberry, wet slate, figs and dates. The palate echoes the bouquet; it's saturating and deep in flavour while keeping a lithe frame. Terracotta tannins chime in, a little grumbly, but keep things in check. It feels like what you imagine fruit from a place surrounded by native trees, and produced from old, gnarled vines set in deep, rugged soils should taste like. Lighter on as the vintage seems to have dictated, but packed with character. For fancy glasses and dark cellars.
| JEL 0468 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $199 | |
| JEL 0469 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $199 | |
| JEL 0470 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $199 | |
| JEL 0471 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $199 | |
| JEL 0472 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $199 | |
| JEL 0473 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $199 |
GREAT - JH96 - More purple than the Shiraz Mataro; consistently with the colour, has more drive and focus; the mouthfeel and length of the medium- to full-bodied palate are excellent, with almost juicy fruit sparking off the fine-grained tannins. Great now, great in another 15 years.
| CHR 0051 | 1 BOTTLE Cellar damaged label | Current Bid: $94 |
WUTHERING WEDOUREE - no scores/notes to be found
| JMO 0260 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $66 |
NEEDS 5-10 -JH94 - Slightly lighter colour than the Shiraz, but similar brilliant hue; the mataro/mourvedre tannins are evident, but not trenchantly so; nonetheless, needs 5-10 years to fully unfurl its sails.
| CHR 0067 | 1 BOTTLE Slight label damage | Current Bid: $67 | |
| CHR 0068 | 1 BOTTLE Slight label damage | Current Bid: $67 |
NO HALLIDAY NOTES
| WHI 0007 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $76 |
WUTHERING WEDOUREE - no scores/notes to be found
| JMO 0199 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $74 | |
| JMO 0200 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $74 |
PARADIGM - JH96 - Both the bouquet and palate command immediate attention, exhibiting a near-perfect paradigm for McLaren Vale shiraz. Medium- to full-bodied, but without any obvious alcohol warmth, it has an unbroken stream of black fruits, licorice, dark chocolate, cedary oak and fine, ripe tannins; the balance, line and length reflect the very good vintage and equally good winemaking.
| SHU 0041 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $35 |
HAPPY - JH96 - Open-fermented, basket-pressed, matured for 10 months in French oak. Bright crimson hue; this is one of a number of outstanding grenaches from '16 with the structure and texture of shiraz or cabernet sauvignon. The bouquet and palate have struck a deal to mirror each other identically, this luxury-packaged wine with the certainty of a long, happy life.
| SHU 0058 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $35 |
FORTUNATE FIFTY - Classic from the time when Wolf's Black Label RULED
| NIK 0582 | 1 BOTTLE Mid shoulder, label damage | Current Bid: $160 |
ELEGANT - JH97 - Limited Release. Selectiv' harvested, open fermented, 5 separate parcels fermented and matured for 18 months in French oak (23% new), then assessed and blended, the hue vibrant. Any thought of blockbuster is instantly dismissed with the 1st taste. It is an elegant medium-bodied wine, albeit with a compelling blend of blackberry, spice and plum. The oak integrated, tannins perfectly pitched behind the fruit. Gold medals Barossa and Royal Adelaide Wine Shows ’20.
CRIES OUT - JH97 - A 94/4/2% estate-grown blend of cabernet sauvignon, malbec and cabernet franc that spent 21 months in new French oak. Excellent colour; Margaret River blends don't come better than this, a wine that is strongly reminiscent of vintages 5 or more years ago that outscored First Growth Bordeauxs in blind tastings. In the manner of those Bordeaux wines, this will live for decades with its array of black fruits and firm tannins, and cries out for patience.
| TUR 1098 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $121 | |
| TUR 1099 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $121 |
TIME - JH96 - Benjamin. 94% cabernet sauvignon, 4% malbec, 2% cabernet franc, hand-picked, passed over a vibrating sorting table to small closed tanks for fermentation, 35 days post-ferment maceration, matured for 19 months in new French oak. Having gone to this time, trouble and expense, it is logical to build the wine for future generations to enjoy, and that is certainly the case here, with mega-helpings of high quality cabernet fruit (plus bits and pieces), oak and tannins, and the all-important balance.
| TUR 1043 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $121 | |
| TUR 1044 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $121 | |
| TUR 1101 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $121 |
MUCH PLEASURE - JH95 - 54/22/18/5/1% cabernet sauvignon/merlot/malbec/cabernet franc/petit verdot. Fruit from the Woodlands Brook vineyard, 100% wild ferment, on skins for up to 32 days, matured in French oak for 17 months (60% new). Savoury, dense and packed with flavour, this has cassis, tobacco, Szechuan peppercorns, bramble and even shades of pomegranate. The highlight however, is the tannin profile: it is absolutely everywhere in the mouth, giving the wine substance and chew. This is clearly a wine that will perform well in the cellar, should you choose to do that. Otherwise, drinking it now will provide much pleasure, if you decant it.
| ACC 16718 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $41 |
CEDAR - JH97 - Cabernet plus 3% malbec and 1% cabernet franc is matured for 21 months in 100% new French oak. Bright crimson; the wine nearly escapes under the radar, until it starts accelerating on the mid-palate and hurtles through the finish and aftertaste, drawing saliva as the intensity of cassis, earth, black olive and cedar spear through the mouth.
| TUR 1047 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $145 | |
| TUR 1048 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $145 |
GLOROIUS - JH97 - As soon as this is poured it starts to morph, offering wafts of roses, mulberry and blackberry one minute, warm earthy black olive and ironstone the next. It hovers around medium-bodied, but it has terrific depth and length with perfectly pitched savoury tannins. Glorious Wilyabrup cabernet sauvignon.
CEDAR - JH97 - Cabernet plus 3% malbec and 1% cabernet franc is matured for 21 months in 100% new French oak. Bright crimson; the wine nearly escapes under the radar, until it starts accelerating on the mid-palate and hurtles through the finish and aftertaste, drawing saliva as the intensity of cassis, earth, black olive and cedar spear through the mouth.
| TUR 1045 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $121 | |
| TUR 1046 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $121 |
REVERED BENCHMARK
| COL 0023 | 1 BOTTLE Slight label damage | Current Bid: $68 |
LONG LIFE - JH96 - Excellent depth to the colour heralds a wine replete with an abundance of purple and black fruits seamlessly woven together on the medium to full-bodied palate; oak and tannins provide the framework for a wine with a very long life ahead.
| PUN 0024 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $19 | |
| PUN 0025 | 1 BOTTLE Slight label damage | Current Bid: $19 | |
| PUN 0026 | 1 BOTTLE Slight label damage | Current Bid: $19 | |
| PUN 0027 | 1 BOTTLE Slight label damage | Current Bid: $19 |
MARVEL LANDMARK
| COL 0021 | 1 BOTTLE Slight cellar damaged label | Current Bid: $40 |
CLASS- JH96 - Richness in terms of the multi-layered texture is the first impression, then complexity in the multifaceted nuances of different levels of ripeness (none extreme) in the cabernet sauvignon; harmony in length and sheer class on the finish.
| TUR 1060 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $95 |
PROUD - JH96 - A wine with a proud history and proven development for 20 years or more; it has a deep, rich and full-bodied well of blackcurrant, blackberry and black olive flavours encased in a web of perfectly formed tannins.
| TUR 1062 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $80 |
SILKY - JH97 - A fascinating contrast to the Davis Single Vineyard; I never expected a young John Riddoch to be elegant and silky, but this is, its intense blackcurrant and cassis fruit caressing the mouth and drawing out the saliva. Less than 1% of Wynns Coonawarra cabernet goes to make this wine.
| TUR 1119 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $96 |
TOP-NOTCH - JH98 - This is a top-notch Riddoch cabernet. The colour is a given, as are the depth and purity of the varietal expression, but despite its moderate alcohol, it is full-bodied, and really should be left for 10 years, then enjoyed over the next 20-30 years, its future guaranteed by its screwcap.
| TUR 1120 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $96 |
GREAT - JH97 - The depth of its purple-crimson hue telegraphs an ultra-powerful wine of impeccable breed and balance, needing a minimum of 10 years to relax. In wine terms, the case to delay its release to coincide with that of Grange is obvious, but in financial terms it simply won't happen. A great John Riddoch in the making.
| TUR 1121 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $96 |
INDELIBLE - JH97 - A potent, rich, complex, full-bodied cabernet that has a signature as indelible as that of Grange. Cassis/blackcurrant fruit, with touches of earth, tar and licorice, pours in a rush along the palate, not held up by oak or tannins, both subsumed into the fabric of the wine.
| TUR 1122 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $96 |
CLASSIC - JH98 - John Riddoch represents a tiny fraction (1% or thereabouts) of the Wynns Coonawarra Estate cabernet crush in the years in which it is made. This is a classic release, unusually supple and already balanced. Blackcurrant/cassis fruit sweeps along the palate, nuances of Coonawarra mint and earth joining with quality French oak following on behind.
| TUR 1123 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $96 |
TRAMMEL MARVEL
| COL 0020 | 1 BOTTLE Slight label damage | Current Bid: $40 |
JIMMY WATSON TROPHY - Winner 2018
| CEL 0155 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $40 | |
| CEL 0156 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $40 |
IRRESISTIBLE - JH97 - What’s the point of writing anything about this wine? Really. But you’ve come this far so I’ll add the reason: It’s complete, exceptional and beguiling. The best Margaret River cabernet exemplifies those alluring characters. OK, you want to know more. It’s heady with mulberries, cassis and damson plum, wakame and squid ink. Medium bodied, plush and velvety across the palate thanks to sublime tannins with an outrageously long finish. This is irresistible.
| ACC 18434 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $84 | |
| ACC 17940 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $84 |
GREAT - JH96 - Such purity of fruit coming through alongside an enticing fragrance and, as usual, detail and precision across the palate. A richer, slightly generous offering yet the essence of cabernet with cassis, mulberries dusted in spice, licorice and some nori, and the cedary oak neatly etched into the wine. The fuller-bodied palate is complete with lovely tannins – plentiful, if fine – with a long, long finish. Classy cabernet; a great reserve.
BRILLIANT - JH97 - The ’23 vintage is turning out to be a very special one in Margaret River both with chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon, but let’s stay with the former here. This is a humdinger. Sure it’s tightly wound, given its youth and all the electrifying acidity within, but there’s substance and depth, too. A little waxy, refined, with grapefruit, lemon, ginger spice, a dash of oak spices (the 20% new French oak superbly integrated) and a little yuzu tonic water pucker. It’s linear, long, with moreish sulphides, the merest hint of creamy lees and almost a savoury overlay. Brilliant.
| XRO 0121 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $89 | |
| XRO 0123 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $89 | |
| XRO 0124 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $89 |
SUPREME - JH97 - A 2.3-tonne parcel from the Stevens Road Vineyard, crushed/destemmed into several small open fermenters, taken to French barriques (40% new) when dry for 14 months maturation. Bright crimson; this has the Stevens Road DNA at its most expressive and triumphant; Xanadu has carved out a cabernet style all of its own, as if the Great Southern has crept in under the bed clothes one night. It is awesome in its focus and precision, which allow it to tread lightly, the seemingly impossible for a young cabernet of supreme class.
| TUR 1056 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $52 | |
| TUR 1057 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $52 |
COILED POWER -JH96 - The combination here is one of coiled power and medium-weight fruit. That's almost a contradiction in terms but it feels natural here. Bay leaf, blackcurrant, juicy boysenberry and clove flavours come drifted with wood smoke and dark chocolate. It warms to its task beautifully as it breathes in the glass, but remains a cool, elegant cabernet of genuine quality.
| CEL 0163 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $72 | |
| CEL 0164 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $72 |
FUTURE - JH96 - Not just vineyard specific, this is site-specific as the fruit comes off block 3 (a 0.6ha parcel), this vintage with 14% malbec. They are handsome companions, a bit like winemakers Glenn Goodall and Brendan Carr. Though the latter has moved on after 11 years at Xanadu, he did help make this wine. The inkiness of malbec and its dark cherry accents such a lovely foil to cabernet’s distinct flavour. This is enticing, partly because of its heady aromatics and varietal flavours à la Margaret River, but especially the tannins. They are fine, shapely and defined. The finish is long and the wine has a bright, long future.
| SRO 0688 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $43 |
HALLMARKS - JH95 - It has all the hallmarks of the site – Block 2, off Stevens Road, obviously, all Gingin clone, whole-bunch pressed to French oak, wild fermentation. And while there’s lees stirring throughout its nine months in barrel, there’s no mlf. It’s still a little frisky from youth as the acidity holds sway, yet in-between pink grapefruit and lime juice, zest and pith, too. There’s some depth and texture via lees input and the oak, yet all well placed and adding extra dimensions to this enjoyable wine
| ACC 18077 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $59 |
BRILLIANT - JH97 - The ’23 vintage is turning out to be a very special one in Margaret River both with chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon, but let’s stay with the former here. This is a humdinger. Sure it’s tightly wound, given its youth and all the electrifying acidity within, but there’s substance and depth, too. A little waxy, refined, with grapefruit, lemon, ginger spice, a dash of oak spices (the 20% new French oak superbly integrated) and a little yuzu tonic water pucker. It’s linear, long, with moreish sulphides, the merest hint of creamy lees and almost a savoury overlay. Brilliant.
BEAUTIFUL - JH97 - Stained/spongy cork. A beautiful wine in all respects, its heart soft and generous, its head stern and serious, the combination as complete as it is complex. It tastes of an assortment of red and black berries, tobacco and cloves, with tremendously well integrated smoky oak and plenty of tang, tannin, flavour and run through the finish. An exhibition in both power and elegance. Cork permitting, it will mature gloriously MUSEUM RELEASE
CONFIDENT SWAGGER - JH96 - This is an impressive wine and an expensive one, clear of purpose, clarity, power, intensity and detail. A benchmark cabernet and shiraz meld: a blend that many Australians perceive as the homegrown quintessence. The oak cladding is salubrious. Well applied. Apparent, but not too much in lieu of the pummelling fruit: currant, dark cherry, satsuma plum and blue fruit references, brushed with five-spice, cinnamon and a gentle swathe of verdant herb before a finish marked by graphite and iodine. This is polished, sure. The tannins nicely wrought. But fresh, eminently drinkable and firmly of place, with a confident swagger and undeniable impact. MUSEUM RELEASE
BENCHMARK - JH98 - The Caley has quickly established itself as a benchmark for the classic cabernet/shiraz blend. In 2018, it's 80/20% Coonawarra cabernet sauvignon/ Barossa shiraz matured for 20 months in French barriques (38% new). The melding of both variety and region is compelling and captivating. Beautifully poised blackberry and blackcurrant lie sympatico with plum and dark cherry. Notes of cedar and tobacco with fine spices, gentle herbal tones, dried citrus blossom, pencil case and cinnamon. Picture-perfect fruit depth, powdery mineral framework and harmony in all aspects of its composition, leaving the impression of a wine at the top of its game and one destined for a long life in the cellar. MUSEUM RELEASE
| ACC 16828 | 1 BOTTLE BOXED | Current Bid: $324 | |
| XSA 2233 | 1 MAGNUM Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $709 | |
| XSA 2234 | 1 MAGNUM Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $709 | |
| XSA 2235 | 1 MAGNUM Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $709 |
BENCHMARK - JH98 - The Caley from Yalumba has quickly established itself as one of the benchmark wines in the 'Great Australian Blend' category. An elegant representation of how well Coonawarra cabernet sauvignon and Barossa shiraz (at 77/23% split) can work together in the right hands. There is a black-fruited intensity to its form, fine spice and cedar tones suffusing slowly through the wine with tobacco, dried herbs, pressed flowers, pencil shavings, cinnamon and roast beef. Texturally, it's a stunning wine: super pure black fruits, a silken flow, fine, powdery tannin, lacy acidity and a graceful, extended retreat from the mouth with lingering black fruit flavours, cedar and spice. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XSA 2148 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $321 | |
| XSA 2147 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $321 |
THRILLING - JH97 - For long an Australian icon, this has really lightened up its act. For the better. The sort of exotic perfume-lifted lilac floral-seldom seen across shiraz from such a warm zone. Pulpy and juicy in the mouth, rather than over-extracted and desiccated. A beautiful sash of oak, directing a cavalcade of clove, five spice and ample blue to dark fruit references along a skein of peppery acidity. Riveting complexity and the feeling of something far lighter than the ABV suggests. This is a thrilling wine. There are no two ways about it.
| ACC 16765 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $124 | |
| ACC 16766 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $124 |
EPIC - JH97 - Yalumba's flagship offering is made from shiraz split across vineyards in the Barossa and Eden Valleys with an average age of 80 years. A portion is matured for 23 months in 30% new French oak barriques and hogsheads and the balance in one-year-old (and older) American octaves, French barriques and hogsheads. Deep crimson with ripe blackberry, black cherry, satsuma plum and blueberry fruits cut with baking spices, vanillin oak, cedar, licorice, dark chocolate, clove and violets. The fruit glistens on the palate, beautifully weighted and graceful in its shape, with ripe tannins melting into the wine and a shimmering acidity that provides cadence and shines a light on the pristine fruit. This will cellar beautifully, but my goodness it is lovely to drink at the moment. Another epic Octavius release.
RIPPER -JH96 -51/49% cabernet sauvignon/shiraz. A museum release of the famous Yalumba 'The Signature', made by Kevin Glastonbury and honouring the late Darrell Kruger, a Yalumba vineyard manager from '75–'19. Blackberry, black cherry and dark plum fruits of great intensity and depth with a hint of exoticness to the spice array; soul-like it is. Hints of cedar, leather and mahogany. It boasts a superb structure and pitch-perfect weight, the fruit drawing long and elegant on the finish. What a ripper.
LOVELY - JH96 - Since its first release in 1962, The Signature has been Yalumba's deep dive into the classic Australian blend from the Barossa and one that honors the people who have enhanced the traditions and culture of Yalumba. There is a resonance and depth to this release that I really like. Wonderfully pure and concentrated blackberry and plum fruits, layered with spice, dark chocolate, earth, cedar and oak nuance. Succulent and sinewy in the mouth, it flexes considerable muscle, yet remains purely fruited and approachable even at this stage of its evolution. Rich and balanced with fine, ripe tannin and plenty of energy for such depth of fruit. Lovely.
CONFLUENCE - JH96 - Since its first release in 1962, the Yalumba Signature cabernet/shiraz blend has shown a fine pedigree of cellar-worthy wines, and it looks like that bloodline will continue with the 2019 release. Deep, bright crimson in the glass and densely packed with ripe blackberry, black cherry, plum and cassis fruit notes on a bed of fine spice, licorice, cedar, dark chocolate, vanillin oak and light almond blossom tones. There's a wonderful tannin structure here, fine, compact and sandy, lending perfect structure to the pure black fruits. Nothing heavy or overblown, everything in its place, the confluence of fruit/tannin/acidity on song. Pop some in your glass or the cellar. You choose.
| XSA 2898 | 1 MAGNUM Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $117 | |
| XSA 2896 | 1 MAGNUM Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $117 | |
| XSA 2897 | 1 MAGNUM Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $117 |
BEST - JH97 - This wine could easily be in the running for one of the best 2021 wines from the region. Deep in colour with stunning purity across the spectrum of blackberry, black cherry and dark plum fruits. Fragrant with citrus and almond blossom notes, aniseed, cedar, new leather, tobacco, panforte, bay leaf, wood spice and Christmas cake. Sporting a stunning fruit density and tension, it glides, thick with fine, billowing tannin, with a pitch-perfect cadence across the palate, lacy acidity playing its part in focusing the wine's intrinsic elements with aplomb. Pure, vital and beautifully composed. It's sure to be a classic.
| ACC 16914 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $54 | |
| ACC 17090 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $54 |
SUPER – JH96 - Yalumba's famous Signature cabernet sauvignon and shiraz blend has a strong pedigree when it comes to cellaring and the 2022 release will certainly carry on long into the future. The fruit density and purity here are impressive. Blackberry, doris plum and black cherry tones, their flow elegant and graceful across the palate with hints of spice, cedar, tobacco, pencil shavings, roasting meats, dried herbs and olive tapenade. Fine-grained tannins are in abundance and there is an extended finish that rolls on and on. It's a super release
GREAT WINE - JH98 - High Sands is always a landmark wine, a site-reflective icon of peerless husbandry and elaboration, but it can be imposing, needing time and reflection. This is different, though, finely tuned, lucid, silky and sophisticated, and feeling even more expressive of place. A great, cool vintage, yes, with both depth and levity, but Pete Fraser’s quarter turns of the screw are also palpable. Fruits are red and black, ripe but with some tart wild tension, dusted in heady baharat spicing, the heartbeat of old-vine power pulsing insistently within. Flavour descriptors feel ineffectual, though. It’s the sheer graceful power of the thing that’s so beguiling, as it noiselessly swoops in, catching you in the updraft of its immense wingspan. By any measure, this is a great wine.
GREAT - JH97 - Hand-picked, wild yeast open-fermented with 25% whole bunches, matured for 15 months in French oak (40% new). A distilled essence of shiraz from two blocks within a single estate vineyard. It's in no way overdone, but it does have some of the authoritarian stance of top flight cabernet. The black fruits speak in one voice of the ironstone soil in which the vines are planted. Great vintage, great wine.
| ACC 17727 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $89 |
FASHIONED - JH96 - Fermented with 25% whole bunches; matured in French puncheons for seven months (35% new), then transferred to Austrian and French foudre for 12 months. The sandy ironstone soil is the key driver here, with a lilting fragrance combined with rocky ferrous notes, blackberry, blueberry, tar, tapenade, anise, iodine and a briary herbal complexity. Oak is well integrated, though more time is needed to cohere in general, as this is fashioned to age, and it will do so impressively.
| ACC 16788 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $79 | |
| ACC 16792 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $79 | |
| ACC 16793 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $79 |
WINNER - JH96 - A blend of 80/20% 1995-planted cabernet and 1990-planted malbec. Matured in 225L barriques (15% new). A brilliant crimson purple. Aromas of cassis, blackberries, violets and a gentle whiff of cedar emanate from this beautifully put-together wine. Elegant, medium bodied and with super-supple tannins, Sarah Crowe has crafted an approachable and seductive cabernet. The well-deserved winner of the Best Cabernet Blend trophy at the 2022 Yarra Valley Wine Show
| XPU 0081 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $84 | |
| XPU 0087 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $84 | |
| XPU 0085 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $84 | |
| XPU 0086 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $84 | |
| XPU 0094 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $84 | |
| XPU 0093 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $84 |
WROUGHT - JH96 - A blend of 80/20% 1995-planted cabernet and 1990-planted malbec. Matured in French barriques (15% new). A medium deep, bright crimson. Fragrant with aromas of damson plums, blackcurrants, cedar and violets. Medium bodied, this elegantly wrought and persistent wine finishes with very fine-grained and suave tannins suggesting this will age gracefully over the next six to eight years
| XPU 0141 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $84 | |
| XPU 0139 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $84 | |
| XPU 0135 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $84 | |
| XPU 0136 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $84 | |
| XPU 0138 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $84 | |
| XPU 0134 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $84 |
BRAVO - JH95 - Just 2 barrels. A labour of love. It is not easy to maintain varietal purity for viognier without it turning broad and oily. None of that here. It's almost delicate, with just a smidge of apricot and kernels. Infused with lemon, orange and woodsy spices, it's textural, but light as a feather across the palate. Bravo.
| ACC 16538 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $109 | |
| ACC 16539 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $109 |
SUPERLATIVE - JH99 - This is a superlative, tightly furled Bordeaux blend of pedigree, age-worthiness and a sapid quiver of black currant to herbal notes: crushed, dried and strewn about the palate, all tightly guarded by gravelly tannins and juicy natural acidity. The oak handling, too, smacks of expertise: a fine-grained and well trained hedge, embellishing the savoury air of the style rather than overwhelming it. A blend of 67% cabernet sauvignon, 16% merlot, 13% malbec and a mere seasoning of petit verdot synergise to make an imperious, beautiful wine with a long, long life ahead.
| TUR 1051 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $97 | |
| TUR 1052 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $90 |
PROFOUNDLY - JH97 - 66% cabernet sauvignon, 16% merlot, 15% malbec, 3% petit verdot, hand-picked and berry-sorted, the cabernet crushed, the other varieties whole-berry fermented in half-tonne open fermenters, hand-plunged twice-daily, some of the cabernet with extended post-ferment maceration, matured separately in French oak (40% new) for 15 months. Profoundly juicy and rich, yet kept under tight control by the web of ripe tannins, oak part of the structure and texture but not flavour per se. It is a wine that you can sit with for a prolonged examination and discussion, and still not cover all its characteristics or ask all the questions.
| TUR 1033 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $100 | |
| TUR 1034 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $100 |
SERIOUS - JH98 - A blend of 60/24/11/5% cabernet sauvignon/merlot/malbec/petit verdot, the cabernet coming from the original 1969-planted vineyard. Matured in French oak (40% new). A deep, bright crimson purple. Bordeaux-like with its aromas of cassis, iodine, bay leaf and some olive tapenade. The oak is already well integrated. Powerful and balanced with lots of layers. Ripe, chewy tannins course through the wine's concentrated fruit, yet the overall impression is one of balance and harmony. A serious and complete cabernet.
| TUR 1116 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $92 | |
| TUR 1117 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $92 | |
| TUR 1118 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $92 |
MAJESTIC - JH97 - A blend of 60/24/11/5% cabernet sauvignon/merlot/malbec/petit verdot, the cabernet coming from the original 1969-planted vineyard. Matured in barrique (35% new). A deep crimson purple; almost opaque. Uber classical cabernet aromas with its core of concentrated and pure blackcurrant and cedar. Throw in hints of bay leaf, some gravel and a little sea spray and you have a pretty special Dry Red Wine No. 1. It's richly fruited and elegant with perfectly integrated, supple and persistent tannins. An altogether sumptuous and majestic wine.
| XPU 0126 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $110 | |
| XPU 0128 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $110 | |
| XPU 0129 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $110 | |
| XPU 0130 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $110 | |
| XPU 0133 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $110 | |
| XPU 0132 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $110 |
TOTAL JOY - JH97 - A blend of 35/35/12/7/6/5% touriga nacional/tinta cão/tinta amarela/tinta roriz/alvarelhão/sousão, all sourced from 1990 plantings. Yarra Yering and winemaker Sarah Crowe have hit the jackpot with their superb line-up of 2021 reds. Five trophies for three different wines at the 2022 Yarra Valley Wine Show, including the trophy for Best Red Wine in Show for this wine a testament to that. Founder Bailey Carrodus originally planted these Portuguese varieties to make fortified wine. While the odd fortified is still made here, it's the Dry Red Wine No. 3 – a modern-day classic – that benefits. A totally gorgeous wine that's hard to put down once you've had a sip, this exhibits a riotous array of red and black fruits, wildflowers, dried herbs, licorice root and cocoa nibs. Medium bodied and fragrant in the mouth, too! Gently chewy, well-knit tannins make this wine a total joy to drink in its youth, yet it will still be looking good five to seven years from now.
| XPU 0095 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $84 | |
| XPU 0096 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $84 | |
| XPU 0097 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $84 | |
| XPU 0098 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $84 | |
| XPU 0099 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $84 | |
| XPU 0100 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $84 |
EFFORTLESSLY - JH95 - Equal parts pinot noir and whole-bunch shiraz. Matured 9 months in French barriques. A gorgeous bright crimson purple, this just beckons to be smelled. A pure and fruit-driven wine, redolent of wild briary red fruits and spice-rack spices. Medium bodied, there is a delicious juiciness to this wine but equally, there is extract and concentration. Despite how good this is now, it should age effortlessly for the next 5–8 years.
| ACC 16276 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $49 | |
| ACC 16277 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $49 | |
| ACC 16278 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $49 |
GREAT STUFF - JH98 - Sourced from a single block planted in 1973. Fermented with a combination of whole bunches and whole berries. Half the wine was fermented and matured in a 3500L French foudre (purchased in 2019), the other half in French puncheons (10% new). A medium–deep and very bright crimson. Lifted and immediately appealing with its aromas of black raspberries and violets alongside a cornucopia of spices including cracked black pepper, anise and fennel seeds. A gorgeous medium-weighted, intensely flavoured and long Yarra Valley shiraz with enough tannin to suggest patience will be rewarded. Great stuff.
| ACC 18303 | 1 HALF BOTTLE | Current Bid: $44 | |
| ACC 18304 | 1 HALF BOTTLE | Current Bid: $44 | |
| ACC 18305 | 1 HALF BOTTLE | Current Bid: $44 | |
| ACC 18306 | 1 HALF BOTTLE | Current Bid: $44 |
GLORIOUS - JH98 - From a shiraz vineyard planted in 1973 adjacent to Yarra Yering. A vivid crimson purple colour, a mix of whole-bunch and berry fermentation and maturation in large format French oak. This is a glorious shiraz, bursting with life and what will surely be a 40-year life span, so perfectly framed and balanced are its black cherry and blackberry fruit duo, tannins obediently bending the knee to the fruit.
| XPU 0151 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $97 | |
| XPU 0149 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $97 | |
| XPU 0148 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $97 | |
| XPU 0147 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $97 | |
| XPU 0144 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $97 | |
| XPU 0142 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $97 |
SEAMLESS - JH96 - This is both impressive and refined. It's not always easy to strike such a balance. A chardonnay that drives long and pure yet it has substance. Complex sulphides and leesy characters, flinty, balanced oak, so detailed and moreish, it demands you come back for another taste. And you do. It's seamless.
| ACC 17912 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $114 |
IMPRESSIVE - JH97 - Hand-picked, Mendoza and P58 clones, whole-bunch pressed, wild-fermented in French oak (25% new), matured for 11 months. Intense and mouthfilling, with white peach and grapefruit doing the heavy lifting. The finish is particularly impressive, likewise the aftertaste.
| ACC 17491 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $99 |
TRICK - JH97 - Co-fermented with 3% viognier, aged in French barriques (35% new) for 18 months. Deep, full crimson-purple; as any winemaker co-fermenting shiraz and viognier will tell you, increments of 1% or 2% can make an immense difference - the trick is to support the shiraz, not compete with it. Thus here the powerful, resplendent black cherry and plum fruits have touches of pepper and spice as well as that of the near-unseen viognier. French oak and tannins are in their due place.
| SHU 0023 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $55 | |
| SHU 0018 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $55 | |
| SHU 0019 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $55 | |
| SHU 0020 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $55 | |
| SHU 0021 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $55 | |
| SHU 0022 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $55 |
PERFECT - JH96 - There is slightly less than 2% co-fermented viognier, but it plays an important role in creating the highly fragrant and expressive bouquet. Yes, it's vintage-driven with a riot of red and purple fruits, but the perfect structure and balance goes way beyond normal wines.
| SHU 0001 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $74 | |
| SHU 0002 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $74 | |
| SHU 0003 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $74 | |
| SHU 0005 | 1 BOTTLE Slight label damage | Current Bid: $69 | |
| SHU 0004 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $74 |
BROODING - JH96 - The only reserve from '18. A gothic dark purple hue; it's deep, fleshy and very ripe and brooding. Blood plums dipped in chocolate and a dusting of cinnamon, full-bodied with sumptuous tannins and the cedary oak flavour neatly in place.
KALEIDOSOPEIC - RP97+ - The 2021 Le Sol is spicy and detailed. Where the 2020 is open-weave and attractive, the 2021 is tighter, more focused and less "available" for obsessive unpicking (as I am wont to do for you, here). There's raw cocoa, blueberry, finely ground black pepper, orange peel, musk stick, layers of blackberry, mulberry, blood, ferrous notes and a hint of pencil shaving. This is a tightly coiled wine, one that has much unfurling to do, both in the cellar over time and in the glass today. Kaleidoscopic, savory and complex, this is another exciting wine from Craggy Range across the superstar 2020 and 2021 vintages. The exciting thing about the Le Sol is that there is SO MUCH flavor, without weight or density. It is pure concentration, but it leaves an impression of levity and litheness. 13% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
| ACC 17492 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $119 | |
| ACC 17649 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $109 | |
| ACC 17650 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $109 |
RP91 - The 2020 Bannockburn Pinot Noir is abundant and satisfying, with a core of huddled red fruits on the mid-palate. The wine is ripe and ample through the finish, giving the wine a rounded shape in the mouth. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
| CEL 0159 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $80 | |
| CEL 0160 | 1 BOTTLE Slight label damage | Current Bid: $80 |
RP92 - The 2022 Bannockburn Pinot Noir is a blend of the four vineyards: Cornish Point, MacMuir, Block 3 and Block 5. It leads with violets, cherry blossom, pomegranate pearls, star anise and cracked fennel seeds. In the mouth, the wine is supple and spicy, with lashings of fruit flavor and a balancing splay of tannins through the mid-palate and finish. Nicely handled wine, satisfying and supple. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
NO PARKER NOTES OR SCORE
| MHA 0082 | 1 MAGNUM Slight label damage | Current Bid: $120 |
FLAVOURFUL - RP93 - The 2017 Block 3 Pinot Noir reveals some slightly herbal notes on the nose, followed by ripe black cherry fruit, hints of dried spices and attractive earthy notes. It's medium-bodied and less tannic and extracted than early versions of the wine, as veteran winemaker Blair Walter has gradually moved toward gentler handing over the years, yet the wine remains flavorful, complex and long.
| MHA 0074 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $144 |
ABERRANT - RP93+ The 2018 vintage was an aberrant vintage, in that the summer was the hottest on record; a cyclone that hit the North Island never eventuated in the South, and then the coldest end to harvest ever slowed the last six weeks down. The 2018 Block 3 Pinot Noir is today seven years from its harvest, and it shows as a light, savory wine, with dried flowers and tapenade, brick dust and even saffron. The wine is so textural, the tannins so fine that once again they define the finish. A chalky splay of tannin is the enduring feature of the wine, and I like it so much for that. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
| MHA 0058 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $160 |
SUPERB - RP95+ - The 2019 Block 3 Pinot Noir is darkly floral and spicy on the nose, echoes of which swirl around on the palate. I love the way this presents, with abundant tannin and dark fruit yet with a levity that aerates the finish and leaves nothing but balance in its wake. It's a superb vintage, one that will age with grace. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
| MHA 0060 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $144 | |
| MHA 0061 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $144 | |
| MHA 0062 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $144 |
PRETTY - PR95 - The 2021 Block 3 Pinot Noir is, just like its Block 5 sibling, pretty, capacious, floral, structural and clear. It has wonderful clarity of fruit and acid here, both working in concert with one another. The wine is still opening up, and the mineral finish on it feels closed at this early stage. It's a wine for later, the focus and precision being its calling cards. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
| MHA 0063 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $144 | |
| MHA 0094 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $144 |
BEAUTY - RT94+ - The 2022 Block 3 Pinot Noir leads with licorice and exotic spice, clear red fruit and lashings of plump, mouth-filling tannins. This is a wine of ease, of effortless flow of tannin and acid as one. It's a beauty. Today, it's showing more of its exotic spice than its red fruit. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
| MHA 0095 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $144 | |
| MHA 0096 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $144 | |
| MHA 0097 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $144 |
HORSEPOWER - RP94 - The 2021 Block 5 Pinot Noir is seductively floral, with a powerful undertow of fruit and tannin on the palate. The wine isn't in possession of the same cool-vintage nettles/chamomile/white flowers that abounds in the 2020 tasted alongside, yet here there is a cool succulence that is undeniably attractive. It's amazing how these wines evolve and change over the years. This is, like the other vintages of the Block 5 Pinot Noir, driven by a powerful thrust of tannic horsepower. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
| MHA 0070 | 1 BOTTLE Slight label damage | Current Bid: $144 | |
| MHA 0071 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $144 |
GEORGEOUS - RP95 - The 2020 Block 5 Pinot Noir is a gorgeous wine, with nettles and flowers, woodsy spices and ductile tannin. This is a wine of power and finesse hand in hand, and I really appreciate the way it extends out through the finish. The subtle reduction notes that play out on the nose weave into the palate and contribute notions of forest floor, peat and fresh spice and emphasize the succulent register of fruit. This vintage looks eminently more impressive than the last time I tasted it, and I liked it well then. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
| MHA 0079 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $192 | |
| MHA 0080 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $192 |
AFFECTION - RP95 - The 2023 Calvert Pinot Noir is abundantly berry driven on the nose, with ripe summer cherries, mulberry, forest floor, pomegranate molasses and peppercorns. In the mouth, the wine leads with firm tannins, which are laced with Szechuan peppercorns and sandalwood spice and brought into focus by acidity that skirts the edges of brisk but lands gently on juicy. This is a lovely wine, further compounding my affection for the wines of the 2023 vintage on the South Island. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
| ACC 17753 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $84 |
IMPRESSIVE - RP93+ - The 2021 Cornish Point Pinot Noir leads with poached strawberries, pink peppercorns, sweet roasted meats and black tea, with a hint of sarsaparilla around the finish. In the mouth, the wine is succulent and fresh. The intensity of savory characters introduced by the aromas serves only to feather the edges of the core of fruit in the mouth, while the tannins wrap right around it. Ductile and pliable. Lovely wine. Impressive. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
| MHA 0037 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $92 | |
| MHA 0038 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $92 | |
| MHA 0039 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $92 | |
| MHA 0040 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $92 |
RP93 - The 2022 Cornish Point Pinot Noir is incredibly fragrant, with dried lavender and sandalwood, cherry, raspberry pip and cocoa. In the mouth, the wine is full-bodied and supple, with layers of tannin and spice. Through the finish, the wine tightens up and flows across the palate for a precise, spooling close. Exciting wine, I like the undulation of texture in the mouth. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
| CEL 0073 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $92 | |
| CEL 0074 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $92 | |
| CEL 0075 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $92 | |
| CEL 0076 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $92 | |
| CEL 0077 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $92 | |
| CEL 0078 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $92 |
BEAUTIFUL - JH97 - There's a sensual, heady aspect to the aromas on display this year. A little exotic soukiness to the spice profile with hints of dried rose petals, cold tea, meadow wildflowers, sandalwood, drying herbs, distant dried game meats and leaf litter and cocoa-powder suffusing through the ripe red and black cherry and dried raspberry/cranberry fruit tones. Wonderfully weighted and balanced just so with the purest of fruit profiles, a superfine, pillowy cloud of tannin and a bright mineral line. It makes for beautiful drinking now and there is plenty of space for cellaring complexity.
| MHA 0041 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $96 | |
| MHA 0042 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $96 | |
| MHA 0057 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $96 |
I LIKE IT - RP94 - The 2022 MacMuir Pinot Noir is here in its second vintage, a new wine in the lineup for Felton Road. On the nose, this is saturated in red fruit flavor, with pomegranate molasses, white and pink peppercorns, violets and sandalwood. There's a lovely flow to this wine; it has loads of flavor, but it is svelte, polished and gentle all the way. A sleek finish rounds it out. I like it very much. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
| MHA 0055 | 1 BOTTLE Slight label damage | Current Bid: $92 | |
| MHA 0056 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $96 |
OUTRAGEOUS - RP97+ - The 2022 Coleraine is laden at this stage with the outrageous attractiveness of youth. I mean, it's irresistible. There's raspberry, nori, rose petals, coffee grounds, star anise, salted licorice, sun-dried kelp/nori, warm pine (I know this smell because I was hiking around the Te Mata peak yesterday, and there was a fallen pine tree lying in the sun, and it smelled great) and layers of peppercorns. In the mouth, the wine is so fresh, so alive, with so much energy, but it already is showing the svelte line of this house, this place. With a hint of raw cocoa laced through the finish, I'm sad to push this glass away. It will be the last time that I taste it for a while. A ripper. Excellent. This is composed of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc.
DREAM TEAM - 2024 Coleraine just relased - No Parker Score - Major fanfare - Best ever? rRcent releases hard to beat
PARTY - RP96 - Dressed for a party, the Bibi Graetz 2019 Colore celebrates the estate's 20th anniversary with a special commemorative (2000-2019) bottle. This vintage of Colore is 100% Sangiovese (the small part of Colorino in the blend we saw last year has been removed) because Bibi thought the Sangiovese elegant enough to stand alone. Fruit comes from three vineyard sites with 70-, 80- and 90-year-old vines, respectively. The wine offers big intensity and beautifully lifted aromas and more textural support than we saw in the slightly thinner 2018 vintage. The bouquet reveals balsam herb, cassis, pressed rose, garden mint and crushed stone. Fruit from the southernmost site, Poggio Matto in Casciano del Murlo (in the province of Siena), was blended in at a greater percentage to help build the structure and momentum of this cellar-worthy wine.
| LDE 0061 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $228 |
NV BLEND - CLASSICAL - RP97 - The NV Único Reserva Especial 2023 Release is a blend produced with vintages 2009, 2011 and 2012, in search of a house style. It's a blend of Tinto Fino with some Cabernet Sauvignon with 14% alcohol, a pH of 3.85 and 5.2 grams of acidity (measured in tartaric acid per liter of wine); so, it's a slightly lighter version of Reserva Especial. When in theory they used three warm, ripe and powerful vintages, the blend is not excessively powerful, but the longer élevage has polished that power and delivered a classical and proportioned wine, aromatic, spicy, with the Vega nose and a velvety palate with very fine tannins and great elegance. 18,318 bottles and 233 magnums produced. It was bottled in June 2019.
| XNE 1056 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1019 | |
| XNE 1057 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1019 | |
| XNE 1058 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1019 |
NV BLEND - SLEEK - RP98 - The NV Único Reserva Especial 2024 Release was produced with a blend of wines from 2010, 2011 and 2012, not that far from the previous release, which was from 2009, 2011 and 2012, as they are slowly trying to increase the average age of the wine. As I've seen in the last few years, they look for a house style from yesteryear, combining more developed characteristics with elegance and freshness. This blend of Tinto Fino with some Cabernet Sauvignon is also lower in alcohol, 14%, with a pH of 3.85 and 5.1 grams of acidity. The color denotes some evolution with a faint orange around the rim. The nose is complex and elegant, a more developed version of the 2014 Único that I tasted next to it, with truffle, forest floor, ripe black fruit, sweet spices, leather and meat. The palate feels quite polished, with a superb texture, sleek and elegant, with very fine tannins, subtle bitterness and a long and lingering taste. This is a superb blending exercise. 18,288 bottles and 272 magnums produced. It was bottled in June 2020.
| XNE 2959 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1199 |
STELLAR - RP98 - The NV Único Reserva Especial 2025 Release was produced with a blend of wines from 2011, 2012 and 2013, with 14% alcohol, a pH of 3.86 and five grams of acidity. It has the core of the 2012 vintage, possibly the higher percentage in the blend too, providing the power and structure to go along with the freshness and tension of 2013, which also contributes some balsamic characteristics, and it has less of the 2011. The wine shows extra complexity and elegance, and it has the Único nose with more nuance and subtleness. But what I like the most is the silky texture and the elegance of the tannins—as usual, they combine more developed characteristics with elegance and freshness. This is another stellar release of their non-vintage classical blend, slowly going back to the style of yesteryear. A total of 18,518 bottles and 261 magnums were produced. It was bottled in May 2021.
PERFECT SPECIMEN - Museum Release - Never Retailed - Lux Storage - Classic Old School Barolo - Recorked and New label when exported - 1980's? cant find records - Rare & Special
| CAT 0013 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $540 |
ENORMITY - RP96 - Production was skipped over in 2007 due to extreme hail damage. The fruit that would normally be destined to Amarone went to the lower tier Valpolicella Superiore instead. The 2008 Amarone della Valpolicella Monte Lodoletta marks a return to a slightly cooler vintage with a longer growing season slowed down during the summer's moderate temperatures. Indeed, harvest was wrapped up during the first days of November. The blend is mostly Corvina, at about 60%, with smaller parts Corvinone, Rondinella, Croatina and Oseleta. The new Dal Forno winery was finished in 2008, complete with the unique vacuum-sealed fermentation tasks that help to avoid any intrusive oxygen during winemaking. Indeed, this wine is balanced and elegant with fruit that is still crunchy and very much alive. The tannins are firm and nicely integrated into the wine's thick, fleshy consistency. This vintage is characterized by a very elegant and graceful approach, which must be taken into context given the enormity of a wine of this caliber. Happily, there is no doubt that this vintage should still evolve steadily over time.
| TUR 0850 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $660 |
SHY - RP95 - This was an excellent vintage in much of Italy, but unfortunately the weather was not as pleasant in this specific area of the Valpolicella. The season saw a lot of rain, and a good amount of fruit was cut and left on the ground because it could not be used. Considering these difficulties, Michele Dal Forno tells me he is "more than happy with the results." I tasted the 2010 Amarone della Valpolicella Monte Lodoletta next to the 2009 vintage, and having these two wines side by side reinforces just how different they are. The 2010 vintages is sharper, more pointed and direct in comparison, and there is a tiny point of sourness on the close. This wine does not reach the same threshold for fullness, density or richness. It does come close. The wine's residual sugar measures between 5 and 6 grams per liter, which is normal for this wine, and the bouquet is redolent of familiar black fruit, raisin and spice. However, the wine feels a bit stuck in its tracks at the moment and is evidently experiencing a shy phase in its evolution. It has retreated.
| TUR 0851 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $348 |
BLASTED - RP98 - Generally speaking, I have reservations concerning the 2018 vintage that saw intermittent periods of hot and cold with some rain thrown in at the end of the growing cycle. The 2018 Flaccianello della Pieve blasted straight through any lingering doubt and is the result of a deft winemaking hand. This is a phenomenal and proudly confident vintage of the estate's top Sangiovese, which represents a blend of organic fruit from the best parcels. The wine's personality reveals brooding darkness and austerity, and these impressions are reinforced by savory tones of cigar smoke and earthy leather. The core of the wine is tight and richly concentrated with generous blackberry and plum. The velvety tannins are integrated but still youthful and grippy. You'll definitely need to give this elegant wine more time in the bottle. Production is an ample 60,000 bottles.
| LDE 0006 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $148 |
GORGEOUS - RP96 - The Fontodi 2018 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna del Sorbo is simply gorgeous now and we should expect better things to come as the wine continues its bottle evolution. This organic, single-vineyard expression (with 29,000 bottles made) delivers impeccable balance and beautiful intensity throughout. The wine sports a developed fruit side that contrasts nicely against the spice and tobacco-like tones that come thanks to 18 months in French barrique and six months in botte. The 2018 vintage can sometimes be hard to read. For example, this wine offers sharp acidity but it also sees a 15% alcohol content plus lots of enduring sweetness and ripeness. The tannins are especially supple and sweet. I can't wait to try this wine in 10 or 15 years from now. Vigna del Sorbo hits the market in September.
| LDE 0054 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $88 |
SUPPLE & SMOOTH - RP96 - Supple and smooth, the 2020 Cepparello brings Sangiovese to soaring heights in a manner only Paolo De Marchi can manage. This is his second to last vintage before he would retire and sell this historic estate. The wine opens to medium to full-bodied concentration with dark plum and redcurrant. Those cede to sweet spice, earth, crushed stone, rusty nail and candied orange peel. Give the wine more time to flesh out with cellar age. It registers a powerful 15% alcohol content.
FLAGSHIP - RP97 - One of Tuscany's flagship wines, the Isole e Olena 2021 Cepparello immediately delivers ripe fruit flavors that are firm, even crunchy, and that bodes well for the future evolution of this classic vintage. The wine is packed with tart fruit flavors followed by balanced acidity. Compared to past vintages that are more extracted and dense, this edition is delightfully bright and transparent. I appreciation the age-worthy direction Cepparello is taking.
BEAUTIFUL - RP97 - This is a beautiful wine that is only made in the best vintages. In fact, I have only ever tasted 2006 (a late release), 2010 and 2013 before this bottle. The Isole e Olena 2016 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione is 90% Sangiovese enhanced with tiny percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Merlot. Production is limited to a mere 3,000 bottles that will not be released commercially until spring 2022. The wine is enormously bright and buoyant in this classic vintage with lingering fruit and cherry that remains intact and fresh even when tasted now some five years after the harvest. Hints of leather, tar and potting soil softly fill in the rear. This wine promises a long and healthy aging future ahead. MUSEUM RELEASE
EXUBERANT RICHNESS - RP96 - Inky dark in appearance, the 2020 Solaia is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller percentages of Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese. This vintage unfolds to exuberant richness and thick layers of blackberry and plum. The tannins are sweet and expertly crafted, adding both depth and fruit weight. The 2020 vintage is quite bold, and it plays its best cards in terms of texture and mouthfeel. It’s a bigger, more accessible wine compared to the last two vintages on the market. Spice, toasted coffee bean and more dark fruit color this full-bodied Tuscan red
PROVEN - Second carton from the same cellar - Refrigerated since relase - First carton proved to be a very serious back vintage Tignanello - Risk managed!
ABSOLUTE - RP95 - The 2021 Masseto is back to being 100% Merlot. Recent past vintages saw a tiny part of Cabernet Franc. That second varietal in the blend represents the proverbial "tax" one must pay in the face of climate change, especially when making wine on the sun-drenched Tuscan Coast. This is a very rich and elaborate expression with the extract, tannic tightness and the hefty 15.5% alcohol content to match. It comes off as quite big-boned or monotone. The wine is redolent of blackberry confit and cooked cherry, with a wide range of sweet oak spices to close. There is dark chocolate with a thin lining of creamy mint filling. Within the context of that fullness and generous fruit weight, Masseto is quite a commitment in terms of price and further cellaring. More bottle aging is an absolute requirement. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2928 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1549 | |
| XNE 2927 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1549 |
ICONIC - RP95 - The 2020 Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia is made with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with small percentages of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It opens to an impenetrable, full-bodied approach with dark fruit, pencil shaving, toasted oak, Spanish cedar, campfire ash and iron ore. For sure, this is an especially concentrated and oak-driven vintage of this iconic wine. It absolutely requires more aging time. It feels quite tight and firm in its youth. The concentration is abundant.
ETHEREAL - RP98 - The latest release from Tenuta San Guido is the 2019 Bolgheri Sassicaia. The bouquet is up front and very expressive from the get-go. It offers a generous display of crunchy, dark cherry that hints at the extra concentration and fruit weight obtained in the 2019 growing season. This vintage will be remembered for the crisp richness of the fruit and its important textural imprint. It also shows fine elegance, bordering on the ethereal, with berry aromas, tarry earth and brushes of balsam herb or grilled rosemary. Sassicaia always shows an almost-glossy finely knit quality to the polished mouthfeel, and I find it again here next to fresh acidity and firm tannins. Mouthfeel in 2019 is the wine's strongest suit. The 2019 is one of the prettiest and most balanced editions of Sassicaia we've seen this past decade, along with the back-to-back duo of 2016 and 2015. The 2019 marries the precision of the 2016 with the rich fruit weight of the 2015. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 0672 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $809 | |
| XNE 0673 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $809 | |
| XNE 0674 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $809 |
VELVETY -RP96+ - The Tua Rita 2021 Redigaffi is a wine of thick character and dark extraction. This 100% expression of Merlot offers tension and extreme balance with very generous layers of dark cherry, plum, dried blackberry, spice and tobacco. It displays a spectacularly soft and velvety texture over a full-bodied approach. Redigaffi is often monolithic and monotone in its younger years, and it needs more bottle age to come into focus. This is very true for the 2021 vintage. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 0675 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $614 | |
| XNE 0676 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $614 | |
| XNE 0677 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $614 |
CONFIDANT - RP95 - The Valdicava 2016 Brunello di Montalcino shows a subtle bouquet that needs extra time to open. In fact, I suggest you open your bottle about four hours before serving. This Brunello takes its time, but it inches over the senses with carefully increasing intensity. Wild cherry, toasted almond and even a touch of sweet apple or orange peel distinguish the bouquet. The tannins are firm and young, but all they need is extra time to evolve. This wine is like being introduced to a stranger who takes his time to reveal his personality, but who then turns into a true friend and confidant. Patience is required when approaching this 40,000-bottle release.
| LDE 0049 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $176 | |
| LDE 0050 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $176 | |
| LDE 0051 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $176 | |
| LDE 0052 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $176 | |
| LDE 0053 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $176 |
GLORIOUS - RP96 - The 1988 Chateau d'Yquem has long been an insider's favorite over the 1989 and 1990, although at the end of the day, all three form a brilliant triumvirate at the end of the decade. Tasted from a half bottle, it shone with a slightly burnished amber hue. The bouquet is just as I have encountered with previous bottles with scents of marmalade, mandarin, burnt honey and citrus fruit, perhaps a little waxier and resinous than I recall. The palate is medium-bodied with impressive weight, viscous as you would expect, though not as flamboyant as the 1989 or as unctuous as the 1990. It is beautifully balanced with notes of apricot, white chocolate and orange peel towards the harmonious and tensile finish. You can see this cruising along for two or three decades and maybe it will turn more Barsac-like in style? Time will tell - a glorious Yquem however you look at it. Tasted May 2016. - MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2577 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1699 | |
| XNE 2576 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1699 |
ETHEREAL - RP99 - One of the high points of this vertical tasting, the 1989 d'Yquem is a magical wine offering up a complex, refined bouquet with aromas of quince, apricot, pineapple, menthol, flowers and white truffles, followed by a full-bodied, concentrated and seamless palate, pure and vibrant structure and lively acids, concluding with a long, perfumed, ethereal finish - MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2157 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $2449 | |
| XNE 2158 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $2449 | |
| XNE 2159 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $2449 |
EXTRAORDINARY - RP98 - A warm to hot vintage ideal for producing outstanding reds does not necessarily make for a great Sauternes vintage, but in the case of 1990 it did. Dry, warm winds in the autumn contributed to the level of concentration that this wine exhibits. Fortunately, a little rain in late September and early October ensured that botrytis flourished well in the end, the final factor necessary to achieve this extraordinary expression.
PERFECTLY BALANCED - RP98+ - The 2005 d'Yquem continues to drink beautifully today, evoking aromas of honey, saffron, vanilla pod, apricot, jasmine and orange peel. Full-bodied, sensual and juicy, it’s medium to full-bodied, with a seamless texture and a perfectly balanced palate, finishing fruity and racy. Although still a little closed and in a rather discreet phase, it has magnificent aging potential, and readers with bottles in their cellars should leave them to mature for 10 to 20 years. MUSEUM RELEASE
MIRACLE - RP98 - The 2007 d'Yquem is considered a perfect example of the Sauternes "miracle." Despite a chaotic spring and cool summer, the botrytis transformed the grapes, giving them ideal concentration throughout October. With 137 grams of residual sugar, it offers up a complex, fresh, enchanting bouquet with aromas of apricot, pineapple, saffron, orchard fruits and spices intertwined with a touch of white truffles. Full-bodied and concentrated, layered and seamless, the wine is fresh and tense on the mid-palate, with a long, penetrating and racy finish. Superb! - MUSEUM RELEASE
PRISTINE HARMONY - RP100 - In comparison to the 2010 vintage, the 2009 d'Yquem is more concentrated with a stunning "rôti," the consequence of noble rot in French. Developing a powerful, complex bouquet with aromas of pineapple, apricot, saffron, flowers, spices and orchard fruits, it’s dense and concentrated, full-bodied and layered with a crystalline texture complicated by notes of white truffles that reveal a racy, endless and a superb finish concluding with a pristine harmony. Readers with bottles in their cellars will have to be patient before opening this masterpiece with 155 grams of residual sugar. MUSEUM RELEASE
PERFECTLY CONTROLLED - RP96 - The 2013 d'Yquem is open and demonstrative, evoking aromas of apricot, saffron, musk, spices and exotic fruits, followed by a medium to full-bodied, pure and deep palate paving the way to a perfectly controlled power. The finish is animated with bright acids and a sappy, fleshy texture typical of Yquem’s clay terroirs, and while it may stand in the shadow of its Bordeaux vintage red counterpart, whose reputation has been somewhat wanting, this Sauternes deserves of praise in its own right. MUSEUM RELEASE
SIMPLY STUNNING - RP97 - The 2017 d'Yquem is simply stunning, evoking both a minty and fresh bouquet with aromas of apricot, baked pear, saffron, honeycomb and flowers. Full-bodied, rich and seamless, it’s perfectly balanced with a beautiful bittersweet mid-palate and a long, endless finish with aromas of crème brûlée, salted butter caramel and vanilla pod. This blend of 75% Sémillon and 25% Sauvignon Blanc contains 148 grams of residual sugar. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 0741 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1049 | |
| XNE 0742 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1049 |
TITLE - RP98 - A blend of 80% Sémillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc, the 2022 d'Yquem is a strong candidate for the title of wine of the vintage. Exhibiting a remarkably delicate, complex and energetic bouquet of rose, confit citrus, exotic fruits and orange marmalade, it's full-bodied, dense and deep with a pristine balance enhanced by a fleshy core of fruit, bright acids and beautiful, gastronomic bitterness and dry extracts that segue to a long, ethereal, delicately perfumed and refined finish. Lorenzo Pasquini and his team have perfectly understood the vintage by privileging the third tries, fully exposed to Botrytis cinerea, in the blend, bringing density and precision along with an energetic and splendidly balanced interplay of bitterness and sweetness. Residual sugar levels reach 160 grams per liter, marking it as the second-highest since the iconic 1945 vintage. MUSEUM RELEASE
RACY - RP96+ - A blend of 86% Sémillon and 14% Sauvignon Blanc, the 2015 Rieussec reveals a bright, pale straw-gold color and is a little closed at this youthful stage, yet it offers wonderful purity and depth, featuring notes of lemon marmalade, orange blossoms, beeswax and acacia honey with hints of preserved kumquats and peach compote. Very elegant and fine in the medium to full-bodied mouth, it features a racy backbone cutting through the earthy and citrus layers, finishing long and spicy.
BEAST - RP96+ - The 2013 Châteauneuf du Pape Hommage a Jacques Perrin is a beast of a wine that’s shed most of the baby fat it showed from barrel. A normal blend of 60% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache, and the rest Syrah and Counoise, this tiny production release has incredible minerality to go with searing black and blue fruits, forest floor, smoked earth and leather. Full-bodied, inky, concentrated and backwards with a serious kick of tannin, it will need a decade of cellaring to be approachable. I suspect it will have 2-3 decades of longevity. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 0456 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $749 | |
| XNE 0457 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $749 | |
| XNE 0458 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $749 |
SHOCKED AT THE QUALITY - RP97+ - I was shocked at the quality of the 2014 Châteauneuf du Pape Hommage A Jacques Perrin and I can’t think of another wine that comes close to this level of depth, concentration and richness in the vintage. Its inky color is followed by sensational notes of roasted herbs, licorice, caramelized meats and layers of black and blue fruits. Rich, full-bodied, thick and unctuous, hats off to the Perrin family for this incredible effort! Give bottles 4-6 years of cellaring and drink over the following two decades. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 0460 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $749 | |
| XNE 0463 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $749 | |
| XNE 0465 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $749 |
WOW - RP98 - As this was bottled only a week before I tasted it, I suspect this rating will prove to be conservative once a few months have passed. The 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Hommage a Jacques Perrin is another prodigious version of this wine. How many wines in this world can be so huge yet so lacking the feeling of weight? There's plenty of layered spice but also a core of raspberries; rich tannins, yet no real astringency; and a long finish without any apparent heat. Wow! MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 0889 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $814 |
TERRIFIC - RP97 - The 2021 Chateauneuf du Pape Hommage à Jacques Perrin is approximately 60% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache and 20% Syrah. Marked by scents of truffle and tree bark, great blackberry and black cherry fruit, plus accents of licorice and peppery spice, it's another in a line of terrific wines that have been made every year since 2009. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated, it's velvety but tannic, with enough structure and intensity on the lingering finish to expect at least two decades of cellaring potential (but probably more). MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2668 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $914 | |
| XNE 2667 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $914 | |
| XNE 2666 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $914 |
SUPER - RP94-96 - The 2019 Cote Rotie Chateau d'Ampuis is a super example of this cuvée, which blends fruit from seven different lieux-dits (three on the Cote Blonde and four on the Cote Brune). Smoky, herbal and complex, with a solid foundation of blueberry and raspberry fruit, it's full-bodied and concentrated yet silky, elegant and long on the finish.
| ACC 17273 | 1 MAGNUM | Current Bid: $449 |
BROODING - RP95 - The 2020 Ermitage Ex Voto is dense and oaky, unwinding in the glass with a typically brooding bouquet of smoke, lead pencil, bay leaf, dark berries and spices mingled with delicate notes of tobacco leaves. Full-bodied, deep and concentrated, it’s layered, with a structured core of fruit and a generous chassis of tannins that lead to a long, spicy and saline finish. With time, it could be more delicate and more saline. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2716 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $846 | |
| XNE 2717 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $846 |
20 YEARS - RP97 - The 2023 Condrieu la Doriane is one of the high points of the range, unfurling in the glass with notes of citrus zest, toasted nuts, smoke, almonds and ripe orchard fruits. Full-bodied, satiny and multidimensional, it’s concentrated and layered, with a dense and complex core of fruit, concluding with a resonant, perfumed and endless finish. It delivers even more controlled power than the 2022, supported by a vibrant acid line that extends the finale. Give it at least 20 years in the cellar.
BEAST - RP98-100 - Subtle hints of fresh pea shoots accent characteristic dark notes of roasted meat, espresso and black olives in the full-bodied 2018 Cote Rotie La Landonne. Rich, concentrated and velvety-textured, with ample length and plenty of ripe tannins on the finish, it should benefit from a decade or more of bottle age—once it gets there. It's a brooding beast of a Cote Rotie that serious collectors will want to have in their cellars. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2709 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $742 |
PERFECTION - RP98-100 - The impenetrably dark 2019 Cote Rotie La Landonne represents the essence of this fabled lieu-dit, combining peppery, herbal notions with espresso and roasted meat, all carried by ample plum and black cherry fruit. It's full-bodied, concentrated, richly tannic and long on the finish—simply a superb wine that should be flirting with perfection when it is released in a couple of years. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2712 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $868 |
STAR - RP98 -100 - The undisputed star of the cellar this vintage (at least at this stage), the 2020 Cote Rotie La Landonne is not only unbelievably complex on the nose—with an awesome stew of vegetal-herbal nuances blended with cassis and smoked meat—but full-bodied, concentrated, velvety-textured and remarkably long and tannic. Patience will be required. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2715 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $929 |
COMPLETE - RP98-100 - The 2018 Cote Rotie La Mouline is immensely seductive, offering up enticing notes of floral potpourri and red berries on the nose. Those strawberries and raspberries persist onto the full-bodied palate and through the long, lush finish, buoyed by supple, creamy-textured tannins. This is the most complete, compelling vintage of La Mouline I've tasted. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2707 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $742 |
SUPREMELY - RP94-96 - While just as aromatic and charming on the nose—where ephemeral floral notes join ripe cherries—as previous years, the 2019 Cote Rotie La Mouline isn't quite as impressive on the palate. It's medium to full-bodied, silky and caressing, without the same power, yet it's supremely elegant. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2710 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $868 |
EVOLVES - RP93-95 - Dominated by dark notes of espresso, black olive and pumpernickel, the 2020 Cote Rotie La Mouline was missing the vineyard's normally expressive floral aromas on this occasion. Full-bodied and rich, it's an atypically muscular and closed vintage of La Mouline right now. It will be interesting to see how it evolves over the next few years of élevage. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2713 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $929 |
PACKED - RP94-96 - Shut down tight on this occasion, the dark, impenetrable 2018 Cote Rotie La Turque is clearly dense and packed with potential. Cedary notes, dark, concentrated fruit, potent tannins and a long, dusty finish suggest plenty of upside for the patient. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2708 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $742 |
IMPRESSIVE - RP98-100 - The extroverted 2019 Cote Rotie La Turque is about as impressive a young wine as I've tasted at Guigal, with extravagant, blossom-like aromas and oodles of cassis and blueberries. Full-bodied, it's simultaneously concentrated and rich yet airy and almost weightless, an outrageous juxtaposition of characters that must be tasted to be understood. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2711 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $868 |
FULL BODIED - RP94-96 - Notes of espresso and barrel char ride above notes of purple raspberries in the 2020 Cote Rotie La Turque. It's full-bodied, with ample concentration and length, but it seems to lack a bit of depth compared to other recent vintages. Let's see what next year brings. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2714 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $929 |
INTROVERTED - RP93 - Notes of chocolate, loamy soils, dark cherries, petals and spices mingle with carnal notes on the nose of the 2015 Hermitage. Full-bodied, rich and compact, it's deep and layered, framed by structured tannins enhanced by a solar profile with a slightly austere, firm character in the finish. Concluding with notes of licorice and meat, it's rather introverted at this stage.
| DON 0099 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $640 | |
| DON 0100 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $640 |
FULL-THROTTLE - RP95-97 - Chave continues to make a full-throttle, concentrated and unctuous Hermitage Blanc, and refuses to buy into the ridiculous trend toward making Sauvignon Blanc-like whites from this tiny, magical terroir. God bless him for that and there are few whites I’d rather drink than a mature Hermitage Blanc from this genius winemaker. Starting with the latest vintage and tasted from multiple barrels, the 2015 Hermitage Blanc will be a sensational wine. This rich, unctuous beauty has terrific purity and depth, with the classic concentration, extract and fat that’s the hallmark of the estate’s Hermitage Blanc. White currants, buttered citrus, toasted bread and hints of flower oil are just some of the nuances here and this beauty will deliver the goods
| DON 0090 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $338 |
FABULOUS - RP95-97 - The 2010 Chambertin is exceptional for its polish and sheer elegance. Nothing in particular stands out, instead the Chambertin impresses for its fabulous overall sense of harmony. The integration of fruit, tannin and oak is beyond impeccable. Silky tannins wrap around a finish laced with dark red berries, licorice and sweet spices. Anticipated maturity: 2025-2050.
| KSL 0001 | 1 BOTTLE 1 owner - perfect provenance & storage | Current Bid: $4376 |
CULT - ROMANEE CONTI Offspring - Domaine Prieuré Roch is something of a cult, minimal-intervention Burgundy producer with vineyard holdings throughout the Côte d'Or but mostly concentrated in Nuit-Saint-Georges. Wines are made from a number of designated appellations with Pinot Noir red wines in preponderance. However, the estate also has Chardonnay vineyards in the Côte de Beaune. The estate was founded in 1988 by Henri-Frédéric Roch – a member of the Leroy family and co-owner and co-director of the legendary Domaine de la Romanée-Conti since 1992. The "prieuré" (meaning "priory" in French) was appended by Roch himself. Prieuré Roch was established with just two hectares (five acres) of vineyards divided between four different parcels in Vosne Romanée. These parcels had, at the time, been sold off by Romanée-Conti in order finance the acquisition of a larger portion of the Romanée-Saint-Vivant site. The estate now boasts more than 14 hectares (34 acres) with a strong majority in Nuit-Saint-Georges. WINE-SEARCHER
| XPU 0112 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $374 | |
| XPU 0113 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $374 | |
| XPU 0114 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $374 |
CULT - ROMANEE CONTI Offspring - Domaine Prieuré Roch is something of a cult, minimal-intervention Burgundy producer ...The estate was founded in 1988 by Henri-Frédéric Roch – a member of the Leroy family and co-owner and co-director of the legendary Domaine de la Romanée-Conti since 1992
| XPU 0108 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $868 | |
| XPU 0110 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $868 | |
| XPU 0111 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $868 |
CULT - ROMANEE CONTI Offspring - Domaine Prieuré Roch is something of a cult, minimal-intervention Burgundy producer ...The estate was founded in 1988 by Henri-Frédéric Roch – a member of the Leroy family and co-owner and co-director of the legendary Domaine de la Romanée-Conti since 1992
| XPU 0115 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $274 | |
| XPU 0118 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $274 | |
| XPU 0119 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $274 |
CULT - ROMANEE CONTI Offspring - Domaine Prieuré Roch is something of a cult, minimal-intervention Burgundy producer ...The estate was founded in 1988 by Henri-Frédéric Roch – a member of the Leroy family and co-owner and co-director of the legendary Domaine de la Romanée-Conti since 1992
| XPU 0120 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $499 | |
| XPU 0121 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $499 | |
| XPU 0125 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $499 |
OPULENT - RP97 - Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2015 Angélus is a little closed to begin, soon blossoming into a wonderfully fragrant perfume of raspberry preserves, ripe black plums and chocolate-covered cherries with suggestions of Darjeeling tea, candied violets, spice cake and cinnamon stick with a touch of aniseed. Full-bodied, the palate is fabulously opulent, delivering mouth-coating black and red fruit layers with loads of floral sparkles and a seductively velvety texture, finishing with great length and tension. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2024 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $964 | |
| XNE 2025 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $964 | |
| XNE 2027 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $964 |
FIREWORKS - RP98+ - Sporting a deep garnet-purple color, the 2016 Angélus erupts from the glass with powerful notes of blackberry pie, ripe black cherries and juicy black plums with an undercurrent of star anise, rose petals, chocolate mint, pencil shavings and woodsmoke plus a waft of allspice. The palate is pure decadence. Medium to full-bodied, rich and generously fruited, this wine is by no means heavy—it positively glimmers with freshness and vivacity, lending an ethereal nature to all that richness and power, beautifully framed by velvety tannins and finishing with epic length. The generosity, layers and plushness make for an absolutely DELICIOUS drink right now, but I'd suggest waiting 3-5 more years for the fireworks to really begin. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2028 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1024 | |
| XNE 2029 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1024 | |
| XNE 2030 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1024 |
SEAMLESS - RP96 - The 2019 Angélus bursts from the glass with a rich, dramatic nose of cherries, licorice, sweet spices and dark chocolate. Full-bodied, layered and vibrant, its broad and velvety attack segues into a layered, concentrated mid-palate that's underpinned by tangy acids and fine, powdery tannins, concluding with a long, penetrating finish. It's a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. Its seamless, pure profile reflects the subtle shift chez Angélus away from the rich, toasty style of the 1990s and 2000s toward greater elegance and precision. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2031 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $984 | |
| XNE 2032 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $984 | |
| XNE 2036 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $984 |
SUPERBLY - RP97 - The 2020 Angélus has turned out superbly and underlines this estate's continuing shift to a more elegant, integrated style that offers a purer expression of its terroir. A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, it unwinds in the glass with aromas of cherries, wild berries, rose petals, mint and subtle hints of licorice, followed by a medium to full-bodied, beautifully layered and vibrant palate that's deep, precise and penetrating, concluding with a mouthwateringly chalky finish. Some 120 hectoliters of Cabernet Franc, amounting to around 20% of the blend, were matured in foudre this year, which no doubt helps to account for the significantly reduced oak impact in the 2020. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2037 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $874 | |
| XNE 2038 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $874 | |
| XNE 2039 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $874 |
MUTED - RP95+ - Composed of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23.5% Merlot and 1.5% Cabernet Franc, the deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Cos d'Estournel is muted at this very young stage. The nose offers fleeting glimpses at provocative cherry tart, chocolate mint, baked redcurrants, warm cassis and wild blueberry scents plus suggestions of lilacs, cinnamon stick and Indian spices. Medium to full-bodied, the palate absolutely explodes with vibrant red and black fruit bursts and tons of exotic spice accents, framed by super ripe, super firm tannins and a lovely line of freshness, finishing very long.
| XNE 2912 | 1 HALF BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $249 | |
| XNE 2913 | 1 HALF BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $249 | |
| XNE 2914 | 1 HALF BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $249 |
IMPRESSIVE - RP98+ - The 2018 Cos d'Estournel is a blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc, aged in 50% new oak barriques. The alcohol weighs in at just over 14.5%. Sporting a deep purple-black color, it needs a lot of swirling to begin to unlock a powerful nose of crème de cassis, stewed plums, wild blueberries and chocolate-covered cherries, followed by nuances of Sichuan pepper, star anise, tree and clove oil, plus a waft of charcoal. The full-bodied palate is densely packed with taut, muscular black fruits and earthy layers, framed by super firm, ripe, grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing very long and wonderfully earthy. A very impressive behemoth, this is going to need a good seven to 10 years to truly show its stuff and should drink for a good 40 years and beyond. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XSA 1961 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $519 | |
| XSA 1958 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $519 |
BRILLIANTLY - RP97 - The 2019 Cos d'Estournel has turned out brilliantly, exhibiting aromas of minty cassis, sweet wild berries and wild plums mingled with hints of spices, loamy soil and potpourri. Full-bodied, broad and enveloping, it's polished and seamless, its ample chassis of fine, velvety tannin entirely concealed in its deep core of succulent, crunchy fruit. Beautifully integrated at this early stage, the last decade has witnessed a number of changes at this address, including a trend toward less aggressively late picking, cooler fermentations and élevage with fewer rackings and more moderate percentages of less heavily toasted new oak: in 2019, the results speak for themselves. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 0679 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $499 | |
| XNE 0681 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $499 | |
| XNE 0678 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $499 |
YOUTHFUL- RP96 - Composed of 100% Sémillion, the1989 Cuvee Madame is pale amber colored with a totally seductive nose of Cointreau, candied ginger, nutmeg, crème brûlée, honey-coated almonds and incense with a waft of anise. The palate is incredibly youthful, rich and opulent with many, many layers and a seamlessly racy backbone, finishing very long and spicy. MUSEUM RELEASE
BEGUILING - RP100 - The 2009 Cuvee Madame, composed of 100% Sémillon, is pale lemon-gold in color with a beguiling fragrance of peach blossoms, mandarin peel, jasmine and allspice with core of pineapple, lemon pie, peach preserves and ginger plus a waft of musk perfume. Very big, powerful and seductive with decadent richness and loads of spice and floral layers accenting the ripe stone fruit flavors, it finishes with epic persistence. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2148 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $599 | |
| XNE 2151 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $599 | |
| XNE 2152 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $599 |
HANDSOMELY - RP97+ - Composed of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot, the deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Haut-Bailly offers up a tantalizingly savory nose of smoked meats, chargrill, tapenade, unsmoked cigars and black truffles with a core of black currants, black cherries and wild blueberries plus wafts of iron ore and bouquet garni. Medium to full-bodied, very firm and yet wonderfully plush with a powerful core of fruit—this vintage is truly an iron fist in a velvet glove. The finish goes on and on with persistent earthy/minerally notes and savory/sweet fruit. Although it is tempting and indeed delicious right now, the wine still possesses many restrained layers and should handsomely reward the patient.
| TUR 0990 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $203 |
UNPARALLED - RP98 - 1990: In terms of the brilliant complexity and nobility of the aromatics, scorched earth, black currants, plums, charcoal, cedar, and spices, the 1990 offers an aromatic explosion that is unparalleled. It is always fascinating to taste this wine next to the 1989, which is a monumental effort, but much more backward and denser, without the aromatic complexity of the 1990. The 1990 put on weight after bottling, and is currently rich, full-bodied, opulent, even flamboyant by Haut Brion’s standards. It is an incredible expression of a noble terroir in a top vintage. While it has been fully mature for a number of years, it does not reveal any bricking at the edge, and I suspect it will stay at this level for another 10-15 years ... but why wait? It is irresistible now. Release price: ($1200.00/case) MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2799 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $2799 |
MUSCULAR - RP97+ - The 2022 Haut-Brion, which was bottled in May 2024, lives up to the high expectations I had set for it and then some. Revealing a dense, complex and precise bouquet of dark berries, pencil lead, cedar box, rose and spices intertwined with discreet notes of oak, it's full-bodied, dense and concentrated, with a muscular chassis of tannins and an enveloping core of fruit that retains energy and purity, concluding with youthful grip. Given the inherent quality of the terroir, time is likely to be very kind to this vintage, allowing it to integrate and mature gracefully. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2845 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1499 | |
| XNE 2846 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1499 | |
| XNE 2847 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1499 | |
| XNE 2844 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1499 |
DRAMATIC - RP98 - The 2010 La Fleur-Pétrus is a striking wine that is beginning to show brilliantly today. Wafting from the glass with a deep bouquet of dark berry and cherry fruit mingled with black truffles, baking chocolate, loamy soil and subtle hints of cigar wrapper. Full-bodied, deep and concentrated, it's rich and layered, with an elegantly muscular profile and a long, resonant finish. This is a dramatic, sensual and beautifully balanced wine that represents the essence of Pomerol. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2062 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $829 | |
| XNE 2063 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $829 | |
| XNE 2064 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $829 |
REACHING - RP96 - A blend of 92% Merlot, 7.5% Cabernet Franc and 0.5% Petit Verdot, the 2015 la Fleur-Petrus is a little reticent on the nose to begin, offering up beguiling notes of tilled soil, black olives, charcuterie and dried Provence herbs over a core of preserved plums, black cherries and black raspberries with touches of tar and new leather. Full-bodied, rich, plush and seductive in the mouth, it finishes with persistent, slowly revealing earthy/savory layers, which will keep you reaching for another glass. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2065 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $629 | |
| XNE 2066 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $629 | |
| XNE 2067 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $629 |
BLACK FOREST CAKE - RP97 - Blended of 91% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc, the medium garnet-purple colored 2016 la Fleur-Petrus reveals stunning Black Forest cake, redcurrant jelly and wilted roses scents with underlying suggestions of pencil shavings, yeast extract, dark chocolate and cloves. Medium to full-bodied, the mid-palate possesses superb intensity and depth with layers of perfumed black fruits and loads of red fruit sparks framed by firm, ripe, grainy tannins and oodles of freshness, finishing on a lingering earthy note. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2068 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $674 | |
| XNE 2069 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $674 | |
| XNE 2070 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $674 |
SHIMMERS - RP99 - The 2018 La Mission Haut-Brion is a blend of 53.5% Merlot, 42.9% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3.6% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple colored, it emerges from the glass with a first wave of stewed black and red plums, mulberries and black raspberries scents, followed by pronounced notions of warm cassis, clove oil, violets and chocolate box, with hints of cast-iron pan, pencil lead and forest floor coming through after a few minutes. The medium to full-bodied palate shimmers with energy, delivering layers of red and black fruits with earthy and mineral sparks and a texture so satiny you need to remember to look for it, finishing with amazing vibrancy. This is so wonderfully evocative and singular, and yet it feels like its holding something back. It makes for an impressive glass right now, but give it a good 5 years in bottle to allow further nuances to emerge and expect it to seriously reward those who can wait a good 12-15 years, when it should really hit its stride.
| TUR 0987 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $454 |
BEAUTIFULLY - RP96+ - Less muscular and more approachable than it appeared en primeur, the 2022 La Mission Haut-Brion has turned out beautifully in bottle. Unfurling with aromas of spices, smoke, dark berries, pencil lead and licorice mingled with delicate floral top-notes, it's full-bodied, deep and concentrated with a velvety attack that segues into an elegantly structured and energetic mid-palate that's nicely framed by sweet but abundant tannins, concluding with a long, penetrating and perfumed finish. It's a blend of 51.7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43.2% Merlot and 5.1% Cabernet Franc. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XSA 2700 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $819 | |
| XSA 2701 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $819 | |
| XSA 2702 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $819 |
UNFURLS - RP95+ - The 1986 Lafite Rothschild unfurls in the decanter and glass with aromas of earthy blackcurrant fruit mingled with notions of cigar box and red berries. Richer and darker in profile than the 1975 drunk alongside, it's medium to full-bodied, ample and concentrated, displaying a velvety attack and a lively core of fruit, with just a touch of the tannic asperity that often defines this vintage in the Médoc making itself felt on the finish. As it approaches its 40th birthday, the 1986 Lafite still needs several hours' decant to show its best. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2771 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $4999 |
RP94 - Broodingly backward and in need of considerable bottle age, the 1988 is a classic expression of Lafite. This deeply-colored wine exhibits the tell-tale Lafite bouquet of cedar, subtle herbs, dried pit fruits, minerals, and cassis. Extremely concentrated, with brilliantly focused flavors and huge tannins, this backward, yet impressively endowed Lafite-Rothschild may well turn out to be the wine of the vintage! Anticipated maturity: 2000-2035. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 3027 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $2489 |
ALOOF - RP98 - The 1996 Lafite-Rothschild was remarkably deep in color considering that it is now 20 years in age. The bouquet is classic Pauillac with pencil shavings and sous-bois infusing the black fruit, masculine and a little aloof, yet focused and very well delineated. The palate is very well balanced with crisp blackberry and boysenberry fruit, spicier than I recollect, a crescendo of flavors so that it seems understated at first but fans out with a sense of confidence towards the finish. I think this still has more to give so cellar it away for another 5-8 years if you can, but otherwise this is an exemplary Lafite-Rothschild that I can envisage getting better and better in bottle, if not quite as enthralling as either Mouton-Rothschild or Château Margaux. Tasted July 2016. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2770 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $3549 |
RP94 - A brilliant offering and a candidate for wine of the vintage, this is classic Lafite that reminded me somewhat of the 1976, although the vintage conditions were completely different. This is a medium-weight, quintessentially elegant style of Lafite with notes of lead pencil shavings/graphite along with black currants, plums, and crushed rocks/mineral. Wonderfully pure, dense, with a deep ruby/purple color and loads of fruit, definition, and a long finish, this is a brilliant, elegant Lafite Rothschild that builds incrementally in the mouth and has more power and density than it initially seems. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2025. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2664 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $2199 |
FINEST - RP96+ - To my palate, the 2021 Lafite Rothschild has emerged as the finest of the Pauillac first growths this year. Wafting from the glass with aromas of dark minty berries mingled with notions of iris, licorice and cigar box, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a velvety attack that segues into an elegantly dense and structured mid-palate that's nicely framed by sweet but abundant tannins, concluding with a long, penetrating finish. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2932 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1374 | |
| XNE 2931 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1374 | |
| XNE 2930 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1374 |
EVEN BETTER - RP100 - In bottle, the 2022 Lafite Rothschild has turned out even better than I anticipated. Wafting from the glass with aromas of sweet red berries, minty blackcurrants, violets and cigar box, it's medium to full-bodied, velvety and suave, with a deep, enveloping core of lively fruit, beautifully refined tannins, and a long, perfumed finish. Even at this early stage, it's remarkably integrated and harmonious, and it's certainly the most elegant of the first growths this year, reminding me of a modern-day version of Lafite's magical 1953. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2878 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1679 | |
| XNE 2877 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1679 |
SOLID - RP98 - Made of 62% Cabernet Franc and 38% Merlot, the deep garnet colored 2010 Lafleur features cedar chest and kirsch notes to begin, unfurling to offer baked plums, boysenberries, sandalwood and licorice scents plus a waft of pencil lead. Full-bodied, the palate is very taut and muscular, with slowly maturing red and black fruits and a solid frame of firm, ripe, grainy tannins, finishing long and mineral laced. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 0056 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $4749 | |
| XNE 0081 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $4749 |
RP94 - The 1999 Latour doesn't quite dominate the competition the way the 1994 does, but it, too, is a lovely wine, exhibiting notes of blackcurrants, cigar wrapper, rich soil tones and creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, deep and impressively concentrated, with velvety tannins, ripe acids and a long, expansive finish, it is showing beautifully today.
| XNE 3079 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1734 | |
| XNE 3080 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1734 |
BABY - RP100 - Deep garnet colored, the 2009 Latour is unashamedly youthful with bold blackcurrants, black cherries and warm plums notes plus nuances of cedar chest, aniseed, beef drippings, truffles and tapenade with a waft of tilled black soil. Full, concentrated and powerful in the mouth, it has a rock-solid frame of super ripe, grainy tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing very long and wonderfully minerally. Just a baby—this needs time! MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2769 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $3149 |
WOW - RP100 - The 2010 Latour is deep garnet in color, and—WOW—it erupts from the glass with powerful crème de cassis, Black Forest cake and blackberry pie scents plus intense sparks of dried roses, cigar boxes, fragrant earth and smoked meats with aniseed and crushed rocks wafts. Full-bodied, concentrated and oh-so-decadent in the mouth, it has a firm, grainy texture and lovely freshness carrying the rich, opulent fruit to an epically long finish. It is incredibly tempting to drink now, but I suspect this hedonic experience isn't a scratch on the mind-blowing, otherworldly secrets this time capsule will have to reveal given another 7-10 years in bottle and continuing over the following fifty years++. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 0781 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $2989 | |
| XNE 0768 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $2989 |
FLAMBOYANT - RP96+ The 2012 Latour is a blend of 90.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9.6% Merlot and 0.2% Petit Verdot. Medium to deep garnet colored, the nose slowly, measuredly emerges with notions of preserved Morello cherries, baked blackcurrants and blackberry compote, giving way to nuances of pencil shavings, unsmoked cigars, Chinese five spice and sandalwood plus ever so subtle hints of cardamom and eucalyptus. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers mouth-coating black and red fruit preserves with a firm, grainy-textured frame and fantastic freshness, finishing with a veritable firework display of lingering spices and minerals. This is a more restrained, relatively elegant vintage of Latour that may not have that “iron fist in a velvet glove” power of the greatest vintages but nonetheless struts its superior terroir and behind-the-scenes savoir faire with impressive panache. It is drinking nicely now with suitably rounded-off, approachable tannins, and the tertiary characters are just beginning to bring some more cerebral elements into the compote of temptingly primary black fruits. But, if you’re looking to drink it in full, flamboyant swing, give it another 5-10 years in bottle and drink it over the next 20-25 years+. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2929 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1424 |
FINEST- RP97+ - The 2014 Latour is one of the very finest wines of a vintage that favored the northern Médoc. Mingling aromas of wild berries and cassis with hints of cigar wrapper, loamy soil, black truffles and classy new oak, it’s full-bodied, rich and concentrated, its broad attack segueing into a deep, tightly wound mid-palate that’s framed by powdery, chalky tannins and bright acids, concluding with a long, mouthwatering finish. This classically balanced, youthfully structured young wine looks set to enjoy prodigious longevity. It’s reminiscent of a modern-day version of a cooler vintage such as 1996, though of course these days maturity is more complete and selection even more rigorous than was the case two decades ago. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2938 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1274 | |
| XNE 2937 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1274 | |
| XNE 2936 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1274 |
ENVELOPING & COMPLETE - RP96 - A rich and demonstrative vintage for this estate, the 2015 Latour unfurls in the glass with aromas of dark berries, cassis, loamy soil, espresso roast, pencil shavings and a subtle hint of potpourri. Medium to full-bodied, supple and elegant, with a velvety attack that segues into a sweet, layered mid-palate, it's enveloping and complete, concluding with a sapid finish. The tauter, more classical 2014 is likely to prove longer lived, whereas the giving 2015 is a Latour that it wouldn't be a crime to drink young. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2768 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1424 | |
| XNE 2767 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1424 |
RP94 - The just-released 2017 Latour is surprisingly accessible by this estate's standards, offering up expressive aromas of crème de cassis, cigar wrapper, pencil shavings, burning embers and creamy new oak, followed by a medium to full-bodied, rich and layered palate that's fleshy and complete, with lively acids and a long, vanillin-inflected finish. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2505 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1309 | |
| XNE 2504 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1309 | |
| XNE 2503 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1309 |
INTENSE NOTES - RP95 - The 1995 Léoville Las Cases is a blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc. Medium garnet colored with a touch of brick, it needs a fair bit of swirling to unlock the intense notes of baked plums, dried mulberries and boysenberry preserves with hints of black truffles, Chinese five spice, unsmoked cigars and dusty soil, plus wafts of beef drippings and cast-iron pan. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers good weight and generous fruit, supported by plush tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with loads of earth, sautéed herbs and mineral-inspired flavors.
| 106 0957 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $400 |
PERFECT 30 PRESSIE - BEAUTIFUL - RP98 - When I used to drink this wine as a student, it generally left me a bit cold, but several recent bottles of the 1996 Château Margaux lead me to think that I must have had bad luck with a poorly stored batch of bottles. Along with Haut-Brion, Margaux is the most forward of the 1996 first growths, offering up an expressive bouquet of creamy cassis fruit mingled with cigar wrapper, sweet spices, espresso roast and loamy soil. Medium to full-bodied, suave and fleshy, with melting tannins and a long, expansive finish, it's in a beautiful place today
| GGR 0206 | 1 BOTTLE Slight cellar damaged label | Current Bid: $2499 |
CAPABLE - RP92 - Tasted at BI Wine & Spirits' 10-Years-On tasting, the 2007 Chateau Margaux was just missing a little intensity on the nose compared to the other First Growths: scents of incense and iris, blackberry and tobacco, perhaps just missing the floral nature of other vintages. The palate is well balanced with supple black fruit laced with graphite and tobacco, fully matured but clearly with sufficient substance to last another 15-20 years. It is a capable Château Margaux, although frankly it does not put enough distance between itself and its Margaux peers, yapping at its heels. Tasted February 2017.
| ERI 0024 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $672 |
WONDERFULLY - RP98 - The 2009 Château Margaux is deep garnet in color and features wonderfully fragrant minted cassis, lilacs, Black Forest cake and oolong tea scents with touches of pencil shavings and dusty soil. Medium to full-bodied, it has a firm, grainy frame with lovely freshness lifting the perfumed fruit to a very long, mineral-laced finish.
| ERI 0025 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $1568 |
ACHINGLY BEAUTIFUL - RP99 - The 2015 Chateau Margaux is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Medium garnet-purple colored, the nose features oh-so-seductive notes of warm blackberries, cassis and black forest cake with touches of forest floor, sandalwood, anise and cigar boxes plus a waft of lavender. Medium to full-bodied, it delivers taut, muscular, densely packed black fruits and exotic spice flavor layers supported by a very firm backbone of grainy tannins with oodles of freshness and a long, savory finish. It is tightly knit and a little reticent at this very youthful stage; afford it at least 15 years in the cellar, and it will open out into a classic Chateau Margaux of incredible proportions. Readers may be interested to know that this wine is beautifully packaged in a special commemorative bottle honoring winemaker Paul Pontellier, who passed away in 2016. The gold-etched black bottle bears the message, “Hommage à Paul Pontellier” at the bottom. This 2015 is an achingly beautiful swan song from an incredibly gifted winemaker, taken from us too soon. In my view, this alone makes this vintage more than worth the investment for the many lovers of history in a bottle. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 0782 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $3824 |
CLASSIC - RP100 - The 2018 Château Margaux is composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, representing 36% of the crop this year. The wine has a pH of 3.8 and 14% alcohol. Deep purple-black in color, it slowly unfurls to reveal tantalizing scents of crème de cassis, wild blueberries and Black Forest cake with hints of redcurrant jelly, rose oil, dark chocolate and cedar chest plus a touch of star anise. The medium to full-bodied palate bursts with opulent black fruit, fragrant earth and floral layers, supported by a rock-solid structure of exquisitely ripe, finely grained tannins and seamless backbone of freshness, finishing with fantastic length. This is classic Margaux at its most seductive, although it is, rather amazingly, approachable and absolutely delicious right now. But, to enjoy its full glory, you will want to cellar it for at least 6-8 years and then watch it metamorphize over the next 40+ years.
| TUR 0986 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $1110 |
CLASSIC - RP95 - The 2021 Château Margaux saw a traditional élevage in new barrels, with bottling in July, and as readers will remember, it's a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot that benefited from late picking, appreciable percentages of saignée, and a strict selection. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of cassis, blueberries and raspberries mingled with hints of licorice, white flowers and charcoal, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, with a broad attack, lively purity and sweet structuring tannins, concluding with a long, penetrating finish. It's a classic that will richly reward bottle age. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2091 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1199 | |
| XNE 2092 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1199 | |
| XNE 2093 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1199 |
BRILLIANTLY - RP97+ - The 2022 Château Margaux has come together brilliantly with élevage. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of blackcurrants, blackberries, cedary pencil shavings and pen ink that are deftly framed by new oak, it's full-bodied, dense and layered, with a concentrated core of intensely sweet fruit, broad structural shoulders and a long, resonant finish. With air, it only becomes more voluptuous, yet that's controlled by underlying tannic grip to deliver a more classical profile than was apparent during élevage MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2881 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1569 | |
| XNE 2882 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1569 |
RP92- Tasted at the Mouton-Rothschild vertical in London, the 2011 Mouton-Rothschild is probably the "weakest" of the releases between 2008 and 2012, although that would be unfairly disparaging what is a perfectly respectable, if rather unexciting Mouton. Here, it has those graphite and cedar aromas present and correct, the former a little more accentuated and with a light sea-spray note emerging with time. The palate is well balanced with cedar and a slight peat-like note infusing the black fruit, rigid in its youth but nicely delineated. As I discerned out of barrel, what it lacks is that peacock's tail on the finish, bolting out of the exit door before you have really got to know each other. Tasted April 2016. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2665 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1374 |
REGRETTED - RP100 - The 2020 Mouton Rothschild is a striking wine and one that I regretted not purchasing en primeur as soon as it landed in my glass. Offering up complex aromas of minty cassis, pencil shavings, loamy soil, cigar wrapper, espresso roast and violets, it's medium to full-bodied, broad and layered, with terrific concentrated, beautifully refined tannins and a long, penetrating finish. Checking in at 12.8% alcohol, its incipient complexity, ineffable sense of completeness and exquisite balance mark it out as the purists' choice among the trio of 2018, 2019 and 2020. In this vintage, the lots that made it into the blend were largely confined to the core gravel terroirs that represent Mouton's heart, meaning that there's a little less to go around. This was the first vintage overseen by Mouton's new technical director, Jean-Emmanuel Danjoy, and he has begun with a flying start.
| XNE 3028 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1474 |
RP94 - The 2021 Mouton Rothschild unwinds in the glass with rich aromas of dark berries and minty cassis mingled with espresso roast, dark chocolate, smoked meats and toasty new oak. It has taken on weight with élevage in barrel, exhibiting a full-bodied, rich and layered palate that's impressively muscular and multidimensional, with a deep core of fruit and plenty of sweet, powdery structuring tannin, concluding with a long, discreetly carnal finish. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2958 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1174 |
BRUTAL - RP97+ - The 2022 Mouton Rothschild is one of the most muscular, almost brutally powerful wines of the vintage. Unfurling in the glass with aromas of dark berries, plums and sweet crème de cassis mingled with notions of espresso roast, pencil lead and petroleum jelly, it's full-bodied, dense and concentrated, with huge reserves of tannin and fruit. A blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Merlot that represents 49% of the estate's production, this is a prodigious Mouton that's built for the cellar. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2883 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1569 | |
| XNE 2884 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $1569 |
BEAUTIFULLY - RP95+ - The 2021 Palmer has turned out beautifully in bottle, wafting from the glass with expressive aromas of blackberries, cherries and mulberries mingled with notions of iris, dark chocolate and spices. Medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with an enveloping core of succulent fruit framed by rich, sweet tannins, it concludes with a long, expansive finish. It's a blend of 56% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2094 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $694 | |
| XNE 2096 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $694 | |
| XNE 2097 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $694 |
SENSUAL - RP97 - Thomas Duroux and his team opted to wait to pick the 2022 Palmer in pursuit of full maturity, taking advantage of the resilience of the estate's terroirs, and they have followed up with a brilliantly executed élevage that has retained pure, vivid flavors despite the wine's ripeness and unctuosity. Bursting with aromas of blackberries, crème de cassis, mulberries and violets, it's full-bodied, velvety and enveloping, with a sumptuous core of rich, fleshy fruit framed by sweet, powdery tannins, taking on more and more floral nuances as it sits in the glass. This is one of the Médoc's most sensual wines this year. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2890 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $919 | |
| XNE 2887 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $919 | |
| XNE 2888 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $919 | |
| XNE 2889 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $919 |
CLASSIC - RP98 - Aromas of sweet dark berries and cherries mingled with notions of cigar wrapper, pencil shavings and licorice introduce the 2022 Pichon-Longueville Baron, a full-bodied, layered and multidimensional wine that's deep, dense and lively, with terrific concentration, sweet tannins and a long, penetrating finish. Integrated and serious, this hints at the lavishness inherent to the vintage, while remaining classic and controlled. This blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Merlot was bottled in June.
| XNE 2894 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $409 | |
| XNE 2893 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $409 | |
| XNE 2891 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $409 | |
| XNE 2892 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $409 |
OODLES - RP96 - A blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot aged for 18 months in barrels, 60% new, the 2015 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande displays a medium to deep garnet-purple color and is elegantly fruited with crushed red currants, black raspberries and cassis with touches of lavender, rose hips, tilled soil, fungi and charcuterie. Medium-bodied, finely crafted, remarkably pure and beautifully poised, it has a firm frame of very fine-grained tannins and oodles of freshness, finishing on a lingering mineral note. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2448 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $574 | |
| XNE 2447 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $574 |
IMMORTAL - RP100 - One of the greatest wines that this estate has produced in the modern era, the 2016 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a brilliant classic that no Bordeaux lover is going to want to do without. Mingling aromas of cassis and plums with notions of licorice, sweet tobacco leaf, rich soil tones, licorice, cigar smoke and violets, it's full-bodied, seamless and complete, with huge concentration, bright acids and a long, penetrating finish. Standing out for its unerring precision, impeccable balance and ineffable sense of completeness, it should prove almost immortal. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2009 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $799 | |
| XNE 2010 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $799 | |
| XNE 2011 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $799 |
SOARS - RP98 - One of the wines of the vintage, the 2019 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande soars from the glass with complex aromas of wild berries, tobacco leaf, loamy soil, burning embers and hints of violets and rose petals. Full-bodied, deep and complete, it’s velvety and seamless, with a broad attack and a multidimensional core of lively, succulent fruit. Concluding with a long, expansive finish, it’s a remarkable young Pauillac that will offer many years of thrilling drinking. Congratulations to Nicolas Glumineau and his team, who are ushering in a new golden age at an address where standards were always very high. - MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2826 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $529 | |
| XNE 2827 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $529 | |
| XNE 2828 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $529 | |
| XNE 2829 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $529 |
DIVE - RP95 - The 2020 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is very demonstrative out of the gates, bursting from the glass without any coaxing to exhibit aromas of sweet cassis and blueberries mingled with notions of clove, violets and lilac. Medium to full-bodied, velvety and polished, with a seamless, charming profile that exhibits no hard edges, it concludes with a nicely defined, spice-inflected finish. It's a superb exercise in haut couture winemaking, even if, to my palate, the 2019 offers a deeper dive into the estate's D.N.A. - MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 2762 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $584 | |
| XNE 2761 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $584 | |
| XNE 2759 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $584 |
BENCHMARK - RP100 - The 2022 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande has turned out even better in bottle than I anticipated, bursting from the glass with aromas of cassis and blackberries mingled with scents of licorice, violets and pencil shavings. Full-bodied, layered and enveloping, it's suave, seamless and complete, with faultless precision, pristine integration of tannin, controlled sweetness and a long, expansive finish. The 2022 manages to unite the sensuality that's the estate's calling card and the ripeness of the vintage on the one hand, with a sense of Pauillac classicism on the other, threading the needle to deliver one of the finest wines of the vintage and a benchmark Pichon Comtesse. It's a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc that spent 18 months in barriques (three months more than was formerly the case), two-thirds of which were new. As I wrote en primeur, there's more than a hint of the 1982 about this wine, and like the 1982, the 2022 will offer an exceptionally wide drinking window. MUSEUM RELEASE
INCREDIBLE - RP97 - Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2015 Pontet-Canet comes charging out of the glass with fantastically expressive notes of black cherry preserves, black raspberries and blackcurrant pastilles plus touches of kirsch, wilted roses, tobacco, camphor and cinnamon stick with a waft of fragrant soil. Full bodied, the palate is laden with black and red fruit layers, supported by very firm, very finely grained tannins and provocative freshness, finishing with incredible length and stunningly perfumed.
| TUR 0982 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $185 | |
| TUR 0983 | 1 BOTTLE | Current Bid: $185 |
INCREDIBLE ACHIEVEMENT - RP98+ The 2018 Rauzan-Ségla is composed of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. The wine has 14% alcohol, and it was aged for around 18 months in barriques, 65% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it comes galloping out of the glass with powerful, energetic scents of crushed black cherries, blackcurrant cordial and mulberries, plus suggestions of violets, star anise, chocolate mint and crushed rocks with a touch of tobacco leaf. The medium to full-bodied palate is jam-packed with taut, muscular black fruit layers, supported by firm, ripe, grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing with fantastic length and loads of earthy sparks. This is a thoroughbred Margaux, for sure, possessing amazing power in a very sleek, sophisticated package. Give it 5-7 years in bottle to unlock all those earth, floral and mineral nuances and drink it over the next 40 years or more. An incredible achievement that adeptly sidesteps the potentially overwhelming stamps of this extreme vintage. Bravo to Technical Director Nicolas Audebert and the team at Rauzan-Ségla! MUSEUM RELEASE
| XNE 0814 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $354 | |
| XNE 0813 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $354 | |
| XNE 0811 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $354 |
| XNE 2116 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $187 |
SUAVE - P96 - The 2022 Rauzan-Ségla is showing well in bottle, unfurling in the glass with aromas of dark berries and cherries mingled with licorice, burning embers and pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, ample and velvety, it's suave and seamless, with its dense core of fruit framed by powdery structuring tannins that lend a more evident backbone than it exhibited en primeur. As readers may remember, the 2022 is a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot; and in 2022, the east-facing sides of the vines, which see the afternoon sun, were picked separately, along with anything that showed signs of stress. MUSEUM RELEASE
| XSA 2746 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $274 | |
| XSA 2747 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $274 | |
| XSA 2745 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $274 | |
| XSA 2744 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $274 |
SEEK - RP95 - The 2016 Les Forts de Latour is superb, unwinding in the glass with notions of blackcurrants, wild berries, sweet loamy soil, cigar wrapper and English walnuts. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it’s concentrated and tightly wound, with superb depth at the core, lively acids and ripe, powdery tannins. This is an impeccably balanced, utterly classical Forts de Latour worth a special effort to seek out. - MUSEUM RELEASE
| XSA 2324 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $499 | |
| XSA 2322 | 1 BOTTLE Ex-cellar | Current Bid: $499 |
The Hill of Grace Market