A world of luxury: Our Champagne & Wine Top Spectator's Selection - a meticulously curated 6-pack offering a symphony of flavors and accolades. This collection features a blend of exquisite Champagnes and top-rated wines, each handpicked for their exceptional quality and recognition by Wine Spectator. Indulge in the finest expressions of sparkling and still wines, perfect for any occasion or celebration. Elevate your wine experience with our Champagne & Wine Top Spectator's Selection - where excellence meets distinction in every sip.
1 x Billecart Salmon Brut Reserve NV Champagne ~ Champagne, France
95/100 Bob Campbell 92/100 Falstaff Magazin 91/100 Wine & Spirits Magazine 91/100 Wine Spectator 91/100 Huon Hooke 91/100 The Wine Front 90/100 Gilbert & Gaillard 90/100 Vinous 90/100 Wine Enthusiast
Matthew Jukes "This small house is one of the finest producers of Champagne, full stop.......I am sure you know by now that I am a besotted Billecart fan......Brut Reserve is one of the most reliable and over-delivering (flavour-wise) wines on the shelves today. It is creamy, smooth, uplifting and guaranteed to brighten your day. You simply cannot go wrong with this spectacular Champagne in your glass. Everyone needs a banker - a wine that will always delight and amaze the drinker - this wine does this and more."
Wine Enthusiast Magazine, Roger Voss "Beautifully understated, this offers fruit that's well integrated with the tight texture, giving a seamless, dry while also fruity wine. Just a hint of bottle maturity adds complexity."
Wine Spectator "A harmonious Champagne that’s satiny in texture, framing flavors of Asian pear, star fruit, pastry and honey with mouthwatering acidity. Offers a fine and creamy finish."
Gilbert & Gaillard "Beautiful light gold. Elegantly fruity, slightly jammy nose. Fleshy, melted, full mouthfeel, delicately infused with fruit. Closely-integrated, long, extremely harmonious. A very successful dry sparkling wine."
Billecart-Salmon is one of the few remaining Champagne houses to be owned by the original family and was established in 1818 by Nicolas-François Billecart. Most of Billecart-Salmon's fruit comes from a small vineyard holding, though this is supplemented with grapes bought in from the Marne Valley and the Montagne de Reims. Meticulous production techniques, from the use of their own cultured yeast to its long, slow, cool fermentation, ensure that the family has 100 percent control of production.
Champagne is the most iconic sparkling wine in the world, produced in the region of Champagne in France. Synonymous with celebration, champagne is typically produced from a few specific varieties of grapes: pinot noir, chardonnay, and pinot meunier. With effervescent flavors of citrus, almond, and apple, champagne comes in varying levels of sweetness and has a moderate amount of alcohol. The most treasured Champagnes age for a minimum of 3 years.
The Champagne region is located 140 kilometres from Paris, France. While the vines in this region have been producing wine since the Roman era, it is only in the past couple of hundred years that winemakers began producing Champagne using méthode champenoise - the complex method that produces the style of Champagne the world knows and loves today. Another important component of the production of champagne is the chalk and limestone soils which dominate the Champagne region. Vines grown in these conditions result in wines that are high in acidity - a key component to making good sparkling wine. Champagne's northerly location - about as north as grapes can ripen - also allow for higher acidity and lower alcohol levels which are also very important for producing quality sparkling wine.
1 x Giant Steps Applejack Chardonnay 2018 ~ Yarra Valley, Australia
96/100 James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion 95/100 James Suckling 94/100 Mike Bennie, The Wine Front 92/100 Wine Enthusiast 92/100 The Wine Advocate 90/100 Decanter World Wine Awards 95/100 The Wine Front (2017 Vintage) 92/100 Wine Spectator(2017 Vintage)
Silver - Decanter World Wine Awards
Halliday Wine Companion Awards, James Halliday " A spotless bouquet and an elegant palate of great length. Stone fruits and melon are threaded through a faint gauze of acidity, oak barely seen. This is an exercise in balance, and the certainty of future greatness."
Decanter World Wine Awards "Restrained, with delicate hints of green apple, grapefruit pith and white peach, while the herbaceous palate has a yellow liquorice finish."
James Suckling "The palate has a smooth, evenly paced and sleek feel. Polished texture and good depth of fresh white peaches and pears....Apples and honeydew melon with pie crust and poached pears in a fresh, attractive mode..."
Mike Bennie, The Wine Front "Electric and lacy, mouth-watering and ultra fresh. Bright and brisk style really nicely done....Flinty, lean, racy style. Good puckering feel and tight, squeaky race across the palate. Citrus, wet stone, frangipani floral things to sniff on. Stone and flint licks to taste, a squeeze of grapefruit, green apple, pickled ginger, sparkling almost in its transparent whip-crack across the palate. "
The Wine Advocate "It's a medium-bodied but plump and generous offering, with melon and pineapple fruit filling out the silky-textured mid-palate, then easing into a long, citrusy finish."
Wine Enthusiast "...The palate is richly textured and laced with minerals. The wood is present but not overwhelming...Coming from vines 200 meters higher and nine years younger than this producer's other single-vineyard Chardonay, Tarraford, this wine is clearly made in the same vein, but shows distinctive differences. Less fruity, this vintage is initially a touch reductive and oaked, but as it warms in the glass, notes of salted nuts and honey, along with delicate citrus, float to the fore. "
Giant Steps is a privately owned, estate based, Yarra Valley grower and winemaker. Giant Steps has forged a reputation for delivering some of Australia’s most consistent, over-performing, varietal wines. These wines have received global acclaim and established a strong reputation in restaurants and fine wine stores around the world. Since 2003 Giant Steps wines have collectively been awarded 19 trophies and over 50 gold medals at major international and domestic wine shows and have been named one of the Top 100 Wineries in the World by Wine & Spirits Magazine, US for each of the last three years.
Owner Phil Sexton came to wine via beer. He started Little Creatures, a favourite of Aussie hopheads, in Perth (Western Australia). Yarra Valley is a region with a cool climate, best known for its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Yarra Valley is an hour’s drive east of Melbourne. Applejack Vineyard was planted in 1997 by highly respected viticulturist Ray Guerin Today it is meticulously managed by his son Mark.
Applejack Vineyard is situated in the Upper Yarra Valley, to the south-east of the traditional valley floor. The higher altitudes result in cooler growing conditions - ideal for Pinot Noir. Applejack Vineyard is located on a dramatic, north-east-facing slope with close-planted vines. This vineyard was purchased by Phil Sexton in 2013.
1 x Lavau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red 2020 ~ Rhône, France
92/100 James Suckling (2019 vintage) 92/100 Robert Parker (2019 vintage) 91/100 Decanter (2019 vintage) 90/100 Jeb Dunnuck (2019 vintage) 91/100 Wine Enthusiast (2018 vintage) 90/100 Wine Enthusiast (2017 vintage) Bronze - Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider (2017 vintage) 92/100 Wine Spectator (2016 vintage) 90/100 Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider (2016 vintage) 92/100 Wine Spectator (2015 vintage) 91/100 Wine Magazine (2015 vintage) 91/100 Wine Enthusiast (2015 vintage) Bronze - Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider (2015 vintage)
James Suckling "Vibrant, fruity nose of red plums, cherries, raspberries, pomegranates, olives and red tea. It’s full-bodied with firm, creamy tannins. Round and supple. Some chocolate notes on the finish. Fresh and elegant for the appellation. Drink or hold." (2019 vintage)
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate "A solid négoce wine, Lavau's 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape—a blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre, all said to be from sandy soils and aged in new barriques and stainless steel tanks—offers up ripe cherries on the nose, plus hints of vanilla and maple syrup. Full-bodied, ripe and supple, with a creamy, plush feel, this is easy to drink, while showing ample depth and charm." (2019 vintage)
Decanter "Holds the new oak remarkably well (50% new), it's not excessive in aroma or texture from this sample. Well balanced with fine tannins and a little salty note - pretty smart stuff. Should be good when it's ready, no excesses here. Best yet from Lavau." (2019 vintage)
Jeb Dunnuck "An outstanding wine, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape offers lots of ripe black and blue fruits as well as plenty of pepper, cedar, and sappy, green garrigue-like aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it’s nicely textured and has terrific balance along with a great finish. A blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre, it was aged in 50% new oak, although you wouldn’t know that by tasting it." (2019 vintage)
Wine Enthusiast "Ripe, velvety swathes of blackberry and black-plum preserves abound in this full-bodied, softly tannic red. A blend of Grenache (50%), Syrah (40%) and Mourvèdre (10%) matured partially in oak, it is ripe in fruit but elegantly subdued by tones of freshly tilled earth, charred clove and graphite. Ready to drink now, it should hold well through 2028." (2018 vintage)
Wine Enthusiast "Intensely spicy, almost charry notes of roasted black cherry and plum abound on the nose. A blend of Grenache (50%), Syrah (40%) and Mourvèdre (10%) sourced entirely from sandy soils, it's a supple, profoundly fleshy wine framed by soft, feathery tannins. Its forward, youthful black fruit flavors will show best now–2027." (2017 vintage)
Wine Enthusiast "It's an easygoing, accessible red with soft acidity and ripe tannins, but maintains an alluring whisper of earthiness through the finish. Hints of fur, bramble and moss lend elegance to forward, fruity tones of black plum and mulberry in this wine." (2015 vintage)
Jeff Leve "Medium-bodied, easy-drinking wine with a forward, red berry core of fruit. Best to enjoy this young." (2015 vintage)
A blend of Grenache (50%), Syrah (40%) and Mourvèdre (10%).
Originally from Bordeaux, the Lavau family has been involved with winemaking for generations, and have had vineyards ranging from Bordeaux to Tunisia. In 1964 they were seduced by the richness and quality of the Provencal soil and settled down to make wine in the Rhone Valley. The cellars of Lavau are currently managed by Benoit and Frederic Lavau, who work in partnership with 350 different grape growers.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the most famous Southern Rhône appellation and the finest expression of the Grenache grape and Grenache based blends. The name Châteauneuf-du-Pape means ""new castle of the Pope"" and harks back to the early 14th Century when Avignon was chosen as the new home for the Pope's court. It is one of the most renowned appellations in France, famous for a layer of stones called galets (""pebbles"") that surround the vines. The galets soak up heat during the day, and release it during the night, thereby regulating the temperature of the vines.
1 x Château d'Estoublon Rouge (Organic) 2018 - Les Baux-de-Provence, France
Pop Up Wine is the Exclusive Privilege Singapore Retailer of the d’Estoubon & Roseblood wine brands, appointed by brand owners, former French President and First Lady, Nicolas Sarkozy and Carla Bruni, and Jean-Guillaume Prats of Château Lafite fame
16.5/20 Vinum Wine Magazine (2016 vintage)
Silver - International Wine Challenge Silver - Decanter World Wine Awards (2016 vintage)
Vinum Wine Magazine "Wild berries and herbs on the nose; straightforward beginning, slender structure, well-structured, good density and length, excellently crafted." (2016 vintage)
Decanter World Wine Awards "Beautifully perfumed with hints of cinnamon, poached damson and redcurrant, while the palate is textured with dried fruit and well judged oak." (2016 vintage)
Sommelier's advice "A dark ruby color, with garnet red hues. The nose has hints of ripe red fruit - lightly jamy. Spicy notes with a certain predominance of vanilla and leather. The palate is soft and fruity with ripe and soft tannins with good structure. Long final. A concentrated and elegant wine to serve to various game dishes or veal with chanterelles."
Winemaker "Wine with a garnet ruby color. The nose is powerful with notes of plum and crushed blackberries highlighted by notes of chocolate, roasted cocoa, sweet spices and cedar. On the palate, it is powerful and concentrated reflecting the characteristics of this hot and dry vintage, all supported by tannins of character."
Decanter "Château d’Estoublon has a long winemaking history, and is today owned by some of France’s big names, including Jean-Guillaume Prats of Château Lafite fame, and former President and First Lady Nicolas Sarkozy and CarlAn 18th-century estate, Château d'Estoublon is located in the middle of the Vallée des Baux de Provence, on the southern slopes of the Alpilles mountains.In the heart of the AOP Baux-de-Provence, nestled on the southern slopes of the Alpilles, the Château d'Estoublon vineyard extends over 17 hectares managed in organic farming. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Marsanne and Roussanne, the great Provencal grape varieties are kings, and reveal the essence of this unique terroir between complexity and freshness. Under the technical direction oa Bruni.
Château d'Estoublon is a prestigious winery owned by former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, his wife, model-turned First lady, Carla Bruni, and Jean-
Nestled in the heart of Provence, France, Château d'Estoublon was established in 1489 and embodies the best of French elegance, a legacy of wine-making excellence, and the essence of Provence's terroir and heritage.
Château d'Estoublon wines benefit from the region's unique microclimate and limestone-rich soils, imparting wines with unparalleled depth and complexity. From the sun-kissed slopes to the cool, mistral-kissed valleys, each parcel of land contributes to the harmonious symphony of flavors found in every bottle.
Château d'Estoublon combines traditional winemaking and contemporary techniques, to create wines of exceptional quality and character. From hand-harvesting the estate grapes, to its comittment to sustainability, and organic agriculture, the estate is currently converting to biodynamics.
Provence is a wine region in the far southeastern corner of France best known for the quality of its rosé wines and for its warm, mild climate. The vineyards of Provence cover an area of France's south-eastern coastline that measures roughly 200 kilometres from east to west. In this definitively Mediterranean climate – no Provencal vineyard is more than 55km (25 miles) from the Mediterranean – the vines enjoy around 3000 sunshine hours per year.
1 x Chateau L'Enclos Carbonnieux Pessac Blanc 2019 - Leognan, France
93/100 Tasting Book 92/100 Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar Insider 94/100 Wine Spectator (2018 Vintage)
Jeff Leve "Already soft and silky, and showing good freshness to the sweet red fruits. The wine is medium-bodied with nice length and a good persistency of flavor. You can drink this young or age it for more aromatic complexity."
Wine Spectator " A brisk lemon pith note flanks a core of lemon curd, honeysuckle, tarragon, oyster shell and salted butter notes, with a hint of warm, herbed focaccia on the finish adding range and contrast. Delicious. Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. Drink now through 2026. 10,835 cases made. —JM" (2018 Vintage)
Château Carbonnieux is a Grand Cru Classé de Graves chateaux and is one of the most ancient wine growing estates in Bordeaux and has made wine uninterrupted since the 13th Century. The Chateau is based in the Pessac-Léognan region of Bordeaux, where it produces both white and red wines.
The white wines of Château Carbonnieux were seen as some of the top wines of Graves. Historically it was known that there were two original leaders in terms of winemaking in Pessac-Léognan – Château Carbonnieux for white wines and Châteaux Haut-Brion for red wines.
In 1953, 14 châteaux from the Graves region were honoured with the title of “Crus Classés” (Classified Growths), either for their white wines or red wines or both. Château Carbonnieux was renowned for both it’s red and white wines. There are only 6 Châteaux (Bouscaut, Chevalier, Latour-Martillac, Malartic-Lagravière, Olivier and Carbonnieux) among the 9000 wineries from the Bordeaux region that have a classification for both their red and white wines. The 14 “Crus Classés” from the Graves region have been in the Pessac-Léognan AOC since it was created in 1987.
Pessac-Leognan is a prestigious appellation for wines produced in a particular area of the Bordeaux region of south-western France. A relatively new appellation, it was carved out of the Graves sub-region in 1987 – recognized in its own right on the merits of its high-quality red and white wines. This was a significant change, as many of the chateaux in what is now Pessac-Leognan were the best performers in the Graves Classification of 1959.
Sauvignon Blanc – Semillon is a classic Bordeaux white wine blend. It is most widely produced in France, most notably Bordeaux's Graves district, where both Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon are well-established varieties. It also has more recently caught on in Australia, particularly Margaret River. The versatile blend is typically made into crisp, dry wines, but it is also the blend of choice for the world's most prestigious sweet wine style, Sauternes.
The blend is endowed with vibrant acidity and grassy aromas by Sauvignon Blanc, and its structure and mouthfeel from Semillon. This blend is a modern, simplified version of the classic White Bordeaux Blend, in which Muscadelle, Sauvignon Gris, Ugni Blanc, Colombard and Merlot Blanc may be added to the mix.
The typical Bordeaux varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon are also planted in the vineyards. Château Carbonnieux strives to practice organic and sustainable farming throughout the vineyards.
1 x Henschke Keyneton Euphonium Shiraz Cabernet Franc Merlot 2020 (Biodynamic) ~ Barossa Valley, South Australia
95/100 Halliday Wine Companion Awards 95/100 Huon Hooke 91/100 Decanter World Wine Awards 9/100 CellarTracker 16.5/20 Jancis Robinson 93/100 Falstaff (2016 vintage) 94/100 Wine Enthusiast (2016 vintage) 94/100 Decanter World Wine Awards (2016 vintage) 93/100 CellarTracker (2016 vintage) 16.5/20 Jancis Robinson (2016 vintage) 95/100 James Halliday (2015 vintage) 94/100 Erin Larkin (2015 vintage) 94/100 Jeremy Oliver (2015 vintage) 94/100 The Wine Front (2015 vintage) 93/100 Wine Enthusiast (2015 vintage) 92/100 Huon Hooke (2015 vintage) 95/100 James Halliday (2013 Vintage) 94/100 Wine Enthusiast (2013 Vintage) 92+/100 The Wine Advocate (2013 Vintage) 91/100 Jeremy Oliver (2013 Vintage) 90/100 Wine Spectator (2013 Vintage) 90/100 Wine & Spirit Magazine (2013 Vintage)
Silver - The TEXSOM International Wine Awards Silver - International Wine Awards (2016 vintage) Silver - The TEXSOM International Wine Awards (2016 vintage) Bronze - The TEXSOM International Wine Awards (2013 vintage) Halliday Wine Companion Wine Awards 2021 'Winery of the Year'
Biodynamic
Halliday Wine Companion Awards, Tyson Stelzer "I love the transparency of the Barossa's cooler seasons, in such articulate detail here that all 4 varieties are clearly visible in all their glory. Unashamedly medium bodied, refreshing and enticing, yet in no way underpowered, simplistic or short lived. Crunchy berry fruits, fine-ground tannins and vibrant acidity unite to marvellous effect and outstanding line and length. It takes some skill, dexterity and humility in the winery to allow fruit of such elegance to really sing. A classic Barossa blend with a long future before it."
Huon Hooke "Very good deep red colour with a good purple tint. The bouquet is sweetly raspberry-ish and very Eden Valley in style, earthy-spicy also, with a bouquet of dried herbs and dried flowers, especially sage. The wine is deliciously fruit-sweet and almost lush in the mouth, the masses of fine, subtly drying tannins keeping the finish and aftertaste neat and disciplined. A lovely wine, approachable already but certainly built to last and will be better if you can keep your hands off it a few years"
Falstaff "There is a brightness to the dark ruby hue; the Cabernet component makes its presence felt with wafts of blackcurrants and mulberries alongside soused plums, tobacco, dried herbs and its really spicy. It’s no wall-flower either as it has a richness and density with plump ripe tannins and decent length following through. Drink 2021-2027. J.F." (2016 vintage)
Wine Enthusiast, Christina Pickard "This blend of old-vine Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc is open and fragrant yet powerful and dense right from the get go. Concentrated damson plum and black currant are backed by notes of dark chocolate, licorice, eucalyptus and tomato leaf, with a sanguine nuance. The tannins are powerful and drying but hold the silky fruit neatly in place. Drink 2023–2035." (2016 vintage)
Erin Larkin "A regional Barossa blend of old vine material. An unexpectedly fine and elegant expression of these usually big boy varieties, this is all silk and plush. The tannins are very fine, almost subliminal but create a fine backbone that the fruit rests on. Great length of flavour and a crushed rock finesse through the finish. Lovely stuff and feels like it would live for an age." (2015 vintage)
James Halliday “It's a fragrant, elegant wine, the fruit flavours akin to piano keys, a fine web of tannins and oak completing the picture. (2015 vintage)
Wine Spectator "Supple and elegant, with a mix of black olive, sage and berry flavors. The spice and licorice notes have an effortlessness and seamlessness about them. Lingering finish. Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc." (2013 Vintage)
The Wine Advocate "...A full, rich and concentrated blend, with firm and grainy tannins, this wine is well balanced and possesses great structure...Henschke's 2013 Keyneton Euphonium is deep garnet-purple in color and exudes lovely, expressive blackberries and cherries on the nose, with menthol, pepper, anise and cloves—plus a waft of fragrant earth." (2013 Vintage)
Wine Enthusiast "It’s nice to see the quality of this wine reach new heights, as it’s still relatively affordable within the Henschke context. The 2013 shows a slightly austere side, an aristocratic reserve, but the flavors are classic. Pencil Shavings, mint, cassis and cigar box finish with great drive, length and dusty tannins." (2013 Vintage)
Tony Love "The wine itself is a delight, a claret style that is so elegant, the magic of the blend being how its many elements enhance its delicate cabernet core, soft, smooth, dark fruits with sage and mint. Totally delicious." (2013 Vintage)
Keyneton Euphonium is a beautiful composition of shiraz from up to 50-year-old vines growing in the Eden and Barossa Valleys, blended with cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc from selected vineyards in both regions. Matured in 20% new and 80% seasoned French oak hogsheads for 18 months prior to blending and bottling.
Henschke is regarded as the best medium-sized red wine producer in Australia. Critic James Halliday describes Henschke's "Hill of Grace" as "second only to Penfolds Grange as Australia's red wine icon". The winery has gone from strength to strength over the past three decades under the guidance of winemaker Stephen and viticulturist Prue Henschke. The red wines fully capitalize on the very old, low-yielding, high-quality vines and are superbly made with sensitive but positive use of new small oak. All Henschke vineyards are farmed biodynamically.
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most famous red wine grape variety on Earth. It is rivaled in this regard only by its Bordeaux stablemate Merlot, and its opposite number in Burgundy, Pinot Noir. From its origins in Bordeaux, Cabernet has successfully spread to almost every wine growing country in the world. It is now the key grape variety in many first-rate New World wine regions, most notably Napa Valley, Coonawarra and Maipo Valley. Wherever they come from, Cabernet Sauvignon wines always seem to demonstrate a handful of common character traits: deep color, good tannin structure, moderate acidity and aromas of blackcurrant, tomato leaf, dark spices and cedarwood.
A world of luxury: Our Champagne & Wine Top Spectator's Selection - a meticulously curated 6-pack offering a symphony of flavors and accolades. This collection features a blend of exquisite Champagnes and top-rated wines, each handpicked for their exceptional quality and recognition by Wine Spectator. Indulge in the finest expressions of sparkling and still wines, perfect for any occasion or celebration. Elevate your wine experience with our Champagne & Wine Top Spectator's Selection - where excellence meets distinction in every sip.
1 x Billecart Salmon Brut Reserve NV Champagne ~ Champagne, France
95/100 Bob Campbell 92/100 Falstaff Magazin 91/100 Wine & Spirits Magazine 91/100 Wine Spectator 91/100 Huon Hooke 91/100 The Wine Front 90/100 Gilbert & Gaillard 90/100 Vinous 90/100 Wine Enthusiast
Matthew Jukes "This small house is one of the finest producers of Champagne, full stop.......I am sure you know by now that I am a besotted Billecart fan......Brut Reserve is one of the most reliable and over-delivering (flavour-wise) wines on the shelves today. It is creamy, smooth, uplifting and guaranteed to brighten your day. You simply cannot go wrong with this spectacular Champagne in your glass. Everyone needs a banker - a wine that will always delight and amaze the drinker - this wine does this and more."
Wine Enthusiast Magazine, Roger Voss "Beautifully understated, this offers fruit that's well integrated with the tight texture, giving a seamless, dry while also fruity wine. Just a hint of bottle maturity adds complexity."
Wine Spectator "A harmonious Champagne that’s satiny in texture, framing flavors of Asian pear, star fruit, pastry and honey with mouthwatering acidity. Offers a fine and creamy finish."
Gilbert & Gaillard "Beautiful light gold. Elegantly fruity, slightly jammy nose. Fleshy, melted, full mouthfeel, delicately infused with fruit. Closely-integrated, long, extremely harmonious. A very successful dry sparkling wine."
Billecart-Salmon is one of the few remaining Champagne houses to be owned by the original family and was established in 1818 by Nicolas-François Billecart. Most of Billecart-Salmon's fruit comes from a small vineyard holding, though this is supplemented with grapes bought in from the Marne Valley and the Montagne de Reims. Meticulous production techniques, from the use of their own cultured yeast to its long, slow, cool fermentation, ensure that the family has 100 percent control of production.
Champagne is the most iconic sparkling wine in the world, produced in the region of Champagne in France. Synonymous with celebration, champagne is typically produced from a few specific varieties of grapes: pinot noir, chardonnay, and pinot meunier. With effervescent flavors of citrus, almond, and apple, champagne comes in varying levels of sweetness and has a moderate amount of alcohol. The most treasured Champagnes age for a minimum of 3 years.
The Champagne region is located 140 kilometres from Paris, France. While the vines in this region have been producing wine since the Roman era, it is only in the past couple of hundred years that winemakers began producing Champagne using méthode champenoise - the complex method that produces the style of Champagne the world knows and loves today. Another important component of the production of champagne is the chalk and limestone soils which dominate the Champagne region. Vines grown in these conditions result in wines that are high in acidity - a key component to making good sparkling wine. Champagne's northerly location - about as north as grapes can ripen - also allow for higher acidity and lower alcohol levels which are also very important for producing quality sparkling wine.
1 x Giant Steps Applejack Chardonnay 2018 ~ Yarra Valley, Australia
96/100 James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion 95/100 James Suckling 94/100 Mike Bennie, The Wine Front 92/100 Wine Enthusiast 92/100 The Wine Advocate 90/100 Decanter World Wine Awards 95/100 The Wine Front (2017 Vintage) 92/100 Wine Spectator(2017 Vintage)
Silver - Decanter World Wine Awards
Halliday Wine Companion Awards, James Halliday " A spotless bouquet and an elegant palate of great length. Stone fruits and melon are threaded through a faint gauze of acidity, oak barely seen. This is an exercise in balance, and the certainty of future greatness."
Decanter World Wine Awards "Restrained, with delicate hints of green apple, grapefruit pith and white peach, while the herbaceous palate has a yellow liquorice finish."
James Suckling "The palate has a smooth, evenly paced and sleek feel. Polished texture and good depth of fresh white peaches and pears....Apples and honeydew melon with pie crust and poached pears in a fresh, attractive mode..."
Mike Bennie, The Wine Front "Electric and lacy, mouth-watering and ultra fresh. Bright and brisk style really nicely done....Flinty, lean, racy style. Good puckering feel and tight, squeaky race across the palate. Citrus, wet stone, frangipani floral things to sniff on. Stone and flint licks to taste, a squeeze of grapefruit, green apple, pickled ginger, sparkling almost in its transparent whip-crack across the palate. "
The Wine Advocate "It's a medium-bodied but plump and generous offering, with melon and pineapple fruit filling out the silky-textured mid-palate, then easing into a long, citrusy finish."
Wine Enthusiast "...The palate is richly textured and laced with minerals. The wood is present but not overwhelming...Coming from vines 200 meters higher and nine years younger than this producer's other single-vineyard Chardonay, Tarraford, this wine is clearly made in the same vein, but shows distinctive differences. Less fruity, this vintage is initially a touch reductive and oaked, but as it warms in the glass, notes of salted nuts and honey, along with delicate citrus, float to the fore. "
Giant Steps is a privately owned, estate based, Yarra Valley grower and winemaker. Giant Steps has forged a reputation for delivering some of Australia’s most consistent, over-performing, varietal wines. These wines have received global acclaim and established a strong reputation in restaurants and fine wine stores around the world. Since 2003 Giant Steps wines have collectively been awarded 19 trophies and over 50 gold medals at major international and domestic wine shows and have been named one of the Top 100 Wineries in the World by Wine & Spirits Magazine, US for each of the last three years.
Owner Phil Sexton came to wine via beer. He started Little Creatures, a favourite of Aussie hopheads, in Perth (Western Australia). Yarra Valley is a region with a cool climate, best known for its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Yarra Valley is an hour’s drive east of Melbourne. Applejack Vineyard was planted in 1997 by highly respected viticulturist Ray Guerin Today it is meticulously managed by his son Mark.
Applejack Vineyard is situated in the Upper Yarra Valley, to the south-east of the traditional valley floor. The higher altitudes result in cooler growing conditions - ideal for Pinot Noir. Applejack Vineyard is located on a dramatic, north-east-facing slope with close-planted vines. This vineyard was purchased by Phil Sexton in 2013.
1 x Lavau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red 2020 ~ Rhône, France
92/100 James Suckling (2019 vintage) 92/100 Robert Parker (2019 vintage) 91/100 Decanter (2019 vintage) 90/100 Jeb Dunnuck (2019 vintage) 91/100 Wine Enthusiast (2018 vintage) 90/100 Wine Enthusiast (2017 vintage) Bronze - Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider (2017 vintage) 92/100 Wine Spectator (2016 vintage) 90/100 Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider (2016 vintage) 92/100 Wine Spectator (2015 vintage) 91/100 Wine Magazine (2015 vintage) 91/100 Wine Enthusiast (2015 vintage) Bronze - Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider (2015 vintage)
James Suckling "Vibrant, fruity nose of red plums, cherries, raspberries, pomegranates, olives and red tea. It’s full-bodied with firm, creamy tannins. Round and supple. Some chocolate notes on the finish. Fresh and elegant for the appellation. Drink or hold." (2019 vintage)
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate "A solid négoce wine, Lavau's 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape—a blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre, all said to be from sandy soils and aged in new barriques and stainless steel tanks—offers up ripe cherries on the nose, plus hints of vanilla and maple syrup. Full-bodied, ripe and supple, with a creamy, plush feel, this is easy to drink, while showing ample depth and charm." (2019 vintage)
Decanter "Holds the new oak remarkably well (50% new), it's not excessive in aroma or texture from this sample. Well balanced with fine tannins and a little salty note - pretty smart stuff. Should be good when it's ready, no excesses here. Best yet from Lavau." (2019 vintage)
Jeb Dunnuck "An outstanding wine, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape offers lots of ripe black and blue fruits as well as plenty of pepper, cedar, and sappy, green garrigue-like aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it’s nicely textured and has terrific balance along with a great finish. A blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre, it was aged in 50% new oak, although you wouldn’t know that by tasting it." (2019 vintage)
Wine Enthusiast "Ripe, velvety swathes of blackberry and black-plum preserves abound in this full-bodied, softly tannic red. A blend of Grenache (50%), Syrah (40%) and Mourvèdre (10%) matured partially in oak, it is ripe in fruit but elegantly subdued by tones of freshly tilled earth, charred clove and graphite. Ready to drink now, it should hold well through 2028." (2018 vintage)
Wine Enthusiast "Intensely spicy, almost charry notes of roasted black cherry and plum abound on the nose. A blend of Grenache (50%), Syrah (40%) and Mourvèdre (10%) sourced entirely from sandy soils, it's a supple, profoundly fleshy wine framed by soft, feathery tannins. Its forward, youthful black fruit flavors will show best now–2027." (2017 vintage)
Wine Enthusiast "It's an easygoing, accessible red with soft acidity and ripe tannins, but maintains an alluring whisper of earthiness through the finish. Hints of fur, bramble and moss lend elegance to forward, fruity tones of black plum and mulberry in this wine." (2015 vintage)
Jeff Leve "Medium-bodied, easy-drinking wine with a forward, red berry core of fruit. Best to enjoy this young." (2015 vintage)
A blend of Grenache (50%), Syrah (40%) and Mourvèdre (10%).
Originally from Bordeaux, the Lavau family has been involved with winemaking for generations, and have had vineyards ranging from Bordeaux to Tunisia. In 1964 they were seduced by the richness and quality of the Provencal soil and settled down to make wine in the Rhone Valley. The cellars of Lavau are currently managed by Benoit and Frederic Lavau, who work in partnership with 350 different grape growers.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the most famous Southern Rhône appellation and the finest expression of the Grenache grape and Grenache based blends. The name Châteauneuf-du-Pape means ""new castle of the Pope"" and harks back to the early 14th Century when Avignon was chosen as the new home for the Pope's court. It is one of the most renowned appellations in France, famous for a layer of stones called galets (""pebbles"") that surround the vines. The galets soak up heat during the day, and release it during the night, thereby regulating the temperature of the vines.
1 x Château d'Estoublon Rouge (Organic) 2018 - Les Baux-de-Provence, France
Pop Up Wine is the Exclusive Privilege Singapore Retailer of the d’Estoubon & Roseblood wine brands, appointed by brand owners, former French President and First Lady, Nicolas Sarkozy and Carla Bruni, and Jean-Guillaume Prats of Château Lafite fame
16.5/20 Vinum Wine Magazine (2016 vintage)
Silver - International Wine Challenge Silver - Decanter World Wine Awards (2016 vintage)
Vinum Wine Magazine "Wild berries and herbs on the nose; straightforward beginning, slender structure, well-structured, good density and length, excellently crafted." (2016 vintage)
Decanter World Wine Awards "Beautifully perfumed with hints of cinnamon, poached damson and redcurrant, while the palate is textured with dried fruit and well judged oak." (2016 vintage)
Sommelier's advice "A dark ruby color, with garnet red hues. The nose has hints of ripe red fruit - lightly jamy. Spicy notes with a certain predominance of vanilla and leather. The palate is soft and fruity with ripe and soft tannins with good structure. Long final. A concentrated and elegant wine to serve to various game dishes or veal with chanterelles."
Winemaker "Wine with a garnet ruby color. The nose is powerful with notes of plum and crushed blackberries highlighted by notes of chocolate, roasted cocoa, sweet spices and cedar. On the palate, it is powerful and concentrated reflecting the characteristics of this hot and dry vintage, all supported by tannins of character."
Decanter "Château d’Estoublon has a long winemaking history, and is today owned by some of France’s big names, including Jean-Guillaume Prats of Château Lafite fame, and former President and First Lady Nicolas Sarkozy and CarlAn 18th-century estate, Château d'Estoublon is located in the middle of the Vallée des Baux de Provence, on the southern slopes of the Alpilles mountains.In the heart of the AOP Baux-de-Provence, nestled on the southern slopes of the Alpilles, the Château d'Estoublon vineyard extends over 17 hectares managed in organic farming. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Marsanne and Roussanne, the great Provencal grape varieties are kings, and reveal the essence of this unique terroir between complexity and freshness. Under the technical direction oa Bruni.
Château d'Estoublon is a prestigious winery owned by former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, his wife, model-turned First lady, Carla Bruni, and Jean-
Nestled in the heart of Provence, France, Château d'Estoublon was established in 1489 and embodies the best of French elegance, a legacy of wine-making excellence, and the essence of Provence's terroir and heritage.
Château d'Estoublon wines benefit from the region's unique microclimate and limestone-rich soils, imparting wines with unparalleled depth and complexity. From the sun-kissed slopes to the cool, mistral-kissed valleys, each parcel of land contributes to the harmonious symphony of flavors found in every bottle.
Château d'Estoublon combines traditional winemaking and contemporary techniques, to create wines of exceptional quality and character. From hand-harvesting the estate grapes, to its comittment to sustainability, and organic agriculture, the estate is currently converting to biodynamics.
Provence is a wine region in the far southeastern corner of France best known for the quality of its rosé wines and for its warm, mild climate. The vineyards of Provence cover an area of France's south-eastern coastline that measures roughly 200 kilometres from east to west. In this definitively Mediterranean climate – no Provencal vineyard is more than 55km (25 miles) from the Mediterranean – the vines enjoy around 3000 sunshine hours per year.
1 x Chateau L'Enclos Carbonnieux Pessac Blanc 2019 - Leognan, France
93/100 Tasting Book 92/100 Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar Insider 94/100 Wine Spectator (2018 Vintage)
Jeff Leve "Already soft and silky, and showing good freshness to the sweet red fruits. The wine is medium-bodied with nice length and a good persistency of flavor. You can drink this young or age it for more aromatic complexity."
Wine Spectator " A brisk lemon pith note flanks a core of lemon curd, honeysuckle, tarragon, oyster shell and salted butter notes, with a hint of warm, herbed focaccia on the finish adding range and contrast. Delicious. Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. Drink now through 2026. 10,835 cases made. —JM" (2018 Vintage)
Château Carbonnieux is a Grand Cru Classé de Graves chateaux and is one of the most ancient wine growing estates in Bordeaux and has made wine uninterrupted since the 13th Century. The Chateau is based in the Pessac-Léognan region of Bordeaux, where it produces both white and red wines.
The white wines of Château Carbonnieux were seen as some of the top wines of Graves. Historically it was known that there were two original leaders in terms of winemaking in Pessac-Léognan – Château Carbonnieux for white wines and Châteaux Haut-Brion for red wines.
In 1953, 14 châteaux from the Graves region were honoured with the title of “Crus Classés” (Classified Growths), either for their white wines or red wines or both. Château Carbonnieux was renowned for both it’s red and white wines. There are only 6 Châteaux (Bouscaut, Chevalier, Latour-Martillac, Malartic-Lagravière, Olivier and Carbonnieux) among the 9000 wineries from the Bordeaux region that have a classification for both their red and white wines. The 14 “Crus Classés” from the Graves region have been in the Pessac-Léognan AOC since it was created in 1987.
Pessac-Leognan is a prestigious appellation for wines produced in a particular area of the Bordeaux region of south-western France. A relatively new appellation, it was carved out of the Graves sub-region in 1987 – recognized in its own right on the merits of its high-quality red and white wines. This was a significant change, as many of the chateaux in what is now Pessac-Leognan were the best performers in the Graves Classification of 1959.
Sauvignon Blanc – Semillon is a classic Bordeaux white wine blend. It is most widely produced in France, most notably Bordeaux's Graves district, where both Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon are well-established varieties. It also has more recently caught on in Australia, particularly Margaret River. The versatile blend is typically made into crisp, dry wines, but it is also the blend of choice for the world's most prestigious sweet wine style, Sauternes.
The blend is endowed with vibrant acidity and grassy aromas by Sauvignon Blanc, and its structure and mouthfeel from Semillon. This blend is a modern, simplified version of the classic White Bordeaux Blend, in which Muscadelle, Sauvignon Gris, Ugni Blanc, Colombard and Merlot Blanc may be added to the mix.
The typical Bordeaux varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon are also planted in the vineyards. Château Carbonnieux strives to practice organic and sustainable farming throughout the vineyards.
1 x Henschke Keyneton Euphonium Shiraz Cabernet Franc Merlot 2020 (Biodynamic) ~ Barossa Valley, South Australia
95/100 Halliday Wine Companion Awards 95/100 Huon Hooke 91/100 Decanter World Wine Awards 9/100 CellarTracker 16.5/20 Jancis Robinson 93/100 Falstaff (2016 vintage) 94/100 Wine Enthusiast (2016 vintage) 94/100 Decanter World Wine Awards (2016 vintage) 93/100 CellarTracker (2016 vintage) 16.5/20 Jancis Robinson (2016 vintage) 95/100 James Halliday (2015 vintage) 94/100 Erin Larkin (2015 vintage) 94/100 Jeremy Oliver (2015 vintage) 94/100 The Wine Front (2015 vintage) 93/100 Wine Enthusiast (2015 vintage) 92/100 Huon Hooke (2015 vintage) 95/100 James Halliday (2013 Vintage) 94/100 Wine Enthusiast (2013 Vintage) 92+/100 The Wine Advocate (2013 Vintage) 91/100 Jeremy Oliver (2013 Vintage) 90/100 Wine Spectator (2013 Vintage) 90/100 Wine & Spirit Magazine (2013 Vintage)
Silver - The TEXSOM International Wine Awards Silver - International Wine Awards (2016 vintage) Silver - The TEXSOM International Wine Awards (2016 vintage) Bronze - The TEXSOM International Wine Awards (2013 vintage) Halliday Wine Companion Wine Awards 2021 'Winery of the Year'
Biodynamic
Halliday Wine Companion Awards, Tyson Stelzer "I love the transparency of the Barossa's cooler seasons, in such articulate detail here that all 4 varieties are clearly visible in all their glory. Unashamedly medium bodied, refreshing and enticing, yet in no way underpowered, simplistic or short lived. Crunchy berry fruits, fine-ground tannins and vibrant acidity unite to marvellous effect and outstanding line and length. It takes some skill, dexterity and humility in the winery to allow fruit of such elegance to really sing. A classic Barossa blend with a long future before it."
Huon Hooke "Very good deep red colour with a good purple tint. The bouquet is sweetly raspberry-ish and very Eden Valley in style, earthy-spicy also, with a bouquet of dried herbs and dried flowers, especially sage. The wine is deliciously fruit-sweet and almost lush in the mouth, the masses of fine, subtly drying tannins keeping the finish and aftertaste neat and disciplined. A lovely wine, approachable already but certainly built to last and will be better if you can keep your hands off it a few years"
Falstaff "There is a brightness to the dark ruby hue; the Cabernet component makes its presence felt with wafts of blackcurrants and mulberries alongside soused plums, tobacco, dried herbs and its really spicy. It’s no wall-flower either as it has a richness and density with plump ripe tannins and decent length following through. Drink 2021-2027. J.F." (2016 vintage)
Wine Enthusiast, Christina Pickard "This blend of old-vine Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc is open and fragrant yet powerful and dense right from the get go. Concentrated damson plum and black currant are backed by notes of dark chocolate, licorice, eucalyptus and tomato leaf, with a sanguine nuance. The tannins are powerful and drying but hold the silky fruit neatly in place. Drink 2023–2035." (2016 vintage)
Erin Larkin "A regional Barossa blend of old vine material. An unexpectedly fine and elegant expression of these usually big boy varieties, this is all silk and plush. The tannins are very fine, almost subliminal but create a fine backbone that the fruit rests on. Great length of flavour and a crushed rock finesse through the finish. Lovely stuff and feels like it would live for an age." (2015 vintage)
James Halliday “It's a fragrant, elegant wine, the fruit flavours akin to piano keys, a fine web of tannins and oak completing the picture. (2015 vintage)
Wine Spectator "Supple and elegant, with a mix of black olive, sage and berry flavors. The spice and licorice notes have an effortlessness and seamlessness about them. Lingering finish. Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc." (2013 Vintage)
The Wine Advocate "...A full, rich and concentrated blend, with firm and grainy tannins, this wine is well balanced and possesses great structure...Henschke's 2013 Keyneton Euphonium is deep garnet-purple in color and exudes lovely, expressive blackberries and cherries on the nose, with menthol, pepper, anise and cloves—plus a waft of fragrant earth." (2013 Vintage)
Wine Enthusiast "It’s nice to see the quality of this wine reach new heights, as it’s still relatively affordable within the Henschke context. The 2013 shows a slightly austere side, an aristocratic reserve, but the flavors are classic. Pencil Shavings, mint, cassis and cigar box finish with great drive, length and dusty tannins." (2013 Vintage)
Tony Love "The wine itself is a delight, a claret style that is so elegant, the magic of the blend being how its many elements enhance its delicate cabernet core, soft, smooth, dark fruits with sage and mint. Totally delicious." (2013 Vintage)
Keyneton Euphonium is a beautiful composition of shiraz from up to 50-year-old vines growing in the Eden and Barossa Valleys, blended with cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc from selected vineyards in both regions. Matured in 20% new and 80% seasoned French oak hogsheads for 18 months prior to blending and bottling.
Henschke is regarded as the best medium-sized red wine producer in Australia. Critic James Halliday describes Henschke's "Hill of Grace" as "second only to Penfolds Grange as Australia's red wine icon". The winery has gone from strength to strength over the past three decades under the guidance of winemaker Stephen and viticulturist Prue Henschke. The red wines fully capitalize on the very old, low-yielding, high-quality vines and are superbly made with sensitive but positive use of new small oak. All Henschke vineyards are farmed biodynamically.
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most famous red wine grape variety on Earth. It is rivaled in this regard only by its Bordeaux stablemate Merlot, and its opposite number in Burgundy, Pinot Noir. From its origins in Bordeaux, Cabernet has successfully spread to almost every wine growing country in the world. It is now the key grape variety in many first-rate New World wine regions, most notably Napa Valley, Coonawarra and Maipo Valley. Wherever they come from, Cabernet Sauvignon wines always seem to demonstrate a handful of common character traits: deep color, good tannin structure, moderate acidity and aromas of blackcurrant, tomato leaf, dark spices and cedarwood.
