Champagne & Wine Top Spectator's Selection - 6 Pack Value

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 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.

2 x Maxime Blin Carte Blanche Brut NV - Champagne, France

Bronze - Gilbert & Gaillard

1 Star - Le Guide Hachette des Vins

Silver - Challenge International du Vin
Silver - Vinalies Internationales
Silver - Concours Mondial de Bruxelles

Organic

Maxime Blin is served on Qatar Airways & Air Italy

Gilbert & Gaillard "Beautiful character.... Mature, focused nose combining dried fruits and dried vegetal aromas... Good staying power on the palate, structured and well-integrated. Dried apricot is exuded on the attack flowing into straw notes."

Le Guide Hachette des Vins "With a shimmering pale gold, the nose blends delicate notes of brioche, dried fruits and white flowers. Balanced, melted and long, the palate reveals pleasant aromas of exotic fruits."

Le Guide Hachette des Vins "The Maxime Blin Carte Blanche white obtained the note of 1 star, which corresponds to a very successful wine . This wine was noted in the 2013 edition of the Guide Hachette Vins."

Alexandra Durin-Hepkein "A fresh, round, light and harmonious champagne in which numerous fruity aromas express themselves with joy."

Nicoline Nybom "Fresh, light and harmonious with good fruit notes"

80% Meunier and 20% Pinot Noir

Sommeliers International "A mouthful of talent."

Organic wines are made from grapes grown without pesticides, following strict organic standards. Organic wines are produced in vineyards that do not use synthetic chemicals. Certified organic wines have been certified by Association des Champagnes Biologiques in France.

Champagne Maxime Blin has captured the attention of the world's champagne experts. This fourth-generation family owned champagne house has produced many award winning champagnes which are rated highly and celebrated for their expression of the famous terrior in which the vineyard is located. It is one of the few certified organic champagne producers in the world. Situated in the Champagne village of Saint Thierry near Reims - the center of the Champagne world - boasting Veuve Clicquot, Pommery, Ruinart and Taittinger, Champagne Maxime Blin is the rising star amongst its big name neighbours.

Maxime Blin has been certified organic since 2021. The company. produced its first organic champagne in 2022. Maxime Blin champagnes are highly sought after due to the qualtiy and low volume of champagnes it produces. It cultivates the three Champagne grape varieties, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay on vines with an average age of twenty years.

Maxime Blin produces 11 champagnes ( Carte Blanche, Carte Douce, Rosé, Millésime, Grande Tradition, Cuvée l'Onirique, Cuvée l'Authentique, Cuvée Maxime, Millesime 1998, Cuvée Craziness, Clés d'Eole). Among the brands' many admirers which include artists, musicians, and wine experts, the Italian actress Manuela Arcuri, every year for her birthday, orders the Cuvée 'Craziness'.

1 x Château d'Estoublon Rouge (Organic) 2018 - Les Baux-de-Provence, France

New launch! Owned by former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, and his Supermodel & singer-songwriter wife, 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."

30% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 30% Mourvèdre, 10% Cabernet-Sauvignon
Alcohol: 13.5%

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.