Critics’ Choice 90+ Point Premium Collection
A collection of critically acclaimed wines, each earning a prestigious 90+ point rating from top wine critics. This premium 6-pack offers a sophisticated mix of reds and whites, hand-selected for their exceptional quality, balance, and flavor. From velvety textures to vibrant, complex profiles, every bottle in this selection represents the pinnacle of winemaking artistry. Perfect for connoisseurs, gifting, or elevating any occasion, this collection guarantees a remarkable tasting experience with every pour.
1 x Nanny Goat Pinot Noir (Organic) 2023 - Central Otago, New Zealand
93/100 Cameron Douglas MS, The Shout
92/100 Nick's Wine
92/100 New Zealand Wine Rater (2020 vintage)
92/100 Steve Leszczysnki, Q Wine Reviews (2020 vintage)
92/100 QWine (2020 vintage)
90/100 James Suckling (2020 vintage)
Bronze - Decanter World Wine Awards (2020 vintage)
Bronze - Bob Campbell (2020 vintage)
Bronze - Decanter World Wine Awards (2018 vintage)
93/100 The Real Review (2019 vintage)
90/100 Decanter World Wine Awards (2017 vintage)
91/100 The Wine Front (2017 vintage)
91/100 International Wine Challenge (2017 vintage)
90/100 Wine Enthusiast (2016 vintage)
92/100 Bob Campbell (2015 vintage)
16/20 Jancis Robinson (2015 vintage)
4.5 Stars Michael Cooper
Silver - International Wine Challenge 2021 (2020 vintage)
Silver - International Wine & Spirits Competition 2021 (2020 vintage)
Silver - London Wine Competition (2019 vintage)
Silver - International Wine Challenge (2019 vintage)
Silver - New Zealand Wine of the Year (2018 vintage)
Silver - International Wine Challenge (2018 vintage)
Bronze - International Wine & Spirit Competition (2018 vintage)
Silver - International Wine Challenge (2017 vintage)
Bronze - International Wine Challenge (2016 vintage)
4.5 Stars Winestate Magazine (2015 vintage)
Cameron Douglas MS, The Shout "A precise, fresh and enticing bouquet with aromas of fresh red berries and cherry flesh, a fine savoury layer with a whisper of dried herb and thyme then layers of barrel spices. Complex and youthful. On the palate vibrant and youthful with a velvet textured mouthfeel, fine through moderate tannins and medium+ acid line. The core fruit flavours, nut and dried herb qualities are consistent and persistent. Overall, a delicious wine with best drinking from early 2023 through 2029."
Mike Bennie, The Wine Front "Alan Peters-Oswald is a delightful fella and astute winemaker doing good things to elevate the Nanny Goat wines. Here’s a new release. Slight label tweaks too. Supple, succulent, very bright and fresh feeling. Leads with tart cherry fruit characters, a good deal of crunchy, drying cranberry tang and pucker, some dried herbs, a light dusting of pepper. Refreshing feel to taste, vivacious, lively and rips along with sinewy tannin and heaps of tangy acidity. Strap in! Good with a light chill, better in a few years when things settle down. "
Michele's Notes "Deep colour. Alluring perfume of rich dark cherry fruit, plum and brioche. There’s chocolate and slate too. Smooth in the mouth with a lovely flow across the palate. The balance between fruit, oak, tannin and acid is excellent. Very tasty indeed. "
Winemaker "Immediately appealing on the nose with lifted wild berry and floral aromatics, gradually fading to reveal a complex array of ripe cherry & plum fruits, sweet spices, cola, garrigue, and fennel. Sweet red, black and blue berry fruits abound on the palate, with fleeting nuances of red currant, cola, cinnamon, thyme, crushed coriander seed and star anise adding layers of intrigue. Seamlessly integrated oak and powder fine tannins combine with a fine bead of acidity to give a fresh, pleasingly
long finish.
Steve Leszczysnki, Q Wine Reviews "This is such an approachable and ever-reliable Pinot Noir. A gravelly profile shines through. Dark plums, blackcurrants and dark cherries are flanked by dried herbs, cloves and shavings of dark chocolate. Like a Number 8 in rugby, this has the punch to do some heavy lifting but is nimble enough to show soft hands and quick feet like the backs. Tense tannins seize up on close before a long, fine spice finish. Delightful. Drink for five years+." (2020 Vintage)
New Zealand Wine Rater "An intense, perfumed, and floral bouquet in a lifte d, primary New World fruit style with bursts of berry conserve, bramble, a herbal lift, star anise, seaweed notes and fennel. A vibrant, juicy, red fruit core runs the length of the supple, charming palate with chalky tannins. Youthful and will benefit from a year in the bottle but very commercially appealing."
Michael Cooper "Already very approachable, the 2020 vintage (4.5*) was grown at six sites around the region, with almost two-thirds of the grapes coming from Pisa/Lowburn, in the Cromwell Basin. Matured in French oak barriques, it is bright ruby, mouthfilling and vibrantly fruity, with generous, ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, ,showing good complexity, fresh acidity and finely balanced tannins. Best drinking 2023+." (2020 vintage)
QWine "This is such an approachable and ever-reliable Pinot Noir. Readily available too, making this a go-to is not a silly idea - particularly when it is often priced around the $30 mark. A gravelly profile shines through. Dark plums, blackcurrants and dark cherries are flanked by dried herbs, cloves and shavings of dark chocolate. Like a Number 8 in rugby, this has the punch to do some heavy lifting but is nimble enough to show soft hands and quick feet like the backs. Tense tannins seize up on close before a long, fine spice finish. Delightful." (2020 vintage)
James Suckling "Aromas of strawberry, pomegranate and sappy, herbal accents. This has an elegant and soft red-cherry and plum-flavored palate that delivers in tangy, juicy style. Drink now. Screw cap." (2020 vintage)
Bob Campbell "Moderately intense, vibrant pinot noir with cherry, berry, fresh herb and spicy oak flavours. A distinctive wine that seems to express a strong sense of place. Nice purity and a backbone of peppery tannins that helps to promote a crisp, dry finish." (2020 vintage)
Bob Campbell, The Real Review " Appealing silken-textured pinot noir with dark cherry, violet, fresh herbs and spicy flavours. A supple, sinewy, fine-boned wine with high energy. Accessible now, thanks to a core of fruit sweetness, but has the potential to develop well with bottle age." (2019 vintage)
Gary Walsh, The Wine Front - "Juicy cherry, jumps out of the glass, rose petal, some spice. Cherry, fresh, acidity a bit nippy and lemony, but the core of fruit is good. Light tannin plays on the finish. Attractive. Quite stylish.” (2017 vintage)
Decanter "There are just 900 bottles and you should get yourself a bottle or six if you can, as this is sex in a bottle - it's gorgeously textured, silken, and ethereal. There's a transparency to the fruit, showing cardamom, ginger, and cranberry flavours. It makes you swoon! Drinking Window 2019 - 2030" (2017 vintage)
Highly awarded and acclaimed, wine-maker Alan Peters-Oswald is a specialist premium pinot noir maker. The Central Otago wine region is the world's southern-most commercial wine-growing region, and famous for its Pinot Noir. It differs from all other New Zealand wine areas in that it is inland, in the foothills of the Southern Alps. The level of sunlight is very high, something that accounts for the high levels of alcohol that are often found in Central Otago wines.
Nestled within a timeless and sensual landscape, Nanny Goat Estate Vineyard sits between 270m and 290m above sea level spread across two ancient, North East facing terraces. This is a region of climatic extremes with typically very hot summers, short autumns and bitterly cold winter days. Challenging conditions for producing world-class cool climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Successive periods of glaciation and recession, followed by erosion by Mata Au / Clutha River have shaped the Nanny Goat Estate landscape by creating distinct terraces of alluvial soils that are pastiche of loess, gravel, schist and mineral quartz. Generations of farming and the associated cultivation of lucerne and other feed crops have added organic matter to the wind blowen loessial topsoil providing us with a nice balance between vine vigor and free draining attributes.
The essence of Pinot Noir wine is its aroma of strawberry and cherry (fresh red cherries in lighter wines and stewed black cherries in weightier examples), underpinned in the most complex examples by hints of forest floor. Well-built Pinot Noirs, particularly from warmer harvests, also exhibit notes of leather and violets, sometimes approaching the flavor spectrum of Syrah.
1 x Hewitson Le Secateur Shiraz 2019 - Barossa Valley, South Australia
92/100 James Suckling
90/100 Tasting Book (2018 vintage)
Gold - Paris Wine Cup
Best Wine by Country - Paris Wine Cup
Best Wine by Variety - Paris Wine Cup
Halliday Wine Companion - 5 Star Winery
James Halliday Top 100 Wine 2018
James Halliday Top 100 Winery 2017
James Halliday Top 100 Wine 2017
Wine Enthusiast's Top 10 “Vineyards Behind the World’s Most Famous Wines”
James Suckling "Rich and round palate with concentrated blackberry flavors, as well as roasted coffee and chocolate. Plums and currants to close. Drink now."
A Red Cellar Trio Wine Club Selection "...A superb demonstration that Barossa Shiraz can have genuine finesse....Complex aromas of black fruit, espresso, pine tar, molasses, olives and peppercorn. The elegant palate shows both fresh and dried blackberries, olallieberry and marionberry and a hint of eucalyptus."
Tasting Book "Very promising quality with most commentators declaring 2018 great in every region and variety. Flavours and colours in reds are wonderful....with early standout varieties this year including....Shiraz..." (2018 vintage)
The Winemaker “Full-bodied, medium-toned, cherry jam, raspberry, dark plum, light chocolate, delicately spicy, aromatic” In early 2021, leading global publication Wine Enthusiast included Hewitson in its top 10 list of “Vineyards Behind the World’s Most Famous Wines” alongside heralded blocks in Burgundy, Champagne, Piedmont and Napa Valley.
Australian Wine Companion "Established in 1998 Hewitson winery is situated in the heart of the Barossa Valley on the historic Seppeltsfield Road and boasts some of the oldest vines in the world. Hewitson fruit is sourced from historic, dry-grown vineyards in the Barossa Valley and also from single site vineyards in Eden Valley, McLaren Vale and the Adelaide Hills."
Frederick Wildman "Dean Hewitson founded his eponymous winery in 1998. He is a highly respected Australian winemaker ...Hewitson has worked at wineries in Australia, France, Italy and Oregon. Hewitson then moved to the U.S. where he earned a Masters from UC-Davis. On his return home, Dean brought a wealth of knowledge, practical experience and a driving passion to produce wines not only from Barossa Valley but also from the McLaren Vale and the Adelaide Hills regions.
Hewitson fundamentally believes great wines are the expression of the soils they are grown in and the season in which they are grown. With his longstanding focus on terroir—specific terroir plots in fact—many of Hewitson’s wines are single vineyard. He sources grapes from not only his own vineyards but also from long-standing grower contracts including a few sourced from some of the oldest living, still productive vines on plots that date back to the mid-19th century and are pre-phylloxera. His ‘Old Garden’ Mourvèdre is a single-vineyard wine, whose vines were planted in 1853 in Barossa Valley and are reputed to be the oldest Mourvèdre vines in the world. Hewitson’s ‘Miss Harry’ is sourced from a Grenache vineyard planted in 1880, also thought to be the oldest Grenache in existence.
Due to Hewitson’s education and experience in Australia, California and France, Hewitson wines combine Old-World traditions with New-World fruit purity. And while he clearly excels with Rhône Valley grape varieties, Hewitson also produces award-winning Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. A practitioner in solar energy, water recycling and encouraging natural biodiversity, Hewitson produces wines in an environmentally sustainable fashion."
James Halliday "Dean Hewitson was a winemaker at Petaluma [one of Australia's leading wineries] for 10 years, during which time he managed to do three vintages in France and one in Oregon as well as undertaking his Masters at the University of California, Davis. It is hardly surprising that the wines are immaculately made from a technical viewpoint. Dean sources 30-year-old Riesling from the Eden Valley and 70-year-old shiraz from McLaren Vale; he also makes a Barossa Valley Mourvedre from vines planted in 1853 at Rowland Flat, and Barossa Valley Shiraz and Grenache from 60-year-old vines at Tanunda."
The Barossa Valley is an extremely important wine-producing region within the Barossa zone of South Australia, particularly associated with powerful red wines from the red wine grape variety Shiraz. A prestigious and internationally renowned region, it is not only home to some of the oldest vineyards and wineries in Australia but produces some of its most recognizable and sought-after brands. A striking feature of the Barossa Valley's wine landscape is the presence of very old vines, proudly showcased on many wine labels and during vineyard tours.
Shiraz is the name given to the dark-skinned Syrah grape when grown in Australia and selected pockets of the New World. Though genetically identical, the stylistic differences between Shiraz and Syrah are usually pronounced.
Shiraz is so important to Australian viticulture that it is the most planted grape variety in the majority of Australian vineyards and has become virtually synonymous with the country's wine regions, and in particular the Barossa Valley.
1 x McHenry Hohnen Hazel's Vineyard BDX 2020 ~ Margaret River, Western Australia
94/100 The Wine Front
93/100 Erin Larkin (Halliday's Wine Companion)
93/100 Stuart Knox (The Real Review)
92/100 Decanter World Wine Awards
91/100 Wine Enthusiast
93/100 Erin Larkin (2019 vintage)
93/100 Stuart Knox (2019 Vintage)
94/100 Campbell Mattinson (2018 vintage)
94/100 Nick Butler (2018 vintage)
91/100 James Suckling (2018 vintage)
93/100 The Wine Front (2017 vintage)
93/100 Steven Creber (2017 vintage)
96/100 James Halliday (2016 vintage)
5 Star Winery - James Halliday
Halliday's Wine Companion Awards 2023 - Top Wineries of 2022 & 2023
53/37/10% malbec/cabernet sauvignon/petit verdot
Halliday Wine Companion, Erin Larkin "The malbec brings the purple fruit and the spice, the cabernet is responsible for the structure in the mouth, the supple tannins and the flash of pure cassis in the mouth. The petit verdot brings the violet, the depth and the darkness. All of it coming together in magnificent fashion in the glass. Very smart."
The Real Review, Stuart Knox "Almost opaque at the core, moving into a deep ruby-red at the rim. Mulberry, cedar wood and mint aromatics. Dark fruits fill the palate, then tangential lines of choc-mint and bresaola bring contrast and savoury complexity to the experience. It sits bold with equally drying tannins, making you take notice of its presence."
Erin Larkin "All varieties fermented separately in concrete vats, matured in mostly used French oak for 15 months (the cabernet in 20% new oak). The nose on this Bordeaux blend is dusty, spicy and loaded with dark fruit. On the palate there is a core of berries, but it is shaped and surrounded by those dusty tannins. Verging on a hulking wine, this is intense and lingering, the fruit winning out in the end. A lot to like, but not easygoing." (2019 vintage)
Stuart Knox "Deep and rich purple core with a bright and vibrant purple rim. Blackcurrants, tobacco leaf and ground coffee aromatics. A medium to full-weighted palate with dark fruits and cured meats flowing throughout. The tannins are even and well-integrated though it is still a very youthful expression. A different take on a classic Margaret River style, and one that suits it very well" (2019 vintage)
Campbell Mattinson "Mostly malbec and cabernet sauvignon with a dash of petit verdot. It's sweet-fruited and svelte with plenty of juicy, berried fruit and the perfume to match. Redcurrant and blackcurrant with peppercorn and cedar wood. Hums along before keen tannin drags it all into line." (2018 vintage)
Nick Butler "It's a brooder in the glass - bright purple and unyielding. A heady mix of tobacco leaf, mulberries and dried herbs. A lovely nose. Mocha and Cherry Ripe lead the palate; fruit is there but it never strays too far from home base - fine-grained tannins and tapenade. It will age gracefully for a long time. An aristocratic blend that represents exceptional value " (2018 vintage)
James Suckling "Deep, earthy, rich ripe fruit on offer here with a strapping delivery of rich, dense tannin that carries plenty of blue and purple-fruit flavor. A blend of malbec, cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot. Drink or hold. Screw cap." (2018 vintage)
Steven Creber "62% malbec, 23% cabernet sauvignon, 15% petit verdot. Fermented separately in concrete, 15 months in oak. Aromas of red berries with a perfumed lift on the bouquet, each variety seeming to play a part. A medium-bodied palate, quite soft and juicy at first, and then tangy, pippy astringency taking over and following through." (2017 vintage)
James Halliday "Still has good depth of colour, and the components - fruit, oak and tannins - have come together convincingly. The mouthfeel is totally delicious, seeming to create a line of juicy flavour that grows as it travels along the mouth, peaking as it reaches the back-palate." (2016 vintage)
The Winemaker "warm spring with a full water table ensured good flowering and crop set. Summer was moderate with a large rain event mid vintage ensuring wines were never stressed. Picking dates were consistent with recent averages." (2016 vintage)
Founded by one of the pioneers of the Margaret River winemaking region, David Hohnen, and his brother in law, Murray McHenry, an accomplished fine wine retailer. Both have been making wine in Margaret River since the early 1970s. McHenry Hohnen vineyards are 100% biodynamic. Their three unique vineyards (Burnside, Calgardup and Hazel’s) produce wines that are a reflection of the land. McHenry Hohnen focus on crafting site expressive wines and are known for producing some of the region's best wines.
Margaret River is one of the best known wine regions in Australia, recognized internationally for the quality of its wines and the natural beauty of the region. Although originally renowned for its unusually refined cabernet sauvignon and intensely citrusy chardonnay varieties, the region now produces high quality Semillon-Sauvignon blends and Shiraz.
Located in the south-western corner of Western Australia, it is famous for having a more 'European' wine style than its counterparts across Australia, owing to the regions temperate, coastal location which is very similar to that of Bordeaux.
A Bordeaux Blend is any combination of those grape varieties typically used to make the red wines of Bordeaux. Cabernet Sauvignon is widely accepted as a compulsory component of any Bordeaux Blend along with Merlot. In fact, the majority of Bordeaux Blend wines are often made exclusively from a blend of these two varieties. The remaining components are Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec.
1 x Catalina Sounds Sound of White Sauvignon Blanc 2022 - Marlborough, New Zealand
92/100 Bob Campbell, The Real Review
90/100 James Suckling (2021 vintage)
90/100 Bob Campbell, The Real Review (2021 vintage)
95/100 Bob Campbell, The Real Review (2020 vintage)
91/100 James Suckling (2020 vintage)
90/100 New Zealand Wine Rater (2020 vintage)
93/100 Angus Hughson, Wine Pilot (2019 vintage)
93/100 New Zealand Wine Rater (2019 vintage)
93/100 The Wine Front (2019 vintage)
90/100 World Wine (2019 vintage)
5 Stars - Michael Cooper's Buyer's Guide (2019 vintage)
Gold - Asia Wine Challenge (2019 vintage)
Bronze - International Wine Challenge (2019 vintage)
Bob Campbell, The Real Review "Tangy, punchy sauvignon with green apple, lime zest, gooseberry and subtle passionfruit flavours. Sweet-sour interaction creates a bit of welcome tension and helps to drive a lengthy finish."
James Suckling "Fruity, tropical nose of rock melons, papayas, lime curd and passion fruit. Medium-bodied with tangy acidity. Clean and fruity finish." (2021 vintage)
Bob Campbell, The Real Review "Mellow, smooth-textured sauvignon with gooseberry, green capsicum, passionfruit, guava and lemongrass flavours supported by tangy acidity that drives a lingering finish." (2021 vintage)
Bob Campbell, The Real Review "Intense, smooth-textured wine with good weight and mouth-feel from barrel fermentation while retaining strong varietal identity with gooseberry, passionfruit and nectarine flavours. Rich, satisfying wine." (2020 vintage)
James Suckling "Aromas of lemon leaf, fresh straw, flint and grapefruit pith. Medium-bodied. Subtle and nuanced with steady balance. Baked citrus and herbs are characterized by flint and crushed stone. Barrel fermented. (2020 vintage)
New Zealand Wine Rater "An intense, attractive, almost honeyed bouquet su ggestive of the complexing influence of lees and old barrels. There's notes of white flowers, sweet pea, beeswax, vanilla, sage and spice. A soft, lush, mellow, textural wine supported by toasty, vanilla flavours adding complexity. Great consumer appeal for those who appreciate complex Sauvignon styles." (2020 vintage)
Angus Hughson, Wine Pilot "Super wine this and a great example of how well handed oak treatment can add so much interest to sauvignon blanc. You can see plenty of winemaking effort as it opens up with guava and floral aromatics well supported by powerful oatmeal barrel ferment and vanilla bean oak. There is plenty of oak here but it sits nicely in the wine. The palate is then dry and rich – exotic tropical fruits and oak again giving great impact which is then lifted by touches of leesy gunflint. It’s a serious food wine too for fancy veal or scallops." (2019 vintage)
New Zealand Wine Rater "Intensely aromatic, ripe and complex on the nose with alluring aromas of rock melon, yellow plum, lemon curd and white peach complexed by enticing roasted fennel and vanilla notes from oak influence. A generous, hedonistic, rich, textural style showing depth and complexity." (2019 vintage)
World Wine "This is good stuff. It's tempered through the mouth and offers a sense of calm. That calm of the water in the bay before the wind picks up after sunrise. That. Ripples of passionfruit and passionfruit curd early with shades of gooseberry . It's creamy with pastry feels too. But that passionfruit rides high and long. A lemony tang on close seals the deal. Yeah, it's good stuff." (2019 vintage)
Michael Cooper's Buyer's Guide " Bright, light lemon/green, it is mouthfilling and sweet-fruited, with deep, ripe, tropical fruit flavours, finely integrated oak adding richness and complexity, fresh acidity and a long, harmonious finish." (2019 vintage)
Marlborough based award-winning winery, Catalina Sounds is known for wines that harness the purity and vibrancy of Marlborough’s climate and landscape. The name Catalina Sounds evolved from the majestic Catalina flying boats that played a vital role across the South Pacific during and after World War II.
Marlborough is by far New Zealand's most important wine region. Situated at the north-eastern tip of the South Island, this dry, sunny region produces around three-quarters of all New Zealand wine. It is particularly famous for its pungent, zesty Sauvignon Blanc - widely considered by critics to be the best Sauvignon currently produced anywhere on the planet. Commercial-scale viticulture began in Marlborough in the 1970s – it conquered the world within 25 years!
The Sauvignon Blanc taste is one of the most identifiable in the world of white wines for a few reasons. First, it always has crisp, high acidity. Second, it has a chemical compound called pyrazine which gives grassy, herbal or bell pepper flavors. When grown in cooler climates or picked early, the herbaceous green character is most prominent. In warmer climates or allowed to hang longer on the vine, the pyrazine character diminishes in favor of riper fruit flavors ranging from grapefruit, to passion fruit and guava.
1 x Catalina Sounds Sound of White Pinot Noir 2020 - Marlborough, New Zealand
93/100 Campbell Mattinson, The Real Review
92/100 Angus Hughson, Wine Pilot
Bronze - QWine
Bronze - New Zealand Wine Rater
90/100 Campbell Mattinson, The Real Review (2017 vintage)
Bronze - International Wine & Spirit Competition
Silver - Decanter World Wine Awards (2017 vintage)
Campbell Mattinson, The Real Review "Most of the grapes are from a 16-year-old hillside vineyard, with a small amount from five year-old vines on the flat. Quite a dense, rich and fleshy red with floral, violet, dark cherry and plum supported by gentle tannins. "
Angus Hughson, Wine Pilot "This Single Vineyard Pinot Noir is a good illustration of why Marlborough is a hugely underrated region for pinot. It’s got everything fans of this variety are searching for – perfumed aromas and sweet red fruits with a dark, earthy underbelly. Mid to deep cherry in colour, fruits are fleshy and generous. Cherry compote, damp earth and spice with toasty oak in play. The palate is then juicy and savoury – meaty, ground spice flavours over a bed of dark cherry fruits. It’s on the oaky side for pinot noir so best matched up with flavoursome dishes such as coq au vin."
QWine "Dark cherry, blackcurrants, mushrooms, even a hint of truffle get things on the move. A drying Pinot but there's a lighter side to it. Easy drinking, you'd kick back with this riverside watching the worries of the world float by. "
New Zealand Wine Rater "A very youthful, primary, un-evolved wine right no w, that's deep purple in hue, and somewhat subdued on the nose. As it opens with air time there's lots of chary oak, and blueberry fruit with a hint of cinnamon, and mace. Perhaps more Syrah-like than Pinot right now. Closed, primary with acid, and tannin dominating on the palate. Difficult to evaluate right now and begging for more time."
Campbell Mattinson, The Real Review "Well made, classical Marlborough pinot noir with typical red fruits, dried herb and subtle earthy-savoury flavours. A medium-bodied red, with a core of sweet fruit balanced against fine, drying tannins." (2017 vintage)
Decanter World Wine Awards "Juicy, open, floral, lifted and aromatic with great purity and hints of cherries, pencil shavings and oak-derived spice. Well-made with a persistent finish." (2017 vintage)
Marlborough based award-winning winery, Catalina Sounds is known for wines which harness the purity and vibrancy of Marlborough’s climate and landscape. The name Catalina Sounds evolved from the majestic Catalina flying boats that played a vital role across the South Pacific during and after World War II.
Marlborough is by far New Zealand's most important wine region. Situated at the north-eastern tip of the South Island, this dry, sunny region produces around three-quarters of all New Zealand wine. It is particularly famous for its pungent, zesty Sauvignon Blanc - widely considered by critics to be the best Sauvignon currently produced anywhere on the planet. Commercial-scale viticulture began in Marlborough the 1970s – it conquered the world within 25 years!
Pinot Noir is the dominant red wine grape of Burgundy, now produced in wine regions all over the world, including western Germany, northern Italy, Chile, South Africa, Australia and, perhaps most notably, California, Oregon and New Zealand.
The essence of Pinot Noir wine is its aroma of strawberry and cherry (fresh red cherries in lighter wines and stewed black cherries in weightier examples), underpinned in the most complex examples by hints of forest floor. Well-built Pinot Noirs, particularly from warmer harvests, also exhibit notes of leather and violets, sometimes approaching the flavor spectrum of Syrah.
1 x Pike & Joyce Adelaide Hills ""Sirocco"" Chardonnay 2023 - Adelaide Hills, Australia
93/100 James Suckling (2022 vintage)
93/100 Stuart Knox, The Real Review (2022 vintage)
93/100 Ned Goodwin MW, Halliday Wine Companion (2022 vintage)
93/100 Aaron Brasher, The Real Review (2021 vintage)
91/100 James Suckling (2021 vintage)
91/100 Ned Goodwin MW, Halliday Wine Companion (2021 vintage)
91/100 James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion (2020 vintage)
5 Star - Halliday Wine Companion
Silver - Royal Adelaide Wine Show (2022 vintage)
Bronze - Adelaide Hills Wine Show (2022 vintage)
Gold - Adelaide Hills Wine Show (2021 vintage)
Gold - Australian & New Zealand Boutique Wine Show (2021 vintage)
Bronze - Royal Adelaide Wine Show (2021 vintage)
Bronze - Melbourne Royal (2021 vintage)
Gold - Melbourne Royal (2020 vintage)
Bronze - Adelaide Hills Wine Show (2020 vintage)
James Suckling "Wild ferment in barrel, with partial malo, all to excellent effect. Very good chardonnay, combining stone-fruit allusions with almond tuile, poached quince and a rail of noble phenolics. Embedded oak and saline freshness provide grip, length and textural persuasion. Breadth, freshness and intrigue, all in one." (2022 vintage)
Stuart Knox, The Real Review "Light and bright lemon yellow colour. Grapefruit pith, grilled cashew and struck flint on the nose. Powerful and focused palate; the core has intense stone fruit with nutty and slaty complexity. Great length and its focus stays right to a very long finish" (2022 vintage)
Ned Goodwin MW, Halliday Wine Companion "Wild ferment in barrel, with partial mlf, all to excellent effect. Very good chardonnay, melding stone-fruit allusions with almond tuile, poached quince and a rail of noble phenolics. Embedded oak and saline freshness draw grip, length and textural persuasion. Breadth, freshness and intrigue, all in one." (2022 vintage)
Aaron Brasher, The Real Review "Aromas of grapefruit pith, nuts, white blossoms, nectarine and melon skin. Complex, layered and mouth-filling, lovely depth of white stone fruit, citrus, nutty oak and crunchy acidity. Long, textured and a very smart drink." (2021 vintage)
James Suckling "A mid-weighted chardonnay with ample flavor and a notch of flare. Cantaloupe, white fig and yellow plum. The mid-palate is all cashew cream, curd and white miso. Expansive and sweet, with a dutiful waft of oak giving direction to the finish while compressing the seams into a mold of drinkable restraint." (2021 vintage)
Ned Goodwin MW, Halliday Wine Companion "A mid-weighted chardonnay of ample flavour and a notch of flare. Cantaloupe, white fig and yellow plum. The mid-palate, all cashew cream, curd and white miso. Expansive and sweet, with a dutiful waft of oak directing the finish while compressing the seams into a mould of drinkable restraint." (2021 vintage)
Australian & New Zealand Boutique Wine Show "Lifted stonefruit and spice. some funk. integrated and complex palate. bright fruit. nice structure and texture." (2021 vintage)
Australian & New Zealand Boutique Wine Show "...ripe peach mid weight silky palate rounded mineral nice saline acid with fruit weight" (2021 vintage)
James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion "From the cool, high-altitude Lenswood district of the Adelaide Hills. Rich and more robust than is usual for Lenswood, but the vintage should ensure time will come to its aid." (2020 vintage)
This is a partnership between the Pike family (of Clare Valley fame) and the Joyce family, related to Andrew Pike’s wife, Cathy.
The winery is situated in Lenswood, which is a subregion of the Adelaide Hills. The Adelaide Hills region is well-known for its cool climate, high-altitude vineyards, and diverse range of premium cool-climate wines.
The Joyce family have been orchardists at Lenswood for over 100 years and also have extensive operations in the Riverland. Together with Andrew they have established this vineyard site, which was previously apple and pear orchards, is characterized by steep North and East facing slopes and possesses fantastic gravelly clay and loam soils which are ideally suited to the classic cool climate varieties that have been planted – Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. to sauvignon blanc (5.9ha), pinot noir (5.73ha), pinot gris (3.22ha), chardonnay (3.18ha) and semillon (0.47ha). The wines are made at the Pikes’ Clare Valley winery and exported around the world.
The vineyard is all hand pruned and handpicked with the fruit being chilled overnight in the Joyce cool rooms. Traditional old world techniques as well as modern Australian winemaking are incorporated to produce a style which reflects the variety and region."
Pike & Joyce owns and operates vineyards covering around 32 hectares in the Lenswood area of Adelaide Hills. The vineyards are planted at varying altitudes, providing an excellent opportunity to grow a variety of grape varieties that thrive in the cool climate.
Chardonnay is one of the world’s most popular grapes, Chardonnay is made in a wide range of styles from lean, to rich, creamy white wines aged in oak. Bolder, richer, full-bodied and buttery Chardonnays are made using oak and are produced in California, Burgundy, and Australia. Unoaked chardonnays such as Chablis and those produced in Chile, New Zealand, and other parts of France are leaner and often crisp and mineraly, with delicate flavors. By law, if a label says “Chablis,” it must be Chardonnay.
Chardonnay has been grown in Italy for decades, and it's become the fourth most-planted white wine grape in the country. The best Italian Chardonnay is found in the northern part of the country - the Piedmont - where the climate is similar to regions in France. However, if you know Chardonnay, you know that this versatile grape can be grown almost anwhere. Good Chardonnay can be found in places as diverse as Umbria, Sicily, Asti, and Tuscany.
A collection of critically acclaimed wines, each earning a prestigious 90+ point rating from top wine critics. This premium 6-pack offers a sophisticated mix of reds and whites, hand-selected for their exceptional quality, balance, and flavor. From velvety textures to vibrant, complex profiles, every bottle in this selection represents the pinnacle of winemaking artistry. Perfect for connoisseurs, gifting, or elevating any occasion, this collection guarantees a remarkable tasting experience with every pour.
1 x Nanny Goat Pinot Noir (Organic) 2023 - Central Otago, New Zealand
93/100 Cameron Douglas MS, The Shout
92/100 Nick's Wine
92/100 New Zealand Wine Rater (2020 vintage)
92/100 Steve Leszczysnki, Q Wine Reviews (2020 vintage)
92/100 QWine (2020 vintage)
90/100 James Suckling (2020 vintage)
Bronze - Decanter World Wine Awards (2020 vintage)
Bronze - Bob Campbell (2020 vintage)
Bronze - Decanter World Wine Awards (2018 vintage)
93/100 The Real Review (2019 vintage)
90/100 Decanter World Wine Awards (2017 vintage)
91/100 The Wine Front (2017 vintage)
91/100 International Wine Challenge (2017 vintage)
90/100 Wine Enthusiast (2016 vintage)
92/100 Bob Campbell (2015 vintage)
16/20 Jancis Robinson (2015 vintage)
4.5 Stars Michael Cooper
Silver - International Wine Challenge 2021 (2020 vintage)
Silver - International Wine & Spirits Competition 2021 (2020 vintage)
Silver - London Wine Competition (2019 vintage)
Silver - International Wine Challenge (2019 vintage)
Silver - New Zealand Wine of the Year (2018 vintage)
Silver - International Wine Challenge (2018 vintage)
Bronze - International Wine & Spirit Competition (2018 vintage)
Silver - International Wine Challenge (2017 vintage)
Bronze - International Wine Challenge (2016 vintage)
4.5 Stars Winestate Magazine (2015 vintage)
Cameron Douglas MS, The Shout "A precise, fresh and enticing bouquet with aromas of fresh red berries and cherry flesh, a fine savoury layer with a whisper of dried herb and thyme then layers of barrel spices. Complex and youthful. On the palate vibrant and youthful with a velvet textured mouthfeel, fine through moderate tannins and medium+ acid line. The core fruit flavours, nut and dried herb qualities are consistent and persistent. Overall, a delicious wine with best drinking from early 2023 through 2029."
Mike Bennie, The Wine Front "Alan Peters-Oswald is a delightful fella and astute winemaker doing good things to elevate the Nanny Goat wines. Here’s a new release. Slight label tweaks too. Supple, succulent, very bright and fresh feeling. Leads with tart cherry fruit characters, a good deal of crunchy, drying cranberry tang and pucker, some dried herbs, a light dusting of pepper. Refreshing feel to taste, vivacious, lively and rips along with sinewy tannin and heaps of tangy acidity. Strap in! Good with a light chill, better in a few years when things settle down. "
Michele's Notes "Deep colour. Alluring perfume of rich dark cherry fruit, plum and brioche. There’s chocolate and slate too. Smooth in the mouth with a lovely flow across the palate. The balance between fruit, oak, tannin and acid is excellent. Very tasty indeed. "
Winemaker "Immediately appealing on the nose with lifted wild berry and floral aromatics, gradually fading to reveal a complex array of ripe cherry & plum fruits, sweet spices, cola, garrigue, and fennel. Sweet red, black and blue berry fruits abound on the palate, with fleeting nuances of red currant, cola, cinnamon, thyme, crushed coriander seed and star anise adding layers of intrigue. Seamlessly integrated oak and powder fine tannins combine with a fine bead of acidity to give a fresh, pleasingly
long finish.
Steve Leszczysnki, Q Wine Reviews "This is such an approachable and ever-reliable Pinot Noir. A gravelly profile shines through. Dark plums, blackcurrants and dark cherries are flanked by dried herbs, cloves and shavings of dark chocolate. Like a Number 8 in rugby, this has the punch to do some heavy lifting but is nimble enough to show soft hands and quick feet like the backs. Tense tannins seize up on close before a long, fine spice finish. Delightful. Drink for five years+." (2020 Vintage)
New Zealand Wine Rater "An intense, perfumed, and floral bouquet in a lifte d, primary New World fruit style with bursts of berry conserve, bramble, a herbal lift, star anise, seaweed notes and fennel. A vibrant, juicy, red fruit core runs the length of the supple, charming palate with chalky tannins. Youthful and will benefit from a year in the bottle but very commercially appealing."
Michael Cooper "Already very approachable, the 2020 vintage (4.5*) was grown at six sites around the region, with almost two-thirds of the grapes coming from Pisa/Lowburn, in the Cromwell Basin. Matured in French oak barriques, it is bright ruby, mouthfilling and vibrantly fruity, with generous, ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, ,showing good complexity, fresh acidity and finely balanced tannins. Best drinking 2023+." (2020 vintage)
QWine "This is such an approachable and ever-reliable Pinot Noir. Readily available too, making this a go-to is not a silly idea - particularly when it is often priced around the $30 mark. A gravelly profile shines through. Dark plums, blackcurrants and dark cherries are flanked by dried herbs, cloves and shavings of dark chocolate. Like a Number 8 in rugby, this has the punch to do some heavy lifting but is nimble enough to show soft hands and quick feet like the backs. Tense tannins seize up on close before a long, fine spice finish. Delightful." (2020 vintage)
James Suckling "Aromas of strawberry, pomegranate and sappy, herbal accents. This has an elegant and soft red-cherry and plum-flavored palate that delivers in tangy, juicy style. Drink now. Screw cap." (2020 vintage)
Bob Campbell "Moderately intense, vibrant pinot noir with cherry, berry, fresh herb and spicy oak flavours. A distinctive wine that seems to express a strong sense of place. Nice purity and a backbone of peppery tannins that helps to promote a crisp, dry finish." (2020 vintage)
Bob Campbell, The Real Review " Appealing silken-textured pinot noir with dark cherry, violet, fresh herbs and spicy flavours. A supple, sinewy, fine-boned wine with high energy. Accessible now, thanks to a core of fruit sweetness, but has the potential to develop well with bottle age." (2019 vintage)
Gary Walsh, The Wine Front - "Juicy cherry, jumps out of the glass, rose petal, some spice. Cherry, fresh, acidity a bit nippy and lemony, but the core of fruit is good. Light tannin plays on the finish. Attractive. Quite stylish.” (2017 vintage)
Decanter "There are just 900 bottles and you should get yourself a bottle or six if you can, as this is sex in a bottle - it's gorgeously textured, silken, and ethereal. There's a transparency to the fruit, showing cardamom, ginger, and cranberry flavours. It makes you swoon! Drinking Window 2019 - 2030" (2017 vintage)
Highly awarded and acclaimed, wine-maker Alan Peters-Oswald is a specialist premium pinot noir maker. The Central Otago wine region is the world's southern-most commercial wine-growing region, and famous for its Pinot Noir. It differs from all other New Zealand wine areas in that it is inland, in the foothills of the Southern Alps. The level of sunlight is very high, something that accounts for the high levels of alcohol that are often found in Central Otago wines.
Nestled within a timeless and sensual landscape, Nanny Goat Estate Vineyard sits between 270m and 290m above sea level spread across two ancient, North East facing terraces. This is a region of climatic extremes with typically very hot summers, short autumns and bitterly cold winter days. Challenging conditions for producing world-class cool climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Successive periods of glaciation and recession, followed by erosion by Mata Au / Clutha River have shaped the Nanny Goat Estate landscape by creating distinct terraces of alluvial soils that are pastiche of loess, gravel, schist and mineral quartz. Generations of farming and the associated cultivation of lucerne and other feed crops have added organic matter to the wind blowen loessial topsoil providing us with a nice balance between vine vigor and free draining attributes.
The essence of Pinot Noir wine is its aroma of strawberry and cherry (fresh red cherries in lighter wines and stewed black cherries in weightier examples), underpinned in the most complex examples by hints of forest floor. Well-built Pinot Noirs, particularly from warmer harvests, also exhibit notes of leather and violets, sometimes approaching the flavor spectrum of Syrah.
1 x Hewitson Le Secateur Shiraz 2019 - Barossa Valley, South Australia
92/100 James Suckling
90/100 Tasting Book (2018 vintage)
Gold - Paris Wine Cup
Best Wine by Country - Paris Wine Cup
Best Wine by Variety - Paris Wine Cup
Halliday Wine Companion - 5 Star Winery
James Halliday Top 100 Wine 2018
James Halliday Top 100 Winery 2017
James Halliday Top 100 Wine 2017
Wine Enthusiast's Top 10 “Vineyards Behind the World’s Most Famous Wines”
James Suckling "Rich and round palate with concentrated blackberry flavors, as well as roasted coffee and chocolate. Plums and currants to close. Drink now."
A Red Cellar Trio Wine Club Selection "...A superb demonstration that Barossa Shiraz can have genuine finesse....Complex aromas of black fruit, espresso, pine tar, molasses, olives and peppercorn. The elegant palate shows both fresh and dried blackberries, olallieberry and marionberry and a hint of eucalyptus."
Tasting Book "Very promising quality with most commentators declaring 2018 great in every region and variety. Flavours and colours in reds are wonderful....with early standout varieties this year including....Shiraz..." (2018 vintage)
The Winemaker “Full-bodied, medium-toned, cherry jam, raspberry, dark plum, light chocolate, delicately spicy, aromatic” In early 2021, leading global publication Wine Enthusiast included Hewitson in its top 10 list of “Vineyards Behind the World’s Most Famous Wines” alongside heralded blocks in Burgundy, Champagne, Piedmont and Napa Valley.
Australian Wine Companion "Established in 1998 Hewitson winery is situated in the heart of the Barossa Valley on the historic Seppeltsfield Road and boasts some of the oldest vines in the world. Hewitson fruit is sourced from historic, dry-grown vineyards in the Barossa Valley and also from single site vineyards in Eden Valley, McLaren Vale and the Adelaide Hills."
Frederick Wildman "Dean Hewitson founded his eponymous winery in 1998. He is a highly respected Australian winemaker ...Hewitson has worked at wineries in Australia, France, Italy and Oregon. Hewitson then moved to the U.S. where he earned a Masters from UC-Davis. On his return home, Dean brought a wealth of knowledge, practical experience and a driving passion to produce wines not only from Barossa Valley but also from the McLaren Vale and the Adelaide Hills regions.
Hewitson fundamentally believes great wines are the expression of the soils they are grown in and the season in which they are grown. With his longstanding focus on terroir—specific terroir plots in fact—many of Hewitson’s wines are single vineyard. He sources grapes from not only his own vineyards but also from long-standing grower contracts including a few sourced from some of the oldest living, still productive vines on plots that date back to the mid-19th century and are pre-phylloxera. His ‘Old Garden’ Mourvèdre is a single-vineyard wine, whose vines were planted in 1853 in Barossa Valley and are reputed to be the oldest Mourvèdre vines in the world. Hewitson’s ‘Miss Harry’ is sourced from a Grenache vineyard planted in 1880, also thought to be the oldest Grenache in existence.
Due to Hewitson’s education and experience in Australia, California and France, Hewitson wines combine Old-World traditions with New-World fruit purity. And while he clearly excels with Rhône Valley grape varieties, Hewitson also produces award-winning Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. A practitioner in solar energy, water recycling and encouraging natural biodiversity, Hewitson produces wines in an environmentally sustainable fashion."
James Halliday "Dean Hewitson was a winemaker at Petaluma [one of Australia's leading wineries] for 10 years, during which time he managed to do three vintages in France and one in Oregon as well as undertaking his Masters at the University of California, Davis. It is hardly surprising that the wines are immaculately made from a technical viewpoint. Dean sources 30-year-old Riesling from the Eden Valley and 70-year-old shiraz from McLaren Vale; he also makes a Barossa Valley Mourvedre from vines planted in 1853 at Rowland Flat, and Barossa Valley Shiraz and Grenache from 60-year-old vines at Tanunda."
The Barossa Valley is an extremely important wine-producing region within the Barossa zone of South Australia, particularly associated with powerful red wines from the red wine grape variety Shiraz. A prestigious and internationally renowned region, it is not only home to some of the oldest vineyards and wineries in Australia but produces some of its most recognizable and sought-after brands. A striking feature of the Barossa Valley's wine landscape is the presence of very old vines, proudly showcased on many wine labels and during vineyard tours.
Shiraz is the name given to the dark-skinned Syrah grape when grown in Australia and selected pockets of the New World. Though genetically identical, the stylistic differences between Shiraz and Syrah are usually pronounced.
Shiraz is so important to Australian viticulture that it is the most planted grape variety in the majority of Australian vineyards and has become virtually synonymous with the country's wine regions, and in particular the Barossa Valley.
1 x McHenry Hohnen Hazel's Vineyard BDX 2020 ~ Margaret River, Western Australia
94/100 The Wine Front
93/100 Erin Larkin (Halliday's Wine Companion)
93/100 Stuart Knox (The Real Review)
92/100 Decanter World Wine Awards
91/100 Wine Enthusiast
93/100 Erin Larkin (2019 vintage)
93/100 Stuart Knox (2019 Vintage)
94/100 Campbell Mattinson (2018 vintage)
94/100 Nick Butler (2018 vintage)
91/100 James Suckling (2018 vintage)
93/100 The Wine Front (2017 vintage)
93/100 Steven Creber (2017 vintage)
96/100 James Halliday (2016 vintage)
5 Star Winery - James Halliday
Halliday's Wine Companion Awards 2023 - Top Wineries of 2022 & 2023
53/37/10% malbec/cabernet sauvignon/petit verdot
Halliday Wine Companion, Erin Larkin "The malbec brings the purple fruit and the spice, the cabernet is responsible for the structure in the mouth, the supple tannins and the flash of pure cassis in the mouth. The petit verdot brings the violet, the depth and the darkness. All of it coming together in magnificent fashion in the glass. Very smart."
The Real Review, Stuart Knox "Almost opaque at the core, moving into a deep ruby-red at the rim. Mulberry, cedar wood and mint aromatics. Dark fruits fill the palate, then tangential lines of choc-mint and bresaola bring contrast and savoury complexity to the experience. It sits bold with equally drying tannins, making you take notice of its presence."
Erin Larkin "All varieties fermented separately in concrete vats, matured in mostly used French oak for 15 months (the cabernet in 20% new oak). The nose on this Bordeaux blend is dusty, spicy and loaded with dark fruit. On the palate there is a core of berries, but it is shaped and surrounded by those dusty tannins. Verging on a hulking wine, this is intense and lingering, the fruit winning out in the end. A lot to like, but not easygoing." (2019 vintage)
Stuart Knox "Deep and rich purple core with a bright and vibrant purple rim. Blackcurrants, tobacco leaf and ground coffee aromatics. A medium to full-weighted palate with dark fruits and cured meats flowing throughout. The tannins are even and well-integrated though it is still a very youthful expression. A different take on a classic Margaret River style, and one that suits it very well" (2019 vintage)
Campbell Mattinson "Mostly malbec and cabernet sauvignon with a dash of petit verdot. It's sweet-fruited and svelte with plenty of juicy, berried fruit and the perfume to match. Redcurrant and blackcurrant with peppercorn and cedar wood. Hums along before keen tannin drags it all into line." (2018 vintage)
Nick Butler "It's a brooder in the glass - bright purple and unyielding. A heady mix of tobacco leaf, mulberries and dried herbs. A lovely nose. Mocha and Cherry Ripe lead the palate; fruit is there but it never strays too far from home base - fine-grained tannins and tapenade. It will age gracefully for a long time. An aristocratic blend that represents exceptional value " (2018 vintage)
James Suckling "Deep, earthy, rich ripe fruit on offer here with a strapping delivery of rich, dense tannin that carries plenty of blue and purple-fruit flavor. A blend of malbec, cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot. Drink or hold. Screw cap." (2018 vintage)
Steven Creber "62% malbec, 23% cabernet sauvignon, 15% petit verdot. Fermented separately in concrete, 15 months in oak. Aromas of red berries with a perfumed lift on the bouquet, each variety seeming to play a part. A medium-bodied palate, quite soft and juicy at first, and then tangy, pippy astringency taking over and following through." (2017 vintage)
James Halliday "Still has good depth of colour, and the components - fruit, oak and tannins - have come together convincingly. The mouthfeel is totally delicious, seeming to create a line of juicy flavour that grows as it travels along the mouth, peaking as it reaches the back-palate." (2016 vintage)
The Winemaker "warm spring with a full water table ensured good flowering and crop set. Summer was moderate with a large rain event mid vintage ensuring wines were never stressed. Picking dates were consistent with recent averages." (2016 vintage)
Founded by one of the pioneers of the Margaret River winemaking region, David Hohnen, and his brother in law, Murray McHenry, an accomplished fine wine retailer. Both have been making wine in Margaret River since the early 1970s. McHenry Hohnen vineyards are 100% biodynamic. Their three unique vineyards (Burnside, Calgardup and Hazel’s) produce wines that are a reflection of the land. McHenry Hohnen focus on crafting site expressive wines and are known for producing some of the region's best wines.
Margaret River is one of the best known wine regions in Australia, recognized internationally for the quality of its wines and the natural beauty of the region. Although originally renowned for its unusually refined cabernet sauvignon and intensely citrusy chardonnay varieties, the region now produces high quality Semillon-Sauvignon blends and Shiraz.
Located in the south-western corner of Western Australia, it is famous for having a more 'European' wine style than its counterparts across Australia, owing to the regions temperate, coastal location which is very similar to that of Bordeaux.
A Bordeaux Blend is any combination of those grape varieties typically used to make the red wines of Bordeaux. Cabernet Sauvignon is widely accepted as a compulsory component of any Bordeaux Blend along with Merlot. In fact, the majority of Bordeaux Blend wines are often made exclusively from a blend of these two varieties. The remaining components are Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec.
1 x Catalina Sounds Sound of White Sauvignon Blanc 2022 - Marlborough, New Zealand
92/100 Bob Campbell, The Real Review
90/100 James Suckling (2021 vintage)
90/100 Bob Campbell, The Real Review (2021 vintage)
95/100 Bob Campbell, The Real Review (2020 vintage)
91/100 James Suckling (2020 vintage)
90/100 New Zealand Wine Rater (2020 vintage)
93/100 Angus Hughson, Wine Pilot (2019 vintage)
93/100 New Zealand Wine Rater (2019 vintage)
93/100 The Wine Front (2019 vintage)
90/100 World Wine (2019 vintage)
5 Stars - Michael Cooper's Buyer's Guide (2019 vintage)
Gold - Asia Wine Challenge (2019 vintage)
Bronze - International Wine Challenge (2019 vintage)
Bob Campbell, The Real Review "Tangy, punchy sauvignon with green apple, lime zest, gooseberry and subtle passionfruit flavours. Sweet-sour interaction creates a bit of welcome tension and helps to drive a lengthy finish."
James Suckling "Fruity, tropical nose of rock melons, papayas, lime curd and passion fruit. Medium-bodied with tangy acidity. Clean and fruity finish." (2021 vintage)
Bob Campbell, The Real Review "Mellow, smooth-textured sauvignon with gooseberry, green capsicum, passionfruit, guava and lemongrass flavours supported by tangy acidity that drives a lingering finish." (2021 vintage)
Bob Campbell, The Real Review "Intense, smooth-textured wine with good weight and mouth-feel from barrel fermentation while retaining strong varietal identity with gooseberry, passionfruit and nectarine flavours. Rich, satisfying wine." (2020 vintage)
James Suckling "Aromas of lemon leaf, fresh straw, flint and grapefruit pith. Medium-bodied. Subtle and nuanced with steady balance. Baked citrus and herbs are characterized by flint and crushed stone. Barrel fermented. (2020 vintage)
New Zealand Wine Rater "An intense, attractive, almost honeyed bouquet su ggestive of the complexing influence of lees and old barrels. There's notes of white flowers, sweet pea, beeswax, vanilla, sage and spice. A soft, lush, mellow, textural wine supported by toasty, vanilla flavours adding complexity. Great consumer appeal for those who appreciate complex Sauvignon styles." (2020 vintage)
Angus Hughson, Wine Pilot "Super wine this and a great example of how well handed oak treatment can add so much interest to sauvignon blanc. You can see plenty of winemaking effort as it opens up with guava and floral aromatics well supported by powerful oatmeal barrel ferment and vanilla bean oak. There is plenty of oak here but it sits nicely in the wine. The palate is then dry and rich – exotic tropical fruits and oak again giving great impact which is then lifted by touches of leesy gunflint. It’s a serious food wine too for fancy veal or scallops." (2019 vintage)
New Zealand Wine Rater "Intensely aromatic, ripe and complex on the nose with alluring aromas of rock melon, yellow plum, lemon curd and white peach complexed by enticing roasted fennel and vanilla notes from oak influence. A generous, hedonistic, rich, textural style showing depth and complexity." (2019 vintage)
World Wine "This is good stuff. It's tempered through the mouth and offers a sense of calm. That calm of the water in the bay before the wind picks up after sunrise. That. Ripples of passionfruit and passionfruit curd early with shades of gooseberry . It's creamy with pastry feels too. But that passionfruit rides high and long. A lemony tang on close seals the deal. Yeah, it's good stuff." (2019 vintage)
Michael Cooper's Buyer's Guide " Bright, light lemon/green, it is mouthfilling and sweet-fruited, with deep, ripe, tropical fruit flavours, finely integrated oak adding richness and complexity, fresh acidity and a long, harmonious finish." (2019 vintage)
Marlborough based award-winning winery, Catalina Sounds is known for wines that harness the purity and vibrancy of Marlborough’s climate and landscape. The name Catalina Sounds evolved from the majestic Catalina flying boats that played a vital role across the South Pacific during and after World War II.
Marlborough is by far New Zealand's most important wine region. Situated at the north-eastern tip of the South Island, this dry, sunny region produces around three-quarters of all New Zealand wine. It is particularly famous for its pungent, zesty Sauvignon Blanc - widely considered by critics to be the best Sauvignon currently produced anywhere on the planet. Commercial-scale viticulture began in Marlborough in the 1970s – it conquered the world within 25 years!
The Sauvignon Blanc taste is one of the most identifiable in the world of white wines for a few reasons. First, it always has crisp, high acidity. Second, it has a chemical compound called pyrazine which gives grassy, herbal or bell pepper flavors. When grown in cooler climates or picked early, the herbaceous green character is most prominent. In warmer climates or allowed to hang longer on the vine, the pyrazine character diminishes in favor of riper fruit flavors ranging from grapefruit, to passion fruit and guava.
1 x Catalina Sounds Sound of White Pinot Noir 2020 - Marlborough, New Zealand
93/100 Campbell Mattinson, The Real Review
92/100 Angus Hughson, Wine Pilot
Bronze - QWine
Bronze - New Zealand Wine Rater
90/100 Campbell Mattinson, The Real Review (2017 vintage)
Bronze - International Wine & Spirit Competition
Silver - Decanter World Wine Awards (2017 vintage)
Campbell Mattinson, The Real Review "Most of the grapes are from a 16-year-old hillside vineyard, with a small amount from five year-old vines on the flat. Quite a dense, rich and fleshy red with floral, violet, dark cherry and plum supported by gentle tannins. "
Angus Hughson, Wine Pilot "This Single Vineyard Pinot Noir is a good illustration of why Marlborough is a hugely underrated region for pinot. It’s got everything fans of this variety are searching for – perfumed aromas and sweet red fruits with a dark, earthy underbelly. Mid to deep cherry in colour, fruits are fleshy and generous. Cherry compote, damp earth and spice with toasty oak in play. The palate is then juicy and savoury – meaty, ground spice flavours over a bed of dark cherry fruits. It’s on the oaky side for pinot noir so best matched up with flavoursome dishes such as coq au vin."
QWine "Dark cherry, blackcurrants, mushrooms, even a hint of truffle get things on the move. A drying Pinot but there's a lighter side to it. Easy drinking, you'd kick back with this riverside watching the worries of the world float by. "
New Zealand Wine Rater "A very youthful, primary, un-evolved wine right no w, that's deep purple in hue, and somewhat subdued on the nose. As it opens with air time there's lots of chary oak, and blueberry fruit with a hint of cinnamon, and mace. Perhaps more Syrah-like than Pinot right now. Closed, primary with acid, and tannin dominating on the palate. Difficult to evaluate right now and begging for more time."
Campbell Mattinson, The Real Review "Well made, classical Marlborough pinot noir with typical red fruits, dried herb and subtle earthy-savoury flavours. A medium-bodied red, with a core of sweet fruit balanced against fine, drying tannins." (2017 vintage)
Decanter World Wine Awards "Juicy, open, floral, lifted and aromatic with great purity and hints of cherries, pencil shavings and oak-derived spice. Well-made with a persistent finish." (2017 vintage)
Marlborough based award-winning winery, Catalina Sounds is known for wines which harness the purity and vibrancy of Marlborough’s climate and landscape. The name Catalina Sounds evolved from the majestic Catalina flying boats that played a vital role across the South Pacific during and after World War II.
Marlborough is by far New Zealand's most important wine region. Situated at the north-eastern tip of the South Island, this dry, sunny region produces around three-quarters of all New Zealand wine. It is particularly famous for its pungent, zesty Sauvignon Blanc - widely considered by critics to be the best Sauvignon currently produced anywhere on the planet. Commercial-scale viticulture began in Marlborough the 1970s – it conquered the world within 25 years!
Pinot Noir is the dominant red wine grape of Burgundy, now produced in wine regions all over the world, including western Germany, northern Italy, Chile, South Africa, Australia and, perhaps most notably, California, Oregon and New Zealand.
The essence of Pinot Noir wine is its aroma of strawberry and cherry (fresh red cherries in lighter wines and stewed black cherries in weightier examples), underpinned in the most complex examples by hints of forest floor. Well-built Pinot Noirs, particularly from warmer harvests, also exhibit notes of leather and violets, sometimes approaching the flavor spectrum of Syrah.
1 x Pike & Joyce Adelaide Hills ""Sirocco"" Chardonnay 2023 - Adelaide Hills, Australia
93/100 James Suckling (2022 vintage)
93/100 Stuart Knox, The Real Review (2022 vintage)
93/100 Ned Goodwin MW, Halliday Wine Companion (2022 vintage)
93/100 Aaron Brasher, The Real Review (2021 vintage)
91/100 James Suckling (2021 vintage)
91/100 Ned Goodwin MW, Halliday Wine Companion (2021 vintage)
91/100 James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion (2020 vintage)
5 Star - Halliday Wine Companion
Silver - Royal Adelaide Wine Show (2022 vintage)
Bronze - Adelaide Hills Wine Show (2022 vintage)
Gold - Adelaide Hills Wine Show (2021 vintage)
Gold - Australian & New Zealand Boutique Wine Show (2021 vintage)
Bronze - Royal Adelaide Wine Show (2021 vintage)
Bronze - Melbourne Royal (2021 vintage)
Gold - Melbourne Royal (2020 vintage)
Bronze - Adelaide Hills Wine Show (2020 vintage)
James Suckling "Wild ferment in barrel, with partial malo, all to excellent effect. Very good chardonnay, combining stone-fruit allusions with almond tuile, poached quince and a rail of noble phenolics. Embedded oak and saline freshness provide grip, length and textural persuasion. Breadth, freshness and intrigue, all in one." (2022 vintage)
Stuart Knox, The Real Review "Light and bright lemon yellow colour. Grapefruit pith, grilled cashew and struck flint on the nose. Powerful and focused palate; the core has intense stone fruit with nutty and slaty complexity. Great length and its focus stays right to a very long finish" (2022 vintage)
Ned Goodwin MW, Halliday Wine Companion "Wild ferment in barrel, with partial mlf, all to excellent effect. Very good chardonnay, melding stone-fruit allusions with almond tuile, poached quince and a rail of noble phenolics. Embedded oak and saline freshness draw grip, length and textural persuasion. Breadth, freshness and intrigue, all in one." (2022 vintage)
Aaron Brasher, The Real Review "Aromas of grapefruit pith, nuts, white blossoms, nectarine and melon skin. Complex, layered and mouth-filling, lovely depth of white stone fruit, citrus, nutty oak and crunchy acidity. Long, textured and a very smart drink." (2021 vintage)
James Suckling "A mid-weighted chardonnay with ample flavor and a notch of flare. Cantaloupe, white fig and yellow plum. The mid-palate is all cashew cream, curd and white miso. Expansive and sweet, with a dutiful waft of oak giving direction to the finish while compressing the seams into a mold of drinkable restraint." (2021 vintage)
Ned Goodwin MW, Halliday Wine Companion "A mid-weighted chardonnay of ample flavour and a notch of flare. Cantaloupe, white fig and yellow plum. The mid-palate, all cashew cream, curd and white miso. Expansive and sweet, with a dutiful waft of oak directing the finish while compressing the seams into a mould of drinkable restraint." (2021 vintage)
Australian & New Zealand Boutique Wine Show "Lifted stonefruit and spice. some funk. integrated and complex palate. bright fruit. nice structure and texture." (2021 vintage)
Australian & New Zealand Boutique Wine Show "...ripe peach mid weight silky palate rounded mineral nice saline acid with fruit weight" (2021 vintage)
James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion "From the cool, high-altitude Lenswood district of the Adelaide Hills. Rich and more robust than is usual for Lenswood, but the vintage should ensure time will come to its aid." (2020 vintage)
This is a partnership between the Pike family (of Clare Valley fame) and the Joyce family, related to Andrew Pike’s wife, Cathy.
The winery is situated in Lenswood, which is a subregion of the Adelaide Hills. The Adelaide Hills region is well-known for its cool climate, high-altitude vineyards, and diverse range of premium cool-climate wines.
The Joyce family have been orchardists at Lenswood for over 100 years and also have extensive operations in the Riverland. Together with Andrew they have established this vineyard site, which was previously apple and pear orchards, is characterized by steep North and East facing slopes and possesses fantastic gravelly clay and loam soils which are ideally suited to the classic cool climate varieties that have been planted – Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. to sauvignon blanc (5.9ha), pinot noir (5.73ha), pinot gris (3.22ha), chardonnay (3.18ha) and semillon (0.47ha). The wines are made at the Pikes’ Clare Valley winery and exported around the world.
The vineyard is all hand pruned and handpicked with the fruit being chilled overnight in the Joyce cool rooms. Traditional old world techniques as well as modern Australian winemaking are incorporated to produce a style which reflects the variety and region."
Pike & Joyce owns and operates vineyards covering around 32 hectares in the Lenswood area of Adelaide Hills. The vineyards are planted at varying altitudes, providing an excellent opportunity to grow a variety of grape varieties that thrive in the cool climate.
Chardonnay is one of the world’s most popular grapes, Chardonnay is made in a wide range of styles from lean, to rich, creamy white wines aged in oak. Bolder, richer, full-bodied and buttery Chardonnays are made using oak and are produced in California, Burgundy, and Australia. Unoaked chardonnays such as Chablis and those produced in Chile, New Zealand, and other parts of France are leaner and often crisp and mineraly, with delicate flavors. By law, if a label says “Chablis,” it must be Chardonnay.
Chardonnay has been grown in Italy for decades, and it's become the fourth most-planted white wine grape in the country. The best Italian Chardonnay is found in the northern part of the country - the Piedmont - where the climate is similar to regions in France. However, if you know Chardonnay, you know that this versatile grape can be grown almost anwhere. Good Chardonnay can be found in places as diverse as Umbria, Sicily, Asti, and Tuscany.