International Premium Wines Mixed 6 Pack Value
$568
$756
This is Great……and Here’s Why!
A six international premium wines. All highly rated and acclaimed wines. 6 red carpet reds, and 1 knock-out white. All from World's best wine growing regions.1 x Brokenwood Tallawanta Vineyard Shiraz 2017 - Hunter Valley, Australia
97/100 James Halliday
93/100 Huon Hooke
92/100 The Wine Front
Matured in French oak (30% new)
5-star winery James Halliday
97/100 Halliday Wine Companion Awards
Halliday Wine Companion Awards, James Halliday "Tallawanta is one of the most revered vineyards in the Hunter Valley, but you have to work your way into the wine. Its colour is bright but not deep, the bouquet more than adequate, the flavours soaring as the wine enters the mouth. The fruit cadences are primarily red, and vibrantly fresh. Superb wine."
Huon Hooke "Lovely balance and texture, and it's already accessible. It will surely age superbly.... Medium to deep red colour with a good tinge of purple. The bouquet is reserved and shy, with a mineral, ironstone quality. The wine is medium-bodied in the mouth with a generous background of tannins, which add a drying, earthy, mineral aspect. It's almost steely in its mineral, iron-filings taste. "
Wine Enthusiast " The palate is powerful yet focused, with taut, spicy, somewhat austere tannins alongside heaps of acidity and chalky texture....The 2017 was a hot vintage in the Hunter Valley and even though alcohol is restrained, the warmth of the season is still felt in this wine. The nose is initially reductive so decant if drinking now. With air, notes of ripe blueberry, cherry, plum, dried rose and peppery spice make their way out."
James Halliday "A deservedly fashionable winery producing consistently excellent wines. Its big-selling Hunter Semillon provides the volume to balance the limited quantities of the flagships ILR Semillon and Graveyard Shiraz. Brokenwood purchased the Graveyard Vineyard from Hungerford Hill in '78 and has been working to totally rehabilitate the vineyard over the ensuing decades. It's been a vine by vine exercise, with a degree of experimentation of rootstocks and clonal material from other, even older vineyards. Next, there is a range of wines coming from regions including Beechworth (a major resource is the associated Indigo Vineyard), Orange, Central Ranges, McLaren Vale, Cowra and elsewhere. In 2017 Iain Riggs celebrated his 35th vintage at the helm of Brokenwood, offering a unique mix of winemaking skills, management of diverse business, and an unerring ability to keep Brokenwood's high profile fresh and newsworthy. He has also contributed a great deal to various wine industry organisations."
Established in 1970 Brokenwood Wines is one of Australia's most reputable premium wine labels and a must-visit in the Hunter Valley. It was established by Australia's leading wine critic, James Halliday.
Consistently listed as a 5-star winery, Brokenwood is home to the famous Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz, the highly acclaimed ILR Reserve Semillon, and the popular Cricket Pitch Range.
1 x Hewitson Old Garden Mourvedre 2017 - Barossa Valley, Australia
95/100 James Suckling
95/100 The Wine Front (2016 vintage)
95/100 The Wine Front (2014 vintage)
95/100 Jeremy Oliver (2014 vintage)
97/100 James Halliday (2014 vintage)
95/100 Jeremy Oliver (2013 vintage)
95/100 Jeremy Oliver (2011 vintage)
95/100 Huon Hooke (2007 vintage)
94/100 Jeremy Oliver (2010 vintage)
93/100 Jeremy Oliver (2012 vintage)
93/100 Jeremy Oliver (2009 vintage)
93/100 Jeremy Oliver (2008 vintage)
93/100 Wine Enthusiast (2013 vintage)
93/100 The Wine Front (2013 vintage)
91/100 Wine Enthusiast (2009 vintage)
90/100 Wine Spectator (2009 vintage)
90/100 Wine & Spirits Magazine (2009 vintage)
Bronze - International Wine Challenge (2009 vintage)
James Halliday 5 Star Winery
James Halliday Top 100 Winery 2017
96/100 - Top Red Halliday Wine Companion Awards 2023 (2018 vintage)
Halliday Wine Companion Awards 2023, James Halliday "A positively juicy wine, with exotic spices woven through the collage of red fruits, large and small, and its superfine tannins. Oak also makes a contribution." (2018 vintage)
James Suckling "A phenomenal wine that is the fruit of a small plot dating back to 1853. This has a very soulful array of red-plum and mulberry aromas and flavors and a sweeping wave of tannin, which, even though very discreetly, powers a very long and smooth finish."
The Winemaker "The Old Garden vineyard is the oldest Mourvèdre vineyard in the world planted in 1853. Dry-grown, original existing vines pre-Phylloxera. Eight rows of this rare and unique planting remain to this day at Rowland Flat and produce winemaker Dean Hewitson’s much-lauded single-vineyard table wine bearing the Old Garden name. The vineyard has been hand-tended and dry-farmed by Friedrich Koch and his direct descendants across three centuries."
Andy Saxon "Aged for 18 months in new French oak this full-bodied red wine offers lifted forest berry, black cherry and orange peel aromas. The palate shows dense, lush blackberries and prunes with hints of cigar box, violets and black pepper. Fine, seamlessly integrated tannins."
James Halliday "The 2-acre Old Garden Vineyard was planted in 1853 and is recognised as the world's oldest Mourvedre vineyard, producing only 5 tonnes, 25% whole bunches included in the ferment, matured in new French oak. Great colour for a '14 wine, still vivid and clear; super-intense, super-juicy; the quality and character take hold immediately you take the first sip, the bouquet a deceptively serene introduction. It is one of the most seductively savoury (or vice versa) wines of this medium-bodied style I can remember." (2014 vintage)
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."
1 x Château Maucoil Châteauneuf-du-Pape Trésor White 2014 - Rhône Valley, France
90/100 Wine Spectator
90/100 Wine Enthusiast
90/100 Robert Parker
30% Grenache Blanc, 30% Clairette, 30% Bourboulenc and 10% Roussanne
Jeb Dunnuck "More tropical in character with plenty of pineapple, peach and subtle brioche, the 2014 Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc Tresor des Papes is medium-bodied, beautifully textured, and lengthy with a dry finish. This shows a touch more class and purity than the traditional cuvée and should have a longer drink window as well."
The history of Château Maucoil began several centuries ago. Ancient documents state that its first occupants were Romans who set up a base for Caesar’s legions. Later, Joseph de La Pise, Lord of Maucoil and archivist of the House of Orange-Nassau, the Dutch royal family, inherited the estate and the castle which was built in 1624. From then on, winegrowing became an intrinsic part of the history of Château Maucoil.
The 45 hectares of vines in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation have been organic agriculture since 2011. Château Maucoil uses ancient methods such as furrowing, forming mounds and ploughing to tend the vineyard.
Originally from Bordeaux, the Lavau family who now own Château Maucoil, have 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.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a historic village between the towns of Orange and Avignon, in France's southern Rhône Valley. It is famous for powerful, full-bodied red wines made predominantly from the classic southern Rhône grape trio: Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. These three varieties are behind the vast majority of the appellation's red wines, although a total of eighteen are approved for use – a mix of red and white grape varieties.
1 x McHenry Hohnen Rolling Stone 2017 ~ Margaret River, Western Australia
97/100 Halliday Wine Companion, Erin Larkin
93/100 James Suckling
91/100 The Real Review, Gabrielle Poy
91/100 Decanter World Wine Awards
97/100 Halliday Wine Companion, Campbell Mattinson (2016 vintage)
96/100 The Real Review, Huon Hooke (2016 vintage)
93/100 James Suckling (2016 vintage)
92/100 The Wine Front (2016 vintage)
96/100 Decanter, Sarah Ahmed (2015 vintage)
95/100 Halliday Wine Companion, Steven Creber (2015 vintage)
95/100 The Real Review, Huon Hooke (2015 vintage)
95/100 The Wine Front (2015 vintage)
91/100 James Suckling (2015 vintage)
98/100 The West Australian, Ray Jordan (2014 vintage)
95/100 Halliday Wine Companion, Ned Goodwin MW (2014 vintage)
95/100 The Winefront (2014 vintage)
95/100 Decanter, Sarah Ahmed (2014 vintage)
92/100 Decanter, Andy Howard MW (2014 vintage)
90/100 The Real Review, Huon Hooke (2014 vintage)
5 Star Winery, James Halliday
Gold - Wine Companion
"Halliday Wine Companion - Australian Winery of the Year 2022 & 2023"
Halliday Wine Companion, Erin Larkin "Savoury, oak-driven and structured tannins are the standout feature here; shapely, finely knit and supple. They provide a frame from which the red berries and exotic spice can hang. Long and rippling, this is a wine of savoury succulence and longevity."
James Suckling "The berry and cherry aromas and flavors with some orange peel and lemongrass undertones are very persuasive. It’s medium-bodied with medium firm tannins and a fresh and driven finish. Outstanding quality for the cool 2017 vintage."
The Real Review, Gabrielle Poy "A wafty nose of roses, meat and geranium lead into a very ripe core that is richly fruited. This is a well-structured and powerful style, the fruit has been packed with loads of flavour. The tannins are fine, chewy and bitter, reining in the boisterous core of fruit."
Halliday Wine Companion Awards 2023, Erin Larkin "We are coming to the end of the premium 2018 releases from Margaret River, so it is a thrill to be able to taste a few more before the tranche is exhausted. This is closed, restrained and cooling, with layers of graphite tannins and salty mineral acidity ... the fruit is supple and elegant, defined wholly by blackberries, mulberries and raspberry coulis. This has eons left in the tank. It would be impatient of you to drink it earlier than 2025 (we would forgive you if you did though, because it is already delicious)." (2018 vintage)
Halliday Wine Companion, Campbell Mattinson "It sits on the bolder side of medium weight, but it's superbly elegant and superbly persistent. It presents a velvety flow of blackcurrant, dark chocolate, gravel, peppercorn and wood smoke-like flavours and, while the pull of tannin is strong, the flow of fruit will not be halted. Sensational example of a Margaret River cabernet blend." (2016 Vintage)
The Real Review, Huon Hooke "Deepish red colour with a tint of purple. The bouquet is chocolaty and cedary, Bordelais oak-infused complexity, the palate full-bodied and stately, with good density and drying, savoury tannins. A marvellously elegant, complex, multi-dimensional red, cabernet-driven and follows the Bordeaux model closely. A terrific glass of wine now and for many years hence." (2016 vintage)
James Suckling "This blend of cabernet sauvignon, malbec, merlot and petit verdot has rich, earthy style with ripe dark berries and plums on offer, as well as dark spices, graphite and forest wood. The medium-bodied palate has an appealing, elegant feel and red-plum and berry flavors to close." (2016 vintage)
Decanter, Sarah Ahmed "A significant mid-February rain event delayed ripening but, with low yields, full tannin and flavour ripeness was attained. Soaring dried rose and white pepper aromas with juicy plum and concentrated blackcurrant on a hurtling attack. These flesh out through the velvety, bitter chocolate mid-palate (40% new oak), before reeling in. Finishes firm and very long, with signature gravelly tannins, a bloody iron tang and a spicy green peppercorn edge. Great potential!" (2015 vintage)
Halliday Wine Companion, Steven Creber "A blend of cabernet sauvignon, malbec, merlot and petit verdot from the Hazel Vineyard; essentially a barrel selection of the best of the Bordeaux varieties. It's not quite the finished article, but it has the components in the making for a complex and long-lived wine. The fruit has elegance and depth to go with it, the tannin ripe and persistent." (2015 vintage)
The Real Review, Huon Hooke "Deep, rich colour, the bouquet likewise rich, ripe, chocolate and toasty, with definite cabernet cassis, cedar and leafy notes. It's full-bodied and firm in tannin, with good extract and density. Lashings of ripe, mouthcoating, supple tannins. A glorious cabernet of real panache and presence. It already drinks well and will repay cellaring." (2015 vintage)
James Suckling "Some very rich, ripe aromas here with currants, plum paste and dried dark berries, as well as mint and other dark-leaf roasting herbs. The palate is very ripe, bold and rich with a powerful, weighty finish. A blend of cabernet sauvignon, malbec, merlot and petit verdot." (2015 vintage)
Ray Jordan “I expected this to be very good and it is. In fact, it’s the best release yet of this blend of Cabernet Malbec Merlot and Petit Verdot. There is a graceful stylishness, with aromas of light cedar and pure black fruits. The palate is a feature; perfectly balanced with grainy tannins and beautifully weighted oak. There is an effortless feel in the mouth as the palate drives to its long, controlled and focused finish.” (2014 vintage)
Halliday Wine Companion, Ned Goodwin MW "... this is a polished, forcefully ripe and assiduously structured blend. The wave of dark fruit aromas, the waft of cedar and reassuring bite of high-quality French oak (18 months in largely 2 and 3yo old barrels) and the stiff-upper-lip of acidity melded to finely woven grape tannins, are all class. This is best laid down as a test of mettle and patience." (2014 vintage)
The Winefront "Deep and deeply savoury style, all black olive, bitter dark chocolate, and roast beef, yet not without floral perfume and bay leaf top notes. Rumbles with gravelly tannin pushes firm with flavour, and rides long in the palate. It’s a wine of distinct personality and interest. Acidity feels ‘minerally’ and well settled. The contributions from Malbec and Merlot seem significant here and in a very good way. Yes." (2014 vintage)
Decanter, Sarah Ahmed "The wettest winter for some time followed by a dry, warm spring and summer with sunny days and cool evenings, leading to good ripeness and acid retention. Perfumed eucalyptus, dried roses, violets, gunpowder green tea and bitter chocolate, which follow through on the palate. Juicily persistent, with well-defined fresh blackcurrant and berry fruit, and powdery, dusty tannins. Long and precise finish, with a bloody ironstone tang." (2014 vintage)
Decanter, Andy Howard MW "Powerful, quite pungent and dominated by dark-fruit characters: there is no shortage of intent here. Fleshy, quite showy on the palate, but with refined glossy oak and fine-grained tannins. A serious wine with the depth and concentration to age very well. A classic Margaret River example, well worth buying and laying down for several years." (2014 vintage)
The Real Review, Huon Hooke "The bouquet and taste are quite oaky, the wine is full-bodied, dry, savoury and bold, with a firm grip to close. The finish is very firm and drying, and the wine needs food. A good wine in a fairly dry, strongly-oaked style, which seems to need a bit more time." (2014 vintage)
48% cabernet sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 20% Malbec and 12% Petit Verdot.
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 1970’s. 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 focusses on crafting site-expressive wines and are known for producing some of the region's best wines.
1 x Chateau Lynch-Moussas, Pauillac 2016 - Bordeaux , France
94/100 Wine Advocate
93/100 Falstaff Magazin
93/100 James Suckling
92/100 Decanter
92/100 Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
92+/100 Neal Martin, vinous.com
91/100 Jeb Dunnuck
91/100 Wine Spectator
92/100 Highly Recommended Silver - Decanter World Wine Awards
Decanter Wines of the Year 2021
Jeb Dunnuck “A fine Pauillac and has a pretty, classic, elegant style that’s very much in the character of the vintage. Ruby-colored, with notes of tobacco, leafy herbs, and graphite, it has fine tannins and, again, an undeniable elegance and classic style.”
Neal Martin, Vinous “...I like the density of this Pauillac, which is focused and elegant yet classic on the finish...The palate is well balanced, with mint-infused black fruit, tobacco and sage.”
Wine Spectator "A restrained style, with a sanguine note leading off for a mix of gently mulled damson plum, loganberry, and red currant fruit flavors. Supple in feel, with perfumy cedar and alder notes guiding the finish."
Decanter "Tight and fresh, this shows good quality black fruits in a light, earlier drinking style. It's not as creamy in texture as some others, but has an enjoyable, fleshy texture as it opens in the glass."
83% Cabernet Sauvignon 17% Merlot
Château Lynch-Moussas was originally owned by Count Jean-Baptiste Lynch of Ireland in the 18th century. At the time, the estate was much larger than it is today. In fact, the Left Bank estate was so large in those days, it was eventually divided into two parts. Half of the estate gave birth to Chateau Lynch Bages. The remaining portion became Chateau Lynch Moussas. Like Lynch-Bages, it was ranked as a fifth growth in the 1855 Bordeaux classification.
In 1919, Chateau Lynch Moussas was purchased by the Casteja family and its negociant arm, Borie Manoux, which owns numerous other Bordeaux estates in the Medoc and the Right Bank including Chateau Batailley and Chateau Trotte Vieille. At the time of the purchase, they also owned Chateau Duhart-Milon.
1 x Te Mata Bullnose Syrah 2018 ~ Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
97/100 Sam Kim
96/100 Huon Hooke
96/100 Cameron Douglas
95/100 The Wine Front
90/100 Decanter World Wine Awards
16.5/20 Jancis Robinson
Te Mata Estate is regarded as one of New Zealand’s most important wine producers
Sam Kim "The palate is concentrated, focused and delightfully flowing with outstanding depth and intensity, while remaining elegant and poised, leading to an extremely long expansive finish. Harmonious, seamless and flawlessly precise. Combining exquisite refinement and undeniable power, this latest offering is another stunning beauty under this iconic label...The gorgeously perfumed bouquet shows Black Doris plum, sweet raspberry, violet, olive and toasted almond characters with a whiff of fragrant spice. "
Jancis Robinson "Confected black fruit, finely layered tannins, a touch of bacon and smoke on the finish. Dry, savoury, meaty persistence."
Cameron Douglas "A great bouquet, the fine nose of Syrah with white and black peppercorn, roses and lavender, a core of red currants, black cherry and Doris plum, some sweet olive and new leather. Firm, youthful and dry with an abundance of tannins and acidity."
Decanter "A very modern take on Syrah which turns up the chocolate and cappuccino characters to create a rich and silky wine. There’s dark cherry and ripe raspberry fruit to balance the roasted coffee tannins with an acid spike. Extended skin contact and a warmish fermentation have given this depth and elegance."
Gary Walsh "Ras el hanout (راس الحانوت) is a spice mix that means ‘head of the shop’, and maybe we have a bull in a shop here, such is the level of exotic spice and perfume pumping out of the glass. In with that, some lavender and vanilla, cherry and redcurrant, a smattering of green herb too. It’s light to medium-bodied, fine emery tannin, juicy raspberry acidity and flavour, inner-mouth perfume and spiced wood aromatic, and a dusty white pepper texture and taste on a cool long finish. Nice and ‘minerally’ too. You have to like them spicy and lithe, and if so, this’ll be close to the top of the shop for you."
Huon Hooke "...a pronounced spicy, peppery aroma, the palate sweet rich and deep in very elegant, classy fruit flavour. The tannins are ample and refined, balanced and the wine is overall delicious. Black pepper, subtle cloves and other spices. It has a core of fruit sweetness that is utterly delicious."
World of Fine Wine 'Getting to know a legend' "A visit to one of the world’s greatest fine-wine estates should be an integral part of any tour of New Zealand. On the East Coast of New Zealand’s North Island is the independently owned, family-run, Te Mata Estate. Owners and staff still work on vineyards that began growing Cabernet, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir back in the 1890s, making it the country’s oldest wine estate. Since 1905, this winery has been winning gold medals globally, which led to these sites becoming the country’s first to be protected by law due to their viticultural history...Te Mata Estate wines are currently available in 45 countries and have been presented at some of the world’s top tables— including to President Barrack Obama, President Xi Jinping, and Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee."
Raymond Chan "Te Mata Estate was the standard by which every other wine producer could be judged against, as the full range of styles has always been impeccable. In the earlier days, Hawke’s Bay was the scene of New Zealand’s quality wine, so it was very apt to have Te Mata Estate as the point of reference. Even when other regions developed, and Marlborough grew larger, and other varietals such as Pinot Noir became important, one could understand the state of the New Zealand wine industry by how Te Mata Estate behaved or reacted to influences, whether internal or international."
Te Mata Estate is regarded as one of New Zealand’s most important wine producers. It is New Zealand's oldest winery, oldest wine estate and has the oldest winery cellars in the country - in continuous operation since 1895. Coleraine is Te Mata's most acclaimed wine and is often regarded as New Zealand's best red wine.
A six international premium wines. All highly rated and acclaimed wines. 6 red carpet reds, and 1 knock-out white. All from World's best wine growing regions.
1 x Brokenwood Tallawanta Vineyard Shiraz 2017 - Hunter Valley, Australia
97/100 James Halliday
93/100 Huon Hooke
92/100 The Wine Front
Matured in French oak (30% new)
5-star winery James Halliday
97/100 Halliday Wine Companion Awards
Halliday Wine Companion Awards, James Halliday "Tallawanta is one of the most revered vineyards in the Hunter Valley, but you have to work your way into the wine. Its colour is bright but not deep, the bouquet more than adequate, the flavours soaring as the wine enters the mouth. The fruit cadences are primarily red, and vibrantly fresh. Superb wine."
Huon Hooke "Lovely balance and texture, and it's already accessible. It will surely age superbly.... Medium to deep red colour with a good tinge of purple. The bouquet is reserved and shy, with a mineral, ironstone quality. The wine is medium-bodied in the mouth with a generous background of tannins, which add a drying, earthy, mineral aspect. It's almost steely in its mineral, iron-filings taste. "
Wine Enthusiast " The palate is powerful yet focused, with taut, spicy, somewhat austere tannins alongside heaps of acidity and chalky texture....The 2017 was a hot vintage in the Hunter Valley and even though alcohol is restrained, the warmth of the season is still felt in this wine. The nose is initially reductive so decant if drinking now. With air, notes of ripe blueberry, cherry, plum, dried rose and peppery spice make their way out."
James Halliday "A deservedly fashionable winery producing consistently excellent wines. Its big-selling Hunter Semillon provides the volume to balance the limited quantities of the flagships ILR Semillon and Graveyard Shiraz. Brokenwood purchased the Graveyard Vineyard from Hungerford Hill in '78 and has been working to totally rehabilitate the vineyard over the ensuing decades. It's been a vine by vine exercise, with a degree of experimentation of rootstocks and clonal material from other, even older vineyards. Next, there is a range of wines coming from regions including Beechworth (a major resource is the associated Indigo Vineyard), Orange, Central Ranges, McLaren Vale, Cowra and elsewhere. In 2017 Iain Riggs celebrated his 35th vintage at the helm of Brokenwood, offering a unique mix of winemaking skills, management of diverse business, and an unerring ability to keep Brokenwood's high profile fresh and newsworthy. He has also contributed a great deal to various wine industry organisations."
Established in 1970 Brokenwood Wines is one of Australia's most reputable premium wine labels and a must-visit in the Hunter Valley. It was established by Australia's leading wine critic, James Halliday.
Consistently listed as a 5-star winery, Brokenwood is home to the famous Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz, the highly acclaimed ILR Reserve Semillon, and the popular Cricket Pitch Range.
1 x Hewitson Old Garden Mourvedre 2017 - Barossa Valley, Australia
95/100 James Suckling
95/100 The Wine Front (2016 vintage)
95/100 The Wine Front (2014 vintage)
95/100 Jeremy Oliver (2014 vintage)
97/100 James Halliday (2014 vintage)
95/100 Jeremy Oliver (2013 vintage)
95/100 Jeremy Oliver (2011 vintage)
95/100 Huon Hooke (2007 vintage)
94/100 Jeremy Oliver (2010 vintage)
93/100 Jeremy Oliver (2012 vintage)
93/100 Jeremy Oliver (2009 vintage)
93/100 Jeremy Oliver (2008 vintage)
93/100 Wine Enthusiast (2013 vintage)
93/100 The Wine Front (2013 vintage)
91/100 Wine Enthusiast (2009 vintage)
90/100 Wine Spectator (2009 vintage)
90/100 Wine & Spirits Magazine (2009 vintage)
Bronze - International Wine Challenge (2009 vintage)
James Halliday 5 Star Winery
James Halliday Top 100 Winery 2017
96/100 - Top Red Halliday Wine Companion Awards 2023 (2018 vintage)
Halliday Wine Companion Awards 2023, James Halliday "A positively juicy wine, with exotic spices woven through the collage of red fruits, large and small, and its superfine tannins. Oak also makes a contribution." (2018 vintage)
James Suckling "A phenomenal wine that is the fruit of a small plot dating back to 1853. This has a very soulful array of red-plum and mulberry aromas and flavors and a sweeping wave of tannin, which, even though very discreetly, powers a very long and smooth finish."
The Winemaker "The Old Garden vineyard is the oldest Mourvèdre vineyard in the world planted in 1853. Dry-grown, original existing vines pre-Phylloxera. Eight rows of this rare and unique planting remain to this day at Rowland Flat and produce winemaker Dean Hewitson’s much-lauded single-vineyard table wine bearing the Old Garden name. The vineyard has been hand-tended and dry-farmed by Friedrich Koch and his direct descendants across three centuries."
Andy Saxon "Aged for 18 months in new French oak this full-bodied red wine offers lifted forest berry, black cherry and orange peel aromas. The palate shows dense, lush blackberries and prunes with hints of cigar box, violets and black pepper. Fine, seamlessly integrated tannins."
James Halliday "The 2-acre Old Garden Vineyard was planted in 1853 and is recognised as the world's oldest Mourvedre vineyard, producing only 5 tonnes, 25% whole bunches included in the ferment, matured in new French oak. Great colour for a '14 wine, still vivid and clear; super-intense, super-juicy; the quality and character take hold immediately you take the first sip, the bouquet a deceptively serene introduction. It is one of the most seductively savoury (or vice versa) wines of this medium-bodied style I can remember." (2014 vintage)
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."
1 x Château Maucoil Châteauneuf-du-Pape Trésor White 2014 - Rhône Valley, France
90/100 Wine Spectator
90/100 Wine Enthusiast
90/100 Robert Parker
30% Grenache Blanc, 30% Clairette, 30% Bourboulenc and 10% Roussanne
Jeb Dunnuck "More tropical in character with plenty of pineapple, peach and subtle brioche, the 2014 Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc Tresor des Papes is medium-bodied, beautifully textured, and lengthy with a dry finish. This shows a touch more class and purity than the traditional cuvée and should have a longer drink window as well."
The history of Château Maucoil began several centuries ago. Ancient documents state that its first occupants were Romans who set up a base for Caesar’s legions. Later, Joseph de La Pise, Lord of Maucoil and archivist of the House of Orange-Nassau, the Dutch royal family, inherited the estate and the castle which was built in 1624. From then on, winegrowing became an intrinsic part of the history of Château Maucoil.
The 45 hectares of vines in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation have been organic agriculture since 2011. Château Maucoil uses ancient methods such as furrowing, forming mounds and ploughing to tend the vineyard.
Originally from Bordeaux, the Lavau family who now own Château Maucoil, have 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.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a historic village between the towns of Orange and Avignon, in France's southern Rhône Valley. It is famous for powerful, full-bodied red wines made predominantly from the classic southern Rhône grape trio: Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. These three varieties are behind the vast majority of the appellation's red wines, although a total of eighteen are approved for use – a mix of red and white grape varieties.
1 x McHenry Hohnen Rolling Stone 2017 ~ Margaret River, Western Australia
97/100 Halliday Wine Companion, Erin Larkin
93/100 James Suckling
91/100 The Real Review, Gabrielle Poy
91/100 Decanter World Wine Awards
97/100 Halliday Wine Companion, Campbell Mattinson (2016 vintage)
96/100 The Real Review, Huon Hooke (2016 vintage)
93/100 James Suckling (2016 vintage)
92/100 The Wine Front (2016 vintage)
96/100 Decanter, Sarah Ahmed (2015 vintage)
95/100 Halliday Wine Companion, Steven Creber (2015 vintage)
95/100 The Real Review, Huon Hooke (2015 vintage)
95/100 The Wine Front (2015 vintage)
91/100 James Suckling (2015 vintage)
98/100 The West Australian, Ray Jordan (2014 vintage)
95/100 Halliday Wine Companion, Ned Goodwin MW (2014 vintage)
95/100 The Winefront (2014 vintage)
95/100 Decanter, Sarah Ahmed (2014 vintage)
92/100 Decanter, Andy Howard MW (2014 vintage)
90/100 The Real Review, Huon Hooke (2014 vintage)
5 Star Winery, James Halliday
Gold - Wine Companion
"Halliday Wine Companion - Australian Winery of the Year 2022 & 2023"
Halliday Wine Companion, Erin Larkin "Savoury, oak-driven and structured tannins are the standout feature here; shapely, finely knit and supple. They provide a frame from which the red berries and exotic spice can hang. Long and rippling, this is a wine of savoury succulence and longevity."
James Suckling "The berry and cherry aromas and flavors with some orange peel and lemongrass undertones are very persuasive. It’s medium-bodied with medium firm tannins and a fresh and driven finish. Outstanding quality for the cool 2017 vintage."
The Real Review, Gabrielle Poy "A wafty nose of roses, meat and geranium lead into a very ripe core that is richly fruited. This is a well-structured and powerful style, the fruit has been packed with loads of flavour. The tannins are fine, chewy and bitter, reining in the boisterous core of fruit."
Halliday Wine Companion Awards 2023, Erin Larkin "We are coming to the end of the premium 2018 releases from Margaret River, so it is a thrill to be able to taste a few more before the tranche is exhausted. This is closed, restrained and cooling, with layers of graphite tannins and salty mineral acidity ... the fruit is supple and elegant, defined wholly by blackberries, mulberries and raspberry coulis. This has eons left in the tank. It would be impatient of you to drink it earlier than 2025 (we would forgive you if you did though, because it is already delicious)." (2018 vintage)
Halliday Wine Companion, Campbell Mattinson "It sits on the bolder side of medium weight, but it's superbly elegant and superbly persistent. It presents a velvety flow of blackcurrant, dark chocolate, gravel, peppercorn and wood smoke-like flavours and, while the pull of tannin is strong, the flow of fruit will not be halted. Sensational example of a Margaret River cabernet blend." (2016 Vintage)
The Real Review, Huon Hooke "Deepish red colour with a tint of purple. The bouquet is chocolaty and cedary, Bordelais oak-infused complexity, the palate full-bodied and stately, with good density and drying, savoury tannins. A marvellously elegant, complex, multi-dimensional red, cabernet-driven and follows the Bordeaux model closely. A terrific glass of wine now and for many years hence." (2016 vintage)
James Suckling "This blend of cabernet sauvignon, malbec, merlot and petit verdot has rich, earthy style with ripe dark berries and plums on offer, as well as dark spices, graphite and forest wood. The medium-bodied palate has an appealing, elegant feel and red-plum and berry flavors to close." (2016 vintage)
Decanter, Sarah Ahmed "A significant mid-February rain event delayed ripening but, with low yields, full tannin and flavour ripeness was attained. Soaring dried rose and white pepper aromas with juicy plum and concentrated blackcurrant on a hurtling attack. These flesh out through the velvety, bitter chocolate mid-palate (40% new oak), before reeling in. Finishes firm and very long, with signature gravelly tannins, a bloody iron tang and a spicy green peppercorn edge. Great potential!" (2015 vintage)
Halliday Wine Companion, Steven Creber "A blend of cabernet sauvignon, malbec, merlot and petit verdot from the Hazel Vineyard; essentially a barrel selection of the best of the Bordeaux varieties. It's not quite the finished article, but it has the components in the making for a complex and long-lived wine. The fruit has elegance and depth to go with it, the tannin ripe and persistent." (2015 vintage)
The Real Review, Huon Hooke "Deep, rich colour, the bouquet likewise rich, ripe, chocolate and toasty, with definite cabernet cassis, cedar and leafy notes. It's full-bodied and firm in tannin, with good extract and density. Lashings of ripe, mouthcoating, supple tannins. A glorious cabernet of real panache and presence. It already drinks well and will repay cellaring." (2015 vintage)
James Suckling "Some very rich, ripe aromas here with currants, plum paste and dried dark berries, as well as mint and other dark-leaf roasting herbs. The palate is very ripe, bold and rich with a powerful, weighty finish. A blend of cabernet sauvignon, malbec, merlot and petit verdot." (2015 vintage)
Ray Jordan “I expected this to be very good and it is. In fact, it’s the best release yet of this blend of Cabernet Malbec Merlot and Petit Verdot. There is a graceful stylishness, with aromas of light cedar and pure black fruits. The palate is a feature; perfectly balanced with grainy tannins and beautifully weighted oak. There is an effortless feel in the mouth as the palate drives to its long, controlled and focused finish.” (2014 vintage)
Halliday Wine Companion, Ned Goodwin MW "... this is a polished, forcefully ripe and assiduously structured blend. The wave of dark fruit aromas, the waft of cedar and reassuring bite of high-quality French oak (18 months in largely 2 and 3yo old barrels) and the stiff-upper-lip of acidity melded to finely woven grape tannins, are all class. This is best laid down as a test of mettle and patience." (2014 vintage)
The Winefront "Deep and deeply savoury style, all black olive, bitter dark chocolate, and roast beef, yet not without floral perfume and bay leaf top notes. Rumbles with gravelly tannin pushes firm with flavour, and rides long in the palate. It’s a wine of distinct personality and interest. Acidity feels ‘minerally’ and well settled. The contributions from Malbec and Merlot seem significant here and in a very good way. Yes." (2014 vintage)
Decanter, Sarah Ahmed "The wettest winter for some time followed by a dry, warm spring and summer with sunny days and cool evenings, leading to good ripeness and acid retention. Perfumed eucalyptus, dried roses, violets, gunpowder green tea and bitter chocolate, which follow through on the palate. Juicily persistent, with well-defined fresh blackcurrant and berry fruit, and powdery, dusty tannins. Long and precise finish, with a bloody ironstone tang." (2014 vintage)
Decanter, Andy Howard MW "Powerful, quite pungent and dominated by dark-fruit characters: there is no shortage of intent here. Fleshy, quite showy on the palate, but with refined glossy oak and fine-grained tannins. A serious wine with the depth and concentration to age very well. A classic Margaret River example, well worth buying and laying down for several years." (2014 vintage)
The Real Review, Huon Hooke "The bouquet and taste are quite oaky, the wine is full-bodied, dry, savoury and bold, with a firm grip to close. The finish is very firm and drying, and the wine needs food. A good wine in a fairly dry, strongly-oaked style, which seems to need a bit more time." (2014 vintage)
48% cabernet sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 20% Malbec and 12% Petit Verdot.
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 1970’s. 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 focusses on crafting site-expressive wines and are known for producing some of the region's best wines.
1 x Chateau Lynch-Moussas, Pauillac 2016 - Bordeaux , France
94/100 Wine Advocate
93/100 Falstaff Magazin
93/100 James Suckling
92/100 Decanter
92/100 Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
92+/100 Neal Martin, vinous.com
91/100 Jeb Dunnuck
91/100 Wine Spectator
92/100 Highly Recommended Silver - Decanter World Wine Awards
Decanter Wines of the Year 2021
Jeb Dunnuck “A fine Pauillac and has a pretty, classic, elegant style that’s very much in the character of the vintage. Ruby-colored, with notes of tobacco, leafy herbs, and graphite, it has fine tannins and, again, an undeniable elegance and classic style.”
Neal Martin, Vinous “...I like the density of this Pauillac, which is focused and elegant yet classic on the finish...The palate is well balanced, with mint-infused black fruit, tobacco and sage.”
Wine Spectator "A restrained style, with a sanguine note leading off for a mix of gently mulled damson plum, loganberry, and red currant fruit flavors. Supple in feel, with perfumy cedar and alder notes guiding the finish."
Decanter "Tight and fresh, this shows good quality black fruits in a light, earlier drinking style. It's not as creamy in texture as some others, but has an enjoyable, fleshy texture as it opens in the glass."
83% Cabernet Sauvignon 17% Merlot
Château Lynch-Moussas was originally owned by Count Jean-Baptiste Lynch of Ireland in the 18th century. At the time, the estate was much larger than it is today. In fact, the Left Bank estate was so large in those days, it was eventually divided into two parts. Half of the estate gave birth to Chateau Lynch Bages. The remaining portion became Chateau Lynch Moussas. Like Lynch-Bages, it was ranked as a fifth growth in the 1855 Bordeaux classification.
In 1919, Chateau Lynch Moussas was purchased by the Casteja family and its negociant arm, Borie Manoux, which owns numerous other Bordeaux estates in the Medoc and the Right Bank including Chateau Batailley and Chateau Trotte Vieille. At the time of the purchase, they also owned Chateau Duhart-Milon.
1 x Te Mata Bullnose Syrah 2018 ~ Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
97/100 Sam Kim
96/100 Huon Hooke
96/100 Cameron Douglas
95/100 The Wine Front
90/100 Decanter World Wine Awards
16.5/20 Jancis Robinson
Te Mata Estate is regarded as one of New Zealand’s most important wine producers
Sam Kim "The palate is concentrated, focused and delightfully flowing with outstanding depth and intensity, while remaining elegant and poised, leading to an extremely long expansive finish. Harmonious, seamless and flawlessly precise. Combining exquisite refinement and undeniable power, this latest offering is another stunning beauty under this iconic label...The gorgeously perfumed bouquet shows Black Doris plum, sweet raspberry, violet, olive and toasted almond characters with a whiff of fragrant spice. "
Jancis Robinson "Confected black fruit, finely layered tannins, a touch of bacon and smoke on the finish. Dry, savoury, meaty persistence."
Cameron Douglas "A great bouquet, the fine nose of Syrah with white and black peppercorn, roses and lavender, a core of red currants, black cherry and Doris plum, some sweet olive and new leather. Firm, youthful and dry with an abundance of tannins and acidity."
Decanter "A very modern take on Syrah which turns up the chocolate and cappuccino characters to create a rich and silky wine. There’s dark cherry and ripe raspberry fruit to balance the roasted coffee tannins with an acid spike. Extended skin contact and a warmish fermentation have given this depth and elegance."
Gary Walsh "Ras el hanout (راس الحانوت) is a spice mix that means ‘head of the shop’, and maybe we have a bull in a shop here, such is the level of exotic spice and perfume pumping out of the glass. In with that, some lavender and vanilla, cherry and redcurrant, a smattering of green herb too. It’s light to medium-bodied, fine emery tannin, juicy raspberry acidity and flavour, inner-mouth perfume and spiced wood aromatic, and a dusty white pepper texture and taste on a cool long finish. Nice and ‘minerally’ too. You have to like them spicy and lithe, and if so, this’ll be close to the top of the shop for you."
Huon Hooke "...a pronounced spicy, peppery aroma, the palate sweet rich and deep in very elegant, classy fruit flavour. The tannins are ample and refined, balanced and the wine is overall delicious. Black pepper, subtle cloves and other spices. It has a core of fruit sweetness that is utterly delicious."
World of Fine Wine 'Getting to know a legend' "A visit to one of the world’s greatest fine-wine estates should be an integral part of any tour of New Zealand. On the East Coast of New Zealand’s North Island is the independently owned, family-run, Te Mata Estate. Owners and staff still work on vineyards that began growing Cabernet, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir back in the 1890s, making it the country’s oldest wine estate. Since 1905, this winery has been winning gold medals globally, which led to these sites becoming the country’s first to be protected by law due to their viticultural history...Te Mata Estate wines are currently available in 45 countries and have been presented at some of the world’s top tables— including to President Barrack Obama, President Xi Jinping, and Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee."
Raymond Chan "Te Mata Estate was the standard by which every other wine producer could be judged against, as the full range of styles has always been impeccable. In the earlier days, Hawke’s Bay was the scene of New Zealand’s quality wine, so it was very apt to have Te Mata Estate as the point of reference. Even when other regions developed, and Marlborough grew larger, and other varietals such as Pinot Noir became important, one could understand the state of the New Zealand wine industry by how Te Mata Estate behaved or reacted to influences, whether internal or international."
Te Mata Estate is regarded as one of New Zealand’s most important wine producers. It is New Zealand's oldest winery, oldest wine estate and has the oldest winery cellars in the country - in continuous operation since 1895. Coleraine is Te Mata's most acclaimed wine and is often regarded as New Zealand's best red wine.
1 x Brokenwood Tallawanta Vineyard Shiraz 2017 - Hunter Valley, Australia
97/100 James Halliday
93/100 Huon Hooke
92/100 The Wine Front
Matured in French oak (30% new)
5-star winery James Halliday
97/100 Halliday Wine Companion Awards
Halliday Wine Companion Awards, James Halliday "Tallawanta is one of the most revered vineyards in the Hunter Valley, but you have to work your way into the wine. Its colour is bright but not deep, the bouquet more than adequate, the flavours soaring as the wine enters the mouth. The fruit cadences are primarily red, and vibrantly fresh. Superb wine."
Huon Hooke "Lovely balance and texture, and it's already accessible. It will surely age superbly.... Medium to deep red colour with a good tinge of purple. The bouquet is reserved and shy, with a mineral, ironstone quality. The wine is medium-bodied in the mouth with a generous background of tannins, which add a drying, earthy, mineral aspect. It's almost steely in its mineral, iron-filings taste. "
Wine Enthusiast " The palate is powerful yet focused, with taut, spicy, somewhat austere tannins alongside heaps of acidity and chalky texture....The 2017 was a hot vintage in the Hunter Valley and even though alcohol is restrained, the warmth of the season is still felt in this wine. The nose is initially reductive so decant if drinking now. With air, notes of ripe blueberry, cherry, plum, dried rose and peppery spice make their way out."
James Halliday "A deservedly fashionable winery producing consistently excellent wines. Its big-selling Hunter Semillon provides the volume to balance the limited quantities of the flagships ILR Semillon and Graveyard Shiraz. Brokenwood purchased the Graveyard Vineyard from Hungerford Hill in '78 and has been working to totally rehabilitate the vineyard over the ensuing decades. It's been a vine by vine exercise, with a degree of experimentation of rootstocks and clonal material from other, even older vineyards. Next, there is a range of wines coming from regions including Beechworth (a major resource is the associated Indigo Vineyard), Orange, Central Ranges, McLaren Vale, Cowra and elsewhere. In 2017 Iain Riggs celebrated his 35th vintage at the helm of Brokenwood, offering a unique mix of winemaking skills, management of diverse business, and an unerring ability to keep Brokenwood's high profile fresh and newsworthy. He has also contributed a great deal to various wine industry organisations."
Established in 1970 Brokenwood Wines is one of Australia's most reputable premium wine labels and a must-visit in the Hunter Valley. It was established by Australia's leading wine critic, James Halliday.
Consistently listed as a 5-star winery, Brokenwood is home to the famous Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz, the highly acclaimed ILR Reserve Semillon, and the popular Cricket Pitch Range.
1 x Hewitson Old Garden Mourvedre 2017 - Barossa Valley, Australia
95/100 James Suckling
95/100 The Wine Front (2016 vintage)
95/100 The Wine Front (2014 vintage)
95/100 Jeremy Oliver (2014 vintage)
97/100 James Halliday (2014 vintage)
95/100 Jeremy Oliver (2013 vintage)
95/100 Jeremy Oliver (2011 vintage)
95/100 Huon Hooke (2007 vintage)
94/100 Jeremy Oliver (2010 vintage)
93/100 Jeremy Oliver (2012 vintage)
93/100 Jeremy Oliver (2009 vintage)
93/100 Jeremy Oliver (2008 vintage)
93/100 Wine Enthusiast (2013 vintage)
93/100 The Wine Front (2013 vintage)
91/100 Wine Enthusiast (2009 vintage)
90/100 Wine Spectator (2009 vintage)
90/100 Wine & Spirits Magazine (2009 vintage)
Bronze - International Wine Challenge (2009 vintage)
James Halliday 5 Star Winery
James Halliday Top 100 Winery 2017
96/100 - Top Red Halliday Wine Companion Awards 2023 (2018 vintage)
Halliday Wine Companion Awards 2023, James Halliday "A positively juicy wine, with exotic spices woven through the collage of red fruits, large and small, and its superfine tannins. Oak also makes a contribution." (2018 vintage)
James Suckling "A phenomenal wine that is the fruit of a small plot dating back to 1853. This has a very soulful array of red-plum and mulberry aromas and flavors and a sweeping wave of tannin, which, even though very discreetly, powers a very long and smooth finish."
The Winemaker "The Old Garden vineyard is the oldest Mourvèdre vineyard in the world planted in 1853. Dry-grown, original existing vines pre-Phylloxera. Eight rows of this rare and unique planting remain to this day at Rowland Flat and produce winemaker Dean Hewitson’s much-lauded single-vineyard table wine bearing the Old Garden name. The vineyard has been hand-tended and dry-farmed by Friedrich Koch and his direct descendants across three centuries."
Andy Saxon "Aged for 18 months in new French oak this full-bodied red wine offers lifted forest berry, black cherry and orange peel aromas. The palate shows dense, lush blackberries and prunes with hints of cigar box, violets and black pepper. Fine, seamlessly integrated tannins."
James Halliday "The 2-acre Old Garden Vineyard was planted in 1853 and is recognised as the world's oldest Mourvedre vineyard, producing only 5 tonnes, 25% whole bunches included in the ferment, matured in new French oak. Great colour for a '14 wine, still vivid and clear; super-intense, super-juicy; the quality and character take hold immediately you take the first sip, the bouquet a deceptively serene introduction. It is one of the most seductively savoury (or vice versa) wines of this medium-bodied style I can remember." (2014 vintage)
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."
1 x Château Maucoil Châteauneuf-du-Pape Trésor White 2014 - Rhône Valley, France
90/100 Wine Spectator
90/100 Wine Enthusiast
90/100 Robert Parker
30% Grenache Blanc, 30% Clairette, 30% Bourboulenc and 10% Roussanne
Jeb Dunnuck "More tropical in character with plenty of pineapple, peach and subtle brioche, the 2014 Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc Tresor des Papes is medium-bodied, beautifully textured, and lengthy with a dry finish. This shows a touch more class and purity than the traditional cuvée and should have a longer drink window as well."
The history of Château Maucoil began several centuries ago. Ancient documents state that its first occupants were Romans who set up a base for Caesar’s legions. Later, Joseph de La Pise, Lord of Maucoil and archivist of the House of Orange-Nassau, the Dutch royal family, inherited the estate and the castle which was built in 1624. From then on, winegrowing became an intrinsic part of the history of Château Maucoil.
The 45 hectares of vines in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation have been organic agriculture since 2011. Château Maucoil uses ancient methods such as furrowing, forming mounds and ploughing to tend the vineyard.
Originally from Bordeaux, the Lavau family who now own Château Maucoil, have 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.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a historic village between the towns of Orange and Avignon, in France's southern Rhône Valley. It is famous for powerful, full-bodied red wines made predominantly from the classic southern Rhône grape trio: Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. These three varieties are behind the vast majority of the appellation's red wines, although a total of eighteen are approved for use – a mix of red and white grape varieties.
1 x McHenry Hohnen Rolling Stone 2017 ~ Margaret River, Western Australia
97/100 Halliday Wine Companion, Erin Larkin
93/100 James Suckling
91/100 The Real Review, Gabrielle Poy
91/100 Decanter World Wine Awards
97/100 Halliday Wine Companion, Campbell Mattinson (2016 vintage)
96/100 The Real Review, Huon Hooke (2016 vintage)
93/100 James Suckling (2016 vintage)
92/100 The Wine Front (2016 vintage)
96/100 Decanter, Sarah Ahmed (2015 vintage)
95/100 Halliday Wine Companion, Steven Creber (2015 vintage)
95/100 The Real Review, Huon Hooke (2015 vintage)
95/100 The Wine Front (2015 vintage)
91/100 James Suckling (2015 vintage)
98/100 The West Australian, Ray Jordan (2014 vintage)
95/100 Halliday Wine Companion, Ned Goodwin MW (2014 vintage)
95/100 The Winefront (2014 vintage)
95/100 Decanter, Sarah Ahmed (2014 vintage)
92/100 Decanter, Andy Howard MW (2014 vintage)
90/100 The Real Review, Huon Hooke (2014 vintage)
5 Star Winery, James Halliday
Gold - Wine Companion
"Halliday Wine Companion - Australian Winery of the Year 2022 & 2023"
Halliday Wine Companion, Erin Larkin "Savoury, oak-driven and structured tannins are the standout feature here; shapely, finely knit and supple. They provide a frame from which the red berries and exotic spice can hang. Long and rippling, this is a wine of savoury succulence and longevity."
James Suckling "The berry and cherry aromas and flavors with some orange peel and lemongrass undertones are very persuasive. It’s medium-bodied with medium firm tannins and a fresh and driven finish. Outstanding quality for the cool 2017 vintage."
The Real Review, Gabrielle Poy "A wafty nose of roses, meat and geranium lead into a very ripe core that is richly fruited. This is a well-structured and powerful style, the fruit has been packed with loads of flavour. The tannins are fine, chewy and bitter, reining in the boisterous core of fruit."
Halliday Wine Companion Awards 2023, Erin Larkin "We are coming to the end of the premium 2018 releases from Margaret River, so it is a thrill to be able to taste a few more before the tranche is exhausted. This is closed, restrained and cooling, with layers of graphite tannins and salty mineral acidity ... the fruit is supple and elegant, defined wholly by blackberries, mulberries and raspberry coulis. This has eons left in the tank. It would be impatient of you to drink it earlier than 2025 (we would forgive you if you did though, because it is already delicious)." (2018 vintage)
Halliday Wine Companion, Campbell Mattinson "It sits on the bolder side of medium weight, but it's superbly elegant and superbly persistent. It presents a velvety flow of blackcurrant, dark chocolate, gravel, peppercorn and wood smoke-like flavours and, while the pull of tannin is strong, the flow of fruit will not be halted. Sensational example of a Margaret River cabernet blend." (2016 Vintage)
The Real Review, Huon Hooke "Deepish red colour with a tint of purple. The bouquet is chocolaty and cedary, Bordelais oak-infused complexity, the palate full-bodied and stately, with good density and drying, savoury tannins. A marvellously elegant, complex, multi-dimensional red, cabernet-driven and follows the Bordeaux model closely. A terrific glass of wine now and for many years hence." (2016 vintage)
James Suckling "This blend of cabernet sauvignon, malbec, merlot and petit verdot has rich, earthy style with ripe dark berries and plums on offer, as well as dark spices, graphite and forest wood. The medium-bodied palate has an appealing, elegant feel and red-plum and berry flavors to close." (2016 vintage)
Decanter, Sarah Ahmed "A significant mid-February rain event delayed ripening but, with low yields, full tannin and flavour ripeness was attained. Soaring dried rose and white pepper aromas with juicy plum and concentrated blackcurrant on a hurtling attack. These flesh out through the velvety, bitter chocolate mid-palate (40% new oak), before reeling in. Finishes firm and very long, with signature gravelly tannins, a bloody iron tang and a spicy green peppercorn edge. Great potential!" (2015 vintage)
Halliday Wine Companion, Steven Creber "A blend of cabernet sauvignon, malbec, merlot and petit verdot from the Hazel Vineyard; essentially a barrel selection of the best of the Bordeaux varieties. It's not quite the finished article, but it has the components in the making for a complex and long-lived wine. The fruit has elegance and depth to go with it, the tannin ripe and persistent." (2015 vintage)
The Real Review, Huon Hooke "Deep, rich colour, the bouquet likewise rich, ripe, chocolate and toasty, with definite cabernet cassis, cedar and leafy notes. It's full-bodied and firm in tannin, with good extract and density. Lashings of ripe, mouthcoating, supple tannins. A glorious cabernet of real panache and presence. It already drinks well and will repay cellaring." (2015 vintage)
James Suckling "Some very rich, ripe aromas here with currants, plum paste and dried dark berries, as well as mint and other dark-leaf roasting herbs. The palate is very ripe, bold and rich with a powerful, weighty finish. A blend of cabernet sauvignon, malbec, merlot and petit verdot." (2015 vintage)
Ray Jordan “I expected this to be very good and it is. In fact, it’s the best release yet of this blend of Cabernet Malbec Merlot and Petit Verdot. There is a graceful stylishness, with aromas of light cedar and pure black fruits. The palate is a feature; perfectly balanced with grainy tannins and beautifully weighted oak. There is an effortless feel in the mouth as the palate drives to its long, controlled and focused finish.” (2014 vintage)
Halliday Wine Companion, Ned Goodwin MW "... this is a polished, forcefully ripe and assiduously structured blend. The wave of dark fruit aromas, the waft of cedar and reassuring bite of high-quality French oak (18 months in largely 2 and 3yo old barrels) and the stiff-upper-lip of acidity melded to finely woven grape tannins, are all class. This is best laid down as a test of mettle and patience." (2014 vintage)
The Winefront "Deep and deeply savoury style, all black olive, bitter dark chocolate, and roast beef, yet not without floral perfume and bay leaf top notes. Rumbles with gravelly tannin pushes firm with flavour, and rides long in the palate. It’s a wine of distinct personality and interest. Acidity feels ‘minerally’ and well settled. The contributions from Malbec and Merlot seem significant here and in a very good way. Yes." (2014 vintage)
Decanter, Sarah Ahmed "The wettest winter for some time followed by a dry, warm spring and summer with sunny days and cool evenings, leading to good ripeness and acid retention. Perfumed eucalyptus, dried roses, violets, gunpowder green tea and bitter chocolate, which follow through on the palate. Juicily persistent, with well-defined fresh blackcurrant and berry fruit, and powdery, dusty tannins. Long and precise finish, with a bloody ironstone tang." (2014 vintage)
Decanter, Andy Howard MW "Powerful, quite pungent and dominated by dark-fruit characters: there is no shortage of intent here. Fleshy, quite showy on the palate, but with refined glossy oak and fine-grained tannins. A serious wine with the depth and concentration to age very well. A classic Margaret River example, well worth buying and laying down for several years." (2014 vintage)
The Real Review, Huon Hooke "The bouquet and taste are quite oaky, the wine is full-bodied, dry, savoury and bold, with a firm grip to close. The finish is very firm and drying, and the wine needs food. A good wine in a fairly dry, strongly-oaked style, which seems to need a bit more time." (2014 vintage)
48% cabernet sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 20% Malbec and 12% Petit Verdot.
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 1970’s. 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 focusses on crafting site-expressive wines and are known for producing some of the region's best wines.
1 x Chateau Lynch-Moussas, Pauillac 2016 - Bordeaux , France
94/100 Wine Advocate
93/100 Falstaff Magazin
93/100 James Suckling
92/100 Decanter
92/100 Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
92+/100 Neal Martin, vinous.com
91/100 Jeb Dunnuck
91/100 Wine Spectator
92/100 Highly Recommended Silver - Decanter World Wine Awards
Decanter Wines of the Year 2021
Jeb Dunnuck “A fine Pauillac and has a pretty, classic, elegant style that’s very much in the character of the vintage. Ruby-colored, with notes of tobacco, leafy herbs, and graphite, it has fine tannins and, again, an undeniable elegance and classic style.”
Neal Martin, Vinous “...I like the density of this Pauillac, which is focused and elegant yet classic on the finish...The palate is well balanced, with mint-infused black fruit, tobacco and sage.”
Wine Spectator "A restrained style, with a sanguine note leading off for a mix of gently mulled damson plum, loganberry, and red currant fruit flavors. Supple in feel, with perfumy cedar and alder notes guiding the finish."
Decanter "Tight and fresh, this shows good quality black fruits in a light, earlier drinking style. It's not as creamy in texture as some others, but has an enjoyable, fleshy texture as it opens in the glass."
83% Cabernet Sauvignon 17% Merlot
Château Lynch-Moussas was originally owned by Count Jean-Baptiste Lynch of Ireland in the 18th century. At the time, the estate was much larger than it is today. In fact, the Left Bank estate was so large in those days, it was eventually divided into two parts. Half of the estate gave birth to Chateau Lynch Bages. The remaining portion became Chateau Lynch Moussas. Like Lynch-Bages, it was ranked as a fifth growth in the 1855 Bordeaux classification.
In 1919, Chateau Lynch Moussas was purchased by the Casteja family and its negociant arm, Borie Manoux, which owns numerous other Bordeaux estates in the Medoc and the Right Bank including Chateau Batailley and Chateau Trotte Vieille. At the time of the purchase, they also owned Chateau Duhart-Milon.
1 x Te Mata Bullnose Syrah 2018 ~ Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
97/100 Sam Kim
96/100 Huon Hooke
96/100 Cameron Douglas
95/100 The Wine Front
90/100 Decanter World Wine Awards
16.5/20 Jancis Robinson
Te Mata Estate is regarded as one of New Zealand’s most important wine producers
Sam Kim "The palate is concentrated, focused and delightfully flowing with outstanding depth and intensity, while remaining elegant and poised, leading to an extremely long expansive finish. Harmonious, seamless and flawlessly precise. Combining exquisite refinement and undeniable power, this latest offering is another stunning beauty under this iconic label...The gorgeously perfumed bouquet shows Black Doris plum, sweet raspberry, violet, olive and toasted almond characters with a whiff of fragrant spice. "
Jancis Robinson "Confected black fruit, finely layered tannins, a touch of bacon and smoke on the finish. Dry, savoury, meaty persistence."
Cameron Douglas "A great bouquet, the fine nose of Syrah with white and black peppercorn, roses and lavender, a core of red currants, black cherry and Doris plum, some sweet olive and new leather. Firm, youthful and dry with an abundance of tannins and acidity."
Decanter "A very modern take on Syrah which turns up the chocolate and cappuccino characters to create a rich and silky wine. There’s dark cherry and ripe raspberry fruit to balance the roasted coffee tannins with an acid spike. Extended skin contact and a warmish fermentation have given this depth and elegance."
Gary Walsh "Ras el hanout (راس الحانوت) is a spice mix that means ‘head of the shop’, and maybe we have a bull in a shop here, such is the level of exotic spice and perfume pumping out of the glass. In with that, some lavender and vanilla, cherry and redcurrant, a smattering of green herb too. It’s light to medium-bodied, fine emery tannin, juicy raspberry acidity and flavour, inner-mouth perfume and spiced wood aromatic, and a dusty white pepper texture and taste on a cool long finish. Nice and ‘minerally’ too. You have to like them spicy and lithe, and if so, this’ll be close to the top of the shop for you."
Huon Hooke "...a pronounced spicy, peppery aroma, the palate sweet rich and deep in very elegant, classy fruit flavour. The tannins are ample and refined, balanced and the wine is overall delicious. Black pepper, subtle cloves and other spices. It has a core of fruit sweetness that is utterly delicious."
World of Fine Wine 'Getting to know a legend' "A visit to one of the world’s greatest fine-wine estates should be an integral part of any tour of New Zealand. On the East Coast of New Zealand’s North Island is the independently owned, family-run, Te Mata Estate. Owners and staff still work on vineyards that began growing Cabernet, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir back in the 1890s, making it the country’s oldest wine estate. Since 1905, this winery has been winning gold medals globally, which led to these sites becoming the country’s first to be protected by law due to their viticultural history...Te Mata Estate wines are currently available in 45 countries and have been presented at some of the world’s top tables— including to President Barrack Obama, President Xi Jinping, and Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee."
Raymond Chan "Te Mata Estate was the standard by which every other wine producer could be judged against, as the full range of styles has always been impeccable. In the earlier days, Hawke’s Bay was the scene of New Zealand’s quality wine, so it was very apt to have Te Mata Estate as the point of reference. Even when other regions developed, and Marlborough grew larger, and other varietals such as Pinot Noir became important, one could understand the state of the New Zealand wine industry by how Te Mata Estate behaved or reacted to influences, whether internal or international."
Te Mata Estate is regarded as one of New Zealand’s most important wine producers. It is New Zealand's oldest winery, oldest wine estate and has the oldest winery cellars in the country - in continuous operation since 1895. Coleraine is Te Mata's most acclaimed wine and is often regarded as New Zealand's best red wine.