Top Critic Rated 90+/100 Luxe Mixed - 6 Pack Value
This collection showcases the pinnacle of wine craftsmanship, featuring top-rated selections with scores of 90 points or more from esteemed critics. Indulge in a premium tasting experience with this curated 6-pack, where each bottle embodies sophistication and quality. Elevate your wine journey effortlessly with this luxurious yet affordable ensemble, bringing the best of top-rated wines to your palate. Cheers to sophistication, excellence, unbeatable value and exceptional taste in every sip!
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.
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 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 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.
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, 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.
Hawke's Bay is located on the east coast of the North Island in and around the cities of Napier, Hastings and Havelock North. This historic region has New Zealand's second-largest wine industry (after Marlborough) and is highly regarded for its red Bordeaux Blend wines. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Chardonnay are all planted widely across the region. Over the years, the region has won international acclaim for its very high-quality Bordeaux-style reds and full-bodied Chardonnays. Syrah, produced in a classic European style with strong black-pepper flavors, is another grape variety thought to have great potential here.
Syrah is a dark-skinned red wine grape. Its origins have been popularly debated, but its modern viticultural home is unquestionably the northern Rhône Valley of eastern France. In Australia, Syrah is the flagship variety and has developed such a distinct personality that it is essentially regarded as a distinct variety, is commonly known as Shiraz.
1 x Maxime Blin Cuvee Le Present Champagne Blanc (Organic)- Champagne, France
92/100 Jamie Goode
Award Winner - Le Guide Hachette des Vins
Gold - Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2015
Silver - Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2004
Gold - Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2013
Silver - Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2008
Maxime Blin is served on Qatar Airways & Air Italy
Organic
Jamie Goode "Toasty, rich and intense with notes of pear, peach and honey. Powerful style showing opulence and sweetness, allied to structure."
Le Guide Hachette des Vins "Made from 3 Champagne grape varieties in equal parts, a fresh, mineral and long brut, with aromas of butter, vanilla and lemony stone fruits. For the aperitif as for the table."
Le Guide Hachette des Vins "The Maxime Blin Carte Blanche white is an award winning Champagne". This wine was noted in the 2021 edition of the Guide Hachette Vins."
Sommeliers International "A mouthful of talent."
1/3 Chardonnay, 1/3 Pinot Noir, 1/3 Meunier
Organic wines are made from grapes grown without pesticides, following strict organic standards. Organic wines are produced in vineyards that do not use synthetic chemicals. Certified organic wines have been certified by Association des Champagnes Biologiques in France.
Champagne Maxime Blin has captured the attention of the world's champagne experts. This fourth-generation family owned champagne house has produced many award winning champagnes which are rated highly and celebrated for their expression of the famous terrior in which the vineyard is located. It is one of the few certified organic champagne producers in the worrld. Situated in the Champagne village of Saint Thierry near Reims - the center of the Champagne world - boasting Veuve Clicquot, Pommery, Ruinart and Taittinger, Champagne Maxime Blin is the rising star amongst its big name neighbours.
Maxime Blin has been certified organic since 2021. The company. produced its first organic champagne in 2022. Maxime Blin champagnes are highly sought after due to the qualtiy and low volume of champagnes it produces. It cultivates the three Champagne grape varieties, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay on vines with an average age of twenty years.
Maxime Blin produces 11 champagnes ( Carte Blanche, Carte Douce, Rosé, Millésime, Grande Tradition, Cuvée l'Onirique, Cuvée l'Authentique, Cuvée Maxime, Millesime 1998, Cuvée Craziness, Clés d'Eole). Among the brands' many admirers which include artists, musicians, and wine experts, the Italian actress Manuela Arcuri, every year for her birthday, orders the Cuvée 'Craziness'.
Champagne is the most iconic sparkling wine in the world, produced in the region of Champagne in France. Synonymous with celebration, champagne is typically produced from a few specific varieties of grapes: pinot noir, chardonnay, and pinot meunier. With effervescent flavors of citrus, almond, and apple, champagne comes in varying levels of sweetness and has a moderate amount of alcohol. The most treasured Champagnes age for a minimum of 3 years.
The Champagne region is located 140 kilometres from Paris, France. While the vines in this region have been producing wine since the Roman era, it is only in the past couple of hundred years that winemakers began producing Champagne using méthode champenoise - the complex method that produces the style of Champagne the world knows and loves today. Another important component of the production of champagne is the chalk and limestone soils which dominate the Champagne region. Vines grown in these conditions result in wines that are high in acidity - a key component to making good sparkling wine. Champagne's northerly location - about as north as grapes can ripen - also allow for higher acidity and lower alcohol levels which are also very important for producing quality sparkling wine.
The UNESCO World Heritage site of the wine growing region of Champagne is best known for the world's most famous wine product: champagne. The region of Champagne, traces its roots to the early medieval kingdom of Austrasia that was annexed to the French crown in the 1300s. Right from the early ages, the region has been famed for its hillside vineyards and its strictly regulated methods of creating those pinot noir, pinot meunier and chardonnay grapes into – champagne. It is this ‘Method Champenois’ that connects champagne to its rich history, geographical location and image of luxury.
1 x Super Nanny Goat Pinot Noir 2021 - Otago, New Zealand
95/100 CamDouglas MS
91/100 Bob Campbell, The Real Review
94/100 Bob Campbell, The Real Review (2020 vintage)
92/100 James Suckling (2020 vintage)
Bronze - The Wine Front (2020 vintage)
5 Stars - Michael Cooper
Gold - Decanter World Wine Awards
Silver - International Wine Challenge
Silver - International Wine & Spirit Competition
Gold - Decanter World Wine Awards (2020 vintage)
Silver - The National Wine Awards of Aotearoa 2022 (2020 vintage)
Silver - London Wine Competition (2020 vintage)
Silver - International Wine Challenge
Bronze - International Wine & Spirit Competition
CamDouglas MS "An excellent bouquet with a core of ripe, dark skinned red berries and baking spices, plums and clove, baked blackcurrant and old roses, vanilla and some smoky wood moments. Dry, concentrated, focused and new. Salivating as the wine touches the palate with core flavours of dark berries and smoky wood then blackcurrant and baking spices. Firm tannins and acidity set a core foundation for the fruit and signature style. A long finish and youthful power."
Bob Campbell, The Real Review "An elegant rather than blockbuster pinot noir with a mix of floral/rose petal, dark cherry, roasted chestnut and subtle spicy flavours."
Michael Cooper "Highly fragrant it is mouthfilling, with deep, ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, seasoned with nutty oak. Complex and very savoury, it is a youthful, harmonious, supple red, well worth cellaring.."
Decanter World Wine Awards "A wealth of pressed flowers and remarkably pure dark berries and plums, displaying all the hallmarks of the genre. Soft and creamy with an inspiring finish."
Bob Campbell, The Real Review "Attractive, fruit-focused pinot noir with floral, violet, dark cherry, berry and spicy oak flavours. A deliciously accessible wine, with a supple core of juicy fruit flavours balanced by fine, sweet tannins. Very appealing" (2020 vintage)
James Suckling "The top-tier pinot from this producer, this has a complex nose with spiced red and dark cherries and plums, as well as espresso and pepper. The palate has a bold, fleshy core with ripe dark-cherry and plum flavors framed in silky, smooth-honed tannins. Fresh finish."
Decanter World Wine Awards "Luscious, ripe, fruit and enticing bouquet of dark cherry, baked raspberry, thyme, nutmeg and vanilla. Juicy and mouthwatering, ripe and polished tannins, showing a youthful charm." (2020 vintage)
Nanny Goat Pinot Noir comes from the Bannockburn sub-region of Central Otago. As with most vineyards, there is usually a small parcel or two of outstanding quality fruit that outshines the rest.
The Super Nanny is a limited release wine, made from carefully hand-sorted Pinot Noir bunches, wild yeast ferment with a portion of the whole bunch, extended skin contact and 15 months in French Oak. (40% New Oak) The result is a powerful, richly flavoured and textured Central Otago Pinot, which won a Gold Medal from the NZ International Wine Show in 2014 (2013 vintage).
Since the release of its inaugural Pinot Noir in 2005, the Nanny Goat Vineyard has produced wines of elegance, concentration and balance.
Acclaimed winemaker Alan Oswald previously spent 5 years at Cloudy Bay, including two years as Assistant Winemaker. He is a specialist premium Pinot Noir winemaker.
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.
1 x Chateau Marjosse Pierre Lurton Cuvee Truffiers'Rouge 2018 - Bordeaux, France
93/100 Decanter
91/100 James Suckling
91/100 Jean Marc-Quarin
17/20 Jancis Robinson
15.5/20 La Revue de Vin de France
Owned by one of the world's most famous winemakers, Pierre Lurton - president of two of Bordeaux's best-known chateaux, the Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH) owned Château Cheval Blanc and Château d’Yquem.
100% Merlot..15% new oak
Decanter "Excellent concentration and fruit definition, one to look out for....from the limestone-dominant plateau of Margaux. A clear floral edge on the initial aromatics, leading to redcurrant and tomato leaf, crunchy red cherry and raspberry fruit, deepening in texture as it opens."
James Suckling,''Blackberry, blueberry, wood and mushroom on the nose. Medium-to full-bodied with chewy tannins. Juicy and fruity at first, with freshness and crisp acidity. Flavorful finish. Drink now.''
Château Marjosse is owned by French 'wine royalty', Pierre Lurton - president of two of Bordeaux’s best-known châteaux; the Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH) owned, Château Cheval Blanc and Château d’Yquem, Château Marjosse. Pierre Lurton comes from two of the great Bordeaux families. His father Dominique was the youngest son of the paterfamilias François Lurton; his uncle André Lurton who founded the eponymous wine company; his many cousins run châteaux from Pauillac to Pomerol. His mother is from the famous Lafite family.
The influential Club Enologique asserts that Pierre is the most accomplished wine personality of his famous family. Trained as a doctor but swapping his studies for wine making after four years. At 23 he took over Clos Fourtet in St Emilion, one of the fine Lurton properties, and in 1991 he was appointed head of Château Cheval Blanc (it was bought by Bernard Arnault of LVMH in 1998); in 1999 he took on Château d’Yquem, which had just been added to the Arnault portfolio.
Club Enologique describes Pierre Lurton as having the world’s most corporate wine job. "However he divides his time between two of the world’s most exalted wine properties, but comes down to earth in Entre-deux-Mers, the leafy, unpretentious appellation to the east of Bordeaux at Château Marjoss."
The Château Marjoss estate is located in Entre-deux-Mers, on the right bank of Bordeaux. Initially owned by the wine merchant Bernard Chénier, Château Marjosse was acquired by the Deleuze family, who, in 1990, gave some plots to Pierre Lurton to rent. In 1992, Pierre Lurton, who grew up in Château Reynier, neighbour to this magnificent Chartreuse, moved to a second home in Château Marjosse and, over successive years became the owner of the entire vineyard, as well as the Chartreuse in 2013.
Decanter "Since Lurton bought Château Marjosse in 1994, the estate has improved beyond recognition. Pierre's father, Dominique Lurton, also made over a further 30ha so that, under the Château Marjosse label, Lurton now exploits 42ha of vineyard, six hectares of white and 36ha of Bordeaux red – a total of 300,000 bottles a year. Pierre insists his wine is Bordeaux and not Bordeaux Supérieur because ‘my wine is only supérieur in the bottle’. His objectives are ambitious. As the quality of the terroir with clay-limestone soil is similar to some of the better areas in Saint-Emilion, he hopes to prove that wines from this area can rival those from more prestigious regions."
Sommeliers International "At Château Marjosse the land possesses yet another specific feature, known locally as “la Boulbène”, a silty-clayey texture that has developed on ancient alluvions. The fertility of these soils no longer needs to be proved, because, by chance, they are also found in Saint-Emilion, a terroir that is extremely familiar to the man who manages “Cheval Blanc” …. Pierre Lurton. Assisted in this transformation by Consultant-Oenologist Pascal Poussevin, whose recommendations range from vine growing to wine-making, Pierre Lurton’s estate has now reached its cruising speed … Beyond the fabulous adventures he experiences in his role as manager of Châteaux d’Yquem, Cheval Blanc, as well as estates in South Africa, Latin America and in Australia … it is undoubtedly with “the salt of this land here in the Entre-deux-Mers” that his years of quest for perfection will be revealed. It is clear that this region needs winegrowers of such calibre, those who possess a sixth sense and, using techniques that almost resemble intentional alchemy, transform the grapes they touch into wines that exude the unique character of a specific area."
The Entre-deux-Mers region, nicknamed by wine experts as “Little Tuscany”, is unique and jealously protected by its inhabitants. "There are fifteen appellations that constitute the Entre-deux-Mers. The most well-known of them all, reputed for its dry, lively white wines, is certainly the one which bears the name of this region! The Entre-deux-Mers cultivates a certain speciality in producing white wines, due to its basic geological assets, possessing gravelly-limestone soils, upon which Sémillon, Sauvignon, Muscadelle and even Ugni Blanc grape varieties are planted. But the variety of soils and sub-soils associated with such a complex landscape provides a diversity of terroirs … These are favourable for producing red wines, that are regrettably not sufficiently well-known, but highly prized for the complexity of their aromas, their deep, vivid colour, as well as the concentration and elegance of their tannins." Sommeliers International.
Bordeaux, in the southwest of France, needs little introduction as one of the world's most famous, prestigious and prolific wine regions. Its three trump cards are diversity, quality and quantity. The majority of Bordeaux wines (nearly 90 percent of production volume) are the dry, medium- and full-bodied red Bordeaux Blends that established its reputation. The finest (and most expensive) of these come from the great châteaux of the Haut-Médoc and the Right Bank appellations Saint-Émilion and Pomerol. The legendary reds are complemented by high-quality white wines, both dry styles (particularly from Pessac-Léognan) and the sweet, botrytized nectars of Sauternes.
Merlot is a red wine grape variety with strong historic ties to Bordeaux and the southwest of France. It is the second most-planted red wine grape variety in the world, after Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot is extremely popular in northern Italy, the United States. Chile has built its reputation mainly on its Merlot-based cuvées. Merlot's flavour profile includes plum and black cherry. Often described as producing smooth, rounded and "easy drinking" wines. Merlot is often used to great effect in blends, and is known in his capacity to make some of the most famous wines in the world.
1 x Swinney Frankland River Syrah 2019 - Great Southern, Frankland River, Western Australia
94/100 Halliday Wine Companion, Erin Larkin
94/100 The Wine Front, Gary Walsh
93/100 The Real Review, Stuart Knox
96/100 The Real Review, Huon Hooke (2018 vintage)
Young Gun of Wine - Australian Vineyard of The Year 2020
Five Star Halliday Rating (2016 vintage)
James Halliday Top Ten ~ Best New Wineries 2015 (2016 vintage)
#6 Top Wineries of Australia 2020 ~ The Real Review
Halliday Wine Companion, Erin Larkin "Quite reductive initially, but it blows off. This is consistently an elegant and supple wine, with very fine structure and saturating density of flavour. The length of flavour endures long past the final sip, showing the pedigree of fruit and the care and attention in both the vineyard and winery."
The Wine Front, Gary Walsh "All the cracked pepper and blackberry, the hint of wetsuit neoprene reduction, ground spices, char-grilled sausages on the BBQ. Medium-bodied, blueberry and blackberry, husky wheatgerm flavour and tannin, sweetness chopped back with thyme and black olive, clean acidity, boysenberry pie and a dry nutty finish of excellent length. Excellent. Savoury. Regional. Quite the looker."
The Real Review, Stuart Knox "Intense ruby and deep purple colours. A bright nose of blackberries, crushed-shells and dry herbs. A medium-weight red with well-concentrated fruits, all layered with broken stone and morcilla savoury notes. Quite firm and ripe tannins grip the mouth, but release into the finish leaving a pleasing fan of softness."
Waters Wine "Shiraz/Syrah and Australia. It just works. The 2021 is quiet different from previous releases; rounder in shape, ample with finer, lacier tannins. Not so sleek or linear and a dialling back of the mouth puckering mineral acidity. Blueberry, sweet cherry, violets, raspberry and delicate spice. Plush, without any sense of heaviness, a triumph of a full body in perfect proportions. As charming as it is powerful, finishing with very fine tannins. I think this will surprise in the cellar, despite the gentle grip, for at least two decades."
The Real Review, Huon Hooke "Deep, bright red/purple colour with a sweet, ripe blueberry to blackberry aroma. Traces of ironstone. A superb array of spices and berry fruits, pepper among them. Great elegance and persistence; a very stylish modern Aussie shiraz which justifies the syrah name." (2018 vintage)
Young Gun of Wine, Australian Vineyard of The Year 2020 "The Swinney vineyard represents modern viticulture interwoven with Old-World techniques, executed with precision through a combination of exhaustive manual work and state-of-the-art technology, and all underpinned by an environmental focus...and the quality of the resulting wines, is truly extraordinary and inspiring.”
Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine ~ Wines to Watch ~ Nick Ryan "...an impressive suite of wines that provide compelling evidence of real understanding of site and dedication to capturing what makes it special."
The Swinneys are a pair of brother-and-sister winemakers who are one of the rare new Australian wineries to have two of their wines invited onto the esteemed wine lists of The Ivy and Savoy Grill (Gordon Ramsay) restaurants in London. Swinney Vineyards made its debut in Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion 2015 with a five-star rating and were ranked in the top ten of best new wineries.
Swinney Vineyards made its debut in Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion 2015 with a five-star rating and were ranked in the top ten of best new wineries.
Frankland River is a key Australian wine sub-region the south of Western Australia. It is located just inland from the Southern Ocean coast, 115 miles east of Margaret River. Frankland River is the coldest wine region in continental Australia. Riesling is the area's specialty, with its crisp, fresh style standing out from the more diesel–kerosene notes found in the warmer regions further north.
This collection showcases the pinnacle of wine craftsmanship, featuring top-rated selections with scores of 90 points or more from esteemed critics. Indulge in a premium tasting experience with this curated 6-pack, where each bottle embodies sophistication and quality. Elevate your wine journey effortlessly with this luxurious yet affordable ensemble, bringing the best of top-rated wines to your palate. Cheers to sophistication, excellence, unbeatable value and exceptional taste in every sip!
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.
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 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 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.
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, 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.
Hawke's Bay is located on the east coast of the North Island in and around the cities of Napier, Hastings and Havelock North. This historic region has New Zealand's second-largest wine industry (after Marlborough) and is highly regarded for its red Bordeaux Blend wines. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Chardonnay are all planted widely across the region. Over the years, the region has won international acclaim for its very high-quality Bordeaux-style reds and full-bodied Chardonnays. Syrah, produced in a classic European style with strong black-pepper flavors, is another grape variety thought to have great potential here.
Syrah is a dark-skinned red wine grape. Its origins have been popularly debated, but its modern viticultural home is unquestionably the northern Rhône Valley of eastern France. In Australia, Syrah is the flagship variety and has developed such a distinct personality that it is essentially regarded as a distinct variety, is commonly known as Shiraz.
1 x Maxime Blin Cuvee Le Present Champagne Blanc (Organic)- Champagne, France
92/100 Jamie Goode
Award Winner - Le Guide Hachette des Vins
Gold - Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2015
Silver - Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2004
Gold - Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2013
Silver - Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2008
Maxime Blin is served on Qatar Airways & Air Italy
Organic
Jamie Goode "Toasty, rich and intense with notes of pear, peach and honey. Powerful style showing opulence and sweetness, allied to structure."
Le Guide Hachette des Vins "Made from 3 Champagne grape varieties in equal parts, a fresh, mineral and long brut, with aromas of butter, vanilla and lemony stone fruits. For the aperitif as for the table."
Le Guide Hachette des Vins "The Maxime Blin Carte Blanche white is an award winning Champagne". This wine was noted in the 2021 edition of the Guide Hachette Vins."
Sommeliers International "A mouthful of talent."
1/3 Chardonnay, 1/3 Pinot Noir, 1/3 Meunier
Organic wines are made from grapes grown without pesticides, following strict organic standards. Organic wines are produced in vineyards that do not use synthetic chemicals. Certified organic wines have been certified by Association des Champagnes Biologiques in France.
Champagne Maxime Blin has captured the attention of the world's champagne experts. This fourth-generation family owned champagne house has produced many award winning champagnes which are rated highly and celebrated for their expression of the famous terrior in which the vineyard is located. It is one of the few certified organic champagne producers in the worrld. Situated in the Champagne village of Saint Thierry near Reims - the center of the Champagne world - boasting Veuve Clicquot, Pommery, Ruinart and Taittinger, Champagne Maxime Blin is the rising star amongst its big name neighbours.
Maxime Blin has been certified organic since 2021. The company. produced its first organic champagne in 2022. Maxime Blin champagnes are highly sought after due to the qualtiy and low volume of champagnes it produces. It cultivates the three Champagne grape varieties, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay on vines with an average age of twenty years.
Maxime Blin produces 11 champagnes ( Carte Blanche, Carte Douce, Rosé, Millésime, Grande Tradition, Cuvée l'Onirique, Cuvée l'Authentique, Cuvée Maxime, Millesime 1998, Cuvée Craziness, Clés d'Eole). Among the brands' many admirers which include artists, musicians, and wine experts, the Italian actress Manuela Arcuri, every year for her birthday, orders the Cuvée 'Craziness'.
Champagne is the most iconic sparkling wine in the world, produced in the region of Champagne in France. Synonymous with celebration, champagne is typically produced from a few specific varieties of grapes: pinot noir, chardonnay, and pinot meunier. With effervescent flavors of citrus, almond, and apple, champagne comes in varying levels of sweetness and has a moderate amount of alcohol. The most treasured Champagnes age for a minimum of 3 years.
The Champagne region is located 140 kilometres from Paris, France. While the vines in this region have been producing wine since the Roman era, it is only in the past couple of hundred years that winemakers began producing Champagne using méthode champenoise - the complex method that produces the style of Champagne the world knows and loves today. Another important component of the production of champagne is the chalk and limestone soils which dominate the Champagne region. Vines grown in these conditions result in wines that are high in acidity - a key component to making good sparkling wine. Champagne's northerly location - about as north as grapes can ripen - also allow for higher acidity and lower alcohol levels which are also very important for producing quality sparkling wine.
The UNESCO World Heritage site of the wine growing region of Champagne is best known for the world's most famous wine product: champagne. The region of Champagne, traces its roots to the early medieval kingdom of Austrasia that was annexed to the French crown in the 1300s. Right from the early ages, the region has been famed for its hillside vineyards and its strictly regulated methods of creating those pinot noir, pinot meunier and chardonnay grapes into – champagne. It is this ‘Method Champenois’ that connects champagne to its rich history, geographical location and image of luxury.
1 x Super Nanny Goat Pinot Noir 2021 - Otago, New Zealand
95/100 CamDouglas MS
91/100 Bob Campbell, The Real Review
94/100 Bob Campbell, The Real Review (2020 vintage)
92/100 James Suckling (2020 vintage)
Bronze - The Wine Front (2020 vintage)
5 Stars - Michael Cooper
Gold - Decanter World Wine Awards
Silver - International Wine Challenge
Silver - International Wine & Spirit Competition
Gold - Decanter World Wine Awards (2020 vintage)
Silver - The National Wine Awards of Aotearoa 2022 (2020 vintage)
Silver - London Wine Competition (2020 vintage)
Silver - International Wine Challenge
Bronze - International Wine & Spirit Competition
CamDouglas MS "An excellent bouquet with a core of ripe, dark skinned red berries and baking spices, plums and clove, baked blackcurrant and old roses, vanilla and some smoky wood moments. Dry, concentrated, focused and new. Salivating as the wine touches the palate with core flavours of dark berries and smoky wood then blackcurrant and baking spices. Firm tannins and acidity set a core foundation for the fruit and signature style. A long finish and youthful power."
Bob Campbell, The Real Review "An elegant rather than blockbuster pinot noir with a mix of floral/rose petal, dark cherry, roasted chestnut and subtle spicy flavours."
Michael Cooper "Highly fragrant it is mouthfilling, with deep, ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, seasoned with nutty oak. Complex and very savoury, it is a youthful, harmonious, supple red, well worth cellaring.."
Decanter World Wine Awards "A wealth of pressed flowers and remarkably pure dark berries and plums, displaying all the hallmarks of the genre. Soft and creamy with an inspiring finish."
Bob Campbell, The Real Review "Attractive, fruit-focused pinot noir with floral, violet, dark cherry, berry and spicy oak flavours. A deliciously accessible wine, with a supple core of juicy fruit flavours balanced by fine, sweet tannins. Very appealing" (2020 vintage)
James Suckling "The top-tier pinot from this producer, this has a complex nose with spiced red and dark cherries and plums, as well as espresso and pepper. The palate has a bold, fleshy core with ripe dark-cherry and plum flavors framed in silky, smooth-honed tannins. Fresh finish."
Decanter World Wine Awards "Luscious, ripe, fruit and enticing bouquet of dark cherry, baked raspberry, thyme, nutmeg and vanilla. Juicy and mouthwatering, ripe and polished tannins, showing a youthful charm." (2020 vintage)
Nanny Goat Pinot Noir comes from the Bannockburn sub-region of Central Otago. As with most vineyards, there is usually a small parcel or two of outstanding quality fruit that outshines the rest.
The Super Nanny is a limited release wine, made from carefully hand-sorted Pinot Noir bunches, wild yeast ferment with a portion of the whole bunch, extended skin contact and 15 months in French Oak. (40% New Oak) The result is a powerful, richly flavoured and textured Central Otago Pinot, which won a Gold Medal from the NZ International Wine Show in 2014 (2013 vintage).
Since the release of its inaugural Pinot Noir in 2005, the Nanny Goat Vineyard has produced wines of elegance, concentration and balance.
Acclaimed winemaker Alan Oswald previously spent 5 years at Cloudy Bay, including two years as Assistant Winemaker. He is a specialist premium Pinot Noir winemaker.
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.
1 x Chateau Marjosse Pierre Lurton Cuvee Truffiers'Rouge 2018 - Bordeaux, France
93/100 Decanter
91/100 James Suckling
91/100 Jean Marc-Quarin
17/20 Jancis Robinson
15.5/20 La Revue de Vin de France
Owned by one of the world's most famous winemakers, Pierre Lurton - president of two of Bordeaux's best-known chateaux, the Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH) owned Château Cheval Blanc and Château d’Yquem.
100% Merlot..15% new oak
Decanter "Excellent concentration and fruit definition, one to look out for....from the limestone-dominant plateau of Margaux. A clear floral edge on the initial aromatics, leading to redcurrant and tomato leaf, crunchy red cherry and raspberry fruit, deepening in texture as it opens."
James Suckling,''Blackberry, blueberry, wood and mushroom on the nose. Medium-to full-bodied with chewy tannins. Juicy and fruity at first, with freshness and crisp acidity. Flavorful finish. Drink now.''
Château Marjosse is owned by French 'wine royalty', Pierre Lurton - president of two of Bordeaux’s best-known châteaux; the Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH) owned, Château Cheval Blanc and Château d’Yquem, Château Marjosse. Pierre Lurton comes from two of the great Bordeaux families. His father Dominique was the youngest son of the paterfamilias François Lurton; his uncle André Lurton who founded the eponymous wine company; his many cousins run châteaux from Pauillac to Pomerol. His mother is from the famous Lafite family.
The influential Club Enologique asserts that Pierre is the most accomplished wine personality of his famous family. Trained as a doctor but swapping his studies for wine making after four years. At 23 he took over Clos Fourtet in St Emilion, one of the fine Lurton properties, and in 1991 he was appointed head of Château Cheval Blanc (it was bought by Bernard Arnault of LVMH in 1998); in 1999 he took on Château d’Yquem, which had just been added to the Arnault portfolio.
Club Enologique describes Pierre Lurton as having the world’s most corporate wine job. "However he divides his time between two of the world’s most exalted wine properties, but comes down to earth in Entre-deux-Mers, the leafy, unpretentious appellation to the east of Bordeaux at Château Marjoss."
The Château Marjoss estate is located in Entre-deux-Mers, on the right bank of Bordeaux. Initially owned by the wine merchant Bernard Chénier, Château Marjosse was acquired by the Deleuze family, who, in 1990, gave some plots to Pierre Lurton to rent. In 1992, Pierre Lurton, who grew up in Château Reynier, neighbour to this magnificent Chartreuse, moved to a second home in Château Marjosse and, over successive years became the owner of the entire vineyard, as well as the Chartreuse in 2013.
Decanter "Since Lurton bought Château Marjosse in 1994, the estate has improved beyond recognition. Pierre's father, Dominique Lurton, also made over a further 30ha so that, under the Château Marjosse label, Lurton now exploits 42ha of vineyard, six hectares of white and 36ha of Bordeaux red – a total of 300,000 bottles a year. Pierre insists his wine is Bordeaux and not Bordeaux Supérieur because ‘my wine is only supérieur in the bottle’. His objectives are ambitious. As the quality of the terroir with clay-limestone soil is similar to some of the better areas in Saint-Emilion, he hopes to prove that wines from this area can rival those from more prestigious regions."
Sommeliers International "At Château Marjosse the land possesses yet another specific feature, known locally as “la Boulbène”, a silty-clayey texture that has developed on ancient alluvions. The fertility of these soils no longer needs to be proved, because, by chance, they are also found in Saint-Emilion, a terroir that is extremely familiar to the man who manages “Cheval Blanc” …. Pierre Lurton. Assisted in this transformation by Consultant-Oenologist Pascal Poussevin, whose recommendations range from vine growing to wine-making, Pierre Lurton’s estate has now reached its cruising speed … Beyond the fabulous adventures he experiences in his role as manager of Châteaux d’Yquem, Cheval Blanc, as well as estates in South Africa, Latin America and in Australia … it is undoubtedly with “the salt of this land here in the Entre-deux-Mers” that his years of quest for perfection will be revealed. It is clear that this region needs winegrowers of such calibre, those who possess a sixth sense and, using techniques that almost resemble intentional alchemy, transform the grapes they touch into wines that exude the unique character of a specific area."
The Entre-deux-Mers region, nicknamed by wine experts as “Little Tuscany”, is unique and jealously protected by its inhabitants. "There are fifteen appellations that constitute the Entre-deux-Mers. The most well-known of them all, reputed for its dry, lively white wines, is certainly the one which bears the name of this region! The Entre-deux-Mers cultivates a certain speciality in producing white wines, due to its basic geological assets, possessing gravelly-limestone soils, upon which Sémillon, Sauvignon, Muscadelle and even Ugni Blanc grape varieties are planted. But the variety of soils and sub-soils associated with such a complex landscape provides a diversity of terroirs … These are favourable for producing red wines, that are regrettably not sufficiently well-known, but highly prized for the complexity of their aromas, their deep, vivid colour, as well as the concentration and elegance of their tannins." Sommeliers International.
Bordeaux, in the southwest of France, needs little introduction as one of the world's most famous, prestigious and prolific wine regions. Its three trump cards are diversity, quality and quantity. The majority of Bordeaux wines (nearly 90 percent of production volume) are the dry, medium- and full-bodied red Bordeaux Blends that established its reputation. The finest (and most expensive) of these come from the great châteaux of the Haut-Médoc and the Right Bank appellations Saint-Émilion and Pomerol. The legendary reds are complemented by high-quality white wines, both dry styles (particularly from Pessac-Léognan) and the sweet, botrytized nectars of Sauternes.
Merlot is a red wine grape variety with strong historic ties to Bordeaux and the southwest of France. It is the second most-planted red wine grape variety in the world, after Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot is extremely popular in northern Italy, the United States. Chile has built its reputation mainly on its Merlot-based cuvées. Merlot's flavour profile includes plum and black cherry. Often described as producing smooth, rounded and "easy drinking" wines. Merlot is often used to great effect in blends, and is known in his capacity to make some of the most famous wines in the world.
1 x Swinney Frankland River Syrah 2019 - Great Southern, Frankland River, Western Australia
94/100 Halliday Wine Companion, Erin Larkin
94/100 The Wine Front, Gary Walsh
93/100 The Real Review, Stuart Knox
96/100 The Real Review, Huon Hooke (2018 vintage)
Young Gun of Wine - Australian Vineyard of The Year 2020
Five Star Halliday Rating (2016 vintage)
James Halliday Top Ten ~ Best New Wineries 2015 (2016 vintage)
#6 Top Wineries of Australia 2020 ~ The Real Review
Halliday Wine Companion, Erin Larkin "Quite reductive initially, but it blows off. This is consistently an elegant and supple wine, with very fine structure and saturating density of flavour. The length of flavour endures long past the final sip, showing the pedigree of fruit and the care and attention in both the vineyard and winery."
The Wine Front, Gary Walsh "All the cracked pepper and blackberry, the hint of wetsuit neoprene reduction, ground spices, char-grilled sausages on the BBQ. Medium-bodied, blueberry and blackberry, husky wheatgerm flavour and tannin, sweetness chopped back with thyme and black olive, clean acidity, boysenberry pie and a dry nutty finish of excellent length. Excellent. Savoury. Regional. Quite the looker."
The Real Review, Stuart Knox "Intense ruby and deep purple colours. A bright nose of blackberries, crushed-shells and dry herbs. A medium-weight red with well-concentrated fruits, all layered with broken stone and morcilla savoury notes. Quite firm and ripe tannins grip the mouth, but release into the finish leaving a pleasing fan of softness."
Waters Wine "Shiraz/Syrah and Australia. It just works. The 2021 is quiet different from previous releases; rounder in shape, ample with finer, lacier tannins. Not so sleek or linear and a dialling back of the mouth puckering mineral acidity. Blueberry, sweet cherry, violets, raspberry and delicate spice. Plush, without any sense of heaviness, a triumph of a full body in perfect proportions. As charming as it is powerful, finishing with very fine tannins. I think this will surprise in the cellar, despite the gentle grip, for at least two decades."
The Real Review, Huon Hooke "Deep, bright red/purple colour with a sweet, ripe blueberry to blackberry aroma. Traces of ironstone. A superb array of spices and berry fruits, pepper among them. Great elegance and persistence; a very stylish modern Aussie shiraz which justifies the syrah name." (2018 vintage)
Young Gun of Wine, Australian Vineyard of The Year 2020 "The Swinney vineyard represents modern viticulture interwoven with Old-World techniques, executed with precision through a combination of exhaustive manual work and state-of-the-art technology, and all underpinned by an environmental focus...and the quality of the resulting wines, is truly extraordinary and inspiring.”
Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine ~ Wines to Watch ~ Nick Ryan "...an impressive suite of wines that provide compelling evidence of real understanding of site and dedication to capturing what makes it special."
The Swinneys are a pair of brother-and-sister winemakers who are one of the rare new Australian wineries to have two of their wines invited onto the esteemed wine lists of The Ivy and Savoy Grill (Gordon Ramsay) restaurants in London. Swinney Vineyards made its debut in Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion 2015 with a five-star rating and were ranked in the top ten of best new wineries.
Swinney Vineyards made its debut in Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion 2015 with a five-star rating and were ranked in the top ten of best new wineries.
Frankland River is a key Australian wine sub-region the south of Western Australia. It is located just inland from the Southern Ocean coast, 115 miles east of Margaret River. Frankland River is the coldest wine region in continental Australia. Riesling is the area's specialty, with its crisp, fresh style standing out from the more diesel–kerosene notes found in the warmer regions further north.