Top Wine Spectator Premium Mixed Pack - 6 Pack Value
Introducing the epitome of oenophile delight with our top wine spectator premium mixed pack - a 6 pack value. This exclusive collection features meticulously selected wines, each earning accolades from the renowned Wine Spectator.
1 x Chateau Marquis de Terme, Margaux 2016 - Bordeaux , France
94/100 Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
93/100 Neal Martin, Vinous
92/100 Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
92/100 Falstaff Magazin
92/100 Wine Enthusiast
91/100 Decanter
91/100 Jeb Dunnuck
90/100 Wine Spectator
Silver, International Wine & Spirit Competition
Organic
Jeff Leve “...Soft, polished, round and with fruit to spare, this is showing great today and will only get better with time...floral nuances to the licorice, cherry, black raspberry and smoky overtones. ”
Neal Martin, Vinous “...Elegant and cohesive, this is a fine Margaux .........crushed violet and incense infusing the vivacious black fruit. The lightly spiced, medium-bodied palate features supple tannins, a fine bead of acidity and a pinch of white pepper on the finish.”
Julia Harding MW “Deep cherry. Fragrant with sweet dark-red and black fruit and a touch of oak sweetness. Firm, chewy, not trying to charm at the moment but it’s all in place, just needs to open and blossom.”
Wine Spectator "Warm in feel, with dark plum, cassis and cherry compote flavors forming the core. Generally open in feel, with light cocoa, tobacco and alder notes adding spine and texture to offset the tasty fruit."
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot
Chateau Marquis de Terme is a Bordeaux wine estate founded in 1661.
Château Marquis de Terme’s Margaux wine is a legendary Bordeaux wine estate, classified as a 'Quatrième Cru (Fourth Growth) Classé' in the 1855 Classification of Bordeaux wines. American President Thomas Jefferson - himself a wine connoisseur, visited Bordeaux in 1787 - declaring Château Marquis de Terme as one of the 16 best Bordeaux wines he tasted.
Chateau Marquis de Terme began organic farming on a small parcel of vines with their first organic wine being the 2013 vintage. They are now farming their vineyards entirely organically achieving organic certification in 2017. Sitting on the doorstep of Margaux, Château Marquis de Terme is emblematic of both how many Bordeaux châteaux were once created and of the famous Margaux terroir. Though a Grand Cru Classé and world-renowned wine, the family owned estate is dedicated to premium wine-making and world class organic practices. The location of the estate at the heart of the Margaux appellation offers a climate that is heavily influenced by both the Gironde estuary and Bay of Biscay, as well as the sheltering effects of the coastal pine forests that protect the vines from the westerly and northwesterly winds.
Margaux is an important appellation in the Haut-Médoc district of Bordeaux, southwestern France. The appellation is famous for producing supple, perfumed wines, predominantly from Cabernet Sauvignon. The Margaux appellation contains 21 cru classé properties from the 1855 Bordeaux Classification (20 of which still exist), more than any other Left Bank appellation.
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.
A Bordeaux Blend is any combination of those grape varieties typically used to make the red wines of Bordeaux. Cabernet Sauvignon is widely accepted as a compulsory component of any Bordeaux Blend along with Merlot. In fact, the majority of Bordeaux Blend wines are often made exclusively from a blend of these two varieties. The remaining components are Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec.
1 x Domaine de la Mordoree Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Dame Voyageuse (Organic) 2020 - Rhone, France
94/100 James Suckling
92/100 Jeb Dunnuck
92/100 Vinous
95/100 Jeb Dunnuck (2019 vintage)
93/100 Wine Spectator (2019 vintage)
93/100 Vinous (2019 vintage)
91/100 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (2019 vintage)
92/100 Wine Spectator (2018 vintage)
92/100 Jeb Dunnuck (2018 vintage)
92/100 Decanter (2018 vintage)
92/100 Vinous (2018 vintage)
91/100 Wine Enthusiast (2018 vintage)
90/100 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (2018 vintage)
95/100 Wine Enthusiast (2017 vintage)
94/100 Decanter (2017 vintage)
93/100 James Suckling (2017 vintage)
91/100 Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider (2017 Vintage)
90/100 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (2017 vintage)
95/100 International Wine Report (2016 vintage)
94/100 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (2016 vintage)
93/100 Wine Spectator (2016 vintage)
93/100 Decanter (2016 vintage)
92/100 Vinous (2016 vintage)
Organic
James Suckling "A fragrant and spicy Chateauneuf that marries richness and structure with finesse and fascination. The fine tannins build beautifully at the self-confidently dry finish, where spicy and chalky elements mingle beautifully, with just a hint of milk chocolate neatly accenting this. A complex blend based on grenache. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification."
Jeb Dunnuck "it offers a ruby/purple hue as well as a classy, perfumed Grenache nose of wild strawberries, cherries, dried flowers, and peppery garrigue. Playing in the medium to full-bodied, elegant style of the vintage, it has ripe yet present tannins, good purity, and outstanding length. The blend is 90% Grenache, 4% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre, and the balance Vaccarèse and Counoise. While this cuvée is billed as the entry level/second wine of the estate, it’s made in a very different style than the Reine des Bois and is well worth your time and money."
Vinous "Bright violet. Primary red and dark berry and garrigue scents are complemented by licorice and white pepper flourishes. Appealingly sweet and open-knit, offering energetic raspberry, cherry cola and lavender pastille flavors that tighten steadily with aeration. Shows fine clarity and spicy cut on a long, penetrating finish that's given shape by subtly chewy tannins."
Jeb Dunnuck " a beautiful array of both red and black fruits as well as classic Provençal notes of lavender, peppery garrigue, and flowers. Rich, medium to full-bodied, and beautifully textured on the palate, this is another terrific vintage for this cuvée, which remains an incredible value in the market today." (2019 vintage)
Wine Spectator "An expressive version marked by linzer torte, raspberry coulis and plum pâte de fruit notes, with a licorice note lacing it all up through the finish, where flashes of apple wood, tar and red tea fill in nicely. This is for fans of the fruit-driven style. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Counoise and Vaccarèse. " (2019 vintage)
Vinous "Vivid ruby. Spice-accented red berry preserve and cherry aromas are complemented by pungent floral and mineral nuances. Appealingly sweet and seamless in the mouth, offering sappy raspberry, cherry liqueur, licorice and baking spice flavors braced by a spine of juicy acidity. Finishes supple, broad and long, with lingering floral and spice notes and well-knit tannins that lend shape and gentle grip." (2019 vintage)
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate "...it delivers plenty of red fruit notes, ranging from redcurrants and raspberries to slightly darker cherries. Full-bodied and perhaps a touch warm, it's supple and fine, turning silky and elegant on the finish." (2019 vintage)
Wine Spectator "A singed alder note leads off, followed quickly by a mix of steeped plum and black cherry pâte de fruit flavors. Black licorice and graphite underscore the finish. " (2018 vintage)
Jeb Dunnuck "...made in a more charming, forward style compared to the La Reine des Bois release.Ripe strawberries, red currants, toasted spice, and garrigue notes emerge from this classy, frontend loaded, already impossible to resist 2018. With soft tannins, a fleshy mid-palate, and a great finish, it’s ideal for drinking over the coming decade." (2018 vintage)
Decanter "Rounded, full-bodied, generous and good concentration for the vintage, but also quite approachable. This has some depth and intensity, a gentle mineral seam within that brings freshness and length. Has more focus and thrust than most 2018s. Fermented and aged mostly in stainless steel, along with some old barriques" (2018 vintage)
Vinous "Shimmering ruby. Expressive aromas of cherry and red berry preserves, succulent herbs and flowers and baking spices pick up a spicy nuance with air. Sappy and penetrating, offering bitter cherry, black raspberry and rosemary flavors that flesh out through the back half. Closes long, smooth and broad, with repeating florality and subtle tannins adding gentle grip." (2018 vintage)
Wine Enthusiast "...it's a plush, delicately muted wine feathered in soft, furry tannins and a flurry of dried herb and baking spice notes that linger on the finish." (2018 vintage)
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate "...a large-scaled ball of plum and blackberry fruit and savory nuances. Hints of mocha, black olive and licorice bring added interest to this soft, easygoing offering that should be consumed over the next 6-8 years" (2018 vintage)
Wine Enthusiast "With it's pristine blackberry and boysenberry flavors and a juicy, freshly concentrated demeanor, the Grenache-dominant La Dame Voyageuse is more welcoming in youth than the producer's densely packed La Reine des Bois bottling. Etched by savory complexities of garrigue and walnut skins, and held upright by firm, velveteen tannins, it's a stunner in its own right that should drink beautifully well through 2030." (2017 vintage)
Decanter "The fruit is all destemmed and fermented in old barriques, plus a little stainless steel. The aromas wake you up with their vivid, peppery, spicy fireworks. The palate is medium-bodied, with lovely concentration of fruit. There's real freshness and vitality here, with balanced acidity and snappy, saline, gently serrated tannins. It's so drinkable and moreish, I would pick this over their Reine des Bois in 2017, which has a much riper (I would say overripe) fruit profile. One of my value picks of the vintage." (2017 vintage)
James Suckling "A rich and attractively ripe nose with very juicy, attractive berry flavors. This has a super rich feel and delivers such impressive depth and length of fine, supple and gently grainy tannin on the palate. There’s a lot to like here. From organically grown grapes." (2017 vintage)
Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider "Medium-bodied, the soft, round, ripe and juicy red fruits are all over the place. It is hard to believe this is only a second wine!" (2017 vintage)
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate "...boasts scents of leather, black cherries and dusty earth. It's not as concentrated as the Reine des Bois, but it's still full-bodied, with a generous, welcoming feel and a silky finish." (2017 vintage)
International Wine Report "... is a simply sensational release in this vintage. It instantly beings to impress with its fantastic aromatic profile of blackberry, dark cherry and strawberries along with garrigue leather, bacon fat, black pepper and hints loam and tar. On the palate this displays a wonderful elegant character, with soft, polished tannins making for a gorgoeus mouthfeel. Layered and complex, this brilliant red goes on to impress with incredible purity, along with a gorgeous combination of earthy and meaty characteristics that continue through the long supple finish. While the 2016 is nothing short of outstanding now, it also shows incredible promise to become even more compelling as it evolves." (2016 vintage)
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate "is a rich, dramatic bottling, the best I've tasted under this label. It's approachable now, but smart money is on it aging well for at least a decade. It's full-bodied and supple, with concentrated blueberry, mulberry and plum fruit, hints of licorice, cola and braised meat and just a dusting of baking spices (10% of the blend aged in oak)." (2016 vintage)
Wine Spectator "Intense, featuring lively licorice and plum reduction notes leading the way, followed by fruitcake, raspberry pâte de fruit and sweet tobacco flavors. Shows excellent drive and focus through the finish, with a nice graphite edge." (2016 vintage)
Decanter "Very ripe damson, plum and sloe notes. Mouth-filling, mouth coating, with good weight and concentration of fruit, and a long finish. The alcohol, as usual, is just a touch raised, but there is so much fruit you barely notice. A ripe and flamboyant style that will age well." (2016 vintage)
Vinous "Brilliant ruby. Intense red fruit liqueur and floral pastille aromas pick up suggestions of licorice and smoky minerals in the glass. Sappy and concentrated yet lively as well, offering palate-caressing raspberry and cherry compote flavors that are given lift and cut by a core of juicy acidity. Shows a suave combination of richness and elegance and finishes very long and sweet; velvety tannins sneak in to add shape and grip. " (2016 vintage)
Grenache 90%, Mourvedre 4%, Syrah 4%, Counoise 1% and Vaccarese 1%
Domaine de la Mordoree was founded in 1986 by brothers Fabrice Delmore and Christophe Delorme and has become one of the top estates in the Rhône, with arguably the exceptionally consistent quality.
Christophe Delorme was highly regarded by Robert Parker Jr. of The Wine Advocate, who pinned Mordorée as "one of the world’s greatest wine estates". In a 2007 issue of the Wine Advocate, Parker said:
"With 135 acres spread throughout some of the most impressive appellations of the southern Rhône, Christophe Delorme and his brother...have done nothing but produce one exquisite wine after another. Of course, the top cuvees of Châteauneuf-du-Pape are rare and expensive, but this is a place to find terrific Cotes du Rhones and Liracs as well. Delorme is equally adept at dry whites as well as reds, and turns out some stunning roses both under the Cotes du Rhône and Tavel appellations..."
With a total of 5 hectares of vines, many over 100 years old, Domaine de la Mordoree practices only self sustainable, organic farming of their vineyards in all their locations including Chateauneuf du Pape, Lirac, Tavel and the Cotes du Rhone. In 2013 Domaine de la Mordoree was certified 100% organic. The estate's Châteauneuf-du-Papes, Lirac Reds & Whites, and Tavel Rosés are among the most highly rated of the region.
Christophe produced his first wines in 1987. Up until that time the estate had been little more than a hobby for his father, an industrialist with two great passions; shooting and wine.
Christophe totally refurbished and modernised the winery as well as replanting much of the vineyards. Today the domaine has 40 hectares of vineyards - 7 hectares in Tavel, 15 hectares in Lirac (top-notch examples), 16 hectares for generic Côtes-du-Rhône and 3 hectares in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Following Christophe's untimely death in 2015, his wife and daughter, Madeleine and Ambre, have taken on the running of the domaine, ably assisted by Rémy Chauvet, who was the cellarmaster under Christophe. As Jeb Dunnuck has put it in the Wine Advocate, 'the estate is obviously still in incredibly capable hands'.
Christophe’s legacy and his talent live on through his daughter Ambre, as well as a talented team at Domaine de la Mordoree that includes winemaker Rémy Chauvet, who worked as Christophe’s cellar manager. Jeb Dunnuck praised the estate for the quality of their first vintage without Christophe, saying the Domaine was “obviously still in incredibly capable hands.”
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 Château Maucoil Châteauneuf-du-Pape Esprit Red (Organic) 2013 ~ Southern Rhone, France
93/100 Wine Spectator
90/100 Robert Parker
90/100 Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
15/20 Bettane et Desseauve
92/100 Robert Parker (2012 vintage) (2012 vintage)
91/100 Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider (2012 vintage)
91/100 Wine Enthusaist (2012 vintage)
17/20 Jancis Robinson (2012 vintage)
15/20 Bettane et Desseauve (2012 vintage)
1 Stars - Guide Hachette des Vins 2017
Organic
Robert Parker "My favorite of the three recently bottled releases was the 2013 Châteauneuf du Pape Esprit de Maucoil. Medium plus-bodied, nicely concentrated and showing the firmer, slightly austere style of the vintage, it offers up outstanding notes of cassis, caramelized black cherries, crushed violets and sweet oak. It has solid purity of fruit and will benefit from a year or two in bottle."
Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider "All the new oak has faded into the wine allowing the fresh, spicy, kirsch notes and round textures to shine through. The wine was made from a blend of 50% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 12% Mourvedre and 8% Cinsault."
Guide Hachette des Vins 2017 "True to tradition, this cuvée blends the thirteen grape varieties of the appellation. The result is very convincing: intense and complex nose of jammy red and black fruits, spices and liquorice; Ample, dense, rich and long mouth, supported by fine tannins for laying down and a well-dosed woodiness, which lets the fruit breathe. Building for the cellar."
Robert Parker "...offers the deepest color, as well as another level of richness and concentration. Showing the vintage's forward, supple and easygoing style, it has fabulous cassis, sweet blackberry jam, licorice and spiced-meat qualities to go with a voluptuously styled profile on the palate. This beauty is all about the fruit, yet stays nicely Provençal and has lots to love." (2012 vintage)
Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider "Silky, fleshy, sweet and long, there is a nice quality to the melange of kirsch and dark red berries in the wine." (2012 vintage)
Wine Enthusiast "From the oldest vines of the estate, this is a lush, luscious wine. Vanilla and cedar notes complement bold cherry fruit, while hints of cinnamon, clove and allspice lend nuance." (2012 vintage)
Jancis Robinson 'Vineyard soil: galets. 12 months in barrique.... fine tannins and ripe fruit underneath. Blackberry compote notes.' (2012 vintage)
Château Maucoil has been under the care of several different illustrious wine growing families over the centuries, but it is now owned and managed by the talented winemakers Frederic and Benoit Lavau. With the consulting advice of famed French winemaker Stephane Derenoncourt, the Lavau brothers have been making stellar and highly awarded wines and today are one of the few producers to continue to cultivate all 13 permitted grape varieties permitted by the Châteauneuf-du-Pape regulations.
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.
A Southern Rhône Red Blend refers to a wide range of grape varieties blended together in the southern reaches of the Rhône Valley of southern France. While the blend could theoretically consist of any of a wide range of grape varieties, it is usually made up of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, in varying proportions, typically with Grenache and Syrah as the dominant partners.
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.
Southern Rhone White Blend is a blanket term used to describe the various combinations of white wine grapes used in the southern half of the Rhone Valley. The principal varieties involved in a white wine from the southern Rhone are any combination of Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier, Ugni Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc and Picpoul.
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"
Top Rated Cabernet and Family of the Year 2024 - Halliday Wine Companion
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 Atticus Grande Reserve Chardonnay 2016 ~ Margaret River, Western Australia
96/100 James Halliday Wine Companion
96/100 James Halliday Wine Companion (2013 Vintage)
5/5 stars Winestate Magazine Chardonnay Tasting (2010 Vintage)
95/100 Ray Jordan The West Australian (2007 Vintage)
95/100 David Prestipino STM The Sunday Times (2007 Vintage)
4.5/5 stars Winestate Magazine Best of the West 2013 (2007 Vintage)
95/100 The Real Review (2006 Vintage)
95/100 James Halliday Wine Companion (2006 Vintage)
96/100 Huon Hooke Sydney Morning Herald (2006 Vintage)
90/100 The Real Review (2005 Vintage)
91/100 Ray Jordan’s Guide to Wine (2005 Vintage)
96/100 James Halliday Wine Companion (2005 Vintage)
Australian Wine Companion - Best Margaret River Wineries of the Regions 2020
Bronze - Decanter Wine Awards (2010 Vintage)
Silver - International Wine Challenge (2009 Vintage)
Silver - Decanter Wine Awards (2009 Vintage)
Top Gold - Royal Perth Wine Show (2007 Vintage)
Silver - Cowra Wine Show (2007 Vintage)
Trophy - Wine of the Show - Royal Sydney Wine Show (2006 Vintage)
Top Gold - Royal Sydney Wine Show (2006 Vintage)
Gold - Mount Barker Wine Show (2006 Vintage)
Gold - Royal Sydney Wine Show (2006 Vintage)
Bronze - Rutherglen Wine Show (2006 Vintage)
Top Gold - Wine Show Asia Singapore (2005 Vintage)
Gold - American Express Wine Show (2005 Vintage)
Bronze - International Chardonnay Challenge (2005 Vintage)
Bronze - Margaret River Wine Show (2005 Vintage)
James Halliday “As ever, a distinguished wine, with a particular texture engendered by its citrussy acidity; the heavy lifting is provided by the immaculate white peach and pink grapefruit of a palate that is intense yet delicate, delicacy stemming from the way the wine flows through the mouthfeel and long finish..Hand-picked, matured in French oak (50% new) for 10 months.”
The Winemaker “As ever a distinguished wine, with a particular texture engendered by its citrussy acidity: the heavy lifting is provided by the immaculate white peach and pink grapefruit of a palate that is intense yet delicate, delicacy stemming from the way the wine flows through the mouthfeel and long finish.”
Decanter "Elegant and restrained with very nice notes of white peaches and nectarines. Medium bodied, creamy and crisp with long stone fruit after taste." (2010 vintage)
Huan Hooke, The Real Review "Delicate, lean, light-bodied and savoury in mouth. Unusual mouth-feel. I like it a lot.....Subtly complex: a superb wine. Light yellow; very complex nose, layered and Burgundian. Nutty, with hints of creamy lees, nougat, toast and honeysuckle." (2006 Vintage)
The Real Review "Rich, deep palate with some astringency and a firm clean finish. Pleasant drinking. Light yellow. Toffee-apple aromas coupled with smoked-meat lees-derived aromas. Palate is a trifle hollow and interrupted, with some phenolic grip. Quite oak-driven, but not shrill. " (2005 Vintage)
A delightfully complex wine that is Burgundian in style.
Since the release of Chapman Grove & the winery's premium Atticus range in 2006, Chapman Grove wines have been awarded 4 Trophies, 3 Top Gold, 3 Gold, 8 Silver and 39 Bronze Medals.
James Halliday "A very successful venture under the control of CEO Ron Fraser. The wines come from the estate vineyards planted to chardonnay, Semillon, sauvignon blanc, shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and merlot.....[The winery's] ultra-premium wines are under the Atticus label."
Atticus is owned by Chapman Grove Wines; a small winery focussed on making limited edition fine wines from Margaret River, Western Australia. Described by Australia's N#1 wine critic, James Halliday as "a very successful venture", the winery is known for its highly rated wines and was established in 2005 by an esteemed veteran of the industry, Ron Fraser. Pop Up Wine has secured back vintages of a collection of its highly rated wines.
Atticus utilises exceptional fruit which is all 100% estate grown to create its world-class wines. Its range includes varieties most suited to the Margaret River climate, with French oak used to bring out flavours of the terroir, creating a true expression of the region.
The winery achieved the highly coveted 5 Red Star rating from James Halliday within three short years of first entering the Wine Companion in 2009. Since the the estate's first release in 2006, its wines have been awarded 4 Trophies, 3 Top Gold, 3 Gold, 8 Silver and 39 Bronze medals.
Margaret River is a highly respected wine region in the southwestern corner of Western Australia. Famous for having a more "European" wine style than its counterparts across the country, Margaret River has made its name through its unusually refined Cabernet Sauvignon (often blended with Merlot), gamey Shiraz, intensely citrusy Chardonnay, and refreshingly grassy "SSB'" blends of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. Margaret River's winemakers are particularly proud of it's temperate, coastal location – which is very similar to that of Bordeaux.
Chardonnay is one of the world’s most popular grapes, Chardonnay is made in a wide range of styles from lean, to rich, creamy white wines aged in oak. Bolder, richer, full-bodied and buttery Chardonnays are made using oak and are produced in California, Burgundy, and Australia. Unoaked chardonnays such as Chablis and those produced in Chile, New Zealand, and other parts of France are leaner and often crisp and mineraly, with delicate flavors. By law, if a label says “Chablis,” it must be Chardonnay.
Introducing the epitome of oenophile delight with our top wine spectator premium mixed pack - a 6 pack value. This exclusive collection features meticulously selected wines, each earning accolades from the renowned Wine Spectator.
1 x Chateau Marquis de Terme, Margaux 2016 - Bordeaux , France
94/100 Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
93/100 Neal Martin, Vinous
92/100 Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
92/100 Falstaff Magazin
92/100 Wine Enthusiast
91/100 Decanter
91/100 Jeb Dunnuck
90/100 Wine Spectator
Silver, International Wine & Spirit Competition
Organic
Jeff Leve “...Soft, polished, round and with fruit to spare, this is showing great today and will only get better with time...floral nuances to the licorice, cherry, black raspberry and smoky overtones. ”
Neal Martin, Vinous “...Elegant and cohesive, this is a fine Margaux .........crushed violet and incense infusing the vivacious black fruit. The lightly spiced, medium-bodied palate features supple tannins, a fine bead of acidity and a pinch of white pepper on the finish.”
Julia Harding MW “Deep cherry. Fragrant with sweet dark-red and black fruit and a touch of oak sweetness. Firm, chewy, not trying to charm at the moment but it’s all in place, just needs to open and blossom.”
Wine Spectator "Warm in feel, with dark plum, cassis and cherry compote flavors forming the core. Generally open in feel, with light cocoa, tobacco and alder notes adding spine and texture to offset the tasty fruit."
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot
Chateau Marquis de Terme is a Bordeaux wine estate founded in 1661.
Château Marquis de Terme’s Margaux wine is a legendary Bordeaux wine estate, classified as a 'Quatrième Cru (Fourth Growth) Classé' in the 1855 Classification of Bordeaux wines. American President Thomas Jefferson - himself a wine connoisseur, visited Bordeaux in 1787 - declaring Château Marquis de Terme as one of the 16 best Bordeaux wines he tasted.
Chateau Marquis de Terme began organic farming on a small parcel of vines with their first organic wine being the 2013 vintage. They are now farming their vineyards entirely organically achieving organic certification in 2017. Sitting on the doorstep of Margaux, Château Marquis de Terme is emblematic of both how many Bordeaux châteaux were once created and of the famous Margaux terroir. Though a Grand Cru Classé and world-renowned wine, the family owned estate is dedicated to premium wine-making and world class organic practices. The location of the estate at the heart of the Margaux appellation offers a climate that is heavily influenced by both the Gironde estuary and Bay of Biscay, as well as the sheltering effects of the coastal pine forests that protect the vines from the westerly and northwesterly winds.
Margaux is an important appellation in the Haut-Médoc district of Bordeaux, southwestern France. The appellation is famous for producing supple, perfumed wines, predominantly from Cabernet Sauvignon. The Margaux appellation contains 21 cru classé properties from the 1855 Bordeaux Classification (20 of which still exist), more than any other Left Bank appellation.
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.
A Bordeaux Blend is any combination of those grape varieties typically used to make the red wines of Bordeaux. Cabernet Sauvignon is widely accepted as a compulsory component of any Bordeaux Blend along with Merlot. In fact, the majority of Bordeaux Blend wines are often made exclusively from a blend of these two varieties. The remaining components are Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec.
1 x Domaine de la Mordoree Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Dame Voyageuse (Organic) 2020 - Rhone, France
94/100 James Suckling
92/100 Jeb Dunnuck
92/100 Vinous
95/100 Jeb Dunnuck (2019 vintage)
93/100 Wine Spectator (2019 vintage)
93/100 Vinous (2019 vintage)
91/100 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (2019 vintage)
92/100 Wine Spectator (2018 vintage)
92/100 Jeb Dunnuck (2018 vintage)
92/100 Decanter (2018 vintage)
92/100 Vinous (2018 vintage)
91/100 Wine Enthusiast (2018 vintage)
90/100 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (2018 vintage)
95/100 Wine Enthusiast (2017 vintage)
94/100 Decanter (2017 vintage)
93/100 James Suckling (2017 vintage)
91/100 Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider (2017 Vintage)
90/100 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (2017 vintage)
95/100 International Wine Report (2016 vintage)
94/100 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (2016 vintage)
93/100 Wine Spectator (2016 vintage)
93/100 Decanter (2016 vintage)
92/100 Vinous (2016 vintage)
Organic
James Suckling "A fragrant and spicy Chateauneuf that marries richness and structure with finesse and fascination. The fine tannins build beautifully at the self-confidently dry finish, where spicy and chalky elements mingle beautifully, with just a hint of milk chocolate neatly accenting this. A complex blend based on grenache. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification."
Jeb Dunnuck "it offers a ruby/purple hue as well as a classy, perfumed Grenache nose of wild strawberries, cherries, dried flowers, and peppery garrigue. Playing in the medium to full-bodied, elegant style of the vintage, it has ripe yet present tannins, good purity, and outstanding length. The blend is 90% Grenache, 4% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre, and the balance Vaccarèse and Counoise. While this cuvée is billed as the entry level/second wine of the estate, it’s made in a very different style than the Reine des Bois and is well worth your time and money."
Vinous "Bright violet. Primary red and dark berry and garrigue scents are complemented by licorice and white pepper flourishes. Appealingly sweet and open-knit, offering energetic raspberry, cherry cola and lavender pastille flavors that tighten steadily with aeration. Shows fine clarity and spicy cut on a long, penetrating finish that's given shape by subtly chewy tannins."
Jeb Dunnuck " a beautiful array of both red and black fruits as well as classic Provençal notes of lavender, peppery garrigue, and flowers. Rich, medium to full-bodied, and beautifully textured on the palate, this is another terrific vintage for this cuvée, which remains an incredible value in the market today." (2019 vintage)
Wine Spectator "An expressive version marked by linzer torte, raspberry coulis and plum pâte de fruit notes, with a licorice note lacing it all up through the finish, where flashes of apple wood, tar and red tea fill in nicely. This is for fans of the fruit-driven style. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Counoise and Vaccarèse. " (2019 vintage)
Vinous "Vivid ruby. Spice-accented red berry preserve and cherry aromas are complemented by pungent floral and mineral nuances. Appealingly sweet and seamless in the mouth, offering sappy raspberry, cherry liqueur, licorice and baking spice flavors braced by a spine of juicy acidity. Finishes supple, broad and long, with lingering floral and spice notes and well-knit tannins that lend shape and gentle grip." (2019 vintage)
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate "...it delivers plenty of red fruit notes, ranging from redcurrants and raspberries to slightly darker cherries. Full-bodied and perhaps a touch warm, it's supple and fine, turning silky and elegant on the finish." (2019 vintage)
Wine Spectator "A singed alder note leads off, followed quickly by a mix of steeped plum and black cherry pâte de fruit flavors. Black licorice and graphite underscore the finish. " (2018 vintage)
Jeb Dunnuck "...made in a more charming, forward style compared to the La Reine des Bois release.Ripe strawberries, red currants, toasted spice, and garrigue notes emerge from this classy, frontend loaded, already impossible to resist 2018. With soft tannins, a fleshy mid-palate, and a great finish, it’s ideal for drinking over the coming decade." (2018 vintage)
Decanter "Rounded, full-bodied, generous and good concentration for the vintage, but also quite approachable. This has some depth and intensity, a gentle mineral seam within that brings freshness and length. Has more focus and thrust than most 2018s. Fermented and aged mostly in stainless steel, along with some old barriques" (2018 vintage)
Vinous "Shimmering ruby. Expressive aromas of cherry and red berry preserves, succulent herbs and flowers and baking spices pick up a spicy nuance with air. Sappy and penetrating, offering bitter cherry, black raspberry and rosemary flavors that flesh out through the back half. Closes long, smooth and broad, with repeating florality and subtle tannins adding gentle grip." (2018 vintage)
Wine Enthusiast "...it's a plush, delicately muted wine feathered in soft, furry tannins and a flurry of dried herb and baking spice notes that linger on the finish." (2018 vintage)
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate "...a large-scaled ball of plum and blackberry fruit and savory nuances. Hints of mocha, black olive and licorice bring added interest to this soft, easygoing offering that should be consumed over the next 6-8 years" (2018 vintage)
Wine Enthusiast "With it's pristine blackberry and boysenberry flavors and a juicy, freshly concentrated demeanor, the Grenache-dominant La Dame Voyageuse is more welcoming in youth than the producer's densely packed La Reine des Bois bottling. Etched by savory complexities of garrigue and walnut skins, and held upright by firm, velveteen tannins, it's a stunner in its own right that should drink beautifully well through 2030." (2017 vintage)
Decanter "The fruit is all destemmed and fermented in old barriques, plus a little stainless steel. The aromas wake you up with their vivid, peppery, spicy fireworks. The palate is medium-bodied, with lovely concentration of fruit. There's real freshness and vitality here, with balanced acidity and snappy, saline, gently serrated tannins. It's so drinkable and moreish, I would pick this over their Reine des Bois in 2017, which has a much riper (I would say overripe) fruit profile. One of my value picks of the vintage." (2017 vintage)
James Suckling "A rich and attractively ripe nose with very juicy, attractive berry flavors. This has a super rich feel and delivers such impressive depth and length of fine, supple and gently grainy tannin on the palate. There’s a lot to like here. From organically grown grapes." (2017 vintage)
Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider "Medium-bodied, the soft, round, ripe and juicy red fruits are all over the place. It is hard to believe this is only a second wine!" (2017 vintage)
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate "...boasts scents of leather, black cherries and dusty earth. It's not as concentrated as the Reine des Bois, but it's still full-bodied, with a generous, welcoming feel and a silky finish." (2017 vintage)
International Wine Report "... is a simply sensational release in this vintage. It instantly beings to impress with its fantastic aromatic profile of blackberry, dark cherry and strawberries along with garrigue leather, bacon fat, black pepper and hints loam and tar. On the palate this displays a wonderful elegant character, with soft, polished tannins making for a gorgoeus mouthfeel. Layered and complex, this brilliant red goes on to impress with incredible purity, along with a gorgeous combination of earthy and meaty characteristics that continue through the long supple finish. While the 2016 is nothing short of outstanding now, it also shows incredible promise to become even more compelling as it evolves." (2016 vintage)
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate "is a rich, dramatic bottling, the best I've tasted under this label. It's approachable now, but smart money is on it aging well for at least a decade. It's full-bodied and supple, with concentrated blueberry, mulberry and plum fruit, hints of licorice, cola and braised meat and just a dusting of baking spices (10% of the blend aged in oak)." (2016 vintage)
Wine Spectator "Intense, featuring lively licorice and plum reduction notes leading the way, followed by fruitcake, raspberry pâte de fruit and sweet tobacco flavors. Shows excellent drive and focus through the finish, with a nice graphite edge." (2016 vintage)
Decanter "Very ripe damson, plum and sloe notes. Mouth-filling, mouth coating, with good weight and concentration of fruit, and a long finish. The alcohol, as usual, is just a touch raised, but there is so much fruit you barely notice. A ripe and flamboyant style that will age well." (2016 vintage)
Vinous "Brilliant ruby. Intense red fruit liqueur and floral pastille aromas pick up suggestions of licorice and smoky minerals in the glass. Sappy and concentrated yet lively as well, offering palate-caressing raspberry and cherry compote flavors that are given lift and cut by a core of juicy acidity. Shows a suave combination of richness and elegance and finishes very long and sweet; velvety tannins sneak in to add shape and grip. " (2016 vintage)
Grenache 90%, Mourvedre 4%, Syrah 4%, Counoise 1% and Vaccarese 1%
Domaine de la Mordoree was founded in 1986 by brothers Fabrice Delmore and Christophe Delorme and has become one of the top estates in the Rhône, with arguably the exceptionally consistent quality.
Christophe Delorme was highly regarded by Robert Parker Jr. of The Wine Advocate, who pinned Mordorée as "one of the world’s greatest wine estates". In a 2007 issue of the Wine Advocate, Parker said:
"With 135 acres spread throughout some of the most impressive appellations of the southern Rhône, Christophe Delorme and his brother...have done nothing but produce one exquisite wine after another. Of course, the top cuvees of Châteauneuf-du-Pape are rare and expensive, but this is a place to find terrific Cotes du Rhones and Liracs as well. Delorme is equally adept at dry whites as well as reds, and turns out some stunning roses both under the Cotes du Rhône and Tavel appellations..."
With a total of 5 hectares of vines, many over 100 years old, Domaine de la Mordoree practices only self sustainable, organic farming of their vineyards in all their locations including Chateauneuf du Pape, Lirac, Tavel and the Cotes du Rhone. In 2013 Domaine de la Mordoree was certified 100% organic. The estate's Châteauneuf-du-Papes, Lirac Reds & Whites, and Tavel Rosés are among the most highly rated of the region.
Christophe produced his first wines in 1987. Up until that time the estate had been little more than a hobby for his father, an industrialist with two great passions; shooting and wine.
Christophe totally refurbished and modernised the winery as well as replanting much of the vineyards. Today the domaine has 40 hectares of vineyards - 7 hectares in Tavel, 15 hectares in Lirac (top-notch examples), 16 hectares for generic Côtes-du-Rhône and 3 hectares in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Following Christophe's untimely death in 2015, his wife and daughter, Madeleine and Ambre, have taken on the running of the domaine, ably assisted by Rémy Chauvet, who was the cellarmaster under Christophe. As Jeb Dunnuck has put it in the Wine Advocate, 'the estate is obviously still in incredibly capable hands'.
Christophe’s legacy and his talent live on through his daughter Ambre, as well as a talented team at Domaine de la Mordoree that includes winemaker Rémy Chauvet, who worked as Christophe’s cellar manager. Jeb Dunnuck praised the estate for the quality of their first vintage without Christophe, saying the Domaine was “obviously still in incredibly capable hands.”
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 Château Maucoil Châteauneuf-du-Pape Esprit Red (Organic) 2013 ~ Southern Rhone, France
93/100 Wine Spectator
90/100 Robert Parker
90/100 Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
15/20 Bettane et Desseauve
92/100 Robert Parker (2012 vintage) (2012 vintage)
91/100 Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider (2012 vintage)
91/100 Wine Enthusaist (2012 vintage)
17/20 Jancis Robinson (2012 vintage)
15/20 Bettane et Desseauve (2012 vintage)
1 Stars - Guide Hachette des Vins 2017
Organic
Robert Parker "My favorite of the three recently bottled releases was the 2013 Châteauneuf du Pape Esprit de Maucoil. Medium plus-bodied, nicely concentrated and showing the firmer, slightly austere style of the vintage, it offers up outstanding notes of cassis, caramelized black cherries, crushed violets and sweet oak. It has solid purity of fruit and will benefit from a year or two in bottle."
Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider "All the new oak has faded into the wine allowing the fresh, spicy, kirsch notes and round textures to shine through. The wine was made from a blend of 50% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 12% Mourvedre and 8% Cinsault."
Guide Hachette des Vins 2017 "True to tradition, this cuvée blends the thirteen grape varieties of the appellation. The result is very convincing: intense and complex nose of jammy red and black fruits, spices and liquorice; Ample, dense, rich and long mouth, supported by fine tannins for laying down and a well-dosed woodiness, which lets the fruit breathe. Building for the cellar."
Robert Parker "...offers the deepest color, as well as another level of richness and concentration. Showing the vintage's forward, supple and easygoing style, it has fabulous cassis, sweet blackberry jam, licorice and spiced-meat qualities to go with a voluptuously styled profile on the palate. This beauty is all about the fruit, yet stays nicely Provençal and has lots to love." (2012 vintage)
Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider "Silky, fleshy, sweet and long, there is a nice quality to the melange of kirsch and dark red berries in the wine." (2012 vintage)
Wine Enthusiast "From the oldest vines of the estate, this is a lush, luscious wine. Vanilla and cedar notes complement bold cherry fruit, while hints of cinnamon, clove and allspice lend nuance." (2012 vintage)
Jancis Robinson 'Vineyard soil: galets. 12 months in barrique.... fine tannins and ripe fruit underneath. Blackberry compote notes.' (2012 vintage)
Château Maucoil has been under the care of several different illustrious wine growing families over the centuries, but it is now owned and managed by the talented winemakers Frederic and Benoit Lavau. With the consulting advice of famed French winemaker Stephane Derenoncourt, the Lavau brothers have been making stellar and highly awarded wines and today are one of the few producers to continue to cultivate all 13 permitted grape varieties permitted by the Châteauneuf-du-Pape regulations.
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.
A Southern Rhône Red Blend refers to a wide range of grape varieties blended together in the southern reaches of the Rhône Valley of southern France. While the blend could theoretically consist of any of a wide range of grape varieties, it is usually made up of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, in varying proportions, typically with Grenache and Syrah as the dominant partners.
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.
Southern Rhone White Blend is a blanket term used to describe the various combinations of white wine grapes used in the southern half of the Rhone Valley. The principal varieties involved in a white wine from the southern Rhone are any combination of Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier, Ugni Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc and Picpoul.
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"
Top Rated Cabernet and Family of the Year 2024 - Halliday Wine Companion
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 Atticus Grande Reserve Chardonnay 2016 ~ Margaret River, Western Australia
96/100 James Halliday Wine Companion
96/100 James Halliday Wine Companion (2013 Vintage)
5/5 stars Winestate Magazine Chardonnay Tasting (2010 Vintage)
95/100 Ray Jordan The West Australian (2007 Vintage)
95/100 David Prestipino STM The Sunday Times (2007 Vintage)
4.5/5 stars Winestate Magazine Best of the West 2013 (2007 Vintage)
95/100 The Real Review (2006 Vintage)
95/100 James Halliday Wine Companion (2006 Vintage)
96/100 Huon Hooke Sydney Morning Herald (2006 Vintage)
90/100 The Real Review (2005 Vintage)
91/100 Ray Jordan’s Guide to Wine (2005 Vintage)
96/100 James Halliday Wine Companion (2005 Vintage)
Australian Wine Companion - Best Margaret River Wineries of the Regions 2020
Bronze - Decanter Wine Awards (2010 Vintage)
Silver - International Wine Challenge (2009 Vintage)
Silver - Decanter Wine Awards (2009 Vintage)
Top Gold - Royal Perth Wine Show (2007 Vintage)
Silver - Cowra Wine Show (2007 Vintage)
Trophy - Wine of the Show - Royal Sydney Wine Show (2006 Vintage)
Top Gold - Royal Sydney Wine Show (2006 Vintage)
Gold - Mount Barker Wine Show (2006 Vintage)
Gold - Royal Sydney Wine Show (2006 Vintage)
Bronze - Rutherglen Wine Show (2006 Vintage)
Top Gold - Wine Show Asia Singapore (2005 Vintage)
Gold - American Express Wine Show (2005 Vintage)
Bronze - International Chardonnay Challenge (2005 Vintage)
Bronze - Margaret River Wine Show (2005 Vintage)
James Halliday “As ever, a distinguished wine, with a particular texture engendered by its citrussy acidity; the heavy lifting is provided by the immaculate white peach and pink grapefruit of a palate that is intense yet delicate, delicacy stemming from the way the wine flows through the mouthfeel and long finish..Hand-picked, matured in French oak (50% new) for 10 months.”
The Winemaker “As ever a distinguished wine, with a particular texture engendered by its citrussy acidity: the heavy lifting is provided by the immaculate white peach and pink grapefruit of a palate that is intense yet delicate, delicacy stemming from the way the wine flows through the mouthfeel and long finish.”
Decanter "Elegant and restrained with very nice notes of white peaches and nectarines. Medium bodied, creamy and crisp with long stone fruit after taste." (2010 vintage)
Huan Hooke, The Real Review "Delicate, lean, light-bodied and savoury in mouth. Unusual mouth-feel. I like it a lot.....Subtly complex: a superb wine. Light yellow; very complex nose, layered and Burgundian. Nutty, with hints of creamy lees, nougat, toast and honeysuckle." (2006 Vintage)
The Real Review "Rich, deep palate with some astringency and a firm clean finish. Pleasant drinking. Light yellow. Toffee-apple aromas coupled with smoked-meat lees-derived aromas. Palate is a trifle hollow and interrupted, with some phenolic grip. Quite oak-driven, but not shrill. " (2005 Vintage)
A delightfully complex wine that is Burgundian in style.
Since the release of Chapman Grove & the winery's premium Atticus range in 2006, Chapman Grove wines have been awarded 4 Trophies, 3 Top Gold, 3 Gold, 8 Silver and 39 Bronze Medals.
James Halliday "A very successful venture under the control of CEO Ron Fraser. The wines come from the estate vineyards planted to chardonnay, Semillon, sauvignon blanc, shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and merlot.....[The winery's] ultra-premium wines are under the Atticus label."
Atticus is owned by Chapman Grove Wines; a small winery focussed on making limited edition fine wines from Margaret River, Western Australia. Described by Australia's N#1 wine critic, James Halliday as "a very successful venture", the winery is known for its highly rated wines and was established in 2005 by an esteemed veteran of the industry, Ron Fraser. Pop Up Wine has secured back vintages of a collection of its highly rated wines.
Atticus utilises exceptional fruit which is all 100% estate grown to create its world-class wines. Its range includes varieties most suited to the Margaret River climate, with French oak used to bring out flavours of the terroir, creating a true expression of the region.
The winery achieved the highly coveted 5 Red Star rating from James Halliday within three short years of first entering the Wine Companion in 2009. Since the the estate's first release in 2006, its wines have been awarded 4 Trophies, 3 Top Gold, 3 Gold, 8 Silver and 39 Bronze medals.
Margaret River is a highly respected wine region in the southwestern corner of Western Australia. Famous for having a more "European" wine style than its counterparts across the country, Margaret River has made its name through its unusually refined Cabernet Sauvignon (often blended with Merlot), gamey Shiraz, intensely citrusy Chardonnay, and refreshingly grassy "SSB'" blends of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. Margaret River's winemakers are particularly proud of it's temperate, coastal location – which is very similar to that of Bordeaux.
Chardonnay is one of the world’s most popular grapes, Chardonnay is made in a wide range of styles from lean, to rich, creamy white wines aged in oak. Bolder, richer, full-bodied and buttery Chardonnays are made using oak and are produced in California, Burgundy, and Australia. Unoaked chardonnays such as Chablis and those produced in Chile, New Zealand, and other parts of France are leaner and often crisp and mineraly, with delicate flavors. By law, if a label says “Chablis,” it must be Chardonnay.