Stocktake Sale 2024

Crafted from old bush vines planted in the 1950’s and 1960’s which are grown without irrigation on various types of granite soil. The vineyards are planted on varying facing slopes bringing tremendous variety to the fruit. Fruit from other selected sites within the appellation are also purchased to complete the final blends. The fruit is fermented 100% whole bunch in large concrete tanks and wooden vats, with post ferment maceration continuing for up to 4 months. Maturation takes place in a mixture of barrels and large, neutral foudres. Inspired by the history of the old, long forgotten Cape Blends that were around before the...

100% Ansonica, from the Island of Giglio - just off the Tuscan coast. “Testamatta 2021 is a pure expression of the Ansonica on Giglio Island. It delivers perfumes of sliced apple, peach and lemon peel while the 12 months of aging provide final hints of toasted spices. Testamatta 2021 encompasses the power of the vintage with a bright acidity and minerality given by the granitic soil. It’s so energetic and vivid, it’s like walking on Giglio ‘slopes!” Bibi Graetz.    

James Halliday 94 points. This is ultra full-bodied, not because of alcohol or extract, nor tannins, simply the density of its sultry black fruits, licorice and spices. JH.

WA 92 The 2012 Barolo Fossati is slightly more inward-looking and introspective compared to the other cru expressions presented this vintage. The Fossati vineyard is characterized by sandy soils and the wines made here veer towards extreme elegance and finesse. Indeed, this Barolo walks with light footsteps. The bouquet releases wild berry fruit, white cherry and dry licorice root. The wine will take on more volume and power as it continues its bottle evolution. ML Jul 2017.

The Müller Thurgau variety, also known as Rivaner or Riesling X Sylvaner, is a cross between Riesling and Madeleine Royal. It was developed in 1882 by Professor Müller from the Swiss canton of Thurgau. TASTING NOTES – bright yellow-green – aromas of peach, nutmeg and elderberry – juicy, round and balanced, aromatic on the finish.

Wine Advocate 93+ The Cantina Tramin 2019 Alto Adige Pinot Noir Riserva Maglen reveals a medium dark color with good complexity and robust aromas of dark cassis, wild cherry, black rose and grilled herb. Aged in barrique for 12 months with six months cement and six months bottle, the wine delivers good fruit weight with soft tannins and broad intensity. In that regard, this is not your classic northern Italian Pinot Noir. This 11,000-bottle release could pair with gamey foods such as wild game hen, thanks to that extra intensity. ML Dec 2022. James Suckling 93 points. This really shows how much Alto Adige’s winemakers have learned...

James Suckling 94 points, Wine Advocate 94 points. Deep garnet with a touch of purple, the 2009 Cluster M45 Shiraz has notes of fragrant earth and forest floor over youthful black fruits and tar. Full-bodied and built like a brick house with firm chewy tannins and a nice acid backbone, it has a wonderfully long, earthy finish.WA 94. LPB Feb 2015. # jasper

95-97 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous: "The 2020 Feytit-Clinet is one of the most compelling wines in Pomerol, or all of Bordeaux, for that matter. Blackberry jam, crème de cassis, chocolate, espresso, lavender, licorice and gravel race across the palate. Explosive and powerful to the core, the 2020 is endowed with tons of pedigree. The tannins are incisive, as they so often are, but also impeccably balanced. What a wine! Tasted two times." 06/21 #20

Margaux #4 James Suckling's 10 Best Value 2019 Bordeaux A ripe and layered red with lots of currant and chocolate character, as well as some walnut and cocoa powder. It’s full and layered with round tannins and a juicy and plush texture. Plenty going on here. Give it three to four years to come together. A blend of 65% cabernet sauvignon and 35% merlot. Try after 2024. - James Suckling. 97 points. Wine Advocate 95 points. The 2019 Giscours has turned out very well in bottle, wafting from the glass with aromas of sweet berries, cherries, burning embers, lilac and violets framed by a discreet patina of new oak. Full-bodied, layered...

93 Points, Neal Martin, Vinous: "The 2020 Sociando Mallet has retained its impressive aromatics from its showing in barrel with beautifully defined blackberry and raspberry fruit, pressed violet and light cedar aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with firm backbone, a little powdery in texture, fine backbone with ample freshness and tension towards its graphite-infused finish. Bravo!" 12/22. James Suckling 93-94 Points, James Suckling, jamessuckling.com: "Blackberries, blackcurrants and flowers on the nose and palate. Medium body, firm tannins and a long, fresh finish. Linear, refined tannins. Subtle now." 05/21. #20

St Emilion Decanter :95 James Suckling :96-97 Neal Martin :93-95 Antonio Galloni (VINOUS) :94-96. "A really classy, beautiful red with seduction and force at the finish. Aromas and flavors of currants, wet earth and truffles, as well as mushrooms. Full bodied, tight and tannic. Toned and steely. A new, traditional style. 49% cabernet franc, 48% merlot and 3% cabernet sauvignon." 96-97 Points, JamesSuckling.com. The name literally translates to ‘trotting old lady’ and origin of this name somewhat contested. Some say it is a reference to an 18th-century lady who ‘trotted’ about the village in search of gossip...

Wine Advocate 93 points. The pale lemon colored 2016 Clos Haut-Peyraguey reveals a veritable cornucopia of tropical notes—guava, mango and pineapple—with nuances of spiced pears, jasmine, fallen leaves and allspice plus a touch of acacia honey. The palate is elegantly styled with all those intense scents marrying beautifully into a perfumed restraint, finishing with a lively citrus lift. LPB Mar 2019. #BB

    "The 2021 Diana Madeline is composed of Cabernet Sauvignon (91%), Merlot (4%), Cabernet Franc (3%) and Malbec (2%). The only other time since the first 1995 vintage of this wine (formerly labeled as the Cabernet Merlot) that the percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon has crested 90% or higher was the 2016 vintage, which saw 93% Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2021 vintage in Margaret River was an interesting one, with several climate curveballs thrown at viticulturists during key times during the harvest season. Here, the fruit was handpicked on biodynamic fruit and flower days across five picks from the middle of March to the Super...

This is very powerful and rich with amazing depth of fruit and ripe tannins. Full body. Round and chewy tannins. Super depth and beauty in this pure tempranillo. Needs time in the cellar. Better after 2021. 97 points, James Suckling (Dec 2019). "CVNE has been on a roll lately, and this ace from a great vintage only helps to keep that roll going. Stout aromas of bramble, berry fruits, tobacco and fine oak are highly convincing, as is a muscled-up palate that's showing superb structure. Black-plum and cassis flavors are more up front delicious than complex, although further aging may flip the script. Best from 2023 onward. Michael...

WA 100. The very deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Maya is shy and restrained to begin. With swirling, it begins to reveal beguiling notes of fragrant earth, lavender, garrigue and Sichuan pepper, giving way to a core of wild blueberries, boysenberries, black raspberries and black currants plus a hint of iron ore. The palate is full-bodied, revealing itself in slow-releasing layers of black and blue fruits with exhilarating earth and mineral sparks, framed by firm, beautifully ripe tannins and bold freshness, finishing on a persistent ferrous note. As cerebral as it is downright hedonic, this Maya is simply jaw-dropping. LPB Jan 2021. #100...

This wine has a pale, bright gold colour with green reflections. Upfront aromatics of passion fruit and citrus greet the nose following through to a rich palate yielding ripe fruit flavours with a gentle nettle edge. A brisk acidity and stony minerality give natural freshness and length.   The fruit for DMZ Sauvignon Blanc is selected from premium trellised vineyards located on cool slopes of the Bottelary Hills in the Stellenboschkloof. Weathered granite soils and cooling ocean breezes create ideal ripening conditions for Sauvignon Blanc. Grapes were gently de-stemmed and lightly pressed, and the juice was treated carefully with...

Wine Enthusiast 95 points/ Top 5 Brunello Riserva. Wine Advocate 94 points. The 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva (with only 6,500 bottles made) is a layered and structured wine that delivers a polar opposite experience especially when you compare this wine to the lighthearted annata 2014 Brunello. This riserva embodies power, grit and textural richness. It also delivers a robust and slightly evolved bouquet with dark fruit, spice and leather. In comparison, the wine from 2014 is thinner and more fruit forward. This wine is suited for grilled meats and steak. It's a hearty winter wine for sure. ML Feb 2019.

Wine Advocate 95 points. This is a special selezione expression. The Donatella Cinelli Colombini 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Prime Donne starts off a bit closed and shy, however it soon gains speed thanks to the intensity of its berry fruit, spice and camphor ash aromas. This wine is built to withstand longer cellar aging. It is firmly compact and tight at its core, recalling a Brunello from a cooler vintage. However, much of that 2015 sunshine and dark fruit exuberance comes through nonetheless. Fruit comes from a 10-hectare site with a large component of clay in the soils. Only 6,600 bottles were made, and the wine was released in January...

Fruit from Karridale in the south. Hand picked, whole-bunch pressed, fermented wild in oak, partial mlf (30%), matured for 11 months in French oak, transferred to stainless steel for a further 10 months on lees. Scintillating acidity and ripe fruit are the hallmarks of good Margaret River chardonnay, and both are here in spades. Classy oak frames the picture. The length of flavour shows us the final piece of the puzzle. Smart beyond its price. 94 points. Erin Larkin Published 07 March 2022

Trophy and Gold Medal, Royal Sydney Wine Show 2022. Gold Medal Margaret River Wine Show 2023. THE WEST AUSTRALIAN WINE GUIDE 2023, 93 points. Pleasantly aromatic and lifted. Summer punch: green mango, passionfruit and fresh cut grass. A crisp and refreshing medium-bodied style of sauvignon blanc with a lemon-herb finish. Exactly what you hope for from Margs sauv blanc. Made for early drinking. Enjoy now and for the next 3 years. COLOUR Light and vibrant with a youthful lime green tint. AROMA A super bright and lifted nose with layer upon layer of seductive, juicy Sauvignon Blanc aromas. Lime leaf, fig, lychee and mango skin, overlaid with...

James Suckling  WINERY NOTE: Sicily can be appreciated not only for its red wines, but also for the whites and international varieties offered. Chardonnay is perhaps the one that has the best adaptability among all non-native white grape varieties. In this wine, the varietal notes are brought into the spotlight and the good acidity characteristic of this grape gives it a freshness that also makes it ideal for ageing. Label drawn by Alberta Ferretti. Tasting notes: Straw-yellow and transparent, the wine is characterised by a full and fresh nose, with hints of yellow peach and pineapple. In the mouth the wine displays freshness, drinking...

Wine Spectator 91 points. Grillo is the indigenous white grape variety that has been the subject of the greatest interest in recent times, due to its characteristics of aroma and freshness. Golden yellow color with notes of apple and pear that make it immediately recognizable. The design on the label is a work by Carolina Marengo.     Tasting notes: A straw-yellow wine characterised by rich apple and pear notes, which render it instantly recognisable and appreciated. The taste is warm and dry, slightly tannic and displaying a citric aroma.  

Wine Advocate 92 points. The 2019 Pruno has some unusual aromas reminiscent of pine needles, balsamic and faintly herbal with moderate alcohol (they harvested early in this warm year) and with very good balance and harmony. The aromas and flavors are pure and defined, and it's tasty, easy to drink and has very fine tannins. Among the finest Pruno of recent times. LG Jun 2021. #JAN

Technical notes Vinification: the fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks adopting the traditional method, such as floating cap with pump-over. After 7-8 days on the skins at a temperature of 28-30 °C, followed by a rapid malolactic fermentation within the months of november. Ageing: at the end of the wine-making process, in january, the wine is transferred into wood for the maturation; part of the wine is aged in large French and Slavonian oak casks, while the remaining is stored in small barrels (225 and 300 litres) made of medium-toasted French and American oak for about a year. The two parts are then blended prior to...

"This is my seventh release of Forager Pinot Noir. 2018 was a very warm season…Good flowering conditions and sustained warmth lead to plentiful bunches. Crop levels were reduced through manual thinning to around 6.5 T/Ha. Hand-picked and hand-sorted, the grapes are then returned to sit amongst the vines where they once grew. Giving indigenous yeasts from the vineyard the opportunity to create a true expression of the actual vineyard site. Temperature fluctuations in the vineyard environment add a layer of complexity to the fermentation process. This season the warmth led to a shorter cold-soak leading to slightly lighter colour...

James Suckling 96 points. "There’s a unique floral and herbal edge to this, in the form of peppercorns, aniseed, licorice and five spice; wait for this to open up in the glass (decanting suggested), and along comes a cohort of dark fruit in the form of dark plums, mulberries and blackcurrants. Dense and flavorful, yet wild and pretty tannins envelop the mouth, coating layers of dark fruit and painting them in colorful hues. It’s full-bodied and full-throttle, but its beauty is understated and the acidity and fruit are playful and subtle." JS The wine "Terra di Lavoro" takes its name from the province of the...

“This is a classy, medium-bodied rendition that will unfurl and garner more complexity given more time.” 95 points - Jane Faulkner. James Halliday Wine Companion 94 points. A blend of 55/40/5% merlot/cabernet/petit verdot. All barriques, 20% new. A medium deep, bright, plummy red. A good effort from this cooler year, this smells of dark cherry, damson plums, cedar and a dusting of fine, good-quality dark cacao powder. Good depth on the medium-bodied palate, too. The tannins are fine and persistent with good grip on the finish and while approachable now, with food, this will continue to improve in the bottle for at least the next...

"Sophisticated, complex, youthful and mysterious bouquet with scents of baked orchard fruits and citrus, barrel spices and core limestone saline and clay mineral complexity. A silky texture touches the palate first then contrasting acidity squeezes in a tautness and youthful vibrato. As the wine open up in glass the flavours and textures evolve through more citrus and quince then barrel spices and a fine lees complexity, all without losing the essence of place and time through mineral layers."  Cameron Douglas MS. 97 Points - Cameron Douglas MS 5 Stars - Michael Cooper 95 Points - Bob Campbell MW 17 Points - Jancis Robinson...

Organic. 95 Points - Outstanding - Cameron Douglas Master Sommelier. " Complex, mineral-laden, detailed and seductive bouquet. Aromas of ripe dark red cherry, wet clay and limestone mineral and earth layers, raspberry and scents of roses and sweet air. Youthful and equally complex on the palate with firm textures of tannins and acidity contrasted by a core of ripe red berry flavours and mineral. Chalky tannins carry a limestone flavour, some wood flavours and leesy complexities begin to emerge after several minutes in glass. A delicious wine, complex and layered, needs to be cellared for some time to bring together all the qualities it...

James Halliday Wine Companion 92 points. No details other than a touch of nero d'Avola in the mix, and there's certainly a lovely black cherry-jubey-cola lift among the more meaty-reductive-savoury notes. While more medium-bodied, the tannins are firm and there seems to be a lot of charry oak drying and clipping the finish. 92 points. Jane Faulkner Published 01 August 2020.

WA 92. The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, it springs from the glass with vibrant notes of crushed black raspberries, black plums and blackcurrant pastilles, plus hints of underbrush and bouquet garni. Medium to full-bodied with intense, pure black fruit flavors, the fruit is well-framed by ripe, grainy tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing with a skip in its step. LPB Oct 2021. #NEWINT

Platter 5 Stars. Cape classic released a year later than Paul Sauer, needing time to show its best. Dark & brooding 2016 has aristocratically austere edge to its cassis & cigarbox notes & full-flavoured generosity. Absorbs 50% new oak easily; big tannins not formidable even in youth.' – Platter's Guide, 5* (95/100) 'On opening, this 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon was initially surprisingly taut, tight and broody with reductive aromatics of oyster shell, salty creme de cassis, black currant leaf, black chai tea, iodine and maritime salinity. But as I’ve discovered repeatedly over the past 12 months, the hot dry...

Wine Advocate 92 points. The 2018 Blocks Road Cabernet Sauvignon offers up hints of sage, bay leaf and cassis, buttressed by hints of vanilla and cedar. It's medium to full-bodied, smooth and silky, with a line of acidity that runs from the front of the palate through the long, mouthwatering finish. Not a big, huge, ripe Cabernet, it's more about focus and harmony—and for the $30 USD SRP, it's a bargain. JC Aug 2021.

WINERY NOTE: ​Le Traversagne is our dessert wine easy to pair with a variety of desserts. Perfect balance of sweetness and minerality. Alcohol Content: 13% Grape Varieties: 60% Corvina and Corvinone; 40% Rondinella,   Croatina and Oseleta Vineyards: Selection of the best grapes from or vineyards in Valpolicella Classica Wine Making: Selection of the best grapes during manual harvest, followed by natural drying process for approximately 5/6 months in wooden cases. Vine Training: Pergola Ageing: 24 months in cement tanks and 6 months in bottle. Could be enjoyed for over 15 years Pairing: Dry pastries, almond, hazelnut cake, cookies,...

MELBOURNE ROYAL WINE AWARDS 2022, James Halliday Trophy for Best Pinot Noir.   HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION 2024, 96 points. Pinot noir from the close-planted vines (8300 per hectare) at Lowestoft planted in 1986; matured in French oak (35% new) for 10 months. Pure red plum and dark cherry fruits strut their stuff here with hints of five-spice, sous bois, dried raspberry, cranberry, black tea and vanilla, with light roast game further in the distance. Savoury and true with excellent fruit depth and purity, chalky tannins providing support. I'd expect this to cellar admirably.       

Winefront 93 points. Reflecting the mixed planting of old vines, a complex and intriguing aromatic mix of atypical muscat aromas with white peach and nectarine, honeydew, lemon sorbet and grapefruit pith. A firm palate of ruby grapefruit astringency combined with nervy acidity, homemade lemonade sweet and sour balance give a truly eclectic, unconventional white wine.

High-toned blossom/flower scents fill the bouquet. The palate is juicy with Rose's lime juice and crisp, clear acidity to give balance now and join forces with the fruit as the wine gains texture and complexity with prolonged cellaring. Max & Me 2021 ‘Mirooloo Road’ is from grapes grown by Michael Mason on his Flaxman Valley vineyard. The site (on Mirooloo Road) is cool, with a southerly aspect. Natural yield restraint occurs due to the limited fertility and soil-depth of the quartz and mica schist with shallow underlain sandstone bedrock. Pick date: 04/03/2021. An idyllic growing season preceded Vintage 21. Winter 20...

TOP GOLD 2019 ROYAL HOBART WINE SHOW 2019 RIVERINA WINE REGION/OPEN WINE SHOW GOLD 2018 SYDNEY ROYAL WINE SHOW (KPMG) 2019 PERTH WINE SHOW 2019 MELBOURNE WINE SHOW 2019 NATIONAL WINE SHOW CANBERRA POINTS 95 pts – 2019 JAMES HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION 2020 95 pts – 2018 JAMES HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION 2019

James Halliday 95 points. McWilliam's champions the use of grapes planted in high altitude/cool-climate regions to deliver quality wines with crisp, fruit-driven flavours and our flagship McWilliam's 842 Chardonnay epitomises this philosophy. The name 842 references the peak altitude of the Tumbarumba wine region at 842 metres above sea level. A powerful wine with great fruit intensity matched and balanced by creamy rich texture and the wonderful crisp slatey natural acidity of Tumbarumba. The melon and stone fruit flavours are perfectly ripe with a pure line of grapefruit acidity that drives the wine to fantastic depth and length,...

A more classical vintage for Central Otago with strong seasonal variations and lots of hot days cold nights. 2019 Riesling has orange/grapefruit peel at its core, a mineral pith like texture is the marker that makes this so special. Whole bunch pressed, fermentation in a mixture stainless steel barrels and tanks, wild yeasts, no temperature control and aged on gross less for 3 months. RS 6g/l Floral and citrus aromas, flavours of lemons, limes, and grapefruit characters, underpinned by mineral characters and refreshing acidity. 13 % alc, medium weight in an off dry style. The Wine Advocate – Lisa Perotti Brown Duncan Forsyth is one...

97+ Points - Gary Walsh Wine Front " The winemaking and style of these 2017 reds is probably the best I’ve seen from this venerable old winery. Hats off to Adrian Sparks and Jim Chatto. This is a mix of Rosehill and ‘Estate’ fruit, with a sneaky, but very clever addition of 6% Pinot Noir. It’s now being made in a way that O’Shea would approve of, I suspect. It’s a beautiful wine, excellence in simplicity and verity of fruit, rather than industry in the winery. Perfumed, so fine and long, effortless flow and sense of grace, with an amalgam of mixed berries, spice, aniseed, and earth, supple but...

Cellar Door Price 60 aud.   Wine has always been an integral part of Nikki Palun's life and growing up in a family of backyard winemakers has left her with a deep-seated passion for wine. In 2014 Nikki decided that she wanted to pursue her dream of creating her own wine and started to make wines under the Octtava label, with the vision of bringing her two passions of music and wine together. Melodic high notes of cola and violets slide gracefully into a fresh cherry, mulberry and black plum riff. Step into the shadows to feel the peppery bass groove cascade over layers of luscious dark fruit that tango softly in a tight and silky...

Antonio Galloni 91 points. CHARACTERISTICS: Produced in the vineyard surrounding the cellar, in the biggest property of our winery, it is always an important wine thanks to its texture and complexity. Historical fl agship wine every year it expresses to its best the great potentialities of Dolcetto grapes. This wine is produced with low yields and in suitable climate conditions, this allows it to exalt fruit, tannic sweetness and a great wine harmony. The dialectal name “Augenta” derives from Latin “Augere” which means “augment”, i.e. to make greater as in size, extend or quantity. It seems, as a matter...

WINERY NOTE: Aromatic wine of the most renowned, beautiful yellow-green colour, with characteristic gold reflections with a persistent frame of little bubbles. Pelissero Moscato d'Asti 2020 DOCG typical of our soils. To the taste it is a complex balance of sweetness from the fully ripened grapes, contrasted with fresh acidity to keep the finish clean and sharp. Intense and refreshing.

100% Chardonnay. Bianco Bianco is a naturally semi-sparkling wine made for Rocca delle Macìe in the province of Trento, within one of the most suitable areas for the cultivation of grapes intended for the production of spumante. Once harvested, the Chardonnay (100%) grapes are fermented without the skins, and then the base wine undergoes natural second fermentation. Bianco Bianco is fresh and fragrant, with overtones of just-ripe fruit. It has a fine, persistent bead that makes it suitable both as an aperitif and as an accompaniment to fried vegetable or fish platters.

Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Wine Reviews - 5 Stars, 18.5+/20 pts (94 pts) Bright, even, pale blush pink. The nose is softly full, packed with raspberry, pear, white floral and a hint of spice. Medium-light bodied, dry to taste, the wine is clean and refreshing with subtle floral and spice underlying pear, watermelon, and raspberry. The mouthfeel is crisp with a touch of creamy plushness; lively acidity flows elegantly with dusty phenolics. This is the driest Stolen Kiss to date, crisp and delicate with refreshing acidity, floral feature and a lush background of juicy fruit. Serve as an aperitif or match with sushi over the next 2-3 years.

James Suckling 91 points. 100% Carignan from 35 year old viines on original rootstock. Matured in historic concrete vats, restoring the ancient technique of hundreds of years of wine production on the island. Colour: ruby red Nose: the wine has a fine bouquet, with aromas of red berries and warm mediterranean scrub scents. Palate: Remarkable structure, ample, velvety, harmonious and balanced, with fruity notes in evidence. Persistent finish. Nur: abbreviation of the word “nuragic”. The label depicts a bronze statuette found in Sant’Antioco Island and represents a nuragic warrior.

OWC 6. James Suckling 95 points. This is the Californian venture of Gonzague and Claire Lurton (owners of such reknowned Bordeaux estates inter alia as Durfort Vivens, Haut Bages Liberal). Cabernet Sauvignon 85% , Merlot 9 %, Cabernet Franc 6% Winemaker Notes Continuing the string of great vintages, 2014 completes the trifecta of extremely high quality growing seasons. The 2014s exhibit a great purity of place, with generous fruit and elegant textures The 2014 shows the purity and excellence of our Cabernet Sauvignon. Subtle and energetic plum and currant aromas follow through to a georgously harmonized palate of wonderfull fruit and ultra...