Monday, December 14, 2009

Sandalford 2009 Margaret River Classic White

WEBSITE SUPER SPECIAL

RRP: $ lots more than this
Our Price: $15 per bottle by the doz

Sold Out

Mitchelton 2008 Blackwood Park Riesling

WEBSITE SUPER SPECIAL

RRP: $ lots more than this
Our Price: $14 per bottle by the doz

SOLD OUT

Knappstein 2009 Handpicked Clare Valley Riesling

WEBSITE SUPER SPECIAL

RRP: $ lots more than this
Our Price: $15 per bottle by the doz

SOLD OUT

Wither Hills 2012 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

WEBSITE SUPER SPECIAL

RRP: $ lots more than this
Our Price: $15 per bottle by the doz

SOLD OUT

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Delatite 2008 Riesling

James Halliday selected this in his TOP 100 Wines [Weekend Australian Magazine November 14-15 2009] giving it a huge 96 points
" ...... reflecting the very cool, high altitude vineyard. Light bright straw green; lime and lemon blossom aromas lead into a briliantly fresh palate, where green apple joins the lime of the bouquet; perfectly balanced acidity draws out the long finish.
Drink to 2020"

It's also picked up a few Gold Medals as well as a place in the 2010 Sydney International Wine Competition's Top 100.

RRP: $23
Our Price: $18 per bottle by the doz

SOLD OUT

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Tyrrell's 2009 Fordwich Verdeho

We were first impressed by the 2007 release and here are my notes from February 2008: "This is from the same quality/price range as the Rufus Stones and Brokenbacks so while we expected a top wine we didn't know what to expect in terms of a verdelho. It's a funny old grape which rarely has the zing of riesling, complexity of chardonnay or intensity of sauvignon blanc. This though is up there with the best we've tasted with lashings of fruit salad and a delicious balancing crisp acidity. If you enjoy quality whites and you're looking for something different, this is very highly recommended."
This is now the 2009 vintage and the only change has been the price - it's come down from $18.
A quality white without blowing the budget.

Cellar Door $25
Our Price: $15 per bottle by the doz

SOLD OUT

Tyrrell's 2010 Moon Mountain Chardonnay

I was gobsmacked with how good this is. Don't particularly like the name but it's the stuff inside the bottle that counts. It combines old fashioned crunch with New Age zing. A glorious complex chardy that would still over deliver at $25.

Cellar Door $25
Our Price: $15 per bottle by the doz

SOLD OUT

Tyrrell's 2006 Brokenback Shiraz

I am forever grateful to Helen from Tyrrells who showed us the 2004 vintage of this wine in June 2007. Once again here are my notes:
"The nose is unmistakeable, classic earthy Hunter. I've never been comfortable with the "sweaty saddle" adjective as to me it's not a particularly compelling endorsement. This one has it but in an attractive appealing way that I've rarely encountered.
The earthiness continues on the palate but there is none of the dirt stink that characterises so many Hunter shiraz. This also offers a rich roundness of fruit that carries on to an incredible length. This is an outstanding red that is a must for lovers of Hunter quality and an absolute must for anyone who's never been convinced. Enjoy now or confidently cellar."
This was the wine that rekindled my enthusiasm for Hunter reds and let me tell you that this 2006 release is even better. The label is a huge improvement and the stuff inside the bottle is sensational. $15 is ridiculous.

Cellar Door $25
Our Price: $15 by the doz

SOLD OUT

Haselgrove 2008 Bella Vigna Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon


Haselgrove website notes
COLOUR
Deep cherry with a cherry red hue.

AROMA
The aroma displays blackberry, red currants, cassis with underlying menthol and eucalypt.

PALATE
Fresh blackberry, clove and spice abound on the palate with an underlying tone of menthol, Matured in new and old French oak barriques for 15 months, this Cabernet Sauvignon was selected by the method of barrel classification and has a smooth tannin finish with great length.

ALCOHOL 13.5%

SERVING
Enjoy now or cellar for up to ten years to enhance complexity. Serve this wine at room temperature with Beef Ragu or a platter of matured cheeses.

Our Price: $18 per bottle by the doz

SOLD OUT

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Mt Monster 2005 Shiraz





Mt Monster website tasting notes:

"Deep crimson red with brilliant, purple hue. Rich, ripe black berry fruits on the nose with Satsuma plum softness and generosity. Subtle oak use adds complexity and provides the structural framework whilst allowing the primary fruit to shine through. A fruit driven and focused palate,with dark chocolate, berry fruit, spices and Christmas pudding characteristics. Fine, soft tannins complement the fruit and lingering soft finish."
Couldn't agree more.

http://mtmonster.com.au/winebox/winedetail.asp?productID=4&vs=&vcat=

RRP: $???
Our Price: $ 12 per bottle by the doz

SOLD OUT

Mt Monster 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon

On first glance it may appear to be a wacky made up name but there is definitely a Mt Monster vineyard and winery which you can find 300km south east of Adelaide.
The Bryson family have been farming in South Australia for over 150 years. Wine is a more recent enterprise but it still very much a family business that utilises the winemaking talents of Ben Riggs. Yes, it's that ubiquitous Mr Riggs who has a well deserved reputation as a very talented winemaker.
There are quite a few things that I REALLY like about their two current release reds. For starters they taste like their variety should and for cabernet, in particular, that's a rare thing nowadays. They are both extremely user friendly and while short term cellaring is an option they are ready to enjoy now. Fruit dominates rather than wood and there are nice tannins and acids supporting the fruit. And best of all they are brilliant value.
Not a huge fan of the label but as we all know, it's the stuff inside the bottle that counts.

RRP: $ No idea????
Our Price: $12 per bottle by the doz

SOLD OUT

Monday, October 26, 2009

Rockridge 2009 Watervale Riesling


Up to about 10 years ago it was easy to rave about Riesling and smugly buy up the bargains because the variety offered such great value compared to chardonnay. But those days are long gone and I wondered if I'd ever find another great value riesling that wasn't a producer's stuff up [like Simon Pemberton Pearse and the unlabelled Palandri].

Well I have and it's from Watervale, that classic riesling region, in South Australia's Clare Valley. The intensity on the nose is almost overwhelming and the same fruit flavour carries through on the palate. Which goes on and on and on with lovely crisp acidity completing the experience.
This doesn't have the steely minerality that some of you love. This one's all about intense fruit in the citrus/honeysuckle spectrum. While it has the acidity to warrant cellaring I can't see the point. This is THE wine for this summer if you're a little bit over sauvignon blancs. It has the flavour to both handle a serious chill and justify a $20+ price tag.


RRP: Should be $20
Our Price: $12 per bottle by the doz

SOLD OUT

Friday, October 2, 2009

Buller 2007 Beverford Durif


Please don't be fooled by the price of this. It's a very classy, quality red wine that has been grossly underpriced by its maker. [Something that Buller also do with their fortifieds].
Colour is a dazzling deep purple and there's enticing sweet fruit on the nose and then the really interesting stuff starts. I often write about "quality fruit supported by underlying tannins". But this is all about really appealing tannins supported by underlying fruit. It may sound weird but it works beautifully. Alcohol is 15% but there's no hint of overextraction and it's just not an issue with this one
Three days after opening the wine is drinking even better and I suspect the back label "cellar to 2012" recommendation may be well short of the mark. I'm whacking some in the cellar to see how it evolves.

Our Price: $12 per bottle by the doz

SOLD OUT

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Tyrrell's 2007 Old Winery Shiraz


THIS IS SHEER WINEMAKING GENIUS

On a recent August Saturday at Pokolbin I tasted just about every wine in the Tyrrell's portfolio. It's the best I've ever seen it looking.
But the real surprise was their 2007 Old Winery Shiraz. I've long been a fan of the Old Winery range as being consistently great value while occasionally throwing up a wine of extraordinary quality.

It's a safe assumption that the fruit sourced from interstate is from their Rufus Stone vineyards in Heathcote and McLaren Vale that didn't quite make the grade. Tossed in with some local Hunter Shiraz this three region blend is an example of sheer winemaking genius.
The theory is that great wine is created in the vineyard and while that's true wines like this demonstrate the winemaker's skill in creating something really special through their blending skills. The wonderful aspect of this wine is the layers of flavour that reveal themselves as you work your way through the bottle. There's definite leathery Hunter but there's also the fruit ripeness from the other areas with surprising cassis flavour. Acid and tannins are all there in the right balance and if you paid $20 for this you'd still be happy.
To put it in perspective I tasted this as an afterthought. I'd tasted the Stevens, Rufus Stones, Vat 1, Vat 8, Lunatiq etc and this still impressed.


Our Price: $9.50 per bottle by the doz

SOLD OUT

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Haselgrove Vincent's Breeze McLaren Vale 2007 Shiraz

LABEL CHANGE BIN END

They've changed the label and deleted this range and we are happily holding stock of one of the best $10 reds you'll ever taste. Medium bodied with spice and plummy opulence this is destined to be our biggest selling cellar door red over the next month.

RRP: $15
Our Price: $10 per bottle by the doz

SOLD OUT

Friday, September 18, 2009

Miceli Lucy's Choice 2005 Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir

This is another of my favourite pinot noirs where the initial sense of
soft seduction explodes into a myriad of flavours.
Not much left of an absolute bargain.
Our Price: $20 per bottle by the doz

SOLD OUT

Austins Sixfootsix 2008 Geelong Pinot Noir


Not my favoutite label but the stuff inside the bottle is superb and grossly underpriced. That's what counts.


Our Price: $15 per bottle
by the doz


SOLD OUT

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Arrowfield 2008 Sophies Bridge Verdelho




WEBSITE SUPER SPECIAL

Our Price: $8 per bottle by the doz



SOLD OUT

Arrowfield 2008 Sophies Bridge Sauvignon Blanc



WEBSITE SUPER SPECIAL

Our Price: $8 per bottle by the doz


SOLD OUT

Arrowfield 2008 Sophies Bridge Chardonnay


WEBSITE SUPER SPECIAL

Our Price: $8 per bottle by the doz


SOLD OUT

Yalumba 2006 "The Scribbler" Cabernet Shiraz


"SON OF SIGNATURE"
In late 2008 Yalumba launched a new label called The Scribbler. It's a cabernet [63%] and shiraz [37%] blend that is designed to pay homage to one of their flagship reds.
"The Signature" first made its appearance in 1962 well before everyone had a marketing department and well before most of us had ever heard of the word.
This is a classic marketing exercise where you can just envisage a little think tank group having their "eureka!" moment. At least it's a damn fine red as so many first releases are. Big chunky SA style.

Our Price: $17 per bottle by the doz

SOLD OUT

Monday, June 29, 2009

Branken Hill 2010 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc


IT'S THE LATEST VINTAGE OF OUR FAVOURITE MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC - AND IT'S STILL ONLY $10

This is a dry classic NZ sauvignon blanc made by Neill Culley and we have access to a bit of it. It's as impressive as any other we've been offered in recent times. Don't be fooled by the price, this is a ripper.


Our Price: $10 per bottle by the doz

SOLD OUT

Pirramimma 2006 Stocks Hill Cabernet Sauvignon

It's probably even better than the 2004 release which so many of you enjoyed
which makes it a star performer in the under $20 cabernet range. Big, rich and complex.

Our Price: $14 per bottle by the doz

SOLD OUT

Hungerford Hill 2007 Tumbarumba Chardonnay

The wholesaler has moved onto the 2008 vintage so get in quick to grab this highly acclaimed wine:

Best Chardonnay – Riverina Wine Show 2008
Top Gold – Royal Melbourne Wine Show 2008
Gold Medal – Royal Hobart Wine Show 2008
Gold Medal - Royal Melbourne Wine Show 2008
Gold Medal - Riverina Wine Show 2008
Gold Medal - Rutherglen Wine Show 2008
Silver Medal – Sydney Royal Wine Show 2008
Silver Medal – Royal Queensland Wine Show 2008
Silver medal – Cowra Wine Show 2008


Our Price: $23 per bottle by the doz

SOLD OUT

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Bimaris 2005 Chardonnay

TASTING NOTES FROM
www.redhillestate.com.au

Fruit
This wine is made from Chardonnay grapes from Mornington Peninsula.

Maturation
This wine was produced in a range of ways. Some was fermented cool entirely in stainless steel tanks, while some was transferred to French Oak barriques (only 5 - 10% new) part way through its fermentation. Little or no malolactic fermentation was allowed. This treatment adds only a subtle level of oak complexity, making it a very fruit driven style.

Technical Analysis
Alcohol 13.0%.

Bouquet and Palate
This wine embodies the BIMãRIS style, being all about beautiful fruit and easy drinkability with that extra touch of class. It has a classic Peninsula Chardonnay nose of lemons, nectarines and grapefruit with delicate tropical notes. The palate flows cleanly due to minimal oak influence and the finish is crisp. A great partner for fish.



Cellar Door $14
Our Price: $8 per bottle by the doz

SOLD OUT

Monday, May 4, 2009

Bullant 2007 Langhorne Creek Shiraz


TROPHY WINNER: LAKE BREEZE PRESS RELEASE

Lake Breeze Wines 2007 Bullant Shiraz was awarded the Australian Wine & Brandy Corporation Trophy for Best Red Wine not exceeding $20, at the Sydney Royal Wine Show. Boutique producer, Lake Breeze is renowned for its value for money red wines and with the Bullant range of wines retailing at $14.99 has over delivered again.

Winemaker, Greg Follett said; “This is a fantastic result for our relatively new range of wines, especially since this is the first show I’ve entered the 2007 in.”

The Bullant wines were first released by Lake Breeze in late 2006 and are approachable, drink-now wines using fruit from the family vineyards at Langhorne Creek. The label is a play on the menacing bullants plaguing the vineyard and is sold predominantly through our wholesalers into restaurants and select wine retailers.

“The Sydney Wine show has been kind to us with 6 gold medals and 2 trophies over the last 3 years, including a hat trick of gold medals for three consecutive vintages of ‘Bernoota’, and the 2006 Cabernet bagging a trophy last year.” Greg added

RRP: $14.99
Our Price: $12 per bottle by the doz

SOLD OUT

Henschke 2007 Henry's Seven

Amongst the current releases this is my favourite Henschke red.
These are really great tasting notes from the Henschke website. A fascinating story and unusually vintage specific.

Grape Variety :65% shiraz, 15% grenache, 11% viognier and 9% mourvèdre grapes grown in the Barossa (Barossa Valley and Eden Valley).

Technical Details Harvest Date: 23 February-17 April ,Alcohol: 15% | pH: 3.56 | Acidity: 6.7 g/L |

Maturation :Viognier co-fermented with shiraz, grenache and mourvèdre harvested separately. Matured in seasoned French hogheads for 15 months prior to blending and bottling.

Background: The shiraz, grenache, viognier, mourvèdre blend is a tribute to Henry Evans who planted the first vineyard of seven acres at Keyneton in 1853. He quickly developed a reputation for producing the best wines in the southern colony. Following Henry’s death in 1868, his widow Sarah exercised her temperance convictions by closing the winery and uprooting all the winegrapes. This blend highlights the historical introduction of southern French and Spanish varieties to South Australia in those early pioneering days and reflects the history, religion and culture of the Barossa.

Vintage Description :The 2007 vintage shaped up to be another high quality year but with significantly reduced yields in Eden Valley and average yields in the Adelaide Hills. The highly publicised drought of 2006 was reported as the worst ever. Certainly the rainfall at Eden Valley for the three months of winter at only 90mm compared to the average of 200mm was one of our driest. Despite an early winter break, rainfall during winter and spring was the worst for years in the lead-up to flowering. There was significant spring frost damage in Eden Valley, with a yield loss of 20-25%, compounded by the drought and lack of subsoil moisture with overall losses of up to 50% anticipated. Brief heat waves occurred during January; otherwise it was mild and dry. At the end of January a tropical air mass connected with a cold front to bring good rains to the agricultural areas of South Australia, with flooding up north. The 70mm rainfall fell steadily over four days, coinciding with veraison, which freshened up the vine canopy to assist with ripening the fruit for harvest. February was recorded as the hottest for 100 years, which brought the already reduced crop to an earlier ripening phase.

Wine Description :Deep crimson in colour. Lifted aromas of blackberries and bramble with floral notes. The beautifully structured palate with savoury nuances shows ripe black fruits and spice with fine tannins and a long finish.

Cellaring Potential Great vintage, drink now to 2012.

RRP: $??
Our Price: $25 per bottle by the doz

SOLD OUT

Knappstein 2008 Clare Valley Riesling

At a recent trade tasting, amongst Petaluma, Pikes and Capel Vale this was the clear standout in quality and is also available at the lowest price. An easy winner.

Cellar Door: $22
Our Price: $18 per bottle by the doz

SOLD OUT

Knappstein 2006 Cabernet Merlot

Why is this so cheap? Double trophy winner with tannin dominating a little bit at the moment. Drink now with a day of breathing or hide in the cellar.

Cellar Door: $22
Our Price: $18 per bottle by the doz

SOLD OUT

Bridgewater Mill 2007 Chardonnay

Adelaide Hills fruit, great balance between fruit and wood with crisp acidity.


Our Price: $18 per bottle by the doz

SOLD OUT

Browns of Padthaway 2006 T-Trellis Shiraz

This is a producer who, through a regular change of wholesalers, had slipped off the radar. This is a beauty that is simultaneously soft and powerful. 15%a/v.

RRP: c$20
Our Price: $16 per bottle by the doz

SOLD OUT

Stonier 2008 Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir

WEBSITE SUPER SPECIAL

Cellar Door: $28
Our Price: $22 per bottle by the doz

SOLD OUT

Capel Vale 2007 Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon


Capel Vale release two Margaret River Cabernets. The other retails for around $70 and that's what I thought I had in the glass when I tasted this one. It's hard to negotiate too hard when you splutter "You've got to be kidding" as you check and double check that you're actualy tasting the less expensive wine.

Cellar Door: $23.95
Our Price: $18 per bottle by the doz

SOLD OUT

Capel Vale 2005 Whispering Hills Shiraz

Only 300 six packs produced. A stunning "flagship" red from Mt Barker that makes a mockery of some producers' pricing.

Cellar Door: $55
Our Price: $39 per bottle by the doz

SOLD OUT

Capel Vale 2007 Mt Barker Shiraz

CAPEL VALE'S WEBSITE TASTING NOTES
Capel Vale’s REGIONAL SERIES of wines come from select grape varieties grown for optimum quality
on our vineyards situated in the 3 coolest wine regions of Western Australia.Shiraz from our Mount Barker vineyard has produced a very classical style of wine that displays cool climate Shiraz
notes of strawberries and other red berries with white pepper finishing with soft fine tannins. The style is unique
to the region and arguably is closer to the styles of the old world shiraz regions than to elsewhere in Australia.
Grape Variety & Source: 100% Mt Barker Shiraz
Release Date: June 2008
Fruit / Wine Analysis:
Harvested: March - April 2007
Fruit Ripeness: 14° - 15° baumé
Total Alcohol: 14.5% by volume
Total Acidity: 5.5 grams per litre
pH: 3.5
Oak Maturation: 12 months in French and American oak.
Optimal Drinking: While delicious to drink young for its primary
fruit characters, this wine will gain in complexity
with cellaring for up to six years.

Cellar Door: $23.95
Our Price: $18 per bottle by the doz

SOLD OUT

Monday, March 2, 2009

Chain of Ponds 2008 Section 400 Pinot Noir


CHAIN OF PONDS' WEBSITE NOTES

"Variety: Pinot Noir (100%) Grape Source: Adelaide Hills (100%)
Winemaker: Greg Clack Bottled: December 2008
Alcohol: 14.8% Oak: 90% Stainless 10% French oak
Acid: 6.1 g/L pH: 3.48 Residual Sugar: 3.5 g/L Sulphur: 70 mg/L

In the Vineyard: Fruit for the Section 400 Pinot is sourced from a cooler part of the Adelaide Hills. This allows the distinctive cherry and slightly stalky characters of Pinot Noir along with delicate tannins to develop and show through into the final wine.

In the Winery: The wine was fermented with minimal cap management in open fermenters with a varietal enhancing yeast to preserve the fresh primary fruit aromas of Pinot Noir. Pressed off skins after 6 days of fermentation, it was then transferred into French oak with malo-lactic fermentation. The wine was racked and returned post malo for maturation. Only the best barrels were selected, racked to tank and filtered for bottling.

Colour: Light cherry red with purple hue.

Nose: Initially you are greeted by dark cherry fruits, nuances of plum and beetroot, and hints of rose petal. These fruits are married well with a slight stalkiness. Savoury spice characters add complexity to the generous fruit-driven nose.

Palate: On the palate there are juicy cherry and blueberry fruits, with slight stalky and plum flavours. These are all integrated well with good savoury flavours and spice, and the palate is supported by subtle spice and a hint of oak. The well-rounded medium-bodied palate with strong fine velvety tannins and good acid produce a very enjoyable wine suitable for many duck and lighter red meat dishes."

Our Price: $16 per bottle by the doz

SOLD OUT

Chain of Ponds 2006 Grave's Gate Shiraz

OUR FIRST CANDIDATE FOR
RED OF THE YEAR, 2009


Chain of Ponds website notes:
"2006 GRAVE'S GATE SHIRAZ Shiraz (100 %) Grape Source: Adelaide (100%) Barossa Valley (66%), Kangaroo Island (34%) Winemaker: Greg Clack Alcohol: 14.8% Oak: 2-4 year old American barriquesAcid: 6.7 g/L pH: 3.44Residual Sugar: 4.3 g/LSulphur: 107 mg/L In the Vineyard Selected from a number of vineyards in the Barossa and one vineyard on Kangaroo Island, the wines were blended to give a resultant wine with exceptional fruit depth and complexity. In the Winery Fermentation on skins for 10 days has extracted all the rich colour and flavour from the grapes and produced a flavoursome style with soft texture. The wine was matured in primarily American Oak for 18 months and is ideal to drink now with a wide range of meat dishes including lamb, duck and gamey dishes. Colour Medium to dark plum red with slight purple/plum hue. Nose Aromas of ripe plum and blackberry are delightfully fresh and good oak spice lifts out of the glass complementing the fruit. Mocha, chocolate and vanillan characters give the wine complexity and a sweet aroma. Palate The palate is rich, displaying fruits such as plum and blackberry, good tight acidity and smooth velvety tannins complement the spicy backbone of liquorice, vanillan and cinnamon. A hint of savouriness gives the wine an extra layer of complexity. The wine has great depth and length and would prove to be the ideal accompaniment to any red meat or game dish."

Our Price: $16 per bottle by the doz

SOLD OUT

Sunday, February 15, 2009

BUSHFIRE APPEAL WINE AUCTION

AUCTION IS OVER
CONGRATULATIONS to
Alan C.
Total proceeds raised $811
Deposited in CBA Appeal 25th February, 2009 Rec No.
N022594024025

ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE BUSHFIRE APPEAL - IF IT SELLS FOR $1000 THAT"S HOW MUCH WE'LL BE WRITING THE CHEQUE FOR.

Here's a whopping FIVE LITRE bottle of premium Lindemans shiraz from the 1998 vintage from their Steven Vineyard in the Hunter Valley of NSW. It's a pretty impressive sight standing half a metre tall.

The auction starts on Monday 16th February and ends Friday 20th February at 6pm.

To join the bidding email chris@outstandingwines with your bid. We'll advise you what the current winning bid is and keep you posted as the bids rise.

RRP: $ PRICELESS


De Bortoli Black Creek 2004 Hunter Semillon

For me, De Bortoli's venture into the Hunter Valley has been nowhere the success of their Yarra Valley operation.
It's been a few years since they took over the old Wilderness Estate and while the quality has improved, it's been patchy at best. So the submission of this bin end didn't fill me with too much excitement. Obviously I was surprised.
Colour is just starting to develop, there's still plenty of citrus on the nose but it was the still-searing acidity that made me get excited enough to buy the lot. The back label is possibly a clue to the gem that De Bortoli didn't recognise. It's described as a "typical Hunter Semillon" that can be cellared 3-5 years. Enoy it now by all means but I reckon it has the potential to go ANOTHER 5-10 years.

RRP: $?????????
Our Price: $10 per bottle by the doz

SOLD OUT

De Bortoli 2005 Gulf Station Riesling


A REMARKABLE $10 PREMIUM RIESLING
Here's another to join our collection of absolute Bargain Bin Ends. Gulf Station is De Bortoli's Yarra Valley label that fits in under their $25+ Yarra Valley range. It's all Yarra Valley fruit - either their own or bought in - so it's definitely got that seal of quality. It's under screwcap and is obviously starting to show some development while still retaining primary fruit freshness. Absolute bargain to enjoy now or cellar for awhile.

RRP: $16
Our Price: $10 per bottle by the doz

SOLD OUT

Belgravia 2006 Reserve Merlot


This is the latest offering from David Lowe who many of you would remember from the Hunter Valley. This one's from Orange and if it's any indication everywhere else in Australia should stop bothering with the variety. Apparently vintage conditions were perfect in 2006 so this may be as good as it gets but who cares? This is a cracker to be enjoyed over the next 5 years.
There's plenty of power but it's the complexity that really appeal. There are layers of fruit and tannins which seem to reveal something new with every sip. Top red easily delivering $25+ quality.

Our Price: $18 per bottle by the doz

SOLD OUT