Windy Peak Sparkling Pinot Noir Chardonnay

RIP Farty Hill.
They've changed the label and the style of the wine and sadly not for the better. I've kept a picture of the old label as a fond memory. It's now a perfectly OK sparkling with none of the dazzling individuality that made it a star.

So I've dropped the price to clear what we bought before we discovered the change to the blend.

Here's what I used to think [once again retained for the memories]
"Affectionately known as Farty Hill at home, where empties dominate the recycling bin.
Colour is an appealing dazzling pale smoked salmon hue and although being a multi vintage blend with parts up to 7 seven years old it's the sheer drinkability that dominates this complexity.
Very stylish, drink anytime fizz that totally over delivers at the price."

Our Price: $10 per bottle by the doz

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Crayfish Bay 2008 Marlborough Pinot Noir

THE EXTRAORDINARY PINOT NOIR RELEASE OF 2009
Where did they come up with names like this and who designed the label?
It's from Marlborough and is an outstanding intense, superbly structured pinot noir that delivers $20 quality. Please don't be fooled by the price.

Our Price: $12 per bottle by the doz


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Portarlington Ridge 2008 Pinot Noir

The Bellarine Peninsula is a spur that hooks back into Port Phillip Bay to the south of Geelong and, give 20 km or so, is in line with Geelong to the west and Mornington to the east. So you're in damn fine latitude territory for Pinot Noir.
This is an outstanding "Under $20" Pinot that is so much better than the price you'll pay.
Our Price: $14 per bottle by the dozen

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Crayfish Bay 2009 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

The best value sauvignon blanc on the market?

While winter 2010 has slightly dulled the savvy frenzy of summer, I suspect seasonally adjusted figures would show no decrease in demand.
The latest star to arrive is the Crayfish Bay 2009 release. We've previously offered the 2008 which was a pleasant little drop but this current release is on a considerably higher level and rivals anything under $20.
The sometimes cloying tropical fruit character in this genre has been cut back to a level where it is now in perfect harmony with a refreshingly crisp acid zing. It's made by one of the high profile Marlborough makers and I suspect is available under their own label at a considerably higher price

Our Price: $10 per bottle by the doz


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Titanic Stout 500ml

The Titanic Brewery was kicked off in 1985 in Stoke-on-Trent, birthplace of Titanic captain Edward John Smith.
They are a champion of the real ale cause in the UK with their beers available in over 250 "freehouses". [if you're familiar with beer drinking in the UK you'll know that far too many venues are now what I call "plastic pubs", controlled by a central management and
run like McDonalds]

One of their beers is the superb Titanic Stout which has picked up a handy list of awards from CAMRA [Campaign for Real Ale]
The Guardian Bottled Beer of Britain 1994 Gold
CAMRA Northern Ireland Branch 1995 Stout of the Festival Bronze
CAMRA Champion Beer of the West Midlands 2003 Bottles Gold Crown
CAMRA Champion Bottled Beer of Britain 2004 Gold
CAMRA Champion Beer of the West Midlands 2004 Porter/Stout Silver
CAMRA Champion Bottled Beer of Britain 2005 Bronze
CAMRA Champion Bottled Beer of Britain 2006 Bronze
CAMRA West Midlands Beer of the Year 2006 Stout Gold
CAMRA Champion Bottled Beer of Britain 2007 Silver
CAMRA West Midlands Stout of the Year 2007 2nd Place
CAMRA West Midlands Beer of the Year 2008 Real Ale in a Bottle 1st Place
CAMRA West Midlands Beer of the Year 2008 Stout Category 2nd Place
CAMRA Champion Bottled Beer of Britain 2009 Gold
CAMRA West Midlands Beer of the Year 2009 Stout Category 1st Place

We've just been offered what I suspect are the last 20 cases of this in Australia and I snapped them up because if you don't want them I'll happily drink the stuff over the next couple of years. Sister Sarah, the historian, will score some in memory of our great grandfather who died on the Titanic. [he was crew, not a passenger]

It's way past its Best Before date [October, 09] but with this type of beer what does it matter? It's probably improving. It's nowhere near as dry as Guinness but I wouldn't describe it as a sweet stout. This is very much a winter beer that you store on top of the fridge at this time of year - why would you want to dull the intense flavour?.

RRP: $????
Our Price: $49 a box of twelve 500ml bottles

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Kilikanoon Killerman's Run 2006 Clare Valley Shiraz Grenache

CANCELLED EXPORT LABEL BARGAIN

In a little over 10 years Kilikanoon has established itself as one of the finest producers in SA's Clare Valley. Halliday rates it as THE best and Parker of the Advocate loves Kevin Mitchell's work as well.
This is final stock from a cancelled UK export order and you've got to wonder what those silly poms were thinking.
But their loss is our gain particularly as we can offer it to you under our regular wholesale price. Why? Because it has the UK export label on it which doesn't declare Standard Drinks.
I know some of us get a little nervous with grenache. It can sometimes have a stalky character which, if too pronounced, can make the wine disjointedly unattractive. But this has none of that. In fact this is a superbly balanced seamless midweight red that delivers well over the $20 mark.
The dazzling vibrant colour hints at definite cellaring potential and this was confirmed by our three days of enjoying the tasting sample. Alcohol is 14.5% [about 8.7 standard drinks] and it's not overt because it is just so well balanced. There's plenty of spicy fruit kicking along throughout the palate supported by some nice little tannins. One of those reds that I couldn't imagine anyone not enjoying. Extraordinary value.
Cellar Door: $17
Our Price: $14 per bottle by the dozen

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2009 Crate 31 Cabernet Merlot

.This is a red with serious grunt from the same people that make the YellowTail wines. Nose, colour and palate all indicate a wine well above $10. Absolutely sensational at this price.

Our Price: $6 per bottle by the doz

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Kirrihill 2009 Clare Valley Cabernet

WEBSITE SUPER SPECIAL
Like the Kirrihill shiraz it's a bargain and is composed of fruit from a variety of vineyards. In fact the back label makes an interesting point that the Clare Valley shouldn't be regarded simplistically as a single region as it contains 5 distinct sub districts with quite different profiles.
Like the shiraz this is a rich, rounded fruit driven red that's only spent a mere 6 months on a mix of French and American oak.
Cellar for 5 years or so by all means but this one is ready to enjoy now.
Our Price: $13 per bottle by the doz


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Grandin 2006 Cremant de Loire

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The Loire is acknowledged as France's next best sparkling wine area after Champagne and the very best offer champagne quality and a much lower price. This has all the yeasty complexity and balance that we look for in champagne at a fraction of the price. And even at 6 years old it retains a freshness that indicates a few years yet

Our Price: $20 per bottle by the dozen

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Red Hill 2006 Blanc de Noirs

WEBSITE SUPER SPECIAL

Red Hill's Website notes:
"4 stars / 87 points - James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2010 This wine aims to emphasise fruit richness and softness. The nose features classic strawberries and cream with touches of rhubarb and bread. The wine enters the mouth with a swirl of delicious fruit. The strawberries also have light touches of cherry and yeasty complexity with a finish that is both soft and dry. This wine is perfect with trout mousse or salmon pate
Cellar Door: $35
Our Price: $26 per bottle by the dozen

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