Chris Ringland Dry Grown Barossa Ranges Shiraz
Chris Ringland's Barossa Ranges Shiraz is steeped in the Barossas post-colonial story and the high art and science of winemaking. Typically deep in colour with intense dark berry, paneforte, espresso roasted chestnut aromas, it displays a plush and concentrated palate with blackberry, mocha, paneforte spicy flavours and dense fine chocolaty tannins. Despite the opulence, flamboyance, richness and concentration, the wine has superb percussion and freshness. The wine is a small vinification of around four to five hogsheads or 1500 litres. The "unusually thick skinned" Shiraz is entirely sourced from Chris Ringland's dry-grown vineyard on the edge of the Barossa Valley, but technically in Eden Valley, along Flaxman's Valley near Randall's Hill. The wine is "painstakingly hand-made" in open fermenters and regularly pumped-over to extract colour, flavour and tannins. After draining and pressing through a traditional basket press, fermentation is completed in 100% new French oak hogsheads. A period of up to 50 months oak maturation follows to achieve optimum complexity and balance between oak and fruit. The extraordinarily high release prices (higher than Penfolds Grange), limited production and reputation make Chris Ringland Barossa Ranges Shiraz the stuff of legend.
Domaine d'Eugenie Grand Cru
Clos Vougeot is renowned for being one of the finest red wines in Burgundy with superlative depth, richness and power. Domaine d'Eugenies Clos Vougeot comes off a small holding of 1.36ha within the large walled Clos Vougeot vineyard. The plot is located in one of the best positions at the top of the slope and is managed along biodynamic principles. The fruit is handpicked, 50% is then destemmed with fermentation taking place in small vessels, before undergoing maturation in approximately 90% new French oak barrels.
Château Cheval-Blanc
Thibault Liger-Belair Les Saint Georges 1er cru
THIBAULT LIGER-BELAIR Les Saint Georges 1er cru, Nuits-St-Georges
Domaine Lucien Le Moine Les Amoureuses 1er cru
DOMAINE LUCIEN LE MOINE Les Amoureuses 1er cru, Chambolle-Musigny Lucien Le Moine is a unique négocianthaute couture is often how they are described. Husband and wife, Mounir and Rotem Saouma source small parcels of wine from many producers. Their contribution to the wine is in the elevage, esoteric regime which changes each vintage relying on Mounirs sensory talents forged in a Trappist monastery in Lebanon and honed in their vaulted cellars in the Cote dOr. Working with the best (Jupilles, FRA), fine-grained new oak, the Saoumas produce a staggering number of Grands and 1er Crus cuvees.
Dalla Valle Vineyards Maya Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc
When it comes to points, this prestigious Napa Valley blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc is a centurion many times over. It’s the crown jewel in Dalla Valle’s shimmering portfolio, with quality and grace of an almost unrivalled pedigree. But that’s not even the best part. Maya’s Vineyard was planted to celebrate the birth of Gustav and Naoko Dalla Valle’s daughter in 1986. As fate would have it, Maya grew up to become one of America’s most promising young winemakers, continuing the remarkable legacy of her parent’s winery.
Penfolds Grange
Unmistakably, Grange, this 2012 vintage is complex, flamboyant and lifted. An aromatic multi-cultural characteristics. The earthiness is well integrated with the aromas of dark fruits, grounded coffee, red liquorice and black olives, which leads to a firmly structured finish.
Château Palmer Margaux
Château Palmer is considered one of the worlds first 'Super Seconds' (although actually classified as a third growth), a term relating to the top echelon of producers that fall outside of the ancient 1st Growth classification. Margaux's Château Palmer was named after a British general who fought under Wellington. It has been stated by quite a few wine critics that this could possibly be the finest Château Palmer ever produced. An amazing claim considering how phenomenal the 2005 was and is yet to be. Masses of concentrated aromas and flavours that will keep your senses entertained for hours on end. A truly remarkable achievement that will repay the patient cellarer over the next 30 years.
Penfolds Bin 60A
In 2004, similar vintage conditions to the iconic 1962 vintage, inspired Penfolds winemakers to recreate Max Schuberts iconic wine. Cabernet Sauvignon from Block 20, alongside Koonunga Hill and Kalimna Shiraz, were included in the 2004 Penfolds Bin 60A blend.
Penfolds Super Blend 802B Cabernet Shiraz With Nick Mount Decanter
Carefully selected from the coveted 2018 South Australian vintage, the wines represent two unique interpretations of the iconic Australian blend of cabernet sauvignon and shiraz. 802.B varietal composition is close to evenly split with cabernet sauvignon contributing 55% and shiraz 45% of the blend respectively. The components were married immediately post vintage, completing 19 months maturation as a blend in French oak hogsheads.This wine will reward careful cellaring for several decades. An intriguing counterpoint to its American oak sibling.
