$100 and over
Penfolds Bin 704 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Steeped in Penfolds winemaking tradition yet still embracing modernity, Bin 704 seeks to redefine Napa Valley cabernet through a Penfolds lens. Being mindful of varietal nuances, regional essence and silk-like textural definition, the wine is nurtured in French barriques for maturation. Impressive is the cyclical nature of viticulture and winemaking, and Penfolds recognises that different hemispheres often end up being the mirror image of the other. The name Bin 704 draws inspiration from the “mirror” or “reverse” image of its Australian Bin 407 stablemate, a wine which also respects varietal expression.
Rockford Home Block Cabernet Sauvignon
Product Information: On one special day each year, the Rockford rescue their friends from their toil in the restaurant and retail trade of Adelaide. Rockford, the legends they are, prise them from thick white linen and smoky kitchens, arm them with "der schnipses" and send them out into the sunshine to pick the Cabernet Sauvignon from the one and a half acre of Home Block. By the time the grapes get to the vintage shed they have been washed by the tears and blood of some very highly skilled chefs and waiters. Of course, it's not all 'hard work'. As a reward their efforts, Rockford sit the crew down to a big Barossa lunch and a few bottles of Rockford's best, then gather to watch the harvest go through the Bagshaw crusher - yes, the same one they use for the fabled Rockford Basket Press Shiraz. After open vat fermentation and being basket pressed, the wine is aged in seasoned French oak hogsheads and large vats for three years. This allows the tannins to soften, colours and flavours to consolidate and achieves a deeply varietal wine that is soft and generous. With a track record of ageing comfortably for 8-10+ years from release, this is a terrific wine for the cellar or share at a big table. Maker: Discover the essence of Barossa Valley's heart in Tanunda at Rockford, where a legacy of tantalizing taste experiences has been crafted since the 1980s. During those times, the land was more accessible, offering an inviting opportunity for aspiring winemakers to thrive. Robert O'Callaghan, the visionary founder and proprietor, seized the moment and acquired the property that is now home to Rockford. Building strong connections with local grape growers and acquiring top-notch winemaking equipment, Robert embarked on his remarkable winemaking odyssey at Rockford, paving the way for unforgettable wine journeys. Since its inception, Rockford has embraced a small-scale approach, nurturing close relationships with growers and forging genuine connections with customers. This steadfast commitment to personal connections sets Rockford apart, a competitive edge that stems from decades of fostering rapport within the local community. The land upon which Rockford stands boasts a rich history, its buildings and equipment carefully preserved throughout the years, exuding an enchanting antique charm. During the exploration of the premises, the captivating aroma of wine production permeates the air, immersing individuals in a sensory experience that harmoniously blends with the site's distinctive ambiance. Amidst the allure of Rockford's surroundings, the wines themselves take centre stage. Crafted with passion and meticulous attention to detail, they encapsulate the essence of Barossa Valley's terroir. Each sip unveils a delightful flavour profile, a testament to Rockford's dedication to producing wines that captivate the palate and evoke a genuine sense of pleasure. Vineyard: In 2017, 1250 Magnums of Home Block Cabernet Sauvignon were produced from the small home vineyard. Winemaking is largely traditional, using basket presses, open-topped slate fermenters and a 1880s petrol-driven Bagshaw destemmer/crusher. Nose - Dark Fruits, Truffle, Leafy Underbrush There are tomato-bush and leafy underbrush aromas. Palate - Deep Plum, Blackcurrants, Bramble The palate's sinewy and lean, forward and quite approachable. Finish - Dried Herbs, Chocolate, Plush Tannin Good structure, lovely sweet/ripe cabernet fruit intensity, lingering chocolatey finish with dried herb accents.
Wendouree Cabernet Malbec
Bright medium red with purple hue in colour; On the nose: pronounced Blackcurrant, crushed wet leaves and dark plums, bouquet of wild violet and a decent amount of almost wet tobacco oak. A full bodied wine that has great length on the palate with firm but refined tannins. Simply outstanding in its class.
Yeringberg Cabernet Sauvignon
Château Lafite Rothschild Premier Cru Classé Pauillac
In 1815, Guillaume Lawton said of Château Lafite, “I consider it to be the the most elegant and delicate, with the finest substance of the three (Premier Crus). The location of its vines is one of the finest in the Médoc”. In 1855 the Château was ranked as a Premier Grand Cru in the famous classification that was prepared for the Universal Exhibition of that year. A recurring phenomenon in recent years, the beginning of the winter was mild and dry, and it was only at the end of January that beneficial colder temperatures arrived, accompanied by rain. Bud break began in early April as usual, and the vines then grew quickly, as they had ample reserves of water and the weather was mild. In June, flowering was early and uniform, which is always a promising sign. The influence of the Atlantic ocean and the Gironde estuary helped to reduce the effect of a somewhat hot summer with high temperatures. Water stress was high, but rain in August brought the freshness required for the grapes to change colour and then to ripen perfectly. Conditions were ideal during the harvests, enabling us to obtain optimal ripeness for each plot.
Rockford Rifle Range Cabernet Sauvignon
While many seek out the Basket Press Shiraz, it would be a disservice to ignore this opulent and concentrated Barossa Cabernet from Rockford. The Rifle Range actually has a lovely elegant and structured bent to it, some real class. A core of blackcurrant that is complimented by savour touches that lift the wine to some extraordinary levels.
Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon
One of Australia's icon wines, this is Cabernet at its very best. This wine is the very definition of power and elegance. Hand crafted by Keith Mugford and his team in the Margaret River, Moss Wood deservedly fits in the Exceptional category of Langton's Classification of Australian Wine.
Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon (Gift Boxed)
Product Information: A blend of four regions – Coonawarra, Barossa Valley, Padthaway and McLaren Vale – from a cool vintage. The Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 is a remarkable wine that has been matured for 16 months in American oak hogsheads that are 100% new. This wine has been crafted using exceptional grapes grown in Coonawarra, Wrattonbully, and Barossa Valley regions. The 2022 season was generally cool, with the prevailing conditions delaying harvest by several weeks. The extra hang hang-time allowed the grapes to develop lovely varietal characters and balanced ripe tannins. Bin 707 is a perfect cabernet sauvignon representation of Penfolds ‘House Style’: intensely-flavoured fruit; completion of fermentation and maturation in new oak; expressing a Penfolds understanding of multi-vineyard, multi-region fruit sourcing. Inspired by the iconic jet that took it to the world. The rich and powerful Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon, our first commercial release of a single cabernet-based wine, is linked to Max Schubert’s dream of making a great Australian red wine that could last at least 20 years. During the ‘50s and early ‘60s cabernet sauvignon was mostly used for blending, but Schubert’s breakthrough with the varietal as a stand-alone wine came in 1964 with inaugural vintage. Early Bin 707s were typically open fermented under wax-lined header boards and matured in seasoned old oak (rather than new oak). The wine was not made from 1970 to 1975 (when fruit was directed to other wines) nor in 1981, 1995, 2000, 2003, 2011 or 2017 (when fruit of the required style and quality was not available). Full-bodied and with proven cellaring potential, Bin 707 retains a secure place among the ranks of Australia’s finest cabernets. Maker: Penfolds has been a pioneer in the world of winemaking since its establishment in 1844 by Dr. Christopher and Mary Penfold. The company's success has been driven by a lineage of visionary winemakers who have pushed the development of the company to extraordinary, bold new heights. Mary Penfold's reign at the helm of Penfolds saw years of determination and endeavour, experimenting with new methods in wine production. In 1948, Max Schubert became the company's first Chief Winemaker and he propelled Penfolds onto the global stage with his experimentation of long-lasting wines - the creation of Penfolds Grange in the 1950s. Soon, the medals began flowing, and Grange quickly became one of the most revered wines around the world. In 2012, Penfolds released its most innovative project to date - 12 handcrafted ampoules of the rare 2004 Kalimna Block Cabernet Sauvignon. Today, Penfolds continues to hold dear the philosophies and legends that have driven the company's success since its establishment in 1844. Vineyard: In Coonawarra, spring's cooler temperatures led to nine days of sub-2°C weather. The deployment of frost fans proved effective in safeguarding vine shoots against these cold snaps. Warm weather prevailed in December, setting the stage for superb flowering and fruit-set conditions. Veraison was uniform across vineyards, leading to consistent grape development allowing flavour, tannin, and colour to flourish during the final ripening phase under near-perfect conditions. The Barossa Valley experienced cooler-than-average temperatures coupled with spring thunderstorms. Despite this, yields and grape quality surpassed expectations even among vines impacted by hail. A particularly arid yet cool December slowed down fruit-set, however, robust canopies played a pivotal role in driving up sugar levels and physiological maturity without the risk of dehydration at harvest time. The cooler growing season also fostered excellent acid retention which translated into grapes that were both finely structured and balanced. Padthaway encountered a frost event in October, but enjoyed an otherwise gentle growing season, free from extreme heat spikes or rain delays at harvest time. McLaren Vale reported only three days exceeding 35°C - half what was recorded for the previous year's vintage - resulting in a gradual harvest that allowed Cabernet Sauvignon grapes to be picked at their peak condition. Nose - Peppermint, Blackcurrant, Woodsmoke Peppermint, vanilla, blackcurrant, bay leaves and woodsmoke, peppercorns wrapped in milk chocolate. Palate - Cherry Chocolate, Sage, Savoury Olives Blackberry compote, cherry chocolate, nutmeg, bay leaf, sage herbals, iodine and Mediterranean black olive savoury notes. Finish - Thyme, Intense, Lingering Woodsy Spice This is a muscular red wine with the smoothness of oil. It looks good for drinking even now, as intense as it is, but it will outlive most of us.
Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon (Gift Boxed)
Penfolds has a rich history dating back to 1844 when Dr. Christopher and Mary Penfold arrived in Australia with a vine cutting and a bold vision. They purchased 500 acres of land in South Australia and began producing tonics, brandies, and fortified wines made from grapes and Australian sunshine. Christopher's planting of vines and his philosophies continue to influence Penfolds to this day. Mary Penfold, the unsung chief of Penfolds, played a significant role in the winery's experimentations, growth and winemaking philosophies. Max Schubert became the company's first Chief Winemaker in 1948 and created the long-lasting Penfolds Grange in the 1950s. The tradition of 'bin wines' began in 1959 with Kalimna Bin 28 becoming the first official Penfolds Bin number wine. Penfolds continues to innovate, with the release of the rare 2004 Kalimna Block Cabernet Sauvignon in 2012 and the 170th anniversary celebration in 2014. Today, Penfolds remains one of Australia's most famed and respected winemakers, driven by generations of visionaries and innovators who strive for excellence in winemaking. First released in 1993 with the 1990 vintage, Bin 407 was produced in response to the increasing availability of high quality cabernet sauvignon fruit. Inspired by Bin 707, Bin 407 offers varietal definition and approachability, yet still with structure and depth of flavour. This is a textbook definition of cabernet sauvignon - varietally expressive Bin 407 highlights the rewards of Penfolds multi-vineyard, multi-region blending, with a core of ripe fruit supported by sensitive use of American and French oak. The Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (Gift Boxed) showcase a wine that has been carefully crafted using a unique blend of maturation techniques and vintage conditions that have resulted in an exceptional South Australian cabernet sauvignon. Maturation for this wine involved 12 months in French (25% new) and American (12% new) oak hogsheads, while the remainder was matured in 1-y.o. French and American oak hogsheads. This maturation process infused the wine with subtle but complex oak flavours that perfectly complement the fruit aromas and flavours. The vintage conditions were ideal for growing the grapes in Coonawarra, Wrattonbully, Padthaway, McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley and Adelaide Hills regions. Padthaway yields were 25% above the norm and the mild summer and autumn conditions in all regions allowed the grapes to ripen evenly and slowly. The wine's crimson red color entices the senses, while the nose opens up with varieties of blackberry, mulberries and violets. Aromas of bay leaf, wet tobacco and baking spices provide further intrigue. On the palate, the wine is concentrated with cool dark fruits and the notes of grilled capsicum and cumin spiced eggplant create a unique savory flavor profile infused by cherry wood smoke and sandalwood. The tannins are firm and persistent, with a hint of bitter dark chocolate. While the wine is lively and energetic, it is built to last and is approachable yet clearly designed for a long spell in the dungeon. This wine is a perfect match for savory dishes and will continue to evolve and develop its complexity until at least 2055.
Harlan Estate 'The Mascot' Cabernet Sauvignon
The domain traces its beginning to the founding in 1984 of Harlan Estate, located in the western hills of Oakville and conceived as a “first growth of California.” In 1996, the family established BOND, a portfolio of “Grand Cru” vineyards whose wines showcase the range of expression of cabernet sauvignon across distinct geographical sites within the Napa Valley. As these varied sites were gradually replanted, many of the young vines contributed to my project. Yet, despite these distinguished origins, my early endeavour could only hint at the individual character embodied by each of our grands vins. The Mascot is a Cabernet Sauvignon predominant blend alongside a balance of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot & Malbec. It started out as a small project shared among the family, winemaking team and close friends .The wine showed charm and over time drew an affectionate following - so enthusiastic a following that they felt this intimate bottling deserved to have an identity of its own. The team took a little convincing, as the wine existed at first in very small quantities. But as more of the newer vines reached an age appropriate to warrant inclusion in the blend (typically 7 - 12 years) a certain number of barrels could be set aside for this project on an annual basis. Drawing fruit from blocks of recently replanted vineyards, The Mascot shares a glimpse into the evolution of its parent estates: a youthful snapshot of their future. The vineyard’s Harlan, BOND and Promontory are part of a yearly replanting program, albeit a very small percentage of the overall size of the vineyards to maintain vine health. This of course means each estate has a small evolving parcel of younger vines which when ready are selected for The Mascot. Each parcel is made separately at its respective wineries then blended during the middle to later stages of the barrel aging. At the core of the philosophy of The Mascot is the family’s passion to ensure the wine is ready for enjoyment immediately on release, hence its aged for a significant time in barrel and bottle before being made available to purchase. From the start, the principal characteristic of The Mascot was vigor tempered by approachability. We decided to mature the wine a little longer, so that, upon release, it was delicious to drink and intensely vibrant, with the force and depth that enabled extended aging, a wine to enjoy viscerally and without excessive reverence. In short, the wonderful wine to share among friends and family. Following a vintage full of changing conditions and demanding decision points, the steady and pleasant progress of the 2018 vintage left the team, at times, in limbo. Contradictory as it may seem, the dramas that sometimes punctuate the definitive months for the growing season help to frame the winegrowing team’s course of action; yet the tranquil succession of weeks that emerged between spring and fall in 2018 left almost entirely open the question of when to harvest. Healthy rainfall in March and April preceded a benevolent summer, whose mildness was interrupted only briefly by a few warming periods. The fruit of the young vines maintained a measured balance that gave the team little indication that harvest was imminent. Fog and temperate days followed in September, when relying more on instinct than empirical cues they began to pick. This judgment, as well as the gentle nature of the season, is confirmed in the subtle, ethereal power of the vintage, which reveals itself first in the deep, brooding aromas of dark fruit, black tea, and herbal notes. The texture expands around a lifted structure, as powdery tannins gently resolve. This diffused, enigmatic softness is anchored on the mid-palate by a gratifying density, which prepares the senses for a flourish of hidden energy and vivid detail that illuminates the finish.