Old, extremely low-yielding McLaren Vale vines are responsible for d'Arenberg's Dead Arm Shiraz - a wine of enormous power, intensity and real complexity - an absolute must for any serious wine cellar and d'Arenberg lover. One of the flagships for McLaren Vale for many years, this wine continues to shine with a balanced between tradition and Chester Osborne driven innovation.

Product Description The 2022 Sylvain Cathiard Hautes Côtes de Nuits Rouge is a remarkable addition to the Domaine's portfolio, showcasing the intricate potential of the Hautes Côtes vineyards. Sourced from a small but carefully selected 2.5-hectare parcel in Villars Fontaine, located at an elevation of 350 meters above Nuits-St-Georges, this wine expresses both the uniqueness of its terroir and the finesse of Cathiard's winemaking approach. The wine presents an inviting dark fruit profile, with a slightly denser colour compared to other Bourgogne wines from the Côte. It's a youthful expression with a plumper raspberry fruit profile, complemented by a subtle dryness from the oak, which will integrate with time. The wine offers great structure, balanced by juicy freshness and fine tannins, making it a perfect early-drinking option while waiting for more complex village wines to mature. With a medium-bodied profile, this wine has a pleasant length, offering a youthful bitterness that will soften with age. This Hautes Côtes cuvée is the ideal introduction to the Domaine’s Pinot Noir style, and with only a limited production of around 7 barrels in a good vintage, it’s an exclusive and limited offering. Maker Domaine Sylvain Cathiard, founded in the 1930s by Sylvain’s grandfather, is a boutique estate that has gained a stellar reputation for its exceptional wines. Based in Vosne-Romanée, the estate spans 5 hectares, with vineyards in prestigious appellations including Vosne-Romanée, Nuits-St-Georges, Chambolle-Musigny, and a coveted plot in Romanée-St-Vivant. Under the meticulous stewardship of Sebastien Cathiard, who took over in 2011, the estate has flourished, with an emphasis on sustainable viticulture, organic principles, and minimal intervention winemaking. Sebastien’s approach to winemaking is hands-off, allowing the natural expression of the terroir to shine through while focusing on elegance, purity, and balance in each wine. The Domaine's reputation has skyrocketed, with wine writer Neal Martin calling it one of the top producers of Vosne-Romanée, earning acclaim from both critics and collectors worldwide. The Domaine's expansion into the Hautes Côtes de Nuits, with new parcels in Villars Fontaine, further enhances the Cathiard legacy. Sebastien has created a purpose-built facility that allows for more room to vinify and age wines, ensuring that this new addition, along with the core vineyard plots, will be available to more consumers, all while maintaining the Cathiard style. Philosophy Sebastien Cathiard’s philosophy centres around producing wines that are harmonious, elegant, and true to their terroir. With a clear respect for the natural environment, the Domaine follows organic and biodynamic principles, fostering balance in the vineyard and letting nature dictate the pace of growth. Sebastien’s commitment to minimal intervention allows the vineyards to express their full potential, producing wines that are pure and reflective of their origins. The winemaking process is marked by an almost non-interventionist approach, using natural yeasts and allowing the wines to mature on their lees for up to 18 months. Sebastien’s use of oak is thoughtfully measured, reducing the percentage of new oak over time to ensure the wine retains its fresh fruit character while gaining complexity. His wines are structured, with an emphasis on balance and ageability, crafted to highlight the beauty of Burgundy’s terroir. With a production of only about 50 barrels per year across all appellations, the wines are limited, highly sought-after, and offered first to loyal customers. Tasting Notes Nose Dark Fruit, Pepper, Subtle Oak The nose opens with a vibrant mix of dark fruits, including ripe raspberry and black cherry, interwoven with a peppery spice and a touch of subtle oak. The aromatic profile is complex, enticing, and layered. Palate Raspberry, Fresh, Structured On the palate, the wine presents a smooth and balanced profile, with ripe raspberry fruit at the core. The fine tannins provide structure and depth, while a streak of freshness keeps the wine lively and vibrant. Finish Juicy, Balanced, Length The finish is medium in length, with a youthful bitterness that gives way to a balanced, mineral-driven finale. The wine lingers with a clean, refreshing acidity that leaves a lasting impression.

"Fresh, clean, vibrant iced pastry aroma, lovely and chard-ish. Similarly clean and fresh in the mouth, with evident dosage, but also a clean finish, soft and equable. A very easy drinking wine and well turned-out." 92 points Huon Hooke

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. Penfold's Grange is Australia's most revered wine, and its creation represents a distillation of Max Schubert's ambition for Australian wine. Schubert joined Penfolds as a messenger boy in 1931 and by 1948, he became Penfolds' first Chief Winemaker. In the latter part of 1950, Schubert was sent to Europe to investigate winemaking practices in Spain and Portugal. On a side trip to Bordeaux, Schubert was inspired and impressed by the French cellared-style wines and dreamed of making 'something different and lasting' of his own. Combining traditional Australian techniques, inspiration from Europe and precision winemaking practices developed at Penfolds, Schubert made his first experimental wine in 1951. In 1957, Schubert was asked to show his efforts in Sydney to top management, invited wine identities and personal friends of the board. To his horror, the Grange experiment was universally disliked and Schubert was ordered to shut down the project. Max continued to craft his Grange vintages in secret, hiding three vintages '57, '58 and '59, in the depths of the cellars. Eventually, the Penfolds board ordered production of Grange to restart, just in time for the 1960 vintage. From then on, international acknowledgment and awards were bestowed on Grange, including the 1990 vintage of Grange, which was named Wine Spectator's Red Wine of the Year in 1995. Today, Grange's reputation as one of the world's most celebrated wines continues to grow. On its 50th birthday in 2001, Grange was listed as a South Australian heritage icon, while the 2008 Grange vintage achieved a perfect score of 100 points by two of the world's most influential wine magazines. With every new generation of Penfolds winemakers, Max Schubert's remarkable vision is nurtured and strengthened. Penfolds Bin 95 Grange Shiraz is the benchmark by which all other reds in Australia and overseas are often measured. This wine has many reasons for its success, including concentration of flavour, complexity and longevity. Grange blossoms with 15 to 20 years of bottle age, when most other reds have passed their best and better vintages can live and continue developing for decades longer. The Penfolds Bin 95 Grange Shiraz 2019 is deep, dark and bright, the nose is automatically recognisable - formic and glacial higher notes - not quite as audacious as a fleeting perception of heady spirit (a la Cognac), and yet not just simple. Beneath, a more familial oaked nuttiness (hazelnut?) recedes to reveal aromas of black licorice/anise/black olive. A shroud of condensed glazed fruits surrenders to reveal a fresher disposition...a coulis of berries and stone fruits; boiled beetroot. Unsurprisingly wafts of coffee-grind, pan-scrapings/jus also ascend, hovering over a persistent base of cold lamb fat and marrow. Upon sitting, a sprinkle of lavender and exotic spices almost completes the aromatic package - well, at least for another minute or two. And then... Early days. On the palate there is cohesion, vigour, sheen, poise - four borders of a frame that structurally binds the lofty palate ambitions of this South Australian blend. Fresh and balanced. Neither exaggerated nor over-ripe - lively blueberry and other youthful blue/black fruits bely the maturation timeline of this alluring blend. Certainly befitting this style, unmistakable barrel-ferment characters are undoubtedly more pronounced on palate than nose. If the mid-palate is somewhat formidable (ably supporting a thick/dense core), by contrast the back-palate is creamy and caressingly endearing. Indeed, expansive and full-washing away all ahead of it. Certainly persistent. Texturally, chewy/grainy tannins and just-right acidity abet succulence and mouthfeel. Effortlessly handles 19 months in 100% new oak. Peak drinking 2029-2065.

Heathcote Estate has quickly emerged as an icon Shiraz producer from a region that continues to show its Shiraz pedigree. Tom Carson crafts this wonderful example that displays a rich bouquet of prunes licorice and plums with a deep dense palate showing quality oak is indicative of a wine which will age superbly.Every effort is made to include a gift box with delivery, however this cannot be guaranteed.

This classic Yarra Valley Shiraz from Yeringberg is showing those trademark Shiraz characters of cracked black pepper and great fruit weight, there is also some good concentration and a long powdery tannin finish.