The Collottes have been grape growers in Marsannay for four generations, but it wasn’t until 1981 that a young, 16 year-old Philippe Collotte bottled the first wine under the name of Domaine Collotte. He subsequently purchased some mature vineyards of about 40 years of age in both Gevrey-Chambertin and Chambolle-Musigny, to further expand the domaine’s repertoire. From two parcels of old vines; one based on Crinoidal limestone (known in France as Calcaire à Entroques), the other Comblanchien. This wine is very perfumed and pure with real depth, yet showing a lovely minerality and elegance, finishing with great length and very fine tannins.

Built in 1898, Terrazas's winery was built by Sotero Arizu, one of the pioneers in the creation of the wine production market in Argentina. The oldest vineyard Las Compuertas was planted in 1929, designed to produce the ultimate expression of Malbec. Today, Argentina dominates the world in Malbec production and has helped popularize the grape around the world. Surrounded by the high peaks of the Andes, Terrazas's vineyard is located in the heart of Mendoza's Lujan de Cuyo and Uco Valley. With the extremely high altitude, low rainfall and rocky soil, wines made in the region are pushed hard for hydration and nutrients. The results of successful wine in this region develop intensely vivid flavours. The climate also assists in lowering acidity, which assists in the winemakers in producing the purest expression of each wine.

The first Glaetzers settled in the Barossa Valley in 1888 after emigrating from Brandenburg, Germany. The family were some of the earliest recorded viticulturalists in the Barossa Valley and Clare Valley. The irrepressible Ben Glaetzer is the driving force behind Glaetzer Wines. Ben graduated in winemaking from Adelaide University in South Australia after working at Barossa Valley Estate during school and university holidays. After travelling extensively throughout many of the worlds wine regions, Ben returned to the Barossa and joined the family company. Ben's ability to blend traditional winemaking techniques with a modern flair is reflected in the style of wines under the Glaetzer label. He makes unique, elegant wines with minimal intervention, which are regarded as classics and unmistakably Barossan. Along with the numerous trophies and awards for his wines, Ben's winemaking honours include being named the Qantas Young Winemaker of the Year in 2004 and Junior Wine Personality of the Year by Robert Parker in 2005. Glaetzer Bishop is a true expression of Barossa Shiraz that is elegantly structured with a long finish. Bishop is the family name of Colin's wife' Judith. Fittingly the sign of Venus, a symbol which has come to represent women and feminine energy, is the centrepiece of the Bishop label. In mythology, the symbol meant the Roman goddess Venus or her Greek equivalent Aphrodite. But the sign has also been linked back to ancient Egypt – a nod to Bishop’s link to Amon-Ra and Anaperenna. Grown on the Ebenezer vineyard on 35 to 120-year-old vines with a yield of 3 tonnes per hectare. The wine was fermented in 1 and 2 tonne open fermenters, with extended maceration to enable good tannin and development. This softened the wine and allowed it to be approached early. It was matured for 16 months in a mix of 40% new oak and 60% 2 to 3-year-old oak hogshead barrels (90% French, 10% American). The wine is elegantly structured with a long finish, making for another expressive and approachable vintage for Bishop. Flavours of black cherry, raspberry, olive, dried spice and black pepper are supported by balancing tannin. Mouth-filling and persistent to the finish, this is a fine wine. It can cellar for up to 10-15 years.

Pierrick Laroche, the proud owner of Domaine des Hâtes, continues the legacy of his family's estate located in the picturesque village of Maligny, in the north-west sector of Chablis. Established by his father in the 1970s, Pierrick's family vineyard holdings have gradually expanded over time, resulting in the current size of around 33 hectares. After obtaining a degree in oenology from Beaune, Pierrick embarked on a journey to gain valuable experience by traveling the world and undertaking various internships. Armed with knowledge and a deep passion for winemaking, he returned home to take over the family vineyards and start producing his own wines. Pierrick's cellars, ingeniously built into the side of a hill in the village, allow for much of the winemaking process to be conducted by gravity ensuring gentle handling of the grapes. The vinification takes place traditionally in stainless steel tanks, while some of the Premier and Grand Cru wines undergo a small portion of aging in used barrels, allowing for a full malolactic fermentation. One of his oldest vineyard plots, Les Châtillons, planted in the early 1970s, sits just behind the hill of the Grand Crus and showcases the meticulous use of barrel aging, which adds complexity and depth to the cuvée. In 2016, Pierrick expanded his range by starting a small négoce operation, sourcing must from friends who predominantly farm on the left side of the river. This addition includes premier crus such as Beauroy, Beauregard and Vau de Vey, as well as the grand cru of Bougros. In 2019, Pierrick inherited 8 acres of vines from his father-in-law in the southern sector of Chablis, around the village of Courgis. This inheritance includes Petit Chablis, 5.5 acres of Chablis and just over half an acre of the premier cru Les Butteaux. Pierrick Laroche's dedication to his craft is evident in every bottle of wine he produces. With a perfect blend of tradition and innovation, his wines showcase the unique terroir of Chablis, captivating enthusiasts with their finesse, complexity and distinct character. As Pierrick continues to nurture and expand his vineyards, he upholds the family legacy while leaving his own mark on the world of Chablis winemaking. The name of Pierrick's Domaine, "hâtes" refers to an old agricultural unit of measure, similar to the English rod. It evokes the long and slender fields used for sowing, where the longer rows made plowing easier with fewer turns. The term "hâtes" was often used to describe such fields. Crafted from the vineyards of Domaine des Hâtes, this is a wine that showcases the unique characteristics of the Petit Chablis classification. With nearly 12 hectares of Petit Chablis vineyards, Pierrick Laroche's dedication to quality winemaking is evident in every sip. Petit Chablis is classified as such due to the presence of younger Portlandian limestone, rather than the older Kimmeridgian limestone found in other Chablis classifications. This distinction often results in higher elevation sites, as the Portlandian limestone overlays the Kimmeridgian. Additionally, Petit Chablis vineyards tend to have less clay in the soil composition. Pierrick Laroche holds the belief that one of his largest parcels of Petit Chablis should be classified as Chablis. This particular vineyard produces wines that exhibit the characteristics typically associated with Chablis, and it is surrounded by AOC Chablis vines. The terroir of this parcel contributes to the wine's exceptional quality and distinct expression. The Pierrick Laroche Petit Chablis 2022 offers a captivating tasting experience. On the nose, expect vibrant aromas that reflect the youthful limestone terroir. The palate is greeted with a refreshing acidity that enlivens the senses. Delicate flavors of citrus fruits, crisp apple and a subtle mineral undertone dance on the palate, creating a harmonious and well-balanced profile. The finish is clean and lingering, leaving a sense of purity and elegance.

Domaine Jean Dauvissat Père & Fils works 22 hectares of vineyard in Chablis across 7 communes with 53 separate parcels across Chablis and Chablis Premier Cru. Fabien took over from his father in 2009, following training in Beaune and Dijon concluding with a Masters on Bordeaux. The Domaine began with Fabien’s grandfather in La Chapelle-Vaupelteigne, but it was Fabien who took up where his grandfather left off in terms of bottling and labelling rather than selling off in bulk. Fabien’s approach is one of respect for the terroir, working each vineyard and parcel individually to express the differences from one site to another; and one of respect for the environment by restricting interventions wherever possible. Vinification is in temperature controlled stainless steel with the total maturation for the premier crus around two years. A young new Chablis producer to watch. Domaine Jean Dauvissat Pere & Fils are known to produce Chablis that are rich, with the perfect balance between minerality and fruit. Using no oak, the wines are aged for a considerable time in modern stainless steel tanks before being bottled, so they have time to develop. Fourchaume is the best known of the Chablis premier crus, perhaps because it is an extension of the Grand Cru vineyards, and benefits from a similar Right Bank exposition. Round, mature fruit, crystalline purity, sweet, lemony acidity classic cool river rock minerality. A classic Chablis premier cru.

Today Louis Roederer remains one of the very few remaining family owned Houses in Champagne with 7th generation Frederic Rouzaud at the helm. Louis Roederer Rosé Champagne 2015 is an extraordinary vintage which is also the year in which the Champagne region was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site! The first impression of the wine is of a generosity, softness and concentration. One has the sensation of biting into juicy, ripe fruit and blood orange, it is a fabulous aromatic explosion with luscious and slightly tangy overtones. The concentrated and dense body takes over and reinforces the impression of substance, of concentrated liqueur on the mid-palate. The finish stretches out, perfectly-honed, gradually revealing umami notes thanks to the precise and crisp mineral freshness. Note - the image of the gift box differs slightly.

Clarence House was built in 1830 on land which was originally the market garden for the city of Hobart. Present owner David Kilpatrick first planted vines on the north-east slopes of the property in 1998. Located in the foothills of the Meehan Ranges, halfway between Hobart and the Coal Valley, Clarence House Estate sits in a unique location atop Jurassic dolerite and basalt soils with low annual rainfall. The 2022 Clarence House Estate Block 1 Pinot Noir was produced by Anna Pooley and Justin Bubb at Pooley Wines. A combination of 114, 115 and 777 clones from the oldest vines on the estate. One third whole bunches of 777 were included, 20 days on skins, aged in a combination of new and old French oak puncheons for 11 months. This marks the fourth release of the Block 1 Pinot Noir. Floral, red and black fruits, forest elements and mixed spices. Seamless palate, textural yet buoyed by fresh, lively acidity and a long, tannin-infused finish. A great candidate for the cellar, yet equally enjoyable as a young, primary wine full of fruit and energy.

This tiny vineyard is one of Australia’s most southerly located in the Huon valley in southern Tasmania. So to the name, where does that come from? There was a handwritten sign on the wall at the Red Velvet Lounge in Cygnet, our local coffee and cake respite from the Tasmanian weather. It said, “Sailor Seeks Horse” and went on to explain that the author had sailed solo around the world and ridden across the US from coast to coast and back again…on a mule. He’d then decided he wanted to travel around Tasmania by horse but didn’t have one. So, was there anyone who would lend him one? If they didn’t have a horse then a pony would do. It was an idea that resonated with us. Here we were, trying to do something a little bit crazy, without much money and requiring a little bit of help to get to where we wanted to be. Paul and Gilli Lipscombe own the vineyard and make the wines and both have considerable vineyard and winemaking experience behind them including winning the Jimmy Watson trophy for Home Hill where they have been the winemakers in recent years. From working together in the Languedoc to New Zealand, Oregon and Margaret River they spent a lot of time researching and considering the best possible vineyard site with the aim to produce Australia’s best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay finally settling on this ideal north facing vineyard which is sheltered from the prevailing south-westerly winds. Best described as a warm site within a cool climate, the soil is free-draining quartz inflected mudstone soil over clay. The vineyard is planted to a large variety of Dijon clones as well as numerous other clones planted by the previous owners and all vineyard work is done as organically as possible. In 2019 a new planting including some Trousseau has been made on the steep north-west facing slope beside the main vineyard block. Even though the 2022 season fell into another La Nina event, there was good rainfall early on and then, as seems normal these days, the tap was turned off in the new year. A fairly pleasant, dry, if not particularly sunny summer with a return to more typical yields compared to 20/21/23. After the previous two years the were able to use more fermenters in the winery with the fruit tasting great and the end of the season finishing off ripening nicely. As the wines developed in barrel some blends were tasted and discovered a combination of the three low-yielding Dijon clones (115, 114 and 777) resulted in a higher-toned, more spice-driven wine with a slightly denser palate weight than the normal Pinot. So they decided to bottle it separately.