Produced from one of the Top 100 Wineries in the World the Giant Steps Pinot Noir is complex with terrific varietal character. With a minimalist approach to winemaking this Yarra Valley favourite oozes elegance and drinkability. Giant Steps is an independent winery in Healesville, Victoria, owned by Phil Sexton. Phil first made his name in establishing some noted micro-breweries, such as Little Creatures, and later established Devils Lair in Margaret River. First released in 2001, Giant Steps focuses exclusively on the distinctive expression of single vineyard sites in the Yarra Valley. Grapes are drawn from estate and leased vineyards, as well as a selection of long-term contracted vineyards. Giant Steps wines are produced fastidiously in the vineyard and vinified with minimal intervention so that each is a faithful expression of site, vintage and culture. Giant Steps focuses on restrained Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and cool climate Cabernet/Merlot blends. These single vineyard wines are sourced from five different vineyards throughout the Yarra, so each is a fingerprint of location and site personality. The name Giant Steps comes in part from Phils love for jazz and John Coltranes album of that same name, and in part due the Giant Step Phil took in relocating with his family from Margaret River to the Yarra Valley. Giant Steps wines are always exclusively single vineyard Yarra Valley wines. They are hand made in small batches using gravity flow principles. Production of the Giant Steps wines is very limited with some vineyards producing as little as 200 cases each vintage some wines are not produced each year if vintage conditions do not allow. These wines are often hard to find in retail outlets as they are mainly sold through the cellar door and through selected restaurants.

Henschke Mount Edelstone is one of the most important single vineyard sites in Australia. The 90 year old vines has been producing a single vineyard Shiraz since 1952 and is one of Australia's truly great wines. The nose has sweet ripe plum and blueberry aromas and the palate is intense and deeply flavoured. While enjoyable upon release, this is a wine that will enjoy a decade or more in the cellar.

The Dom Pérignon Brut Vintage 2015 is a wine that encapsulates the essence of a year marked by extreme contrasts, making it a memorable release in the prestigious legacy of Dom Pérignon. The vintage is a beautiful manifestation of the unique conditions of the 2015 growing season, with its dramatic shifts in climate leading to a wine of exceptional richness, balance, and character. Initially restrained, the 2015 vintage opens up over time, revealing a broad palate that evolves into a harmonious blend of complex aromas and vibrant fruit flavours. With its unique combination of floral notes, roasted nuances, and delicate freshness, the wine is a true expression of the exceptional terroirs that define Dom Pérignon. Presented in a beautifully designed gift box, it makes for a perfect collector’s item or a sophisticated gift for any wine connoisseur. The Dom Pérignon Brut Vintage 2015 is an exceptional wine for pairing with luxurious, high-end dishes. Its complexity and balance make it an ideal companion to seafood, particularly caviar, king crab, and langoustine. The wine’s delicate profile also complements meats with tangy notes, such as roasted pork, lamb, or duck. For a truly unique experience, try pairing this vintage with exotic fruits like kiwi and guava, or dishes with green curry spices, to accentuate its stimulating complexity. Maker: In 1668, Dom Pierre Pérignon was appointed procurator at the Abbey of Hautvillers. For 47 years, he worked to make the “best wine in the world”. Three centuries later, the Maison Dom Pérignon perpetuates this creative ambition through the constantly renewed quest for harmony as a source of emotion. All creative processes have their constraints. Dom Pérignon’s constraint is the vintage: an ambition to bear witness to the harvest of a single year, whatever the challenges may be, even if it means choosing not to declare the vintage. Dom Pérignon is always an assemblage, forming the foundation of the Dom Pérignon style. It is guided by timeless principles that have always taken precedence over winemaking techniques and their evolution. Time is also part of the equation for Dom Pérignon. During the time of active maturation on the lees, in the darkness of the cellars, the aesthetic and sensory values of each vintage are played out: precision, intensity, touch, minerality, and complexity. Dom Pierre Pérignon's legacy has often been misconceived, overshadowed by myths of inventing Champagne, and even unfounded rumours of blindness. However, what remains true beyond doubt is his extraordinary hard work and dedication to crafting the finest wine in the world. His innovations were groundbreaking. He developed the gentle 'coquard' press, which enabled him to produce clear, still white wine from black grapes. Pérignon also understood the unique challenges of Champagne's marginal climate, pioneering the art of blending grapes from different vineyards to create a more complete and balanced wine. His use of stronger verre anglais ('English glass') bottles, designed to withstand pressure, and the reintroduction of cork as a reliable closure were crucial advancements in winemaking. Through his tireless efforts, Pérignon laid the groundwork for the Champagne and the modern wine world. Philosophy: The philosophy behind Dom Pérignon is one of unwavering commitment to creating Champagne that transcends time, showcasing both the current expression and the potential for future development. Dom Pérignon believes that great Champagne is not simply made—it is born out of nature’s elements and transformed through time, patience, and a deep passion for excellence. With a focus on vintage production, Dom Pérignon captures the essence of each harvest, allowing each bottle to express the unique conditions of the year and the terroir it comes from. The House’s philosophy is reflected in its approach to both blending and aging. Each vintage is crafted to express the duality of fruit and structure, with a delicate balance between power and elegance. The wines are carefully aged to allow them to evolve, with each bottle revealing new dimensions of flavour and complexity as it matures. Dom Pérignon’s philosophy extends beyond just winemaking—it is about creating something that will stand the test of time, an expression of both the present and the future. Tasting Notes Nose Roasted, Floral, Spicy Deep, roasted notes of cacao powder and toasted aromas, gradually unfolding to reveal floral fragrances of lime blossom, jasmine, and peony. A spicy dimension of anise and cardamom adds depth, while a touch of green papaya and orange peel invigorate the overall profile. Palate Broad, Tactile, Generous The wine is broad and tactile, spreading across the tongue with a delicate yet generous texture. Fresh peach, nectarine, and citrus are complemented by sculpted bitter notes of citrus and gentian, creating a harmonious and balanced tasting experience. Finish Fresh, Balanced, Long The finish is long and smooth, with a lingering sweetness that ties together the bright, fresh fruit and the subtle bitterness. The wine’s vibrant acidity and finely textured tannins leave a lasting, memorable impression. The 2015 Dom Pérignon is terrific. Bright and poised, the 2015 shows terrific energy. Citrus peel, white flowers, mint, white pepper and slate all race across the palate. There's gorgeous tension and backbone here, with bright saline notes that extend the mid-palate and finish. This is a fine showing in a vintage that has proven to be tricky. I am intrigued to see how the 2015 develops in the coming years. 2025-2045. - Antonio Galloni (03/2024), Vinous, 96 Points. Disgorged in January 2023, the 2015 Dom Pérignon shows a singular, ethereal profile with aromas of white pepper, iodine, ripe orchard fruits, toast, smoke, herbs and spices. Medium to full-bodied, layered, and structured, it’s enveloping and round with a delicate phenolic mid-palate that underlines chalky dry extracts, concluding with a sapid, penetrating finish with gastronomic bitterness. This iteration of Dom Pérignon, though replete with the customary charm and vinous generosity that typify the label, distinguishes itself by its structural delicate austerity and a notably phenolic profile, giving rise to a remarkably linear and well-defined style that diverges markedly from the more familiar expressions of Dom Pérignon. - Yohan Castaing (05/2024), Wine Advocate, 95 Points. Remarkably pale at this early stage in the glass, the nose hits Dom Pérignon's classic gunsmoke and flint notes together with sweet and bright citrus. Packed with silky ripe fruits on both nose and palate, this is approachable now. Notes of fresh mint and fresh bread dough add to the layers on the palate, which has a creamy mousse but well-defined and vibrant acidity. Chalky in texture on the finish, this is ready to drink but will doubtless evolve well in bottle for over a decade. - Thomas Parker MW (07/2024), 94 Points.

The Pinot Gris from the Long Road range of the Eden Road wines has lifted aromas of strawberry shortcake and ripe pears. These delicate characters are balanced with fine natural acid and textural palate. The slightly extended skin contact prior to pressing gives the wine the lovely pink colour, making it evermore appetizing. The finishing is crisp and clean. Simply seamless.

The initials RWT stand for Red Winemaking Trial, the name given to the project internally by Penfolds when developmental work began in 1995. No longer a trial, RWT Shiraz was launched in 2000. Its style is opulent and fleshy, made from fruit primarily selected for its aromatic qualities and plush texture. The result is a wine that helps to redefine Barossa shiraz at the highest quality level.Peak drinking: 2022 - 2050

Parker Estate Terra Rossa Cabernet Sauvignon is a Coonawarra Cabernet that always looks classy. Big rich cassis, blackberry and raspberry fruit ripple with an appealing suggestion of leafiness. The very best oak is always used for Parker's wines and that is evident again with fine integrated influence of French oak that delivers a balanced cedar and cigar box finish.

Head Wines was started in 2006 by Alex Head. It focuses on single site Rhône varietals from the Barossa and Eden Valleys in South Australia. Head Red is a barrel cull from Barossa vineyards including 'The Blonde', 'The Brunette' and The Contrarian single vineyard Shiraz wines. It allows a pre-view of the vintage quality to come and keeps the quality of the Single vineyard wines as high as possible. The wine receives 12 months barrel age in predominantly older French hogsheads allowing the vintage and terroir to show clearly. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.

This latest release from Petaluma Croser is a non vintage sparkling wine. The classic blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay offers a delicate bouquet of fresh citrus and white peach with a light yeastiness on the nose. Persistence bubbles with a dry long finish.

Small parcels of fruit from old dry grown vines are selected for their intensity of flavour and individual qualities. Complex and concentrated this classic Barossan will continue to develop for a decade at least.

Family owned Villa Maria Estate has been rated as New Zealands