$100 and over
Château Cos d'Estournel Saint-Estèphe
Cos d'Estournel remains today one of the true icons of Bordeaux, and the trademark of Saint Estèphe. With it's pagoda like house (as it's one of the rare Bordeaux's without a Château) it is a must visit for all travelling along the route des châteaux. Always of great reputation, the wines soared in esteem throughout the tenure of Bruno Prats through 1971 to 1998 and continue to this day with their Cabernet Sauvignon based wines of extreme purity and elegance. The 2009 vintage will be highly sought after with the conditions in the left bank region at their very best. Showing a more riper, plump fruit nature than the usual masculine, long-lived trademark, this years Cos will be quick out the door.
Château Figeac Saint-Émilion
Château Figeac is a wine estate that had a very long history. It was once part of the Cheval Blanc estate, whichs soils was well known to be two-thirds of gravel, allowing Cab Sauv, Cab Franc and Merlot to grow flourishingly in the area. The 2010 Figeac, had a beautiful complexity to enjoy now or the longevity to cellar for those who prefers. Wine will benefit from decanting.
Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste Pauillac
Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste produce some of the best value wines in the Pauillac region, if not simply some of the best quality in general. Cabernet based reds are their staple and generally produce wines of a robust and masculine nature. In recent years the wines are close to rivalling the famed Pichons .
Hardys Eileen Hardy Shiraz
A new label and new take on a classic. The Eileen Hardy Shiraz is juicy, plump and full of life with a magnificent backbone of tannin and spice without being overbearing. A classic in the making.
MICHELE CHIARLO BAROLO CANNUBI RESERVA
Michele Chiarlo was founded in 1956 by the sole and present owners, Michele and Giuseppina Chiarlo. Son of over seven generations of esteemed wine growers, Michele is today one of the most respected producers of the fine wines of Piedmont and a leading figure in its viticultural industry. Cannubi is one of the most prominent vineyards in Barolo and has been recognised as a cru since 1752. The front label depicts the "ciabot", i.e. where the ancient Cannubi shed can be found in the middle of the steep, terraced vineyard. According to winemaker Stefano Chiarlo, 2016 was a vintage of rare qualitative excellence, where the absence of irregular weather events led to healthy, perfectly ripe grapes at harvest. The wine was aged for 3 years i medium-sized oak casks, then further aged in bottle prior to release. The result is an extraordinarily complex and elegant Barolo, with hints of red berries, rose petals, liquorice and rhubarb, with the notes of sweet spices and tobacco so typical of this cru. Structured and complex on the palate, finishing with silky tannins.
MICHELE CHIARLO BARBARESCO ASILI
Michele Chiarlo was founded in 1956 by the sole and present owners, Michele and Giuseppina Chiarlo. Son of over seven generations of esteemed wine growers, Michele is today one of the most respected producers of the fine wines of Piedmont and a leading figure in its viticultural industry. Asili is a relatively new cru within the Barbaresco DOCG. It is said that the blue-grey calcareous marl and clay here contribute to the complexity of the wines here, along with their delicate and refined characters. Delicately perfumed, with characters of pure red fruits and gently aromatic, floral notes, supported by fine spices. Silky tannins frame a core of red berry fruits. Extremely charming, elegant and approachable.
Domaine Jean Noel Gagnard La Boudriotte Premier Cru Chassagne-Montrachet
Jean Noel Gagnard handed his eponymous Domaine to his daughter Caroline Lestimé in 1989. She had studied business in Paris, before returning to the village to take over the reins of the family estate, and had to handle male chauvinism at its most rampant. Nonetheless, she has followed her own convictions, and enhanced (rather than diminished) the reputation of this fine producer. In the vineyard, she uses no fertilisers or herbicides, but has not taken hold of the biodynamic bible.- James Halliday. 1er Cru Blanc la Boudriotte - Size: 0.48 ha (1.19 ac) Variety: Chardonnay Terroir: Facing southeast, 240-meters altitude, with shallow, compact clay soil Viticulture: Certified organic (biodynamic practices) Vinification: Delicate pneumatic pressing, indigenous yeast andmalolactic fermentation in barrel. Aged for 18 months on lees in 228L oak barrels (1/3 new).
Arras Grand Vintage
House of Arras Grand Vintage is at the pinnacle of Australian sparkling wine! The fruit is sourced from the cool climate region of Tasmania where Ed Carr (Gourmet Wine Traveller Winemaker of the Year 2011) and his team produce an outstanding wine of incredible complexity and character resulting from extended maturation on yeast lees.
Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon
Penfolds Bin 407 began life back in 1993 with the release of the 1990 vintage Cabernet Sauvignon. Created as a result of the availability of high quality Cabernet fruit, Bin 407 is inspired by its older brother, Bin 707. Not only offering varietal definition, but also approachability, structure and depth of flavour. The Bin 407 highlights the Penfolds approach to multi-region, multi-vineyard blending to create a Cabernet that rewards the drinker in both early and later years.
Château Domaine De Chevalier Pessac-Léognan
From an estate reputed for its ability to produce exceptional white and red wines, this red offering from 2010 is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. The Graves producer has the ''ace in the hole'' of noted winemaker-consultant Stephane Derenencourt who has been increasing the quality of the wines through his tenure. The wines have enjoyed a twenty year ascension in the ranks of Bordeaux lovers, noted for their more modest alcohol, medium-bodied nature and freshness of fruit character. Though set to the lighter spectrum, elegance is the calling card in 2010.