Tardieu-Laurent Les Lauzières Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Maison Tardieu-Laurent was founded in 1994 by Michel Tardieu and Dominique Laurent in the small but beautiful village of Lourmarin in Provence, although today it is completely in the hands of the Tardieu family and is one of the premier wine producers of the Rhone. This is from the famed appellation of Chateauneuf-du Pape and boasts all of the fabulous flavour attributes that this region can offer. The cepage is mourvedre, syrah and grenache. The wine exhibits savoury red fruit, a regional earthiness and hallmark silky tannins. Tardieu-Laurent are regarded as one of the consistenly high performers of the Rhone Valley.
Heirloom Vineyards Alcala McLaren Vale Grenache
Its 95pt scores, two Golds and other accolades speak to the quality of this Grenache from Elena Brooks. The Heirloom Vineyards website proudly announces this was "produced from our best McLaren Vale Vineyard whose clones and viticulture embody the very best in cutting edge but old school viticulture and winemaking. Hand tended vines, whole-bunch fermented, basket pressed and stored in French oak barrels from bespoke coopers." “There’s a density of fruit here, leavened with the verve of the season. Red and black cherries, raspberry compote, redcurrant jelly, red licorice, white pepper and a dusty, earthy quality. There’s a firm drive to the palate apace with the fruit weight, cinching without constricting, the finish both vibrant and savoury. 95pts” (Marcus Ellis, The Halliday Wine Companion). try it with Maroccan spiced pitas as the producers suggest.
Clos Saint Jean Chateauneuf de Pape
A stunning blend from the stony terroir of La Crau, this wine has depth, concentration, and purity in spades. 75% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 4% Mourvedre, 3% Cinsault, 2% Vaccarese and 1% Muscardin, the Grenache is never aged in any wood, but the Mourvedre and Syrah are aged in a combination of one year old and two-year-old oak barrels. Black cherries, kirsch, licorice, pastille, and crushed rock notes rise from this ultra-fine, polished grenache forward wine. Enjoy a distinct floral character that washes the palate in waves. 'Deeper and more concentrated than the 2018, the 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape is as impressive as I can remember this cuvée ever being. Dark in hue, overflowing with dark fruit, full-bodied and velvety in texture, with a long, licorice-tinged finish, this looks very promising.' 2021-2030. (92-94) - Robert Parker.
UTOPOS Grenache 750MLx6
A hallmark of the Utopos Vineyard on Roennfeldt Road is the pitch perfect acid to tannin balance we can achieve in fully ripened fruit. This provides for delicious, highly approachable wines in their youth, whilst enabling them to develop over a 10-15 year period, and maybe more.
Maxime Magnon Corbieres Rouge Rozeta
is blended from mostly old vines Carignan and the rest Grenache and Syrah; it’s got bright, caressingly soft and velvety bright and pure fruit that has incredible freshness and clarity and a stony, sappy core — Jean Foillard’s influence here has produced an incredibly stylish wine that tastes like a Languedocian version of his famous Morgon 'Cote du Py' - it’s the combination of fruit concentration and mineral savour that puts it on par with some of the greatest red wines of France, from Cru Beaujolais to Cornas and beyond. It defies classification in the most delicious way.
Domaine Tempier Lulu & Lucien
Petaluma Coonawarra
A stylish blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with a touch of Shiraz and Petit Verdot, from low yielding vineyards have produced another wine of elegance and class. Blackberry, mint and tobacco flavours are framed by fine tannin. The Shiraz adds some supple softness and the Petit Verdot adding aromatic lift. Another triumph!
Clos De L'Oratoire
Grand Cru Classé. Merlot 80%, Cab Franc 10%, Cab Sav 10%. These wines are rich and concentrated. Since 1990 they have improved under new ownership and show good typicity for St-Émilion.
Katnook Estate Prodigy Shiraz
Katnook Prodigy Shiraz is a wonderful example of great Coonawarra Shiraz. Savoury spice and dark berry fruits with a hint of white pepper. An elegant wine with medium intensity and great length. Amazingly concentrated for current drinking, the Prodigy will benefit for over decade in the cellar.
Head Ancestor Vine Grenache
Deep red with Burgundy colours. Aromas of rhubarb, raspberry, pink musk, Turkish delight and candied orange peel. Full bodied and supremely textured with layers of sweet red fruit flavours. Dense, long and chewy tannins that coat the mouth endlessly.
