The best

• red wine
• white wine
• champagne
• rosé
• whisky
• spirits
• beer

deals in Australia

While a fair share of Bordeaux vineyards can claim significant historical pedigree, few would be able to touch Chateau Figeac - it is one of a select few St Emilion vineyards to have been continuously occupied for over 2,000 years! The estate dates back to the second century when even the ancient Romans who occupied the area were aware of its outstanding terroir. One figure dominates the Chateau’s modern era, and that is Thierry Manoncourt who ran the property from 1947 until his death in 2010, just shy of his 93rd birthday. Under his leadership, the Chateau was the first major Right Bank estate to embrace modern techniques such as temperature controlled, stainless steel vats. The traditional-styled Bordeaux has, understandably, gone through a wide range of iterations in its 2,000-plus year history - yet it still manages to surprise and delight. The 2016 earned rave reviews from critics, with Jancis Robinson hailing it as a wine of which “...the Manoncourt family should be very proud.”

In 1989, Jean-Luc Thunevin and Murielle Andraud acquired a small plot of 0.6 hectares in the valley of Saint-Emilion between Pavie-Macquin and La Clotte. In 1991, they produced their first vintage bottled by themselves. Since then, they have acquired other plots and properties, in Saint-Christophe-Des-Bardes, Saint Sulpice de Faleyrens and Saint-Etienne de Lisse. While the first critics called it "garage wine", Château Valandraud, although still unclassified, is nevertheless considered by almost all wine professionals, including Robert Parker, as one of the very first wines of Bordeaux. Château Valandraud was promoted to 1er Grand Cru Classé de Saint Emilion in 2012. Member of the Union of Grands Crus of Bordeaux since 2017. The 2009 Valandraud is a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc matured in 100% new oak for 22 months.

When young, this exceptional shiraz gives plenty of black cherry and dark berry notes laced with savoury spices. A layer of creamy liqueur character adds complexity. Concentrated and age-worthy, expect earthy and chocolate tones to develop over time. A wine built for the long haul.

One of the finest and most ethereal of all Burgundies, Domaine-Mugneret Grands-Échézeaux comes from a small 1 hectare plot of old vines averaging in age between 40 and 70 years. Silky and intense with a beguiling perfume of violets, fresh cherries, earth, leather, forest floor and truffle, the wine shows lovely volume and density with the structure to age gracefully over many years.

Chateau Haut Brion is one of the five first Growths of the 1855 Classification of the Medoc. The Chateau was established in 1533 by Jean de Pontac, who was the first to plant vineyards on this prime gravelly site, found in the Graves sub-region of Pessac Leognan. The Chateau is owned today by Prince Robert of Luxembourg, the great grandson of Clarence Dillon. It is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, with three hectares planted to the white varieties of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc. Chateau Haut Brion is the only property outside of the Medoc in the 1855 classification. A wine of class and breed, Chateau Haut Brion is typically more approachable in its youth, showing floral perfume and elegance, yet possesses the structure required for exceptional longevity.

Chateau Angélus is one of the most renowned estates of St-Emilion, currently designated Premier Grand Cru Classé A in the most recent classification of St-Emilion. Located due west of the town of St-Emilion, the estate’s vineyards lie on a warm south-facing slope. The Grand Vin is a dense and unctuous blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, matured in 85-100% new French oak barriques for 18-22 months. Complex and concentrated, Chateau Angélus can appear slightly austere when young, developing greater generosity and richness with age.

While Chateau Latour might be proximate to the famed Leoville estate, Chateau Leoville-Las-Cases is individually distinguished for its own unique character, and regularly is called the best wine of St-Julien. Classic Las Cases wines show incredible perfume, a result of lower temperature fermentation and an adherence to around three quarters of their barrels being new oak. The 2010 is as always Cabernet Sauvignon dominant, and shows with elegance, finesse and yet a layered complexity that draws the drinker in. Potential for this wine is immense; a life of 30 to 40 years in cellar should be considered.