Château Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan
Simply a wine of true perfection. 2009 in Bordeaux has bestowed many a Châteaux with a wine for the ages and in iconic estates like Château Haut-Brion, the wines have been lifted to 'nirvana-ish' levels. One wouldn't be adverse to simply sitting on the nose of this wine for hours without having a want to taste it such is the complexity and aromatic waves that are present. In the mouth though, this Pessac-Léognan boasts flavours of cigar, raspberries, plums, figs and blueberries with a finish that seems to go on for decades. Breathtakingly stunning.
Château Cheval Blanc Saint-Émilion
Without a doubt one of Bordeaux's most famous vineyards, Cheval Blanc lies on the border of Pomerol and is also easily the most important estate in St-Émilion. Uniquely a blend dominated by Cabernet Franc, Cheval Blanc's wines have a powerful bouquet which is spicy and rich which is followed by fruit that is soft, mellow and liquorous. Matched only by Pétrus in the realm of vigour and concentration, Cheval's exuberance is not to be missed. With this latest release, the 2009, the wines are bordering on immortal. A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, this super-smooth, velour textured and opulent red wine shows rambunctious flavours of raspberries, blueberries, liquorice and a smidge of menthol. Will be fascinating to watch this
Chateau l'Eglise Clinet
Vinedo Chadwick Cabernet
Domaine Faiveley En Orveaux Grand Cru
Chateau La Violette
Peter Lehmann Masterson Shiraz
Penfolds Superblend 802A Cabernet Shiraz
PENFOLDS Superblend 802A Cabernet Shiraz, South Australia
Levantine Hill Optume Shiraz
Levantine Hill Optume Yarra Valley Shiraz Made from 100% Shiraz from parcels selected by Paul Bridgeman, the wine is entirely matured in French oak (29% of which is new). The wine lands at 13.5% abv and has some weight to it but the vintage shows in the finesse of the wine as does Bridgemans finesse. Theres a brooding element to the nose in dried figs, dark spice and a slight edge of white pepper. The palate has a slow and steady pace that ebbs the flooding tide of dark flavours. Decant well or cellar for 15+ years. Explore Levantine Hill
Optume Shiraz
The 2017 vintage provided an exceptionally ideal cool and elongated growing season akin to winding the clock back to the classic Yarra Valley conditions of yore. Conditions were perfect for sourcing grapes with the intention of creating a classic style of cool-climate Shiraz reminiscent of the pioneering wines that forged the Yarra Valleys enviable reputation. Showing volume and weight with finesse and restraint, this perfumed, brooding and enticingly refined medium-bodied Shiraz is the result of an assemblage of three individual vineyard sites, all targeted for their individual defining strengths and characters that would play a role in constructing a complete wine. Fruit was sourced from individually selected sites across the Yarra Valley. Leading with an intensity of white pepper and char, the complex, slowly-evolving nose offers a mélange of mulberry, dried figs, cloves, cardamom and fruit mince pies. The palate delivers a grace and presence with the weight pushing through to a slow-building resonance of flavour and tannin. The density of black fruits is wound tight and integrated so that no one element stands above the others. This wine is suitable for vegans. Decanting is highly recommended.