The best

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

deals in Australia

Based on Cabernet, Sassicaia is one of the first Italian reds to be made in the image of Bordeaux. In the late 1990s Sassicaia was granted its own DOC, the only wine from a single vineyard to enjoy this privilege.

Château la Mission Haut-Brion is on uniquely stony soil in the Pessac-Léognan appellation close to the city of Bordeaux. It is a Cru Classé in the Graves Classification of 1953. The 22.5 hectare red wine vineyard is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon (46%), Merlot (44%) and Cabernet Franc (10%). The chateau wine is vinified in large (180hl) temperature-controlled, stainless steel vats and aged in 100% new French oak for an average of 22 months. Annual production is 6000-7000 dozen. The famous white wine of the chateau comes from 3.5 ha planted to Semillon (62%) and Sauvignon Blanc (38%). Overall planting density is 10,000 vines per hectare (red) and 8000 vines per hectare (white). Since 1983, under the ownership of Domaine Clarence Dillon (which also owns the neighbouring Chateau Haut Brion), the entire estate has been renovated vineyards, winemaking facilities and the chateau itself. The property got its name in the 1600s when it was owned by the Catholic Church.

The vintage conditions of 1996 provided Penfolds chief winemaker John Duval and his team the unique opportunity to create a one off special 'bin wine'. In the mould of other exceptional rare releases like the Bin 60A and Bin 7, the Block 42 Cabernet Sauvignon is a single vineyard wine from one of the oldest Cabernet vineyards in Australia. Deep red-purple in colour with intense blackcurrant, plum and chocolate aromas and a very concentrated with cassis, plum, chocolate/vanilla with good tannins and loads of length. A wine that is becoming rarer by the year, don't miss out on this rare Penfolds one off.