First Creek (Hunter Valley) Shiraz
First Creek are really winning over a lot of new fans, especially wine drinkers who may have previously not given the Hunter Valley its fair dues. In the glass: Deep garnet to purple. On the nose: Black and blueberry fruit, and spice. On the palate: Medium to full-bodied with luscious texture and soft tannins. Showing black cherry, blueberry and vanilla alongside red liquorice notes. Long and moreish.
Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey
Domaine Moreau-Naudet
Domaine Simha Rao Chardonnay
Graceful chardonnay woven with whispers of new French oak. From the cool climate single vineyard; Coal River Valley, Tasmania. Handpicked on a fruit day on the full harvest moon, whole bunch pressed, wild ferment en new demi-muid. Matured for 12 months and bottled unfined and unfiltered with perfect natural balance.
Shaw & Smith Lenswood Vineyard Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills
A fine-boned Chardonnay that reflects vintage conditions and the character of a unique vineyard site purchased by Shaw + Smith in 2012. Inaugural vintage: 2014. Planted in 1999, the vineyard has east and west facing aspects and reaches 500 meters above sea level. The soil is brown loam over clay with some broken shale and stone on the ridges. The wine is100% hand-picked and whole-bunch pressed, then fermented and matured on lees in 500-litre French oak puncheons (30% new) for 9 months.
Jean-Marc Brocard Chablis Grand Crus Valmur
Precision, strength and freshness are words that form the signature of Brocard's winemaking philosophy. The domain is among the most important of Chablis. Brocard wines represent the higher end of expression at each quality level. The Chablis Grand Cru Valmur forms a valley which offers subtle variations in terms of exposure: one part faces northwest and the other the south. With a well-balanced mineral character, the Valmur is imposing through its strength and surprising fruitiness. The wine comprises of 100% Grand Cru chardonnay, aged in old French oak for 14 months. A multitude of flavours can be discovered, including lemon, pepper, brioche, licorice and toast with mineral strength underpinning all.
Tony Bish Skeetfield Chardonnay
Julie Fevre 1er Cru Vaulorent
Julie Fevre 1er Cru Fourchaume
Laurent Ponsot Cuvée du Perce Neige
Cuvée du Perce Neige Bourgogne Blanc A soft and delicious introduction to the software behind the greatest database of Chardonnay in the world, written by one of its greatest programmers. Laurent Ponsot. A blend of different parcels, sourced across a litany of trustworthy growers and venerated communes in Burgundy. Yellow fruit accents are framed by a wisp of oak, a waft of phenolics and a crunchy skein of mineral pungency. The finish is long and firm, yet this is a wine of immense versatility at the table to be enjoyed on the earlier side.