$100 and over
Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon GB
Inspired by the iconic jet that took it to the world. The rich and powerful Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon, our first commercial release of a single cabernet-based wine, is linked to Max Schubert’s dream of making a great Australian red wine that could last at least 20 years. During the ‘50s and early ‘60s cabernet sauvignon was mostly used for blending, but Schubert’s breakthrough with the varietal as a stand-alone wine came in 1964 with inaugural vintage. Early Bin 707s were typically open fermented under wax-lined header boards and matured in seasoned old oak (rather than new oak). The wine was not made from 1970 to 1975 (when fruit was directed to other wines) nor in 1981, 1995, 2000, 2003, 2011 or 2017 (when fruit of the required style and quality was not available). Palate; Powerful - propelled by a wave of fruits - fresh mulberry, fig, Goji berry, raspberry, fresh blackcurrant. And licorice. Ripe and firm, glossy tannins frame many layers, including those that appear to stand above. A textural creaminess, sumptuousness - possibly by way of oak? Balanced, complete, latent. AWARDS: • 99 Points - Tyson Stelzer • 98 Points - Ken Gargett • 98 Points - Ray Jordan • 19.5+ Points/20 - Matthew Jukes • 97 Points - Jeni Port
Lake's Folly Red Blend
Established in 1963 by Doctor Max Lake, Lake's Folly was the first new vineyard in the Hunter Valley last century. In early 2000 Lake's Folly was purchased by Peter and Lee Fogarty and family who, along with Hunter-born and bred winemaker, Rodney Kempe, have continued to maintain the integrity and direction of this significant vineyard. There is an old saying that the wine is made in the vineyard (good fruit makes good wine). Most of the Lakes Folly Cabernet vines are now more than 50 years old. This means that over the years, the vines have ‘self-regulated’. This natural low cropping gives the grapes better consistency of flavour. The terroir, which is a rare combination of volcanic hill, alluvial creek flat and south-easterly aspect, is ideal for the production of fine wines. The vines are pruned heavily for low production high quality fruit, and trellised with vertical shoot positioning, which gives more reliable flavour even in difficult years. Maintaining a true ‘estate’ philosophy allows Lakes Folly to fully express the terroir of this particular site. Crop levels are also critical in achieving complexity. Needless to say, growing all their own fruit at the Folly enables them to be super diligent in achieving these goals, the weather having the last say on the fruit intensity for a particular year. With the old vines, low crop levels, and good canopy management, we are consistently presented with above average fruit. Throw in some traditional winemaking, French oak and you have a unique distinguished single site wine. Their two flagship wines, a Cabernet blend and a Chardonnay, are made in limited quantities and are grown, vintaged, and made on the estate. The wine styles are restrained and elegant, showing finesse and complexity. They have clarity of structure and great length of flavour. A first for Lake's Folly, this year's Red is a blend of Shiraz 47%, Merlot 34%, and Petit Verdot 19%. After harvesting the Shiraz, Merlot and Petit Verdot (and Chardonnay) grapes in 2022, they experienced very late harvest rainfall which impacted the Cabernet grapes, leading to the decision to not harvest the Cabernet (the first time on record this has happened at Lake's Folly). The finished result: a unique, unprecedented blend - a cracking wine (albeit without the usual Cabernet component), though in very limited quantities this release! The fruit is open-fermented producing softer, more subtle tannins, and then transferred to large format casks for six months for settling, and then into small French oak barriques (new, one, and two-year-old) for approximately one year before bottling.
Penfolds Great Grandfather Tawny Giftbox Non-Vintage
Great Grandfather Rare Tawny was created in 1994 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Penfolds. Subsequent blending material has been sourced from stage six of the ‘Grandfather Solera’ and individual batches of maturing Grandfather that are identified as having exceptional quality. These components are further aged before being blended and introduced into the ‘Great Grandfather Solera’. After an initial launch of exactly 1994 bottles to commemorate the year of its inaugural release, Great Grandfather is only ever released in limited quantities to ensure the age and quality of the style is never compromised. With a minimum average blended age of 30 years, Penfolds Great Grandfather Rare Tawny delivers a beguiling mix of age, structure, strength and complexity with each and every sip. Penolds Great Grandfather Rare Tawny is a highly coveted gift for life’s special milestones.
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz GB
96 Points - Ken Gargett: "Always a star of the Collection, year after year." 96 Points - Andrew Caillard 95 Points - Tyson Stelzer The nose is greeted by a hallmark bouquet featuring dark fruit aromas of blackberries and plums, complemented by shaved dark chocolate and Black Forest cake. Aromatic dried herbs and a hint of boot polish add depth, with fine, toasty oak discreetly folded into the fruit.
Penfolds Bin 798 RWT Shiraz
The initials RWT stand for Red Winemaking Trial, the name given to the project internally when developmental work began in 1995. RWT is made from fruit primarily selected for its aromatic qualities and plush texture. The result is a wine that helps to redefine Barossa shiraz at the highest quality level. Built for the long haul, with the precision, concentration and balance to age for many years. Onyx, ruby rimmed colour. Floral and berry notes on the nose, with a palate of dark cherry and blackcurrant fruits affording viscosity and concentration. Peak drinking: 2025 - 2050.
Domaine Lignier-Michelot Clos de la Roche Grand Cru
The Lignier family have deep roots in the village of Morey Saint Denis and own 10.5 hectares of some of the very best vineyard sites in this village, and also in the 2 neighbouring villages Chambolle Musigny and Gevrey Chambertin. Virgile’s father and grand-father had always produced wine and sold it to negotiants until Virgile started working with his father in the early 1990’s and he decided to sell the wines himself. Now with almost 20 vintages of experience Virgile has moved the domaine to fully organic viticulture and is producing what many believe to be the best wines of this prestigious village.
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz
Penfolds Bin 389 is the classic South Australian red! Often referred to as 'Baby Grange' or 'Poor Man's Grange', Bin 389 was the wine that helped to build Penfolds' solid reputation with wine drinkers around the world. A magnificent blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz from the very best regions and vineyards available to Peter Gago and his team, the robust nature of the Cabernet grape give structure and body to the wine while the opulent Shiraz fruit provides suppleness and intensity. A true icon of Australian wine first created by the legend himself, Max Schubert, Peter Gago is quoted as saying 'Through thick and thin, across all vintages, Bin 389 always delivers - benefitting from over half a century of practice!
Domaine De Montille Volnay Taillepieds 1er Cru
Domaine de Montille is one of the greatest Domaines in Burgundy and can be traced back to the middle of the 17th Century at Creancy with the Lords of Commeau. The lieu-dit known as 'Les Taillepieds' takes its name from its steep hill and the small, sharp gravel on which winegrowers 'slashed their feet' while digging into the earth.Highly defined, it a precise wine that shows floral and spice.