$100 and over
Bollinger R.D.
Champagne Bollinger is a prestigious and renowned champagne house that has been producing exceptional sparkling wines since 1829. Founded by Athanase, Paul and Joseph, the house quickly gained a reputation for excellence. Over the years, successive generations of the Bollinger family continued to uphold the tradition of producing exceptional champagnes. The acquisition of prime vineyards and the marriage of Jacques Bollinger to Lily Bollinger were significant milestones in the house's history. Lily Bollinger played a crucial role in preserving the quality and integrity of the champagnes during challenging times. Champagne Bollinger remains family-owned and is known for its commitment to traditional winemaking methods, resulting in complex and age-worthy champagnes. Located in the heart of the Champagne region in France, Bollinger is known for its commitment to quality, tradition and craftsmanship. One of the distinctive features of Bollinger champagne is its use of a high proportion of Pinot Noir grapes in the blends. This gives their champagnes a unique richness and depth, setting them apart from other houses. Bollinger carefully selects grapes from its own vineyards and trusted partner vineyards, ensuring that only the finest grapes are used in the production process. Bollinger takes pride in its traditional winemaking methods, which have been handed down through generations. The champagnes are aged for an extended period, well beyond the minimum requirements, allowing them to develop complexity and character. This dedication to time-consuming aging is a testament to Bollinger's commitment to producing exceptional wines that stand the test of time. Bollinger's commitment to quality extends to every aspect of their production, from the vineyards to the cellars. They have their own cooperage, ensuring that the barrels used in the aging process are of the highest quality. The champagnes are aged in cool dark cellars allowing them to mature gracefully and develop their signature flavors. Bollinger stands out among Champagne houses for its exceptional approach to reserve wines. Instead of storing them in tanks, Bollinger bottles the reserve wines, allowing them to age in magnums for several years. This unique process, called "prise de mousse," stabilizes the aromas of the wines. These reserve wines provide a rich palette of aromas for the Cellar Master to create blends with explosive yet subtle and precise flavors. The result is Bollinger's incomparable character and consistent quality in their wines year after year. Bollinger R.D. is an extraordinary wine that stands apart from the rest. It undergoes a unique aging process on the lees for an extended period before being hand-disgorged. The result is a powerful and rare vintage that showcases a beautiful contrast between an exceptional freshness on the palate, enhanced by the extra-brut dosage, and the aromatic intensity of the greatest vintages. In the case of the 2007 vintage, Bollinger R.D. takes a nostalgic turn, returning to its roots and historic label. The original material and legendary font from the 1952 vintage have been restored, proudly displaying the date of disgorging. This attention to detail and authenticity is a true rediscovery. The blend of the 2007 vintage consists of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, featuring an impressive 91% Grands Crus and 9% Premiers Crus. A total of 14 crus are carefully incorporated into the blending process. Fermentation takes place entirely in oak barrels, adding depth and complexity to the wine. Bollinger R.D. is released for sale just a few months after disgorgement, with an extremely low dosage known as "extra brut" at only 3 grams per litre. This recent disgorgement ensures that the wine maintains its remarkable freshness. Bollinger R.D. 2007 1.5L Magnum offers intense shimmers of gold, captivating the eye. On the nose, it reveals a complex profile with enticing aromas of honey and brioche. These initial notes are followed by a delightful array of spices, including ginger, cumin, caraway and more. As the wine evolves, it unveils additional layers of flavour, with hints of mirabelle plum, dried apricot and fresh hazelnut. Upon tasting, Bollinger R.D. 2007 1.5L presents a lively and clean opening, showcasing notes of white plum, walnut and aniseed. Its freshness is truly remarkable, creating a beautiful tension on the palate. To fully appreciate the wine's unique style, it is recommended to serve Bollinger R.D. at a temperature of 8°C, allowing its aromas to evolve throughout the tasting experience. There are two distinct experiences when enjoying Bollinger R.D. The first involves tasting the wine shortly after disgorgement, offering a specific aromatic range with complex fruity notes. Alternatively, one can choose to cellar Bollinger R.D. for several more years, allowing it to mature and reveal the depth of aromas typically found in the finest vintages.
Dom Pérignon Brut Vintage (Luminous Edition)
Dom Pérignon is vintage champagne only. Each vintage is a creation, singular and unique, that expresses both the character of the year, and the character of Dom Pérignon. After at least eight years of elaboration in the cellars, the wine embodies the perfect balance of Dom Pérignon, the Plénitude of harmony. This limited edition 2008 vintage Dom Pérignon Brut Vintage has a luminous label. With the press of a button, the bottle label with light up. 2008 was dominated by grey, overcast skies – an exception in a decade characterized by bold, generous sunshine. Just when the harvest was getting underway, the weather conditions were finally perfect: blue skies and prolonged north-northeasterly winds. The grapes were riper than anyone dared hope, and had truly outstanding balance. The vines were in perfect health. To the bracing acidity, concision and aromatic purity expected of the 2008 vintage, Dom Pérignon adds depth, density and complexity. The light is warmer and less harsh.
House of Arras Rosé
House of Arras was born of an ambition to create world class sparkling wines that showcases both winemaker and region. Ed Carr's House of Arras Rosé marries exceptional cold climate Tasmanian vineyards and uncompromising sparkling winemaking techniques mastered over decades. A sophisticated rosé style with an exceptional balance of red fruits and the complexity of extended age. Intense flavour and structure, with an excellent natural acidity, this is the prime example of why Ed Carr is considered Australia's greatest sparkling wine maker.
House of Arras Grand Vintage
House of Arras Grand Vintage is at the pinnacle of Australian sparkling wine! The fruit is sourced from the cool climate region of Tasmania where Ed Carr (Gourmet Wine Traveller Winemaker of the Year 2011) and his team produce an outstanding wine of incredible complexity and character resulting from extended maturation on yeast lees. Outstanding.
Laherte Frères Brut Champagne Non-Vintage
The distinctive, geologically complex terroir of Chavot and the Coteaux Sud d'Épernay in general is very different to the Côte des Blancs and Montagne de Reims areas where our other growers are based, and the style of wine is creamier and with more fruit.
Perrier-Jouët Belle Époque Vintage
Perrier-Jouët Belle Époque is one of the world's truly great elegant Champagnes. Named after the 'golden age' in France during the late 19th century, Belle Époque is still today bottled in the striking hand-painted bottle that is instantly recognisable the world over. A 50% Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Noir and 5% Pinot Meunier, the strength of this prestige cuvée is in its finesse and elegance rather than power or fruit. Adding to this spectacular Champagne's aura of grace and class was the fact that is was personally chosen to be the Champagne poured at the Monaco wedding of HRH Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene.
Billecart-Salmon Brut Blanc de Blanc
This Chardonnay cuvee has been elaborated from five grand cru vineyards of the Cote des Blancs with the blend of this wine coming from two different years. The palate reveals the special qualities of Chardonnay - rich and creamy with buttered brioche. The finish is utterly persistent with a fresh and elegant sweetness.
Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill Brut Champagne
Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill is fermented in 70% French oak barrels giving complexity and structure with the remainder fermented in stainless steel to retain the fresh stone fruit flavours of peach and guava. One of the world's truly iconic wines, the Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill is a must not only for all Champagne lovers, but for those wishing to transcend the ordinary.
Veuve Clicquot Non-Vintage Rose
Elegant and fruity, this wine frees the senses, charms the eye and ravishes the palate. Proudly bearing the imperial red signature of Madame Clicquot. It is a delicious rosé Champagne with plenty of character. 'THIS is one of the go-to French brands for a Valentine's moment. It's all about the name, the sunset brushstroke of this rose´ and its abundant presence in the glass. There is a cherry to redcurrant-fruit focus and even a background note of sarsaparilla.' - Herald Sun, Melbourne, 12 Feb 2013
Louis Roederer Brut Premier Non-Vintage Champagne
Louis Roederer Champagne embodies style and class. Delve into the toasty aromatics, apple and nougat flavours and tingling freshness. There's generous structure, length and complexity not always found in NV Champagne.