Australia & NZ
These far-flung wine regions may be referred to ‘new’ when compared against the historic European wine regions, but they have a long winemaking history. Spared from Phylloxera, Australia in particular has world's highest concentration of venerable vines and legendary producers such as Penfolds, Henschke and Tyrell’s have been around for over 150 years. Though for many years piggybacking on Europe’s successes, branding their own wines as ‘Chablis’, ‘Hermitage’ etc., Australia now have created a real identity of their own, making inimitable styles like Coonawarra Cabernet or Hunter Valley Semillon.
New Zealand doesn’t quite have as an extensive history but has established itself in an astonishingly short amount of time as a reliable source of whistle clean, distinctive examples of varietals like Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc.
Australia & NZ
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South Australia | 1 | 94 (HWC) | $131.00 | |||||
Halliday Wine Companion (94)Exceptional hue for age; 30 months in French oak may be part of the reason why the wine carries its alcohol as well as it does, 90+-year-old vines another part; the richness of the black fruits is only gently warmed on the finish; 200 dozen made. |
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South Australia | 1 | 94 (HWC) | $370.00 | |||||
Halliday Wine Companion (94)Exceptional hue for age; 30 months in French oak may be part of the reason why the wine carries its alcohol as well as it does, 90+-year-old vines another part; the richness of the black fruits is only gently warmed on the finish; 200 dozen made. |
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South Australia | 1 | 98 (WA) | $581.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (98)The 2018 Gregor Shiraz was partially dried prior to crushing and fermentation, so it packs considerable concentration and power, weighing in at 15.8% alcohol on the label. It's a blockbuster in every sense of the word, from its huge aromas of mint, blueberries and plums to the mind-bending intensity on the full-bodied palate. Although not as raisined or alcoholic as Dal Forno's Amarone, there are similarities in size and structure, with waves of velvety, super ripe fruit and dark chocolate bolstered by softly dusty tannins and mouthwatering acidity on a finish that must be tasted to be believed. Wow! |
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South Australia | 1 | 93 (WS) | $294.00 | |||||
Wine Spectator (93)Supple, round and complex, a distinctive mix of blackberry, black cherry, orange peel and tobacco aromas and flavors, hinting at exotic spices as the finish lingers smoothly. |
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South Australia | 4 | 93 (WS) | $294.00 | |||||
Wine Spectator (93)Supple, round and complex, a distinctive mix of blackberry, black cherry, orange peel and tobacco aromas and flavors, hinting at exotic spices as the finish lingers smoothly. |
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Marlborough | 2 | - | $162.00 | |||||
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Experience the exquisite Isabel Marlborough Pinot Noir 2012, a unique expression of New Zealand's revered Marlborough region. Known for its cool climate viticulture, Isabel Estate stands as one of the pioneering wineries with its vineyard established in 1980. The craftsmanship is evident in the Pinot Noir 2012, meticulously grown on sustainably managed terraces. Highlighting the potency of its flavour profile, the wine is aged for 11 months in French oak barrels. It exudes aromatic complexity and depth, encompassing ripe cherries, wild strawberries, and a hint of spice, akin to star anise. Its velvety tannins and lingering finish resonate with the harmony of the terroir and the mastery of the winemaking process. Fostered by a perfect growing season, Isabel Marlborough Pinot Noir 2012 is a testament to New Zealand's capability to produce world-renowned wines, marrying nature and winemaking expertise to deliver a captivating sensory journey. |
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South Australia | 1 | 85 (WA) | $84.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (85)Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2012 Johann Shiraz Cabernet has an open, expressive cassis and blackberry tart scented nose with a cedary background and hints of baker's chocolate and yeast extract. The oak slightly overshadows the relatively elegant, medium-bodied fruit core, finishing with chewy tannins and lingering wood flavors. It would actually be an impressive wine were it not for the clumsy oak usage. |
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Victoria | 3 | 94 (HWC) | $352.00 | |||||
Halliday Wine Companion (94)Far lighter than previous vintages; a medium-bodied, elegant wine; red cherry, black cherry and spice intermingle with balanced oak; silky finish. |
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South Australia | 1 | 97+ (WA) | $1,085.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (97+)Deep garnet with a touch of purple, the 2006 Shiraz The Armagh has an earthy, meaty, gamey nose with suggestions of yeast extract, beef drippings and Bovril over a core of dried mulberries, plum preserves and mincemeat pie filling. The rich, full-bodied palate has TONS of fruit with a firm, fine structure and very long finish. |
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South Australia | 3 | 98+ (WA) | $935.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (98+)Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2012 Shiraz The Armagh offers a gorgeous perfume of baking spices, violets, Sichuan pepper and fragrant earth. More earthy and savory in the mouth than on the nose, the palate is superbly structured and taut—built for the long-haul—with a long, complex finish. Still very youthfully, forget this wine for 3-5 more years and consider drinking it over the next 20+. |
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South Australia | 1 | 96 (VN) | $1,195.00 | |||||
Vinous (96)Inky ruby. A hugely perfumed, expansive bouquet evokes ripe black and blue fruits, candied violet, incense and mocha, and an exotic Indian spice flourish builds slowly with air. Appealingly sweet and palate-coating, offering densely packed cassis, blueberry and cherry liqueur flavors complemented by suave vanilla and five-spice powder accents. For all its mass, this wine is almost shockingly lithe thanks to a core of juicy acidity. It finishes extremely long and smooth, with rounded tannins and a lingering dark fruit preserve note. |
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South Australia | 1 | 99 (JS) | $562.00 | |||||
James Suckling (99)Wow. This is a bold, brassy shiraz that carries a wealth of very intense aromas of ripe blackberries, dark plums, licorice and sweetly spiced earth. Still so very youthful and primary. The palate is so powerful, so mouth-filling and so, so juicy. This manages to deliver such intensity and composure. Supple, long and deep-set tannins and heroically expressive fruit. Really impressive now, but this will deliver much more over the next two decades. One of the finest releases to date. |
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South Australia | 1 | 99 (JS) | $1,305.00 | |||||
James Suckling (99)Wow. This is a bold, brassy shiraz that carries a wealth of very intense aromas of ripe blackberries, dark plums, licorice and sweetly spiced earth. Still so very youthful and primary. The palate is so powerful, so mouth-filling and so, so juicy. This manages to deliver such intensity and composure. Supple, long and deep-set tannins and heroically expressive fruit. Really impressive now, but this will deliver much more over the next two decades. One of the finest releases to date. |
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South Australia | 39 | 96 (DC) | $1,250.00 | |||||
Decanter (96)Such incredible perfume and florality from this standout Shiraz, so expressive and captivating, filled with roses and violets alongside cherries and plum fruit, milk chocolate and some sage notes. Medium-bodied on the palate but it’s the texture and overall presence of the wine in the mouth that gives this star quality. Tannins are fine and seductive cashmere-like, edged with fruit intensity and spicy sides. This has a good energy to it, mouthwatering and pulsing with life with a long finish and lift at the end. Precision and power - built to last. |
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South Australia | 1 | 100 (DC) | $927.00 | |||||
Decanter (100)A meaty, savoury, spiced nose, something so welcoming about it, warm and friendly with a touch of perfume, dark chocolate, cinnamon and pink peppercorn to the blackcurrant, damsons and plums. Rich, ample and generous, yet delivered with such supple and velvety-soft tannins. This has an elegance to it, a cool sophistication in terms of the profile - neat and tidy, quite linear right now, brimming with energy, not yet fully expansive or loose, but quietly controlled and calm. It's confident though with invigorating acidity and I love the focus, detail and the purity of fruit. Sweet red fruits - strawberries, raspberries and red cherries with a slight balsamic, pomegranate edge that is so delicious. Juicy, crunchy, succulent and ripe but with an effortless edge to it. Supremely drinkable and likeable - what a gorgeous wine! A quality vintage and excellent winemaking skill on show. Ageing 18 months in French oak. |
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