RED WINE

Saint-Estèphe 2ème Cru Classé 
13 BOTTLE remain at time of offer

Extremely aromatic with currant, wild-herb and fresh-violet aromas. This is regal cabernet sauvignon at its finest. The palate has unwaveringly long and defined tannins that carry such fresh, piercingly pure, redcurrant and cassis flavors. A twin to the superb 2015? A blend of 76% cabernet sauvignon, 20% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot.(97) JAMES SUCKLING

The 2017 Montrose is a very pretty, polished wine that speaks much more to finesse than power. Expressive floral and spices notes add an attractive inner sweetness to a Montrose that in 2017 leans more into the red fruit spectrum. Gracious yet deep, with terrific overall balance, the 2017 Montrose is a total winner. What impresses most about the 2017 is its freshness and sophistication. I won't be surprised if Montrose turns out to be even better than this note suggests further down the road. Graphite, licorice, menthol and sage lead to a finish with real grip and freshness. The 2017 is such a classy and promising wine. (95+) ANTONIO GALLONI

The 2017 Montrose was so impressive from barrel and now, bottled since July, it continues to put in a strong case for being one of the best Left Bank wines. It has a very pure and intoxicating bouquet with intense blackberry, light cassis, juniper and violet aromas, almost Margaux-like in terms of personality. Although there is a patina of new oak after bottling, it is in sync with the fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with gentle grip on the entry. Tightly wound at the moment but supremely well focused, this is a classic Montrose, "cool" and reserved, demonstrating impressive tension and precision towards the finish. It will require less time in bottle than the 2016 for example, so broach this superb Saint-Estèphe after five or six years and then it will give 25 to 30 years of drinking pleasure, and knowing Montrose, probably longer. Tasted twice with consistent notes. (95) NEAL MARTIN

2 BOTTLES AVAILABLE
Saint-Estèphe 2ème Cru Classé 
Extremely aromatic with currant, wild-herb and fresh-violet aromas. This is regal cabernet sauvignon at its finest. The palate has unwaveringly long and defined tannins that carry such fresh, piercingly pure, redcurrant and cassis flavors. A twin to the superb 2015? A blend of 76% cabernet sauvignon, 20% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot.(97) JAMES SUCKLING

The 2017 Montrose is a very pretty, polished wine that speaks much more to finesse than power. Expressive floral and spices notes add an attractive inner sweetness to a Montrose that in 2017 leans more into the red fruit spectrum. Gracious yet deep, with terrific overall balance, the 2017 Montrose is a total winner. What impresses most about the 2017 is its freshness and sophistication. I won't be surprised if Montrose turns out to be even better than this note suggests further down the road. Graphite, licorice, menthol and sage lead to a finish with real grip and freshness. The 2017 is such a classy and promising wine. (95+) ANTONIO GALLONI

The 2017 Montrose was so impressive from barrel and now, bottled since July, it continues to put in a strong case for being one of the best Left Bank wines. It has a very pure and intoxicating bouquet with intense blackberry, light cassis, juniper and violet aromas, almost Margaux-like in terms of personality. Although there is a patina of new oak after bottling, it is in sync with the fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with gentle grip on the entry. Tightly wound at the moment but supremely well focused, this is a classic Montrose, "cool" and reserved, demonstrating impressive tension and precision towards the finish. It will require less time in bottle than the 2016 for example, so broach this superb Saint-Estèphe after five or six years and then it will give 25 to 30 years of drinking pleasure, and knowing Montrose, probably longer. Tasted twice with consistent notes. (95) NEAL MARTIN

More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

An explosion of all manner of black berries with discreet, toasty and smoky oak, makes this a joyful St.-Estèphe. Then the great balance of ripeness, lively acidity and velvety tannins come together beautifully at the elegant finish to make this the best wine from this producer in modern times. Needs two or three years to soften. Try in 2022. JAMES SUCKLING

A sleeper in this vintage, the 2016 Lafon-Rochet is positively stellar. Bright, translucent and super-expressive, the 2016 has so much to offer. Lavender, tobacco, cedar, mint and dried herbs give the 2016 striking aromatic top notes to play off the darker fruit flavors. The 2016 is pure class. Don't miss it. ANTONIO GALLONI

The 2016 Lafon-Rochet has a very engaging bouquet, a mixture of red and black fruit laced with pencil shavings and loamy scents. In fact, the more you nose this wine, the more its complexity becomes apparent. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and a fine line of acidity, ripe and generous yet maintaining outstanding tension and revealing a judicious touch of peppercorns on the finish, which fans out gloriously. This is a fabulous Lafon-Rochet NEAL MARTIN

All the success of St-Estèphe in 2016 can be seen in Lafon- Rochet this year, where the 30mm of rain on 13th September and 13mm on 8th October, with nothing in between, allowed the clay, limestone and gravel soils to fully ripen the grapes. Owner Basile Tesseron says he had never seen such maturity in his Cabernet Sauvignons, and certainly we have hugely intense aromatics from the first nose. The palate features finessed and fleshed out mouthwatering black fruits making it hard not to love this. Tasted three times in total, and every time it stood out. JANE ANSON, Decanter

This is a blend of approximately 75% cabernet sauvignon and 25% Merlot. Grapes harvested by hand, crushed and destemmed in stainless steel tanks where natural and inoculated fermentations proceeded with pump-overs twice a day. After alcoholic fermentation left on skins for 12 days and matured in 225l French oak barrels for 12 months. Certified and bottled on the farm.

Erin Pooley was born and raised in Sydney, Australia. Before relocating to California she graduated from Charles Sturt University with a degree in Wine Science. Erin has been making wine worldwide since 2007.

Enamored with the nuance and intrigue of white wine with bottle age, Erin started her wine company in 2012 with Semillon from the Luchsinger Vineyard in Lake County, California. From the outset Erin subscribed to the philosophy of aging Semillon before release. We heard about her through our (PWS) dealings with Kenny at Hobo Wine Co. in California. When we tried her wines back here in Aus we were instantly enamored. No lack of talent here and we can't wait to see what's to come.

This is cabernet Jim but not as we know it. Softly spiced and enticing with violet florals, hints of crushed pepper and some wild herbs. It's fleshy, bright leading with currants, blackberry and a melange of wild forest fruit. It's not big but it's juicy. It's not light but it's oh so fresh. It's cabernet but its Erin's own take on cabernet. Made for drinking, not thinking.

A medium-bodied red with berries, cherries, and currants. Hints of chocolate. Creamy tannins and a medium fruity finish. Drink now. Screw cap. JAMES SUCKLING

Could Mark Messenger be Mr Malbec? JANE FAULKNER, James Halliday

He could be if this anything to go buy. Juniper Estate have long been a go-to value proposition and its for 2 very simple reasons; the winemaking is always spot-on and the price is laughable given the quality.

We recently tried the tempranillo along with the malbec and it was a tough, tough decision deciding which to put in here. What we liked about the Malbec was that extra depth, a little more dark fruit and a little more of a serious edge all-round that pushed it just above the tempranillo.

Lovely mulberry and broody black fruit with delicate violet florals and earthy ground spice. Forest fruits all, wild black berry, that spice mulberry again along all wrapped up in a buoyant and bouncy package. Its not simple or one dimensional either with a touch of meaty reduction and savoury, provincial herb-like profile that elevates the fruit and ads some light and dark shade to the wines. What a cracker!

More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

The 2021 Bolgheri Rosso gorgeous wine shows how compelling this vintage is on the Tuscan coast. Effusive and deep, the 2021 is beautifully layered from start to finish. Gentle touches of mocha, new leather, cedar, tobacco and dried flowers add complexity throughout. ANTONIO GALLONI

More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!