Showing 1–24 of 150 results
2021 Penfolds, Bin 798 RWT Shiraz, Barossa Valley 6x75cl
RP95
“The 2021 RWT Bin 798 is layered with wheat-y/biscuity oak on the nose with blackberry compote, black earth, black olive tapenade ... black, black, black. Tannic and muscular in the mouth and so... much of everything: fruit, oak and tannin. A dense wine of monstrous proportions, those who love this gritty, hedonistic style will be incandescent with pleasure. Positively glowing. This 2021 RWT is like the heart and soul of the RWT style. Barossa, Barossa, Barossa. Big! Matured for 14 months in French oak (80% new).” 95 pts., Erin Larkin, robertparker.com
Duty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur2020 Penfolds, Magill Estate Shiraz 6x75cl
MR96
"Dark ruby with purple reflections and ochre brightening on the rim. Complex aromas with ripe strawberries, hints of eucalyptus, nougat and well integrated wood. Full bodied with red berry flavours... and fresh, silky tannins. A long, red cherry finish, supported by subtle wood notes. A complex food companion. Drink 2025-2045"
96 pts, Peter Moser, Falstaff
Duty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur2020 Penfolds, St. Henri Shiraz, South Australia 6x75cl
VM94
"“The 2020 Shiraz St Henri lives up to its traditional claret billing, reserved, subtle and built to last. Excellent color to begin before delivering a refined mix of coca, blackberry and black... olive tapenode with a subtle dusting of old spice. It's mid-weight, firm and stylish, with more gravel and graphite flavors starting to emerge. The vintages' firm tannins are well-matched and draw out a lengthy finish. You can bank off this drinking well for a couple of decades.” 94 pts., Angus Hughson, vinous.com
Duty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur2019 Penfolds, Grange, South Australia 6x75cl
VM96
"“The bold, expansive 2019 Grange (97% Shiraz, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon) spent 19 months in larger new American Oak and is powerful and expressive as it delivers a dense core of coca, blackberry and... baked terracotta aromas, all well backed by toasted coconut oak. Mouth-filing, expansive and seriously tannic, it then delivers waves of dark berry flavor laced with touches of spice, leading to a rich, muscular finish. It's built for the long haul, so don't even think of opening for at least a decade.” 96 pts., Angus Hughson, vinous.com
Duty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur2021 Penfolds, Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon, South Australia 6x75cl
JR17.5
"Blackish purple. Rich, satisfying nose. Sweet and soft. Very definitely a South Australian Cabernet, a hemisphere away from Bordeaux, but it works. Complete and flattering without too much dryness... on the end. Although the official notes suggest that the drinking window for this wine starts in 2026, I think it’s readier to enjoy than many thanks to the ripeness of the tannins. But I’m sure it will go on and on.”
Duty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur2020 Reserve Speciale, Domaines Barons de Rothschild, Pauillac 6x150cl
"Intense garnet colour. The nose is fine and discrete, with aromas of red fruit (cherries dominate) with notes of tobacco and cigar box. On the palate the balance is exquisite, and framed by the... ever-so-gentle grip from the fruit-coated, soft tannins. The finish is long, with aromas of liquorice coming through. Delicious." Drink 2024-2035 Mr Wheeler Wine
£320 / Case£53.33 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur2020 Le Petit Haut Lafitte, Pessac-Leognan 3x150cl
RP91-93
"Composed of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, aging in 30% new barriques, the 2020 Le Petit Haut Lafitte has a deep garnet-purple color, rolling out of the glass with alluring scents of... blackberry preserves, Black Forest cake and warm cassis, plus wafts of red roses and cinnamon toast with a hint of dried mint. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers plush tannins and soft acidity to support the generous, juicy black fruits, finishing on a lingering minty note." 91-93 pts., William Kelley, robertparker.com
£138 / Case£46 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur2018 Chateau Langoa Barton 3eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien 6x75cl
VM92
"The 2018 Langoa Barton is succulent and racy right out of the gate. Inky red fruit, sweet floral notes, cedar and spice all mesh together effortlessly. This mid-weight, pliant Saint-Julien is every bit as seductive as it was from barrel." 92 pts., Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com
£185 / Case£30.83 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate2018 Domaine Michel Magnien, Morey-Saint-Denis Premier Cru, Climats Or 6x75cl
BD16
"Fréderic Magnien is the fifth generation to run this biodynamic family estate in Morey-Saint-Denis. This is one of the finest estates in the region with wines of extraordinary aroma, purity of... fruit and elegance partnering the trademark Magnien richness and depth, with subtle use of new oak. Under any normal circumstances these are burgundies to make you sit up and take notice." (Mr.Wheeler tasting note)
£217.50 / Case£36.25 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur2019 Paul Jaboulet Aine, Hermitage, La Maison Bleue 6x75cl
RP95
"A superb Maison Bleue, the 2019 Hermitage La Maison Bleue seamlessly blends cherries and cassis into a purple mashup of fruit carried on rich, velvety waves of texture. Full-bodied and intense, it... finishes complex and savory, adding notes of olive, clove and cedar on the long, luxurious finish. Already approachable, it should drink well through 2040." 95 pts., Joe Czerwinski, robertparker.com
£215 / Case£35.83 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate2022 Felton Road, Cornish Point Pinot Noir, Central Otago 6x75cl
"How can one not love that instant bath of flowers, fruits and spice that this wine delivers? No hold- ing back, no reticence at all, just a wash of Cor- nish Point indulgence - all leading to a... flowing silky finish. Through the entire palate there is a gentle mineral seam that stops anything from tipping over into excess, so it seduces rather than hollers. There will be no lack of complexity to come for those with patience, but it is very hard to resist now."
Felton Road tasting Note
Duty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate2022 Felton Road, Bannockburn Pinot Noir, Central Otago 6x75cl
"A vivid nose of deep florals: dark roses, violets, and an undertow of ripe red fruit. The palate really shows the best of each vineyard that makes up the cuve´e. A pure but powerful drive of fruit... on a perfect cusp of ripeness, with complexing notes of sandalwood and spice. This is all about harmony and balance with the transparency of fruit allowing the detail to shine through. Silken tannins finish the package."
Felton Road tasting note
£215 / Case£35.83 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate2022 Felton Road, MacMuir Pinot Noir, Central Otago 6x75cl
"Sometimes it can be hard to find a word to match what seems so clear to the senses. The nose is dark, as is the colour, beguiling, but restrained. There is a stature to the palate here; a sort of... authority to the way it stands back and allows you to explore its detail. A definite sprig of herbs, chocolate notes, but still so transparent that every nuance is revealed. It seems extraordinary that this is just the second time we’ve made MacMuir as a single vineyard release: it’s Felton Road, to be sure, but in a different dimension."
Felton Road tasting Note
Duty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate2020 Catena Zapata, Nicolas Catena Zapata, Mendoza 6x75cl
DE97
Wonderfully aromatic and nuanced on the nose, so alive and open. Energetic and lively on the palate, this has so much spark and brightness to it. Really compelling from the first sip, the tannins... ample and cushioning the slick black fruit and accompanying savoury spices. Feels lean and taught, but with so much flair. Really a lovely expression, so generous and well defined. Youthful as you'd expect right now but when this softens it will be a beauty. Just gorgeous, with a minty fresh finish. Wine director Alejandro Vigil, winemaker Fernando Buscema.
97 pts., Georgina Hindle, www.decanter.com
£360 / Case£60 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur2020 Antinori, Tignanello, IGT 6x75cl
VM96
“The 2020 Tignanello is so primary, so intensely fruit-driven, that it almost tastes like a barrel sample. A burst of red Sangiovese fruit opens first, followed by hints of blood orange, cinnamon,... spice, dried flowers and mocha develop later. Time in the glass brings out striking dimensions. In 2020, Tignanello is wonderfully sleek and racy, with fine tannins that lie below a core of bright, sculpted fruit. The balance here is just sublime. I can’t wait to revisit the 2020 with age.” Drink 2028 – 2045.
96-100, Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, Feb 2023
Duty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur2020 Cheval des Andes, Mendoza 6x75cl
DE95RP98
“The 2020 Cheval des Andes was harvested from the last of February for the first time ever. It was Gabillet's second vintage at Cheval des Andes, and that year, he had to start without waiting for... Pierre Olivier Clouet and Pierre Lurton from Cheval Blanc; when they arrived, they had finished picking the Malbec, which surprisingly was fresher in Las Compuertas (because of the higher percentage of clay?) than in Altamira (where the vines suffered more stress), saving the freshness. They now harvest using cold trucks (for the first time), and they also started earlier in the morning (six in the morning, impossible earlier in Mendoza...), which he reckons was very good for the precision of the wine. They used 40% 225-liter barrels, 40% 400-liter oak barrels and 20% 2,500-liter foudres, half of them new and with an élevage of 15 months on average, depending on the lots and varieties from 12 to 18 months. The final blend was 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot, which makes a comeback as it was not used since 2016. The key was to finish the fermentation of the Petit Verdot without skins, and that way, they have been able to use it in the blends of 2021, 2022 and 2023 in small but increasing percentages. This is slightly riper than 2019, with a little more alcohol (14.5%) and with very good structural tannins but saving the freshness, and it has the spicy side from the Petit Verdot (Gabillet talks about white pepper). The wine has the ultra sleek and polished texture and the elegance and the balance that is the signature here; the wine is very clean and precise. I see very good regularity across the three vintages I tasted next to each other—this 2020 and the 2018 and 2019. Overall, this is a triumph over the adverse conditions of the vintage. They produced their usual 100,000 bottles (since 2018), as they are renewing their vineyards and want to keep the volume stable. They produce this volume from the 36 productive hectares they have in Las Compuertas and Altamira. There are some more changes: in 2020, they went for a lighter bottle, weighing 100 grams less than the one they used in 2018 and 2019, but close to 300 grams less than the bottle from before. It's also a slimmer bottle, always thinking about the environment. They are very focused on agroecology, accelerating the regenerative viticulture and using cover crops; they have planted 1,900 trees in the last three years, creating small clusters of biodiversity for birds. They have transplanted some centenary olive trees and keep their sheep and lamas on the property. Very green-minded. ”
98 pts., Luis Gutierrez, www.robertparker.com
£402 / Case£67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur2022 Kumeu River, Village Chardonnay, Kumeu 12x75cl
" With fruit taken from six carefully selected sites in Hawkes Bay and Kumeu, the Village Chardonnay is simply a must have in the fridge. There are hints of butter on the nose with very delicate... apricot and pineapple notes wafting through as well. The zing of acidity on the palate immediately livens the mood, and it has a steely, linear and mineral style, not dissimilar to a fine Chablis from a good vintage. This is excellent wine made in a very classic style. Not fancy or blousy at all - just a clean citrus delight that will have you scrambling for the seafood and looking for your second bottle".
Mr Wheeler tasting note.
£120 / Case£10 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur2022 Kumeu River, Mates Vineyard Chardonnay, Kumeu 6x75cl
" The flagship wine of the estate, Maté's was originally planted by Maté Brajkovich in 1990 with the first grapes from this exceptional, sheltered site in the clay foothills of Hunting Hill slopes... used in 1993. For a wine of this stature and tender years it is already surprisingly expressive on the nose. Butterscotch and toasted brioche to the fore, yet this this is balanced by beautifully textured, mineral lemon and lime fruit with an underlying elegance and minerality that will easily go head-to head with, and seduce lovers of the Grands Crus in Puligny and Chassagne. Patience is required in spades here; leave it for 7 to 10 years to really express the sense of place for this very special vineyard and you will not be disappointed. But also defend it judiciously with a few cases of the Estate or Ray’s Road so you can enjoy the wares of this fantastic estate whilst this masterpiece matures"
Mr Wheeler tasting note.
Duty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur2022 Kumeu River, Rays Road Chardonnay, Kumeu 6x75cl
" Rays Road is Kumeu River’s new vineyard site in Hawkes Bay. Hints of butter, fresh cream and white flowers on the nose lead you to the correct conclusion that this was exclusively fermented in... old oak barrels. Balance is the key here however, as the limestone soil of site has a profound effect on the style of the wine. Lime leaf and steely linearity provide the backbone to this fragrant and zesty expression, with the gentle oak maturation it undertakes for 11 months providing a delightful creamy wrapper around this complex and elegant wine"
Mr Wheeler tasting note.
£95 / Case£15.83 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur2022 Kumeu River, Hunting Hill Chardonnay, Kumeu 6x75cl
"The most Puligny-like of the single vineyards opens up with a gorgeously elegant nose of citrus and acacia flower, followed on the palate by a crème fraiche texture and zesty lime notes, and the... tell-tale spine of incredibly fine acidity that characterizes this clay terroir. Pause to let the wine express itself and Wow! it build and builds, that structure carrying through the impressively long finish with layer upon layer of flavour. Absolutely stunning."
Mr Wheeler tasting note.
Duty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur2022 Kumeu River, Estate Chardonnay, Kumeu 6x75cl
" The cuvée that built Kumeu River’s reputation in the 1980s, long before any of the single vineyards were ever produced, and to this day it is easy to see why. The consistency is simply... awe-inspiring, and the 2022 displays superb balance, subtle notes of very smart oak bringing a counterpoint to the gorgeous, creamy palate and zingy acidity. This oozes class and breeding, the acidity supplies perfect structure for medium to long-term ageing and carries the long finish. What a finish, too - rich and lifted all at once, with fabulous energy. Yum!"
Mr Wheeler tasting note.
Duty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur2020 Casa Lapostolle, Petit Clos Apalta, Colchagua Valley 6x75cl
DE93
"“Bright, brooding and intense on the nose; dark, heady and ripe black fruits with spiced edges and a subtle florality. Smooth and succulent but punchy on the palate, tannins are silky and well... integrated and do well to underpin the fruitiness and liveliness of the expression. As usual Carmenere is the star with 40% of the blend alongside 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot. Youthful and exuberant, the team kept leaves on the vines and natural cover crops to cope with the sunlight, heat and lack of water in 2020, and despite the 15% alcohol this has 3.59pH with acidity that lifts the palate and avoids any heaviness. Rich but sleek, this is full of red cherries, cedar spice, soft herbal touches and finishes with a menthol freshness that is lovely. Will improve with age but great for mid-term drinking to enjoy the fresh vibrancy. Ageing 26 months in 225l French oak barrels, 53% new, 42% two years old. From this vintage, the bottles are now made in Chile and are 10% lighter in a bid to increase sustainability.” 93 pts., Georgina Hindle, decanter.com
£162 / Case£27 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur2020 Casa Lapostolle, Clos Apalta, Colchagua Valley 6x75cl
DE97
"A great effort in the hot and dry 2020, COVID-19 vintage with the earliest harvest ever. The grand vin shows power, richness and tons of fruit but retains a sense of charisma and direction that is... so compelling. Bright, forward, sleek and silky, tannins enrobe the palate creating a cushion for the ripe blackcurrants and blueberries, bright acidity and underlying spice to meld together. A large percentage of Carmenere at 64% gives the fragrance and backbone while 19% Cabernet Sauvignon adds texture and depth, 13% Merlot bringing freshness and acidity and 2% Petit Verdot adding spice, colour and richness. Only just beginning to really express itself with liquorice, eucalyptus, figs, plums and a salty-wet stone minerality that comes in on the finish. Despite the intensity, this is layered and well sculpted with tons of pleasure to be had with a few more years ageing. Ageing 27 months in 225L French oak barrels, 85% new, 15% two years old. 3.7pH. Winemaker and viticulturist Andrea Leon kept more leaf coverage, a thicker and higher trellis and natural cover crops during the vintage to moderate the high temperatures. Bottles for this, and the second wine, are now made in Chile as of this vintage and have reduced in weight by 10% in a bid to increase sustainability. Clos Apalta now also featuring its name embossed in the glass at the bottom of the bottle.” 97 pts., Georgina Hindle, decanter.com
£474 / Case£79 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur2020 Boekenhoutskloof, Syrah, Franschhoek 6x75cl
TA97
“The 2020 Syrah is a 90/10 cuvée of grapes from the Porseleinberg and Goldmine properties and is another triumphant release from Marc Kent and Gottfried Mocke. Far from being a blockbuster, this... is a subtle, layered wine, with aromas of violet and five-spice, subtle 60% whole bunches and flavours of bramble, blackberry and goji berry. Silky, scented and deftly oaked. 2023-32” 97 Points, Tim Atkin, 10/2022
£170 / Case£28.33 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate