Wine growers in the northern Rhone since 1481, the Chave family represents 16 generations of unbroken lineage committed to the production of some of the finest Syrah, Marsanne, and Roussanne on the planet. Jean Louis joined his father in 1992 after completing undergraduate studies at University of Connecticut and a degree in oenology at Davis. It was at that time that he completely replanted vineyards on the family’s original estate in Saint-Joseph, which had been abandoned in the early 1900’s when phylloxera hit the region.

'The refined 2021 L'Hermitage was cropped at 37 hL/ha and bottled in early September 2023. It is laced with finely delineated orange rind, raspberry, red cherry, red plum, dried herbs, pencil shavings, black cherry, crushed violet and cedar. Showing excellent tension on the medium-bodied palate, the 2021 brings it home with clarity and freshness. That being said, it won’t be as long lived as either the 2020 or 2022.' 94 pts Nicolas Greinacher - Vinous

Wine growers in the northern Rhone since 1481, the Chave family represents 16 generations of unbroken lineage committed to the production of some of the finest Syrah, Marsanne, and Roussanne on the planet. Jean Louis joined his father in 1992 after completing undergraduate studies at University of Connecticut and a degree in oenology at Davis. It was at that time that he completely replanted vineyards on the family’s original estate in Saint-Joseph, which had been abandoned in the early 1900’s when phylloxera hit the region.

'Vinified from grapes that were harvested as late as the 26th of September, the 2021 L'Hermitage Blanc was cropped at 38 hL/ha, above the levels of 2022. It dazzles with vivid spring blossom, honeysuckle, lemon peel, white peach, quince, apricot and discrete cedar aromas. Medium-bodied and immaculately balanced by bright acidity, this is an athletic L'Hermitage Blanc with marked freshness and energy. A saline aftertaste wraps up the sapid finish. Outstanding.' 96 pts Nicolas Greinacher - Vinous

Great value Pinot Noir from the Corgoloin village in the Bourgogne region. This is a fresh and fruity, medium-bodied wine. Aromas of fresh berries and subtle spice continue onto the palate, which is enhanced by vibrant acidity. Ageing has allowed the wine to soften and gain complexity.

This vineyard’s close proximity to the stony, clay soils of Chassagne Montrachet has built it a reputation for producing white wine. Elodie’s 2021 shows why it now has a growing reputation as a source of fine Pinot Noir. Gentle red cherry aromas, with nutmeg and fresh strawberry. Lovely sweetness of flavours with soft flowing tannins. Tremendous charm, with depth and length.

#N/A

Château Maucoil’s vineyards are located in the northwest of the Châteauneuf du Pape area, on the left bank of the River Rhône. This wine consists of Grenache blanc (90%) Bourboulenc (8%) Clairette (2%). This wine is clean and bright. Rich and fine on the nose with pear and citrus aromas. The palate is mineral with notes of green apple and lemon.

Winemaker Corey Ryan may be Australian born and bred but he has a strong Kiwi connection, having been chief winemaker at Villa Maria for about a decade, before returning home to the Barossa to make superlative wines such as this great spicy red. This brand is a collaboration between Ryan and Nicholas Crampton, who collectively aim to make great value wines that over deliver and shine a new light on classic styles. This 100% Shiraz and comes from a blend of two regions, 80% Langhorne Creek, south of Adelaide, and 20% Barossa Valley. It's bright, full bodied, dry and fruity with complexity coming from Shiraz' spicy notes. A fab Aussie red.

Hill & Valley is all about highlighting the ripe and balanced flavours of great wines, such as this full bodied red, from the warmth of the Barossa Valley in South Australia. From the cooler Adelaide Hills to the elevated Eden Valley vineyards to those situated on the Barossa Valley floor, these ancient soils provide the base for great wines that speak of their origins.

"Dense with a bright red edge, there are dark brooding fruit aromas with hints of blueberry and choc-mint. The palate is medium-bodied with blue fruit and fine grained tannins for a very soft finish."

Burgundy-trained Stéphane Ogier is a northern Rhône wunderkind, says Master of Wine Jancis Robinson. He makes this full bodied, fresh southern Rhône blend of about 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah from vines substantially grown in Violès on Le Plan de Dieu supplemented by some from Visan. Soils are a mixture of limestone and blue clay. Average vine density is 7,000 vines per hectare with the average age a very heartening 30 to 50 years. Vines are hand-harvested – yields averaging 40 hl/ha – before being sorted in both vineyard and cellar.

 Ogier joined his father Michel in 1997 to work the family vineyards and built a glamorous new winery just south of Ampuis overlooked by the steep Côte Rôtie terraces. And he has now built a second winery in the southern Rhône to make wines like Le Temps est Venu without having to ship the grapes too far.

Kurokame Honkaku Shochu - 50 proof, 25%ABV

Kurokame is a surprising imo shochu made with “purple” Satsuma sweet potatoes. These potatoes have a robust reddish purple skin, but are a pale yellow inside. It is distilled traditionally in earthen pots (kame) using black koji (kuro koji) – thus the name, Kurokame – or black stone pot.

Kurokame has a surprisingly neutral nose. Imos tend to smell like fresh dirt in a good way. This imo smells more subtle – almost a roasted essence. The initial palate is spicy with a rich sweetness. And then the roast hits – a roasted wheat flavor. The roast holds along with a hint of sweet spiciness throughout the finish.

This is a delicious imo shochu. It’s difficult to decide whether we prefer it neat, cut with water (hot or cold), or on the rocks. Highly Recommended

Winery notes (2021 Vintage)
"Organically grown and made. Vibrant cherry red in colour. Fresh lifted young berries, early season plums, dried herbs and savoury olive characters give a wine of amazing perfume. It?s bold and lush on the palate. Lovely cherry and chocolate characters interact with fine gravelly tannins, salty liquorice flavours and a sweet core of fruit. This leads to a wine of balance with a bright crisp finish. Touriga Nacional as a variety offers good cellaring potential, will be good to see where this goes In a few years.

Fruit was harvested in ideal conditions and fermented in shallow stainless steel open fermenters. The fruit is hand plunged to gently extract the tannin, keep the ferment as even as possible and maintain fruit purity. The wine is pressed off and aged on lees in older 500L French oak puncheons for 10 months. Unfiltered and unfined It goes to bottle."

Exceptionally tasty Albarino made in a bone dry style with fleshy unctuous texture from skin contact. Outstanding flavours and depth. Great white in taste, value and the all important X factor wow.

From the talented hand of John Quarisa using grapes from Coonawarra in South Australia.

Approachable, easy going and versatile, this wine has a nose of fresh, complex cassis and mint fruit flavours with some well integrated vanillin oak. The palate is full bodied with dense ripe cassis fruit flavours balanced with vanillin oak but yet long and smooth. This wine has the flavour, structure and balance to be enjoyed now but can benefit from further cellaring.