Super Special Champagnes and a few amazing value wines I've tasted this week are on offer here. Best wishes, Randall.
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2018 Bollinger 'Grande Année'
Offer: $275 | $259 in straight 6-Packs
A classic, ageable champagne, with monumental depth of flavour and incredible richness leading to a generous, complex and impressive wine! One of the greats from this ripe vintage. I was so impressed with this wine - yes, for some reason I say “wine” rather than “champagne”; which is a compliment to it, because too many champagnes are not “winey” enough, and are also too lean and lacking in richness and complexity. This one is extremely satisfying, and I commend you to taste it.. please.
Cheers, Randall.
Cheers, Randall.
Since 1829 Bollinger has been fermenting and maturing its base wines in 4000 pre-used white burgundy barrels. This wine is made with 66% pinot mainly from around the grand crus of Ay and Verzenay; and 34% chardonnay from around the great crus of Chouilly and Cuis.
“Vibrant and pristine, the (2018 vintage) cuvées offer both immediate charm and impressive ageing potential, beautifully expressing Bollinger’s signature depth and timeless charm.” - Essi Avellan MW
“Aromas of quince, wet stones, roasted apples, pralines, wilted rose petals, yellow plums and acacia. The mousse is creamy and finely textured, leading to a captivating saline finish. A fine expression of Bollinger. A blend of pinot noir and chardonnay. Disgorged October 2025." 96Pts - James Suckling
NV Ayala Brut Majeur
Offer: $89 | $83 in straight 6-Packs
This particular bottling (based on 2021) grabbed me at a recent tasting for its value and beautiful quality in a chardonnay dominant champagne. It’s 55% chardonnay with 3 years on lees with a generous 40% reserve wine component (from 2016 – 2020) with a year and a half post-disgorging cork age also. Some chardonnay dominant champagnes can be a bit lean, and lacking depth and richness; this one is not. Although it has chardonnay chalky minerality and some fine white-floral notes, it has depth and lovely brioche / warm pastry nuances with yeasty notes, peach and pear. I guess it is owned by Boillinger, so generosity is a given. Cheers, Randall.
2022 Redman Coonawarra Shiraz
Offer: $22 | $19.90 in straight 6-Packs
From the great ’22 Coonawarra vintage this is a beauty. I recently reconnected with a 1975 “Claret” (shiraz) which was still in good condition and a pleasure to drink, and I also tasted this 2022. First made in 1966 it has always been a consistent, ageable and reliable Coonawarra red. Since 1980 the grapes have been destemmed and crushed in the vineyard (not the winery) before being delivered a short way to the fermentation vats, a practice not widespread in the wine world. This practice has served Bruce and son Dan well, and this shiraz shows good spicy blue and red fruits and has some nice “stuffing” to age (which they always do) very well. This is so cheap for such an iconic red. Cheers, Randall.
'This immediately enticing 2022 Shiraz offers up a delicious mix of sweet and savoury with choc blackberry aromas lifted by strong scents of toasted cloves and wood smoke. Vibrant yet measured, with excellent overall purity and a solid base of tannins. Slightly closed with a long, tight finish now but has the integrity and balance to build nicely.' 94Pts - Angas Hughson, Wine Pilot
2025 Sentio Beechworth SV Black Springs Chardonnay
Offer: $84.90 | Extremely Limited - from their top site!
This is a single-site from the decomposed granite soil of Beechworth just 2.5km to the east of the village close to the Castagna winery. It’s made by the seasoned and deep-thinking winemaker Chris Catlow and it’s impressive for its firm and forceful, balanced and concentrated nature. It has a nascent coiled power of fruit that will take a year or three to show itself. There is a little popcorn (the modern descriptor, I’m not sure I like) reduction, giving a savory / umami nuance, and no oak that is apparent. It’s aged in 1 magnificent oak egg (yes, sounds expensive, doesn’t it!) and some older demi-muids (600lt) barrels. The purity of fruit (grapefruit and pear) is impressive, and the lovely mouth-puckering acidity too; however it’s not sour, and the richness is there. What a lovely effort. Bravo Chris. I imagine there will be no shortage of 95 and 96 scores!. Cheers, Randall.
