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Australia

 
Australia is an enormous country but it's area under vine is relatively small when compared to European countries. There were no native grapes until the British settlers arrived, and conditions for survival for any living thing can be challenging to say the least. Virtually all the vineyards are in the cooler South, although Tasmania is probably just too cold to produce any great wines. The Australian wine industry is now booming, thanks to it's abundance of sunshine being tempered by advanced irrigation systems, and the recognition of the need for cooler vineyard sites at altitude to prevent over ripening. Australia seems to produce better wines every year and, if you steer clear of the mass produced factory brands, you will find a variety of styles to suit every taste.
 
 

Claymore 'Dark Side Of The Moon' Shiraz Clare Valley 2006 75cl

90 Points by Wine Advocate for this vintage, 2006, with 2004 winner Best Australian Red - Singapore International Wine Challenge.The 2005 was awarded 90 points Robert Parker.

14.5% abv. 2006 now has a cork closure, not screwcap. Produced from low yielding 70 year old vines from the two best of Claymore's own vineyards in the Clare Valley, with a minimal amount of additional fruit from other premier vignerons. A big powerful full flavoured Shiraz. Full bodied, smooth and rounded. Not overly 'peppered' as some can be. Aged in French oak for 18 months prior to release. Great length. What a great wine for a dinner party from this bespoke winemaker. Production is limited to just a few thousand cases per year. One of my favourites.

Exclusive to us in the UK and very limited.

Claymore Website

Price: £12.26 (Inc.  VAT at 17.5% )


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Claymore 'Dark Side Of The Moon' Shiraz Clare Valley 2006 75cl
 
 

Claymore 'Nirvana' Reserve Shiraz Clare Valley 2005 75cl

15.5% abv. This is Claymore's ultra premium wine. 100% Shiraz from Claymore's Penwortham vineyard at altitude. This is a big, powerful, savoury Shiraz full of complex flavours of dark chocolate and black fruits. Well balanced with good body added from 24 months in French oak, with a 'velvet' mouth feel. This is a big wine and needs 20 minutes breathing or decanting to open up to be fully appreciated. Intense fruit flavours with vanilla on the really long finish. Can be savoured on it's own but I thoroughly enjoyed it with a Chinese banquet. Superb wine, but very limited. We are the UK's only importer and we only have a very small quantity available. It really is worth splashing out a little extra and trying a bottle as a treat.

Exclusive to us in the UK and severely limited.

Claymore Website



Price: £20.39 (Inc.  VAT at 17.5% )


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91 Points

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Claymore 'Nirvana' Reserve Shiraz Clare Valley 2005 75cl
 
 
Maxwell's is a small family run operation of 40 acres in Mclaren Vale. Their particular vineyard site is widely regarded one of the best areas for producing top quality Shiraz. The business is run by Mark Maxwell who continues the family tradition of making outstanding hand crafted wines with no compromise. Their wines are very highly regarded by James Halliday - and by me too, as it happens!

Maxwell Website
Maxwell
 
 

Maxwell Silver Hammer Shiraz Mclaren Vale 2007

14.5%abv. This is a superb wine. I tasted it a couple of months ago together with their Ellen Street, and unfortunately didn't make any notes so I'm working from memory here. It was a big, full flavoured wine with savoury flavours of cocoa with some white pepper. Very smooth and full in the mouth with really good length. Particularly suited to accompany food. Great value.

Price: £9.99 (Inc.  VAT at 17.5% )


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Maxwell Silver Hammer Shiraz Mclaren Vale 2007
 
 

Maxwell Ellen Street Shiraz Mclaren Vale 2006

James Halliday 5 stars and 95 Points out of 100

15%abv. Stunningly good. The grapes are sourced from a single vineyard of very low yielding, old vines. Again I'm working from memory here. It's another big wine but in a different style to their Silver Hammer. The Ellen Street has intense red fruit flavours with a little spice and pepper, with vanilla on the finish from the oak. Lovely mouthfeel and body, very very smooth with tremendous length. This is a real cracker. Sadly we only have a few bottles until more stock arrives from Australia so be quick.

Price: £18.99 (Inc.  VAT at 17.5% )


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92 Points

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Maxwell Ellen Street Shiraz Mclaren Vale 2006
 
 
This is a boutique winery formed in 1995 when friends Norm Doole and Drew Dowie, tired of watching their precious grapes go to make other peoples wines, decided to create their own wine with total control over the entire process from vineyard to the glass. Production is on a small scale and their excellent wines are quickly gaining recognition and winning numerous awards as they're exported in small quantities all over the world. I suggest you try them now before demand outstrips supply.

Dowie Doole Website
Dowie Doole
 
 

Dowie Doole Mclaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 75cl

94 points James Haliday plus a host of other awards.

14% abv. A strong blackberry and vanilla nose, followed by strong blackberry fruit on the palate. This wine's very smooth with excellent balance of wood, fruit, tannin and alcohol. Superb!

Dowie Doole Website

Price: £10.99 (Inc.  VAT at 17.5% )


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89 Points

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Dowie Doole Mclaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 75cl
 
 

Dowie Doole Mclaren Vale Merlot 2007 75cl

Great reviews from the Australian press - read them at the website

14% abv. Ruby in colour with an inticing nose. Intense fruit flavours with a hint of pepper and subtle wood ageing. 5% Cabernet Sauvignon is added to the Merlot giving more body and some structure with firmer tannins. This is a delicious Merlot, fairly full bodied with big but well balanced alcohol and a long lingering finish.

Dowie Doole Website

Price: £10.99 (Inc.  VAT at 17.5% )


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Dowie Doole Mclaren Vale Merlot 2007 75cl
 
 

Dowie Doole Mclaren Vale Shiraz 2007 75cl

Winestate Magazine Winner 'Best of State' plus a host of great reviews from the Australian press for 2004 vintage - read them at the website. It's selling so fast we've just received the 2007!

14.5% abv. Very deep purple in colour with aromas of cherry and vanilla on the nose. Strong red fruit and vanilla flavours, not the spicy peppery style as some Aussies can be. Superb length, very smooth, full bodied with a lovely mouthfeel. Again supreme balance between fruit, body, tannin, wood and alcohol. This wine is very very good! I highly recommend you try it.

Dowie Doole Website

Price: £10.99 (Inc.  VAT at 17.5% )


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90 Points

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Dowie Doole Mclaren Vale Shiraz 2007 75cl
 
 
Hugh is the fifth generation of his family to operate their vineyard which was established way back in 1837 at the very beginning of the Australian wine industry. It's a family run business with his wife Pam and daughter Mary. Their wines are exceptional, made with pride and passion. Hugh sees himself as something of a 'black sheep' hence the theme for his winery. They're very highly regarded with James Halliday awarding them a five star rating meaning 'An outstanding winery capable of producing wines of the highest calibre'.

Hugh Hamilton Website
Hugh Hamilton
 
 

Hugh Hamilton Shiraz Mclaren Vale The Rascal 2006 75cl

16% abv. Shiraz flourishes in Mclaren Vale and the Hamiltons are particularly proud of this wine, as it's made with minimal intervention as an expression ot the 'terroir'. The wine is dark in colour with lots of ripe fruit on the palate. It has great mouth feel, it's very smooth and almost velvety on the tongue. Although very strong, the palate's not dominated by the alcohol, more enhanced by it. This wine's very good indeed and, a little suprisingly, a great accompaniment to food.

Hugh Hamilton Website

Price: £13.78 (Inc.  VAT at 17.5% )


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Hugh Hamilton Shiraz Mclaren Vale The Rascal 2006 75cl
 
 

Hugh Hamilton Cabernet Sauvignon Mclaren Vale The Villain 2006 75cl

NEXT are retailing this wine at a hefty £16.95!

New vintage - 2005 was Sidney International Wine Competition Winner Blue Gold Award judged with food. Top 100 Wines.com 2007

15% abv. Very deep ruby in colour with powerful aromas of chocolate on the nose. This wine has big powerful fruit on the palate with caramel flavours. The strong fruit is beautifully balanced by big alcohol and integrated tannins. Supremely long on the finish. This wine is superb.

Hugh Hamilton Website

Price: £13.78 (Inc.  VAT at 17.5% )


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Hugh Hamilton Cabernet Sauvignon Mclaren Vale The Villain 2006 75cl
 
 

Hugh Hamilton Sangiovese Blend Mclaren Vale The Mongrel 2005 75cl

14% abv. What an unusual wine to come from Australia. 86% Sangiovese, 14% Tempranillo. But it works! Good fruit on the palate with a 'creamy' mouth feel. Medium bodied, subtle and elegant. This is a well structured wine, suited to food.

Hugh Hamilton Website

Price: £12.76 (Inc.  VAT at 17.5% )


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Hugh Hamilton Sangiovese Blend Mclaren Vale The Mongrel 2005 75cl
 
 

Five Geese Mclaren Vale Grenache Shiraz 2005 75cl

James Halliday 94 Points.

14.5% abv. This wine has bags and bags of flavour. 80% Grenache with 20% Shiraz to add smoothness and length. This is a big powerful wine, well structured and well balanced with strong alcohol. Very good length. Recommended.

Five Geese Website

Price: £10.20 (Inc.  VAT at 17.5% )


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Five Geese Mclaren Vale Grenache Shiraz 2005 75cl
 
 

Tim Knappstein Riposte The Sabre Pinot Noir 2007 75cl

Back in stock!

James Halliday 91 Points.

14% abv. Adelaide Hills. Tim is back producing wines under his new label 'Riposte' after selling his former business then discovering winemaking was something he couldn't leave behind. He was recently judged the best Pinot Noir producer in South Australia for a remarkable seventh time, out of the 12 years he has entered the competition. The wine is fairly full in the mouth for a Pinot with good fruit, and tannic structure from 10 months in oak. Soft and supple, it pairs well with game but would also stand up to heartier red meat dishes.

Tim Knappstein Website

Price: £13.27 (Inc.  VAT at 17.5% )


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Tim Knappstein Riposte The Sabre Pinot Noir 2007 75cl
 
 

Hoffman Mclaren Vale Shiraz 2005 75cl

James Halliday 94 Points.

14.5% abv. 70% Shiraz 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep opaque ruby in colour with a prominent nose of blackberry and vanilla. Long lingering flavours nicely cut by the alcohol and acidity to cleanse the palate. Really smooth with great length. Jane loved this one.

Hoffmann Website



Price: £10.20 (Inc.  VAT at 17.5% )


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Hoffman Mclaren Vale Shiraz 2005 75cl
 
 

Hoffman Mclaren Vale Shiraz 2006 75cl

New vintage - 2005 received James Halliday 94 Points.

14.5% abv. 70% Shiraz 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep opaque ruby in colour with a prominent nose of blackberry and vanilla. Long lingering flavours nicely cut by the alcohol and acidity to cleanse the palate. Really smooth with great length. Jane loved this one.

Hoffmann Website



Price: £10.20 (Inc.  VAT at 17.5% )


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Hoffman Mclaren Vale Shiraz 2006 75cl
 
 

Campbells Bobbie Burns Shiraz 2007 Rutherglen 75cl

14.5% abv. Deep opaque purple in colour. Subtle nose, so it comes as a suprise to find intense fruit on the palate. Soft and smooth with a decent length.



Price: £12.21 (Inc.  VAT at 17.5% )


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Campbells Bobbie Burns Shiraz 2007 Rutherglen 75cl
 
 

Amicus Shiraz Cabernet Malbec 2005 Mclaren Vale 75cl

14% abv. Intense deep fruit flavours with strong vanilla toward the finish. This wine is smooth and very long with a good balance of fruit, acidity, tannin and alcohol. A big wine but also mellow, to savour without food over the course of an evening.

Amicus Website



Price: £14.69 (Inc.  VAT at 17.5% )


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Amicus Shiraz Cabernet Malbec 2005 Mclaren Vale 75cl
 
 

Amicus Reserve Shiraz 2005 Mclaren Vale 75cl

14% abv. 2004 won the McClaren Vale Wine Show Gold Medal. Deep purple in colour with ruby tints suggestve of big black fruit characterisitcs, which are also heavily prominent on the nose. Intense blackberry flavours with a hint of tobacco - in a pleasant way! This wine is bursting with flavour, very smooth and incredibly long. If you enjoy the fruit driven style this wine is a gem. I personally tend to go for a more structured wine with more tannin, but I still really enjoyed it.

Amicus Website

Price: £21.74 (Inc.  VAT at 17.5% )


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Amicus Reserve Shiraz 2005 Mclaren Vale 75cl
 
 

David Franz Georgies Walk Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 Barossa Valley 75cl

13.5% abv. David is the son of Peter Lehman. He takes great pride in producing hand crafted wines of the highest quality, with no compromise. Very deep purple in colour. Swirl in the glass and the nose opens up with blackberry fruit. The wine has intense blackberry flavours, very smooth with balancing alcohol. For me personally it's too fruity. I prefer a wine with a little more tannin and structure, but for those who love a fruit driven wine this is quite exceptional.



Price: £23.95 (Inc.  VAT at 17.5% )


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David Franz Georgies Walk Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 Barossa Valley 75cl
 
 

David Franz Benjamin's Promise Shiraz Barossa Valley 2002

14% abv. David is the son of Peter Lehman. He takes great pride in producing hand crafted wines of the highest quality, with no compromise. Tasting notes to follow.

Price: £23.95 (Inc.  VAT at 17.5% )



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David Franz Benjamin's Promise Shiraz Barossa Valley 2002
 
 

Fermoy Estate 'John Anderson' Margaret River Shiraz 2004 75cl

14.5%abv. Excellent wine, description to follow.



Price: £10.21 (Inc.  VAT at 17.5% )


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Fermoy Estate 'John Anderson'  Margaret River Shiraz 2004 75cl
 
 

Mitcham Estate Cellar Reserve Shiraz 2004 75cl

IWC - Silver Medal 2006. 14% abv. A wonderful full flavoured Shiraz with a good balance between fruit and tannins. This wine has a long finish with strong vanilla flavours. Silver Medal winner in the International Wine Challenge 2006. Delicious and highly recommended.

Price: £5.88 (Inc.  VAT at 17.5% )


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Mitcham Estate Cellar Reserve Shiraz 2004 75cl