A true rarity – Pinot Meunier, known as a constituent of some Champagnes, adding richness and body – is very rarely vinified on its own anywhere in the world. As winemaker Bryan Currie shows, it can be done, and very well. “Light in colour but it has its kicking boots on. Cranberry, red cherry, meaty spice and wood smoke flavours combine beautifully. It kicks quality goals from start to finish; tannin, acid and texture are all in good form too... 93 points” (Halliday).

Leogate Estate was established in 2009 by Bill and Vicki Widin, however, their vines are much older. The winery has maintained a 5 Red Star rating for well over a decade now, and their Western Slope has rarely fallen below 95pts in that same period, such is the impressive consistency of this Reserve Shiraz. The 2017 vintage presented a smaller yield vintage for Hunter reds, which means concentration of flavour has been high. This is well deserving of a place in your cellar. “It puts on a classy display based on a core of cherry-plum flavour though it's also appropriately adorned in smoky, cedary oak. Earth and spice notes strut throughout and the texture is silken. It doesn't put a foot wrong, and it's impressive... 95pts” (Halliday Wine Companion, Campbell Mattinson).

A complex, vibrant nose with attractive aromas of charcuterie overlaid by intense floral and spice notes. Very bright, intense black fruit flavours on the palate, lots of spice like cinnamon and vanilla custard notes. Blueberry fruit creamy texture. Very long velvety finish.

Classical elegant Hunter shiraz, crafted from 50-year-old vines. Plums and violets on the nose, with touches of lavender and licorice. Savoury nuances mingle with juicy fruits on the palate, framed by smooth tannins. "A welcome confluence of 50yo vines, 12 months in (1st to 3rd pass) French barriques, volcanic loams and plenty of destemmed whole berries to impart a pulpy, lively jubiness to the fruit, all accentuated by a violet lift. Licorice straps and lavender notes, too. This is a benchmark medium-bodied Hunter red, drinking akin to a luncheon claret. Just what the region does well... 93pts" (Ned Goodwin MW, Halliday Wine Companion).

A fine claret that most years wins Gold – certainly for a vintage as good as the ripe 2019. Vieux Château Guibeau was the first property Tony Laithwaite ever bought from, so it has a special place in his heart. The wine was the 1966, purchased from the estate’s founder, Henri Bourlon, and we’ve bought over 50 vintages since. In those early days, Henri (well ahead of his time) was the first to show Tony that a wine’s quality was as much to do with the passion and skill of the winemaker as the quality of the soil. Tony has remained great friends with the family and today buys wine from Henri’s granddaughter Brigitte. Old vines, meticulous winemaking, this ageworthy claret makes a fine partner to beef. Decant a few hours in advance or cellar.

With over 150 years of heritage and a National Trust classification, the vineyards of Tahbilk produce some of the most interesting wines in Australia. This wine is named after the first generation of Purbrick's custodians; Eric Stevens who purchased the property in 1925. Fruit for this wine comes from vines planted in 1933 and 1937.