Chatto lost their 2019 crop in the Huon Valley to smoke taint from the bushfires that seemed to go on forever early in the 2019 season. My limited knowledge says that smoke is unlikely to affect grapes up until veraison (the time when grapes start to change colour from the initial green berries) but once veraison takes place, the crop is likely lost. No cashflow from your own vineyards – that’s a pretty big blow to a small producer, so Jim Chatto acquired grapes, in this instance, from Marion’s vineyard on the west of the Tamar River north of Launceston. I visited Marion’s vineyard (being Marion Semmens, current owner/winemaker) back in mid-2014. Some of you may remember the Beautiful Isle label that I brought up around that time. Nice enough but not enough consistency to see it remain on my pricelist. Jim Chatto’s obviously seen the potential of the pinot crop there and so has made 230 cases of 2019 Chatto Marion’s Pinot Noir. It’s never been made before and maybe never again”. Retails at A$65.

I’ve got 10 BOTTLES IN SINGAPORE

You might also like to try “the two other Chatto pinots”…

2019 ‘Bird’ Pipers River (north east Tasmania) – 10 btls – S$81 – Gary Walsh 94
2019 Tasmania – 9 btls – S$67 – Gary Walsh 95

Do I need to keep mentioning that Gembrook Hill is one of my favourite wineries? Probably not. Their chardonnay is usually only released in exceptional vintages; usually it goes into their Blanc de Blancs. Here’s what they say: “By comsumer demand, we reintroduce the still wine from our chardonnay grapes rather than reserving them all for our Blanc de Blancs. This stunning wine is in high demand and quantities are limited.”

I’ve got 7 BOTTLES IN MELBOURNE which are not caught by the lockdown and could possibly be here in a couple of weeks if ordered, even though I’m staying safe and saying late October.

You might also like to try the 2016 vintage – 4 btls – S$63 – Mike Bennie 95, but that is caught in the Melbourne lockdown

98 James Halliday; 97 Huon Hooke; Double Gold 2019 Six Nations Pinot Challenge; Top Gold 2019 International Cool Climate Wine Show; Trophy, Red Wine of Show and Wine of Show 2019 Australia & New Zealand Boutique Wine Show.

Another favourite vineyard. Great restaurant, great people too and great winemakers in Paul & Gilli Lipscombe. And, like Chatto, no 2019 vintage due to the bushfires. Still some for sale at the cellar door last time I looked at A$79. These are the last bottles and if they’re not sold, they’re going to my stash.

I’ve got 5 BOTTLES IN SINGAPORE.

Robert Parker on robertparker.com was quite expressive on this wine giving it 98 points. Here’s what he said:

“Flirting with perfection, which is almost unheard of in this vintage, is the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder. Along with Betty O-Shaughnessey, Lokoya appears to have produced one of the finest Cabernet Sauvignons made from this underrated and diverse terroir. Seamlessly constructed, this opaque purple-colored 2011 offers up aromas of pen ink, acacia flowers, forest floor, blueberries, blackberries and cassis intermixed with hints of espresso, chocolate and subtle earthy notes. Wonderfully ripe and voluptuously textured, this beautiful, full-bodied wine should continue to drink well for another 15-20 years, drink 2013-2033.

Lokoya has long been one of the bright shining stars in Kendall-Jackson Small Estates portfolo. The fact that all four of their 2011 Cabernets were among the best wines I tasted in this vintage reflects many things, among them, (1) the exceptional commitment to quality, (2) the brilliance of the vineyards and winemaker Christopher Carpenter, (3) these mountain vineyards were less affected by the challenging weather conditions of rain and fog in early and mid-October, and (4) the winemaking team had the patience to wait for perfect ripeness before harvesting these limited production cuvees. The production is even smaller than usual, ranging from 200 cases for the Diamond Mountain and Spring Mountain, 360 cases for the Howell Mountain and 840 cases for the prodigious Mt. Veeder.”

I’ve got 9 bottles of this wine direct from Jackson Family Estates Museum Collection. It was US$350 on release, I’m selling it here for S$615 all up. In stock in Singapore.

Halliday 95, Mike Bennie 91+, Jeremy Oliver 91

How time flies. Bought this way back in December 2014, sold a couple of cases, but since then it hasn’t seen the light of day, either actually or via an email. Looking at the recommended drinking windows, I’m thinking this wine is all the better for it and it didn’t have to take up space in your fridge all that time!

The Halliday and Mike Bennie comments are in the attachment. Here’s what Jeremy Oliver (jeremyoliver.com) says:

“Very supple and gentle, with a reserved bouquet of peach, pear, apple and suggestions of tropical fruit subtly backed by light creamy vanilla oak. It’s forward and lively, extending with a delicate, fluffy expression of pure stonefruit and pear towards a soft, but tightly focused finish. It should build richness and depth in the bottle. Drink 2018-2021. 91 points.”

11 bottles in Melbourne @ S$63, can be here mid-August if ordered.

You might also like to try:

2015 vintage, S$63, Huon Hooke 95
2016 vintage, S$60, Halliday 94

Cheers!

Paradigm Hill is located at Merricks on the Mornington Peninsula, so on the eastern side facing Phillip Island rather than Port Phillip Bay. The vineyard is lower than many on the peninsula and closer to the sea. At 13.3% alc. this vintage is a bit higher than previously (the 2014 is only 12%) but still warrants the differentiation from the big, warm climate, often high alcohol Barossa shiraz. This is savoury rather than jammy, white pepper rather than black, and as George Mihaly notes in his comments (in the attachment), complements rather than dominates food. I’ll be the first to admit that cool climate shiraz (more often referred to as Syrah) may not be for everyone. I grew up on big, bold 16% alc. Barossa shiraz and it took a while for me after moving to Singapore to appreciate the softer, more delicate fragrances and palate of the cool climate style. Now, I realise there’s a place for both and I enjoy both.

I bought this back in April 2018, but have never done an email on it so its been sitting and slowly maturing. Halliday says drink to 2030, Campbell Mattinson to 2020. George Mihaly says it should be good to 2027.

It’s listed at S$65, I’ve got 6 bottles in Melbourne so can be here mid-August if ordered, no minimum purchase and free delivery.

Enjoy!

This is the current release from Mt Brave, landing in stock a few months ago. It’s listed at US$100 at Mt Brave’s cellar door, and that price conservatively converts to S$135, exactly the price that it’s for sale in Singapore (see attachement). It retails in Australia at around A$160-A$180 thanks to their 29% alcohol tax, whereas here in Singapore the alcohol tax is just S$8.91. Cheap lah!

I’ve got 21 bottles in stock in Singapore.

Unfortunately I didn’t keep the website tasting notes for this wine so just the Halliday rating (96) on the attachment for reference. I like the regional series wines from Provenance which in addition to Ballarat includes Geelong and Henty, and from the 2016 vintage, Macedon.

Halliday’s 2019 Best Value Winery.

I’ve got 14 bottles in Melbourne which (hopefully) can be delivered in June if ordered. S$69 all up, no minimum purchase.

Enjoy!

Gary Walsh of The Wine Front says “these are the wines that should make us proud of Australia”.

Release price downunder of A$140. Three weeks ago, before the lockdown, I had 12 bottles of this. Now I’ve got just 2 BOTTLES LEFT IN SINGAPORE @ S$150 all up.

Oh, did I mention that this wine is seen elsewhere in Singapore at between S$150 and S$200 (for a singe bottle purchase in a bricks and mortar shop)

Wine Spectator suggests drinking “2018 through 2021” so time in the bottle since I purchased it in March 2018 is not wasted. I brought this 2015 vintage into Singapore direct from Jackson Family Wines. I’m selling the 2015 for S$74 (down from S$79 initially) which I think is a fair price against its US$50-ish retail price. I’ve got 10 BOTTLES IN SINGAPORE.