Australian Wine

Winemaker Description

19 Crimes The Uprising is a red wine from Australia that has been aged for 30 days in rum barrels. It is made from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and has a dark color with jammy berry flavors and a smoky finish. It has notes of mocha, caramel, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Intensely rich with a jammy finish.

The 19 crimes turned convicts into colonists. Upon conviction, British rogues guilty of one of the 19 crimes were sentenced to live in Australia, over penalty of death. For those rough-hewn prisoners who survived the treacherous journey at seas, they forged a new country and life as pioneers in a new frontier. Today 19 Crimes celebrates nonconformists and those rule breakers who challenge the status quo.

Winemaker Description 

A delightful medium-to-full bodied Chardonnay with excellent varietal flavors of melon and peach. The palate is soft and smooth with spice hints across the long, balanced finish.

Winemaker Description

Pomegranate, cranberry and plum waft as the wine opens up. Those same pomegranate and damson plum characters continue on the palate and are enhanced by a slightly herbaceous edge. The Shiraz component gives width and generosity to the finer savoury Grenache tannins.

Expert Reviews

90 Points James Suckling | This regional hero of value and consistency has plenty of ripe red-berry and plum aromas with some deeper, darker berries, too. The palate is mid-weight and has a gently grainy texture. So drinkable.

Winemaker Description 

Medium-to-full bodied combining dark berry fruit and cassis flavors with hints of chocolate and mint.

Winemaker Description

Classic McLaren Vale Shiraz. Crimson-purple in color. Aromas of dark plum, boysenberries, subtle black pepper and a touch of licorice. On the palate is where the wine becomes fascinating. Rich and opulent black plums, blackberries and boysenberries are intertwined with savory spices, mocha and a plush coat of red cherries. Tannins are ripe and velvety. Acidity, alcohol and oak are finely tuned, and their balance enhances length on the finish.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

91 Points Wine Enthusiast | Savory notes of sage and bay leaf are as forward on the nose as the plum and cherry notes. There’s a lick of vanillin oak showing, too. The abundance of tangy fruit continues its journey in the mouth, lingering on the finish amidst a powerful, well-placed frame of tannins. (2021).

90 Points James Suckling | Good shiraz, strongly regional, aromatic and attractive. While I query the dryness of the tannins here, there is ample pleasure to be found behind a veneer of violets, purple pastilles, blue fruit, iodine and licorice. A little reduction creates tension without ever becoming too hard. (2021). 

Winemaker Notes |  A delightful medium-to-full bodied Chardonnay with excellent varietal flavors of melon and peach. The palate is soft and smooth with spice hints across the long, balanced finish.

Winemaker Description 

Lindeman’s Bin 85 Pinot Grigio features aromas of fruit salad, peach, fig and rock melon with a medium bodied, fresh, crisp finish. Enjoy with seafood dishes, fresh salads, lighter meals, semi soft to firm cheeses. 

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The Wine Enthusiast 96 Points | A fabulous vintage of Filius, and a total bargain for this level of quality. Layered aromas appear from first sniff: plump currants and plums, dark chocolate, savory herbs and florals, graphite and a mineral, iodine-like nuance. In the mouth, there's bright fruit and silky texture, with savory, fine tannins and a long, elegant finish. Made to drink now or to age for several more years. A wonderful intro to this distinctive Aussie style.

Winemaker Description 

Deep crimson with red brick hues. A lovely amalgam of varietal notes, Shiraz offering plenty of dark fruit, while Cabernet Sauvignon provides lovely cool lifted aromas. A gentle swirl reveals preserved plums, fresh mulberry with pouring cream, cherry compote, milk chocolate, baking spices, fresh bay leaf, subtle white pepper and licorice.

The palate is quite succulent, with lovely refreshing acidity and subtle tannins holding the fruit together beautifully. Ripe red fruits offer richness on the mid-palate, with flavors of dark cherry, pomegranate, and cranberry. Savory, charcuterie meats add a lovely savory, umami edge. Softly textured, medium bodied and very approachable.

Memo Summary Notes

Given its body and flavor intensity, this wine pairs exceptionally well with rich, savory dishes:

• Red Meats: Grilled steak, ribs, or lamb shanks.

• Hearty Dishes: Beef stew or shepherd's pie.

• Cheese: Aged cheddar or blue cheese.

  
  

Winemaker Description 

A soft, elegant and approachable medium-bodied wine with complete, rounded characters.

Winemaker Description

‘Mollydooker’ is old Aussie slang for a left handed boxer and our Boxer always punches well above his Fruit Weight™. Did you notice he has two left-handed gloves?

The 2022 Boxer boasts a robust foundation of dark fruit, black cherries, moccha, and a hint of clove spice that comes alive in the glass. Its velvety texture delivers notes of fresh plum, balanced tannins, and a subtle touch of toasted oak, all of which enhance the richness of the fruit. This wine offers a complex experience with multiple layers that are sure to impress.

Winemaker Description 

This full and round bright-red wine with crimson hues give way to a subtle sweetness on the palate. The criminally intense vanilla aromatics are balanced with ripe raspberry and plum fruits. The vanilla aromatics carry through on the palate and complement subtle flavors of raspberries, dark plums and chocolate. Red berry fruit and plush tannins provide a lingering finish perfect for any evening.

Winemaker Description 

Lindeman's Bin 50 Shiraz is a vibrant and bold Australian red wine. It showcases rich flavors of ripe blackberries, plums, and cherries, complemented by a touch of spice and subtle oak. The wine has a full-bodied texture with smooth tannins, offering a well-rounded finish. Its bold profile makes it a great pairing for barbecued meats, hearty stews, or dishes with rich flavors like grilled sausages or spicy curries. It's an excellent choice for both casual dinners and more sophisticated meals

When casual wine drinkers think of Australian wine, they probably think of the critter-laden labels of Yellow Tail and The Little Penguin, among others. And while large wine companies dominate the Australian list, there are also a great number of smaller producers creating highly-rated, award-winning wines.

The majority of Australian wine is produced in South Australia, with most of that (those “critter wines”) carrying a South Eastern Australia appellation. Subregions such as Barossa Valley, Coonawarra and McLaren Vale are home to smaller producers and higher quality wines. Victoria and New South Wales are also significant regions, and wines from Western Australia are reaching America in increasing numbers.

Though Shiraz is the grape most associated with Australia, they’ve also had great success with Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Riesling and Grenache.

Winemaker Description

A soft, approachable medium-bodied Shiraz with vibrant fruit flavours. 

Winemaker Description 

Flavours of passionfruit, grapefruit, gooseberry and guava.

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NOW by Paxton stands for 'Natural Organic Wine.' As leaders in organic production, Paxton wanted to create a Biodynamic and USDA Certified Organic natural wine with no added preservatives in a young, drink 'now' style of Chardonnay.

A fruit salad of native finger lime, pear d'Anjou, with wild spearmint, elderflower and a touch of tarragon. Bright and bouncy like jumping for the clouds on a backyard trampoline. This Chardonnay sits up straight but has a sneaky scrumptious and vibrant feel once allowed to relax. Drink NOW.

Producer Description 

Lindeman's Bin 85 Pinot Grigio features a lovely amalgam of floral and tropical nuances with nashi pear and apple characters, finishing with grapefruit acidity that creates a clean and lengthy finish."

Winemaker Description

This vibrant and lifted Merlot exudes rich plum flavours with undertones of both red and dark fruit and a soft touch of oak. As the wine develops in the glass, layers of chocolate, nutmeg and cinnamon spice come to the fore. The soft mouth-feel and tannin integration allow for all the beautiful flavours of this wine to shine through.

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Opulent aromas of roses, violets and layered spices, ripe berries of every hue. Perfectly formed tannins frame complex fruit flavours across the palate. This wine will age magnificently.

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The Wine Enthusiast 95 Points | Vasse Felix's self-titled middle range often represents the best value for money, in this reviewer's opinion. This is both an excellent example of the range's quality as well as of Margaret River's distinctive Cab style. Layered aromas of tangy redcurrant, raspberry and cranberry are woven with pencil lead, new pavement and tobacco leaf. There's a wonderful lift of crunchy currant fruit on the palate, which counterbalances the big smudgy, savory tannins.

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The winemaking philosophy is that great wine begins in the vineyard. The belief is that sustainable vineyard practices will deliver exceptional fruit quality to the winery as well as real environmental benefits. The focus is on careful site selection, vine maturity, and high input viticulture, with a move towards biological farming principles.

Often referred to as the classic Australian red wine, Shiraz is an easy to drink, all-time favourite.

Concentrated red cherry and plum is complemented by notes of vanilla, mocha and spice. Rich and smooth, with juicy red berries and hints of vanilla and spice.

Pair with steak or in front of a roaring fire.

Our Professional Review

Bart Hopkins 67Wine.com | A full bodied, darkly colored Grenache with intense richness and depth of flavor. Aromas of savory red fruits on the nose, with lovely intensity in the mouth, smooth tannins and a delicious long-lasting finish. Powerful, precise and concentrated with no over ripeness. A great wine for hearty dishes and perfect for barbecues.

Winemaker Description

Dark, intense deep purple-crimson in the glass. On the nose: striking notes of rhubarb, raspberry jam and redcurrant. The palate is soft and rich, showing a more full-body style of Grenache. A flow of red cherries, rhubarb and red plums are laced with a fine layer of cedar, introducing more dark-flavored characters like plums and hints of dark chocolate. Texture is firm and finely balanced.

Expert Review

James Suckling 92 Points | An inviting nose of baked cherry, blueberry, moss and bark. Medium- to full-bodied with velvety tannins. Juicy and fresh red and black fruit with savory undertones. Herb and earthy notes ground the palate. A bit of tension here, which I like. Drink or hold.

Winemaker Notes

Winemaker Description 

Yellow Tail Chardonnay is a delicious and easy-to-drink white wine that has earned a reputation for its consistent quality and affordable price. Grown in Australia, this wine is crafted with the perfect balance of fruit, acidity, and oak, resulting in a silky smooth mouthfeel and a rich, creamy finish.

The Chardonnay grape, used to make this wine, is known for its buttery, oaky character, and Yellow Tail's Chardonnay is no exception. With its distinct notes of fresh peach, melon flavors, and a hint of vanilla, this wine offers a complex yet approachable flavor profile that is sure to delight the palate.

Yellow Tail Chardonnay is a dry wine that boasts a full body and bright acidity, making it an excellent pairing for a wide range of dishes. Its creamy finish and subtle sweetness make it the perfect complement to roasted chicken or seafood, as well as salads and vegetarian dishes.

Whether you're looking for a refreshing wine to enjoy on its own or the perfect pairing for your next meal, Yellow Tail Chardonnay is a versatile and crowd-pleasing choice. Its bright, fruit-forward profile and creamy texture make it a great option for a variety of occasions, from casual get-togethers to more formal events.

Winemaker Description 

Red Schooner's new "Red Wine of the World," this red blend is sourced from famed regions of southern Australia, the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale. Consisting of Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro with a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon, Transit 2 is bold yet nuanced, featuring scents and flavors of dark fruit, black pepper, leather and vibrant raspberries. 

A hint of mint stems from the region's native trees. Just like our Red Schooner Malbec from Argentina is known by the "voyage" that produced it, this wine is called a sequential "transit."

Winemaker Description

A dark, rich purple in color, this wine is from vines grown in ancient Cambrian earth, formed from Cambrian rocks that are over 500 million years old. A limited edition Shiraz dedicated to the first born children of the founders, this wine boasts aromas of cassis and blackberry. The palate is full-bodied yet refined with perfect integration of French oak and decadent notes of dark fruits, tobacco, and mocha. The finish is long with black pepper overtones, red chili and soft tannins, which give this wine a finish that lingers long after it's been enjoyed. 

Pair with a roast leg of lamb, barbecue, and aged hard cheese.

Winemaker Description

St Henri is a time-honoured and alternative expression of shiraz, and an intriguing counterpoint to Grange. It is unusual amongst high quality Australian red wines as it does not rely on any new oak. Released for the first time by Penfolds in the early 1950s (first commercial vintage 1957), it gained a new lease of life in the 1990s as its quality and distinctive style became better understood. Proudly, a wine style that hasn’t succumbed to the dictates of fashion or commerce.

Expert Reviews

Wine Spectator 93 Points | Juicy blueberry and huckleberry fruit flavors at the core are accented by black and red licorice details, with dense, grippy tannins and notes of black pepper and Earl Grey tea. Impressive for its concentration and focus, along with its muscular structure. Drink now through 2035. 284 cases imported.

Wine Advocate 97 Points | The 2018 St Henri Shiraz is a terrific effort, perhaps rivaling the top-flight wines under this label in 1976 and 1986. Remarkably fine and silky in texture yet simultaneously dense and concentrated, it showcases the amazing fruit harvested in 2018. Boysenberry, mulberry and mocha shadings all swirl together effortlessly in a whorl of full-bodied elegance, finishing long and effortless. Mainly Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale, it includes smaller amounts of fruit from Port Lincoln, Robe, Padthaway, Clare Valley and the Adelaide Hills, all aged 12 months in large old wooden vats.

Decanter 93 Points | A shift in emphasis for St Henri, with its gaze fixed on depth and seriousness rather than its familiar comforting embrace. With no new oak, it’s always a fruit-driven statement, but this time the rich, red earthy tones are clouded over by a deep well of purple and blue fruit flavours. As a result, it appears to have a broader frame than before, finishing a bit short for a wine of this stature, but still with lots of pleasing savoury grip on the finish. Released at AU$135. Drinking Window 2022 - 2050.

James Suckling 99 Points | A great St. Henri and, although multi-regional, this is very much a wine that speaks of the Barossa Valley, with aromas of ripe blackberries and red plums that are so fresh, together with tobacco, young-leather, earth, chocolate, coal-smoke and tarry accents. Effortless depth on the palate with summer berries, framed in fine, alabaster-like tannins that are underscored with discreet power. So long and captivating. A blend of Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Port Lincoln, Robe, Padthaway, Clare Valley and Adelaide Hills. Drink over the next decade or more. Screw cap.Vinous 95 points Dark, bright-rimmed violet color. A wild, highly complex bouquet evokes spice-tinged black/blue fruits, pipe tobacco, savory herbs, potpourri and olive paste. Weighty and yet energetic in style, offering mineral-driven bitter cherry, cassis, chewing tobacco and exotic spice flavors that turn sweeter through the back half. Round, slowly building tannins give framework to a very long, smoky finish that echoes the cherry and tobacco notes.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020 

Australian Wine Companion 97 Points | The Virgilius continues to be the benchmark for viognier in Australia, no doubt prompting a few nervous glances from the French in the process. Pale straw in the glass with notes of apricot, lemon, grapefruit and crisp nashi pear with hints of soft spice, almond paste, marzipan, white flowers and crushed quartz. In the mouth, it weaves its textural magic leaving a slinky wake across the palate, finishing dry and stony with ample acid drive and precision and a lovely 'sucking on a river pebble' sense of savoury composure and elegance.

The Wine Spectator 94 Points | The 2020 The Virgilius Viognier hails from a hot, dry, low-yielding season, yet the elevation of Eden Valley often protects it from the worst of the heat. It leads with aromas of nougat, white peach, apricot, jasmine tea and green apple skins. In the mouth, the wine is silky and svelte, unctuous in its flavor outlay, but taut in the splay of phenolics through the middle and back of the palate. Very smart, again. Matured for 10 months in French oak. 

James Suckling 93 Points | Yalumba is the pioneer of viognier in Australia and they continue to do a good job. Fealty to type. Floral lift infused with orange blossom, apricot pith and glazed quince. Round and full-weighted. A nicely measured confluence of viscosity, tactile oak vanillin, oatmeal lees and freshness. Slippery length. 

The WIne Enthusiast 92 Points | This premium Viognier, from the winery that has cheered loudest for the variety, opens with flint and almond alongside honeyed orchard fruit aromas. Viognier’s characteristically luscious mouthfeel dominates the palate. The fruit and acidity are quiet, but holding on after a few years of bottle age. A subdued, food friendly and harmonious drop.

Memo Summary Notes

The Yalumba "The Virgilius" Viognier 2020 is widely considered the benchmark for Australian Viognier. Produced by Yalumba, the winery that single-handedly pioneered the variety in Australia, this flagship bottling is designed to rival the great Condrieu wines of the Northern Rhône.

Sourced from the estate's oldest vines (planted in 1980) in the high-altitude Eden Valley, where cooler nights help the grape maintain acidity—a rarity for this naturally low-acid variety.

This is a serious gastronomy wine. It pairs perfectly with richly spiced Asian cuisine (Thai green curry, Beef Rendang), roasted pork with fennel, or buttery lobster. It is also one of the few whites that can handle a truffle risotto.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

The Wine Spectator 93 Points | Stunning and sleek, with intensity and precision to the citrus, pear and white peach flavors. Offers notes of orange blossom and jasmine, with notes of fresh-cut Fuji apple and buttery shortbread on the mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2034. 300 cases imported.

James Suckling 93 Points | A sleek, mid-weighted & very contemporary chardonnay, embellishing a pungent mineral chassis with roasted cashew, nougat and curdy creaminess. Vanilla-cedar oak, an integrated framework. Apricot pith, white peach and nectarine, too. The acidity, palpably natural of feel and really juicy, towing impressive length. One of the better recent iterations of this rightly popular cuvee. 

The Australian Wine Companion 93 Points | A sleek, mid-weighted & highly contemporary chardonnay, embellishing a pungent mineral chassis with roasted cashew, nougat and curdy creaminess. Vanilla-cedar oak, an integrated framework. Apricot pith, white peach and nectarine, too. The acidity, palpably natural of feel and really juicy, towing impressive length. Among the better recent iterations of this rightly popular cuvée.

The Wine Advocate 92 Points | The 2022 M3 Chardonnay is nutty and spiced on the nose, with green apple, crushed cashews, citrus rind and brine. The wine is, true to form, polished, sleek and flavorsome. This is a bit of a cherished wine in Australia; it is reliable and classy, and this vintage is no exception. 13% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

Memo Pairing Suggestions 

Food Pairings: Pairs beautifully with roasted chicken with thyme, grilled scallops in lemon butter, or creamy pasta primavera.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2024

    •    Halliday Wine Companion (Philip Rich): 96 Points – "An absolute cracker... aromas of gently grilled nuts, confit lemon, and a touch of struck match."

    •    The Wine Advocate 94 Points - "The 2024 Circle of Fifths Chardonnay comprises a blend of all five single vineyards. The wine shows a little of all, and in so doing, some of none. There is the austerity of acidity and cavalcade of crushed, salted and pasted nuts, lemon zest, citrus oil and green leaves, coupled finally with the floral and tea-like notes evident in all five cuvées. It's an interesting composition, perhaps a little frenetic, like some of John Coltrane's work (Circle of Fifths is named after the jazz arrangement toward the circle of fifths root movement, whereas Coltrane's proclivity is in thirds, which is unusual. Giant Steps was named after Coltrane's studio album), but pleasurable in just the same way. In its way, this wine endorses and emphasizes the singularity of the single-vineyard wines, but it offers immense satisfaction of its own accord as well. 13% alcohol, sealed under screw cap."

    •    James Suckling: 95 Points – "Mid-weighted and textural with a strong mineral drive... mouthwatering finish."

    •     
The Wine Front: 95 Points – "Direct, powerful, and potent... it feels like a producer at the top of their game."


 
Winemaker Description  | Blended exclusively from our single vineyard sites, Circle of Fifths captures the strengths of these vineyards in one wine – carefully crafted and fine-tuned over myriad blending sessions. These wines were getting lost in the regional expression, and with the Fifths, these sites come together to tell a new story. 

The 2024 vintage was a more classic Yarra season. A cool start to Spring and ideal flowering conditions led to good fruit set and moderate yields. December was cool and mild, with significant rainfall at New Years and during the first week of January, giving the vines a good drink leading into the heat of February. Mid to late February was drier and warmer than is common in the Yarra, leading to great ripening conditions with no disease pressure and quite a fast vintage. In 2024, all of our Pinot and Chardonnay was ready in quick succession, leading to a compressed harvest - with the whole valley picked in the space of 3 weeks (where it normally spreads across 6 weeks). An exciting ride for our team, but ultimately giving us wines with great flavour, bright acidity and balance.

Memo Summary Notes

The Giant Steps "Circle of Fifths" Chardonnay 2024 is an inaugural, high-profile release from one of Australia's most acclaimed cool-climate producers. Recently named the 2025 Halliday Winery of the Year, Giant Steps created this "Circle of Fifths" series as a premium bridge between their regional blends and their specific single-vineyard bottlings.

The name is a musical reference to John Coltrane’s jazz theories, symbolizing the "harmony" created by blending fruit from all five of their estate single vineyards: Sexton, Tarraford, Applejack, Primavera, and Bastard Hill.

The Lindeman’s Bin 45 Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1.5L Magnum format is the ultimate "crowd-pleaser" bottle. Part of Lindeman’s iconic Bin series, this wine is designed to be approachable, consistent, and easy to share at large gatherings.

Medium-to-full bodied combining dark berry fruit and cassis flavors with hints of chocolate and mint.

Winemaker Description 

Yalumba GEN is a commitment for betterment and a fierce determination for the future. It’s a responsibility not taken lightly and it’s our family’s promise to you. It’s more than 172 years of sustainable practices and it’s our commitment to organic certification, allowing nature to work its magic with minimal intervention. It’s the assurance that when you choose Yalumba GEN, you choose a better future for future generations.
Organic Winemaking: This wine is certified by the Australian Certified Organic standards and is 100% vegan. It's made without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in the vineyard. With very few additions, the wine goes through wild fermentation, using only the natural yeasts present in the vineyard and on grape skins.

Tasting Notes: Crimson in color with violet hues. Spiced plums and peppercorns with fruit cake and forest floor aromas. The palate is a mix of violets and spice with hints of Dutch licorice, lingering plum and cherry flavors. This is a fruit driven, medium-bodied wine with soft, silky tannins and a persistent savory finish. 

Enjoy With: Mexican lasagna, bruschetta pasta or a Swiss brown mushroom burger with caramelized onions and crispy potato chips. 

Warehouse stored item - please allow one to three business days to fulfill.