R & B Wines - Wine Price
List
AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND Wines
AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND
- Listed by COUNTRY/Domaine
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Btls
Avail.
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Btl
Size
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Year
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Price per
Bottle
including
VAT |
Tasting
Score/Notes
Best Drinking
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AUSTRALIA |
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WHITE Wine |
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R. L. BULLER
This estate makes wonderful old
'sticky' Muscat and Tokay 'after dinner' wines - they taste great as well
as being collectors items, as they get
rave reviews from Robert Parker! |
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12
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75cl
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Rutherglen
Fine Old Malmsey |
NV |
£12.00 |
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1
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75cl
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Rutherglen
Fine Old Tokay
RP -
This wine is nearly flawless.
Fabulously perfumed as well as unctuously textured, it offers incredible
notes of prunes, raisins, honey, molasses, roasted nuts, etc., etc.
Australia continues to be a treasure trove for fortified, after-dinner
wines. Once bottled, they do not change, and often age up to a decade
where well stored. After opening, most will last for a week. This is one
of the top wine discoveries of this year's tastings. Many consumers are
going to be overjoyed with this offering. |
NV |
£12.00 |
RP95
Now - 2012 |
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4
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37.5cl
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Rutherglen
Calliope Rare Tokay
RP -
I suppose there are days when
the Calliope Rare Tokay tastes even better than the Muscat, but at this
tasting it revealed a dense amber colour, but not quite the colossal
aromatic and flavour authority of its sibling. Nevertheless, it is
spectacular stuff offering notes of maple syrup, fruit macerated in
cognac, and hints of toffee, caramel, etc. These Australian treasures are
fabulous to drink at the end of a meal. Moreover, once opened, they will
hold for several weeks, sometimes longer.
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NV |
£42.00 |
RP98
Now - 2012 |
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3
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37.5cl
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Rutherglen
Calliope Rare Muscat
RP -
The Calliope Rare Muscat
boasts a deep, dark amber colour as well as layers of flavour and
constantly changing aromatics of brown sugar, fig, molasses, and Lord
knows what else. It is an extraordinary beverage. These Australian
treasures are fabulous to drink at the end of a meal. Moreover, once
opened, they will hold for several weeks, sometimes longer. |
NV |
£42.00 |
RP100
Now - 2012 |
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RED Wine |
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D'ARENBERG
RP
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Chester Osborn, the
remarkable person behind this enormous array of both impeccably high
quality and value-priced wines, deserves considerable accolades for what
he is able to achieve at all price ranges. If you love Australian wines,
d’Arenberg is a winery to seek out as these offerings all possess
abundant soul as well as character. |
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36
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75cl
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Dead Arm
Shiraz
RP -
Readers should be on the
look out for the 2001 The Dead Arm Shiraz, one of the greatest examples
of this cuvee. Its dense black/purple colour is accompanied by celestial
aromas of melted liquorice, graphite, blackberries, cassis, incense,
anise, and toasty oak. Fabulously concentrated, with great purity, an
unctuous, viscous texture, and an amazingly long, 60-second plus finish. |
2001 |
£47.00 |
RP98
2008-33A TOP wine, excellent with
red meats. |
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KAY BROTHERS
This is a top estate making very
profound wines of great character, which will further improve with age. |
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48
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75cl
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Block 6
Shiraz
RP -
There are 1,400 cases of the
flagship cuvee, the Block 6 Shiraz, which is aged 28 months in 60% new
American oak and 40% new Hungarian oak. Typically, it possesses between
15-16% alcohol and is always a candidate for twenty or more years of
cellaring. The 2004 Shiraz Block 6 is the finest example of this
cuvee since the 1998. It is an awesomely concentrated Shiraz with an
inky/plum/garnet/purple colour and a sweet nose of roasted meats, dried
herbs, ground pepper, blackberries, and cassis. This intense,
full-bodied effort boasts a profound depth and richness as well as layer
upon layer of awesome concentration and length. |
2004 |
£59.00 |
RP98
2011-26A TOP wine, excellent with
red meats. |
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42
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75cl
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Block 6
Shiraz
RP -
One of Australia’s most
traditional winemakers, Colin Kay fashions old style, high quality,
distinctive Australian reds. The flagship wine, the 2003 Shiraz Block 6
(from 113-year-old vines) is a full-throttle, traditionally made
Australian Shiraz boasting a dense plum/garnet/purple colour in addition
to a bouquet of creosote, sweet black cherries, cassis, forest floor,
underbrush, and pepper. With great depth, full-bodied, powerful,
concentrated flavours, high tannin, and a blockbuster finish, this
distinctive Shiraz should drink well for 10-15 years. |
2003 |
£56.00 |
RP95
2007-20A TOP wine, excellent with
red meats. |
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60
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75cl
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Amery Vineyard Hillside
Shiraz
RP -
From 6- to 34-year-old
vines, the 2004 Shiraz Hillside spent 28 months in American oak, 50% new
and 50% used. A blockbuster effort, it reveals deep, chocolaty, meaty
notes intermixed with blackberries, cherries, and cassis.
Inky/ruby/purple-coloured, with a large mouthfeel, full body, and
well-integrated acidity, tannin, and alcohol, this is a superb McLaren
Vale Shiraz to enjoy over the next 12-15 years. |
2004 |
£29.00 |
RP93
2006-21 |
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36
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75cl
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Amery Vineyard Hillside
Shiraz
RP -
One of Australia’s most
traditional winemakers, Colin Kay fashions old style, high quality,
distinctive Australian reds. Tarry, chewy, and fleshy, the 2003 Shiraz
Hillside has a bit more punch (15% alcohol) as well as a sappy character
that is not present in the regular bottling. It is a broad, savoury,
expansively flavoured, full-bodied Shiraz to enjoy over the next decade.
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2003 |
£26.00 |
RP92
2005-15 |
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12
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75cl
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Amery Vineyard Hillside
Shiraz
RP -
Readers should be aware that
the Kay Brothers produced a Shiraz Hillside that is aged in 100% new
American oak and made from relatively young vines that are the same clone
as the Shiraz planted in Block 6. The Hillside Shiraz is very much made in
the same style as the Block 6. There are approximately 1,000 cases of it,
and it usually sells for a good $25 less per bottle, at least in the
United States. It is very much made in the style of the Block 6, it just
does not have the old vines and single block acclaim. |
2001 |
£28.00 |
RP95
2005-18 |
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22 |
75cl |
Amery Vineyard Hillside
Shiraz
RP -
Lighter than its 1999 or 2001
counterparts, the dense purple-coloured 2000 Shiraz Amery Vineyard Hillside
is spicy and peppery, with a floral (acacia flowers) note intermixed with
melted asphalt, black cherries, blackberries, and currants. While ripe,
full-bodied, and outstanding, it is a mere mortal compared to its younger
and older siblings. |
2000 |
£22.00 |
RP92
Now -2014 |
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34
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75cl
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Amery Vineyard
Shiraz
RP -
The 2001 Shiraz looks to be a
return to the style of the blockbuster 1998. Denser and richer than the
2000, this dense purple-coloured effort is full-bodied as well as loaded.
Its sweet tannin suggests early maturity. |
2001 |
£19.00 |
RP93
2005 -16 |
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MAGLIERI |
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28
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75cl
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McLaren Vale
Shiraz
Wine Spectator -
Ripe and exotic, with gorgeous
black cherry, pepper, liquorice and a cascade of spices weaving through
the flavour profile. Rich and chewy in texture, not at all harsh, just big
and remarkably focused |
1995 |
£26.00 |
WS92
Now - 2012This is a
really full bodied wine that is now fully mature - please try a bottle! |
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SPINIFEX (Barossa)
One of the most
talented winemakers in Australia, Peter Schell created Spinifex in 2001
with his wife, Magalie Gely. This winery was established to
represent the best 'terroirs' in the Barossa using only the finest fruit
selection.
The vines are extremely old and the vineyard sites are considered to be
some of the finest in Australia. The focus of their winemaking is to
produce harmonious, richly textured wines with complex ripe fruit
flavours for which the great wines of the Barossa are renowned. |
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57
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75cl
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Spinifex Esprit
Neal Martin
www.wine-journal.com:
"36%
Grenache, 30% Shiraz, 24% Cinsault and 10% Mataro.
A
fragrant, almost exotic nose, sweet black cherry, damson and plum. The
palate has superb balance, restrained with well knit, silky tannins.
Very subtle and sophisticated, there is a beguiling femininity and
elegance about this wine. The kind of wine I would like to serve to a
Bordeaux chateau-owner to show him that there is real competition out
there. Beautiful. Total production: 200 cases". |
2002 |
£19.00 |
Only 200 cases made of this wine, so very rare. Excellent Value |
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12
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75cl
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Spinifex Shiraz Viognier
Jamie Goode
www.wineanorak.com:
"A blend of 95% Shiraz & 5% Viognier.
Only 30 cases of this wine have come into the UK. Lots of fruit on the
nose, pure. Surprisingly fresh given there was only 5% Viognier used.
Subtle, clean, velvety tannins. An elegant wine, excellent. Total
production: 50 cases". |
2002 |
£29.00 |
Total Production is ONLY 50 cases - a
rarity! |
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35
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75cl
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Spinifex Indigene
RP
- With more structure, density, richness,
and delineation than the Esprit, the spectacular 2002 Indigene (56%
Shiraz and 44% Mourvèdre) represents an Australian version of Paso
Robles’ Tablas Creek cuvees. Its dense purple colour is accompanied by
aromas of scorched earth, tree bark, blackberries, currants, and
minerals. The wine’s peppery, full-throttle style possesses wonderful
definition as well as purity. While it cuts a huge swath across the
palate, it is neither heavy nor overdone. Drink this beauty now and over
the next dozen years. |
2002 |
£29.00 |
RP96
2004-16 |
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21
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75cl
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Spinifex Esprit
RP -
The 2001 Esprit, a sensational
unfined/unfiltered blend of 66% Shiraz, 14% Cinsault, 10% Grenache, and
10% Mourvèdre, is a full-throttle, layered, heady red boasting kirsch
liqueur, blackberry, pepper, smoke, and dried Provencal herb
characteristics. Its full-bodied opulence is both hedonistically and
intellectually satisfying. |
2001 |
£24.00 |
RP94
2004-2010 |
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30
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75cl
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Spinifex Indigene
Jamie Goode
www.wineanorak.com:
"60% Mataro and 40% very old vine Shiraz. The ferment was plunged by hand
in old milk vats three times a day, pressed around 3 Baume and then
finished in French and American oak barrels. Deep coloured. Forward nose
of sweet raspberry and plum fruit with lovely spicy complexity, but it's
still nicely savoury and not at all over the top. The palate is rich and
concentrated, showing nice balance: good depth of fruit well supported
by spicy structure and smooth tannins. The Mourvèdre character is
evident. It's rare to find a wine this concentrated but which is still
in balance. This is a spectacular effort. Excellent.
Total production: 165 cases". |
2001 |
£23.00 |
JG 95 |
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VIKING WINES |
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20
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75cl
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Viking
Shiraz
RP -
Aged all in American oak, of
which 75% was new, and bottled without filtration, this full-bodied,
super-concentrated, powerful wine is obviously the product of extremely
low yields. It exhibits remarkable density, fine chewiness, and pure,
black fruit notes, intermixed with smoke, earth, and underbrush. Powerful,
long, and youthful, it should only improve over the next decade, and last
for almost 20 years. A bottle opened 24 hours displayed no trace of
oxidation. |
1999 |
£24.00 |
RP91
Now - 2021
A really full, lovely wine that is drinking very
well now. |
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NEW ZEALAND |
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WHITE Wine |
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KUMEU RIVER
"For Chardonnay, New Zealand's
standard-bearer has been Kumeu River, a small producer with wines of
impressive depth and great opulence" - Wine Spectator (WS) |
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7
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75cl
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Kumeu Chardonnay
WS -
Crisp and vibrant, a tightly
wound bud holding pineapple, pear and lemon flavours that will burst free
after some time in the bottle. Has a touch of butter on the finish. |
2000 |
£10.00 |
WS93
Now - 2008Bin End Price |
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36
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75cl
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Kumeu Chardonnay
WS -
A many-faceted Chardonnay,
impressive for its clarity and superb balance, showing tangy citrus at
first, with a layer of spicy honey weaving through the rich pear and
delicately smoky flavours, which echo impressively on the long finish.
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2001 |
£16.00 |
WS93
Now - 2010 |
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Page Last Updated 21.09.2008
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