Welcome to the newsletter for May 2018, a month that sees a pretty even spread between domestic happenings, and incomings from overseas. A couple of big bits of news from Mount Mary, with the second set of releases from the Middletons' Marli Russell "Rhône Project" as well as a '16 Fumé Blanc and Chardonnay under the Réflexion label. Shiraz news comes in the guise of a lovely first review of Ben Glaetzer's 2016 Bishop, while Tim Shand of Punt Road is excited to unveil his…

Hats off, Hattingley Valley! This English estate has enjoyed more than its fair share of spoils in its relatively short life to date, with two world-champion wines to its name in the Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships, as well as two Winemaker of the Year trophies for Emma Rice. This time the estate is celebrating winning the Winemaker of the Year 2018 award from Luxury Travel Guide. The award comes as we celebrate a new shipment arriving from the Old Dart. The 2013 Rosé…

It was at L’Assiette Champenoise in Reims last October when a match in the early stages of a dég menu threw up, as well it might in Champagne, a glass of something local we hadn’t heard of. It was poured, and it was good. Damn good. So good, in fact, that it was immediately followed by a bottle and a barrage of questions to the sommelier. The wine was JmSélèque Solessence, from a third-generation grower enjoying a meteoric rise. The next day we were on…

It’s a shining example of a legend not living on former glories, an historic estate looking to the future. Marli Russell, the project named for Dr John Middleton’s wife, got its first airing last year, with wines from the 2014 and ’15 vintage. The vines were planted in 2008 and ’09 by Dr John’s son David, and the project since nurtured at the deft hand of his children, Sam and Claire. Its genesis was part response to climate change, part a pioneer’s natural desire to…

It was, naturally, great to be in France in spring. Among myriad highlights, it was a reminder just how revered André Ostertag is in his homeland, the full charms of the estate gracing every great wine list in Paris and Beaune, and across the border in neighbouring Germany. André is a treasure, and he’s a man who treasures nature as highly as any other being on planet wine. It’s apt, then, this reimagining of the so-called Vins de Fruit of his range - henceforth known…

Domaine André Bonhomme has proved a blessing on multiple fronts. Let’s start with the one that really counts: This certified-organic family estate, the first domaine of Viré-Clessé – arguably the finest appellation of the Mâconnais – makes beltingly fine Chardonnay that is a respectful, enthralling expression of its myriad terroirs. The indirect – but significant – advantages of these wines are that they are available at a time when great white burgundy options are scarce and spiralling in cost. And it’s great white burgundy we’re…

Ben Glaetzer called it early. The fruit had barely come of the vine when he raved about one of the best harvests he’d ever seen – and this Baron of the Barossa has seen a few. When we visited Ben last summer, he was the cat that got the cream. He was in the midst of vintage on a baking hot day in the valley, and yet was fair dancing around the tanks as he reflected on the wines we’re now presenting, a huge smile…

Sandra de Pury describes it as a “near faultless” season on the hallowed hill that is Yeringberg. “At Yeringberg we make elegant single-vineyard wines with remarkable longevity, such as the wines made in 1915 by Guill’s father George, which were still drinking well at 80 years old.” Remember 1915? Well, Yeringberg does. Its incredible history is well documented, and the way it continues to forge ahead as a standard bearer for the Yarra Valley is really something to celebrate. We tasted these wines in that…

Couple of monster releases on the home front this month, from two nigh-on perfect vintages for their respective regions. Sandra de Pury has put out her spellbinding 2015s from that jewel in the Yarra crown, Yeringberg, while Ben Glaetzer is gaga about 2016 in the Barossa - his Anaperenna and Amon-Ra will show you why. Other exciting vintage rolls include clos Clare's Riesling from super '17 in Watervale, perhaps Tim Shand's best-ever Pinot for Punt Road, plus a range of wines from Marlborough's brilliant biodynamic…

Happy autumn, everyone. It's been a while between newsletters following a very busy start to 2018. Most of our Aussie and Kiwi producers are in the midst of the madness of vintage, though not too exhausted to convey vast optimism about the harvest. Always something to look forward to with wine... But what about now? Well, on the domestic front we have two epic releases from Cullen, with the '15 Vanya Cabernet and 2016 Diana Madeline both out now. One of Vanya's peers as a…

“Vanya’s contribution to the evolution of wine at Cullen Wines is detail, and a push to unite still further the wine with the land on which it’s grown.” So wrote Victoria Moore of London’s Daily Telegraph in her recent article entitled The soul of Western Australia in a cosmic Cabernet. Moving onto a new release of Diana Madeline, the point is as apt as ever. The wine as expression of the Cullen vineyard encapsulates that quest for greatness in wine that is embarked upon by…

2015 seemed to get all the hype , and did indeed produce some very good Beaujolais. But 2016 in our experience has eclipsed it. The cru wines from Piron will always continue to develop flesh and complexity over the handful of years following release, but what we love about these is the bright crunchy fruit allied to a real sense of place - communicated through mineral feel and tannin (people are wont to think that Gamay lacks the latter, but it ain't so - and…

"An emphatic assertion about Australia, Margaret River, fine wine Down Under, and the dedication of the Cullen family." - Mike Bennie  Blazing a trail is as natural to Cullen as grasping for the sun to a vine shoot. This Margaret River pioneer boldly took off as pace setter for certified organic, biodynamic winegrowing in Australia. Thanks to the unshakeable conviction and uncanny brilliance of Vanya Cullen, it’s right out at the front of the pack, with a clarity of varietal and vineyard expression that others can…

Here they are, the wines from what Jancis Robinson calls “the excellent 2016 vintage in Germany”. We know 2015 was superb, and the follow-up – a more challenging year some describe as victory snatched from the jaws of defeat – turned out beautifully for these, some of the best Riesling growers on the planet. LOOSEN - Mosel “The Estate crafted a beautiful collection of classic Mosel wines, which show ripe acidity, great aromatics and shine, as usual, through great drinking playfulness.” - Jean Fisch &…

  We're delighted to announce the arrival of a new account manager to cover Tasmania & South Australia. Tassie born and bred, Michael Fisher joined CellarHand earlier this month and hit the ground in his new territory on Monday, 22nd January. It's the first time CellarHand has had a dedicated account manager for Tasmania and South Australia, and a great opportunity for us to better attend to your needs. Michael - or 'Fish' as he's known - brings with him a tremendous love of wine…