Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon is a true icon of Australian wine and a perennial favourite in auction circles. First released in 1954, Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon is produced from only the top 20 to 25 per cent of Cabernet Sauvignon fruit grown in their Terra Rossa Vineyards. A vibrant purple hue colour with an intense black core, the hints of juicy mulberries and red cherries, with hints old dark fruit and creamy oak. The palate contains medium-bodied cassis flavours, supported by fine tannins and integrated French oak. Pair with baked salmon, roast potatoes and leafy greens.

This 'classic' Margaret River wine exemplifies ease of drinking and purity, boasting a delightful crunchiness and fruit-forward character. It offers a lip-smacking dryness, balanced by crisp acidity, culminating in a clean and refreshing finish that leaves the palate invigorated.

Xavier Gerard is one of the young stars of the Northern Rhone. His father left him some prime land in the regions of Cote Rotie (including a tiny parcel in La Landonne), Condrieu and Saint Joseph. Although he is not certified, he practises organically in all his vineyards, and all of his wines are unfined and unfiltered. This is a blend of 96% Syrah and 4% Viognier, which makes its presence known with a touch of stone fruit among the ripe forest berries. Good concentration and smooth tannins, yet with high acidity that all lead to a long finish.

The XOP Macallan 30 Years Old 1993 whisky features a nose of beautiful sherry aromas, including raisins, plums, figs, and citrus notes like lemon and orange peels. The palate offers dark chocolate with pepper and coffee, alongside toasted brioche, leather, and subtle dried fruits. The finish is long, with tannins, cloves, and orange marmalade.

In spite of the age of this tiny two-acre plot of vines (planted in 1889), the wine itself is a youthful juice bomb, with a snap, crackle and pop of aromas reminiscent of blueberry basil lemonade or the boozy, cranberry tang of a cosmopolitan. The palate is more tempered flavor-wise, but the light-fresh feel, with a chocolaty chew of tannins, gives an al dente bite that makes for a thirst-quenching style while also being detailed enough to cellar another seven to eight years.

From a vineyard in Coonawarra purchased by the Hill-Smiths in 1992, on terra rossa soils, the majority of the vineyard was planted in 1975. The wine matured for 22 months in barrels, 30% new French oak hogsheads, the remainder in older barrels from France, America and Hungary. Almost black in its saturated colour, fruit straddles blackberry, blueberry and damson plum, with a sheen of polished old wooden furniture, gigar smoke and again a firmness suggested by gravel and graphite. Sumptuously sweet and succulent in the mouth, and enveloping richness and depth of glossy black fruit lies over mocha and sweet smokiness, tannins so sandy and fine and acidity pert like cherry pits. It's big, it's classic, it's a wonderfully expressive wine of grape and place.

This is an open-knit, polished and characterful bottling of The Signature, with heady, bright aromas of cherry chocolate, tomato pulp, red licorice and savory, earthy spices. The palate is powerful yet silky and harmonious, with chiseled, fine tannins, and lovely fruit purity and freshness. Still young and tightly wound now, it should cellar with grace for at least another seven to 10 years.

Tomoe Gozen, a legendary female samurai from 13th century Japan, who led troops into battle armed with a naginata and kaiken, lends her name to a Japanese whisky crafted at the Yamanashi Prefecture Distillery. Aged for 8 years in Mizunara oak barrels, this whisky combines grain and malt whisky to create a profile characterized by warm, fruity, and vanilla notes, complemented by hints of oak, red apple, coconut, and marzipan flavors. The experience culminates in a medium-length finish, embodying the spirit of this revered warrior.

Nose: The Yellow Rose Outlaw Bourbon Whiskey offers a rich and inviting aroma with notes of caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak. There is a hint of dried fruit and a touch of spice that adds complexity to the nose.

Taste: On the palate, this bourbon whiskey delivers a smooth and velvety mouthfeel. The flavors of sweet caramel and vanilla are prominent, accompanied by a subtle undertone of dark chocolate. The oak influence is well-balanced, providing a pleasant depth to the overall taste.

Palate: The palate of Yellow Rose Outlaw Bourbon Whiskey is characterized by a harmonious blend of flavors. The initial sip reveals a burst of caramel and toffee, followed by hints of ripe red fruits and a touch of baking spices. The finish is long and satisfying, leaving a warm and lingering sensation of toasted oak and sweet vanilla on the palate.

Tasting note: Atypical aromas are surprisingly broad and sweet given the mash bill: Boiled lollies, peppermint chocolate and peach nectar come to mind, followed by candied fruits and rye spices in the mouth. Rounds out with grilled pineapple and minty rye notes through the aftertaste. Interesting take. 45% Alc./Vol.

Yellow Spot is unique in that it contains whiskey that has been matured for a full 12-year period in three oak cask types: American bourbon barrels, Spanish sherry butts, and uniquely Spanish Malaga casks. The Malaga cask brings an exotic sweet note to the whiskey, making it a truly delightful taste experience. Only extremely limited quantities of Yellow Spot have been bottled, making it a whiskey to seek out and savour as a true rarity.

Nose: Mown hay and cracked black pepper. Red bell peppers, nutmeg, clove oil, and green tea. Sweet honey and peaches from the Malaga casks.

Palate: Honey sweetness with pot still spices. Flavours of fresh coffee, creamy milk chocolate, and Crème Brûlée. Notes of red apples and toasted oak. Its finish is sophisticated and complex, with a sweetness throughout, followed by a mix of red grape and dry barley upon exit.

Finish: Long, sweet, warming and wonderfully balanced. Fruity, sweet and wood.

Yellowstone American Single Malt Whiskey embodies seven generations of distilling expertise and stands as a uniquely American icon, much like the park it's named after. The aroma features cereal malt and honey with a hint of peach blossom. The body offers a sweet, medium profile with notes of honey, pear, stone fruit, and dates. The finish reveals oak with subtle hints of cinnamon and English walnuts.

Yellowstone is a venerable bourbon label with roots tracing back to 1872, coinciding with the establishment of its eponymous national park. Undergoing a renaissance since 2014, the brand is now helmed by Limestone Branch proprietors, brothers Steve and Paul Beam, direct descendants of William Dant, a pivotal figure in its early history. Yellowstone Select represents a fusion of Limestone Branch's proprietary 4-year distillate with a carefully sourced 7-year Kentucky bourbon, the origin of which remains undisclosed. Though characterized as a higher-rye blend, the precise mash bill remains a closely guarded secret. Bottled at 93 proof, it embodies a harmonious balance of tradition and innovation.

Great entry level sake! Fruity and floral on the nose while it is drier on the palate. A smooth silky mouthfeel with a crisp and refreshing finish, yet its subtle sweetness is quite satisfying. Not only its aroma and flavour, but also its friendly price is reasonable for many consumers.

"Has the brown/chestnut appearance of older oloroso sherry; unblemished clarity. Opening sniffs encounter deep scents of brown sugar and toffee; six more minutes add succulent aromas of candied walnut, toasted marshmallow, treacle and dark, old honey. Entry is round, supple, oily and creamy in texture, with highlights of burnt sugar and cocoa; midpalate is suddenly quite earthy, grassy and lean, with pocket flavors of treacle and marzipan. Concludes medium-long, sappy bittersweet and almost nutty/nougaty." Spirit Journal 2011

Zacapa Edición Negra is a rich, dark rum inspired by Guatemala's natural elements, including the fiery intensity of its volcanoes. Crafted from a blend of rums aged between 6 and 24 years, it matures in select barrels, including double charred American oak casks, imparting a smoky intensity. Best enjoyed neat or on the rocks, Zacapa Edición Negra adds a smoky twist to classic dark spirit cocktails.

Wine grower Marcello Zaccagnini founded this winery in 1978, since which time his little small-town farm has grown to reach an international audience. However, it hasn't lost touch with its roots; each bottle is wrapped with a small dry vine cutting from the vineyards. Expect this 100% Montepulciano to be lithe yet deeply flavourful, with plum, dark cherry, mocha, leather and smoke. Ideal for eggplant parmigiana or smoked cheeses.

Tralcetto' translates as 'twig,' hence the stick-y vine cutting affixed to the bottle. The wine itself is made from 100% Pinot Grigio harvested by hand and aged in stainless steel to preserve the delicate aromatics. It's zesty and juicy, with apple, grapefruit and a touch of residual sweetness. Sip with hors d'oeuvres, or seafood pasta in a cream sauce.

Crafted with natural flavors of cocoa, banana, and subtle spice, this is a beautiful and subtly flavored rum that can be both sipped and mixed into a cocktail.

Nose: Intense aromas of ripe black cherry, dried fig, and raisin, with hints of tobacco and leather.

Taste: Rich and full-bodied, with flavors of blackberry jam, dark chocolate, and roasted coffee beans.

Palate: Velvety smooth with well-integrated tannins, showcasing a long and persistent finish of dried fruit and spice.

The term Recioto originates from the dialect word “recia,” meaning ear, referring to the top part of the grape bunches that receive the best exposure. This dessert wine pairs beautifully with various baked goods, especially traditional Veronese pandoro, panettone, pastries, and dark chocolate.

1/2022: bright yellow color. The nose expresses, with almost violence, powerful smoky aromas, gun flint, crushed volcanic rocks… The Rangen is very present in this wine! The palate is intense, broad and the wine is already superbly expressive. It is difficult to explain the energy of this wine through numbers or words, but it is present, especially on the finish. Very long, this Rangen makes you salivate and becomes very enticing thanks to a synergy between the salified acidity and beautiful bitterness, typical of Rangen’s volcanic greywackes.

Since 1620, the Humbrecht family has been cultivating their wines in the great patchwork quilt terroirs of Alsace in northern France. Today, they own 42ha in several Grand Cru sites, including Rangen de Thann, the most southerly of the Alsace vineyards. The volcanic terroir of Rangen dominates the aromatics of this young wine with all its power: gunflint, crushed rocks, ripe white and green fruits, typical of the variety. Intense, high acidity and ripe tannins of the vintage make this wine extremely ageable.

Light gold-yellow colour. The nose is still on its reserve but allows for glimpses of beautiful aromas of fruit, ripe citrus, wet stone and spices (thyme). Its aromatic delicacy does not predict the powerful attack of this Brand. Rich, dense, and intense, it vigorously envelops the palate. The mouth becomes strict on the finish with a sapid mineral mouthfeel. There is no doubt that this wine will close up slightly in the months following the bottling. You will then have to be patient and give it time to open up. This Brand is dense and strict. It embodies the verticality expected of such a granitic terroir and has excellent aging potential. Try with oily fish dishes.

Zuidam Distillery in the Netherlands produces a number of spirits including whisky and gin. This oak matured gin uses the same recipe as the distillery's regular dry gin focused on fresh citrus notes and small batch distillations.

From the Distillery: "Dutch Courage dry gin is distilled from Nine botanicals: juniper berries and iris root from Italy, coriander from Morocco, angelica, sweet oranges and fresh whole lemons from Spain, licorice root from India, cardamom and whole vanilla beans from Madagascar. The gin is distilled using a unique distillation method with the separate distillation of each botanical producing a fresh, complex and layered flavour from a total of 14 distillations."

The difference is that this dry gin is aged in new 200-litre American oak casks. This adds a layer of beguiling vanilla and spice to the still-fresh and fruity gin. The result of this is absolutely stunning.

Distiller's Tasting Notes: The nose is soft and mellow. It is balanced with fresh citrus and juniper notes and slightly sweet, soft and gentle vanilla and spices. The flavour is completely dry and fresh with a wonderful softness.