Rarely, if ever, is it seen on its own. That didn’t deter José - a talented winemaker, credited by wine journo Tim Atkin as the man behind Portugal’s wine revolution.

José saw potential in this dark Portuguese star and his conviction has paid off. Aluado is now one of our customers’ favourite reds with over 1000 5-star reviews.

Winning Gold medals almost every vintage, Jose makes the wine at his family estate, Quinta de Porto Franco, just north of Lisbon.

A rich, velvety red, great solo or with grilled meats and stews.

Antonio Federici is a small, 3rd-generation cellar in Lazio, just south of Rome. As you'll taste here, its wines are both authentic and delicious. Normally, they only supply their meagre output to top restaurants in Rome.

But with most shut in 2020, we managed to gain a small allocation of this superb, cherry-scented red. And again, the following year. On fine limestone soils (the rocks of which were used to build some of Rome's most famous buildings) they grow some of Italy's most characterful native grapes.

From these they make a small range of award-winning wines. No doubt the skill of top Italian consultant Franco and Matteo Bernabei comes into play, as well as the commitment and passion of the family.

A silky, smooth, easy red.

Luca Maroni 99pts！

As you’d expect from a wine dominated by Durif, this is a whopper of a red. It was carefully crafted in the darkest corner of the cellar. Why? Because it’s the special project of rising star winemaker David Joeky and he didn’t want anyone to take a look or taste it until he was absolutely ready. So every evening, after the rest of the crew had left, David would retire to the furthest corner of the cellar, where he’d stationed his special tanks of dark, spicy Durif and ripest, peppery Shiraz. We think he’s ‘blended a blinder’ as the locals say. It’s firm and full, yet abundant in gloriously ripe, liquorice and spice scented fruit with an underlying note of oak. Smooth enough to sip on its own, but even better with hearty red meat dishes.

Kilikanoon is famous for its Shiraz. Their top Shiraz costs over $2,500, their ‘Oracle’ Shiraz has twice won ‘Best Shiraz’ at international shows, and Robert Parker himself has noted that Kilikanoon’s “speciality is Shiraz.”

It doesn’t stop there. Robert Parker calls Kilikanoon “the most brilliantly run winery in Australia”, James Halliday awarded it his Winery of the Year in 2013 (“truly the best of the best”) and Wine & Spirits lists it as one of its TOP 100 Wineries. And just last year Kilikanoon took home the award for ‘Best Producer Australia’ at the Mundus Vini Grand International Wine Awards for the 6th year in a row, bringing them to an incredible 8 wins of this coveted international award.

So … if you love the BIG flavours of a lavish Aussie Shiraz, and you want to make sure you’re getting it from the absolute masters of the style, then don’t delay! Add a case of this Kilikanoon Baroota classic to your order today.