Important Notes on our tasting events: There are only a maximum of 12 participants in each tasting event. This is to allow each participant great volume of wine to taste. We usually need a minimum of 10 people for each event. In the event that we are unable to sign up 10 people for the event, Crystal Wines reserve the rights to cancel the event with 24 hours notice. Cancellation of bookings must be done at least 72 hours prior to the event otherwise they will be deemed to be confirmed and non refundable in the event of a no show.

July 2008

	The Best New Releases of SPANISH Wines Tasting Clos Mogador 2005 (WA98), Cellar Vall Llach Vall Llach (WA96), Clos Manyetes 2005 (WA94), Clos Figueres Clos Figueras 2004 (WA93), Falset Laurona 2004 (WA91) 10th, Jul 2008, Thursday, 6.30pm. Crystal Wines @ Valley Point $45.00 nett per person Download Booking Form
	Domaine COMTE ARMAND Pommard Clos des Epeneaux Vertical Tasting 1990 (WA94), 2000 (RP91), 2002 (BH92), 2004 (BH91), 2005 (WA94-96) 17th Jul 2008 , Thursday, 6.30pm. Crystal Wines @ Valley Point $100.00 nett per person Download Booking Form
	PIERRE USSEGLIO CDP Reserve des Deux Freres VS.Cuvee de Mon Aieul Tasting Reserve des Deux Freres 2005 (WA95), 2003 (WA98), 2001 (WA99) Vs. Cuvee Cuvee de Mon Aieul 2005 (WA94), 2003 (WA97), 2001 (WA97) 31st Jul 2008 , Thursday, 6.30pm. Crystal Wines @ Valley Point $120.00 nett per person Download Booking Form

Rating Notes RP refers to ratings given by Robert Parker or Wine Advocate. We use this interchangably. www.erobertparker.com. WS refers to
ratings given by Wine Spectator www.winespectator.com. JH refers to ratings given by James Halliday

Goulee 2005
Medoc, Bordeaux, France
Retail Price: $68.00             Star Wine Offer: $57.80

Proprietor Michel Reybrie and his winemaker, Jean-Guillaume Prats (Ch Cos destournel), have fashioned a brilliant blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot. The dark purple-hued 2005 reveals a sumptuous bouquet of licorice, black currants, black olives, smoke, and damp earth. Fleshy and supple-textured with good tannin as well as decent acidity, this seriously-endowed, complex effort can be consumed over the next 12-14 years.

Review by Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #176 (Apr 2008)

Wine Advocate 89 Points

Download Order Form

Château Birot 2003
Premiere Cotes de Bordeaux, France
Retail Price: $35.00              Star Wine Offer: $28.00

A nice combination of New World elements (rich currant and blackberry fruit and nice ripeness) along with balancing elements of cigar box and pepper. Moderate amounts of tannin, and a very low price, make it a great introduction to the wines of Bordeaux. This wine was made by Eric Fournier of Chateau Canon fame. A wine perfect for drinking in the near term. Medium-deep ruby in color and oozing with ripe blackberry to cranberry fruit with undertones of roasted coffee and toast. Medium-full in body, this gem offers good complexity, soft and round tannins, good structure, and is just plain enjoyment to taste and consume.

Download Order Form

Chateau Pontensac 1996
Margaux, Bordeaux, France
Retail Price: $82.00             Star Wine Offer: $65.60

This is the most amazing wine this estate has ever produced. It is rich and long-lived. It boasts a dark purple color, as well as sweet, earthy, black currant and cherry liqueur-scented nose. There is terrific fruit intensity and purity, as well as moderate tannin in the medium-bodied, impressively rich finish. This wine should drink well between 2002-2014. A sleeper of the vintage.

Reviewed by Robert Parker

The Wine Advocate #122, 89 Points

Download Order Form

Falesco Pesano Merlot  2006 Value Buy!!
Umbria, Italy
Retail Price: $55.00                Star Wine Offer: $44.00

*Additional 5% discount for 6 bottles & above purchase @ $41.25/bot

The stylish 2006 Merlot reveals super-ripe dark fruit, chocolate, cassis, and blackberries on a warm, ample frame, showing notable intensity as well as vitality on the palate. It is another incredible value from Riccardo Cotarella. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2010. Oenologist Riccardo Cotarella's Falesco property in Umbria is a good source for value-priced wines.

Review by Antonio Galloni

Wine Advocate 89 Points

Download Order Form

Dr Loosen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett 2007 New Released!!
Mosel Saar Ruwer, Germany
Retail Price: $57.00                Star Wine Offer: $45.60

This is another classic vintage that, in quality, lies somewhere between the firm raciness of 2004 and the powerful ripeness of 2005. Each Prädikat level has a precision to it that is refreshing — Kabinett is truly Kabinett and Spätlese is classic Spätlese, each category has the taste and structure that is ideal. The wines are pure, clear and packed with fruit, yet they have an ultra-fine structure because of their exceptional acidity. This gives them a delicacy and finesse that keeps their considerable density aloft.
2007 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett offers vivid lime fruit, apple and floral and vanilla aromas, and terrific vivacity with delicacy while yet being concentrated in fruit and almost custardy in richness on the palate. Flowers and vanilla, apple, and slate follow in an exceedingly refined and subtle finish.
We are extremely happy with the quality — and the quantity — of the whole range of wines from both estates in 2007. I have no doubts about the greatness and longevity of this vintage, and I assure you that we can all look forward to enjoying the wines of 2007 for many years to come. — Ernst Loosen

Download Order Form

Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta  2005 New Released!!
Rapel, Chile
Retail Price: $165.00               Star Wine Offer: $140.25

Gorgeous aromas of warm ganache and mocha lead the way for a rich, velvety palate loaded with currant, fig paste, black licorice, cassis bush and bramble notes. The long, juicy finish has great grip and density, with echoes of graphite, dark fruit and minerality. This should really reward cellaring. Carmenère, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2009 through 2019. 5,987 cases made.

Review by James Molesworth, Wine Spectator May 31, 2008 (Web Only)

Wine Advocate 96 Points

Download Order Form

Terrazas Reserva Malbec 2006
Mendoza, Argentina
Retail Price: $37.00               Star Wine Offer: $29.60

Winemaker’s Notes…

Intense red, brilliant with blue shades. Powerful and very complex. Notes of red fruits such as raspberry, red currant and plum are perceived. Aromas of vanilla and caramel stem from its aging in oak barrels. Great structure, this wine stands out for its meatiness and intense rich flavor. Its well-established tannins give it character and a lively personality. Its greasy and round finish makes it a kind wine.

Enjoy the 2006 Reserva Malbec with red meats, both oven-cooked and barbecued, meats with sauce, game meats, etc.

Download Order Form

Zema Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Coonawarra, South Australia, Australia
Retail Price: $47.00               Star Wine Offer: $39.95

Coonawarra is renowned for its remarkable Terra Rossa soil, a thin metre band of soil over laying a deep formation of limestone. The Zema family is proudly traditional in its approach to vineyard practices, favouring hand pruning and dry grown vines to maximise fruit quality. These practices are enhanced by the location of the family’s three strategically selected prime vineyard locations, capitalising on the regions subtle climactic variations.

A delightfully intense, elegant and tightly focused cabernet whose floral perfume of cassis, plums and small red berries overlies fresh cedar/vanilla oak. Smooth, supple and silky, its long, pristine palate of intense dark, briary berry fruits knit tightly with powder-fine tannins, finishing with a sour-edged definition of flavour. It’s long, persistent and finely crafted, reflecting truly even fruit ripeness.

Review by Jeremy Olivier

2008 The Australia Wine Annual 93 Points

Download Order Form

Sarsfield Estate Pinot Noir 2005
East Gippsland, Victoria, Australia
Retail Price: $50.00               Star Wine Offer: $42.50

Light to medium red, with a hint of purple. Fragrant nose with very attractive red cherry fruit and subtle oak. The palate is  mediumbodied, with a plump mid-palate and plenty of red fruit fl avour. It finishes with fine, soft tannins. This is a stylish Pinot noir with beautiful balance and poise. It will develop more complexity in bottle over at least three years.

Review by James Halliday,  

James Halliday Australia Wine Companion 94 Points

Download Order Form

Green Point Sparkling Brut NV
Victoria, Australia
Retail Price: $46.00               Star Wine Offer: $36.80

Winemaker’s Notes…

A Chardonnay led Méthode Traditionnelle sparkling wine, the Green Point NV Brut is crafted to deliver a fresh and elegant aperitif style wine, with a soft, generous palate and a crisp finish.

The Green Point NV Brut is straw yellow in colour with flashes of green and a fine persistent bead. A bright and fresh fruit bouquet of citrus blossom, subtle pear and white nectarine combines with savoury characters of roasted nuts and delicate spices. The entry is soft with generous primary fruit characters followed by a creamy mid-palate offering nougat and nectarines extending to a lingering and crisp brut finish. A vibrant, fresh style with subtle fruit flavours and a balanced creamy palate.

Download Order Form

Green Point Victoria Shiraz 2004
Victoria, Australia
Retail Price: $47.00               Star Wine Offer: $37.60

Winemaker’s Notes…

An intense and vibrant Shiraz, from the best cool climate regions in Victoria. Spicy with fresh fruit
flavours, the palate is long, succulent and complex.

The dense, rich colour indicates the power and intensity of fruit, with complexity and elegance
the truly distinguishing characters of this wine. Bright blackberry, maraschino cherry and
satsuma plum aromas are enriched with anise, liquorice and subtle roasted spice from ageing in
French oak. Succulent texture and supple tannins extend throughout the palate, and red liquorice
flavours provide a long, distinctive finish.

Review by Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator May 15, 2006

Wine Spectator 89 Points

Download Order Form

Secret Stone Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Marlborough, New Zealand
Retail Price: $41.00               Star Wine Offer: $32.80

Secret Stone is sourced from the heart of New Zealand’s premier Sauvignon Blanc region, Marlborough. Three superb parcels of wine have been selected from throughout the Marlborough area and crafted, with minimum intervention, to capture and retain the varietal fruit characters, producing an intensely flavoured, lively Sauvignon Blanc.

Very pungent kitty litter smells with gooseberry, lychee and grapefruit, fennel, herbs and some flowery aromas. On the palate a fuller style with an explosive mix of light tropical fruit, peach, citrus and some spice and grassy flavours. Attractive mouth watering acidity balanced with a touch of sweetness. Excellent length finishing with a crisp grapefruit and grassy aftertaste. I can’t imagine this not being very popular.

Review by Gary Walsh, Winorama 92 Points

Download Order Form

Important Announcement

New Usual Operation Hours

Please note that with effect from 1st March 2008, our retail shop will cease to operate on Sundays.

Our usual retail operation hours will be:
Monday to Saturday
11.00am to 8.00pm
For enquiries, please call 6737 3540