Among the greater things in life like sourdough and kombucha, wine is a living thing. With time, the molecular structure of it transforms, imparting new flavours. Whether you’re just starting your wine collection or growing it, Crown Cellar & Co. has a bespoke selection of some of the world’s finest drops that are both ready to drink, or cellar for extended enjoyment.
It’s not always easy to navigate the process of buying wines to cellar, but Crown Cellar & Co. has made this process simple for collectors – whether they are starting out or always on the look-out for the next special bottle to add to the cellar. Understanding this, we have curated a “Cellar Starter” and a “Collectors Pack” so you can keep topping up your collections.
The Cellar Starter pack includes a pack of six wines for just $225, which includes two bottles of Yabby Lake ‘Single Vineyard’ 2019 Chardonnay, Grasshopper Rock Pinot Noir 2017 and Penley Estate Steyning 2017 Cabernet. Why two bottles of each wine? The beauty of getting two of the same wine means you can enjoy one upon purchase and cellar the other, allowing you to experience the wine at varying stages in its development.
Consistently awarded high scores by the likes of James Halliday and Huon Hooke, the Yabby Lake Chardonnay is a journey on the palate of flavor and the tensions created by lively acidity. Some clever wine making introducing oak build this wine into the subtle yet powerful wine that it is, a real treat at any age you choose to drink it.
With a vineyard exclusively dedicated to producing exceptional Pinot Noirs, the Grasshopper Rock is also of particular note – with a myriad of accolades behind it, including a gold medal from the 2019 Decanter World Wine Awards and another from the NZ Wine of the Year Awards. This wine features a complex and intriguing fragrance that is delicious on the palate, with textures and fruit flavours and a long finish. Matt has had the pleasure of tasting every vintage ever produced by Grasshopper Rock and confirms they evolve wonderfully for 10 years, plus spices and nuances you thought only possible from the great wines of Burgundy. The Penley Estate Steyning Cabernet is a complex and thought-provoking wine with dark, fragrant aromas and a medium body. Although it’s perfect for enjoying now, the patience game will award wine-lovers as the flavours evolve further after a few years of cellaring when it becomes the kind of leafy and ethereal expression of Cabernet you come to expect from the Coonawarra - another 10 years ought to get it there!
The Collectors Pack for $370.80 is the perfect choice for collectors, encompassing six bottles of what Matt and Chris consider must-have wines to effortlessly complement your cellar. Vintages are of particular importance to any budding wine collection because they represent the year the grapes are picked and tell a story of the soil, the weather, and the climate condition in that moment captured by the wine makers who caress that story into the bottle. Vintages quite beautifully become a snapshot in time from when you’ve savoured a wine, making for an immensely enjoyable glass or bottle shared with good company.
The Yalumba ‘Signature' 2015 Shiraz Cabernet featured has been considered the quintessential Australian Shiraz Cabernet, and shows Barossa aromas of dark fruit and spice as well as a concentrated palate that is deeply flavoured – and will most certainly age gracefully. Despite being already delectably drinkable, the 94 point awarded Jim Barry McRae Wood Shiraz Cellar Release 2012 will benefit from cellaring to allow the wine to show some mature characteristics that come with age, and is a magnificent vintage that has all the concentration and depth that McRae Wood is famous for. This wine is already in a good drinking zone but another dozen years cellared carefully will reward further, no danger of cork issues either with the screw cap closure. Find yourself a nice piece of air dried wagyu beef, cooked medium rare, and enjoy one of life’s simple pleasures.
Despite being already delectably drinkable, the 94 point awarded Jim Barry McRae Wood Shiraz Cellar Release 2012 will benefit from cellaring to allow the wine to show some mature characteristics that come with age, and is a magnificent vintage that has all the concentration and depth that McRae Wood is famous for. With glowing reviews for its 2013 and 2014 counterparts, the 2015 Clarendon Hill Domaine Shiraz is a delightful drop, with supple textures and an early approachability that imparts an elevated charm.
Seeking to learn more about these magnificent wines? Crown Cellar & Co. invites you to meet Matt Brooke himself in a unique wine experience in store, with tastings on Thursday March 25th 5-7pm and Saturday 27th from 2-4pm. These tastings will allow guests to taste the featured wines and immerse themselves in an educational experience where they can expand their knowledge on the exciting world of wine.
Whether you’re upgrading your own collection or looking to kick start a wine lovers’ cellar interstate, Crown Cellar & Co. can deliver these packs Australia-wide through our online store with free delivery for orders over $200. Plus, Crown Rewards members will receive 5 points for every dollar spent - making gift giving even sweeter.
Location: Level B1 Crown Towers, Open Daily from 12-8pm