StarImports by WineStar

Traditionally, we have waited until the year-ending WineStar Annual to reveal our category winners but it would seem an injustice if our StarImports clientele, many of whom have already availed themselves of these two cracking wines were unable to have another opportunity before Christmas and before the general mailing list! That our sales of these two wines ran literally into containers made it an easy choice...

Any premium wine that can have people uttering the words 'Bordeaux' and 'bargain' in the same sentence demands attention. We know Robert Parker has previously referred to this wine as "Petrus of the Côtes de Francs" but the string of accolades on the Château Marsau 2016 versus relative low price make it a rarity. Apart from 94 Points from Suckling and number one wine in his "8 great values from 2016, all at $US30 or under" it has Parker, Master of Wine Tim Atkin, James Molesworth of Wine Spectator and Decanter's Jane Anson all singing its praises. A wine priced at three times our hero with the same ratings will go in the blink of an eye. That we can bring this to you, in original wooden dozens for just $44.99 a pop is 2020 Import of the Year material!

We know how big a brand the Luca Maroni 99 Point, $40 RRP Amaranta has been in Australia for many years. So we were excited to discover another in the same genre. Masso Antico Primitivo was another rich and ripe Italian selling by the container and eliciting the same sorts of scores Amaranta had - only Masso was doing it for about half the price! Maroni, whom just like Halliday locally, publishes a much sought after Best Italian Wines Annual (Annuario Dei Migliori Vini Italiani) has again bestowed his highest 99 Point rating on the Masso Antico Primitivo Appassito 2018. That is, a 99 Point wine, that despite its higher retail, we can again bring to you - in original wooden box dozens - for just $19.99 per bottle! Remarkably it has never featured in our end of season gongs but the 2018 just can't be ignored for our 2020 Bargain Import of the Year!

What follows is the original spiel on both wines...

Import of the Year 2020

"Petrus of the Côtes de Francs"

To illustrate his point that Bordeaux is often overlooked for value, James Suckling recently put together 8 great values from 2016, all at $US30 or under. At the top of the tree, scoring 94 Points (he even rated it 93-94 out of barrel three years ago) was Château Marsau 2016.

Marsau has previously elicited even higher praise from Robert Parker; "Marsau is producing the sexiest, most sumptuous wine in the Côtes de Francs. An opulent, Pomerol-styled effort. Is it the Petrus of the Côtes de Francs?" To Suckling and Parker you can also add Master of Wine Tim Atkin, James Molesworth of Wine Spectator and Decanter's Jane Anson all singing the praises of this wine:

There's a very bright and ripe array of dark berries and plums with an earthy edge, as well as nuances of sweetly fragrant black truffle. The palate has a very supple and fluid core of ripe dark plums with a very sleek, polished and compressed bed of tannins. Great depth and drive here through the finish. Mouthwatering, pure merlot. Try from 2023. Tasted: January 2019; Rating: 94 Points; James Suckling

This is an extremely reliable Côtes wine from owner Mathieu Chadronnier that absolutely deserves to be recognised for its succulent fruit and restrained but confident extraction and balance. This is very good, emphasising what 2016 does so well with the reds. It is juicy and powerful but not excessive, making it an utterly drinkable wine. Jane Anson; Decanter

This is a rich and dense Marsau and probably the best ever. Full body and a wonderful depth of fruit and chocolate. Love the texture and intensity. Shows sophistication. Tasted: April 2017; Rating: 93-94 Points; James Suckling

It's a favourite trick of the Chadronnier family to put this comparatively humble (at least in terms of its appellation) wine into tastings with top Right Bank reds, where it often does very well. It's a fine, elegant, polished Merlot, with subtle mocha oak, bright red berry fruit and caressing tannins. Drinking range: 2022 - 2032; Rating: 93 Points; Tim Atkin MW

We stoked to announce we have a few hundred cases of this delightful example of Bordeaux arriving in early December - packed in original wooden dozen boxes - at an ex-ship price of $44.99 which is unheard for a Bordeaux with this sort of adulation. Buy now, delivery after December 7th.

Chateau Marsau 2016 - $44.99

Bargain Import of the Year 2020

99 Point, Sub $20 Italian...in Wooden Boxes

When we first introduced Australian audiences to this wine, we made comparison to Amaranta, the modestly priced ($40 RRP) Italian red that scored a massive 99 Point rating from Italy's Luca Maroni and went on to become our biggest ever selling imported wine. Why the comparison? Well, Masso Antico Primitivo was another rich and ripe Italian selling by the container and eliciting the same sorts of scores Amaranta had. Only Masso was doing it for about half the price!

Maroni, whom just like Halliday locally, publishes a much sought after Best Italian Wines Annual (Annuario Dei Migliori Vini Italiani) has again bestowed his highest 99 Point rating on the Masso Antico Primitivo Appassito 2018. That is, a 99 Point wine, that despite its higher retail, we can again bring to you - in original wooden box dozens - for just $19.99 per bottle!

First the wine. Known in Australia and the US as Zinfandel, this Primitivo is at home in Puglia's warmth. This is made using dried, concentrated grapes, in the same way as Amarone. The resultant wine is rich, ripe, bright, luscious and laden with roasted plum, black cherries, vanilla and sweet spice. It will continue to develop over the next 5 to 6 years..

Obviously the Maroni's 99 Point rating and review is the kicker here: "Great concentration and impressive softness. A wine that everyone will enjoy" although impeccable premium packaging and exquisite wooden boxed dozens is a nice little bonus. No threats of stock shortages either with a new containers ready to go. .

Masso Antico Primitivo Appassito 2018 @ $19.99