Sommelier’s Choice – Exclusive Cellar Pack

Our Beverage Director and Head Sommelier Claude has curated a selection of some of his favourite wines from the depths of the Lake House Cellar into a six pack. Perfect for Christmas Day celebrations or a gift sure to excite and delight those who love their wine. The selection includes tasting and cellaring notes and also recommended wine pairings.

Francois Villard Saint Peray Version Longue, 2017 Northern Rhone, France
Francois Villard Version Longue is 100% Marsanne and a stand out Saint-Peray from 3 plots on Les Faures. Plantings date back to 1975, late 1988-1993, and 1996. They sit in sand with loose stone granite. The Villard Version Longue is a cellar selection that undergoes a slow, cool fermentation before transition to oak. It is unique in style and one of the best expression of the grape on the planet.

Donnhoff ‘Kreuznacher Kahlenberg’ Riesling Erste Lage, 2021 Nahe, Germany
The history of this fabled and benchmark estate, based in Oberhausen an der Nahe in Germany’s Nahe Valley, can be traced back over 250 years.  Wine growing is firmly entrenched in the Dönnhoff families’ DNA with history books noting harvest conditions as far back as the 1780’s and the family today farm some 28Ha of vines, made up of 80% Riesling with the balance Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. An uber must for riesling lovers…

Craiglee Chardonnay, 2021 Sunbury, Vic
Patrick and Dianne Carmody have been producing wines with fruit exclusively grown, picked and bottled on site in Sunbury since they first planted grapes in 1976. The wine is fermented and nurtured in French oak barrels, unfiltered, minimal So2 added. Full flavoured palate with grapefruit and white stone fruits. The oak supports the weight of the wine generously.

Reed Alexia Grenache, 2022 Barossa Valley, S.A
Delicate and haunting in the front of the palate followed by layer after layer of bright red fruits and crushed rose.  The framework is very airy with present but integrated tannins and sherbet like tartness. Its endless layers and flavour and its ability to be as light as a feather on the palate all the while never lacking in depth, magic trick of a wine. These are the words of winemaker Sierra Reed, talented and passionate character who understands the uniqueness of Australian Grenache in the wine world.

Elderton Command, 2017 Barossa Valley S.A
Estate grown on the Nuriootpa vineyard, the fruit is sourced from a single block planted in 1894, classed as an Ancestor vineyard by the Barossa Old Vine Charter. The estate is a rare piece of Barossa Valley’s unique viticultural heritage and produces a great wine of the world. The Command is truly an Australian Icon. 2017 is considered a vintage of elegance and poise in the Barossa.

Castello Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino, 2017 Montalcino, Italy
To the northwest of Montalcino, Tuscany, the historical Castello Romitorio’s vineyards are surrounded by thick woods receiving moderate sun exposure. The relatively cool setting was an advantage in 2017. These are some of the sleekest and most perfumed wines of the region. Check out their Filo di Seta top Riserva!!