I booked the earliest flight possible and even opted for a business class trip, as it was the only flight available for points. The 3:30am wake-up was manageable, but the 21-hour day was gruelling by the end. As my wife says, "Suck it up—you get to wine and dine all day, how hard can it be?" Well, it was pretty tough, with horrible weather. It literally rained the whole day, and by rain, I mean it hammered down and flooded almost everywhere.
Despite the weather, I managed to meet with some clients-turned-friends for a glass or two at Cru Bar before heading to lunch at a venue I plan to use for future events. Later, I even had a cocktail with someone who couldn’t make the evening event but still wanted to catch up. All of this happened before 5:30pm, when the setup began for an event that would treat a crowd of 17 to the same wines I showcased in Sydney, with a few extras.
We had 6 Champagnes and 6 Chardonnays chilled and ready to go—though, as usual, it ended up being 7 Champagnes and around 9 Chardonnays. But who’s complaining? My notes are pretty similar to Sydney’s event, but I’d add that the PYCM performed exceptionally well this time, and a guest brought a 2009 Cuvée Louis Salmon BdB, which was superb. As always, there were plenty of extra wines shared, with highlights like the 2018 Standish Andelmonde, which remains one of the greatest wines I’ve ever tried (huge thanks to Adam for bringing this blind). We also enjoyed some surprisingly good Queensland sparkling wine, fantastic Barolo, and Tasmanian Pinot. The generosity of the wine community in Brisbane mirrors other states—a truly friendly bunch eager to share their treasures.
Champagne Highlights
I aimed to showcase a wide variety of styles and price points with the Champagne selection, featuring bottles ranging from under $100 to over $400. I even included an Aussie sparkling wine, crafted by my good friend Georgia Dale, to demonstrate how far Australian sparkling has come. The first bracket featured "value picks" like De Saint Galle Premier Cru NV, Champagne Lafalise Froissart (my new venture—more details to come), and Boll & Cie Blanc de Blanc NV. These delivered a solid start and proved that Aussie sparkling can hold its own against pricier options.
The second bracket showcased more expensive vintage Champagnes, which represent wines of exceptional quality. Le Brun de Neuville 2009, Boll & Cie Grand Vintage 2001, and Billecart-Salmon Cuvee Elisabeth Salmon 2008 all shone, demonstrating how vintage conditions enhance ageing and structure. The 2001 was divisive—half the guests (mainly women) didn’t enjoy the honey and nougat notes, while the men seemed to appreciate its depth. Maybe the ladies prefer a fresher, younger style!
Chardonnay Highlights
Chardonnays were the standout for me, with a range of bottles showcasing both value and world-class vineyards. The Mulline Single Vineyard Sutherland Chardonnay 2023 from Geelong impressed with its fruit weight and oak integration—a true value pick under $60. The Gaffy and Neal 23 Merricks North Chardonnay from Mornington continues to wow me with its impeccable balance and quality. Meanwhile, Deep Woods Reserve Chardonnay 2023 is an award-winning Margaret River gem, lush and rich, and a definite contender for the 2025 Chardonnay Challenge.
The Stargazer Chardonnay from Tasmania offered a cool-climate character with sea-breeze aromas leading to a powerful flavour punch. Then there’s PYCM, a cult producer whose wines, from entry-level to Grand Cru, are a dream for any wine lover. This bottle was multi-layered, with sunshine-laden fruit and rocky mineral undertones, nearly earning the Wine of the Night title.
Finally, the Bouchard Pere et Fils Puligny-Montrachet captivated with its immense depth, opulence, and nutty richness. Montrachet wines are among the world’s most sought-after, and this bottle, at $200, offered a tantalising glimpse into that world.
