Welcome to Nectar.
At Nectar we are focused on offering a unique selection of wine, beer and cider. We are proud to be sitting on Brisbane's largest selection of beer, with around 400 different beers in-store from all over the world. From Pilsner to Barley wine, IPA to Imperial Stout, we've got it covered. The aim is to keep the shelves revolving and evolving with new beers arriving each week. If you have a penchant for a particular brew that's been eluding you, we're more than happy to try and track it down for you.
Our wine selection follows the same philosophy. We are on a constant mission to source high quality wines from a diverse range of producers, both locally and imported. Specialising in boutique Australian producers, our range of wine covers a wide variety of styles and price points for the wine enthusiast. We are a one off locally and independently owned store, we love what we do and we're sure you'll love it too.
Nectar holds regular Friday evening wine and beer tastings in-store, and can also organise more formal wine and beer events upon request.
If you can't make it in to Nectar we are happy to take phone orders and organise postage.
We've featured a few bottles below that we think are definitely worth a look.
Sierra Nevada
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is something of an icon, widely considered to be the original American Pale Ale even though the brewery was only founded in 1980. Pouring a gorgeous deep amber colour, it offers classic pale ale notes of pine, citrus and flowers on the nose. It's more of the same goodness on the palate, with the hops kept in check beautifully by a nice touch of malt sweetness. Unlike so many other American beers in the APA/IPA style, this is extremely well balanced and fine. Benchmark stuff. If I was a wealthy man (or more ideally had a very wealthy, slightly older, faux red-headed wife), this would definitely be one of my summer session beers. Very very drinkable, the beer that is.
Mikkeller
At Nectar we're big fans of Mikkeller. If you've been in-store looking at beers you've probably gathered as much.
The story of Mikkeller is that of two homebrewers who went from brewing in a kitchen, to national and international recognition, although now, Mikkel Borg Mikkel Bjergs runs forward alone. Operating as a "gypsy brewer", he basically pilfers tank space from brewers around Europe and the US since he doesn't have many of his own. His beers are sure to challenge even the most seasoned palate with massive intensity, higher than average alcohol and in most cases a rather absurd level of hops.
With styles ranging from Barley Wine to Oat Wine, Single Hop IPA to Imperial Stout, Triple fermented Belgian style ale to the pictured "Struise Mikkel" which is a collaboration between Mikkeller and the Belgian "Struise Brouwers". This one, weighing in at 9%, is a typical heavily hopped Mikkeller style brew cross Belgian Strong Blonde - Struise Style. Other beers border on the more ridiculous, such as the Mikkels Monster, which is aged in both Port and Bordeaux barrels then back blended to produce an extreme barley wine that tops 160 IPU's. Producing over 20 different beers, Mikkeller is a brewer in the truest sense, constantly experimenting and pushing the boundaries of flavour per cubic centimetre in his own idiosyncratic style. Legendary stuff indeed!!
UMAMI
UMAMI Wines of Australia was founded in 2007 by young Australian winemaker Edward McDougall. In late 2008, the evolution and growth of the business welcomed the partnership of a very experienced and passionate winemaker, Simon Black. Together they bring over 21 years of winemaking experience gained from some of the world's most highly regarded producers. UMAMI's 2008 Shiraz is a medium to full bodied cool-climate Shiraz exhibiting classic Rhone-like flavours of pepper and spice. Intense plum and raspberry flavours are balanced with firm velvety tannins whilst natural acidity provides freshness and balance to the finish. The palate has remarkable mid-palate generosity; is supple and textured with well integrated tannins and a long expressive finish. The primary fruit characters mingle perfectly with French oak flavours. Intensity and elegance exemplify the traits of this outstanding Pyrenees Shiraz.
Pyramid Valley Vineyards.
Winemakers Mike and Claudia Weersing settled on their vineyard in the Pyramid Valley, near Waikari in North Canterbury, in 2000. The home vineyard has been established according to rules that Mike grew to respect and inherently to trust during his time studying and working in Burgundy, the vineyard has been biodynamically managed from inception.
The Growers Collection began when friends of Mike and Claudia, with extraordinary vineyards offered to make available small amounts of Pinot Noir, soon after that they were offered other varieties including Pinot Blanc From Hawkes Bay.
2007 Eaton Family Pinot Noir
The fruit for this comes from the Eaton Family's vineyard in the Omaka Valley.
All fruit was Hand picked, 85% destemmed, 15% whole cluster, with warm indigenous yeast fermentation. Fifteen months on original lees in French barriques (33% new), bottled unfined and unfiltered on the winter equinox, June 2008.
Displaying notes of cherry, redcurrant, wild strawberry, primrose, cinnamon, nutmeg, also the dusty/earthy note so typical of this site. Sappy and bright, juicy and insistent; red fruit coulis, redcurrant jelly, delicate notes of cherry and red licorice, and a dusty/spicy register; shows particularly fine tannins.
2007 Kerner Estate Pinot Blanc
The fruit for this comes from the cool, strong-soiled site on Fareham Lane in the Waihopai Valley. Again all hand picked. Whole bunch pressed, no settling, indigenous yeast fermentation lasting 13 months, in used French oak, both barriques and puncheons. Bottled May 2008.
This wine shows Candied orange peel; clove, cinnamon, a pungent honey note, marmalade and baked apricot.
Powerful on the entry, broad and rich - orange flan, spice cake - but crisp acidity and brisk minerality quickly follow. This wine really shows the concentrating effect of very small berries.
Kiltynane Estate Yarra Valley 2006 Pinot Noir
From sky to earth to vine to bottle...
This is the sort of wine that gets pinotphiles all hot and sweaty under the collar. Dry grown and close planted, low-yeilding, using biodynamic and organic practises, made from seven different clones of pinot on an estate that only grows pinot, wild fermented with portions of whole bunches; it's ticking all the appropriate boxes. Apparently there's one picker (I'd like to think it's a cherubic buxom virgin from Iceland, but that's probably pushing it) specifically trained to select and pick whole grape bunches for the 10% portion, and it's this attention to detail and love that really shines through.
This is an intense and brooding, complex wine showing dark berry, soft spice and forest undergrowth and an intriguing cola nut edge. There's a weight of fruit which is not often seen in pinots in Australia. Probably approaching the more masculine end of the spectrum, but manages to maintain finesse and elegance at the same time thanks to some silky tannins. This makes for exciting drinking now, but will be interesting to watch evolve over the years also. Fantastic with duck, game, lamb, char grilled salmon, rare beef or solo. At $40 a bottle, this wine over-delivers in a variety that scarcely does. Hot tip.
Frankland Estate
Frankland Estate is a family owned and operated winery located in the remote Frankland River region of Western Australia. The Isolation Ridge vineyard at Frankland Estate is farmed under organic principles, this highlights the flavours that are achieved from the unique soils and climate the wine is grown in.
The Isolation Ridge Shiraz aims to capture all the quintessential fruit opulence, black pepper and spice notes for which the region has become renowned. This wine shows all the characteristics of a well made cool climate Shiraz through white pepper and spice characters and a core of generous fruit. Cellar for at least 15 years, but you can enjoy now.
Riesling wines from the Frankland River region are renowned for their intense varietal flavours and crisp fresh acidity. The Frankland Estate Isolation Ridge Vineyard Riesling is consistently ranked among the best in Australia and has won widespread critical acclaim. This Riesling displays intense aromatics of ironstone flintiness, lemon and lime with lifted floral notes. On the palate, powerful and complex, this mouth filling wine shows a concentrated mix of juicy lime and citrus notes, floral overtones and a core of spicy ironstone flinty minerality. A generous texture with an underlying tightness showing length, balance and focus giving the wine personality and direction.
The Isolation Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon is complex and elegant, reflecting the slightly cooler vintage conditions. A full bodied wine with great balance, this Cabernet is showing intense black fruit and berries, restrained fruit of plum & spice with elegant tannins across the palate. This wine is ready to drink now but will reward cellaring for at least 8 years.
Trading Hours:
Monday 12 - 8 Tuesday 12 - 9 Wednesday 12 - 9 Thursday 12 - 10 Friday 11 - 11 Saturday 10 - 11 Sunday 10 - 8 Address: 114 Boundary St, West End, Brisbane, Qld 4101
Email: nectar@nectarwines.com.au
Phone: (07) 3846 4655
Fax: (07) 3846 4755
