“A magnum is the perfect size for two gentlemen to have over lunch, especially if one isn’t drinking.”
— Sir Winston Churchill

 

In 2025 we went to Paris for Wine Paris. One thing that stayed with me — more than anything else — was the absolute fascination and appreciation the French have for large-format wines.
Walking the aisles of the Provence section, my senses were completely overloaded by the beauty and elegance of rosé… and in large format, they quite literally took my breath away. Wandering through other regions, it became impossible not to notice just how integral these larger bottles are — not only for ageing, but for the ceremony, generosity, and joy they bring to a table.
Later in Paris, flipping through restaurant wine lists, it struck me again: alongside the familiar 750ml, there was always a thoughtful selection of 1.5L or larger. And honestly, if you’re a group enjoying lunch together, why wouldn’t you order a magnum? It’s simply two bottles — and what a beautiful way to elevate a moment.
It made me reflect that here in Australia we often save large formats for “special occasions.” But perhaps we need to change that thinking. Maybe being alive is a special occasion. Maybe a long lunch with great friends, or a family catch-up under a tree in the summer heat, is reason enough.
Because truly, I can’t imagine anything more perfect on a warm Australian afternoon than sharing a magnum of rosé beneath the shade of a tree.
Check out what we have available — whether you have a milestone to celebrate or simply want to embrace the moment. Order a magnum and celebrate the everyday.

 

The big pour: Why large wine formats are soaring in popularity
– Decanter read article

 

Magnum Sizing

Magnum 1.5L
Double Magnum or Jéroboam 3L
Jéroboam or Rehoboam 4.5L
Impériale or Methuselah 6L
Salmanazar 9L
Balthazar 12L
Nebuchadnezzar 15L
Melchior 18L
Solomon 20L
Sovereign 26L
Primat or Goliath 27L
Melchizedek 30L
Maximus 130L

 

Why do we do 5 Litres?
At Yelland & Papps, our 5-litre Bourgogne Tradition bottle is not about following the traditional rules of large-format wine bottles. It is about creating something a little different — a bottle designed for sharing, celebration and cellaring.
Historically, large-format Burgundy bottles move from the 4.5-litre Rehoboam to the 6-litre Methuselah, making the 5-litre format somewhat unusual. Interestingly, in Bordeaux tradition, a 5-litre bottle is known as a Jeroboam.
Equivalent to approximately 6⅔ standard 750 ml bottles, or around 33 generous glasses, it is large enough to create a sense of occasion without becoming impractical.
There is also something special about ageing wine in a large format. With a much greater volume of wine relative to the small amount of oxygen entering through the closure, maturation generally occurs more slowly, allowing the wine to develop gradually while retaining freshness and vitality.
But perhaps the biggest reason we bottle 5 litres is much simpler.
Wine is made to be shared.
A 5-litre bottle demands a table full of people. It becomes part of the occasion — something to gather around, open together and remember long after the bottle is empty.
For Yelland & Papps, these bottles are produced in very small quantities, making them both a cellar piece and, eventually, a wonderful reason to bring everyone together.
Five litres. One bottle. One table. Plenty of stories.

 

Magnums & Large Formats Available

1.5L Magnums — Limited Editions
Explore 1.5L Limited Editions

1.5L & 3L — Devote & Divine
Explore 1.5L & 3L Large Formats

5L — Limited Editions
Explore 5L Limited Editions

Looking for something specific?
If it’s not listed online, please email us — we may have something tucked away in the cellar.

 

Yelland & Papps Peyton’s Mourvèdre Grenache Rosé 2025 Magnum
A delicious limited-edition rosé that features a blend of 56/44% mourvèdre/grenache. It comes ‘en magnum’ so is just the ticket for sunny day celebrations, which I duly tested at a friend’s housewarming in Corndale, NSW. I got a big thumbs up from both me and my buddies. Light salmon with a gentle onion-skin flush in the glass and inviting characters of blood orange, redcurrant and citrus fruits, with hints of citrus blossom, soft spice, dried citrus rind and ozone. Fresh, savoury, dry and thirst-slaking, it really is great drinking; it’s beautifully packaged and shows plenty of vitality.
94 pts -Dave Brookes Halliday Wine Companion