Tenuta Di Carleaone Chianti Classico
$55.99
Sean O'Callaghan - affectionately called "Il Guercio" by his friends, which could be loosely translated as "the one-eyed rascal" - is actually English and was born in Sri Lanka, where his family ran tea plantations. Back in England, his father planted vines near Somerset and sent Sean to Germany, where he studied viticulture in Geisenheim and then - instead of taking over the vineyard in England - stayed there and became cellar master at the Diel winery, among others. During a holiday in Italy, he met John Dunkley, the owner of Riecine, a pioneer in Chianti Classico and his OenologistSergio Manetti (Montevertine - Le Pergole Torte), got the job as winemaker and stayed there for almost a quarter of a century until he met Karl Egger. Karl Egger offered Sean O'Callaghan the opportunity to build up the Tenuta di Carleone winery, gave him a free hand in winemaking and let him re-equip the cellar. From stainless steel to wooden fermentation racks, and oak barrels in various sizes to modern cement tanks like those in the most expensive Bordeaux cellars - Sean can vinify each individual parcel as he sees fit. The new wine cellar is an impressive 600 square metres in size and the temperature and humidity are constant. Concrete and stainless steel tanks and wooden barrels for fermentation are available, as well as oak
Clos Henri Pinot Noir
$55.99
Situated in Sancerre, France, the family estate of Henri Bourgeois has been passed down through the family for 10 generations. Now one of the most established winegrowers in Sancerre, and one of the most renowned family wineries in France, the Bourgeois Family is immensely respected for their commitment to terroir-driven expressions of Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.
Their vineyard in Marlborough tells the journey of a family who have cultivated both an anchorage in Sancerre - in the village of Chavignol - and in Marlborough, New Zealand.
Moric Blaufrankisch Reserve
$79.99
David Schildknecht, the Austrian specialist for Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, describes Roland Velich and his Moric wines this way: "Roland Velich is no longer working with his brother Heinz at the family estate in Apetlon, but is pursuing his dream, working with old vines in the heart of “Blaufrankisch country” – Mittelburgenland, specifically Lutzmannsburg and Neckenmarkt.
(Only his winery is located in Grosshoflein.)
His are wines in a style you will not encounter anywhere else in Austria: Blaufrankisch vinified as if it were Grand Cru Burgundy, and from hillsides (including terraces) and pre-clonal vines the like of which you will not find being cultivated in most of Mittelburgenland. One sip is an Oz experience (and I don’t mean Aussie, mates!). From his dreams to his vines to his vinification, to his retro label, Velich is in a world of his own. He calls his project “Blaufrankisch Unplugged” (and Moric – the derivation of which I shall explain another time – is pronounced like “Moritz”). "
Raymund Usseglio Les Argiles
$33.99
Cuvée Esprit d’Argiles is sourced from vineyards planted on clay-limestone and blue clay. This blend of Grenache and Syrah mixes the richness typical of the blue clay soil with the freshness of grapes grown on lighter clay-limestone soils. Located in Rasteau, Domaine La Colliere is run by the talented Georges Perrot. Robert Parker has this to say about this value-driven Rhone: "Made from 80% Grenache and 10% Syrah, vinified in concrete, the 2017 Rasteau Esprit d'Argiles is a beautiful Rasteau that offers the classic dark fruits, scorched earth, pepper and roasted herb aromas and flavours of these steep, south-facing hillside parcels. Possessing terrific minerality, medium-bodied richness and a supple finish, drink it over the coming 5-7 years"
Rougeot Cote D or Rouge Les Lameroses
$81.99
In the center of Meursault village, Pierre-Henri Rougeot has been quietly producing impeccable, minimal intervention, low-sulfur wines since he returned to the family domaine in 2010. The 18th century stone cellar was originally built for the Hospices de Beaune to press fruit from the adjacent orchards, and was purchased Pierre-Henri’s great-great-grandfather in the 19th century. Today, the orchards have been transformed into an elegant garden and stamp-sized monopole vineyard, and the cellar has been renovated to comfortably hold two vintages from Rougeot’s 13 hectares of vines in and around Meursault.
Pierre-Henri’s experience traveling throughout France gives him a unique vision that hews strongly to Burgundian tradition, marked by a soft touch inspired by the vins natures made by his friends in Saumur, Cahors, and beyond. Today, the Rougeot vineyards are farmed organically, and Pierre-Henri’s minimal sulfur vinification effortlessly balances a natural wine approach with traditional Burgundian technique to create wines with energy and balance.
While all of the wines are vinified sans soufre, each barrel is tasted regularly throughout élevage. Small amounts of SO2 are added when needed to individual barrels. When possible, Rougeot keeps each barrel completely sans soufre and bottles it under the alternate diagonal stripe label, though these quantities are always very limited for the village and premier cru wines.
Rougeot Pommard Clos Des Roses
$177.99
In the center of Meursault village, Pierre-Henri Rougeot has been quietly producing impeccable, minimal intervention, low-sulfur wines since he returned to the family domaine in 2010. The 18th century stone cellar was originally built for the Hospices de Beaune to press fruit from the adjacent orchards, and was purchased Pierre-Henri’s great-great-grandfather in the 19th century. Today, the orchards have been transformed into an elegant garden and stamp-sized monopole vineyard, and the cellar has been renovated to comfortably hold two vintages from Rougeot’s 13 hectares of vines in and around Meursault.
Pierre-Henri’s experience traveling throughout France gives him a unique vision that hews strongly to Burgundian tradition, marked by a soft touch inspired by the vins natures made by his friends in Saumur, Cahors, and beyond. Today, the Rougeot vineyards are farmed organically, and Pierre-Henri’s minimal sulfur vinification effortlessly balances a natural wine approach with traditional Burgundian technique to create wines with energy and balance.
While all of the wines are vinified sans soufre, each barrel is tasted regularly throughout élevage. Small amounts of SO2 are added when needed to individual barrels. When possible, Rougeot keeps each barrel completely sans soufre and bottles it under the alternate diagonal stripe label, though these quantities are always very limited for the village and premier cru wines.
Mee Godard Brouilly Cuvee
$45.99
Mee Godard moved to the Beaujolais and launched her domaine in 2013 with three very special climats of Morgon: Corcelette, Grand Cras, and Côte du Py. Since then she has had one goal in mind: to make vin de garde from great terroirs. Beaujolais is one of the few places in France where an aspiring vigneron can bootstrap the start of their own winery. We aren't using the word "bootstrap" lightly either. Mee Godard is a one-woman show that prunes, farms, and runs a precise cellar. She is poised to be a big part of our perception of Morgon as the identity of Beaujolais continues to evolve with a new generation.
Mee Godard Cote Du Py
$79.99
Mee Godard moved to the Beaujolais and launched her domaine in 2013 with three very special climats of Morgon: Corcelette, Grand Cras, and Côte du Py. Since then she has had one goal in mind: to make vin de garde from great terroirs. Beaujolais is one of the few places in France where an aspiring vigneron can bootstrap the start of their own winery. We aren't using the word "bootstrap" lightly either. Mee Godard is a one-woman show that prunes, farms, and runs a precise cellar. She is poised to be a big part of our perception of Morgon as the identity of Beaujolais continues to evolve with a new generation.
Corofin Wrekin Vineyar Pinot Noir
$47.99
Corofin is one of Marlborough’s (and New Zealand’s) most exciting wine projects. The people behind it are Mike and Anna Paterson, and the idea is to tell the new Marlborough story: interesting, organically farmed terroirs inspired by Burgundy and concentrating solely on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. With each passing vintage, Mike and Anna Paterson further cement their fledgling domaine among New Zealand’s most exciting up-and-comers. Having spent the majority of their working years in and about Marlborough, Mike and Anna don't doubt the potential of their adopted region and were well placed to approach their first choice of vineyards. Indeed, Paterson’s selection of sites reflects both a winemaker’s enthusiasm for Marlborough’s Southern Valley hillside vineyards plus the dedication of certain grape growers whose vineyards he believes ‘act as a beacon of Marlborough individuality’. In a region where (traditionally) money talks and terroir walks, Mike and Anna Paterson’s Corofin project is carving out a terrific reputation by fashioning exceptional wines of place from the finest hillside vineyards of Marlborough’s Southern Valleys. Established in 2011. Corofin is a tiny operation, working with a small roster of low-yielding vineyards, drawing on just three or four tonnes per site. The largest parcel they work with is a quarter of a hectare and yields only 150 cases a year.