Both the style, quality and winemaking reflect a youthful Gran Reserva. This is a top quality field blend from Gómez Cruzado's oldest vineyards, labelled without any age statement to give a contemporary apoproach to the classic Rioja categories.

Tasting Notes 

Wow! A fruit-packed nose with flavours of dark plums, black cherry and fresh figs. This is balanced by creamy oak notes and Christmas spices. On the palate the 2019 is approachable now with a huge amount of richness and tannin, but a rounded mouthfeel shows this wine is perfectly in its drinking window. However, the immense concentration on display and elegance from the bright acidity suggests this wine will develop for at least another 10 years in bottle.

Production

This 'field blend' is produced from the fruit of Gomez Cruzado's oldest vineyards (over 50 year old vines) - south-east facing, in the foothills of the Sierra Cantabria. The vines planted here are predominantly Tempranillo, but also Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuela and Viura. Soils are poor, chalky clay and white in colour, with slabs of calcareous rock beneath. The grapes are hand-picked into 15kg crates, and are sorted further by hand at the winery. The grapes undergo 4 days pre-fermentative maceration at low temperature, then temperature-controlled fermentation with daily remontage and delestage. Malolactic fermentation takes place in new oak barriques with weekly batonnage, followed by 18 months maturation in new French, thin-grained, oak

Producer

The Gómez Cruzado winery dates back to 1886 when Angel Gómez de Arteche started to produce and bottle his own wine in Haro, at the very heart of Rioja Alta. This was in the day when the wine trade between Rioja and France passed along the Tudela-Bilbao line, and the key Rioja wineries were located around the station of Haro. The winery sits just 100m from the station to this day.

Subsequently bought by Angel and Jesus Gomez Cruzado in 1916, and more recently by the Baños family, winemaker Juan Bautista Sáenz crafts wines from vineyards of old bush vines in the most elevated areas of Rioja Alta and Alavesa. He sources from almost a hundred different plots across 3 distinct regions: Alto Najerilla, Bajo Najerilla and Sierra Cantabria. Sierra Cantabria (Rioja Alta and Alavesa). Vines grow in poor, white, chalky-clay soils, on sunny slopes at the highest part of the sierra (up to 750m altitude) - where the Mediterranean and Atlantic climates meet. The area produces wines with freshness and elegance. Bajo Najerilla (Rioja Alta): in the triangle formed by the villages of Uruñuela, Cenicero and Torremontalbo, where the Najerilla river flows into the River Ebro. Tempranillo vines grown in alluvial soils at an average altitude of 500m – in a warmer, more temperate continental climate with a notable Mediterranean influence. Wines have high maturity and excellent ageing capacity. Alto Najerilla (Rioja Alta): Garnacha vines over 80 years old, planted in ferrous clay soil at around 750m altitude, on north-facing slopes near the Sierra de la Demanda. The continental climate confers strong fruitiness and marked acidity on the resulting wines.

Sustainability

In the winery, Gómez Cruzado is constantly making incremental improvements such as reducing its use of sulphur, using more recycled and recyclable materials, and reducing its energy and water waste through investment in energy-efficient practices and implementation of water conservation programmes. Gómez Cruzado’s vineyard efforts are centred around preserving its old bush-trained vines from which it can create great wines, strongly rooted in their terroir. Historical practices of sustainable and thoughtful viticulture and winemaking are also continued as they are both a part of the estate’s cultural legacy and a part of its commitment to respecting and protecting the environment in the future. All vineyard work is done manually. The estate is also examining the possibility of a move towards gaining organic certification and certification under the Decalogue of Integral Sustainability for the Agri-Food Industry.

Awards

• 2016 Vintage - Wines from Spain 2022 = Winner

Specifications

This wine is truly exciting showcasing the incredible potential of McLaren Vale Grenache.

Tasting Notes 

Forgotten IDA Grenache is light crimson in colour, generous raspberry and rhubarb tart bouquet with subtle fruit sweetness and creamy but textured palate.

History

The closest vineyard to the sea in Australia, the Lost Buoy vines grow within 50 meters of the cliff edge, high above the rolling waves of the Great Southern Ocean. The maritime influence refreshes the vines to create a naturally healthy growing environment.

The Lost Buoy vineyard is planted with eight acres of Grenache and seven acres of Shiraz vines. With an average age of 15 years, the vines’ roots are anchored deep into the Pliocene Hallett Cove Sandstone and Burnham Limestone of the cliff head, bringing an intricate minerality to the wines. The elemental growing conditions and shallow soils produce a humble yield of perfectly balanced fruit, on average just 1.5 to 2 tonnes per acre.

Winemaker, Matt O’Leary, is on deck to steer the fruit through the winemaking process, producing a fleet of wines to showcase and respect the distinctive characters of the grapes and where they are grown.

Now that the Lost Buoy vineyard has been found again, the vines speak clearly of the ocean they overlook, producing wines with elegance, vitality, crisp maritime acidity and earthy mineral complexity.

Specifications

Rkatsiteli fits so harmoniously and has taken root in our region that even the aroma of wine conveys our summer prairie heat with dry grass between the fields of sunflowers.

Tasting Notes

Rkatsiteli in our area has so harmoniously fit and taken root that even in the aroma of wine it conveys our summer steppe heat with dry herbs between sunflower fields. Taste: honey, nuts, ripe quince, yellow plums, apricot, dried apricots.

Production

"Aged in a 400-litre Spanish ceramic amphora for one month, this wine is focused and bright, yet possesses depth. It exudes the aroma of white flowers, garden herbs, Earl Grey tea, beeswax, nuts, lemon peel and quince. Approachable and youthful, it captures the essence of a sunlit garden, beautifully blending structure and terroir" - Lilla O'Connor, Decanter Magazine February 2024

Accolades

• 2023 Bronze World Wine Awards - Decanter

Specifications

Tasting Notes

Colour

The wine is crystalline, straw yellow with greenish reflections.

Nose

 Intense and complex on the nose, with notes of linden, jasmine, pear and passion fruit.

Palate

A fresh and fairly savory wine, which releases delicate notes of citrus, flowers and honey on the palate. 

Producer

In 2023 Cantine di Marzo joins Fivi, the Italian Federation of Independent Winegrowers, an association that guarantees consumers with its members values of craftsmanship, territoriality and sustainability. In fact, the company completely takes care of the entire production cycle of its wines and Irpinia Aglianico Doc, from the cultivation of the grapes, to bottling and final marketing.

With an annual production of about 120,000 bottles, the Cantine di Marzo still maintains the character of a small family-run company, whose wines, however, are present in more than 12 countries around the world.

Awards

• 92 points from James Suckling for the 2021 vintage

Specifications

From vines cultivated in the challenging and malleable clay-rich soils of the comune of Novello, from which the wine takes its name.

Tasting Notes

Vibrant yellow with green undertones; rich aroma with hints of pineapple, orange blossom, exotic fruits, banana and honey.

Vineyards

It is quite possible that the Franco Conterno estate has one of the most enviable views of any winery. In the heart of the Langhe, in the hamlet of Bussia di Monforte d’Alba, the farm sits alone atop a tiny hill overlooking La Morra, Fontanafredda and Castiglione Falletto. 

Franco Conterno comprises 28 hectares of vineyards, located in the territories of Monforte d’Alba, Barolo, Castiglione Falletto, Novello and Madonna di Como.

The labels bear the names of the most prestigious vineyards: Bussia and Panerole. The hectares of land are dedicated to the cultivation of Lampia and Michet Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, Merlot, Freisa and Chardonnay. Bussia is the first cru to have been declared a member of the "modern" era.

As always, our growing techniques are specially chosen to bring together respect for the environment and agricultural work, as required by the Regional Rural Development Plan to which Franco Conterno first subscribed in 1996. All this is possible thanks to the extraordinary nature of the soil, made up of sand, silt and clay. The elevation above sea level ranges from 250 to 400 metres.

The soil, the extraordinary microclimate, and the excellent south/south-west exposure allow for the creation of wines with unique and valuable characteristics.

From 2015, Franco Conterno has been a certified organic company, dedicated to a production philosophy based on natural ​​vineyard cultivation and a completely wholesome vinification process.

History

In the heart of the Langhe, in the hamlet of Bussia di Monforte d’Alba, is Cascina Sciulun, a typical historic farmhouse, constructed according to Piedmont architectural traditions. Built in the mid-nineteenth century and extended in the 1940s, the house has always belonged to the Conterno family.

The company Franco Conterno has deep roots, and has been a part of the family for many decades. It was nonno Pietro who allocated 18 hectares of land to Nebbiolo vineyards, initially to sell to other wineries for vinification, later destined for the creation of prestigious wines.

The business passed to his son Giacomo, and then to his grandson Franco, who took the helm of the winery in 1995 with his wife Vilma, bringing his own name and identity to the company.

In recent years, Franco’s two sons—Daniele and Andrea—joined the company, following in the footsteps of their grandfather, bringing fresh insight and innovation to the winery and vineyards, continuing the family business with passion and dedication.

Cascina Sciulun now includes a farmhouse where you can stay, for a relaxing visit immersed in the peace and tranquility of the green hills of the Langhe.

Specifications

A distinctive wine has recently enjoyed a revival in popularity, while always remaining a cherished choice among connoisseurs.

Tasting Notes

A nice blend of citrus fruit and minerality with a very light touch of toasty oak.

Production

Manual harvest, pressing of the whole grapes, ageing for 12 months in oak barrels with stirring the lees and topping up of the barrels to prevent oxiadtion. About 5-10% of the oak is new.

Producer

Jean Berthet-Bondet has been working his land since 1984.

With a humble 15 hectares of 30 year old vines, this estate may well be small but it is steeped in history and heritage. Half of Jean's land is in the Château Chalon appellation which is home to the Savagnin grape, renowned for making the revered Vin Jaune. A unique wine that has seen a resurgence of popularity in recent years, but has always been appreciated by the knowledgeable few.

Specifications

Make no mistake, we are in world class territory. Robert Parker compared the sweet wines of Tirecul as the most notable sweet wines from anywhere in the world.

Tasting Notes

Intense richness and bright acidity. Driven by orange peel marmalade and saffron aromatics.

Production

No one’s really sure why concentration comes from older vines, but here it is in evidence. 175g/l

Producer

Robert Parker compared the sweet wines of Tirecul as the most notable sweet wines from anywhere in the world. A lot is written about terroir, soil and microclimates. You often question how much of it is true, how do people know exactly why the wines work out the way they do? At Tirecul however, you can really see it in front of you. There aren’t many estates where you can see all the vineyard in one block. At the bottom of the hill it is too open, and the top of the hill it is too windy. It’s only in two little pockets that the fog sits to create the conditions for some truly phenomenal botrytis wines. It’s a bit of a Goldilocks site, all the quirks of nature are ‘just right’ (I haven’t tried any Tirecul in my porridge, but I am going to now).

90% of the 9ha vineyard is planted with an even split between Semillon and Muscadelle, the latter is a fascinating variety, often in the background but it can be the real star of the show. The balance is Sauvignon Blanc and the recently allowed Chenin. The exact blend of the sweet wines is unknown because the grapes are picked when they are showing the best elements of botrytis and fermented together. Bruno Bilancini has run the estate since the early 1990s, in the last few years has also produced very good dry white and red which are showing real promise.

Sustainability

Bruno Bilancini took over the estate in 1992, and has treated the environment with utmost respect since then. It was in 2009 that Chateau Tirecul started to convert to organics, with all wines beyond 2012 being certified as well as vegan.

Specifications

From one of Burgundy's finest estates.

Tasting Notes

Fruit from 30 year old vines gives the wine impressive weight and concentration. Rich and intense with attractive peachy fruit and a long, persistent citrus backbone.

Producer

Following the construction of a new winery, the whites are now fermented and aged in separate cellars which has temperature control to allow for greater precision in the vinification and élevage.

The wine undergoes a cool fermentation and ages for just under a year in 225-litre oak barrels, of which 25% are new, incorporating a small proportion of new oak.

Oak Ageing:- Duration: 6 Month - Barrel Size: 225 Litres- Percentage of Wine Oaked: 100%- Percentage of New Oak: 25%

Producer

Around five centuries ago, Jean Girard began cultivating vines in Savigny-Les-Beaune. Seven generations later, Jean-Jacques Girard created his own estate to carry on the family tradition. In 2008, his son Vincent joined him on the farm.

Today, the family farm covers some 15 hectares. It produces around 100,000 bottles a year. Its agriculture is based on a deep respect for the terroir and the environment. To make these wines, she combines traditional know-how with new technologies.

Specifications

 Château Bonnet is one of Bordeaux's consistently reliable wines. Vignobles André Lurton are committed to making wines that are both full-bodied and balanced, like this Reserve cuvee, which typifies classic Bordeaux. Its faultless pedigree is revealed in its elegant balance, depth and charm.

Tasting Notes

Colour

Deep ruby-red colour.

Nose

The nose is intense, dominated by aromas of black fruit (blackberry, blackcurrant), mingled with delicious chocolate notes.

Palate

The attack is very supple. Round and fresh on the palate. Delightful notes of black fruit accompany us throughout the tasting. This is a well-balanced, easy-drinking wine. The finish has a lovely tannic structure that melts perfectly

Production

Specifications

Tasting Notes 

Colour

Straw yellow in colour.

Nose

Made in the oxidative style, citrus compote with touch of botrytis and fine oak nuances. 

Palate

Complex wine with a serious mid palate and length. 

Vintage

A better crop compared to 2019, owing to favourable post-harvest conditions and moderate temperatures during ripening.

Vinification

Grapes were picked at 20°C, gentle crushed and was cold macerated on the skins for 8 hours before pressing. The juice was left to settle for two days and racked to barrel. Using only wild yeast, fermentation occurred over an 8-day period. The wine spent 36 months in a 3rd fill 500L French oak barrel.

Accolades

• Gold Medal - Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge 2023 

Specifications

Nuanced and Graceful

Tasting Notes

Réserve Exclusive Rosé is a delicately nuanced Champagne literally bursting with red summer fruit flavours. A delicious cavalcade of redcurrant, blueberry and raspberry notes, combined with a hint of Gariguette strawberries.

From within its refined and vibrant structure, its clean flavours are extremely delicate and nuanced.

The Réserve Exclusive Rosé is a refreshing and exuberant Champagne offering fresh, light fragrances, and just perfect for summer drinking.

Elaboration

Aged for 2 - 3 years in the cellars.

The freshness and structure of this Champagne blend combine to perfection with the expressive fruit of the red wine making up 16% of the blend.

The Chief Winemaker adapts dosage levels to each Champagne in order to enhance its flavours and aromas. The choice of reserve wine is crucial and takes into consideration a whole range of factors, including the proportion of cru wines, year of harvest, grape varieties, and vinification and ageing methods, in order to guarantee the intrinsic style of each Champagne.

Blend

A harmonious blend of 10% Chardonnay imparting elegance and finesse, 45% Pinot Noir for roundness and structure and 45% Meunier for fruitiness and soft, supple character.

Medals & Accolades

• Gold Medal - Mundus Vini Spring Tasting 2022

• Silver Medal - Rosé Masters 2022, Champagne Masters 2022, Decanter World Wine Awards 2022
• 92/100- Wine Spectator November 2022, James Suckling Tasting June 2022
• 15.5/20 - Gault & Millau - Guide des Champagnes 2023

Specifications

Bright & Gourmet

Tasting Notes

Colour

Attractive pale gold and extremely bright, in perfect harmony with the effervescence. A lively stream of exquisitely delicate bubbles in the glass.

Nose

Exquisite primary pastry aromas of brioche and custard. As the wine begins to breathe, new, floral, spicy aromas come to the fore, reminiscent of magnolia and star of anise.

Palate

Initially generous, fresh and thirst-quenching, underpinned by citrus notes of kumquat, accompanied by wisps of hazelnut and even liquorice. Elegant on the finish, with stunning, delicately tangy length recalling Granny Smith apples and pink grapefruit.

The 2017 Vintage

To describe the weather conditions for the 2017 vintage as chaotic would be an understatement. The season began amid icy conditions with the vines covered in frost, recording 24 days of frost 10cm above the ground in January alone.

After a relatively mild start to spring, bone-chilling Polar air hit France mid-April, causing significant, frost across the greater part of its vineyards, in places to devastating effect, particularly in Aube, Aisne and Haute Marne.

By mid-May the situation in the region completely turned around, with heatwave conditions setting in for two months, and temperatures in places nudging 35°C in the shade!

The weather took another dramatic turn in mid-July, with the arrival of rain and frequent storms, sometimes accompanied by hail, prompting the first signs of Botrytis. In August, the Champagne region faced subtropical conditions.

The harvest was early, and shrouded in wet weather, forcing growers to ruthlessly sort the grapes on the vine, and remain constantly on guard. The Chardonnays were less affected given their greater resistance to excess rainfall, and are a total stand-out.

Elaboration

Vinified in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks.

Aged at least 5 years in the cellars. The Chief Winemaker adapts dosage levels to each champagne in order to enhance flavours and aromas. The selection process while selecting the blend is paramount and takes a whole range of factors into consideration, including the proportion of cru wines, harvest year, grape varieties and vinification and ageing methods, in order to preserve the intrinsic style of each cuvée.

Blend

100% Chardonnay

Collection Vintage 2017 Blanc de Blancs, is 100% pure chardonnay, the white grape variety of the Champagne Appellation, and more than lives up to its name. It reflects the remarkable character of the vintage, having more than proved its resistance and resilience faced with the many uncertainties experienced in the Champagne vineyards in 2017.

Chardonnay grapes are sourced from the prestigious premier and grand cru vineyards in the Côte des Blancs and Montagne de Reims, and more generous Chardonnay from the Vallée de la Marne, not forgetting the crus from Sézannais and Vitryat. It is a fresh, exquisite wine.

Alan's Personal Tasting Note

"I guessed that Nicolas Feuillatte had access to some quality fruit and cuvées from tasting the silkiness of the blue label reserve collection but this is different level, Wow, wow, wow. Beautiful fruit characters from the solid Chardonnay and the yeasty, toasty, brioche flavours from the long ageing make this an absolute stoater! It’s got the balance, complexity, length and flavour of champagnes more than twice the price you pay for this. Simply outstanding." 7th November 2024

Specifications

Tasting Notes 

Megan van der Merwe, the brilliant young winemaker at Beau Constantia, set out to make the Stella with ‘the absolute intention to preserve the site that grew the fruit’. The Syrah and Viognier for this wine grow side by side on one of the farm’s lower lying slopes – both varietals are picked together, when the Syrah is ripe, meaning that the Viognier hangs on the vine until it is a little raisined, adding a rich honey-like component to the wine. 18 months in French oak (only 28% new) adds complexity to the wine.

Floral notes of violet, spicy black pepper, dried herbs and fresh red fruit – cherry and pomegranate – are held together by savoury fine tannin. Epic! 

Winery

Some two decades ago, raging wildfires swept through an area of forest high up on Constantia Nek, leaving the slopes scorched and bare. When the fire had subsided, what was left was a brilliant and unique spot for planting a vineyard; 350 metres above sea level, with cooling ocean breezes and steep sun-bathed hills and so, like a phoenix, Beau Constantia rose from the ashes.

Sensing opportunity, Pierre and Cecily Du Preez acquired the 22-hectare property in 2002. With thorough soil analysis guiding their efforts, the inaugural vineyards were planted in 2003 under the careful guidance of farm manager, Japie Bronn.

The journey to establish vineyards on these challenging slopes demanded patience and unwavering commitment. Today, Beau Constantia proudly boasts 11.47 hectares under vine, a testament to the perseverance and dedication of all involved. Within these vineyards thrive a diverse range of varietals, including Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Shiraz, and Petit Verdot, each meticulously nurtured to capture the unique essence of this extraordinary landscape.

This boutique wine farm with just over 11 hectares under vine has utterly spectacular views over the peninsula. Megan van der Merwe is the Head Winemaker, having taken over from Justin Van Wyk in 2021, after serving as Assistant Winemaker during his successful tenure. Megan believes in 'farming to perfection - just don't stuff it up in the cellar!'. This very talented winemaker is certainly one to watch.

Each of their releases is a tribute to a member of the family.

Accolades & Awards

• 93pts | Platter's 2023
• Tim Atkin 90pts

“Stella is a Côte Rôtie style co-fermentation of Syrah with 0.05% (yes, really) Viognier and 52% whole bunches. Very much a cool climate style, it has aromas of dried herbs and white pepper, savoury tannins, perfumed 28% new wood and bright red cherry and pomegranate fruit.”

Specifications

Woori Yallock has gained cult status for Mac and its not hard to see why. 

Only 1,500 bottles produced

Tasting Notes

This is not about fruit, but about structure, with lemon pith, rock salts, pear skin running the taut, vibrant palate, to a humming and saline finish. Very much in youth, this is powerful now, just starting to reveal itself, and will certainly continue to impress over the coming years in your cellar.

The Wine

This is arguably the finest Chardonnay to ever be produced by the hands of Mac Forbes. The Woori Yallock vineyard is Mac's baby. Planted in 1995, the 'School House Block is owned by the Ferguson family. Mac has been working the vineyard since 2012 and the resultant wines have been spectacular. This is a Chardonnay with amazing intensity. It's wound tight but has a glorious generosity of fruit. Oak sits firmly in the background, Mac allowing the site to shine in the glass.

The Vineyard

Sitting behind the Waramate hills, this area encompasses both red volcanic and grey loam soils making it slightly more complicated to pinpoint a clear identity of this subregion. The undulating hills provide protection from the drier winds, the rainfall is slightly higher and the perfume, weight and structure appears more dense and effortless, pulling through seamlessly to the back palate.

De-stemmed and crushed before pressing, partial malo 10 months in old oak, indigenous, no fining, sterile filtration.

About Mac Forbes

If you love premium and artisanal Australian wine, Mac Forbes is a name you need to know. He’s not only one of the country’s most talented winemakers, but he’s one of the most influential spokesmen for promoting the concept of Australian ‘terroir’, believing that wine should represent a time and a place.

Mac specialises in single vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet from the Yarra Valley. His wines are delicate and finely etched, characterised by subtlety and grace.

His Pinot Noirs are fine-boned, Chardonnays are loved by those who look for fruit purity rather than winemaking artifice in the variety, his array of off-dry Rieslings from the Strathbogie Ranges are some of the country's most unique.

And his ever-expanding range of experimental wines is a treasure-trove for the curious drinker and he is honestly one of the most genuine and affable winemakers you'll ever meet!

Specifications

Pietrin, a wine dedicated to the winery’s founding great-grandfather, is a true traditional Barolo whose grapes come from the best cru located in the communes of Castiglione Falletto, Monforte d’Alba and Novello.

This is a wine for those in the know - the wine experts, a gift for the boss or to mark a special occasion. 

Tasting Notes

It shows a rich bouquet that ranges from ripe fruit notes to sweet spices, while at the sip it is elegant, harmonious and with great power

Vineyards

It is quite possible that the Franco Conterno estate has one of the most enviable views of any winery. In the heart of the Langhe, in the hamlet of Bussia di Monforte d’Alba, the farm sits alone atop a tiny hill overlooking La Morra, Fontanafredda and Castiglione Falletto. 

Franco Conterno comprises 28 hectares of vineyards, located in the territories of Monforte d’Alba, Barolo, Castiglione Falletto, Novello and Madonna di Como.

The labels bear the names of the most prestigious vineyards: Bussia and Panerole. The hectares of land are dedicated to the cultivation of Lampia and Michet Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, Merlot, Freisa and Chardonnay. Bussia is the first cru to have been declared a member of the "modern" era.

As always, our growing techniques are specially chosen to bring together respect for the environment and agricultural work, as required by the Regional Rural Development Plan to which Franco Conterno first subscribed in 1996. All this is possible thanks to the extraordinary nature of the soil, made up of sand, silt and clay. The elevation above sea level ranges from 250 to 400 metres.

The soil, the extraordinary microclimate, and the excellent south/south-west exposure allow for the creation of wines with unique and valuable characteristics.

From 2015, Franco Conterno has been a certified organic company, dedicated to a production philosophy based on natural ​​vineyard cultivation and a completely wholesome vinification process.

History

In the heart of the Langhe, in the hamlet of Bussia di Monforte d’Alba, is Cascina Sciulun, a typical historic farmhouse, constructed according to Piedmont architectural traditions. Built in the mid-nineteenth century and extended in the 1940s, the house has always belonged to the Conterno family.

The company Franco Conterno has deep roots, and has been a part of the family for many decades. It was nonno Pietro who allocated 18 hectares of land to Nebbiolo vineyards, initially to sell to other wineries for vinification, later destined for the creation of prestigious wines.

The business passed to his son Giacomo, and then to his grandson Franco, who took the helm of the winery in 1995 with his wife Vilma, bringing his own name and identity to the company.

In recent years, Franco’s two sons—Daniele and Andrea—joined the company, following in the footsteps of their grandfather, bringing fresh insight and innovation to the winery and vineyards, continuing the family business with passion and dedication.

Cascina Sciulun now includes a farmhouse where you can stay, for a relaxing visit immersed in the peace and tranquility of the green hills of the Langhe.

Specifications

Tasting Notes

Colour

Deep red color

Nose

The nose is open with notes of strawberry jam, liquorice, and coffee.

Palate

The mouth is serious and presents a beautiful tannic composition with a precise structure that remarkably holds the finish. A pleasant wine, with character.

Origin

This appellation is located in the heart of the Côte de Beaune, at the foot of the hills overlooking this famous town, the capital of Burgundy wines. The "Belissand" climate is located southeast of Beaune.

Vinification

Traditional vinification in thermos-regulated stainless steel vats on a 3 weeks period: Cold pre-fermentation maceration around 8°C. Pigeages and pumping over to extract colour and structure. Fermentation with a peak temperature around 30 ° C. Post-fermentation maceration at 25 ° C. Ageing in oak barrels between 8 to 16 months with malolactic fermentation. 40 to 50% of new oak barrels.

Soil

The soil is clayey with a fairly loamy layer on the surface.

Specifications

Tasting Notes

Colour

Elegant pale-pink color, evoking a rose petal.

Nose

On the nose, Miraval Rosé shows all its elegance: beautifully fresh, it exudes aromas of fresh fruit, currants and fresh rose with a zest of lemon.

Palate

The refinement continues in the mouth with beautiful liveliness and gourmet notes that subtly balance the mineral and saline notes. An irresistible wine that ends with a long finish with lemony notes.

Vinification

The grapes are harvested exclusively in the morning and sorted twice. Destemming. ‘Pressurage direct’ for Cinsault, Grenache and Rolle. The Syrah is vinified partially using the «saignee» method. Vinified in temperature - controlled stainless steel vats (95%) and in barrels (5%) with batonnage.

Producer

Tucked away in its own private valley in the ancient village of Correns – the first organic village in France – Miraval covers 500 hectares of land in the heart of Provence. The magnificent Chateau is set in a cirque surrounded by ancient woods, olive trees, vi­neyards and abundant water supply. Lush wildlife combines with the beautiful Provencal climate and quality Mediterranean lifestyle to reveal an enchanting oasis. Miraval's exclusive valley location embodies an exceptional terroir. Terroir is the expression of the soil, the climate and the history of the land – the essence of the wine. At an altitude of 350 meters the vines are privileged to enjoy warm, sunny days and cool nights, bringing freshness and balance to the wines. 

Specifications

Pocketful Of Stones whisky-making process starts with creating the best possible craft beer, a beer that you would love to drink and that would not be out of place on tap at the best craft beer bars in the world.

Next using Jackson, their handmade copper pot still. Finally, the young whisky is aged in used oak barrels in the shadow of St Michael’s Mount. The evaporation during the aging process is poetically referred to as the angel's share – in this case, with our supernatural neighbour watching over the barrels, it is hard to argue that he hasn't earned it!. So what name would be more fitting than one associated with the legend of the dragon and the archangel?

The Legend

Legend tells of the devil's ambition to take Cornwall for himself. One day while looking out to the East the archangel St Michael caught sight of a fire-breathing dragon flying directly towards Cornwall possessed by the devil himself. The dragon carried a red hot boulder in its claws right from the fires of hell, a legendary aerial battle ensued. armed with a sword of pure fire St Michael struck the dragon a mighty blow. Through the sky, the stone tumbled and the place where it fell became known as Hell's Stone or Helston. To this day the locals celebrate the story of their patron saint and it holds a special place in local folklore.

Specifications

A classic dry gin, with loads of floral (hibiscus flowers) and citrus notes (lemon and orange peel, lemon grass, lemon verbena), a freshness (Japanese tea), length and long sherbety finish (gorse and orris).

"We like to compare it to those early Cornish spring mornings. When it’s still a wee bit cold, the sea is that crystal clear blue but you know it’s still too cold to jump in to. You’re probably wrapped up, but you feel warm and it’s crisp, invigorating. You know those mornings."

Serving Suggestion

The Cornish Dry is perfect served with premium tonic, garnished with a twist of orange. Keep the garnish simple so that the flavours and aromas of the gin stand out. Delisious in a classic negroni or a dry martini but two of our favourite cocktails at the minute are a Dirty Gibson and a Marmalade Cocktail.

Dirty Gibson

• 2.75 oz Caspyn Cornish Dry Gin
• 3/4 oz Dry Vermouth
• 1 tsp cocktail onion brine

Stir well in a shaker with ice, then strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish & serve!

Marmalade Cocktail 

• 2 oz Caspyn Cornish Dry Gin
• 1 1/2 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons Orange Marmalade

Make the 1 1/12 oz of fresh squeezed lemon juice, using about 1 small lemon or half of a larger one.

Fill a martini shaker half way full with ice. Add a few ice cubes to an 8 oz glass.

Combine all the ingredients into the martini shaker and shake for 30 seconds. Strain the contents of the shaker over the 8 oz glass.

International Awards

• IWSC Silver 2018 - Gin & Tonic
• The Gin Guide Awards - Category Winner 2018
• The Spirits Business - Silver 2018

Specifications

Making the 'Wesi', as Mac calls it, was one of those lightbulb wine moments for this wild-haired Yarra Valley champion.

He says that this is the vineyard that made him see clearly for the first time, that his mission was not to be a great maker of Pinot Noir, but to be a conduit through which a vineyard could tell its story, regardless of the variety planted on it. "Amazingly we see all wines from this site look similar be they red or white." Wesburn just tastes like Wesburn, not just Pinot Noir. 

It is always one of his smallest productions each year and, along with the Woori Yallock Pinot Noir, one of the most sort after.

Tasting Notes

Colour

Medium-dark red

Nose

Shy and complex. Lower tones of sulphides, mulch, dark sour cherry and fresh plums.

Palate

Tannins build from the back carrying a ferrous tang. Wine is focused and shy holding out a little right now. Needs air and time. A wine to watch closely over time. Still water runs deep. (Tasting note from August 2014)

The Vineyard

Notes from Mac - "Wesburn was unloved until a few years ago. Planted in 1981, this vineyard, in the far eastern reaches of the Yarra (just before Warburton), sits in the fringe of what many consider marginal viticultural land. It is these sites that truly inspire us and have the potential to make our most exciting wines. The site sits on our beloved siltstone clay soils at the foot of Mount Bride (1000m) which offers cooler nights and mornings. The resultant extension of the ripening period expresses itself by way of far greater tannin depth, high notes and fruit weight. Sometimes walking the fine line reaps rewards."

The Vintage

"The growing season of vintage 2013 started well with budburst for Chardonnay mid-September," said Mac. "This trend continued through spring with vines using stored moisture well into November. By December however, we were looking for moisture. In addition to this, temperatures were considerably up in January having 14 days over 30°C and multiple peaks over 39°C. This was accompanied by just 3.6mm of recorded rainfall (effectively none). The trend continued into February with 17 days over 30°C combined with the bare minimum amount of rain. The high temperatures and lack of water meant we saw early veraison and vines push their fruit to maturity very quickly, this resulted in one of the most compressed vintages of recent times. The Wesburn vineyard was picked by hand on the 24th February 2013."

About Mac Forbes

If you love premium and artisanal Australian wine, Mac Forbes is a name you need to know. He’s not only one of the country’s most talented winemakers, but he’s one of the most influential spokesmen for promoting the concept of Australian ‘terroir’, believing that wine should represent a time and a place.

Mac specialises in single-vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet from the Yarra Valley. His wines are delicate and finely etched, characterised by subtlety and grace.

His Pinot Noirs are fine-boned, Chardonnays are loved by those who look for fruit purity rather than winemaking artifice in the variety, his array of off-dry Rieslings from the Strathbogie Ranges are some of the country's most unique.

And his ever-expanding range of experimental wines is a treasure-trove for the curious drinker and he is honestly one of the most genuine and affable winemakers you'll ever meet!

Specifications