A lively red wine perfect to enjoy with Salami!

Serve chilled in the summer months (5-7C)

Tasting Notes

Colour

Deep purple red colour with purple undertones, has a lovely foam when poured into the glass.

Nose

Notes of cherry, raspberries and sweet spices

Palate

Medium intensity and texture - fresh and harmonious with a beautifully persistent finish.

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

The colour is intense and deep dark red.

Nose

A wide aromatic palette that takes us between fruity (raspberry, strawberry), mineral (graphite, charcoal) and floral (faded rose) notes.

Palate

The palate is just as complex, with a nice persistence of woody and spicy notes. The structure is worthy of the greatest wines of the Côte de Beaune.

Origin

The Corton vineyard is located north of the Côte de Beaune on the hill of Corton and extends over 3 municipalities: Pernand-Vergelesses, Aloxe-Corton, and Ladoix-Serrigny. The Climat "Les Renardes" is located in the middle of the hillside, on the edge of the village of Ladoix-Serrigny. Corton is the only red Grand Cru in the Côte de 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 between 8 to 16 months with malolactic fermentation to gain roundness. 70 à 80% de fût neuf.

Soil

Gently sloping reddish and stony soil, calcareous brown, rich in marl with a high potash content. It offers Pinot Noir its full development.

Specifications

Please contact Alan directly if you are interested in these wines - as En Primeur they are currently in barrel and not in stock.

A fine, harmonious, first-class wine.

LL’ Amor De’ Santi

This  is  the  title  of  a  15th-century  prayer  in  the  Tuscan language that the farmer,  together with the parish priest,  used to recite in the fields,  invoking the protection of the saints against misfortunes and to have a good harvest.

Introducing Fattorie dei Dolfi

Born from ancient family vineyards and the infectious passion of a career-change winemaker, Fattorie dei Dolfi is a relatively young estate with a remarkably bright future. Giovanni Dolfi initially pursued a very successful career as a horse trainer during which he had the opportunity to meet the Queen Mother and began working for Marchese Incisa della Rocchetta, the owner of the legendary Tenuta San Guido which produces Sassicaia. Through this connection he was introduced to the estate’s winemaker, Giacomo Tachis, who is regarded as the father of Sassicaia and was named Decanter’s Man of the Year in 2011. From then on Giovanni’s fate was sealed and it was only a matter of time before he and Giacomo began exploring how to unlock the potential of his family’s century-old vineyards close to the city of Pisa. Oeno Director and Co-founder Daniel Carnio describes Giovanni’s project as “a small paradise” thanks to his relentless commitment to quality in his vineyards. Most of Fattorie dei Dolfi’s plots are surrounded by woodland which helps to shield the vines from contamination from other forms of agriculture and preserves a high degree of biodiversity. As well as creating a very low incidence of disease, this also means the estate does not need to use any chemicals on the vines. To allow the remarkable quality of the fruit to shine through, Giovanni uses a light touch in the winery as well with his wines ageing in oak barrels previously used for Sassicaia. The estate’s top wines will be produced in tiny quantities of a few thousand bottles a year, making them highly attractive for investors and collectors of fine and rare Italian wines.

The Artorius and Imeneus red wines are both crafted using the Prugnolo Gentile grape which is the Sangiovese clone typically used in Montalcino. The former is an easy-going style ideal for enjoying with family and friends alongside a simple, wholesome meal. Imeneus, which is named after the beautiful son of Aphrodite and Bacchus in Greek mythology, is a more serious red which ages in oak barrels for up to 36 months. This bottling is a true collector’s wine with a remarkably complex flavour profile and high investment potential.

Finally, Bianco Per Amore is Giovanni’s personal project, created to be a wine that he himself would like to drink. Reminiscent of fine white Burgundy, this generous and full bodied white is made from a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot grapes. Giovanni only produces around 150 bottles of this very special wine of which he retains a significant proportion for his own drinking pleasure!

Tasting Notes

LL’ Amor De’ Santi named after a 15th century Tuscan prayer, but is modern is style. Red currants and cranberry come through with hints of spice. There is a rich texture, with an elegant and unique taste of medium tannins.

Colour

Full ruby-red tending to garnet, balanced and brilliant.

Fragrance

Full, noble and developed bouquet with intense notes of black fruits and hints of plum and blackberry.

Flavour

Also full, of great finesse and authority. Rich texture, elegant and unique, deep and soft with a long and pleasantly tannic closing.

Specifications

Please contact Alan directly if you are interested in these wines - as En Primeur they are currently in barrel and not in stock.

A unique and elegant wine.

L'Bruno de' Venti

The  story  is  told  that  many  years  ago, the  woods  surrounding  this vineyard were  the  refuge  of  a  dark  skinned reclusive  with  piercing  eyes, very  attractive  to  women. He  lived  by  poaching  game and  doing  whatever  he could. No  one  knew  exactly  where he  lived,  but  from  time  to  time he  appeared  near  Poggio  ai  Venti vineyard,  and  so  the  people hereabouts  called  him “’l  Bruno de’  Venti ” (the  Dark  Fellow  of  the  Winds).

Introducing Fattorie dei Dolfi

Born from ancient family vineyards and the infectious passion of a career-change winemaker, Fattorie dei Dolfi is a relatively young estate with a remarkably bright future. Giovanni Dolfi initially pursued a very successful career as a horse trainer during which he had the opportunity to meet the Queen Mother and began working for Marchese Incisa della Rocchetta, the owner of the legendary Tenuta San Guido which produces Sassicaia. Through this connection he was introduced to the estate’s winemaker, Giacomo Tachis, who is regarded as the father of Sassicaia and was named Decanter’s Man of the Year in 2011. From then on Giovanni’s fate was sealed and it was only a matter of time before he and Giacomo began exploring how to unlock the potential of his family’s century-old vineyards close to the city of Pisa. Oeno Director and Co-founder Daniel Carnio describes Giovanni’s project as “a small paradise” thanks to his relentless commitment to quality in his vineyards. Most of Fattorie dei Dolfi’s plots are surrounded by woodland which helps to shield the vines from contamination from other forms of agriculture and preserves a high degree of biodiversity. As well as creating a very low incidence of disease, this also means the estate does not need to use any chemicals on the vines. To allow the remarkable quality of the fruit to shine through, Giovanni uses a light touch in the winery as well with his wines ageing in oak barrels previously used for Sassicaia. The estate’s top wines will be produced in tiny quantities of a few thousand bottles a year, making them highly attractive for investors and collectors of fine and rare Italian wines.

The Artorius and Imeneus red wines are both crafted using the Prugnolo Gentile grape which is the Sangiovese clone typically used in Montalcino. The former is an easy-going style ideal for enjoying with family and friends alongside a simple, wholesome meal. Imeneus, which is named after the beautiful son of Aphrodite and Bacchus in Greek mythology, is a more serious red which ages in oak barrels for up to 36 months. This bottling is a true collector’s wine with a remarkably complex flavour profile and high investment potential.

Finally, Bianco Per Amore is Giovanni’s personal project, created to be a wine that he himself would like to drink. Reminiscent of fine white Burgundy, this generous and full bodied white is made from a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot grapes. Giovanni only produces around 150 bottles of this very special wine of which he retains a significant proportion for his own drinking pleasure!

Tasting Notes

‘L Bruno De’ Venti is a Bordeaux blend. Dark currents pervade with a muscular back bone. Pure of fruit, the tannins are well rounded. Merlot vines from massal selection or between 50-70 years old. Cabernet Franc vines from massal selection of old vines.

Colour

Ruby red tending to garnet, velvety yet brilliant.

Fragrance

Very fragrant and rich with intense notes of cherry, plums and hints of toasted spices.

Flavour

Authoritarian and persistent, with soft and elegant tannins.

Bottles Produced

• Vintage 2008: 1743 (non more available).    
• Vintage 2009: 1790 (non more available).    
• Vintage 2010: 1696 (non more available).
• Vintage 2011: 1811 (non more available).
• Vintage 2012: 1432 

Specifications

Bin 707 is Penfolds Cabernet Sauvignon Grange equivalent: ripe, intensely-flavoured fruit; completing fermentation and matured in new American oak; and expressing the Penfolds' policy of multi-vineyard, multi-region fruit-sourcing.

Named by an exQantas marketing man, Bin 707 was first vintaged in 1964. The wine was not made from 1970 to 1975 (when the focus shifted to Bin 389) nor in 1981, 1995 or 2000 (when fruit of the required style and quality was not available). Full bodied and with good cellaring potential, Bin 707 has a secure place among the ranks of Australia's finest Cabernets. Packaged in laser-etched bottles from the 1997 vintage.

Tasting Notes

Colour 

Deep red with a dense core.

Nose

An immediate, intense lift of pure ripe blackcurrant fruit, laced with mint and the faintest suggestion of violet. Cigar box and fresh tobacco oak notes showcase the sheer fruit quality. Although youthful, the nose already shows true 707 character.

Palate

Powerful and complete. Saturated fruits have soaked up the new oak culminating in a rich, sweet mid-palate and long stylish finish. The depth of fruit and defined structure, coupled with obvious muscular tannins, suggest that this wine is built for the long haul.

Vintage Conditions

Good winter rains gave South Australian regions a solid start to the growing season. Fruit set was excellent and careful vineyard management to reduce crop loads ensured the vines were in good shape to continue ripening throughout the season. Summer rains brought relief and the ensuing fine conditions towards vintage resulted in fruit reaching full ripeness and was picked in optimal condition.

Please Note

A collector's item! We believe this wine to be wonderful - however, as with all aged wines, it comes with a 'Buyers be aware' clause, and some labels may not be perfect. If you have any queries, please just drop us an email or give us a call!

Specifications

 Please contact Alan directly if you are interested in these wines - as En Primeur they are currently in barrel and not in stock. 

An unparalleled and unique wine.

Imeneus

The myth says that Imeneus, offspring of Aphrodite and Bacchus, was a young Athenian of modest social standing but of extraordinary beauty. ​He fell in love with a  young noble girl. While she was travelling to Eleusis, she was captured by pirates with her handmaids; among them was also  Imeneus,  who was mistaken for a  girl. While the captors were sleeping, he slew them all and brought the girls back safe to Athens. For his courageous deed,  he was awarded the hand of his beloved. For this reason, the ancient Greeks invoked Imeneus as a bringer of happiness in marriage.

Introducing Fattorie dei Dolfi

Born from ancient family vineyards and the infectious passion of a career-change winemaker, Fattorie dei Dolfi is a relatively young estate with a remarkably bright future. Giovanni Dolfi initially pursued a very successful career as a horse trainer during which he had the opportunity to meet the Queen Mother and began working for Marchese Incisa della Rocchetta, the owner of the legendary Tenuta San Guido which produces Sassicaia. Through this connection, he was introduced to the estate’s winemaker, Giacomo Tachis, who is regarded as the father of Sassicaia and was named Decanter’s Man of the Year in 2011. From then on Giovanni’s fate was sealed and it was only a matter of time before he and Giacomo began exploring how to unlock the potential of his family’s century-old vineyards close to the city of Pisa. 

Most of Fattorie dei Dolfi’s plots are surrounded by woodland which helps to shield the vines from contamination from other forms of agriculture and preserves a high degree of biodiversity. As well as creating a very low incidence of disease, this also means the estate does not need to use any chemicals on the vines. To allow the remarkable quality of the fruit to shine through, Giovanni uses a light touch in the winery as well with his wines ageing in oak barrels previously used for Sassicaia. The estate’s top wines will be produced in tiny quantities of a few thousand bottles a year, making them highly attractive for investors and collectors of fine and rare Italian wines.

The Imeneus red is crafted using the Prugnolo Gentile grape which is the Sangiovese clone typically used in Montalcino. Imeneus is a more serious red that ages in oak barrels for up to 36 months. This bottling is a true collector’s wine with a remarkably complex flavour profile and high investment potential.

Tasting Notes

Imeneus is an earthy, spicy wine. Smooth and mellow with hints of iron. The tannins are quite crunchy with this wine. 

Colour

Joyous ruby red, velvety and brilliant.

Fragrance

Full, rich and persistent with hints of fragrant fruit in perfect harmony with sweet spices that give it complexity.

Flavour

It has exceptional skills of elegance in order to be truly unique, aristocratic and with a closing of great length and cleanliness.

Giovanni explains it best: ‘I hope that my drinkers could imagine themselves standing on the hills of Poggio ai Venti with me, feeling the warmth of sunshine, the mild sea breeze on their faces, hear the chirping of the birds in the quiet woods around and see a grey hare rush through the vineyards. All these feelings of harmony and equilibrium are inside my wines.’

Bottles Produced

• Vintage 2008: 1419 (no more available).    
• Vintage 2009: 1452 (no more available).    
• Vintage 2010: 1709 (no more available).
• Vintage 2011: 1450 (no more available).
• Vintage 2012: 1452.

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

Bin 707 is Penfolds' Cabernet Sauvignon version of Grange: ripe, intensely flavoured fruit; completing fermentation and maturation in new oak; fully expressing a Penfolds understanding of multi-vineyard, multi-region fruit sourcing. Named by an ex-Qantas marketer, Bin 707 was first vintaged in 1964. The wine was not made from 1970 to 1975 when fruit was directed to other wines, nor in 1981, 1995, 2000 or 2003 (when fruit of the required style and quality was not available). Full-bodied and with proven cellaring potential, Bin 707 has a secure place among the ranks of Australia's finest Cabernets.

"Twenty vintages after winning the inaugural Adelaide Trophy with the 1987 Bin 707, this new 2007 Bin 707 release continues to demonstrate the advantage & wisdom of multi-regional blending in difficult years. Boldly Bin 707. Unmistakable!" Peter Gago - Penfolds Chief Winemaker

Tasting Notes

Colour 

Dense, deep-red, with a dark purple / black core.

Nose

Brooding, with a selective & slow aromatic release - firstly wafts of black olive (tapenade), then the faintest suggestion of sardine/anchovy - or maybe soy / Worcestershire - or could it be...? More confidently, familial barrel-ferment, cedary oak, and formic notes share the stage with blackcurrant & blackberry fruits. Inviting, tempting.

Palate

Cassis/blackcurrant varietal fruits and savoury oak stake an immediate (style) claim. Sarsaparilla and choco-mint flavours mould together to create the next layer, followed by a more savoury (Chinese mushroom/oyster sauce mix) immersion structurally impregnating any layering. Gripping tannins complete the offer.

Please Note

A collector's item! We believe this wine to be wonderful - however, as with all aged wines, it comes with a 'Buyers be aware' clause, and some labels may not be perfect. If you have any queries, please just drop us an email or give us a call!

Specifications

Penfolds Bin 707 is the quintessential Australian Cabernet Sauvignon. The winemaking philosophy of Bin 707 is similar to that of Grange, that is ripe full flavoured grapes, completion of fermentation in barrel and new American oak maturation. The result is a wine of great richness, power, harmony and concentration with the structure and strength to age for the long term.

Tasting Notes

Colour 

Opaque, deep red.

Nose

Ripe red berries together with varietal, leafy cassis fruits. Stylish integrated oak, hints of smokiness and subtle cedar aromas.

Palate

Rich and ripe with dark cherry and raspberry fruit flavours, some dark chocolate and integrated smoky oak.

Please Note

A collector's item! We believe this wine to be wonderful - however, as with all aged wines, it comes with a 'Buyers be aware' clause, and some labels may not be perfect. If you have any queries, please just drop us an email or give us a call!

Specifications