Translation missing: en.2021 Crus of Produttori del Barbaresco + R. Lopez de Heredia + Red Mill Rum + Saltfleet Tasting This Saturday 11th from 3pm-6pm!: 2021 Crus of Produttori del Barbaresco + R. Lopez de Heredia + Red Mill Rum + Saltfleet Tasting This Saturday 11th from 3pm-6pm!
Produttori del Barbaresco
Produttori del Barbaresco are one of the world's greatest co-operatives and one of the most consistent producers in Piemonte's Barbaresco. In 1894, Domizio Cavazza, headmaster of the Royal Oenological School of Alba and owner of Barbaresco Castle and the adjoining farm, founded the “Cantine Sociali di Barbaresco” for the “production of luxury and table wines”. He made wines in the castle with 9 local growers and named it after the village of Barbaresco itself making 1894 the unofficial birth year of these majestic wines. Today, Produttori work with over 50 local growers across all of the crus of Barbaresco to make some of the best wines in the region.
What sets Produttori del Barbaresco apart from many other co-ops is that the growers must sell 100% of their grapes - they can't keep the best for themselves as many growers do with co-ops. Produttori would then sort the grapes with the full harvest at their disposal allowing only the best expressions of Barbaresco and its many crus to shine through. In vintages considered excellent consistently throughout the area of origin, nine Barbaresco wines are also produced from specific crus, marketed as Riserva after four years. The crus are historic vineyards of outstanding value, which Produttori del Barbaresco itself has helped to make famous: Asili, Montefico, Montestefano, Muncagota, Ovello, Pajè, Pora, Rabajà, Rio Sordo. These are all vinified in exactly the same way and allow drinkers to vicariously walk through these vineyards with each sip. They follow a traditional vinification process with long macerations and ageing in large barrels: about 20 months for Barbaresco DOCG and about 30 for Barbaresco Riserva. The grapes are handled as little as possible in the cellar to allow the personalities of each cru to express themselves as faithfully as possible. Produttori are also the only winery in Langhe that produces only a single grape - in this sense they considers themselves the biggest advocate of the regal Nebbiolo grape.
A few months ago I had the privilege of being invited to an intimate dinner with the Managing Director of Produttori - Aldo Vacca, who shed some light on the operation and wines. All the Crus from the legendary 2021 vintage have just landed and we have a few from the iconic 2019 as well. We've got the '22 'Barbaresco' which tasted excellent on the night and handles the warmer vintage very well. From the legendary 2019 vintage, we have: 'Ovello', 'Rabaja' and 'Paje' in stock. 2 bottles of each of the Crus from the sensational 2021 vintage: 'Rio Sordo', 'Muncagota', 'Montestefano', 'Asili', 'Montefico', 'Pora', 'Rabaja', 'Ovello' and 'Paje'. Last but certainly not least, we have the 2016 'Don Fiorino Barbaresco Riserva'. This Barbaresco is dedicated to Don Fiorino, the priest who, in 1958, inspired and guided the 19 farmers who founded Produttori del Barbaresco, building the winery in the centre of the village, where it still stands today. This is their top wine and the 2016 vintage, alongside 2019 is considered by many to be the best of the century. These are seriously expressive and detailed wines that belong in the cellar of all wine-lovers - don't miss out!
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R. Lopez de Heredia
Lopez de Heredia are a legendary historic estate that have come to be synonymous with the region of Rioja. It all started in the middle of the nineteenth century when French negociants visited the Rioja region to find alternative sources of quality grapes to transform into wine, since the phylloxera epidemic had decimated their vineyards. Don Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta followed in their footsteps and fell in love with the magical combination of soil and climate that would offer the perfect environment for producing wine that would eventually become world famous. The design and construction of the estate began in 1877 and the rest history - today being one of the few family-run Bodegas in Rioja.
R. Lopez de Heredia is a Bodega that is steeped in tradition; in the methods passed down from their ancestors. However, by tradition they do not mean immobility and opposition to change; rather a dynamic and aesthetic concept in maintaining eternal principles and criteria. They are perfectly aware of the rhythm of change, and for this reason, their openness to change, flexibility, non-conformism and their self-criticism enable them to face the future. Don believed that to guarantee a certain degree of quality, ownership of the vineyard was necessary so that he can make any decisions and provide constant care throughout the year. Viña Tondonia is a beautiful vineyard of over 100 hectares, situated on the right bank of the river Ebro, where the most typical Rioja wines are grown. Apart from Tondonia, López de Heredia owns three more vineyards also set in the Rioja Alta region. These are the "Viña Cubillo", "Viña Bosconia" and "Viña Zaconia". These vineyards are planted to ensure that maximum quality starts in the vines themselves, forming the basis of the reputation of our wines. The Bodega also has their own cooperage in which they make all of their own barrels for themselves which is paramount to maintaining their high degree of quality.
We've picked up a few of the Heredia reds to share - perfect for this cold winter weather. The '18 'Viña Cubillo Crianza' is a great introduction to the estate and is a great, fruity and juicy Rioja wine. The '15 'Viña Bosconia Reserva' is a fantastic wine from a vineyard of roughly 40 year old vines on clay and limestone at 465m above sea level. This wine is elegant but full-bodied, has a deep colour and good structure with great complexity and expression. Finally, we have the '13 'Viña Tondonia Reserva' which is their most iconic and representative wine - one of the flagship wines of Rioja. This is also available in a half size bottle as well. This is one of the most important wineries in all of Spain - pick these up for winter!
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Red Mill Rum
Red Mill rum are an iconic Sydney distiller with history tracing back to 1933 when they were based in Pyrmont. Bill Fesq returned from the war in 1946 to find that the family business was struggling. Red Mill then went on to sell 300,000 bottles of rum annually in Sydney during the 50s and the “Your Shout” campaign covered buses and trains for the next decade or so. Red Mill were eventually sold in 1979 but have been recently revamped and reimagined in 2020 by David Fesq, now based around the corner from us in White Bay and their first bottlings coming out this year.
“At Red Mill we embody the new and old of Sydney. The classic working waterfront and the bold ideas it produced. The history of the City of Rum combined with a vision for something totally new.”
New recipes for rum were developed in 2020 with the aim of producing the best, most complex rum possible without compromise. A commercial facility allowed them to use their space and equipment while they got started and experimented with a range of different barrels which at first included ex-Cognac, White & Red Bordeaux, Australian Pinot Noir and Oloroso Sherry barrels. This is barely scratching the surface of their barrel regime. Their barrel hall boasts roughly 300 unique barrels from all around the world, many of which held Sauternes, Cognac, various Whiskies, Madeira, Sherries, red & white wines from around the world. There are sizes ranging from 125L to 1600L in size.
We've kept these rums on our shelves ever since they broke back into the market and even picked up some newer bottlings from them after they came around to show us last week. The 'Classic' is aged in roughly 50% ex-whiskey casks (Bourbon, Scotch and mixed Quarter Casks), and 50% ex-wine casks (Australian Pinot Noir and Red Bordeaux). This settles in a custom 1000L Foudre cask for six weeks before bottling by hand at 40% ABV for a beautiful sipping, versatile style. The 'Coconut', after months of experimentation, settled on a recipe involving their base rum then infused with a combination of coconut, flakes and fresh pulp all done by hand. This tastes exactly as it sounds but is not too overbearing and still has many layers to it. The 'Spiced' involved various rums as the based and is aged in a mix of ex-wine and ex-whiskey casks, then blended with their Coconut Rum at a 4:1 ratio. This end product then undergoes a gentle maceration with cinnamon, all spice, pineapple, cacao, vanilla and hibiscus. We tried the 'Pineapple' last week and bought these on the spot. It starts with a base of bourbon cask and fondillón barrel aged rum — rich, rounded, and full of depth. Into that, they macerated fresh and dried pineapple and then finished it with their own pineapple oleo saccharum syrup — bright, aromatic, and just sweet enough to pull everything together. We also picked up 4 of their insane amari, starting with the 'Alpino Vecchio' - a gentle, aged rum infused with liquorice, gentian root, orange peel and mint, (among 15+ other herbs, spices and fruits). The 'Caffe Amaro' - a gentle aged rum infused with liquorice, gentian root, orange peel and coffee (among 15+ other herbs, spices and fruits). The 'Tropicale Amaro' is a a gentle aged rum infused with rocket, sage, orange peel and dried pineapple (among 15+ other herbs, spices and fruits) and finally the 'Pandan Amaro' tastes exactly how it sounds with layers of spice as well. These are some incredible rums and amari that we would recommend to any rum drinker or whiskey drinker looking to try something new and anyone that loves to support local. Snap these up!
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Saltfleet Tasting
Saturday 11th
3pm-6pm
Join us this Saturday as we taste through these exciting wines from McLaren Vale by Saltfleet!
Saltfleet is the collaboration of two mates who share a love for good wine, good company, and the good life. With 24 vintages between them, they bring a depth of experience and a shared passion for crafting fine wines from exceptional vineyard sites across McLaren Vale.
Specialising in Mediterranean varietals, they focus on medium-bodied reds and vibrant, refreshing whites - wines that truly reflect the character and climate of the Fleurieu Peninsula. The winemaking style is all about balance, purity, and drinkability.
These are the wines that we'll be pouring on the day:
2026 Fiano
2024 Grenache
2024 GSM
2025 Shiraz
2025 Sangiovese
2025 Touriga Nacional
These are some excellent wines from one of the rising stars of the region and represent excellent value. Come down to the store and try these for yourself!