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ACellars Newsletter 25th August , 2022 - Thibaud Boudignon + Riley Harrison Tasting This Saturday + W.O.T.W + Looking for something different to do this Father's Day?

by Annandale Cellars

Thibaud Boudignon

2020 Release

 

No one Chenin is quite like the other. From bone-dry to moelleux, sparkling to botrytised, the Chenin blanc blank canvas, like the winemaker's grape Chardonnay, will tell a story of place: of terroir, of vintage, and of vinification.

The story told by the Chenin blanc of Thibaud Boudignon has us completely entranced. Paving his way himself into the wine world, Thibaud gained experience in Gevrey Chambertin, Bordeaux and our own Yarra Valley before buying land in Anjou, and renting sites in Saviennières. He produced his first vintage in 200, and through his studies and vintage experience around the world, Thibaud came to believe that vine health was paramount to producing quality wine. He began employing organic practices in the vineyard, despite ending up with yields lower than stipulated by the AOC! Through Thibaud's dedication in tending to the vines himself, it didn't take many vintages from that first release in 2009 for the Boudignon name to be whispered throughout the Loire Valley, and soon after, his wines would appear on the wine lists of the Michelin-starred restaurants of France, and eventually distributed around the world. We are delighted to receive this 2020 release.

Thibaud vinifies with natural yeasts and the wines are aged on their lees in barrels ranging from 300 to 600L. Oak influence is minimal, only employed to subtly add complexity to the terroir narrative, and sulphur is kept to a minimum.

The Cabernet Franc rosé is blended with a little Grolleau and is vibrant, textural and mineral with floral notes and a long finish- everything you could want in a dry rosé.

But of course it is the Chenin that really sets the Loire of the Land. Anjou is expressed through the 40 year-old vines planted over grey schist and volcanic rock which offer a mineral and structured backbone to the harmony of white flowers and citrus. The sandy cover atop the schist of Savennières in the Clos de Frémine however uncovers the delicate and floral side to Chenin: silky and elegant.

These wines are stunning, complex and a must to try, before they sell out.

 

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In-Store Tasting:

Harrison Wines

This Saturday, August 27th

3pm - 6pm

 

Join us in-store this Saturday to taste through the full suite of wines from Riley Harrison. Seán, who represents Riley in Sydney will be here to expertly guide you through the wines.

Here's a little info about Riley...

Riley Harrison seeks “aromatic excitement and textural
pleasure”. A self-confessed whole bunch junkie, he says he is far too lazy for #cheflife, but the hard yakka of a harvest, combined with his quest to explore flavour drives him, so he threw the recipe books, along with corporate winemaking job, out the window for a more fly by the seat of his pants approach to winemaking.

But the madness is not without method.

Starting Harrison Wines as a creative outlet to his 9 to 5 job meant Riley could start on a very small scale, without the pressure or need to grow too quickly. In this way, Riley could concentrate on the varietals, the sites, and the styles that would really allow his signature style of approachability with an underlying complexity to shine through.

Sourcing fruit from some famed sites across the Barossa,
McLaren Vale and the Adelaide Hills, Riley’s labels reflect the wines' sense of place and the biodynamic principles from where the grapes were grown. The slightly skinsy white blend "Sol" captures the sun that soaked the Roussanne and Grenache Blanc grapes, whilst the Grenache for the “Fleur de la Lune” was harvested by hand on an ascending moon.

The 50 year old Cabernet Franc vines at Blewitt Springs enjoy the cooling “Vento do Mar” or "sea breeze" whilst they bask in the McLaren Vale sun. And you may think he is having a laugh with his “Kookaburra” Cab Shiraz blend, but the mid-weight, bright and savoury revival of the “Dad Claret” will be going with you to your next dinner party. Seriously.

 

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Wine of the Week

Font de Courtedune Cotes du Rhone Villages VV Rouge 2020

Mind-blowingly good for the money! This Côtes du Rhône is one of the most interesting, ideologically complexing wines I've come across in recent times. Ideologically complexing?? Well, it's not your average, simple Côtes du Rhône. Although it would pair well with Pizza, it's far from a "pizza wine". You have to throw all your preconceived ideas of Rhône wines, good or bad, out the window. This is elegant and complex, floral, savoury and dark fruited - balanced. It has everything you want in a wine at this price and more.

Just sensational! - Chris L

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