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Bindi + Domaine Tempier + Jean-Marc Burgaud + Tyrrell's Tasting Saturday 5th 3pm-6pm

by Annandale Cellars

Bindi

Bindi is a producer that I'm sure doesn't need an introduction to most of you. Although, as this estate is small and elusive, it's possible you haven't heard too much about them. The Bindi farm is located in the Macedon Ranges, roughly 50km NW of Melbourne. It is here that they have built a name for themselves as one of, if not the greatest producer of Pinot and Chardonnay in the country in a very 'Burgundian' style. There is a reason why they have so many wines listed in both tiers of the Langton's classification.

The estate vineyard is roughly 500m above sea level with soils that are predominantly shattered quartz over siltstone, sandstone and clay with some eroded volcanic topsoil over clay. Yields are kept small to ensure high quality, with 1.5-2 tonnes per acre producing approximately 1,800-3,000 bottles depending on the vintage. Everything is worked with the fastidious care of hand in the vineyard with hand-pruning, multiple passes (at least 10 per vine), vertical shoot positioned canopies and hand-harvesting. Since 2005 they have been implementing organic procedures in the vineyard with the aim of promoting soil life and balance which involves compost, undervine cultivation and aerating the soil.

All fermentations occur without any additions of yeast, nutrients or enzymes. Unsettled Chardonnay juice goes straight to barrel, reds are gently worked, delicate pressing, long lees ageing in French barrels and minimal racking. There is absolutely no fining or filtration at all.

We've picked up more of these sensational wines from both the Dhillon label and the Bindi main line. From the Dhillon line, we have the '24 'Col Mountain Grenache Rose', '24 'Glenhope Chardonnay', '24 'Glenhope Merlot and Friends', '23 'Pyrette Shiraz' and the '18 'Col Mountain Shiraz'. These all represent excellent value for money as great wines made by one of the best winemakers in the country. From the Bindi mainline we have some of the '24 'Kostas Rind Chardonnay' which is grown in a 1.5 hectare plot and fermented in French barrels of which typically 20% are new. This might be the best Chardonnay under $100 in the country. The '24 'Dixon Pinot Noir' is based upon declassified grapes from the Original Vineyard planted in 1988 and grapes from the new Block K, planted in 2001 and spends 11 months in French barrels, of which about 10-15% is new. We also have some of the '23 'Kaye Pinot Noir' which comes from their most elevated vineyard with lots of quartz, mudstone and and eroded volcanic soils. The '20 'Darshan Pinot Noir' comes from vines planted in 2014 and faces west on quartz riddled soils similar to the Original Vineyard, planted at 11,300 vines per hectare with 20% of the vines being a crazy section at 22,600 vines per hectare featuring four clones. The wine spends 15-17 months in French barrels of which about 35% are new. Finally, we have the 'Block 8 Pinot Noir' in both the '20 and '22 vintages which is a vineyard 3/4 of a hectare in size on a sheltered, north-west facing and very quartz riddled site with some fertile volcanic soils. Here there are mostly 11,300 vines per hectare with a section of high-density planting at 22,600 vines/hectare featuring seven clones. The wine spends 15-17 months in French barrels of which about 50% are new. These are some of the best wines in the country - pick up what you can today!

 

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Domaine Tempier

Domaine Tempier is the most iconic estate of the beautiful Bandol region in Provence, South West France on the Mediterranean. Tempier make red wines from the grape Mourvèdre (also known as Mataro here in Australia) which are seriously powerful yet elegant wines with decades of ageing potential as well as one of the world's most iconic rose wines.

This Domaine employs biodynamic principles in the vineyard: pruning and harvesting are undertaken in like with the cycles of the moon, weeding is done by sheep and home-made herbal teas are sprayed in homeopathic doses to strengthen the vines, regenerate the soil and keep parasites in check.

"Worms, springtails, ladybirds, all kinds of insects …there is no doubt that the soils of the domain show a full range of biodiversity."

Of course they treat the grapes with as much respect as possible in the cellar so as not to override the work they've put into the vineyard and let the grapes really sing with hand-sorting, fermentation with indigenous yeasts and élevage in large format oak.

The resulting Tempier wines are outstanding and full of character. We've stocked up on the '24 'Bandol' Rose which we also have in magnum size which is comprised of 50% Mourvèdre with Grenache and Cinsault making up the other half. This is one of the most iconic roses in the world with a good balance of complexity and freshness with the ability to age. We have a few bottles of the '21 'Lulu & Lucien Rouge' which is a blend from multiple sites of 75% Mourvèdre with Grenache and Cinsault and a smaller proportion of Carignan and Syrah. This is an excellent introduction to Tempier's reds. We also have a few bottles of the '21 'La Tourtine Rouge' which is 85% Mourvèdre, with Grenache and Cinsault from vines averaging 45-50 years and ages in large oak vats for 18 months. An exceptional expression of Bandol. There are a couple bottles of the '21 'La Migoua Rouge' as well which is made from Mourvèdre (55%), completed with Cinsault (~ 25%) and Grenache (~ 15%) and Syrah from vines avergaing 40 years old and receives the same elevage as the previous cuvee. Domaine Tempier is the most iconic estate from this region of France and produces some stunning wines - stock up on the rose and snatch the last of our reds!

 

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Jean-Marc Burgaud

Jean-Marc Burgaud is based in Villié-Morgon, in the heart of the most celebrated of the crus. He began working here in 1989, when he had a hectare each in Beaujolais Villages, Regine and Morgon. Three years later he got his first bit of Côte du Py. Now he's got 17.5 hectares, with 4.5 ha in Beaujolais Villages, a hectare in Regnie, and the rest in Morgon, including a sizeable 8 hectares of Côte du Py.

Jean-Marc works with vines averaging 60 years old and although not officially certified, farms his vineyards organically. He farms in line with the region's history, style and methods, coming from a family with winemaking history in the area. There is limited weeding and minimalist foliar treatment and different pruning according to different vines in different terroirs.

This specific vineyard management adapted to each parcel goes on in the winemaking. The Domain Jean-Marc Burgaud produces distinct cuvées for each parcel. Inspired by his training in Burgundy, he tries to make wines that reflect the specificity of each climat. Jean-Marc doesn't add anything to the wines in the cellar except for a touch of sulphur at bottling. Vinification is more akin to Burgundy than Beaujolais, producing wines that are not just of finesse, but also power and ageability.

We recently picked up 2 of Jean-Marc's wines which both represent sensational value for money. The '21 'Lantignie Beaujolais-Villages' produced from the granite hillsides of Lantignie. This is in a perfect drinking window right now and I don't see many other wines from Beaujolais around this price beating it. The '21 'Morgon Côte du Py' is Jean-Marc's take on one of, if not the best site in Beaujolais. These wines are structured and built to last but are enjoyable now with some air. This is only just over half the price of the Jean Foillard wine from the same site - different styles but makes for an interesting comparison. This is the perfect time of year to pick up some great Beaujolais; try some of Jean-Marc Burgaud's today!

 

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Tyrrell's Tasting

Saturday 5th

3pm-6pm

This Saturday, we'll be showcasing the iconic wines of Tyrrell's from the Hunter Valley!


Tyrrell's are one of the most important wineries in the history of Australian wine, tracing their roots in the region back to the mid 19th century and being responsible for pioneering what Jancis Robinson called "Australia's gift to the wine world" - Hunter Valley Semillon.


Tyrrell's expertise goes beyond just producing Australia's most awarded white wine in Vat 1, but also produce exceptional Shiraz and Chardonnay. These are the wines we'll be pouring on the day:


2018 Tyrrell's Belford Semillon
2024 Tyrrell's Estate Grown Chardonnay
2019 Tyrrell's Vat 1 Semillon
2023 Tyrrell's Vat 47 Chardonnay
2023 Tyrrell's Estate Grown Shiraz
2023 Tyrrell's Vat 9 Shiraz


Come down to the store this Saturday and taste through some of the most iconic wines in Australian history!

Wishing you a great week from the team: Chris, Pete and Aaron.

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