Translation missing: en.Burn Cottage + Produttori del Barbaresco + Mont-Redon + Tibaldi Tasting Saturday 11th 3pm - 6pm: Burn Cottage + Produttori del Barbaresco + Mont-Redon + Tibaldi Tasting Saturday 11th 3pm - 6pm
Burn Cottage
Husband and wife Marquis Sauvage and Dianne Sauvage purchased the Burn Cottage property in 2002 after spending some time travelling the world's greatest wine sites. This is a fantastic site that still is, and has been grazed by sheep as far back as recent memory goes and has no neighbouring vineyards at all. This site was sought after by many others as well as it is sheltered from both northerly and southerly winds by large hills and forms a beautiful, protected bowl, much like a modern amphitheatre. Luckily, the Sauvage's were the lucky ones to pick up this plot and have established themselves as one of Otago's greatest producers.
In the late 1990's, one of Marquis' friends (Ted Lemon of Sonoma's Littorai) with years of conventional farming experiencing throughout Burgundy, California and Oregon under his belt was convinced that these methods could not capture the full picture of plant health and potential and turned to Steiner's theories of biodynamic agriculture. This influence made its way to Marquis who started farming Burn Cottage since its inception biodynamically in a region in which no one else at the time was doing it. With the help of one of the leading authorities on biodynamic farming and New Zealander him self - Peter Proctor, they were able to explore the potential of biodynamics successfully.
"We consider biodiversity to be the corner stone of healthy farming, and plant accordingly to create this environment within the vineyard and the farm."
Burn Cottage have over 20 hectares of land devoted to creating an enclosed ecosystem to their 10 hectares planted under vine. They have Highland Cattle to provide integrated grazing of pastures and to supply manure for their compost programs. They also keep bees and have planted an olive grove to produce olive oil in the future. All of this vineyard work is of course backed up with a delicate cellar hand - minimizing sulphur usage and avoiding all additives whenever possible. They avoid the use of cultured yeasts, bacteria, associated nutrient products and filters and also avoid racking whenever possible and do wine work according to lunar and celestial rhythms.
We've picked up a half dozen of two of their iconic Pinots to share with you. The '23 'Moonlight Race' is a combination of fruit from their 3 vineyards - Burn Cottage in Lowburn and Sauvage and Sappa vineyards in Bannockburn. This is their "estate" Pinot and is an excellent insight into their work and style. The '23 'Burn Cottage Vineyard' is a single vineyard expression of their iconic vineyard from where it all started. Finally, we have the '22 'Sauvage Pinot Noir' which is the first time we've seen this in the shop which shows concentrated darker fruit and spice with good structure. One of the greats of the region and of NZ. This is a fantastic winery producing some stellar Pinots from thoughtfully farmed vineyards - don't sleep on these!
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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 weeks 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. We've just received the '22 'Barbaresco' which tasted excellent on the night and handles the warmer vintage very well. We have a few of the Crus from the legendary 2019 vintage in stock: 'Ovello', 'Rio Sordo', 'Rabaja' and 'Paje'. The Crus from the just as legendary 2021 vintage are due in May so please reach out to us if you would like to secure your share in advance. 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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Mont-Redon
Mont-Redon are easily one of the most respected and recognisable producers in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and prior to the adaptation of the AOC system, was one of the few "Grand Crus" in the region together with Château Rayas. With 100 hectares of Châteauneuf-du-Pape under vine and enormous advancements in the winery, Mont-Redon continue to put out better and better wines each year.
The majority of Mont-Redon’s vineyards are located in the appellation’s most favoured area, the high plateau which is covered in the large round pudding stones or galets roulets that Châteauneuf is so well known for. At this high point, the huge pudding stone galets lie over a rich layer of clay which retains water and keeps the earth below cool as it helps the vines resist the torrid heat of each summer. The entire winery has been completely renewed and is now naturally climate-controlled utilising the water which lies deep below the clay plateau. From this water, cool air spills down into the winery cooling every level so that the whole winery retains a very cool temperature with natural humidity. Rows of oak barriques have replaced the old large foudres of yesteryear, and large temperature controlled stainless steel vats now line the walls, resulting in wines of freshness and finesse. Optical sorting equipment helps them at the time of harvest to retain only the very best grapes.
We've had a lot of requests recently for some more Châteauneuf-du-Pape and we listened, not just giving you some current releases that need to be cellared for over a decade, but also options with age so you can pop and pour to experience these monolithic wines at their peak. Firstly, we have the '21 'Lirac' comprised of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre from a cool vintage to produce a fresh and elegant wine with character. We have some of the iconic 'Châteauneuf-du-Pape' in multiple vintages: '10, '13, '15, '17 and '19! This is an excellent chance to start building a vertical collection. Finally, we have the estate's top wines: the '24 'Le Plateau Blanc' and the '19 'Le Plateau Rouge'. These come from their famous vineyard on the plateau, have received insanely high critic scores and represent some of the best wines in the region. Iconic. Don't miss out on these!
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Tibaldi Tasting
Saturday 11th
3pm - 6pm
Join us this Saturday for a tasting of the exciting wines of Tibaldi from Piemonte (plus some bubbles to start).
Monica and Daniela are sisters with a lifelong passion for winemaking in the vibrant, biodiverse land of Roero. Inspired by their father, Stefano, and grandfather Tunin, they chose Pocapaglia to craft their wines.
They oversee every stage of production - from vineyard to cellar, and even marketing; combining commitment, tenacity, and joy. For them, winemaking is more than a profession; it is a way of life, driven by passion and a deep connection to the land.
The winery was founded to vinify the family’s own grapes. From the very beginning, it has embraced a philosophy of organic farming in the vineyards, aiming to preserve balance among the diverse ecosystems of the land.
These are the wines that we'll be pouring on the day:
Ruge Prosecco Superiore Brut NV
Tibaldi Langhe Favorita 2024
Tibaldi ‘Bricco delle Passere’ Roero Arneis Riserva 2023
Tibaldi Langhe Nebbiolo 2023
Tibaldi ‘Roccapalea’ Roero 2021
Come down to the store after missing a week with the long weekend and try these gems out for yourself!