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Cabernet Franc Spotlight + Mont-Redon + Agricola + French Wines Tasting Saturday 16th 3pm-6pm + BURGUNDY PROMO - Domaine Fontaine-Gagnard

by Annandale Cellars

Cabernet Franc

Loire Valley Cabernet Franc has historically been something of an acquired taste, due to its varietal "leafiness" and propensity to make thin and bitter wines in cold years (of which there are many in the Loire Valley). However, there have been some drastic changes in the style of Cabernet Franc in the last decade or so that have seen it produce some of the most compelling and exciting reds in the world.

Being the father of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (and often blended with them), Cabernet Franc shares many similarities with these classic grapes. Generally, Cabernet Franc tends to be medium to full-bodied (but most commonly medium in the Loire), with medium to high levels of tannin, high acidity with flavours of red cherry, red plum, strawberry, spice and capsicum. With recent viticultural and vinicultural developments, winemakers are better understanding how to get the most out of this grape to produce stunning terroir-driven wines. There is an increasing emphasis on organic/biodynamic farming, experimentation with ageing vessels such as new and old oak, different sizes of barrels and well as concrete to harness Franc's greatness. There is also a trend of reducing SO2 in the winemaking process save for a splash at bottling.

The resulting wines that have come out of the Loire in the last decade have been getting better and better, shaking off the leafiness that many people find distasteful without compromising the grape's typicity. Styles can be fresh, fruity and easy drinking to medium-bodied and elegant with a touch of oak, through to bigger expressions in warmer years that rival the best Cab Franc of Bordeaux's Right-Bank.

We've recently stocked up our Loire red section to better represent the best producers of the region in a range of styles, believing these are wines that people should drink more often.

We have 2 wines from Fabien Duveau which is a fantastic little estate with a long winemaking history that have only been imported into the country for roughly a year. The 'Les Menais' is one I would recommend looking to branch into Loire Cab Franc as it is fresh, juicy and easy to drink without lacking substance and 'Bas Poyeux' is a step up in complexity and concentration and still great value for money. The Chateau de Coulaine is another fantastic Franc for the price and would be great to drink alongside the Duveau 'Les Menais' as an introduction to Chinon and Saumur-Champigny, respectively. Domaine du Bel Air is a classic in the sub-region of Bourgeuil and produces the most powerful yet balanced wines in this selection. Fans of Bordeaux that are looking to expand their tastes should give this one a taste. Finally, Arnaud Lambert in Saumur are always great - I don't know anyone who doesn't like these wines. We've even thrown in a cheeky sweet Cab Franc with 24 years of age made from botrytised grapes from 70 year old vines. Not many people can say they've drunk an almost 25 year old botrytised Cab Franc!

This little selection is only scraping the surface of the incredibly diverse world of Loire Valley Cab Franc but I hope it serves as a start for those of you that are curious. Drink up!

 

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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 both the 2015 and 2010 vintages and a single bottle of the 1989! This is an excellent chance to try one of the classic wines of the region with the age it deserves which would be perfect in this freezing weather. Don't miss out on these!

 

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Agricola

Our first introduction to these wines was a few months ago when one of Callum Powell's mates who lives around the corner from the store, kindly left us with a sample of the '23 Flaxman Valley' to taste. Three of us who would usually rarely gravitate towards a Barossa Shiraz stood around this bottle discussing the nuances that this wine slowly revealed and that we knew we were tasting part of a refreshing new wave running through the now not-so-cool Barossa Valley. These are "THE" new wines of Barossa and Eden Valley.

Agricola Vinters was founded by Callum Powell, son of David Powell of Torbreck with whom he worked alongside for many years. With a deep knowledge of and access to the best local sites, Callum is able to bring his terroir-driven approach to making wine to these sites that he picked up from working vintages with the likes of Jean-Louis Chave in Hermitage, forming part of a renaissance in winemaking in the Barossa Zone.

Callum works with Shiraz, often from very old vines in some of the most iconic vineyards in the region such as the Hoffman Dimchurch and Dallwitz blocks. Aiming to let the grapes express their site without being smothered by oak or losing their character with over-ripeness, Callum works (or doesn't work) the grapes with as little influence as possible, often 100% whole bunches and lets them settle on their lees for at least 12 months before bottling. The resulting wines are incredibly fresh, perfumed and savoury.

We've recently picked up 2 of these fantastic wines for you all. The '24 'Ebenezer' from the Hoffman's vineyards in Ebezener and the '24 'Flaxman Valley' which is sourced from his family's home-block with vines over 100 years old and the steep neighbouring vineyard. I wouldn't be surprised if these wines hit the same status as Sami-Odi if they haven't already. These are wines that you do not want to miss out on!

 

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French Wines Tasting

Saturday 16th

3pm-6pm

Join us this Saturday as we taste through a journey around France's best wine regions!

These are the wines that we'll be tasting on the day:

2020 Domaine du Closel La Jalousie

2022 Domaine Muré Pinot Gris Pierre Seches

2019 Domaine Thibert Macon-Verze 'en Chailloux'

2020 Louis Bouillot Bourgogne Rouge

2021 Domaine Saint Clair Crozes-Hermitage 'Etincelles'

2021 Domaine La Bouïssière Gigondas

2019 Chateau Mauvesin-Barton

This lineup takes us through the classic wine regions of Loire Valley, Alsace, Macon, Burgundy, Northern and Southern Rhone and Bordeaux. This is one the best tastings we've put on so far this year and definitely not one to miss! See you on Saturday!

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

 

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WEEKLY SPECIAL!

FONTAINE GAGNARD

We have another incredible special lined up this week!

We are offering a deal across 2 wines from the famed Burgundy producer Fontaine Gagnard!

Fontaine Gagnard Bourgogne Passetoutgrain 2022 - Regularly $70 per bottle / NOW $49 per bottle*

Fontaine Gagnard Bourgogne Rouge 2022 - Regularly $105 per bottle / NOW $73.50 per bottle*

This is a saving of 30%!

OFFER: BUY ANY MIXED 6 BOTTLES OF DOMAINE FONTAINE-GAGNARD PASSETOUTGRAIN OR
BOURGOGNE ROUGE AND RECEIVE 30% OFF

You can mix the 6 pack between these 2 wines as you like and still receive the discounted prices which are calculated at checkout.

Domaine Fontaine-Gagnard was founded in 1985 in Chassagne-Montrachet and have gradually built up their portfolio of choice holdings in some of Burgundy's greatest vineyards. All wines are vinified with native yeasts and since the late 80s, they have purchased their own custom French oak through a courtier de bois (wood broker), who ages the oak for them for two years, then delivers it to a local cooper to finish their custom barrels. This Domaine is a respected mainstay traditionalist Burgundian winemaking.


*price per bottle when ordering 6 straight or mixed bottles of Domaine Fontaine-Gagnard Passetoutgrain or Bourgogne Rouge in-store or online. Offer available while stocks last or until the end of the week - finishing at 11:59pm on Sunday 17th August.

Get in quick!

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