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Domenica + Shaw + Smith + Yann Bertrand Release Tasting - Saturday 28th 3pm-6pm

by Annandale Cellars

Domenica

Domenica are one of the best producers in the hilly region of Beechworth and still represent great value in a region whose prices are steadily rising. Peter Graham has been making wine in Beechworth since 1999, studying Oenology at Charles Sturt University and working as an assistant winemaker until 2012 when he started Domenica. The original planting from 1996 comprised of Chardonnay, Roussanne and Pinot Noir but was expanded as a joint venture with Michael Chapoutier to include Nebbiolo and Shiraz.

These are wines that we struggle to keep on the shelf due to how fast they sell. We've just brought in a dozen of a good range of these brilliant wines for you. The one that will most likely fly out the door first is the '25 'Chardonnay' which is a more subtle take on the oak-driven powerhouses that the region is famous for - utilising lightly toasted larger oak barrels, this wine shows great texture with a modest medium body and will drink great now, but will definitely improve with a little sleep in the cellar. The '25 'Roussanne Marsanne' is an interesting expression of these Southern Rhône white varietals with a unique flavour profile and enough acid to keep the wine fresh. The '25 'Nebbiolo Rose' is fermented in barrel to help built texture and complexity in the wine - easily one of the best roses in the country. The '25 'Gamay' is a compelling wine that can go toe-to-toe with the best in the country and benchmark Cru Beaujolais. Finally, there are 2 Shiraz: the '25 'Two Cells Shiraz' and '24 'Shiraz' - the former is fruitier and more accessible in its youth (without being shy in its own complexity) whereas the estate Shiraz is loaded with beguiling savouriness and fine tannin. It seems these days that people either look to Beechworth for the Chardonnay or for other less popular varieties and completely underrate how good the Shiraz can be. Domenica are one of the best producers in one of Australia's most interesting wine regions - pick some of these up before they sell out!

 

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Shaw + Smith

Established in 1989 by cousins Michael Hill-Smith and Martin Shaw, Shaw + Smith are easily the producer most associated with the Adelaide Hills. Located in the Mt Lofty Ranges thirty minutes drive from Adelaide, the elevation varies from around 350 metres, to over 710 metres at Mt Lofty. The Adelaide Hills is bordered to the North by the Barossa and Eden Valleys and McLaren Vale to the South, but due to its altitude, the Adelaide Hills is significantly cooler and wetter.

Managing vineyards sustainably with respect to vine and soil health and low yields is paramount to the Shaw + Smith approach winemaking. In the pursuit of quality the wines are fermented, aged and bottled on site at Balhannah to produce wines that are vibrant, modern expressions of their varieties, sites and season. The single-vineyard wines represent the pinnacle of Shaw + Smith and of the Adelaide Hills region.

We've just received half a dozen each of 2 of these amazing single-vineyard wines. The '24 'Lenswood Chardonnay' is bright, layered and intense with lush stone fruit and tongue-tingling salinity. Fermented in 500 litre puncheons, 30% new, full malo and 10 months in oak before resting in tank prior to bottle. An icon in a region known for its Chardonnay. The '23 'Balhannah Shiraz' is vibrant, savoury and structured and aged for 14 months in 500 to 600 litre French oak barrels, 15% new, followed by a further 14 months in bottle. There's only a small amount of these to go around so pick up your share quick!

 

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Yann Bertrand Release Tasting

Saturday 28th

3pm-6pm

Join us this Saturday as we taste through the newest release of Yann Bertrand's soulful wines from Beaujolais!

Yann Bertrand is a young gun from a family of wine-making history situated in the great site of Grand-Pré in Fleurie, Beaujolais. Yann took over the estate since joining in 2012 and has been experimenting with biodynamics in the vineyard (the estate was already certified organic) and perpetuates a family wine tradition passed down for three generations.

Similar to Nicolas Joly, Yann creates biodynamic preparations involving plant extracts and horse dung in addition to compost to promote the vitality of the soil and its symbiosis with the micro-organisms of plants and animals - to allow "wild nature" to regain its rights. "Our wine is thus the fruit of artisanal and family know-how acquired over time and through contact with a terroir where we evolve every day."

Wine is a living product, and Yann's oenological practices are as respectful as possible to this fact. There are no heavy-handed wine-making techniques; no sulfur additions at all, fermentation with native yeasts, aversion to high-extraction cap-management techniques like pumping over and absolutely no new oak. The objective here is to create wines with greater freshness and length, in a word, more "vibrant" wines. These are the wines that we'll be trying on the day:

Beaujolais OH 2024

Lantigne 2024

Fleurie Coup d'Foudre 2023

Fleurie Phenix 2023

Fleurie Cuvee Emile 2023

Fleurie Cuvee du Chaos 2023

Morgon Dynamite 2023

Morgon Iron 2024

These wines have received a lot of attention in recent years and being able to taste a full lineup like this is definitely not an experience that should be lightly passed up. For anyone that is interested, please respond to this email and we will try to get you the wines that you want but priority will be given to those that come to the tasting. See you there!

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