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Frederick Stevenson + Francois Chidaine + Alain Graillot

by Annandale Cellars

Frederick Stevenson

Tasting Saturday May 13th

3pm - 6pm

Frederick Stevenson started as a side project for winemaker Steven Crawford whilst he still had a winemaking day job for another winery; the first vintage under his alias was released in 2013. Originally wanting to be a chef, he describes himself as a flavourist, but flavour, he searches for naturally in his wines; nothing is synthesised.

Globetrotting steered Steven off the well-worn path of mass-production, and the new wave winemaker was enlightened with vintages across Australia, Italy, Germany and France. Steven pursued texture and interest in wine whilst abroad. He learnt from organic and biodynamic producers who taught him to think intuitively, rather than clinically as he had during his tertiary studies. Steven sought to make the kind of wines he had enjoyed across the bistros and wine bars of Europe; light to medium bodied, lofi, crunchy and made to be enjoyed without fuss.

Steven sources biodynamic fruit from regions around South Australia. Everything is small batch here, and minimal intervention is a must. The wines are fun and lively in the glass and speak of the regions from which they come.

Join us this Saturday to try all of his new releases!

 

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Francois Chidaine

In France's Loire Valley, Chenin Blanc might be synonymous with the famed region of Vouvray, but François Chidaine has put the smaller, lesser known Montlouis sur Loire on the map.

Yes, Chidaine has done for Chenin in the Loire what Didier Dagueneau did for its Sauvignon Blanc, creating a renaissance of winemaking in Montlouis and resuscitating sites in Vouvray. His reputation amongst Loire vignerons should bring no surprise that in his youth, Dagueneau's own son Benjamin sought to gain experience from Chidaine.

Although Chidaine's Vouray vineyard wine, the Baudoin, is declassified to Vin de France on account of it being vinified across the river border, the collection really speaks of the terroir of Montlouis. Les Bournais is perhaps the the most "Vouvray-esque" of the Montlouis, but even the Chenin d'Ailleur, the Chenin "from another place" really echoes Chidaine's spirit of Montlouis. First made in 2016 when Chidaine lost most of his fruit to ferocious frosts, the Fort family in Limoux, Languedoc offered up part of their Chenin harvest to the Chenin Master. Despite more ideal conditions in the Loire over the past years, the relationship has weathered the storm, now with the third vintage of the Vin de France as a more playful and juicy offering amongst Chidaine's classic style.

The Montlouis sur Loire wines from François Chidaine are deep, powerful, layered and textural. Whole bunch, wild ferment and long ageing on lees in larger format neutral oak with a very considerate, hands off approach in the cellar gently guide these wines to bottle. A true master. - Peta W

 

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Alain Graillot

There are few names as revered as Alain Graillot.
In 1985, the now legendary Graillot returned to his home in Crozes Hermitage, after working with the venerable Jacques Seysses at Domaine Dujac. With each passing year, his devotion to crafting his hauntingly delicious Syrah has been rewarded with an ever-growing, and highly dedicated, following around the world.


Recently, Domaine Alain Graillot was given two Etoiles (stars), making it the highest rated Crozes domaine in France's leading wine guide, Revue du Vin de France. This confirms the great work being done by Alain's sons, Maxime and Antoine, who have been in charge of the Domaine since 2008.


All of the work in the vineyards is carried out by hand, as it ever was. Gnarled, yet manicured vines reach up from a sea of smooth, rolled stones, over ancient alluvial deposits. In the winery, Maxime continues the hands-off approach with whole-cluster fermentation using natural yeasts, and no additions apart from a minimal use of sulphur.
Their status as one of the top Domaines in all of France is without question and the whole lineup are must-haves for any serious Northern Rhone fan.

 

 

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