Translation missing: en.Massolino + Picardy tasting this Saturday + Incredible New Grower Champagnes!: Massolino + Picardy tasting this Saturday + Incredible New Grower Champagnes!
Massolino
“Massolino presented a glorious set of new releases, one of the finest ranges I can recall tasting in more than twenty years of visiting the estate. The 2020 Barbarescos build on last year’s wines. Both are exquisite. After a challenging 2018, Massolino bounces back with a set of 2019 Barolos, wines that impress with their purity and profound expressions of site. Last, but certainly not least is the majestic 2017 Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda, a wine that will soon take its place as one of the very finest Barolos ever made here.”Antonio Galloni, Vinous
“...Massolino is a producer that falls into a small, elite group. It not only delivers admirable top-end nebbiolo wines, which is ultimately what it will be judged on, but it also makes a near-perfect range that starts with the delicious dolcetto and runs seamlessly though the barbera, to basic nebbiolo before arriving at the top tier wines.”Nick Stock, Gourmet Traveller Wine
Massolino has delivered an exceptional collection of Barolos from the cooler 2019 season, characterized by a harvest that stretched from mid-October to November, a rarity in these times of climate change. The 2019 Baroli distinctly express their respective terroirs. They epitomize the classical Baroli beloved by Piedmont's winemakers and cherished by Nebbiolo enthusiasts, boasting purity, vitality, and a structure defined by traditional tannins. These wines have the potential for decades of improvement. While they can certainly be enjoyed now they will truly reveal their magic after a few years of patient aging in the cellar. For those who can't resist opening a bottle early, a decanter is a must. As with each year the demand for these wines increase and the allocations decrease so please don't miss out on these incredible wines. - Pete L
-----------------------
Picardy Wines
Tasting this Saturday
September 16th
3pm - 6pm
Picardy wines are one of the leading estates in Pemberton, Western Australia. Opened in 1993, this family run estate produces some of the regions best SBS, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and one of my favourite Bordeaux inspired blends of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
The Pannell family settled here after the sale of Moss Wood, which they started in 1969. Yes.... That Moss Wood! The Pannell family and their work at Moss Wood helped raise the status of the Margaret River to one of Australia's premier wine regions and top producers of Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.
This ethos has continued at Picardy where they sustainably farm their dry grown vineyards producing classic yet refined examples of wine from their Pemberton estate. The combination of a cooler climate, higher altitude, sea breeze and gravelly loamy soils offer an ideal setting for their vines to flourish. Their range of wines are classic, age-worthy and true to their heritage. - Pete L
---------------------------
New Grower Champagne Arrivals
For centuries Champagne has been dominated by the Grandes Marques - houses such as Dom Perignon, Ruinart, Krug, Veuve Clicquot, Moet et Chandon (interestingly, all of these are owned by the same company), and the smaller vignerons have either been squeezed out or forced to sell their grapes. Due to the prohibitive costs in Champagne production, it made economic sense for the majority of growers to sell their fruit. This played into the hands of the larger houses, because for the Grandes Marques, consistency is king. The ability to develop a house style through blending is paramount to their success.
It was only in the 1980s that a handful of producers began to break free of this negociant model and decided to make their own wines. They were seeking a more pure expression of their terroir; one that didn't require high levels of sugar to be added to the finished wine; one that didn't rely on chemical sprays in the vineyard; one that could be vinified in smaller barriques, rather than commercial-scale steel tanks.
Breaking away from the "consistency is king" model and asking "who grows you Champagne" means terroir and vintage really come out to play, with each Grower Champagne allowing their unique character to shine. In turn, the changes to organic and biodynamic farming as managed by the smaller producers really gives back to the land and terroir. The Champagne produced is of the upmost quality due to the control the growers have during every step of the process. Truly artisanal.
Explore the collection in the link below, and read the stories of the families of artisans and their products, or come and have a chat with us in-store to discuss the range of these unique and special Champagnes. Our Champagne selection has never been stronger! - Pete L
New arrivals include: