Translation missing: en.Paradigm Hill + Massolino + Jean-Pierre Robinot + Little Reddie Tasting Saturday 26th 3pm-6pm: Paradigm Hill + Massolino + Jean-Pierre Robinot + Little Reddie Tasting Saturday 26th 3pm-6pm
Paradigm Hill
Paradigm Hill was established after Ruth Mihaly left her career in food to study viticulture and George Mihaly left his in medical research to pursue winemaking. They have always been passionate about food, quality and sustainable practices which led them to establishing the estate on their special site in the Mornington Peninsula where they tend to healthy vines that produce exceptional, low-yielding fruit.
Paradigm Hill have maintained a zero carbon footprint since 2016. They have a suite of solar panels that powers essentially everything and they even put power back into the grid when they don't need it and draw down on the power only as needed. Their estate has even been the subject of a case study by Sustainability Victoria! They have about 10 acres of north-facing, gently sloping vineyard with vines that are grafted on to vigour-limiting, salinity and phylloxera resistant rootstock. Paradigm Hill only use fruit grown on the estate - no grapes are purchased whatsoever. Their winemaking approach matches the care in the vineyard - to guide the wine with as little intervention as possible through the winemaking process.
We have a few of Paradigm Hill's wine in-store at the moment. The '24 'Pinot Gris' is easily one of the best of its kind in the country. A beautiful blend of citrus and exotic fruits with spice and a rich texture thanks to roughly 1/3 new French oak. The '23 'L'Ami Sage Pinot Noir' is one of their classic single vineyards and shows some darker but elegant fruits with some savouriness. Finally, the '23 'Les Cinq Pinot Noir' is another complex single vineyard that exhibits a touch more power and structure than L'Ami Sage while still maintaining its elegance. These are some of the best wines coming out of the Mornington Peninsula - don't hesitate as we only have small amounts of each of these!
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Massolino
Massolino are one of the great historic estates of Barolo, tracing their history in the region back to 1896 when Giovanni founded the estate as a traditional farm of the area - producing fruits and vegetables, raising livestock and making wine. Based in the commune of Serralunga d'Alba, Massolino own what is considered to be the highest and most pure expression of the commune: Vigna Rionda. They also own many other choice parcels and produce traditional, austere, age-worthy expressions of Nebbiolo.
"We believe that only one strategy pays off: not adding but elevating."
Massolino's primary goal is to safeguard the highest and purest expressions of the grape to produce complex and harmonious wines. Nebbiolo is extraordinarily sensitive to human intervention and the area of origin. Often, even within the same vineyard, between one vine and another, slight differences in the soil can result in significant differences in the aroma, flavour and colour of the wine. Massolino aims to interpret these differences and give them life. The standard "Barolo" and "Barbaresco" bottlings are choral expressions of Nebbiolo performing in different soils, achieved by vinifying grapes from different vineyards. However, they believe that the highest expression of their terroir are in the single-vineyard offerings which they consider "solo voices": Vigna Rionda, Margheria, Parafada, Parussi and, last but not least, Albesani. Fortunately we have most of these wines and across a few vintages too to paint a larger picture of Massolino's work and vision.
Firstly, we have the '20 'Moscato d'Asti' a fruity sweet white with some herbal characteristics too. We have a single bottle remaining of the '22 'Langhe Nebbiolo' and just under half a dozen of the '20 'Barolo' - that choral expression I mentioned earlier aged in large old Slavonian oak for 30 months. This wine is always great value for money within the context of Barolo and gives a good picture of what Massolino are capable of producing. We have the 'Barbaresco Albesani' in both the '19 and '20 vintages produced with a long maceration, aged in large old Slavonian oak for 18 months and then in bottle for another 12 from vines with an average age of 50. Finally, the flagship 'Barolo Vigna Rionda Riserva' we have in both the 2017 and the legendary 2016 vintage which comes in the etichetta nera (black label), too. These are 50 year old vines on calcareous marly soils and spends 42 months in large old Slavonian barrels before resting for another 2 years in bottle. The 'Etichetta Nera' or black label is something that they reserve only for the very best years and they believe the 2016 is one of the best wines they've ever produced. These are some absolutely extraordinary expressions of Nebbiolo that have the capacity to age for decades. There is a reason this is one of the most iconic Barolo estates and the prices are actually fairly reasonable compared to many other producers of comparable or even lesser quality. Pick some of these up and you will not be disappointed!
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Jean-Pierre Robinot
Jean-Pierre Robinot is a legend of the natural wine movement in France who opened one of France's first natural wine bars called L'Ange Vin (which is the name of his estate line) and was one of the founders of one of the country's most influential wine magazines: 'Le Rouge et Le Blanc'. Today he is in his 70s and making some of the most exciting wines in France that are being poured in the very best wine bars around the world.
Robinot farms about 10 hectares split across a few locations, some of which would be classified as Jasnières if he decided to follow the appellation rules, but then he wouldn't be making these thrilling wines that have captivated the world if he did. Jean-Pierre and his wife Noella began purchasing smaller plots of old vines and planting new vines themselves dedicated to the Loire's flagship white - Chenin Blanc, but also to the lesser-known local grape - Pineau d'Aunis. This red grape shares a similar light colour and body to Pinot Noir, although the flavor profile tends to lean more spicy and herbal. Fermentations take place in the labyrinth of ancient limestone caves beneath the vines, fermenting slow and steady and can often last over a year, with the wines resting on their lees in old barrels for as long as they need, often over 5 years.
We've already sold most of the Robinot bottles that we got this year but just have a couple left over for the first lucky ones to snag them from this email. The '22 'Le Regard' is made from 100% whole bunches of Pineau d'Aunis aged in wooden barrels for about nine months before being bottled without sulphites and rested for some time before release. This wine is silky, elegant with a bitter herbal edge. We also have the '22 'Concerto' made from 100% whole bunches of Cabernet Franc that was grown by well-known Loire organic and biodynamic producer Philippe Tessier in Cheverny and is aged in barrel for 15 months. This is a light, fresh and perfumed expression of Loire Cab Franc. This wines have a cult following around the world for a reason, snatch the last few Robinot bottles that we have in stock!
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Little Reddie Tasting
Saturday 26th
3pm-6pm
Join us this Saturday as we taste through the
fun wines of Little Reddie!
The Little Reddie project came about a bit over 10 years ago after Pat Underwood was exposed to some positive influences that moulded his interest and passion in wine. After numerous vintages for classic local estates such as Bannockburn and Gembrook Hill as well as extensive
travels throughout the regions of Europe, Pat has picked up some very important knowledge and experience which he expresses in these small-batch wines sourced from thoughtfully selected Victorian vineyards. These are the wines that we'll be pouring this Saturday:
Little Reddie Mountain Fizz 2024
Little Reddie Riesling 2023
Little Reddie Leanganook Chardonnay 2023
Little Reddie Nebbiolo Refosco 2024
These are some fun and expressive wines that always have a place in our store. Come down and taste them for yourself!
Wishing you a great week from the team: Chris, Pete and Aaron.