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Producer Profile: Cobaw Ridge + Just In: François Rousset-Martin

by Annandale Cellars

PRODUCER PROFILE: COBAW RIDGE

Cobaw Ridge, alongside Bindi, are one of the most iconic producers working in the Macedon Ranges just north of Melbourne. Cobaw Ridge was established by Allan and Nelly Cooper with first plantings in 1985. If the name rings a bell, that's because these are Joshua Cooper's parents, another producer from the area that we proudly stock and support. Cobaw Ridge are known for their stellar expressions of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that can be hard to come by - luckily we just bought some in.

The Cobaw Ridge estate and vineyards are located in the warmer northern slopes on the cusp of the Great Divide about 610m above sea level. The vineyard is positioned in a natural amphitheater backing onto the Cobaw State Forest in the heart of the Macedon Ranges on granitic, sandy soils. The Cooper's farm everything biodynamically and everything they make is 100% estate-grown.

"We feel these practices will further our holistic, sustainable, and above all natural approach to grape growing and winemaking, and provide an even greater opportunity for the wines to speak of the land which bore them."

The vines are rigorously hand-pruned to reduce crop level to ensure a high level of quality. The vines are vertically trained and hand-canopy managed to enhance fruit exposure to the sun and wind so as to reduce diseases and to promote riper fruit without vegetative flavours. There is no cultivation mid row, maintaining the natural grasses by slashing and giving back organic material to the soil.

The fruit of the low-cropped old vines is handled with respect in the winery with gentle pressing and hand plunging. The wine is fermented in small open-top vats and allowed to go through full natural malolactic fermentation in oak the summer following vintage producing a fuller, softer effect. All wine matures in barriques for 12 to 24 months, with the introduction of 25 to 30% new barriques each year - not too much so as to overpower the wines and make a statement about the barrel rather than the terroir. Nothing is added or taken away in this process with the exception of a touch of sulphur at bottling.

We've been lucky to bring in these highly sought-after wines, although you'll have to be quick as we don't have a huge amount. We have a dozen of the '25 'Chardonnay' which is incredibly fresh, complex and distinctive. An absolute must-have for lovers of cool climate Chardonnay. We also have a tiny amount of the '25 'Original Block Pinot Noir' and the '25 'High Density Pinot Noir' - seductively savoury "Burgundian" styles of Pinot that still unmistakably scream Macedon Ranges. Finally, we also have some of the '25 'Syrah' and '25 'Lagrein' which are even more elusive than the other bottles. Cobaw Ridge's wines are incredible and hard to find so pick some of these up before they go!

 

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DISCOVERY POUR: CASTRO VENTOSA EL CASTRO GODELLO

This fantastic wine comes from the severely underrated region of Bierzo in NW Spain, made by 2 of the most important winemakers in the region - Raúl Pérez and César Márquez. This is made from 100% of the indigenous Godello sourced from the clay and sandy soils from Valtuille. You can expect some beautiful stone fruit, lemon, saltiness and flint with a powerful, yet fresh body. This is a great introduction to both the region of Bierzo and the Godello grape. Pick this up and discover the beauty of Bierzo!

 

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JUST IN

François Rousset-Martin

The latest release from cult Jura producer François Rousset-Martin (or simply, FRM) has arrived. FRM works with some of the best organically farmed plots in Jura and is particularly known for his topped up Savagnin on the best sites of Chateau Chalon which are usually reserved for the very best Vin Jaune. All of his other wines are extremely compelling too making him one of the finest all-round producers in the region. Snap up some of these!

 

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TASTING: RILEY HARRISON

Saturday 24th

3pm - 6pm

Annandale Cellars

Join us this Saturday as we taste through the fun and fresh wines of Riley Harrison!

Riley's dream to escape the 9-5 became a reality with his first tonne of Grenache back in 2015. Riley has crossed regional boundaries to secure small parcels of fruit from vineyards in the Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale and Barossa Valley in pursuit of perfume, texture, and drinkability. With a strong emphasis on fruit quality and varietal expression, Riley’s winemaking style weaves between the lines of conventional and minimal-intervention.

These are the wines that we'll be pouring on the day: Tan Fresca, Sol Blanc, Tinta i Blanca, Vento do Mar, Fleur de Lune and Black Hound.

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