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Produttori del Barbaresco + Ossa + Yangarra + Pedemontis Tasting Saturday 22nd 3pm-6pm

by Annandale Cellars

Produttori del Barbaresco

Produttori del Barbaresco are one of the world's greatest co-operatives and one of the most consistent producers in Piemonte's Barbaresco. In 1894, Domizio Cavazza, headmaster of the Royal Oenological School of Alba and owner of Barbaresco Castle and the adjoining farm, founded the “Cantine Sociali di Barbaresco” for the “production of luxury and table wines”. He made wines in the castle with 9 local growers and named it after the village of Barbaresco itself making 1894 the unofficial birth year of these majestic wines. Today, Produttori work with over 50 local growers across all of the crus of Barbaresco to make some of the best wines in the region.

What sets Produttori del Barbaresco apart from many other co-ops is that the growers must sell 100% of their grapes - they can't keep the best for themselves as many growers do with co-ops. Produttori would then sort the grapes with the full harvest at their disposal allowing only the best expressions of Barbaresco and its many crus to shine through. In vintages considered excellent consistently throughout the area of origin, nine Barbaresco wines are also produced from specific crus, marketed as Riserva after four years. The crus are historic vineyards of outstanding value, which Produttori del Barbaresco itself has helped to make famous: Asili, Montefico, Montestefano, Muncagota, Ovello, Pajè, Pora, Rabajà, Rio Sordo. These are all vinified in exactly the same way and allow drinkers to vicariously walk through these vineyards with each sip. They follow a traditional vinification process with long macerations and ageing in large barrels: about 20 months for Barbaresco DOCG and about 30 for Barbaresco Riserva. The grapes are handled as little as possible in the cellar to allow the personalities of each cru to express themselves as faithfully as possible. Produttori are also the only winery in Langhe that produces only a single grape - in this sense they considers themselves the biggest advocate of the regal Nebbiolo grape.

We have a lot of these incredible expressions of Nebbiolo to offer. The 2021 vintage of the regular 'Barbaresco' has just landed and growers in Barbaresco are saying this was a fantastic vintage for them. This is the best option for anyone who hasn't tried the Produttori wines before. We also have many of the Crus from the exceptional 2019 vintage. We have sold out of a few but we have the 2019s in: 'Rio Sordo', 'Ovello', 'Paje', 'Montefico', 'Muncagota', 'Pora' and 'Rabaja'. Last but certainly not least, we have the 2016 'Don Fiorino Barbaresco Riserva'. This Barbaresco is dedicated to Don Fiorino, the priest who, in 1958, inspired and guided the 19 farmers who founded Produttori del Barbaresco, building the winery in the centre of the village, where it still stands today. This is their top wine and the 2016 vintage, alongside 2019 is considered by many to be the best of the century. These are seriously expressive and detailed wines that belong in the cellar of all wine-lovers. Don't miss out on these fantastic wines!

 

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Ossa

Ossa is a Tasmanian producer that has burst onto the Australian wine scene and already producing exceptional wines for such a young estate. Rod and Cecile Roberts purchased a 600 hectare farm on the east coast of Tasmania in 2017 where they take inspiration from Mount Ossa - Tasmania’s largest mountain carved by ice and snow. Rod’s background in horticulture and knowledge of the local soil and water dynamics made them convinced this was prime land for crafting expressive wines.

To better acquaint and immerse themselves with the land, they spent the first year camping on the property. They started their project by reinstating native species on the farm and introduced a colony of bees to support the local ecosystem. Next came the planting of an interesting mix of varieties: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Shiraz, Gruner Veltliner, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris covering a total of 20 hectares in the quest for expressive and engaging wines. Now complete, Ossa launched their first release of wines in 2022 to great success and have continued to produce incredible wines since then that have captured the attention of wine-lovers around the country.

This is the first time we’ve bought these wines in our shop and customers have already started snapping them up! The 2019 ‘Methode Traditionnelle’ is a blend of 57% Pinot Noir and 43% Chardonnay which displays a great blend of stone fruit, lemon, lemon curd and ripe apples with autolytic brioche notes. Refreshing acid with enough texture to keep this interesting - who doesn’t love Tassie sparkling? The ‘22 ‘Chardonnay’ spends 10 months on its lees in large seasoned French oak after fermentation with indigenous yeasts. A very ‘Burgundian’ Chard - this shows a great balance of citrus and stone fruits with oak spice and flint. Finally, the ‘22 ‘Pinot Noir’ which we only have a couple bottles left of matured for 11 months in 500L French oak puncheons of which 15% is new. This wine already looks the part alongside the best Pinots of Tasmania. These wines are very limited so jump on them quickly to see the hype for yourself!

 

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Yangarra

Yangarra is a producer that hardly needs introduction. An icon of Mclaren Vale, Yangarra have been extremely influential for biodynamic farming in the area and for championing the potential of Southern Rhone varieties in the region, particularly Grenache as their flagship grape. The property spans 170 hectares in total, of which 90 are planted under vine with the remainer dedicated to native vegetation and wildlife to enhance the symbiotic relationship between vines and their natural environment.

Yangarra began their biodynamic journey in 2008, receiving the official accreditations in 2012. By removing all synthetic herbicides, pesticides and fertilisers, they have been able to promote a natural succession in soil and vine health. Beneficial soil microbial biomass is promoted with biodynamic preparations in the vineyard. Mulching grasses under vine back into the soil aids natural composting and increases organic matter while grazing sheep through winter help to keep grasses in check and act as a natural fertiliser. The entire 170 hectare estate is bursting with life! Yangarra uses a gentle hand in the cellar knowing “when not to” and “when to” with the aim of preserving the natural characteristics of the vineyard and respective grapes. They use the tried and tested techniques of wild fermentation, basket pressing, amphoras, ceramic eggs and large format oak foudre to produce wines of extreme finesse and complexity.

We have a range of Yangarra's wines on offer from the entry-level through to their top-of-the-line big-hitters. We have both the '22 'Preservative Free Shiraz' and '21 'Shiraz' which are excellent easy-drinking options and incredible value. The '23 'GSM' is easily one of the best in the country under $50 and we also have the '22 'Old Vine Grenache' in half size bottles for those wanting to just have a little taste of this great estate first. The '22 'Ovitelli Grenache' is their most perfumed and elegant expression of the grape grown on a single block of dry-grown bush vines planted in 1946 and spends a whole Autumn on its skins in big ceramic eggs. The '20 'Ironheart Shiraz' is the flagship Shiraz from a single vineyard in Blewitt Springs with immense concentration and finesse. Finally, the '19 'High Sands Grenache' is the pinnacle of the range and represents the best Grenache in the country, alongside Alkina's Polygon series (which we also stock) and one of the best outside of the Southern Rhone. These are highly thoughtful and expressive wines from one of Australia's greatest estates - pickup your share before it's too late!

 

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Pedemontis Tasting

Saturday 22nd

3pm-6pm

Join us this Saturday for another banger of a tasting with the wines of Pedemontis to follow up last week's return to Saturday tastings.

Pedemontis is a family-run estate best known for the family’s truffle farming in Alba, Piemonte. This is the first time their wines specifically are being imported into Australia; they are showing beautifully as representations of traditional Piemontese grapes between Roero and Langhe, grown sustainably and with an incredible effort to maintain a low carbon footprint. These are the wines we'll be showing on the day:

2022 ‘Jaiet’ Favorita, Langhe DOC

2022 ‘Arajs’ Arneis, Roero DOCG

2021 ‘Djun’ Nebbiolo d’Alba DOC

2021 ‘Bajet’ Barbera d’Alba DOC

Don't miss out on what is most likely one of the first public tastings of this producer ever in Australia. See you there!

Wishing you a great week from the team: Chris, Pete and Aaron.

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