Grava Riesling 2023

Quenching, pithy Riesling led by the variety's signature citrusy aromatics. There's a little softness in the texture through the mid-palate, with defined, lengthy acidity. 

Producing wines from both the gravelly Dry River flats of Martinborough, and the region of Bierzo in Spain’s north west, Alistair Gardner and Karla Falloon are the talented couple behind Grava. Possibly the world’s smallest, most humble multinational, this duo work with organic fruit to produce compelling wines that are true expressions of their respective places.

Domaine d'Aupilhac Aupilhac Blanc 2023

One to contemplate, with aromatics of ripe summer stonefruit as well as a whiff of fennel and wild herbs. There’s a supple richness in the palate, but it finishes with a lovely pithy, bitter almond dryness. It’s made from a blend of white varieties typical in the Languedoc - Carignan Blanc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc and Ugni Blanc.

Three generations of Fadats have farmed in Aupilhac, set under the mountainous plateau of Larzac, in the Languedoc. In 1989 Sylvain Fadat established the estate, changing the family's course from being farmers to full time vigneron. As well as nurturing the original 13.5 hectare, south facing vineyard, Sylvain began establishing the 10 hectare Les Cocalieres vineyard in 1998. It’s set at higher altitude and on cooler, north facing slopes. These two vineyards are farmed biodynamically, with full organic and demeter certification. 

Gravel Down Golden Slumbers 2020

There's a lot packed into this exuberant semi-skin contact white, and it’s certainly one of a kind. It’s richly fruited, tropical and citrusy, with nutty, spiced apple complexity. Filling and supple in the front palate, it’s super fresh and racy on the back. Laurence sourced Sauvignon Blanc from a vineyard of limestone soils in Central Hawkes Bay. Half the fruit was fermented on skins, the other half was direct pressed. The wine was aged in old oak with no additions until bottling. 

We're always excited for new releases from Laurence and his partner Rebecca Thorne. The couple moved back to New Zealand and set up a tiny winery in a Kauri shed overlooking the Waima Ranges in Northland, before relocating to Nelson. They source fruit from small organic vineyards in West Auckland and Hawkes Bay and make wines with minimal intervention. They’re certainly on our list of ones to watch.

Saorsa Syrah 2023

Beautifully pure Hawkes Bay Syrah, with fragrant raspberry, spice and smoke aromatics. That purity carries through the palette, with elegant but well defined structure and freshness. It’s so composed, and reminds us of the Syrah’s of the Northern Rhone Valley in France. The fruit was hand harvested from the Gimblett Gravels and wild yeast fermented with 100% whole clusters. The wine was aged for 12 months in neutral oak before bottling without fining or filtration. 

Alex and Hana Montaperto-Hendry of Saorsa produce tiny quantities of Rosé, Viognier, Syrah and Grenache from selected vineyards across Hawkes Bay. The wines are well defined stylistically, and offer a level of detail and complexity that surpass most in the region. The Syrah’s in particular are a standout for us.

Paxton Queen of the Hive Shiraz Mataro 2022

Friendly Aussie drinking here, this is lively and bright fruit - a bit of raspberry and cranberry, with some darker fruits and spice sneaking in there. The palate sits just above medium bodied and it’s all very supple and juicy. The Shiraz comes from 40 year old vines, and the Mataro from bush vines. Both are aged in oak puncheons for 9 months. 

Established by David Paxton and his family in 1979, this is a 147 hectare estate in McLaren Vale. Still run by the family, they’ve had organic and biodynamic certification since 2011, and have some of the oldest vines in the McLaren Vale.

Château de la Vieille Tour Bordeaux Supérieur 2020

We’d been on the hunt for tasty, well priced, organic Bordeaux for a while, so we’re stoked to have found this. It’s forward in dark fruited aromatics, and supple and rich in the palate. It’s made from classic Bordeaux blending partners Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec, all grown on the estate. 

Family owned for 6 generations, this Bordeaux estate is based in the south of the region, on the slopes around the village of Saint- Michel-de-Lapujade. The Boissonneau family have 55 hectares and are committed to organics and biodynamics, with the estate being certified for both since 2007 and 2021 respectively.