Biodynamic. 

100% Cabernet Franc. 

Germain’s calling card is drawn from the domaine’s many parcels in Saumur. These varied sites grow on tuffeau/limestone soils around the communes of Varrains, Chaintres, Dampierre and Saumur. The vines range from 10 to 70 years old (with the average at around 30) and include the domaine’s ‘home’ vineyard, Le Clos, a site ploughed by the family’s Ardennais draft horse. Germain harvests by hand, employs cold soak infusion for some parcels and carries out the wild yeast fermentation and maturation mostly in tank. Aside from a minor 10 ppm SO2 at bottling, the wine sees no additions. Packed with youthful Saumur joie de vivre, this is a pure, elegantly floral red with perfumed dark cherry, anise and graphite notes and a juicy, supple, mouthwatering personality that pairs beautifully with cheese, paté, pork chops and roast chicken. In other words, the perfect bistro wine (that goes with every course)! The colour of the label this year is a kind of bluish slate.

In the vineyard :
Surface: 1,57 Ha

Exposure: Lower slopes/Multiple exposures

Soil Type: Clay/Limestone

Grape variety: Chardonnay

Size Mode: Single Guyot /Poussard

Growing method: FR-BIO-01 organic certified

Soil cultivation: Straddle ploughing

Harvest: Manual

Year of planting: 1960/1976/1982/1986/2012

Grown on 3 hectares facing south, this white Mercurey is a subtle blend of grapes harvested from several parcels thriving on clay-limestone soils, including Les Montots and Bussière. Exceptionally light, supple and fragrant, it offers a less mineral but equally subtle tasting experience than our Clos Rochette.

VINEYARD
Area : 3 ha 03 [7,49 Acres]
Planting years : 1984, 1988, 1991, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022

TASTING
Elegant aromas of fruit and flowers prevail on the nose. It is well balanced and pleasantly fresh on the palate. A pleasant wine best enjoyed chilled as an aperitif or with a meal.

From the winery...

Our father bought this parcel of Ladoix, originally planted with Pinot Noir, in 1995. Grapes ripen slowly on this slightly stony soil of marl and limestone, due to its north-north-east exposure and combe location. This characteristic quickly proved ideal for white wines. After conducting conclusive trials on 0.4 ha in 2007, Erwan decided to replant this plot with Chardonnay vines in 2013. It now stretches over 3 localities, including ‘Les Marnées’ and ‘La Blancharde’. To date, this is the largest planting undertaken on our estate.

OUR VINEYARD
Area : 3 ha 19 a [7,88 Acres]
Planting years : 2007, 2013

TASTING
Fresh, floral aromas emerge on the nose, with a hint of indulgent brioche. Powerful on the palate, the wine reveals toasted bread flavours balanced by a pleasant freshness. Great energy stems from its liveliness and firmness.

Tasting Note

A little shy on first reveal, but then the deeply bound fruit and complexing aromatics begin to unfold. Powerful, deep and saturating – what we have come to expect from MacMuir. The unmistakeable Felton Road winemaking hand contains the package allowing it to gradually deliver, exposing layer upon layer. The site is special – a hedonistic wine that’s brooding, formidable and unique. I

ntroduction 

Commencing with meticulous site selection and vineyard design in 1991, Felton Road's story is one of refusal to compromise. A strict 100% estate policy with fully organic and biodynamic viticulture (BioGro and Demeter certified) ensures that our fruit arrives at the winery as pure as it can be, while our entire estate comes as close to true sustainability as is possible. The winery is also B Corp certified and a proud member of IWCA (International Wineries for Climate Action). A commitment to hands off winemaking: gravity flow, wild yeasts, wild malo, an avoidance of fining and filtration all help preserve the wine's expression of its terroir. The result is Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir which accurately express the authenticity and complexity of our unique vineyards.  

Gareth King; Viticulturist, Blair Walter; Winemaker, Nigel Greening; Vigneron. 

Vineyard & Viticulture

Felton Road farms four properties totalling 34 ha in the Bannockburn subregion of Central Otago. This wine is from MacMuir vineyard which is just 1 km east of the Elms vineyard and winery, and just 300m west of Calvert. The vineyard possesses a higher vine density, a diverse range of clones and deep, heavy silt soils. Meticulous summer management of a single vertical shoot positioned (VSP) canopy ensures even and early fruit maturity. Shoot thinning, shoot positioning, leaf plucking, bunch thinning and harvest are all carried out by hand to ensure optimum quality fruit. Cover crops are planted between rows to assist in vine balance and to improve soil health and general biodiversity. 

Vintage After a wet September, spring commenced with good soil moisture and bud burst occurred at the normal time of early October. Temperatures hovered around average with December being warm and dry, enabling a successful flowering and fruit set. The dry conditions prevailed throughout January and February limiting berry size and setting the scene for fruit with elevated phenolic material and complexity. Judicious use of irrigation was required to maintain sufficient vine health throughout this sustained dry period. Temperatures never spiked and hovered around average enabling a slow and steady path to maturity. A distinctive feature of March 2024 was the cool night temperatures preserving acidity, freshness and precision of fruit character. Pinot Noir was harvested from 19 March to 9 April.

Vinification  The unique gravity flow winery enabled the grapes to be gently destemmed directly into open-top fermenters without pumping, retaining 30% as whole clusters. Traditional fermentation with a moderately long maceration on skins has extracted good colour and tannin with considerable depth of flavour. This wine was aged for 13 months in 20% new French oak barrels from artisan Burgundian coopers. In accordance with our non-interventionalist approach to winemaking, this wine was fermented with indigenous yeast and malolactic, and was not fined or filtered.

Tasting Note 

Red cherry, plum and a hint of dried herbs open the nose in a delightfully fragrant manner. The aromatics deftly define the knife edge ripeness that’s critical for great Pinot Noir; dialled in with ease in the exceptional 2024 vintage. Cardamom, mace and cranberry make an appearance, followed by a finely poised mouthfeel. The silky tannins are luscious and sweet, providing backbone and length. A typically expressive Cornish Point.

Introduction

Commencing with meticulous site selection and vineyard design in 1991, Felton Road's story is one of refusal to compromise. A strict 100% estate policy with fully organic and biodynamic viticulture (BioGro and Demeter certified) ensures that our fruit arrives at the winery as pure as it can be, while our entire estate comes as close to true sustainability as is possible. The winery is also B Corp certified and a proud member of IWCA (International Wineries for Climate Action). A commitment to hands off winemaking: gravity flow, wild yeasts, wild malo, an avoidance of fining and filtration all help preserve the wine's expression of its terroir. The result is Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir which accurately express the authenticity and complexity of our unique vineyards.  Gareth King; Viticulturist, Blair Walter; Winemaker, Nigel Greening; Vigneron. 

Vineyard & Viticulture 

Felton Road farms four properties totalling 34 ha in the Bannockburn subregion of Central Otago. This wine is from Cornish Point vineyard where the close proximity to Lake Dunstan (surrounded on three sides) creates a unique mesoclimate. Fine loess and silt soils overlie alluvial gravels interspersed with calcareous seams. Meticulous summer management of a single vertical shoot positioned (VSP) canopy ensures even and early fruit maturity. Shoot thinning, shoot positioning, leaf plucking, bunch thinning and harvest are all carried out by hand to ensure optimum quality fruit. Cover crops are planted between rows to assist in vine balance and to improve soil health and general biodiversity. 

Vintage 

After a wet September, spring commenced with good soil moisture and bud burst occurred at the normal time of early October. Temperatures hovered around average with December being warm and dry, enabling a successful flowering and fruit set. The dry conditions prevailed throughout January and February limiting berry size and setting the scene for fruit with elevated phenolic material and complexity. Judicious use of irrigation was required to maintain sufficient vine health throughout this sustained dry period. Temperatures never spiked and hovered around average enabling a slow and steady path to maturity. A distinctive feature of March 2024 was the cool night temperatures preserving acidity, freshness and precision of fruit character. Pinot Noir was harvested from 19 March to 9 April. 

Vinification  The unique gravity flow winery enabled the grapes to be gently destemmed directly into open-top fermenters without pumping, with 25% retained as whole clusters. Traditional fermentation with a moderately long maceration on skins has extracted good colour and tannin with considerable depth of flavour. This wine was aged for 13 months in 20% new French oak barrels from artisan Burgundian coopers. In accordance with our noninterventionalist approach to winemaking, this wine was fermented with indigenous yeast and malolactic, and was not fined or filtered.

WINE MAKING

Fruit was sourced from three sites in the Wairau Valley.  60% of Clones 95 and 40% of Mendoza were used.  No sulphur was added to the juices at the point of extraction which then were fermented spontaneously in a combination of seasoned French oak (90%) and stainless steel (10%).  

TASTE

Aromatics of ripe yellow citrus, nectarine and brioche.  A finely textured palate with an array of flavours from Meyer lemon to stone fruits with a lively acid to savour.

FOOD MATCH

All kinds of soft cheeses, white meats and rich seafood such as koura (crayfish) and smoked warehou.  

ACID: 6.5 g/l
pH: 3.48
ALC: 13.0%

100% Sangiovese harvested by hand
Selection of the best grapes from all our vineyards.
Fermentation: Cement and open bins
Maceration; 40-60 days
Aging: 18 months, 10% in large barrels (Stockinger), the rest in concrete and steel vats.

This wine is for us the most refined expression of Tenuta di Carleone. Driven by terroir and will age fantastically!

Rice Magic Sparkling Red is a naturally sparkling sake produced by the fermentation of pure rice and rice malt in the bottle.

It has a combination of natural sweet and sour flavors without the use of any additives. It is a sparkling sake made with "Yume no kaori" (name of rice from the Fukushima prefecture) and ancient  "Asamurasaki" black rice. Due to the highly nutritious anthocyanin found in the black rice, it was considered to be the "rice of longevity" and was given to the Chinese emperor in ancient times. Rice Magic RED has very fine bubbles and a gorgeous pink color, which comes naturally from the rice.

Alc: 7%

Tasting Note: Straw yellow colour with golden edges. Intense aromas of pineapple, apple and pear in perfect harmony with the typical ripening aromas: butter, toast and caramel. Creamy and elegant taste with sufficient freshness and a pleasant aftertaste. An excellent choice with warm fish dishes, white meat and semi-hard cheeses.

Winemaking Notes: The vineyards are located in the protected area of the Jumilla appellation in the province of Murcia. There is a warm climate with more than 3000 hours of sunshine per year, and this is also one of the driest areas in Spain with a maximum of 300l of precipitation per m²/year. The vines are on a sandy soil with large pebbles, low to the ground and have a very low yield maintenance. When the grapes have reached their optimum ripeness, they are harvested by hand at night. Maceration at low temperature to preserve the intense aromas. After fermentation at very low temperature in stainless steel vats, the wine is transferred to oak barrels where it matures for 6 months “sur lie” and develops its creaminess. The grapes are grown organically and no animal products are used during the clarification of the wine, which is why this wine gets the “Vegan” label.

Certification: Vegan

Alcohol: 12.5%

Variety: Chardonnay

Region: Jumilla, Spain

From Skypunch vineyard, which lies on the slope next to Home vineyard on Black’s Ave.  We’re leasing and managing  Julianne and Conor’s vineyard here and we’re excited.  In conversion to organic with BioGro 5202.

Aromas of preserved lemon citrus, flint, almond, cardamon, and ginger. The palette is structured and vibrant with unique saline tension. Flavours of new season pear and apricot, white peach and vanilla bean. Un-fined, unfiltered.

Pet Nat! A co-ferment of all of the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes we harvested at Netherwood, bottled whilst fermenting during the 2022 harvest. A rare wine and vintage. Rose gold-apricot hue. Effervescence aromas with white peach, apricot and subtle honey notes. The palate is vibrant, fresh and steely with a fine mousse and lingering crisp finish.  Dry (extra Brut) and alive. Zero sulphur.

Shiraz Cabernet Blend

Deep crimson with ruby hues. Intensely perfumed aromas of raspberry, blackberry, black plum, violets and almond blossom, with nuances of bay leaf, vanilla pod, black pepper and dried herbs. The palate leads with dark forest fruits, supported by baking spice,  sage and Dutch cocoa, balanced by fine-grained tannins and refreshing acidity for a  long, lingering finish.