Pretty glad I snagged a couple of these gems recently! Adding to the Chardonnay and Gamay  this Sorrenberg Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2018 is one of Australia’s best white wines you can get your hands on, shame there’s so little made! I’ll be tucking these away for 3-5 years to let them evolve before I see what all the fuss is about! -

This wine is a blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon. Most of the Sauvignon Blanc fruit had 8 hours skin contact prior to pressing. The Semillon component is crushed and pressed immediately after picking. This wine was 100% barrel fermented with predominantly larger barrels used. All went through natural yeast fermentation. The extended lees contact helps fill out the middle palate and gives this wine the extra dimension it is known for.

 Pretty glad I snagged a couple of these gems recently!

2015 Clemens Busch - Riesling Vom Grauen Schiefer (86 pts)

ℹ️ Clemens Busch is based in the Mosel. The majority of his vines are grown on a hillside called Marienburg facing the town of Pünderich. He makes two Cuvees from this site that highlight they grey slate (vom grauen Schiefer) and red slate (vom roten Schiefer). Bottle capsule color (red, grey, blue) dictates the soil type. Terroir focused to say the least with minimal intervention. They practice Biodynamic farming·

👃 Medium intensity on the nose. Aromas of wet rock, flint, steelie, yellow apple, Meyer lemon, lemon zest, acacia, and quince·

👄 The wine is dry, high enamel destroying acidity, medium- alcohol, and light body. Medium+ intensity on the palate. This is tart, very tart! The palate is lemon zest, raw quince, and yellow apple skins. There is chalky texture and then an extremely mineral wet rock and slate note that dominates the medium length finish. ·

🔔 This wine is clearly not for everyone due to the ripping acidity. I probably like rocks and acid more than the average drinker. 2015 is a ripe year, but there is no suppleness here. This is straight up citrus zesters and laser beams ☄️. Served too cold and the acidity is austere, but a tad warmer than cellar temp and it eases off a bit. Time should help mellow it·

 2015 Clemens Busch - Riesling Vom Grauen Schiefer (86 pts)

Domaine Xavier et Agnès Amirault Virtual Tasting and Interview with Xavier Amirault·

🎙 Join my Instagram Live interview with Winemaker and Owner Xavier Amirault from

 in St-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil, France, on Wednesday, June 10th, at 9:00 am PST. Xavier and his wife Agnès Biodynamically farm an estate of 92 acres across 12 distinct soil types. Xavier is also a champion of the wines from St-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil·

🍷 We will be tasting three different wines that are all 💯 Cabernet Franc, each from a unique soil type and all from the 2015 vintage - Le Clos des Quarterons Vielles Vignes, Les Gravilices, and Le Vau Renou. Please join our Instagram Live and participate in the conversation. Don't forget to click the reminder in the stories·

 Domaine Xavier et Agnès Amirault Virtual Tasting and

Interview with Helena and Clemens Lageder of Alois Lageder

.lageder . We discussed Biodynamic Viticulture in Alto Adige and how they are working with vine-growers to convert to Organic or Biodynamic practices. We talked about the Porer Pinot Grigio and how using skin contact short, and long term can help retain a perception of freshness in the wines. We talked about the origin and intent of the Summa wine conference. Finally, we talked about how to be a successful family-run winery.

 Interview with Helena and Clemens Lageder of Alois Lageder

NV Domaine Saint-Rémy - Crémant d'Alsace Presitige Brut (88 pts)

ℹ️ This domaine has existed since 1725. They are certified Biodynamic 👏 This Crémant is made from 💯 Chardonnay. All hand harvested. Crémant production uses the Traditional Method·

👁 Medium gold color with consistent fine bubbles·

👃 Medium intensity on the nose. Aromas of yellow apple, pear, quince, white flowers, and a slight bread and butter note·

👄 The wine is dry, medium+ acidity, medium alcohol, and medium- body. Good texture from bubbles. Apple chips, quince, lemon zest, white flowers, and butter. The medium length finish has a nice apple skin and almost cinnamon stick note·

 has this for $19 a bottle. If you want mid-week bubbles this Crémant d'Alsace really delivers for the 💰·

 with NSA. I would like to thank them for providing the bottle 🙏🏼·

 NV Domaine Saint-Rémy - Crémant d'Alsace Presitige Brut (88

2012 Domaine de l'Ecu - Muscadet Sevre et Maine Gneiss (89 pts)

- Medium lemon color. Medium- intensity on the nose. Aromas of lemon, lemon custard, white peach, yogurt, seashells, salt water, and flint. The wine is bone dry, high ripping acidity, medium- alcohol, and medium body. The palate is extremely mineral as if wet rocks are in and glass of lemon juice. Lemon, lime, underripe peach on the palate. Yogurt, flint, and lemon peel on the medium length finish. Really good Muscadet. It is complex, but still simple. It's a great appertif wine. Wish I was eating some oysters with it now. The acidity is sneaky in this wine, but clear lees aging shows off the texture of the wine and stands up to the acidity. Good effort.

 2012 Domaine de l'Ecu - Muscadet Sevre et Maine Gneiss (89

Alois Lageder Interview with Helena and Clemens Lageder·

🎙 Join my Instagram Live interview with Helena and Clemens Lageder of Alois Lagader

.lageder , ‪on Monday, May 25th, at 9:00 am PST‬. We will be discussing Biodynamic Viticulture. Weingut Alois Lageder has been inviting winegrowers from all over the world to join the Summa, which is a collaborative conference.  Also, talk about the rewards and challenges of being a family-run winery·

🍷 We will be tasting the 2018 Porer Pinot Grigio and will discuss how Pinot Grigio style is being preserved at Alois Lageder in the face of climate change. Please join our Instagram Live and participate in the conversation. Don't forget to click the reminder in the stories··

 Alois Lageder Interview with Helena and Clemens Lageder·

2015 Occhipinti - SP68 Bianco Sicilia IGT (89 pts)

See 📺 video review 👉 https://youtu.be/3LD7OktPNtU ·

 2015 Occhipinti - SP68 Bianco Sicilia IGT (89 pts)

2015 Occhipinti - SP68 Rosso Sicilia IGT (87 pts)

Interview with Winemaker Eddy Leiber-Faller of Domaine Weinbach. We discussed a brief overview of the Alsace wine region. We talked about the Noble grape varieties and the diversity of soil types. We tasted the 2017 Pinot Blanc, 2017 Riesling Cuvée Colette, and the 2016 Gewurztraminer Cuvée Laurence. We covered the Biodynamic Viticulture practices, Winemaking at the Domaine, and thoughts on natural wine.

 Interview with Winemaker Eddy Leiber-Faller of Domaine

The Bio Project represents Shingleback’s ongoing commitment to undertaking native revegetation within their Davey Estate Vineyards.

From this they have produced three Bio Project Wines and one is a Dry Rosé.

Mouth sucking dryness to be exact. The flavour is different to most rosé wines and I experienced an orange taste. It is that acidity and just sucking the roof of your mouth dying for another sip. This was made for me.

Actually I’m changing the rating to A-, its great…simple…

 Shingleback Wines The Bio Project Rose 2020 Rating: B+

Super juicy blend with both the Shiraz and Cab Sav working in balance to give the best of both varieties. The team

 have outlined they have made small changes to their wines. I never tasted their previous vintages but whatever small changes they have made its working. This wine is not trying too hard it is just a classic blend...simple...

 Small Changes Red 2018 Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

Stefano Lubiana 2018 Primavera Tasmanian Pinot Noir

Recommendation: Buy; let them rest for a few years.

It is such a crowded market at the moment with pinot's, especially in that $40 price range. It is hard to differentiate between the good and the outright average. Price is never a good indication.

_lubiana_wines pinot recently being sold for $32, there is no question, it's a complete steal. Beautiful Tasmanian pinot noir. Estate grown, handmade elegance.

Bright and juicy, but I feel it is too young at the moment and needs time. I taste its potential and I'm excited for the future, so I've bought a few for the cellar. I think this will be great in a few years...simple...

 Stefano Lubiana 2018 Primavera Tasmanian Pinot Noir Rating:

This is a really nice example to convince doubters in a positive way.

Pianora (1986) is located in the hills of Montorfano just at the border of Franciacorta, characterized by the steeply sloping terraced vineyards.

Erborista is based on organically grown grapes, then enriched with slow infusions of carefully selected local herbs and spices.

There are no added alcohol, chemical additives, artificial colorings or burnt sugar to manipulate this vermouth.

The nose is very expressive with backberry, sweet flag, elderflower, star anise, tonka bean,  orange peel and a brunch of herbs.

The palate is very full-bodied. Soft and round, but surprisingly with a little touch of tannins.

Elderberry, blackberry, cinchona bark, bergamot, liquorice and bitter orange.

The bottle had been open for a few days when I tried it. It seemed a bit oxidated (don’t know if it always does), but it kinda integrated well with the sweetness anyways.

 ⭐️88/100⭐️ Azienda Agricola Pianora Wermut Erborista, 2018

📍Chambolle-Musigny, Côte d’Or, Bourgogne, France🇫🇷

Francois Millet startet this family project in 2016 after many years, honered with respect, in the winemaking world of Bourgogne - best known for being the man behind legendary Domaine Comte Georges Vogüé (since 1986).

“Les Rues” is a single vineyard located just outside the village of Chambolle-Musigny.

After harvest, the clusters are destemmed and carefully selected before being brought to fermentation tanks as whole grapes. Fermentation is only made with natural yeast and follows nature’s will - is it warm outside, the fermentation starts early, is it cold outside, the fermentation starts late. That’s one way to make the vintage speak for itself..

No use of pigeage and mainly 2. and 3. filled oak is used for maturation - according to Francois, this helps bringing full terroir-potential to the wine.

This Pinot is extremely charming and juicy with a silky texture and pleasant concentration.

The nose i quite classic light Bourgogne-Pinot with roses, dried cherry, raspberry, white pepper and some mild green vegetal notes.

Palate is lovely (taking an “entry level” in consideration) with a little bit of leather and hibiscus hidden behind a soft curtain of raspberry.

 ⭐️90/100⭐️ Francois Millet & Fils Bourgogne Rouge “Les Rues”

📍Nieva, Castilla y León, Spain🇪🇸

In an old bodega in the Parral Monestary in Nieva, Ismael Gozalo makes wine on seriously old pre-phylleoxera Verdejo vines.

The sandy soils of this area have protected the vines which date back to 1847.

Gozalo also produces wine on several red varieties, but it’s definitely the Verdejo which straks your attention at the domaine.

He experiments with Verdejo as bubbles, in amphora, in barrique, with short/long fermentation etc. And always, even in this very conventionel area, with ultra biodynamic farming and vinification all way through.

This orange Verdejo has a brownish orange peel-color with a toffee hint after 7 months of maceration.

The aroma of this Brutal is an immediate explosion of herbs and dried fruit.

Surprisingly, it’s the herbs that’s taking over: Fresh dill, cress and basil - then followed by dried pear, asparagus and nutmeg.

The palate has clear but super smooth tannins and a quivering acidity. It’s also slightly dusty.

Orange fruit like persimmon, papaya and goldenberry is the main flavor. Then nutmeg and basil appear. The finish is long with a feeling of fresh red chili on your lips.

This babe is charming and funky with extra funk... Hallelujah!🙌🏼

 ⭐️89/100⭐️ MicroBio Wines Brutal !!!, 2015 📍Nieva, Castilla y

📍Kamptal, Niederösterreich, Austria🇦🇹

Matthias Warnung farms approximately 10 hectares of vines in the region of Kamptal in Austria - northwest from Vienna.  His vineyards consists of mainly old and well adapted vines of Grüner Veltliner, Riesling and Zweigelt, but he also hides a bit of some Chardonnay and Muller-Thurgau in his pockets. He took over the operation of the winery from his father in 2010, after spending time working with various other winemakers, most notably the famed South African natural winemaker behind Testalonga, Craig Hawkins. . He’s focusing on natural harvesting, and ferments all the wines spontaneously with little to no sulfur added. This wine is made from 40-year old vines, fermented in 8-year old 400-liter barrels with one day’s maceration. It’s matured 24 months sur-lie in the barrels, and then bottled unfined and unfiltered.  Only 1.000 bottles were made.

Beautiful aroma that needs a little time to really show it’s complexity. Gaining that, light fruity notes of white peach, lemon peel and lime juice appear with a slightly touch of wood. I bit of croissant and a chalky minerality too. Most i significantly, there’s a clear and super beautifully integrated yeasty scent from the 24 months of sur-lie. Doesn’t smell like the usual Chardonnay - very interesting.

The palate is light-bodied with a fine prickly acidity. The flavors are light and elegant bringing some lemon juice, lemon peel, fresh light herbs, melon skin and flint. The finish is long with a salt note and a bit of salmiak. ——

 ⭐️90/100⭐️ Weingut Matthias Warnung “Feldstück” Chardonnay

📍Vaison-la-Romaine, South Rhône, France🇫🇷

🍇Mainly Grenache / tiny, tiny amount of Carignan

Back in 2010 Rune Elkjær took the leap and moved to the Southern Rhône Valley near Gigondas to start producing wine, after many years in the restaurant business (former sommelier at Michelin restaurant “Kommandanten” in Copenhagen).

His wines are juicy and well structured, biodynamic and stylewise closer to the old-fashioned and original Rhône-style (from times before Parker put his mark on the region).

Masculine nose of dark berries, horse droppings, forrest floor, fresh paint, and warm spices.

The palate is well balanced with firm tannins, a fine medium richness and juciy acidity.

Talking fruit is classic, South Rhône-style with light plums, cherry and blackcurrant. Then the classic spicy and herbacious notes from the Grenache really show off: Olives, liquorice, tar, a bit of mint and Bay leaves. All mixed with big animalistic flavors of leather and beef jerky.

It’s not certified biodynamic/natural, because Elkjær is buying all grapes from local farmers (from biodynamic farming, though), and vinify by himself at the winery

 ⭐️86+/100⭐️ Elkjær-Amiel Côtes du Rhône, 2016

📍Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA🇺🇸

—————— The project started when Larry Stone bought some vineyards in Eola-Amity Hills back in 2012 (first vintage was 2015). Larry Stone has an almost unmatched wine history, with his hands involved with names such as Romanée Conti, Comte Lafon, Dujac, Rubicon Estate and Evening Lands Vineyards including consulting jobs and restaurant managing. He is also the first American to win the prestigious “Best International Sommelier” in “French Wines Competition” in Paris, and the 9th American to be honored with the title of a Master Sommelier.

They are a sustainable winery focusing on organic and biodynamic principles as well as care for local fauna and wildlife. Though, they don’t gamble with their harvest, and they are not afraid of saving it if necessary. To them, biodynamic/organic farming is not a religion - it’s just common sense.  The mantra is: As little human influence in the vineyards as possible.

Avni is a feminine Indian name meaning “earth”, which refers to the clear terroir-influence in this Chardonnay.

Crystal clear appearance with very expressive aromas, offering a complex Côte d’Or-like nose with yellow apple, lemongrass, honeycomb, citrus, limestone, white pepper, light caramel, dry hay, white flowers and smoke. The wood is very well integrated. The palate is silky with layers of citrus, pear, butter, almonds and a flinty, mouthwatering minerality. The finish is long with medium acidity and a saline touch. The wine is beautiful and extremely pure - not too oaky and with a lot of minerality and a low-keyed tropical style. ——

 ⭐️89/100⭐️ Lingua Franca “Avni” Chardonnay, 2017 📍Eola-Amity

📍Götzendorf, Niederösterreich, Austria🇦🇹

Johannes Zillinger grew up in the vineyards with his father’s philosophy of protecting the environment instead of poisoning it. His father turned to organic viticulture two years before the big Anti-freeze scandal (1985) and was one of the pioneers of the modern Austrian era of wine. The 350-years old winery was taken over by Johannes in 2013, and he took the philosophy even further to biodynamic and natural farming.

Today, he’s known for producing some of the most well reputed bio-wines of Austria.

He’s making four series of wine (ranked from the good ones to the best): Velue, Reflexion, Revolution and Numen.

The Numen Fumé Blanc is an unfiltered Sauvignon Blanc from his high quality, “most bio/natural” Numen-series. Almost no intervention in the vineyard and the cellar. Use of amphora, sur-lie, intracellular fermentation and skin contact is often used in Zillinger’s wine - this case included.

A funky fella with a funky color and some funky flavors. A fresh summer-white and a must try for those volatile acidic hunters out there.

The bouquet offers a generous amount of green fruit and vegetal aromas like green apple, gooseberry, sage, grass, asparagus and salicornia with a fresh vinegar touch. It’s a little dusty too (from some amphora maturation). There’s clearly some yeasty notes too from sur-lie. The palate is light and fresh with a base of pear and apple followed by lime, asparagus and nutmeg.  The wine is very exciting but also a bit overwhelming. I’d prefer serving it with a green dish or some white fish, to match the high acidity.

 ⭐️87/100⭐️ Johannes Zillinger Numen Fumé Blanc, 2016

Located in the deeply conservative wine country of South Africa, Testalonga was founded back in 2008 by Craig and Carla Hawkings. Opposite to the rooted traditions of winemaking, the Hawkings are playing with hardcore organic and biodynamic  farming (even some vegan wines among), skin-contacted white wines - all procedures with as much intervention-free cellar practice as possible. Even though natural wine-producing is slowly growing in South Africa, Testalonga is still considered very radical.  Foudre and steel tank, a few days of maceration and no filtration. The wine looks bright golden and cloudy.

Expressive aromas of yellow apple, ginger, freshly baked bread, light honey and some slightly smoked and reductive notes.

The palate shows a medium-bodied structure with a tiny tannic level. Fresh pear, orange peel, pomelo, nuts and layers of warm herbs. It’s quite mineral and saline too. To sum up, this wine beautifully balance the contrasts of depth, warmth and freshness.

 ⭐️88/100⭐️ Testalonga El Bandito Cortez, 2015 📍Swartland

Vino di Anna is the creation of Anna Martens, along with her husband, Eric Narioo, founder of famed UK wine importing company, Les Caves de Pyrene.

Vineyards are on the north slope of Mount Etna, 60-100 years in age, at 760-1200 meters in elevation. Biodynamic/Organic/Low Intervention “Alcoholic fermentation was spontaneous and without temperature control during which the two fermenting musts were mixed. The finished wine underwent malolactic fermentation and remained on the fine lees for 5 months before being bottled without refining or filtering. The minimal additions of S02 were made before bottling.” _

Gold in colour, with aromas of yellow apple, lemon, ginger, honey and sea spray.

Pear, apple, lemon and saline minerality are glossed by super light green tea tannins and fresh acidity. Citrus zest accents the smoky mineral finish.

Field blend of “Grecanico, Grecanico Dorato, Catarratto, Minnella Bianca, Carricante, Inzolia”

Vino di Anna ‘Palmento’ Vino Bianco 2018

 Vino di Anna is the creation of Anna Martens, along with

Francesco Cirelli Trebbiano d’Abruzzo DOC 2015

An innovator amongst clay amphora ageing, Francesco Cirelli designed his own amphora and had them custom built in Tuscany. The amphora “have special stainless steel seals on the top of them that assist in preventing oxidation and allow his wines to remain fresh and vibrant” yet still able to benefit from the neutral vinification clay amphora are renowned for.

Deep gold in colour with aromas of lemon, chalk minerals and a trace of nuts. Lemon, pear, apple, honey and warm summer earth are framed by bright acidity and a nutty finish. Soft, round and smooth, your glass will empty rather swiftly.

 Francesco Cirelli Trebbiano d’Abruzzo DOC 2015 An innovator

Passed down to each generation since its founding in 1770, the 9 hectare domaine in Alsace has 6 hectares of old vine vineyards.

Headed today by Christian Binner, 40% of the vines are over 60 years old, with many nearly 100 years in age.

Si Rose was inspired by Roman winemaking in which white wine was made with macerated grapes. Additionally, climate change is increasing the temperature in Alsace, causing difficulties with the slow ripening varieties.

Grapes are from are from 2 consecutive vintages, on hillside, south facing vineyards with limestone soils.

30% was macerated for 8 months and 70% macerated for 8 days, bottled in autumn 2019.

Coral ruby in colour, very aromatic; with mandarin orange, peach, drizzle of caramel, saline minerality, candied rose petal, lychee, ylang ylang and lime leaf.

Juicy peach, apricot, nectarine, rose petal, chalky minerality and a trace of eucalyptus are framed by green tea tannins and citrus acidity.

Mandarin orange, mango, pink grapefruit and lemon infuse the sleek finish.

Domaine Binner ‘Si Rose’ Vin de France NV

 Passed down to each generation since its founding in 1770

The Calcarius group of wines is a project created by Puglian natural winemaker extraordinaire Valentina Passalacqua “to explore the encounter between art and science”.

Grapes are from vines 15 years in age, with “rocky, limestone, marble soils with calcified seashells”. Spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts on the skins in stainless steel for 4 days, unfined and unfiltered.

Orange-pink in colour, with aromas of melon, rose petal, wild strawberry, hibiscus flower and chalky minerals.

Flavours echo the aromas; with strawberry, melon, hibiscus flower and chalky minerality glossed by tangy acidity.

Orange zest and herbs linger on the bright finish.

Straightforward, with a super easy drinking nature.

Valentina Passalacqua ‘Calcarius Rosa Puglia’ Rosato Puglia IGP 2018

 The Calcarius group of wines is a project created by

 1st harvest Primo raccolto #sanmarzano #biodynamic

San Marzano seedlings successfully transplanted. Now to work on those raised beds 🌱🍅

 San Marzano seedlings successfully transplanted. Now to

Simple & rustic with pepper dusted tart fruit over an earthy core, perfect for an August evening