FABIEN COCHE, Bourgogne Chardonnay Grandes Coutures

Domaine du Roc Des Boutires En Bertilionne , Pouilly-Fuissé The fruit is sourced exclusively from En Bertilionne, located in the southern end of Burgundy. 0.57 hectares of limestone with shoals of marl, very deep chalk. The old vines (35-years), or vielles vignes, of Chardonnay are planted at an altitude of between 250 and 500 meters, which is quite high compared to other AOC Burgundies. The result is mature, well-positioned vines producing fruit that creates wines of complexity and freshness.

This wine was always designed to bring new world and old world together. After going to Bordeaux to meet the team at Boutes Barrels, John worked with the Coopers, to design a barrel that would work for Australian Riesling. They designed a 1500L barrel, which has had minimal toasting, resulting in a long barrel, which would act more has a maturation vessel, compared to a barrel which would impart oak into the wine. 2017 Rieslingfreak No.1 is made in a style which is different from any other Rieslingfreak. The wine has been wild fermented in a barrel, where as John normally ferments in stainless steel and with cultured yeast. Rieslingfreak is the inspiration of John Hughes, a man who is very passionate about his rieslings. The first vintage of the brand was in 2009, with a single vineyard Clare Valley Riesling. Since then, the label has expanded to include Eden Valley and Polish Hill River regions. The brand philosophy is to represent the hallmarks of a single region with their iconic winemaking style. Each Rieslingfreak wine is allocated an individual number. This number represents not only the region in which the fruit was grown, but also the style and technical specifications with which the wine is made. Rieslingfreak is about providing consumers with a range of specially crafted rieslings embracing both different regions and styles. It is only released from vintages considered worthy.