WillaKenzie is named after the ancient marine soil on which the vines are planted. The 420-acre estate is nestled in the hills of Oregon's Willamette Valley, featuring a patchwork of diverse vineyards planted among groves of fir trees and untouched pastures. WillaKenzie have practiced sustainable farming and winemaking since breaking ground so that the terroir-inspired wines might express the nuance and purity of this rugged, breathtaking valley.

Surrounded by Chablis vineyards on all sides, the family estate was founded in 1973 by Jean-Marc Brocard, who has since been joined by his son Julien. The estate spans almost 200 hectares, 66 of which are certified organic. Of all the Chablis Grands Crus, Vaudésir is the most delicate. Its lively, elegant character is utterly seductive. The slopes of the Vaudésir valley are steep and allow the grapes to express refined minerality. Appearance: Yellow with green glints. Nose: Precise and charming with toasted brioche aromas and orange and lemon notes. Palate: Refined and velvety with buttery notes. A powerful and persistent wine.

Organically farmed Sauvignon Blanc from Yarra Valley

The quintessence of the Barons de Rothschild style. This champagne’s tiny production receives the same care and attention as the other Rothschild Family Grands Vins. The wine is full on entry to the palate where the verticality echoes the minerality detected on the nose. The very fine saline and iodized notes, accompanied by hints of lemon and citrus, give way to notes of spices that underpin the warm, long finish and reveal the perfect harmony that emanates from this wine.

Pooley Wines is a family-owned vineyard that was established in 1985 by Denis and Margaret Pooley, who planted vines on the banks of the Coal River in southern Tasmania. Initially, the vineyard was meant to be a retirement plan for the couple, but it soon turned into a passion project that flourished into a renowned premium cool-climate site. With the help of their son and grandchildren, three generations of the Pooley family have continued to bring meticulous care to their Cooinda Vale vineyard. In 2003, John Pooley and his wife Libby expanded their estate and established a second vineyard, Butcher’s Hill, with its first vintage produced in 2007. The passing of Margaret Pooley in 2010 marked a turning point for the family business, with Margaret’s granddaughter, Anna Pooley, returning to the family business in 2013. From this point onward, Pooley Wines has been made entirely by family hands. Today, more than 35 years after its establishment, Pooley Wines is recognised as one of Australia’s most renowned cool-climate producers. The Halliday Wine Companion awarded Pooley Wines the 2023 Winery of the Year, a testament to the family’s philosophy of making wines that reflect their unique environment while pushing the quality of the grapes and the wines even further. The Coal River Valley produces some of Australia’s finest wines, and Pooley Wines is at the forefront of this prestigious industry. The Coal River Valley is a region rich in geological diversity, with alluvial soils, Permian mudstone and sandstone outcrops, Triassic sandstones, shales and coal measures, as well as numerous injections of Jurassic dolerite in pockets of the area. Tertiary basalt sediments and ferricrete deposits are also common throughout the Valley, contributing to the unique characteristics of Pooley Wines' Butchers Hill vineyard. Despite being drier than its northern and southern counterparts, the region still benefits from the surrounding Southern Ocean, providing a long ripening period moderated by a maritime climate. Pooley Wines implements a strong focus on biological farming and regenerative agricultural practices, allowing them to future-proof themselves from a changing climate while maintaining productivity and resilience. The Cooinda Vale vineyard is ideally positioned facing northeast overlooking the Coal River in southern Tasmania. On the 43.5 Latitude line, the vineyard is planted on northeast facing slopes at 130m above sea level. This is a unique microclimatic location, being well protected from prevailing winds but still highly influenced by maritime conditions. The long growing season, which can extend into May, with high sunshine hours, predominately winter rainfall and the occasional frost and snow, combine to provide an excellent condition for cool climate grape varieties, such as Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Chardonnay. The lead-up to 2022 vintage included one of the wettest winters on record, a cool drying spring into summer with high humidity. All these factors led to healthy canopies and bunch numbers. The cool conditions, especially around the time of flowering resulted in some poor fruit set in earlier flowering varieties. This delivered a combination of small and large size berries to form reducing the overall yields and intake in those varieties. The vintage started a couple of days later than usual, but with the high humidity/lowered diurnal range, our late ripening varieties were picked slightly earlier than usual. Overall, a quality vintage. The fruit for the Elizabeth Anne Chardonnay was hand-picked then cooled overnight to 5 degrees. Whole bunch pressed directly to barrel the following day. Wild fermentation on full solids, in two 1 year old French oak Barriques (Marcel Cadet). 11 months maturation in barrel. 50% malolactic fermentation. The Pooley Elizabeth Anne Chardonnay 2022 has soft notes of lime sorbet, buttered toast and minerality on the nose with green apple, white peach and apricot following on the palate. Finishing with citrus peel, toasted hazelnuts and a silky texture.

Surrounded by Chablis vineyards on all sides, the family estate was founded in 1973 by Jean-Marc Brocard, who has since been joined by his son Julien. The estate spans almost 200 hectares, 66 of which are certified organic. Precision, power and freshness are the signature characteristics behind every Brocard wine. The Premier Cru Montée de Tonnerre vineyards lie on the right-hand side of the valley. Definitely the most complete Premier Cru, it offers a concentration of minerality, floral notes and complexity and has wonderful cellaring potential. Pale yellow with green glints, with aromas of lemon, yellow fruit, orange peel and green peppercorn. Flavours of orange and lemon zest can be found on the palate, supported by a dense, structured mouthfeel with wonderful persistence.

The Cotat estate has a fascinating history that began in 1947 when brothers Francis and Paul started cultivating Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir on the slopes of the renowned "Monts Damnés" in Chavignol. They produced a single cuvée, each bottling under their own labels. Upon their retirement, the estate was divided between their sons, François and Pascal. François continues the family tradition, crafting exceptional Sancerre wines in an organic, old-school style. These wines are known for their distinctive, full-flavored character and are sometimes considered "atypical" to the Sancerre appellation. Pascal Cotat, despite being one of the smallest producers in France with only 2 hectares of vineyards, has earned a remarkable reputation in the Fine Wine world. He is renowned for creating Sauvignon Blancs that possess exceptional aging potential. Pascal's vineyards in Chavignol, specifically the Grande Côte and the Monts Damnés, are home to vines that are over 40 years old, adding to the quality and character of his wines. With a unique approach to harvesting, Pascal waits two weeks longer than other producers in Sancerre, resulting in wines with outstanding ripeness. The winemaking process at Cotat is meticulous, with both wines being fermented in old barrels and aged for 6 to 8 months before being bottled in the spring without any fining or filtration, preserving their natural essence. In a meeting with Pascal in September 2022, he expressed relief regarding the small volumes of the 2020 and 2021 vintages. He was content with the "classic Sancerre" quality of the fruit, which was scheduled to be harvested the day after the meeting. The dry season created optimal conditions for healthy ripening and enhanced aromatics. Moreover, there was some beneficial rain in September that contributed to a 30% increase in yields compared to the low-yielding 2021 vintage, approaching average yields. Cotat wines have gained a reputation for being old-style Sancerre, distinct from the norm found today. They are rich, full-flavored and sometimes not bone-dry. Renowned wine critic Robert Parker has praised Cotat wines, describing them as some of the finest Sauvignon Blancs he has ever tasted. This vineyard is home to François' oldest vines, with an average age of around 40 years. Over time, François has had to replant many of the very old vines due to the susceptibility of Sauvignon to viruses as it ages. Beyond 60 years, the vines become unproductive. Despite this, the vineyard consistently produces the most exuberant wines in the collection. Expect to find enticing notes of tropical fruit accompanied by a fuller texture. However, don't be deceived by these characteristics, as they are harmoniously balanced with incredible finesse, refreshing acidity, and a distinct tactile minerality. Prepare to be delighted by the vibrant and expressive Domaine Pascal Cotat Sancerre La Grande Cote 2022. As you raise the glass, you are greeted with enticing aromas of lime zest, fresh pear and delicate herbs. On the palate, this wine reveals its true character. It is juicy and penetrating, with a remarkable mineral expression that adds depth and complexity. The texture is beautifully textured, striking a perfect balance between richness and dryness. Flavours of stone fruits, crushed stones and a hint of light pepper dance on the palate, creating a captivating symphony of taste. Each sip is an exploration of flavors that harmonize effortlessly. The wine's bouquet is further adorned with notes of pear, green apple, honeysuckle, mineral and delicate white flowers. These nuances add another layer of intrigue and elegance to this already exceptional wine. Domaine Pascal Cotat Sancerre La Grande Cote 2022 is an exquisite expression of the terroir and craftsmanship that defines the Sancerre region. Indulge in this wine and allow yourself to be transported to a world of refined flavors and sensory delights.

Product Information: Valmur is the valley between two other grand crus - Les Clos and Vaudesir. Christian Moreau's two parcels benefit from two exposures one 70 acres southeast and 30 acres northeast (1 ha in total). The vines are more than 60 years old. They produce a very full-bodied and powerful wine. Sourced from vines with an average age of over 40 years old. Half of the holding of the estate has been re-planted in recent years so quantities of this wine are reduced making them quite scarce. Valmur is one of the seven Climats of the Chablis Grand Cru appellation, covering 10.5 hectares. Shaped like an amphitheatre, it enjoys an exposure going south to west. Because of this particular shape, it soaks in the sun during the hottest hours of the day. An area facing northwest adds a fresh quality, as well as a later maturity. The Climat of Valmur has a double personality, constantly juggling between remarkable freshness and a distinctive fruit concentration. Maker: Domaine Christian Moreau is a historic name in the world of Chablis. The current generation, led by Christian Moreau and his son Fabien, continues to uphold the family's legacy. With their exceptional vineyard holdings, which include nearly 8 hectares of Grand Cru out of Chablis' total 92 hectares, this small yet remarkable estate has quickly established itself as one of the leading producers of Chablis, consistently crafting outstanding wines. Their holdings in Petit, village and 1er cru Chablis are impressive and relatively small, but the true highlights lie in their range of Grand Cru vineyards. They possess a single holding of approximately 3 hectares in Les Clos, along with 41 hectares in Clos des Hospices dans Les Clos, as well as smaller holdings in Valmur, Blanchots and Vaudesir. Christian Moreau are consistent producers of the classic must-try climats of Chablis. Vineyard: These exceptional vineyard sites, combined with old vines, meticulous winemaking and careful attention to every step of production, have resulted in wines that are widely regarded as some of the finest in Chablis. The estate's commitment to organic farming, certified since 2013, has further enhanced the expression of their vineyards. With investments in new tanks and other winemaking techniques, the results are evident in each vintage. The wines of Domaine Christian Moreau Pere et Fils are known for their precision, clear typicity and elegance. They have the ability to age gracefully while providing immense pleasure throughout their lives Fabien Moreau, who took over as winemaker in 2002, has already made a significant impact. With previous experience in New Zealand and a deep respect for terroir, Fabien is a visionary winemaker. The wines of Christian Moreau Pere et Fils are authentic, distinctive and of exceptional quality. Nose - Immense Precision, Lemon-Lime, Mineral Reduction Distinctive sun-drenched concentrated fruits, flint inflections. Palate - White Peach, Zesty Fruits, Balanced The exceptionally white fleshed fruits, rich yet intense and powerful and bold with a hint of quinine. Finish - Taut, Muscular Structure, Impressive Length Taut muscularity on the impressively long, very dry and impeccably well-balanced finale. Christian Moreau and his son Fabien describe the 2022 vintage as having generous fruit set as well as good fecundity of the secondary buds, we still brought in good yields... Overall, the style of the 2022s is generous and forward but with reasonably good typicity and balance. They should be attractive young but be capable of repaying short to mid-term cellaring. - Burghound, October 2023