17 products
17 products
- White Wine
- Chardonnay
- Biodynamic, Organic
- Dry
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
About the Winery
Pearce Family Wines
In the early 2000's Nicholas Pearce was exposed to the garagiste movement in Bordeaux and was particularly inspired by négociants like Jean Luc Thunevin (Saint Emilion), James Sichel (Margaux) and Nicolas Potel (Beaune) from Burgundy.
After returning home to Ontario and starting his own wine company, he has had a hand in making 10+ wines in two hemispheres, 3 countries and 5 different appellations since the 2013 vintage.
Pearce Predhomme
Pearce Predhomme is a collaboration of like-minded individuals from around the globe. Founded with a mission to build and import wines from our favourite appellations while offering an unequaled value/quality ratio for the sommeliers & wine buyers in Ontario. This is a project between Toronto Sommelier and entrepreneur Will Predhomme and Ontario wine importer Nicholas Pearce they have partnered with Radford Dale in South Africa and NorthWest Wine Co in Oregon to create these special cuvées.
Press Reviews
Wine Align
90 points - Michael Godel
3XP is the triumvirate styling of Tawse winemaker Paul Pender, Ontario wine importer Nicholas Pearce and Sommelier Will Predhomme. It's the latest song release in the epic Pearce-Predhomme négoce journey, a progressive-art-album rock venture replete with eleven-minute opus material, but this one is the hit with a recognizable and catchy hook. It's Hungry Heart, I Will Get by and Lucky Man wrapped up into one three-minute chardonnay play. The sip-swirl-swallow trilogy is like verse-chorus-verse and repeat. It's straightforward sharp, tart and flavourful chardonnay that only Paul Pender could make and it's consume-ability factor is one of threefold manifest destiny. The number three is a very important number in biblical and mythological study. It "is the first number to which the meaning "all" was given. It is The Triad, being the number of the whole as it contains the beginning, a middle and an end. The power of three is universal and is the tripartide nature of the world as heaven, earth, and waters. It is human as body, soul and spirit." As for this PPP chardonnay, just drink it up and enjoy. For the next three years. Drink 2018-2020. Tasted July 2018.
- Red Wine
- Grenache, Mourvèdre / Monastrell, Samso / Carignan, Syrah
- Sustainable, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 14.5% alc./vol
About the Winery
Domaine Andre Aubert
At the very heart of the Rhône Valley, at the northerly tip of the Southern Rhône, lie the vineyards of Grignan-Les-Adhémar. The chances are you haven’t heard the name before, few people have, but the wines are worth seeking out. It’s not a new wine region – vines have been planted here since around 500BC but it is a new name (formerly known as Côteaux-du-Tricastin). Domaine André Aubert, has been formed over decades and today comprises of more than 280 hectares spread from north to south of the prestigious Southern Rhone Valley on the appellations Côtes du Rhône, Côtes du Rhône villages, Visan, and Grignan-les-Adhémar.
Press Reviews
Wine Align
90 points - David Lawrason
This packs in all kinds of complexity and veracity for $17. It is not aromatically 'showy' or very long on the finish, but I really like the classic southern Rhone grenache, syrah and carignan nose with is blackberry/plum fruit, licorice, lavender and shrubby garrigue. It is medium-full bodied, fairly dense and tannic - so give it a year or two. The length is very good to excellent. Tasted June 2021
- Red Wine
- Malbec
- Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 14.5% alc./vol
About the Winery
Bodega Marco Zunino
The dream of 4 French partners in Argentina's Mendoza region can be found 200 kilometers from the district capital, in the South of the region, in the town of San Rafael. It's an oasis surrounded by large canyons and crossed by two rivers, Diamante and Atuel, vital for agriculture and tourism in the region.The arid climate, rugged landscape coupled with the plane trees located along the country roads and weeping willows bordering its rivers that makes the area reminiscent of the midi region in the South of France.
The thirty-hectare vineyard boasts an exceptional site and an idyllic regional climate for wine producing. The low rainfall, vineyard altitude (670m) and high temperature variations are key to the diversity and quality of San Rafael’s terroir and offers the ideal setting for a truly exceptional quality of grape.
Press Reviews
Wine Align
90 points - Sara d'Amato
A bright and cheery malbec made with finesse. The palate is cut and refreshed with a salty component, zesty acidity and mildly sinewy tannins. Sleek with notes of earth, new leather and blackberry. Impressively complex with a memorable finish. Drink now or hold until 2023. Tasted July 2020.
- Red Wine
- Corvina, Rondinella
- Sustainable, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Full Bodied
- 750ml
- 13.5% alc./vol
About the Winery
Ca' del Monte
Ca del Monte is situated on the hillsides overlooking the village of Negrar, in the heart of Valpolicella. It has belonged to the same family for generations, and is now run by brothers Umberto and Giuseppe Zaconte. There’s nothing fancy about this place. The house and winery are modest - and are attached to a 17th century monastery.
The estate is approximately 50 acres, and its 15-65 year old vines lie on gentle slopes at 800-900 meters. They grow on four soils including clay, limestone, red volcanic soil with red stones, and “Toar,” a green volcanic soil. The vineyards of Ca Del Monte are planted with 20-40 year old vines of Corvina, Rodinella and Molinara grapes that are planted in poor soils that stress the vines and nurture the fruit. All of the farming is done traditionally and non-certified organic.
Press Reviews
Wine Align
90 points - David Lawrason
This is everything I want in ripasso - some generosity and ripeness without jammy overripeness, excess alcohol or artifice. It shows fresh cherry fruit with equal parts herbs, fresh earth and old wood grain. It is medium weight, with firm acidity, some minerality and very good to excellent length. Tasted January 2021.
- Red Wine
- Sangiovese
- Sustainable
- Dry
- Light Bodied
- 750ml
- 14% alc./vol
About the Winery
Cortonesi
The “La Mannella” farm, owned by the Cortonesi family, covers a surface of 56 hectares (138 acres), eight (19 acres) of which are especially devoted to the production of “Brunello di Montalcino”. Its wine-making activity started at the beginning of the seventies, and its vineyards are placed in one of the most valuable areas of the region, both north and south-east from Montalcino.
The Cortonesi family has been making wine since the 1970’s however at the time the wine was simply for family, friends and neighbours enjoyment. In 1985 they began to offer their wines commercially. It is strictly a family business, and works according to tradition, while also employing modern technologies that help to the enhance the quality of the wines made.
Tommaso, in his early 30s, is the third-generation winemaker at the winery that was started by his grandfather. The favorable location of its vineyards, and the rocky soil where they are planted, all contribute to the making of a deep and elegant Brunello. Tomasso says “I’m a lucky man who has been given the opportunity to realize my dream and continue my family’s efforts making wine in the land where I was born.”
Press Reviews
Wine Align
91 points - David Lawrason
This has become a personal favourite, offering lots of Italian character for the money. It nicely straddles being both juicy and structured. The nose is lifted with currant/raspberry fruit, fresh herbs/rosemary, rose-like florality and modest oak. It is medium bodied, smooth yet lively with easy tannin and a slightly bitter finish. Excellent length. Tasted December 2020.
91 points - Michael Godel
From Tommaso Cortonesi in the northeastern part of Montalcino at La Mannella beneath the village and the youngest vines deciding the fresh, high acid, sparked, spirited and lively sangiovese. No secret that the 2019 vintage will deliver top quality Rosso do Montalcino and fast forward three further years even finer Brunello. Goes to show and equate that IGT Rosso as here will rarely acquiesce this level of fortune. And so here is your portal into the territory, with a modicum of structure as well so wait eight more months to get your fill. Drink 2021-2024. Tasted December 2020.
90 points - John Szabo, MS
This is bold, fruity, dark fruit and cassis-scented sangiovese from Montalcino (young vines) that over-delivers in the price category. I love the immediate juiciness, the plump and ripe fruit, the absence of oak influence, the light, dusty tannins, and the surprisingly good length. This is an infinitely drinkable vintage for this wine, one that should win a lot of friends. Tasted December 2020.
James Suckling
90 points
A fruity, lively red with cherry, light chocolate and walnut character. Some bark, too. Medium body, light tannins and a vibrant finish. Drink now.
- Red Wine
- Sangiovese
- Sustainable
- Dry
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 14% alc./vol
About the Winery
Cortonesi
The “La Mannella” farm, owned by the Cortonesi family, covers a surface of 56 hectares (138 acres), eight (19 acres) of which are especially devoted to the production of “Brunello di Montalcino”. Its wine-making activity started at the beginning of the seventies, and its vineyards are placed in one of the most valuable areas of the region, both north and south-east from Montalcino.
The Cortonesi family has been making wine since the 1970’s however at the time the wine was simply for family, friends and neighbours enjoyment. In 1985 they began to offer their wines commercially. It is strictly a family business, and works according to tradition, while also employing modern technologies that help to the enhance the quality of the wines made.
Tommaso, in his early 30s, is the third-generation winemaker at the winery that was started by his grandfather. The favorable location of its vineyards, and the rocky soil where they are planted, all contribute to the making of a deep and elegant Brunello. Tomasso says “I’m a lucky man who has been given the opportunity to realize my dream and continue my family’s efforts making wine in the land where I was born.”
Press Reviews
Wine Align
91 Points - Michael Godel
Tommaso Cortonesi’s Rosso ’18 is pure La Mannella, expressly northeasterly Montalcino and bright as a February Benvenuto Brunello day. Crunchy and raised with all the land caught inside, the fruit expressive and elastic, the finish blessed with just a few years notability by structure. Promising and effective, proper and precise. Still showing some wood so wait a year. Drink 2021-2026. Tasted February 2020.
- Sparkling Wine
- Chardonnay
- Sustainable, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 12% alc./vol
About the Winery
Domaine Baud Père et Fils
The estate history dates back to 1742, but it wasn't until 1950 when René Baud, the 7th generation, rebuilt the vineyard which had suffered from the phylloxera crisis and two World Wars.
Starting with only 4 hectares, the vineyard progressively expanded to 20 hectares with the help of successive generations. Now, managed by siblings Clémentine and Bastien, the 9th generation, the estate continues to flourish and grow, with a strong commitment to sustainable viticulture and preserving the traditions and style that makes the wines of the Jura so unique and incredible.
The domaine holds a certificate in sustainability by Terra Vitis.
Press Reviews
Wine Align
92 points - David Lawrason
This is a very tasty, rich, golden hued, well aged chardonnay-based sparkler with an involved nose of cashew, baked apple, nougat and honey. It is almost creamy in texture with fine mousse and very good acidity providing counterpoint. There is pleasant nutty bitterness on the finish; length is excellent.
91 points - Michael Godel
Baud’s Crémant is made in true Blanc de Blancs style, from 100 per cent chardonnay and though faintly if beautifully oxidative, the cuvée pulses with great energy. The scents of fraying ginger batons, scraped orange skin and baking almond cookies are all a treat for the olfactory. Just enough but not too much sweetness fleshes the the body to get down to density in mouthfeel but never abandons its airy character. A terrific Champagne alternative that was disgorged in October of 2017. Drink 2018-2022. Tasted April 2018.
Treve Ring
91 points
This family estate dates back to 1742, but it wasn't until 1950 when René Baud, 7th generation, rebuilt the vineyards, expanding from 4 hectares into 20 hectares over the years. Today the estate is managed by siblings Clémentine and Bastien, 9th generation. This sustainably farmed chardonnay is rooted in the Jura's marl and limestone soils and was fermented in stainless before a year on lees before disgorgement and release. Green apple, white florals, oyster shells, meadow herbs, meringue run the bright, sleek palate, with a bed of creamy lees. There's a lovely streaming anise note that leads to a lengthy finish. Drinking beautifully now, but will hold over the next couple years easy.
- White Wine
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Sustainable, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Light Bodied
- 750ml
- 13.5% alc./vol
About the Winery
Domaine de Mauperthuis
A family estate created by Marie-Noëlle & Laurent Ternynck, Domaine de Mauperthuis is located in Prehy, near the town of Chablis. Their wines express the terroir of this amazing region and the vineyards are currently undergoing the transition to organic. Domaine de Mauperthuis covers around twenty hectares of vineyards around Chablis. The estate, in the Burgundy appellation, is planted in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon and César, on land facing south, benefiting from exceptional sunshine.
- White Wine
- Sylvaner
- Biodynamic, Organic, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Light Bodied
- 750ml
- 12.5% alc./vol
About the Winery
Domaine Muré
The Muré family have been winegrowers in the region of Rouffach since 1650. In 1935, Alfred Muré, René’s grandfather, bought Clos St Landelin, a 32 acre family-monopole vineyard. Nowadays it is Alfred’s grandson René, together with his children Véronique and Thomas, the 11th and 12th generations of the family, who are responsible for running this exceptional, wholly-owned vineyard and its neighbouring terroirs, using biodynamic methods. To express the “terroir” in the wines and to preserve the heritage is the Muré family’s credo. Their wines are known for power, elegance and age worthiness.
Press Reviews
Wine Align
92 points - Sara d'Amato
Oily, mineral and offering great intensity - an unusually characterful sylvaner that should be a hit with Alsatian wine fanatics. Transparent, dry, vinous and notable complex. Stoney and refreshing with hints of dried herbal and a great deal of citrus. Mouth-filling with petrol and wet stone lingering on the finish of excellent length. Tasted September 2020.
90 points - David Lawrason
Sylvaner is not the showiest of varieties in Alsace but it has an almost riesling-like acid grip that makes it a very food friendly choice. This shows generous lychee, vaguely garlicked and perfumed saffron aromas. Intriguing. It is medium bodied, fairly firm and dry with a lemony and nutty finish. The length is excellent.
Vinous
90 points - Ian d'Agata
Very pale, crystal-clear straw-green. Delicate aromas and flavors of quince, green apple and minerals. Finishes long and clean with refined perfume. The name Originel refers to “in the beginning” because in the 1960s and 1970s, Sylvaner was the donminant grape variety in the valley (the Zinnkoepflé Grand Cru, for example, was almost entirely planted to Sylvaner and Gewürz). Lovely, above-average aperitif wine here; or try it with shellfish and asparagus dishes.
- White Wine
- Pecorino
- Organic, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Light Bodied
- 750ml
- 13% alc./vol
About the Winery
Azienda Agricola Jasci
Located on the hills that rise 250 meters above sea level from the Adriatic Sea just above the seaside resort town of Vasto in Abruzzo, here the Jasci family has been growing grapes and producing wine for three generations. Starting In the early 1960s, Pasquale and Maria turned the focus of their farm to producing estate wines.
In 1980, their son Giuseppe decided to convert the farm to organic, becoming one of the first ten wineries in all of Italy to be certified. Today led by grandson Donatello Jasci and his wife Piera, the family is the second largest single grower in all of the region. Donatello’s approach in the cellar is consistent with his farming: clean and simple. The wines see little or no oak and have a purity of flavor that is rare at the price. In addition to his duties at the winery, Donatello Jasci has served as President of the local Organic Growers’ Consortium.
Press Reviews
Wine Align
91 points - David Lawrason
Here's a lovely pecorino offering freshness, structure, subtlety and complexity. It has a very fine nose of intriguing caraway, starfruit, orange and lemon blossom and acacia. It is light to medium bodied, firm and fresh with some fruit sweetness, lovely acidity and impressive, excellent to flavour intensity and focus. Delivers beyond its price. Tasted January 2021
91 points - Sara D'Amato
A stunning pecorino that begins discretely but builds on the palate. Offering flavours of tender white peach, rosebud and elderflower and jasmine. Ethereal in texture, effusively aromatic with lingering notes of mint and wildflowers. Highly memorable. Tasted January 2021.
- White Wine
- Grüner Veltliner, Gruner Veltliner
- Biodynamic, Natural, Organic, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- 750ml
- 11.5% alc./vol
About the Winery
Matthias Hager
The Hager Matthias winery is located in the small village of Mollands in the Kamptal area of Lower Austria. Matthias took over the 12-hectare land and the family business at an early age. He aims to produce the best quality wine possible and to focus on being in balance with nature. The lands are cultivated according to biodynamic principles and are certified Demeter. Matthias has a vast knowledge about plants and insects, and about keeping the flora and fauna in harmony with the vines. Matthias Hager is one of the most experimental winemakers in the Kamptal region, Austria. He understood early how to work with different soil types from loess to clay. He established different product lines to highlight these differences: the blue one representing fresh, lively wines including Grüner Veltliner and Sauvignon Blanc; and the brown line gravitating towards more earthy, flavourful produce and the red line stands for no sulphites!
Press Reviews
Wine Align
91 points - Michael Godel
From one of the globe’s biodynamic gurus, non-dogmatic, he farms like we breath. Really sharp and equally earthy grüner of reaction, action and depth. Citrus is variegated and texture is for real. Really, really long. Great intensity forever here. Drink 2019-2025. Tasted November 2019.
- White Wine
- Chenin Blanc
- Sustainable
- Dry
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 12.97% alc./vol
About the Winery
Pearce Family Wines
In the early 2000's Nicholas Pearce was exposed to the garagiste movement in Bordeaux and was particularly inspired by négociants like Jean Luc Thunevin (Saint Emilion), James Sichel (Margaux) and Nicolas Potel (Beaune) from Burgundy.
After returning home to Ontario and starting his own wine company, he has had a hand in making 10+ wines in two hemispheres, 3 countries and 5 different appellations since the 2013 vintage.
Pearce Predhomme
Pearce Predhomme is a collaboration of like-minded individuals from around the globe. Founded with a mission to build and import wines from our favourite appellations while offering an unequaled value/quality ratio for the sommeliers & wine buyers in Ontario. This is a project between Toronto Sommelier and entrepreneur Will Predhomme and Ontario wine importer Nicholas Pearce they have partnered with Radford Dale in South Africa and NorthWest Wine Co in Oregon to create these special cuvées.
Press Reviews
Wine Align
90 points - Michael Godel
One of Ontario’s best selling Western Cape chenin blanc’s is this perennial stalwart from local négoce heroes Will Predhomme and Nicholas Pearce. Together with Alex Dale and Jacques de Klerk at Radford Dale they blend and mix parcels, tanks and barrels of chenin to concoct this imminently drinkable blanc. This is the aromatic one but also to date the most amenable of them all. The energy in acids are lowered while the drinkability factor raises the bar. Accessible to all now, even if that had previously not been the case. Drink 2020-2023. Tasted May 2020.
90 points - John Szabo, MS
2019 is a stellar vintage for the Pearce-Predhomme old vine chenin made by Radford Dale, always a terrific value and even more so here. There's an uncommon freshness and liveliness for South Africa/Stellenbosch, with fruit spanning the white-fleshed and citrus spectrum, and acids that drive additional sips. But neither is it just simple white wine; there's genuine depth and concentration on offer. Complexity should build with a year or two in the cellar, though it's hard to resist now to be sure. Top notch value. Tasted May 2020.
- Red Wine
- Cinsault, Syrah
- Sustainable, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Light Bodied
- 750ml
- 12.5% alc./vol
About the Winery
Pearce Family Wines
In the early 2000's Nicholas Pearce was exposed to the garagiste movement in Bordeaux and was particularly inspired by négociants like Jean Luc Thunevin (Saint Emilion), James Sichel (Margaux) and Nicolas Potel (Beaune) from Burgundy.
After returning home to Ontario and starting his own wine company, he has had a hand in making 10+ wines in two hemispheres, 3 countries and 5 different appellations since the 2013 vintage.
Pearce Predhomme
Pearce Predhomme is a collaboration of like-minded individuals from around the globe. Founded with a mission to build and import wines from our favourite appellations while offering an unequaled value/quality ratio for the sommeliers & wine buyers in Ontario. This is a project between Toronto Sommelier and entrepreneur Will Predhomme and Ontario wine importer Nicholas Pearce they have partnered with Radford Dale in South Africa and NorthWest Wine Co in Oregon to create these special cuvées.
Press Reviews
Wine Align
91 points - Michael Godel
Having been a part of the tasting group that blended this vintage of the Pearce Predhomme Koffieklip cinsault/syrah I can confidently say that the experience shone revelatory light on the excellence of the vintage. The idea was to find the sweet spot between clarity and alacrity, a vanishing away from volatile point of perspective that is so very precise. That we did and this is the result, settled into its natural, wild fermentative and highly parochial skin. Two and half years later it is drinking as it should, firm and juicy, spirited, funky and knowingly perched at the aforementioned high-toned threshold. Resets at the edge of so many things, including restlessness and a reset of what grapes, winemaker (Jacques de Klerk) and place can conspire to want, wish and desire to be. Drink 2021-2024. Tasted January 2021.
90 points - David Lawrason
If you are fan of South African reds you will love this; if not you will be a step closer. It's a lively, engaging if idiosyncratic wine offering complexity, diversity and sheer drinkability. The nose is nicely lifted with a melange of wild blueberry, pomegranate fruit plus some meatiness, all kinds of herbality and Cape tar. It is medium bodied (only 12.5%) alcohol with crunchy acidity, a hint of sourness, fine soft tannin. Excellent length. Edgy but it works. Chill lightly. Tasted January 2021
- White Wine
- Pinot Gris
- Sustainable, Volcanic
- Dry
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 13% alc./vol
About the Winery
Pearce Family Wines
In the early 2000's Nicholas Pearce was exposed to the garagiste movement in Bordeaux and was particularly inspired by négociants like Jean Luc Thunevin (Saint Emilion), James Sichel (Margaux) and Nicolas Potel (Beaune) from Burgundy.
After returning home to Ontario and starting his own wine company, he has had a hand in making 10+ wines in two hemispheres, 3 countries and 5 different appellations since the 2013 vintage.
Pearce Predhomme
Pearce Predhomme is a collaboration of like-minded individuals from around the globe. Founded with a mission to build and import wines from our favourite appellations while offering an unequaled value/quality ratio for the sommeliers & wine buyers in Ontario. This is a project between Toronto Sommelier and entrepreneur Will Predhomme and Ontario wine importer Nicholas Pearce they have partnered with Radford Dale in South Africa and NorthWest Wine Co in Oregon to create these special cuvées.
- White Wine
- Garganega
- Organic, Vegan-Friendly, Volcanic
- Light Bodied
- 750ml
- 12.5% alc./vol
About the Winery
Azienda Agricola Tessari
The Tessari family have Soave in their blood. For three generations they have been extracting delectable wine from the well cared for vines of their Monteforte d’Alpone vineyards. With only a little over a hectare of Garganega grapes in the prestigious volcanic solis of Soave Classico, Antonio Tessari hand dug his cellar back in 1933 and started the legacy that continues today with his grandchildren: Germano, Antonio and Cornelia.
From vineyard to bottle, these three siblings oversee it all; with unwavering respect for tradition, quality and passion for the art of winemaking. The volcanic soils of the hillside are rich with basaltic rocks and clays, which guarantees the health of the plant and the promotes the mineral and floral aromas that are characteristic of the Garganega grape. Truly artisanal wine making at it’s best.
Press Reviews
Wine Align
90 points - Michael Godel
It began with Antonio, then on to Bianca and Aldo before the current generation of Cornelia, Antonio and Germano took over this singular Soave project. Grisela may clock in south of $20 but it is in fact a single-vineyard garganega off of near 45 year-old vines in the area of Brognoligo di Monteforte. An obviously easy, peachy, amenable and gift of a harvest Soave that followed a smooth sailing season with fruit, minerals, elements and a liquidity of structure that just keeps on giving. This is winemaking as an extension of farming in the finest sense of education and learning 101. Drink 2020-2024. Tasted December 2020.
- Red Wine
- Malbec
- Organic
- Dry
- Residual Sugar: 3.5 g/l
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 12.5% alc./vol
About the Winery
Château Combel-la-Serre
Julien Ilbert is a young, charismatic vigneron with a fresh perspective on his native Cahors. Vines have been in the Ilbert family for generations, though grapes had always been sold to the local cave coopérative. In 1998, Julien decided to break off and start his own estate. Things didn't exactly go according to plan, and a chance meeting with Mathieu Cosse at a rugby match quickly led to a seven-year relationship, with Julien being Mathieu's main source for high-quality Auxerrois (aka Malbec, aka Côt).
After an amicable split in 2005, Julien was back on track to producing his own wines: Château Combel-la-Serre was born. 25 hectares of Auxerrois are planted on a diverse amount of terroirs, all within 5 kilometres of the cellar. Though a Cahors wine only needs to be 70% Auxerrois to get the appellation, Julien believes it is the only grape suitable for what he's trying to accomplish. As such he has consciously avoided planting the traditional Negrette and Tannat and completely eschewed the more recent trend of planting Bordeaux varietals.
The estate is certified organic as of the 2015 vintage, but chemicals have not touched the vineyards for quite some time. Everything was conventionally farmed from the advent of such technology, but the death of Julien's grandfather from Parkinson's deeply affected the family's agricultural philosophy. Convinced that the chemicals he'd openly exposed himself to day in and day out were at the root of his illness (on top of the vines, an additional 40 hectares of cereals were worked by the family at the time), the Ilbert stopped using these products on their land.
The wines have also evolved in the decade since Julien launched his own estate, culminating in what we now get to enjoy in our glasses. Though you should never judge a book by its cover, Julien has made the decision to design playful labels and bottle the wines in Burgundian bottles, two seemingly superficial details that are actually a very bold statement in the ultra-traditional mindset of most Cahors producers.