💫 Finally selling these gorgeous wines by Domaine de l’Astré! Beautiful bottles from Dordogne, highly original takes on classic Bordeaux-region varieties. We’ve got the direct-press Semillon/Cab Franc/Cab Sauv ‘rosé’, a stunning 2 week maceration of Semillon, pitch-perfect terracotta-aged Cabernet Franc and a deep and juicy steel-fermented Merlot/Cab blend. We met Sylvain Ohayon last winter in the Loire and have been eagerly awaiting the advent of his young domain’s wines for months. Upon arrival the reds needed some extra time to stabilize, but they’re clean as a whistle now and we’re ready to go all-in! Fetch these rare bottles in one of our stores or through the webshop (link in bio!). ……………............. 🌌 Domaine de l’Astré was founded in 2017 by the young couple Aude Duval and Sylvain Ohayon. Having met in the Andean vineyards of Argentine, this former caviste and winemaker decided they wanted to make their own wines of emotion and terroir, together, in the South-West of France. They took over a winery on a limestone cliff peaking above the Dordogne Valley with 8 hectares of forest-enclosed vineyard, containing Semillon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. On average 35 years old, these vines had been worked organically since 2012 and are now being converted to biodynamics by Duval and Ohayon. Although the vineyards lie in the Bergerac appellation and can also claim the Montravel appellation, Aude and Sylvain prefer the freedom that comes with labeling their bottles simply as Vin de France. Their approach to winemaking is minimal-interventionist with a tendency towards experimentation, relying on spontaneous fermentations without additives, no fining or filtering and minimal (1,5g/hl) sulphur additions at bottling. Macerations are short, white and red grape often combined and vinifications and élevage carried out in unintrusive materials like steel, terracotta and old oak. All of this yields mysterious wines of great purity, unadulterated but with a precision that betrays the meticulous palate of a former career winemaker.

Sorry @alexis_hudon, your position as greatest moustache in our portfolio has been challenged! But don’t worry, it’s by none less than biodynamic pioneer Jean-Claude Rateau, the newest addition to our Burgundy section! Rateau’s been farming a range of terroirs around Beaune for over 40 years and has counted as a leading light in organic farming for about as long. In fact when he set up his winery in 1979 he was probably the first in the Cote d'Or (and the fourth in the whole of France) to start experimenting with biodynamics, convinced that living soils are a requisite for real wines of terroir. We met Jean-Claude last winter and were struck immediately by the humble delicacy of his wines. From the modest Hautes-Cotes to his robust Beaune 1er Cru's, each one showing great clarity of fruit, strikingly digestible and radiant with minerality. No new oak, over-extraction or fatness in sight: these were wines of purity and precision. And affordable too, relative to their pedigree. We suggest you start with the Cote-de-Beaune 'Clos de la Grande Chatelaine' 2018, a deliciously airy Chardonnay with a slightly oxidative touch that's reminiscent of grower Blanc de Blancs Champagne. Or that dainty little Aligoté 2019. Highly addictive stuff!

Fresh newsletter with brand new mixed cases has just been sent out! Non-subscribers, check it out through the link in our bio. The ‘What We’re Into Right Now’ Deluxe AND Value Packs, plus a classically styled ‘Fruits de Mer’ Box, are now available in the webshop. Treat yourself with some sunny wines this dreary weekend!

🌞Our favourite rosés right now: round and mineral old-vine Pineau d’Aunis by @closroussely (17,99), meaty and spicy Mencia/Rufete by @joaotavaresdepinawines (13,49) and fruitbomb Spatburgunder by @weingut.wittmann (9,35!!!)! Each one a real wine that speaks of a place, and the ‘Rufia Rosado’ also explicitly ‘natural’. Grab a chilled one in our stores, or order in the webshop!

Brand new fireworks by mister @joaotavaresdepinawines, now available in the webshop and both our stores! Fun and electric natural wines, lightweight and packed with tension between bright fruit and lip-smacking salinity. Insanely affordable stuff, get it by the bottle or in the handy box we offer online (link in bio)!