Some tastings unfold like symphonies — layered, expressive, and deeply resonant. On this particular afternoon, the table became more than just a place to drink; it became a stage for eight wines to reveal their personalities. From the limestone slopes of Burgundy to the sun-soaked hills of Tuscany and the granite terraces of the northern Rhône, each bottle brought a piece of the world into our glasses, stitching together a story of contrast, harmony, and shared discovery.
The selection was deliberately international — a reminder that great wine is made on every continent that experiences a real growing season, and that a single afternoon can traverse continents and decades. Here is a wine-by-wine account of an afternoon we won’t forget quickly.
The Lineup: Eight Wines, Three Continents
1. Château de Pibarnon Bandol Rosé 2023 – Bandol, Provence
We began with a gentle touch: the pale hue and fresh breeze of Provence in a glass. Bandol rosé is regarded as the most serious rosé appellation in France, and Château de Pibarnon is one of its finest estates. The 2023 was not merely an aperitif — it was a scene-setter. Pale salmon in colour, with notes of wild strawberry, rose petals, and crushed Provençal herbs, it refreshed and relaxed the room. We paired it with a charcuterie board: prosciutto, olives, and goat’s cheese. It worked beautifully.
Region: Bandol is located in the Var department of Provence and is best known for its Mourvèdre-based rosés. The limestone and clay soils and sea-facing Mediterranean slopes give the wines their distinctive freshness and depth.
2. Meursault 2022 – Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey
Next, we moved into serious white Burgundy. Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey is among the most sought-after producers in the Côte de Beaune — his wines are allocated, expensive, and consistently extraordinary. The Meursault 2022 delivered a striking tension between richness and minerality: toasted hazelnuts, ripe pear, and flinty reduction that slowly unfolded in the glass. The 2022 vintage in Burgundy was generous and harmonious, and this wine showed all those qualities with crystalline structure and a finish of genuine persistence.
3. Domaine de Montille Saint-Aubin 1er Cru “En Remilly” 2020
More restrained than the Meursault, this Saint-Aubin spoke in whispers. Saint-Aubin is one of Burgundy’s best-value appellations — a Premier Cru from a top domaine like Montille offers extraordinary quality at a fraction of the price of Puligny or Chassagne. The “En Remilly” parcel is one of Saint-Aubin’s finest: lemony, chalky, with subtle orchard fruit and a quiet sophistication. This was the wine that made people pause and think before speaking.
4. Domaine Faiveley Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru “Les Cazetiers” 2017
Then came red Burgundy’s turn, and it arrived with purpose. Faiveley’s 2017 Les Cazetiers was textbook Gevrey-Chambertin: structured, savoury, and earthy, with firm tannins and layered cherry fruit. As the wine breathed, forest floor, spice, and a faint floral note emerged. This is a wine that demanded attention and gave plenty in return. Gevrey-Chambertin is often described as Burgundy’s most “masculine” appellation — the 2017 demonstrated exactly why, while also showing its capacity for elegance when the producer is as skilled as Faiveley.
5. André Perret “Les Grisières” Saint-Joseph Rouge 2022
From Burgundy, we crossed south to the northern Rhône. André Perret is a revered producer in Condrieu, but his Saint-Joseph red is equally compelling. Entirely Syrah — as all serious northern Rhône red must be — the Les Grisières revealed blackberries, smoked meat, cracked pepper, and a core of granite-driven tension. This is Syrah of both purity and depth, earthy and savoury in a way that Barossa Shiraz rarely is. The northern Rhône comparison to our Shiraz was instructive: same grape, completely different voice.
6. E. Guigal Saint-Joseph “Vignes de l’Hospice” 2020
The second Saint-Joseph made its entrance with considerably more swagger. Guigal’s single-vineyard Syrah was brooding, smoky, and powerful: black pepper, violet, charcuterie notes, and deep blackberry fruit on silky yet firm tannins. This is a wine of character — muscular but impeccably tailored. The contrast between Perret’s elegant 2022 and Guigal’s more powerful 2020 illustrated how vintage, terroir, and winemaking philosophy combine to produce very different expressions from the same appellation.
7. Château La Fleur-Gazin Pomerol 2015
With Merlot as its voice, La Fleur-Gazin’s Pomerol added a plush, velvet-textured warmth to the afternoon. Ripe plums, mocha, and cigar box aromas floated from the glass with effortless generosity. The 2015 vintage was exceptional on Bordeaux’s Right Bank, and La Fleur-Gazin — located in the best part of the Pomerol plateau — delivered beautifully. This was comfort and class simultaneously: fleshy enough to be immediately approachable, refined enough to hold your attention.
8. Sassetti Livio Brunello di Montalcino 2018
From Bordeaux we travelled to Tuscany for the finale. Sassetti Livio is a small family producer in Montalcino with a reputation for traditional, age-worthy Brunello. The 2018 offered dried cherry, leather, tobacco, and the firm, sandy tannins that are the hallmark of Sangiovese Grosso (locally called Brunello). Still youthful at the time of tasting, this wine was already compelling — a glimpse of what it will become over the next decade. Brunello di Montalcino demands patience; this bottle rewarded those who gave it attention in the glass.
Reflections: The Art of a Curated Lineup
The selection that afternoon was not random. Moving from Provençal rosé through two expressions of white Burgundy, then to red Burgundy, two Rhône Syraths, a Pomerol, and finally a Brunello created a journey through texture, weight, and character. Each wine built upon the last.
The day demonstrated something we believe deeply at Winemore: wine is always more interesting in context. A Meursault in isolation is magnificent; a Meursault followed by a Saint-Aubin by a Côte de Nuits red is a masterclass in how appellation and producer shape expression. The contrasts reveal the nuances.
Food Pairing Notes from the Afternoon
Food was present throughout — not as an afterthought, but as part of the experience. A few highlights:
- The Bandol rosé was served with charcuterie and goat’s cheese — a natural and elegant match
- The white Burgundies were accompanied by a simple butter-poached fish course, allowing the wines’ mineral character to shine
- The Rhône Syraths paired beautifully with a slow-roasted lamb shoulder with herbs
- The Pomerol was extraordinary with a mushroom and truffle tart
- The Brunello, true to its nature, showed best with aged Parmigiano-Reggiano — a pairing that Tuscans have practised for centuries
Explore More from Winemore’s Wine Journal
- An Afternoon of Bordeaux Elegance: A Grand Cru Tasting Experience
- Beyond Chablis: Discover the True Depth of White Burgundy
- Australian Shiraz vs French Syrah: Same Grape, Completely Different Personality
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Bandol rosé different from other Provençal rosé?
Bandol rosé must contain a minimum of 50% Mourvèdre, a grape with far more structure and depth than the Grenache and Cinsault blends used in most Provençal rosé. The result is a more complex, age-worthy style with greater aromatic depth and the ability to pair with food that lighter rosés cannot handle. Château de Pibarnon is one of the appellation’s finest estates.
What is the difference between Saint-Aubin and other Côte de Beaune whites?
Saint-Aubin sits adjacent to Chassagne-Montrachet and shares some of the same geological formations. Its Premier Cru wines offer excellent quality at significantly more accessible prices than Puligny or Chassagne. The wines tend toward a leaner, more minerally style than Meursault, with excellent citrus and orchard fruit expression. Domaine de Montille is one of the top producers in the appellation.
What food pairs best with Brunello di Montalcino?
Brunello di Montalcino is a powerful, tannic wine designed for the Tuscan table. Classic pairings include bistecca alla Fiorentina (T-bone steak), wild boar ragù with pappardelle, braised rabbit, aged Parmigiano-Reggiano and Pecorino Toscano, and truffle-based dishes. The wine’s high acidity and firm tannins mean it can stand up to rich, hearty food without being overwhelmed.
How often does Winemore host tasting events like this?
We host events regularly — masterclasses, producer tastings, vertical experiences, and themed wine dinners. Events are announced via our website and social media channels. From intimate Burgundy grand cru evenings to introductory sessions for those beginning their wine journey, there is something for every level of enthusiast.
Can I purchase any of the wines featured in this tasting?
We stock a curated selection of wines from Burgundy, the Rhône, Bordeaux, and Italy at Winemore. Some featured wines are highly allocated and may have limited availability; others are available in-store and online. Visit us in Chadstone or browse winemore.com.au, and our team will help you find what you’re looking for.
Written by the Winemore team — Melbourne specialists in fine and rare wine, based in Chadstone.