Last Chance

Magnum Munjebel Blanc 2019,

Frank Cornelissen
A key figure in natural wine, a universally respected figure in this category of wines, Frank Cornelissen is a classic. This man of constant questioning lives in human and cosmic resonance with his contrasting terroir: he has demonstrated that the powerful minerality of a great volcanic soil can be enhanced by the naturalness of his wines. The brilliance, integrity, and exquisite fruitiness of his vintages earn him the admiration even of those reluctant to accept "natural." They are good introductory wines.
His Sicilian azienda is located in Passopisciaro, in the northern Etna Valley. It is, he says, the "Night Coast" of Etna for the great diversity of its wines spread over many locations (contrade) at different altitudes. The climate is continental and harsh, even snowy, in winter, but very warm and sunny from June to September. The altitude gives the wines tension and elegance. The vines coexist with a Mediterranean polyculture: olive trees, almond trees, vegetable gardens... (Frank also produces olive oil). The age of the vines ranges from forty years to over one hundred years. The plots, nineteen in number, on twenty-four hectares in total, are all at altitude, between 600 and 900 meters, on several volcanic flows. They are all vinified separately: Frank decides on the blend based on the quality of the wines from each plot. In general, seven or eight vintages are made in addition to the generic wines (rosé, basic red and white). The soils are made up of different types of basalt, between powder and rock, with perfect drainage that allows for concentrated and fine wines.
Nerello Mascalese dominates the estate's grape varieties. This great traditional red grape variety from the northern valley of Etna is the only grape variety used in the great vintages. Its growing cycle is long, which allows the vine to work the soil and capture its minerality in the fruit. Other grape varieties include: Nerello Capuccio, Minella Bianco, Minella Nera, Alicante Bouschet, Malvasia, Cattaratto, Moscadella, Grecanico Dorato, Carricante...
Produced on mid-altitude plots from Grecanico Dorato and Carricante in equal parts, on the Calderara, Borriglione, Crasà and Picciolo plots, this white is very ripe. It combines beautiful concentration, freshness, and oriental aromas: orange blossom, jasmine, dried apricot. The vines are over forty years old; the grapes are destemmed, lightly crushed, and macerated for about four days. No fining, no sulfiting, and light filtration before bottling. This wine pairs well with an almost infinite variety of dishes, meat and fish, oysters and shellfish, and all Asian cuisines.

Cyprès de Toi Blanc 2020,

Fond Cyprès
This Languedoc estate is built on solid foundations: its two winemakers, Rodolphe and Laetitia, are also descendants of winemakers. Even before planting their first vine, they already had a clear objective: "to produce southern wines that reflect our style, wines with character, rooted in our soils, with freshness and refined tannins." They want to create entirely natural wines, concentrated terroir. In the heart of the ancient Corbières massif, they are taking over an old estate already planted with abandoned Carignan and Grenache grapes, which have seen neither fertilizer nor pesticides for years: these clean, vibrant soils are ideal conditions for launching into natural winemaking. Around this historic heart, they first planted Grenache Noir and Syrah, then a plot of white grape varieties: Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne. The estate has been Ecocert certified since 2010 and also complies with the Nature & Progrès charter. The vinification is done without the addition of sulfites or exogenous yeasts. "We make wines for pleasure," say Laetitia and Rodolphe. For them, natural wine is first assessed by taste, from the harvest. The vintages closely follow the plots, the musts are fruity, fluid, and complex. The wines of Fond Cyprès poetically evoke the estate's ecosystem and the vegetation that protects the plots: the pine forests, the shady springs, the beauty of the natural environment that brings freshness to the wines and leaves the soil's signature. Deliciously balanced between mineral imprint, vegetal environment and fruit expression, the wines of Fond Cyprès reflect the South: the caress of its sun, but also the freshness of its shadows.
This all-Grenache shaped by the limestone and blue marl soils of Escales, vinified and aged in stainless steel vats, is a seducer, dazzlingly fresh and delicious enough to evoke the most diverse culinary pairings. Wonderfully balanced, taut and yet affable, it first overturns on the table a basket of white fruits - ripe and crisp nashi pear, cottage garden pear - which quickly give way to exotic notes on the mid-palate: a fine touch of mango and apricot. In the background, wild thyme, thyme, garrigue, a breath of fig leaf and fresh lemon. A broad and generous palette that lends itself to all moments.
Natural wine with no added sulfites.

Jéroboam Magma Rouge 2015

Frank Cornelissen
Delivery possible in the Ile de France region only
Natural wine with no added sulfites.

Réhoboam Susucaru Rosso 2017, Frank Cornelissen
Formerly called Contadino, Susucaru red combines the characteristics of its former avatar: it is the entry-level red of Azienda Frank Cornelissen and the most accessible of its vintages. It is composed of Nerello Mascalese and a few other varieties grown on the estate: Malvasia, Moscadella, Catarratto. The grapes are destemmed, lightly crushed, and undergo approximately sixty days of skin maceration. It is the aromatic expression of Etna, a vintage produced and blended in the traditional way, mixing plots and grape varieties. The result is a wine with a rich and voluptuous nose, elegant and fluid, endowed with structure and a strong personality. Aging potential: ten years. Serving temperature: 14-15 °C. Open twenty minutes before serving. Pairs well with all summer dishes, from marinated red peppers to grilled lamb and appetizers. Delivery possible in the Île-de-France region only.
Natural wine with no added sulfites.

Magnum Munjebel CS Red 2013

Frank Cornelissen


This pure Nerello Mascalese comes from an ungrafted vine in the Zottorinoto contrada, growing on the Chiusa Spagnola plot, surrounded by lava rocks, somewhat hidden in an amphitheater-like landscape and at an altitude of 620 meters. This plot was planted in 1925 and produces a deep, tannic wine, somewhat reminiscent of Nebbiolo, with a slightly less intense color than the estate's other reds.
A natural wine with no added sulfites.

Jéroboam Munjebel CS 2015

Frank Cornelissen Delivery available in the Île-de-France region only
This pure Nerello Mascalese comes from an ungrafted vine in the Zottorinoto contrada, growing on the Chiusa Spagnola plot, surrounded by lava rocks, somewhat hidden in an amphitheater-like landscape and at an altitude of 620 meters. This plot was planted in 1925 and produces a deep, tannic wine, somewhat reminiscent of Nebbiolo, with a slightly less intense color than the estate's other reds. Delivery available in the Île-de-France region only.
Natural wine with no added sulfites.

Magnum Munjebel CS Red 2016

Frank Cornelissen
This pure Nerello Mascalese comes from an ungrafted vine in the Zottorinoto contrada, growing on the Chiusa Spagnola plot, surrounded by lava rocks, somewhat hidden in an amphitheater-like landscape and at an altitude of 620 meters. This plot was planted in 1925 and produces a deep, tannic wine, somewhat reminiscent of Nebbiolo, with a slightly less intense color than the estate's other reds.
A natural wine with no added sulfites.