A day doesn’t go by that I don’t learn something new… Lifetime learning, a concept that a dear friend has espoused for decades and something that he has ingrained in me… So I had to do a double take when another friend pulled this bottle from the rack and thrust it in my direction… What are two northern Italian grapes doing in Australia? Growing quite nicely, I guess…

So it isn’t always that transplanted grapes turn into something worth writing about, but this wine hits the mark – lively nose – fruit forward with enough going on the palate to make it intriguing and fun. A little tart with a firm acidic backbone, the wine has a savory, brooding mood, ringed with dark, serious fruit.

Another plus – screw closure, which to me says “better aging potential” and “less work” freeing the nectar from the bottle…

At around $15.99 average retail per bottle, this wine is a very good value and worth buying…

My tasting note:

Bright, lively nose with cherry, red berry, fresh herb and floral hints. Medium-bodied with firm acidity and moderate tannin – good balance. Sour cherry palate with persimmon, tar and vanilla notes – tart. Moderate length – smooth with black pepper and brambles on the aftertaste. Drinking well now and should hold nicely for another 3 to 5 years. Intriguing…

Cheers!