Liquid Rock 'N' Roll Nebbiolo 2015

This is an esoteric pet project of winemaker Alex Byrne who plied his trade originally at Lethbridge and then went on to establish his own brand Byrne Wines and the cool sounding Noisy Ritual, a people-powered urban winery project in Melbourne.

The Liquid Rock 'N' Roll label established with partner Kim Farrell accesses premium fruit parcels from various Victorian regions in order to make excellent quality, affordable wines that express not just the terroir but the fun, flavour and feeling of winemaking.

A youthful Nebbiolo is not always the most seductive thing to drink but give this a little air time and you'll notice the cherry, strawberry, florals and a whiff of raisin and bitumen come to the fore.

A light purple crimson Nebbiolo wine from Heathcote fruit. 

The palate displays dark cherry, ground coffee, leather and dried herbs. Its refreshing acidity is enhanced by fine grippy tannins. 

This is not a shy wine rather sits you back with its concentrated and succulent dark fruited mid-weight palate and lingering savoury finish. Has a rustic, herbal appeal despite the heat hanging around a fraction at the finish.

Settles well after a couple of night's drinking but its best lays ahead of it. A rockin' good example from a talented winemaker from a region whose soils are suiting the variety.

Source: Sample courtesy of Liquid Rock 'N' Roll Wines. ABV: 14.0%. Closure: Screw Cap. Price: $40.00. 
Rating: 90+ Points. Website: http://liquidrocknroll.com

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Freeman Rondo Rondinella Rosé 2016

Dr Brian Freeman established Freeman Vineyards in the Hilltops Region of New South Wales in 1999 and to date is credited as having the only Rondinella and Corvina vines planted in Australia.

Rondinella is a thick-skinned red Italian grape variety that grows in the Veneto region of northeast Italy and with Corvina is classically used in the popular regional wines Valpolicella and Bardolino as well as also being used in the production of Amarone and Recioto.
  

This 2016 Freeman Rosé version is at first interesting in a rustic sort of way then refreshing and easy to imbibe.The saignée method is employed here to bleed or drain the juice after minimal contact with the Rondinella grape skins to produce the wine.  

Salmon and pale copper colours. The red cherry, quince and briary aromas are quite subtle and elegant on the nose. 

There is a juicy mouthfeel with dry, savoury earth off-setting the sweet fruit and rosewater flavours. The palate is somewhat creamy but enhanced by a mineral grip, soft, chalky tannins and refreshing acidity. Good balance between the sweet sour cherry flavours and the dry herbal character of the wine. 

Intense and powerful rosé for the vinous explorers and adventurers. Super value for a very good wine.

A fun fact. In 2005 DNA evidence found that Corvina was a parent variety to Rondinella.

Source: Retail. ABV: 13.0%. Closure: Screw Cap. Price: $20.00. Rating: 90 Points.  
Website: http://www.freemanvineyards.com.au/dnn4/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx

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Boomtown Winemakers Co-operative White 2016

Established in 2014, Boomtown is a co-operative winery based at the old Castlemaine Mill in Central Victoria. It's a 'less is more' philosophy of a group of young winemakers intent on making small batch, natural wines using wild yeasts and minimal chemicals from grapes sourced from various Victorian regions. 
The White here is a blend of Pinot Gris from Bendigo, Sauvignon Blanc from the Pyrenees with Riesling and Viognier from Heathcote. The percentage of each variety is not stated on the label.

Pale straw yellow colour.

High in the aroma stakes. Florals, grass, apricot, melon and guava.

Nectarines, nashi pear, apricot flavours and nettle give the palate a layered and textural character. The wine is not overly oily but has a rich and dry feel to it.

Finishes with a nice kick of acid and a good slatey, herbal length. 

Medium weight blend with lots of interest, brightness and drinkability. Good find here.

Source: Retail. ABV: 11.4%. Closure: Cork. Price: $30.00. 
Rating: 89 Points. Website: https://www.boomtownwine.com.au

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