‘RIPPLE’ Carbonic Nero/Cabernet 2023

Winemaker notes:
Made from freshly picked, whole bunch certified organic Nero d’Avola grapes which were engulfed with direct pressed Cabernet Sauvignon, as fortold. All the Cab juice covered the Nero grapes and their stems, submerging the clusters completely. The idea is that the sugar in the Nero berries, starved of oxygen, will ferment inside their little berry bodies and create a lighter, slightly confectionary flavour profile. My trusty pal, Q Wine from Queensland, who worked harvest with me in 2020, said it smelled like ripple ice cream, which is boysenberry vanilla swirl, and we were off! And then there’s the great song “Ripple” by the Grateful Dead. And then there’s also the wine from the 70’s in the US called Ripple which was, well, meant for the youth of America, believe it or not. But perhaps it’s the idea of ripples themselves, waves of ideas forever radiating outwards…cause and effect into eternity… All the fruit for the ensuing wine was handpicked off our organic Omensetter Estate Vineyard.

“Translucent garnet hue with a nose redolent of blueberries and candied wild strawberries with a touch of fresh mint, or, as wine scribe Ned Goodwin MW puts it, the “verdant echo”. On the palate bright and juicy with powdery red fruits and enough tannin and acidity to pull and keep it all taut.” Brad Hickey, Vinitor, Sept 1, 2023

Maceration: one week semi carbonic
Primary Fermentation: 12 days
Barrel: Ten Year Old French puncheon
Time in Barrel: 6 months
Bottled: September 29, 2023
Blend: 50% Nero, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon
120 dozen produced.

✓ Dispatched next business day