2021 Dal Zotto Nebbiolo, King Valley

Dal Zotto Nebbiolo is a vibrant and characterful expression of this noble Italian variety grown in the heart of Victoria’s King Valley. The Dal Zotto family has been central to the region’s Italian wine story since the late 1980s, when Ottavio and Elena Dal Zotto planted vines inspired by the alpine foothills of northern Italy. Today the next generation continues that legacy, celebrating Italian varieties that thrive in King Valley’s cool nights and elevated sites.

Nebbiolo is famously demanding, and King Valley’s combination of altitude, warm days and cool evenings gives it the long ripening window it needs to develop perfume and structure without losing freshness. The soils here are varied, with clay loams and gravel contributing to both aromatics and tannin profile, creating a distinctly Australian take on a very traditional grape.

In the glass, Dal Zotto Nebbiolo is immediately aromatic. Rose petal, red cherry and wild strawberry lead, followed by hints of dried herbs, spice and earthy nuance. The palate is medium bodied and bright, with fine but assertive tannins, lively acidity and a savoury, slightly dusty finish. It captures the variety’s signature tension and grip while remaining approachable and generous in its youth.

This is a natural food wine. It shines alongside charcuterie, mushroom dishes, roast pork or lamb, and Italian classics like osso buco or ragù. While delicious young for its fragrance and energy, Dal Zotto Nebbiolo also has the structure to develop further in the cellar over the medium term, gaining savoury complexity and softer tannins with time.

Dal Zotto Nebbiolo is a confident expression of King Valley’s Italian heritage. Perfumed, savoury and unmistakably Nebbiolo, it offers a distinctive Australian interpretation that stays true to the spirit of the grape.