2024 Timo Mayer Sangiovese, Yarra Valley

Timo Mayer Sangiovese from the Yarra Valley is a rare and captivating expression of this classic Italian grape, reimagined through Mayer’s bold, minimal-intervention winemaking style. Known for his whole-bunch fermentation and “hands-off” approach, Timo creates wines that are pure, vibrant, and bursting with character. His Sangiovese is no exception—it's bright, structured, and packed with personality, offering a uniquely Australian take on Tuscany’s most famous grape.

In the glass, it shows a brilliant ruby red with a touch of garnet at the rim. The nose is pure energy, with aromas of sour cherry, red plum, and wild raspberry, lifted by notes of dried herbs, crushed violets, and a hint of earthy spice. There’s a touch of Timo’s signature funk—just enough to keep things interesting—alongside whispers of tobacco leaf and orange peel. On the palate, it’s juicy and medium-bodied, with lively red fruit, mouthwatering acidity, and fine, sandy tannins that give it a rustic yet refined texture. The whole-bunch fermentation adds a gentle grip and extra aromatic lift, while the finish is long, savoury, and deliciously moreish.

This Sangiovese is made for food. It’s brilliant alongside wood-fired pizza, tomato-based pasta dishes, or grilled lamb chops with rosemary. It also pairs beautifully with hard cheeses and antipasto platters. While approachable and vibrant now, it has enough structure to age gracefully for another 5–7 years, gaining further complexity along the way.

With only a tiny amount produced each vintage, Timo Mayer’s Sangiovese is a true collector’s wine—unique, uncompromising, and hard to find. If you manage to snag a bottle, consider yourself lucky. It’s Sangiovese, but not as you know it—wild, wonderful, and unmistakably Mayer.