2022 Domenica Nebbiolo Rose, Beechworth

Made from Nebbiolo, I think it should be called ‘rosato’. It’s only fair. I usually have to stamp my feet to get samples of these wines, but then, they are so worthy! Their distributor, World Wine Estates, sends them. It’s likely Peter Graham is too busy making great wine to bother with such things. All good.Savoury as all get out, with quite a bit of cap gun and smoky stuff (which settles down after being given a little air), but under that, all the cherry, liquorice root, tangerine and orange peel, plus a little gum leaf. It’s distinctly autumnal, old leaf litter, frisky blood orange juice acidity, a kind of truffle complexity, a little rasp of chalky tannin, and a finish of saline interest with redcurrant, rosehip and earthy spicy flavours. The zesty, almost Campari finish is quite something. It’s a little wild, but so interesting and good to drink. Big yes.

94 points Gary Walsh winefront.com.au Apr 2023 Drink 2023 - 2026+

Domenica sits 460m above sea level atop the granite ridge sweeping away to the south west of Beechworth. The wines are vividly reflective of their origin, a gripping mineral texture encasing the mature vine vitality of the varietals chosen to express it.

The fruit was basket pressed, juice assembled then racked to barrel with some solids retained. Left on skins for 15 minutes or so. Fermentation was allowed to proceed using wild yeast in old barriques at medium temperature. Malolactic was arresed and on completion of fermetantion/clarification the wine was racked to stainless steel.

Winemaking is traditional. Taste is more important than numbers. The yeasts comes from the site, not a packet. Pressings, solids and lees all play their part completing the picture. The wine is carefully maintained in oak bariques before being bottled unfiltered.

Domenica Rosé is built from select parcels of fruit fermented in neutral barrels shaping a complex wine worthy of your attention. The 2022 is no exception to its predecessors, made with intention as a serious and refreshing style.