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Protero

2021

Nebbiolo

Adelaide Hills - Australia
Shelf Talker Spec Sheet Wine Label Bottle Image

About

Steve has always been an avid lover of Nebbiolo. He spent time in the motherland, working and learning alongside Giuseppe Vajra, whose family has been farming Bricco delle Viole, the highest cru in Barolo, since the 1600s. Back in Australia, Steve started making two Nebbiolos, one under S.C. Pannell and one under Protero. Fast forward a few years, and he decided to consolidate his Nebbiolo offerings into one from just Protero. Previous vintages of the Protero Nebbiolo aged on the skins for 100 days; the 2021 vintage is more like the old S.C. Pannell version, seeing just 23 days of skin contact. The result is a well-perfumed, age-worthy beauty.

Clones Mudgee and 230 (both piè franco) were hand harvested from Block 2 of the Protero Vineyard in Gumeracha. After crushing, 75% of the grapes were sent to stainless steel and the remainder to old oak. Spontaneous fermentation was carried out, and the wines were all transferred to old puncheons for malolactic fermentation. In total, the wines saw 23 days of skin contact before a gentle pressing. They were then blended and settled in tank for about two weeks before extended maturation in puncheons, followed by six months in a large oak vat. The wine was bottled unfined, and with a gentle Y cross flow filtration and sulfur addition.

Stats

  • Grapes: 100% Nebbiolo
  • Vineyard: Protero Vineyard (Kenton Vally Rd, Gumeracha)
  • Vine Age: 24-years-old
  • Soil Type: Sandy loam over brown clay and deeply weathered rock
  • Viticulture: Sustainable
  • Fermentation: Native — open-top stainless steel (75%) and old French oak (25%) then old French oak puncheons for malolactic
  • Skin Contact: 23 days
  • Aging: 18 months in puncheons then six months in an old 28hL vat
  • Alcohol: 14%
  • pH: 3.48
  • Total Acidity: 6.3 g/L
  • Total SO2: 60 ppm
  • Total Production: 1,123 cases
  • UPC: None

Tasting Notes

Classic tar and rose aromas on the nose. A medium-bodied, brilliantly tannic entry follows, full of grenadine, sumac, and rhubarb flavors. There is an earthy dustiness that precedes a long, sweeping finish.

Press & Reviews

James Suckling

93

"A beautifully crafted wine, espousing fruit while forfeiting none of the structural spindle and vitality that makes nebbiolo compact, savory and so delicious. Aromas of satsuma and damson plum, red cherry and dried thyme with a burst of rosewater across the mid-palate before the pull of sinew and clatter of tannic bone, the signature of variety and style. Drink or hold. Screw cap."

- Ned Goodwin, MW

Halliday Wine Companion

93

"A wine crafted in a beautiful fashion, espousing fruit while forfeiting none of the structural spindle and vitality that makes nebbiolo compact, savoury and so delicious. Satsuma and damson plum, red cherry and dried thyme segue to a burst of rosewater across the mid-palate before the pull of sinew and clatter of tannic bone, the signature of variety and style."

- Ned Goodwin, MW

The Wine Front

93

"It’s a chalky concoction of red berries, glossy maraschino cherry, basil leaf and almonds spiked with high acidity. A load of dusty tannins supports the structure with a bit of dried sage and thyme adding rusticity to texture. Bitter herbs plus ripe fruit build into amaro-medicinal feel, which is very appetising. Good, energetic drink with tannins that need food or time. Or both."

- Kasia Sobiesiak

Producer


Protero

Region


Adelaide Hills

Country


Australia

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