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Ricca Terra

2022

‘Skin Contact’

Field Blend   |   Riverland - Australia

About

Ashley Ratcliff has become synonymous with alternative varieties in Australia and his passionate work in the vineyard is realized when you see the dearth of natural winemakers flocking to his vineyard over the years.  Ash decided it was time to explore more of this style of wine himself in 2021 and released a small amount of more avant-garde wines than he has traditionally produced.  2022 marks the second vintage of this invigorating skinsy field blend, though the cépage blend has changed. This year it is mainly Trebbiano for those white peach, flowery aromas and there’s a touch of the late-ripening Greco, which adds textural complexity.

The fruit was hand-harvested at the same time and fully destemmed before being placed into old French oak barrels with the skins. Fermentation carried on with native yeast and lasted about 30 days at a temperature of 13 degrees C. The wine was then racked from barrels into tank prior to bottling in July, which occurs without fining or filtering. A small dose of sulfur is given at bottling.

Stats

  • Grapes: 86% Trebbiano - 14% Greco
  • Vineyard: Barmera
  • Vine Age: 40-years-old (Trebbiano) - 14-years-old (Greco)
  • Soil Type: Red loam over limestone
  • Viticulture: Sustainable
  • Fermentation: Native – old French oak (100% destemmed - co-fermented)
  • Skin Contact: 30 days
  • Aging: 5 months
  • Alcohol: 12.5%
  • pH: 3.3
  • Total Acidity: 5.2 g/L
  • Total SO2: 116 ppm
  • Total Production: 307 cases

Tasting Note

Lightly cloudy straw color. The nose is slightly musky and citrusy, while the palate opens up with more savoriness and texture thanks to the skin contact ferment. The tannins are welcomed, and the finish is long and penetrating. This is a great entry into amber wines.

 

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