Introducing Our New Nebbiolo Red Wine from the Great Southern
2022 is a very special year for us as we welcome our first Nebbiolo still red wine to the 3drops family.
The 2021 3drops Nebbiolo can be purchased online here.
Where it all started..
The original 3drops vineyard was planted in 1999 on the family farming property at Mount Barker in the Great Southern.
In 2002 we decided to plant a few additional varieties and my late father was keen on the idea that we should trial an Italian red. After much research we decided on Nebbiolo and managed to source Nebbiolo vine cuttings from Margaret River. As with the rest of our Wragg Road vineyard the Nebbiolo was planted by 3drops viticulturist Ray Williams.
My father passed away in 2003 and we spent the next few years wondering what we would use the Nebbiolo grapes for.
The Nebbiolo vine is challenging – it flowers early, ripens late and sometimes struggles to become fully ripe. It is also a very expressive variety and will pick up the characteristics of its terroir. For a number of years, we sold our Nebbiolo fruit.
For five vintages from 2016-2020 we have made a Nebbiolo Rose’ which worked well, given that the fruit can be harvested a little earlier to create a rose’.
However, in 2021, nearly 20 years after planting the vines, vintage conditions allowed us to create an aromatic and intensely flavoured Nebbiolo red wine.
Let's take a look at the stats...
The numbers and dates you need to know:
- Alc/vol: 14%
- Harvest date: 24 March 2021
- Bottling date: 16 August 2022
- pH: 3.2
- Titrable Acidity: 9.7
How it was made...
Machine harvested fruit off 20-year-old vines. Fruit destemmed and crushed to two, 2 tonne open top fermenters for fermentation. Plunged three times daily during active ferment. First fermenter was pressed off skins after 12 days, second fermenter underwent extended maceration for a total of 28 days before being pressed. Both batches were matured in mix of older French oak Barriques and Hogsheads for up to 15 months. Blended before bottling.
What you can expect in your glass...
Colour
Medium bright ruby
Nose
Fruit characters of cherry and raspberry are supported by aromas of rose petal and anise. Intensely aromatic, the wine also has savoury, leathery notes. Intriguing and seductive.
Palate
This wine is classic Nebbiolo, with concentrated sour cherry and raspberry fruit characters. These fruit characters are balanced by tight, but lingering acidity, earthiness and typical Nebbiolo tannin structure. There is a subtle negroni-like bitterness at play, keeping
the juicy fruit in check. The two batch treatments are working in harmony, layering complexity, and creating balance. Tannins are firm, and framing the mid to back palate, working with the bright acidity to create drive into a long savoury.
Nebbiolo’s notoriously colour-light but tannin rich skins are a critical factor in making this wine. Fruit intensity, structure and balance are the result.
Food pairings
Perfect pair for a non-lean cut of meat or creamy cheeses. Also a great accompainment to sausage and bean risotto, slow braised ragu or truffles with fresh pasta.
Ageing potential
Will gain complexity for 15+ years.
