I have a small issue with Australian winemakers calling their wines simply ‘Montepulciano.’ The grape in Italy is Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, and not to be confused with the township in Tuscany (totally different region) of Montepulciano producing vino nobile wines. Anyways, Alex Beckett, Marnong Estate’s winemaker has plenty of experience with alternative varieties for the well regarded Briar Ridge in Pokolbin. This wine sees a mix of old oak and stainless steel maturation.
Marnong Estate, Single Vineyard, Montepulciano, Sunbury, 2024
Dark profile: Beef birria tacos, leather, cassis, blackberry smears, boysenberry ice cream, bramble, licorice bullets and graphite yet tempered with a spring blossom. Mid weight and savoury. Gunflint, blackberry, graphite and a little animal grunt. This is like listening to Counting Crows, expecting happy pop tunes yet there’s dourness and inherent sad vein. It’s balanced and grippy….perfect for a big plate of salumi and hard cheeses: please have with food.
RRP: $40
Alc: 13%
Rating: 91/100
Wine sample courtesy of Marnong Estate and Dialogue PR
