2021 WHITE LABEL CERES HILL ALBARINO

Albariño originates from the north west coastal regions of the Iberian Peninsula. Like the Hunter Valley this region is also classified as warm maritime and its wines are low in alcohol and acid focused. We were the first in the Hunter Valley to plant Albariño on our Ceres Hill Vineyard in 2014 and the second in Australia. This is a great food wine and pairs with most things you would add a touch of lemon to. It is of course a classic catch with fresh seafood.

Growing Season

With much welcomed spring rain in 2020 we saw excellent canopy balance through all vineyards for our 2021 vintage. A mild summer allowed for excellent acid retention and a long ripening period resulting in elegant fruit character and seamless acid balance in white wines coming from 2021.

Vineyard

Planted in 2014 on the Sandy Loam behind our kitchen garden on our Ceres Hill property. Traditionally in Spain, Albariño is trellised on tall pergola style structures designed to provide maximum shade to the fruit. We use a modern style of trellis here (vertical shoot positioning) but are mindful of shaping the leaf canopy to also shelter the bunches. Too much direct sun can encourage the development of flavours that we don’t want.

Winemaking

We hand pick these grapes with exceptionally high natural acidity. We ferment the juice in stainless steel tanks using a small volume of solids and wild yeasts to achieve more savoury aromatics. Extended lees contact post fermentation resulted in a textural complex wine

Tasting Notes

The wine has aromatic notes of lime zest and crisp, nashi pear and sea spray. The palate has juicy lime, sherbet, grapefruit, pear and lemon balm. The palate is textural with mineral notes and finishes with refreshing acidity and a characteristic touch of salinity, paying homage to its coastal origins.

Wine Composition

pH                                                          3.28

Titratable Acidity                                8.7 g/L

Alcohol                                                  12.5%

Residual Sugar                                     < 1g/L

Vine Age

7 years

Food Match

Grilled garfish with harissa roasted capsicum, squash and eggplant

Cellaring Potential

10 + years