2019 King Valley Fiano

Valentino Range

The ‘Valentino’ range of wines are dedicated to Matthew’s late father Valentino or “Wally” to many of his Australian friends, who migrated to Australia in 1952 from Abruzzo, Italy. It was through many years of garage winemaking with Valentino and his ‘paisani’ (compatriots) that Matthew developed his passion for winemaking. It was Valentino’s passion for life and family that continues to inspire both Matthew and Andrew in making these traditionally made Italian varietal wines.

HIDE

Medium crimson in colour with purple hues. Lifted aromas of plums, red currants and boysenberries burst from the glass combined with an attractive dried herb and spice lift. The generous palate allows soft tannins to glide over the mid palate along with flavours of plum, blackberry and blackcurrent. This is an expressive, fresh and plush Merlot with a refined finish.

Tasting Note

This wine displays the depth and balance for which this variety has developed a cult wine personality following. On the nose it displays aromas of guava, citrus and subtle marjoram spice. Wrapping around a core of chalky minerality are flavours of nectarine, citrus, melon and hazelnuts. Bringing it all together is a bitter almond character that complements the savoury and textured finish. Drink now or be rewarded with cellaring for up to 10+ years.

Food

Traditional ‘Porchetta’, a rolled roast pork with season vegetables.

Region

The King Valley is one of Australia’s most exciting, emerging wine regions. It is located in North East Victoria – approximately three hours North of Melbourne and seven hours South of Sydney. Home to the most picturesque and unspoilt valley in Australia, King Valley benefits from a cool climate with extremely varied terrain, that ranges from snow-capped Alps to sun baked fields.

The Season

The vintage 2019 growing season was a return to warmer conditions. Cool nights and warm days allow good varietal flavour expression and phenological ripeness. Overall, a strong vintage producing wines with richness and plushness.

Winemaking

The winemaking philosophy for the Valentino range is one that aims, in a traditional Italian sense, to allow the fruit to have full expression with winemaking and oak inputs playing a supporting role. The grapes were handpicked before being refrigerated for 48 hours. The grapes were whole bunch pressed with only the free run juice kept for fermentation. The Fiano was fermented on full solids in old French oak barriques and larger format barrels to build layers of texture and complexity while still respecting the varietal personality and supporting the fruit authenticity and providing an extra dimension on the palate. The wine was kept on lees with regular stirring until bottling in late November that same year.

Analysis

Alcohol: 13.3%v/v, pH: 3.16, TA: 6.25 g/L

Packaging

750mL, 6 bottles per case