Ballandean Estate releasing drought-resistant Durif wine
Ballandean Estate is set to release its exclusive 2018 vintage single-vineyard Durif, a full-bodied alternative red. The ultimate choice for any lover of big reds, this much anticipated vintage will be available for tasting at Ballandean Estate’s cellar door and for sale online from Saturday 28 August onwards, RRP $42.
Discover why Durif is a hero varietal
“Durif is a hero! This varietal thrives in drought and miraculously escaped smoke taint from the 2018 Girraween bushfires. It is one of our rarest alternative wines, we’ve produced just under 350 cases.
What makes this wine unique is its vibrant and sophisticated cool climate expression, lean and fresh with intense acidity, a gorgeous inky purple with a crimson meniscus in the glass.
Also known as ‘Petite Syrah’ in France, California and Israel, Durif originates in France’s Rhone Valley, and is renowned for its late ripening massive tannins, superb cellaring potential and ability to handle oak. Dad planted it back in 2008 to make Mum happy, she had a hankering for sparkling Durif in her life!,” says Ms Puglisi-Gangemi.”
Fourth generation vigneron Leeanne Puglisi-Gangemi
Durif 2018
Varietal—Durif
100% Ballandean Estate single-vineyard fruit
Dry, full-bodied, blue and black fruits, well-structured with an intense acidic spine
RRP $42
Alc/Vol 14.8%
Colour—inky purple
Cellaring potential—Drink from now to 20 years
Winemaker—Dylan Rhymer
Viticulturalist—Angelo Puglisi
A word from Master of Wine Peter Scudamore-Smith
“This wine is broody; swirl it to open up; there is forest floor, lots of exotic spice and mint sweetness. Yet the most powerful expression is the blue and black fruits which layer my mouth; that’s the flavour of Durif — I can assure you there is plenty.
“A gratuitously full-bodied variety yet that is tempered by growth in the Granite Belt, meaning more soft tannin focus and less grip — a powder-coated tongue is not an extreme sensation from this French variety. Resounding taste, a mouthful.”
Master of Wine Peter Scudamore-Smith
Learn about the viticulture
Ballandean Estate’s Durif vines were planted in 2008 on the slopes of the Bellevue vineyards at Ballandean on the Granite Belt, 850m above sea level. The vines grow vigorously and produce large tight bunches of fruit, due to the big leaves attracting more sunlight, enhancing photosynthesis. Angelo Puglisi overcame this challenge by cutting off 70% of each bunch at flowering, which results in lots of small bunches.
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