Ballandean Estate’s 2023 Nebbiolo Awarded Special Value Rosette by James Halliday

Ballandean Estate’s 2023 Nebbiolo has claimed a coveted Special Value rosette from the Halliday Wine Companion, solidifying its reputation as one of Australia’s finest and most accessible wines. The rosette recognition places the 2023 Nebbiolo among Australia’s top 28 value-for-money wines, a testament to the estate’s dedication to crafting premium wines that offer exceptional quality at an affordable price.

Read the 2023 Nebbiolo review on the Halliday Wine Companion website

Halliday Wine Companion announces 2023 Nebbiolo as a 95-point wine

Wine critic Mike Bennie of the Halliday Wine Companion praised the wine’s finely tuned balance of fruit, tannins, and unique regional personality, calling it “a very good expression” with “palpable energy.”

“It’s tightly wound and succulent in dark cherry fruit character, laden with woody spice and dried herb elements, shows off faint, bloody savouriness, some black olive notes, hazelnut, faint minty lift and dashes of white pepper. So much going on. The tannins are fine and firm, the wine feeling almost slate-like in texture with its mineral charm. It is compact and draws long and to a fine point, with palpable energy. There’s a sense that this wine will cellar exceptionally long, too,” says Mr Bennie. 

Mike Bennie, wine critic

“We were thrilled to have our 2023 Nebbiolo announced as a 95-point wine by James Halliday. This Special Value rosette recognition further underscores the passion, innovation, and craftsmanship that define our wines.”

Robyn Puglisi-Henderson, Ballandean Estate’s business manager

Nebbiolo, a noble varietal

Known as the “King of Wines” in Italy, Nebbiolo is the noble variety behind Barolo, cherished for its complexity, versatility, and powerful tannic structure. Ballandean Estate has been cultivating Nebbiolo in Queensland’s Granite Belt since the late 1990s, harnessing the region’s cool climate and high-altitude vineyards at 850m above sea level to produce a uniquely Australian expression of this iconic varietal.

The 2023 Nebbiolo has seen significant acclaim, winning an impressive array of awards, including a silver medal at the Queensland Wine Awards and the Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland as well as a trophy and additional silver medal at Australian Mediterranean Varieties Wine Show. 

A word from the winemaker

Winemaker Boxi Zhen has perfected Ballandean Estate’s distinctive Nebbiolo, describing it as “big on flavor yet elegantly approachable.” 

“The 2023 vintage underwent meticulous monitoring in the vineyard, hand-picked at peak balance of flavor, acidity, and tannin ripeness. 

“Long fermentation was followed by 14 months of maturation in reserve French oak barrels, resulting in a medium-bodied wine with vibrant dark cherry fruit, woody spice, hazelnut, and complex savory notes. You can enjoy it now or cellar for up to 15 years.”

Available now for $42 per bottle, the 2023 Nebbiolo is a centrepiece of Ballandean Estate’s Strange Bird collection, highlighting rare and alternative varietals that make up less than 1% of Australian grapes. This limited release, with only 160 cases produced, represents the estate’s commitment to innovation while preserving its rich heritage as Queensland’s oldest family-owned winery.