Barossa 9.5% Screwcap $20 Source: Sample
Marco Cirillo mentioned that he would prefer to release this wine at 5 years of age, but sometimes, as a small producer, you just don’t have that luxury. I believe he is holding some back (as he does with his Grenache) for museum release. I get the very strong feeling that he is fanatical about making wines that will age, and that passion is a good thing.
Ultimately, history will be a better judge of this wine than me. It’s tight, austere, coiled and almost ascetic. In the glass it emits the subtlest aromas of fresh lemon and lime, with a little pear and the faintest hint of fresh green beans & peapods. Retaining a great deal of natural acidity from early picking, it borders on neutrality at this stage. The palate has slatey aspects, a suggestion of soap and tangy orange notes and there is a slight chalkiness on the back palate. Length is very good and the flavours that are there right now do possess their own kind of intensity.
Incredibly hard for me to “rate” then, but I do suspect it will build into a very interesting wine. It certainly didn’t lose anything over two days of tasting. If you’re drinking it now, do so for its crisp freshness (I poured a glass blind for a friend and she enjoyed those precise charms). But really, it’s been made to cellar and I’m curious enough to whack some away myself.
Email Winery- marcocirillo@adam.com.au