This is the reserve release of the Greenstone Sangiovese. It’s aged for 18 months in barriques, 20% new tight grained and low toast Troncais. It does not, as I previously mentioned on another forum, have any Colorino in it. That’s the 2nd tier 2012 Rosso di Colbo which I tasted with winemaker Mark Walpole in Beechworth last week. For more on that check out Paul Starr’s Bianco-Rosso site.
Mark has a firm belief in Heathcote as a premium Sangiovese producing region and on the back of this bottle I find that hard to refute. An elegant and savoury, medium bodied wine with textured, fine-grained tannin, composed stature and superb dry length. Handsome and statuesque. Red cherry, rain on bitumen mouth perfume, tobacco and tea leaf. Suggestions of dried flowers and maybe a hint of aniseed. The finish is all dried Italian herbs. The architecture and flow of the wine is superb. One of the best Australian Sangioveses I’ve tasted and sure to age gracefully for at least ten years. 95+ Excellent
Region: Heathcote
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $65
Tasted: March 2013