Promising Bird on a Wire Nebbiolo 2015

The quest for great Australian Nebbiolo continues.

I always think it’s unfair to compare wines like this Yarra red to Langhe Nebb, but that’s the reality of a $50 pricepoint. This Bird on a Wire Nebbiolo 2015 gives it a go. Ruby red colour, but otherwise there is an old school style at play. Fruit backward, with no obvious oak and then a dry palate, it’s a wine with serious convictions.

If anything, it’s too lean for the fruit, dominated by dry, light sandpaper tannins. But still, there’s promise here. Authentic tannins. Length. savouriness. I want a bit more fruit for it to be really convincing, as it’s a little too lean for high marks. Potential for future releases though is v. high as undoubted quality. Best drinking: I’d go for the short to medium term (5-8yrs) as that fruit could fade and just leave tannins. 17/20, 90/100. 13.5%, $50. Would I buy it? A glass or two.