Pipan Steel Nebbiolo X 2016

Pipan Steel is the project of Wine Maker Paula Pipan and Vineyard Manager Radley Steel, who share a common passion (more of an obsession really) for a single grape variety, Nebbiolo. 

After years of research and a lot of dedication they found the perfect vineyard site at Mudgegonga, nestled in the foothills of the Australian Alps, 400 m above sea level and bathed in fog every winter, just like the rolling hills of Piemonte. The North-Eastern aspect and a much lower latitude than Piemonte are almost a warranty on ripeness and contribute to that immediateness of fruit that typically characterises New World wines. 

However, what makes these Nebbiolos unique is the focus on clonal differences. 

This X cuveé, based purely on Clone 10, is the one that most reminds me of a Piemontese Nebbiolo. The nose is opulent with an inviting dried fig perfume accompanied by blood orange, anise, Campari and oriental spices. 

The palate has the firm tannins that characterise the variety, but without being obtrusive and full of fruit. Meaty and tarry, with intermittent Maraschino Cherry flare-ups and a finish dominated by cocoa nib notes. 

Do yourself a favour: decant it, drink it slowly over dinner (I’m thinking Ossobuco alla Milanese) and contemplate its evolution. It changes a lot with time in the glass.  

Andrea Infimo

Born and raised in Naples, Italy, Andrea came to Australia in 2013 after graduating with an environmental science degree. While working as a waiter in between jobs, Andrea found he enjoyed hospitality much more than his previous career during a stint working at MoVida Sydney. After a short apprenticeship at 121 BC, Sydney’s ground-breaking gem for Lo-Fi Italian wines, and a few months with the Lotus Group, Andrea moved to Melbourne and reunited with Movida. He’s been curating the highly regarded Wine List at Movida Melbourne, including one of the country's finest Spanish selections, for the past 3 years while studying for the WSET diploma.