Rowlee Single Vineyard Nebbiolo 2024

I make no secret that I am a Nebbiolo devotee. I am always thrilled to find an Australian example that manages to capture the ethereal essence of the variety while staying true to place. Rowlee has aced it with this single vineyard delight, opening with a delicate intoxicating perfume of pot pourri, violets, and plump pomegranate seeds qhile deeper tones of licorice and warm, gravelly earth whisper in the wings.Nebbiolo always needs a little time to hit its stride on the palate and, while this one is in its infancy, all the elements are there. The tannins, while unmistakably Nebbiolo (high levels that announce themselves with pride), are fine and chalky. Bright acidity is well integrated and the cherry and bramble spice flavours go on and on. Drink with a rich venison ragu, or be daringly Australian and swap in some kangaroo.

Nicole Bilson

Wine Critic at Winepilot

Nicole loves wine. So much so that she gave up a successful career in Pharmacy, perfected her spitting technique, and moved from sunny Queensland to the wine-drenched laneways of Melbourne. Stints in hospitality, wineries, retail, sales and marketing filled the next few years while Nicole built her knowledge and searched for the right path. She completed the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Diploma in 2016 and became a certified WSET Educator the following year. She now juggles a number of roles including teaching people about wine, curating wines lists for restaurants and bars, judging in Australian wine shows and, of course, writing. In 2016 she won the Negociants Working With Wine writing award and has since contributed to Gourmet Traveller WINE, Halliday Wine Companion Magazine and Nourish Magazine.

Wine tasting