Moondara Studebaker Bianco 2019 Victoria Gippsland

Description

Moondara Studebaker Bianco 2019

Studebaker Bianco is one conclusion in a series of experiments in texture and tannin in white wine, a post punk, post natural, tangy, minerally, crunchy gargle. An unfiltered & skin fermented Pinot Grigio Friulano blend inspired by the wines of Josko Gravner. Fruit crushed, some juice left to ferment to dryness on skins, some partially fermented on skins and some just left for a few hours pre ferment. The portion fermented in small, open bins and the cap plunged occasionally to keep wet and avoid volatility, then drained to old oak with the yeast lees to integrate sourdough flavours from the autolysis of the lees. About a third of the juice was fermented in small, old oak without skin contact. Bottled without fining or filtration.Cherry blossom and jasmine aromatics, a pleasant overt green-melon ‘fruitiness’ on the palate. Texturally a joy. Leaving the wine unfiltered retained viscosity as well as almond blossom aromatics. The ‘phenolic’, skinsy crunch (which comes from the fermentation on skins) acts as a kind of picture frame around the wine defining the honeydew and pear flavours complimented by ginger spice confined within these borders.The wine works a treat with any crustaceans, and pan-fried vineyard snails, garlic and butter with nettles is a must try.

About Moondara

Moondarra is operated by the wonderfully talented Prentice family. Planted in 1991 in the mineral-rich, volcanic soils of Moondarra in the foothills of Mt Baw Baw. Our vines are close-planted and dry-grown, producing robust and intense Pinot Noir’s with funkositè and Nebbiolo. We also produce a blended white wine comprising Picolit, Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Friulano, Pinot Grigio and grapes from Picolit seedlings.From the hand of Neil Prentice, Moondarra Pinot Noir is concentrated, funky and uncompromising, bursting with personality and character. “Pinot Noir is often described as ‘silky & supple’. Moondarra is more ‘slutty flannelette’” says Neil. The north-east facing vineyard is dry grown and close planted in the rich, free draining soils of the Gippsland Mountains Rivers district.