UNICO ZELO NERO D’AVOLA – ORGANIC, FOLLOWING NATURAL WINE PRACTICES
Inspired by an intense passion for the land, Helmed by Brenden and Laura Carter, their wines are crafted to showcase unique sites and soils that Australia has to offer, in styles that are typified by the life and culture of this sunburnt country. Using minimal intervention techniques such as zero irrigation, 100% wild ferment, and no additions of enzymes, nutrients, or sugars, they create organic, vegan, earth-friendly wines that respect the environment and communities around them.
In Brendan and Laura’s words, their aim is to create “Italian-inspired, textural and site-expressive wines” and “Australian examples of Mediterranean varieties in an approachable and jovial fashion.” Since bursting onto the scene in 2014 with their eye-catching, outrageously good value alternative vino, the Carters have spread their wings and their range. They now make a large suite of wines, including single vineyard examples of Fiano, Nero d’Avola and Nebbiolo. They are one of the most dynamic winemaking duos in the Adelaide Hills.
Halycon Days is the second iteration of a single site Nero from the Carters. After four years spent scouring the Riverland for a site worthy of an individual bottling, an organically farmed block sat atop clay was just what they were looking for. This is a finer-boned expression of the variety than the Pipe Dream – perhaps more ‘Pinot-esque’ version of Nero and a delicious thing to drink.
Winery: “Organically managed in Barmera, the hot summers this grape adores gives the wine all the qualities we love in a great medium-bodied red wine: fresh acidity, plush red fruits, a whisper of spice and the kind of structure that’s ready for the sky.”
Winery: Viticulturally, Nero looks absolutely at home year after year in Riverland, as it’s able to achieve a balanced level of ripeness that we just don’t see year on year with the other regions – it’s probably the easiest of the three to decide when to pick. It’s bang-on this year, and as always it looks just that little bit Gamay-esque, almost Cru Beaujolais. Really lovely sweet nutmeg and baking spice aromatics, with a woody, cedary undercurrent, backed up by these bright punchy blue and brambly black fruits. Great mineral drive this year, salty acid line framed by crispy tannins. A bit of meaty chew to it – how nice! As always, chill it down – it’ll be great with charcuterie this year or even pepperoni pizza! It has always been a party wine, and it continues to be.
Fresh acidity, plush red fruits, a whisper of spice and the kind of structure that’s ready for the esky (Australian brand of portable cooler). It’s the red that puts a beaming smile on your face. A pretense free wine made for good times, good people and maybe a pizza or two.