Nebbiolo 2022 - Black Market Deal #67997

Nebbiolo is notoriously site-sensitive, and in its Italian homeland of Piedmont it produces wines like Barolo and Barbaresco with immense structure and age-worthiness. The Yarra Valley's cool climate mirrors some of those conditions, lending this wine a similar elegance and precision, but with a slightly fresher, more lifted character. You still get the classic dried rose petal, sour cherry and powdery tannins that define the variety, but the cool-climate expression adds a lively mineral drive that feels distinctly Australian.

Tannins are the grippy, drying compounds found in grape skins, seeds and stems, and Nebbiolo is famous for having some of the most assertive tannins of any red variety. 'Powdery' refers to a fine-grained, almost chalky texture rather than a harsh or coarse grip - think of the sensation of dry cocoa powder on your tongue. In this 2022 Yarra Valley Nebbiolo, those powdery tannins provide structure and drive without overwhelming the wine's elegant fruit and savoury mineral notes.

Nebbiolo's high acidity, firm tannins and savoury, earthy character make it a natural partner for rich, slow-cooked dishes that can stand up to its structure. Think braised lamb shoulder, beef ragu, wild mushroom risotto or aged hard cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano. The raspberry skin and leather notes in this wine also work beautifully alongside charcuterie and cured meats, following the classic Italian tradition of pairing Nebbiolo with the bold flavours of the table.

The 2022 vintage in the Yarra Valley is widely regarded as a standout year, earning a 'Killer Vintage' recognition for this very wine. A cooler growing season with well-timed rainfall allowed for slow, even ripening, which is ideal for a variety like Nebbiolo that thrives when it isn't rushed. The result is a wine with excellent natural acidity, concentrated flavour and the kind of structural integrity that suggests it will reward cellaring as well as drinking now.

Nebbiolo is one of the world's great age-worthy varieties, and this full-bodied 2022 example has all the hallmarks of a wine that will develop beautifully over time - firm tannins, vibrant acidity and concentrated fruit. While it is already expressive and enjoyable now, giving it three to seven years in the cellar would allow those powdery tannins to soften and the complex earthy, floral and mineral notes to integrate further. If you are drinking it young, decanting for at least an hour will help open it up considerably.