Ruggabellus Quomodo 2019

310 bottles made. This is from our home block, Eden valley, planted in the 1930’s, 500m above sea level. A single barrel. Early on it didn’t look like this wine would get there. It simply lacked the balance we seek. I grappled with the reds from 2019 also. If you recall, we only released an Efferus in that year with the seriously dry Spring. Many hours of thought and blending has resulted in us using a little bit of our ‘special aged’ Riesling in this Quomodo blend. Since 2012 we have been carefully building a reserve of long aged Riesling from our home block as a base to draw upon for a sparkling wine (yet to be released). This small addition to the Quomodo (from the same vineyard - about 11%) has lifted it into a zone that we are extremely proud of. Abel Gibson.

Sheesh, this is serious orange wine. And in that, welcomed. It’s deeply umber in colour. Scents like hazelnut, ginger biscuits, dried apple, quince and tonic water. Flavours similarly set but with green apple, peach, faint white balsamic in tow. It’s intense, it’s deep and chewy and dry, it’s a feast for the senses and wonderfully so. It demands attention (and probably food) and asks the drinkers to sit up straight. It feels textural and interesting and complex. It does refreshment factor and potent, layered wine in a breath. It is really fantastic. If not, a lot, so go with friends and share. Drink 2023-2035, 96 Points – Mike Bennie, The Wine Front