2017 Chalmers Nero d'Avola

Chalmers

Australia / Heathcote / Chalmers

The grapes are 100% de-stemmed and wild fermented in open fermenters. Fermentation typically goes for 20 days. The wine is then pressed into stainless steel tank where it undergoes natural malolactic fermentation. The wine is bottled without fining and with little or no filtration after about 6 months to retain freshness. The grapes are selected from our top block, where the complex rocky terrain gives a more elegant and perfumed character to the Nero d’Avola grapes than the rich red Cambrian of the lower elevation block from Heathcote. Like all Chalmers wines, this is vegan friendly. - Kim Chalmers

May, 2018

Ralph Kyte-Powell

The Age

90 points

Chalmers Wines have been pioneering alternative grape varieties for years, and this nero d'Avola from Central Victoria shows their mastery. It is medium-bodied, with succulent balance and fragrant raspberryish flavours, ahead of a soft but tangy finish. Screwcap; 13% alcohol.

April, 2018

Max Allen

Gourmet Traveller WINE

The Chalmers family were the first to bring Nero d’Avola cuttings into Australia through their nursery business at the turn of the millennium. They now produce one of the best examples of the variety: dark, juicy, grippy, dangerously approachable.

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About Chalmers

The Chalmers family was justly named 2014 Viticulturist of the Year by Gourmet Traveller WINE. Their commitment to innovation and excellence has made them a pivotal force in the Australian wine scene for more than 20 years. Bruce and Jenni began growing grapes in the 1980s, with their vineyard at Euston developing into one the largest and most diverse privately owned vineyards in the country. Their nursery business was responsible for importing a selection of around 70 new clones and varieties, many of which are now used in the production of Chalmers' Italian variety wines. Since selling the original vineyard in 2008 the family has established two new sites: one in Heathcote, henceforth responsible for all Chalmers wines, and one at Merbein where the family will continue to experiment with new varieties and clones. Very much a family concern, daughters Kim and Tennille are now driving this exciting business forward.

About

Kim studied at the University of Adelaide before joining the family business. She has been director at Chalmers Wines since 2005, managing operations from the vine to the wine list. In 2011 she was awarded an AgriFoods Skills Australia Overseas Fellowship, for which she wrote a paper entitled “Hot climate wine growing, making and marketing in Southern Italy and its application in Australia”. Kim's husband, winemaker Bart van Olphen completed the family team in 2011, a year after sister Tennille joined the business full time following a 10-year career in hospitality, most recently as a sommelier. The Chalmers sisters have been pivotal in turning the Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show into a major event on the wine awards calendar. In 2015 they also spearheaded 21st Century Vino, an initiative to increase awareness and expertise in Italian vine varieties grown in Australia.