2019 Protero Nebbiolo

Protero

Australia / Adelaide Hills / Protero

The fruit comes from Block 2 on the Protero Vineyard in Gumeracha, Adelaide Hills. The vines were planted in 1999 by Frank and Rosie Baldasso, and the site is managed by Carmine Pepicelli. The Nebbiolo clones are 230, 111, F12V7, F12V13, Mudgee all on own roots.
Eight tonnes of fruit were harvested on 17th April 2019. The Nebbiolo grapes macerated for 25 days before gentle pressing. The wine was sent to 4600-litre French oak vat and extra large puncheons for malolactic conversion and maturation. The wine underwent extended maturation in old French oak vats and puncheons. It was bottled without fining or filtration in December 2020.
The nose is at once perfumed, alive and subtle. It immediately activates all the senses with its brick dust, rose petals, red fruit and linseed. The palate is varietal, confident and charming. It has raspberry and layers of fruits-of-the-forest. The finish has a liquorice kick with amaro the final salute to its Italian roots. The tannins are layered and present but sit back on the palate, latent and reserved in some regards, but ultimately bold and persistent. - Stephen Pannell

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About Protero

Back in 2004, Stephen Pannell's family returned from Piedmont to find Nebbiolo growing in the northern Adelaide Hills just outside Gumeracha, on a vineyard planted by Rose and Frank Baldasso in 1999. Steve started working with the fruit in 2005. The dynamics of tannin, first and foremost, drive all of Stephen’s red-winemaking decisions, and good Nebbiolo hinges on understanding tannin. In late December 2019 Fiona and Steve signed a contract for the Baldasso’s vineyard. It was planted to all the wrong varieties bar one: five clones of Nebbiolo. A week later, it was on fire, and only through the courage of others was Protero spared. Surrounded by brave people, the Pannells knew they too had to be courageous. To that end they removed Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Viognier and planted varieties we like drinking and believe in for the region: Barbera, Dolcetto, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and Riesling. All well suited to the landscape, the region and in particular this place, Protero.

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