2024 Castagna Allegro Rose

94 pts
94 points. Likely Australia's only Shiraz Viognier rosé, made from the same fruit as Castagna's Genesis Syrah.

Price:
Sale price$34.00
Stock:
Re-stocking, ships in 2-5 business days
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Description

As far as Julian Castagna knows, this is the only Shiraz Viognier rosé made in Australia, and it's no afterthought. It comes from the same high-quality fruit that goes into Genesis, his much-loved Beechworth Syrah, grown on the biodynamic vineyard he's tended since the late '90s.

The making of it is a bit unusual. Part of the wine is bled off (saignée) and part is direct-pressed, and it goes into old oak. Julian also takes some of that saignée juice and ferments it to dry on Viognier skins left over from pressing, then blends a portion back in. He compares the style to Tavel rather than Provence, and you can see why.

There's rose hip and dried flowers on the nose, with pepper and clove sitting quietly behind. The palate has real weight and texture - strawberry, ruby grapefruit, a light savoury edge - and it finishes crisp and dry. A serious, structured rosé from one of Beechworth's most respected names, with the depth to hold for a few years too.

94 points
"What a great drink... Serious and delicious."
- Kasia Sobiesiak (The Wine Front)

93 points
"This crisp, dry rosé moves beyond the simple into the realm of next-level rosé; one with some ageing capability, too."
- Jeni Port (Halliday Wine Companion)

94 points - "Julian Castagna: Some rosé. Not Provençal. Kasia Sobiesiak: Bandol? JC: Sort of, sort of. Tavel, really. So… Syrah with Viognier. KS: And how do you make your rosé? JC: Part of it is saignée and part of it is direct-pressed. So it’s the same fruit as Genesis. It’s very high-quality fruit. It goes straight into old oak. KS: Do you ferment it with Viognier? JC: No. After we’ve pressed the Viognier, I take about half a barrel of Viognier skins. And I add the juice to ferment in there with that. KS: The saignée juice. JC: Yes. And I let that ferment to dry. And then press it. And then I use a portion of that in the blend. KS: [Tasting Rosé] You can tell from the smell that it’s a gastronomic rosé with plenty of, you know, seriousness to have with a meal. JC: It’s really delicious with so many dishes that are quite spicy, like Thai food. It goes fantastically with it. KS: That almost has an Italian quality. JC: Yeah, I mean, people ask me, they say your wines are Italian because, you know, you’re Italian. And I go, mmm, I don’t think so. I just do what the vineyard gives me. KS: What a great drink. Strawberry tart, ruby grapefruit, some dried red flowers, like roses and hibiscus. Serious and delicious." - Kasia Sobiesiak (The Wine Front)

93 points - "A wine that doesn’t ask for much more than a sunny afternoon and a platter of charcuterie at hand before opening. It definitely falls into serious rosé territory with depth of flavour and texture and, hence, has the makings of an excellent food-friendly style. The syrah grape brings its mix of cherry and berry fruit, wild strawberry, spice and a textural, light savoury earthiness, all dressed in juicy, fresh acidity. Texture, weight and length here. This crisp, dry rosé moves beyond the simple into the realm of next-level rosé; one with some ageing capability, too." - Jeni Port (Halliday Wine Companion)

Customer Reviews

This is, we believe, the only Australian Shiraz Viognier Rosé. It has a perfume of rose hip and flowers with pepper, clove in the background. A wine with weight, depth and flavour.

Price Bracket $31 to $40
Type Rosé
Body Full Bodied
Variety Shiraz
Country Australia
Region Beechworth
Australian State VIC
Reviewed By Halliday Wine Companion
The Wine Front
Critic Score 94
Alcohol 13.5%
Size 750ml
Vintage 2024
Closure Screw Cap

Castagna

Castagna helped establish Beechworth as a home for serious Australian wine, championing biodynamic farming, fragrant Syrah and Sangiovese along the way. Founded by Julian Castagna in the late 1990s, it remains a family operation, with son Adam now an integral part of the vineyard and winery.

The estate sits at around 500 metres in the foothills of the Victorian Alps, on decomposed granite over clay. Warm days ripen the fruit fully, while cool nights help retain the acidity that gives these wines their freshness and ability to age.

Certified organic and biodynamic, the vineyard is central to everything the family does. Vines are pruned by hand, yields are kept low and fruit is hand-picked, before fermentation with indigenous yeasts and patient maturation in the cellar.

Syrah and Sangiovese are particular strengths, combining concentrated fruit with perfume, savoury detail and fine tannins. These are the qualities we love about Castagna: distinctive Beechworth wines with plenty of flavour, satisfying texture and a proven capacity to develop in the cellar.

Julian and Adam Castagna Castagna

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