Pet Nat, or Petillant Naturel (French for Naturally Sparkling) is the natural sparkling wine phenomenon taking Australian wine shops, picnics and wine bars by storm! Preservative Free, colourful, rustic and a little bit kooky, these Summertime-sparkling-smashers are not going away any time soon. What's in the pack:
- 2022 Ravensworth Tinto
- 2021 Molino a Vento Nerello Mascalese
- 2022 Cirillo Vincent Grenache
- 2021 Tesoro de los Andes Malbec Bonarda
- 2021 De Iuliis Special Release Cabernet Sauvignon
- 2022 Dune Blewitt Springs Shiraz
2022 Ravensworth Tinto
If you love your reds bright, fresh and gluggable then you'll adore this. The Ravensworth Tinto is a blend of Grenache, Tempranillo, Graciano, all the varieties bearing their Spanish names on the label.
The fruit was picked with acidity at front of mind, wild-fermented as whole berries, left on skins for a while and then pressed into old, neutral barriques. The wine is about freshness and balance, easy drinking with some structure and interest and Martin nails the brief. It's a great example of a Grenache blend outside of South Australia.
It's a joyous red wine and another massive win for Bryan Martin and Ravensworth.
2021 Molino a Vento Nerello Mascalese
Tantalising Sicilian red made from the local hero variety Nerello Mascalese.
Think of juicy and savoury Pinot Noir with a wee bit more tannin and you're on the right lines. It's got a super bright and spicy palate and a lovely smooth finish.
Great value and great drinking from the largest island in the Med.
2022 Cirillo Vincent Grenache
The Cirillo Vincent Grenache is, year after year, one of the country's best value Grenache. It's also a homage to Marco's father, who passed down all of his winemaking knowledge (spanning 8 generations!) down to him.
Vincent is a charismatic character, just like his maker. It bucks the trend of big, sweet, oaky Barossa Grenache and sits firmly in the bright, cheery and gluggable camp.
A portion of whole bunches give it a lifted perfume and silky texture, while the use of older French oak and stainless steel ensure this is a lot brighter and bouncier than many of its Barossa counterparts.
"This strikes me as among the best value wines yet tasted this year."
- 94pts, Ned Goodwin MW (JamesSuckling.com)
2021 Tesoro de los Andes Malbec Bonarda
A tank-fermented blend of Malbec and Bonarda, the Tesoro de los Andes comes from a selection of vineyards in the Mendoza region of Argentina.
One-fifth Bonarda, it brings a bright juicy element to this wine, which melds seamlessly with the dominant Malbec. A really appealing mix of spice, and bramble fruit followed by dark, savoury overtones on the palate. The finish is smooth, rounded and nicely balanced.
Easy going wine with personality verve, and, like so many Argentinian reds, is so perfect with meat cooked over fire.
2021 De Iuliis Special Release Cabernet Sauvignon
For this wine, Hunter Valley hero Mike De Iuliis ventures to the Hilltops for his fruit. The cooler, more temperate conditions in the Hilltops region make for great ripening conditions for Cabernet.
Mike has maximised the quality of the fruit with this release. It's a smooth, medium-bodied ride, with classic cassis and blue fruits, a lick of creamy new oak and polished tannins that make it a one-glass-is-not-enough sort of proposition.
Mike is one of our favourite NSW producers and this is one of his best bargain buys in recent memory. For now, or for in a few years' time, Cabernet fans please walk this way.
2022 Dune Blewitt Springs Shiraz
The Blewitt Springs sub-region of McLaren Vale typically produces a softer, more approachable style of Shiraz.
Brothers Duncan and Peter Lloyd are making the most of the regional characteristics here to deliver a McLaren Vale Shiraz that can be enjoyed immediately, as opposed to the more hulking full-bodied styles that look best with a few years under their belt.
This is made with very little interference from the boys - the fruit quality doing all the work to create a ripe yet easy-drinking Shiraz which is very difficult to put down.
McLaren Vale Shiraz 101 and just unbeatable value!
"Oh-so-easy to swallow if that wasn’t forbidden."
- 95 pts, James Halliday (The Weekend Australian)
"Perfumed, nutty, meaty, black fruit. Quite ferrous, but also floral. Lovely wine."
- 94 pts, Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)