Again, just like the 2023 Sangiovese, nice to see the fruit source ‘Riverland’ is identified on the front label.
I’ve taken a few more pictures to try and give an idea of the spectacular colours of this variety. It certainly holds your gaze as you stare with transfixed anticipation into the inviting luscious appearance of this wine. The colours are simply beautiful beaming dense purple at the meniscus with some red hues and morphing through a range of darker colour tones as your eyes move further toward the centre from the glass rim until finally arriving at dense black plums in the depths.
A redolent wafting bouquet carries those plummy notes suggested in the colour and they are befriended by black berries, raspberries, black pepper, some anise (or is that a lusting liquorice?), and herbs.
The palatal experience is exceptionally smooth and mouth filling, the wine is medium/full bodied but delivers this attribute with and amount of experiential caressing elegance. Those plummy dark fruits are a beginning joy on your palate and the skilful way they combine with blackberries is something to admire, raspberries and some purple fruits (mainly mulberries) fold with great respect into the assemblage, a slight spike of black pepper adds further interest to this wines distinctiveness and some oregano and background flavours akin to dried thyme emerge late. The melding transitional experience of fruit flavours into tannins is delightful as the palatal smoothness of the flow is managed with great skill as your taste buds move from succulent fruit to a little tannin enthusiasm. The acid adds a little respectful expertly melded excitement and oak is perfectly judged background support.
Dawn hasn’t planted any Lagrein in her vineyard, perhaps she should .. this is a delightful wine. She does have some Teroldego and I can’t wait for those vines to mature. However, in the wait time, we can all try some 2025 straight Nebbiolo and a new Nero d’Avola.
If you like the variety there is some estate Lagrein in one vineyard on The Granite Belt, it’s quietly maturing in French and Acacia oak barrels, but more on that later. In the interim if you enjoy Lagrein get as much of this Rokkwell Lagrein as you can, it is skilfully made and the wine knows how to truly deliver that expertise.
Tasted: Friday 5th July, 2025 without food and then with over several hours.
Alcohol: 13.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $36
Suggested Drinking Window: 2025 – 2035+
Winemaker: Dawn Walker
Fruit Source: Riverland
Oak: French
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