Unico Zelo
Esoterico (Orange)
Aromatic orange wines are such a delight, especially when they are rendered so cleanly, eschewing any of the more daring off-qualities often rendered permissible in skin-contact whites. A happy gang of Zibibbo, Gewürztraminer, Moscato Giallo, and Greco grown in the Clare Valley and the Riverland are individually fermented and blended then aged in foudres to achieve this uniquely floral and refreshing wine.
The nose here is gripping: sandalwood, lemon zest, fresh fruity juniper, coriander seed, mint, and a note of whatever they use to flavour juicy fruit gum. And markedly not cidery or yeasty as one often expects with an orange wine. On the palate, those aromas come together into a wine that is delightfully gin-like, really refreshing, and just very well-made—not oxidized, not riddled with VA or glutamates—a balanced beauty. The finish is floral with a lingering zesty citrus profile and the warm fruit note of honey dew.
Region: Polish Hill in Clare Valley, Barmera in Riverland
Appellation: Clare Valley & Riverland
Varietal/Blend: 66% Zibibbo, 25% Gewürztraminer, 7% Moscato Giallo, 2% Greco
ABV: 10.5%
Vineyard: Unico Zelo Esoterico is crafted from 25–80 year old vines in Barmera (Riverland) and Polish Hill River (Clare Valley), at 50–520 meters altitude. Grown in a moderate Mediterranean climate on ancient sandy limestone soils, the fruit delivers distinctive character.
Cellar: For this wine, each variety was fermented separately on skins for 7–21 days until dry, building depth and character. Then, the wine was matured for 12 months on fine lees in old oak foudres and stainless steel, unfined and unfiltered.
CSPC: 885964
What the Critics are saying: []
Region: Polish Hill in Clare Valley, Barmera in Riverland
Appellation: Clare Valley & Riverland
The nose here is gripping: sandalwood, lemon zest, fresh fruity juniper, coriander seed, mint, and a note of whatever they use to flavour juicy fruit gum. And markedly not cidery or yeasty as one often expects with an orange wine. On the palate, those aromas come together into a wine that is delightfully gin-like, really refreshing, and just very well-made—not oxidized, not riddled with VA or glutamates—a balanced beauty. The finish is floral with a lingering zesty citrus profile and the warm fruit note of honey dew.
TECHNICAL INFO
Varietal/Blend: 66% Zibibbo, 25% Gewürztraminer, 7% Moscato Giallo, 2% Greco
ABV: 10.5%
Vineyard: Unico Zelo Esoterico is crafted from 25–80 year old vines in Barmera (Riverland) and Polish Hill River (Clare Valley), at 50–520 meters altitude. Grown in a moderate Mediterranean climate on ancient sandy limestone soils, the fruit delivers distinctive character.
Cellar: For this wine, each variety was fermented separately on skins for 7–21 days until dry, building depth and character. Then, the wine was matured for 12 months on fine lees in old oak foudres and stainless steel, unfined and unfiltered.
CSPC: 885964
Winemakers Note: []
What the Critics are saying: []
Giovanni Autuori
Calgary + Alberta South
T: 403-971-1898
E: giovanni@vinoalvino.ca
Joe Gurba
Edmonton + Alberta North
T: 780-203-5284
E: joeg@vinoalvino.ca
