$34.99
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Region: McLaren Vale, SA
Grape: Nero d'Avola
First Glance: Savoury, inky black fruit, good acidity
Acclaim: 93 points
Best New Winery Of The Year - James Halliday, Wine Companion Awards 2022
Living Roots is the joining of forces between Sebastian Hardy, great-great-great grandson of national icon Thomas Hardy, and New York-born Colleen. The young couple met at Hardy’s Tintara when Colleen worked as cellar hand during vintage in 2014, and in 2016 they started their own vinous joint venture. Uniquely, the two make wines both from South Australia and from the Finger Lakes district in New York state, with small winery operations and tasting rooms set up in Adelaide Hills and Rochester NY, respectively. The overall style is free-spirited and innovative, but always incredibly well-made, and the range constantly evolves with rolling vintages and fruit sources.
Nero D’Avola from McLaren Vale, where its thriving due to its suitability to the warm conditions. We were going for a fresh, vibrant style and so we only destemmed the bunches, leaving a high amount of whole berries in the ferment. Darker plum and blackberry characters from the older part of the vineyard are balanced with juicy strawberry and rhubarb from newer plantings, and a bit of peppery spice.
The Review:
93 points, Mike Bennie, The Wine Front
McLaren Vale nero, whole berries with some carbonic influence, some ferments not. Bit of building personality here.
Chewy textured, bright and fresh feeling, shy of medium weight red. Sour and sweet cherry notes, vanilla cream, a little lactic slide and then a smudge of tannins finish it all. Not all that sweet but fruity feel and a good dash of spice over it all. Fun drinking, but with a touch of classs.
