An Australian Spin on an Italian Icon

2007 Greenstone Sangiovese, Heathcote Victoria


Last week in the restaurant I had the opportunity to re-visit the 2007 Greenstone Sangiovese which is from the red volcanic soils on the Cambrian Ridge in Heathcote, Victoria. A couple of customers had tried Italian Sangiovese before but were after something Australian, so I recommended the Greenstone Sangiovese.

I hadn’t tried it for about 4 months and it looks spectacular at the moment, the only problem now is waiting for the next release..  This exciting vineyard project is still a baby in the Australian wine scene (being established in 2003), and is a collaboration between local viticulturalist, Mark Walpole (ex Brown Brothers), uber Italian wine-maker Alberto Antonini, and English Master of Wine – David Gleave. 

The Greenstone Sangiovese is made at the Kooyong Winery in the Mornington Peninsula.  It’s from new clones and is a remarkable local example of the variety, showing great structure and poise and all the brambly red fruits you could imagine (red cherry, currants) with a fine, grippy but delicate finish.  In comparison, Sangiovese from its homeland in Chianti, Tuscany, is generally higher in acidity, bone dry and herby, with tart cherry and pit characters.

This New World example is delicious because it’s more up front and approachable, making it a great substitute for Chianti Classico or Brunello di Montalcino.

Need to know….

• On the nose, it is redolent of raspberry, blueberry and floral perfume with a fresh herbal edge with spice and plum. 
• The palate shows firm tannins and good length with fine fruits. There is some succulence and good tightness that increases the length.

To buy other products from this vineyard click here