2020 Local Weirdos Dardy Ribo
Local Weirdos is a collective of mates who are championing the revival of the Swan Valley. They lease a vineyard named Gino's Block, keeping it dry grown, converting to organics and improving soil health and fruit quality.
Négociant Grapes! Our good bud Paul Hoffman of Swan Valley wines offered us a tonne of this fruit during the vintage of 2020 and when we saw its quality, we couldn’t refuse… Some absolutely belter fruit from John Batistessa who manages multiple old-vine parcels in the Swan. This fruit comes fruit comes from the Lenard Street Vineyard in the Swan Valley foothills. It saw minimal inputs viticulture with organic practices throughout the 2020 growing season.
The fruit was crushed and destemmed into Nally Bin and underwent 14 days of maceration of skins. Pressed to stainless steel for a 4-month rest before transferring it into an old oak puncheon for 8 months. The resultant wine gave off the most alluring perfumed scent throughout its élevage, initially quite muscular on the palate with some attractive yet slightly raw tannins which with time eventually polymerised and settled. Racked to steel and then bottled without any additions whatsoever – including sulphites.
The name comes as a little reference to one of our favourite Syrah producers in the world – the aweinspiring Dard et Ribo of the Rhône Valley. These legends of natural wine were part of the first generation of dedicated sans-soufre winemakers in France in the early ‘90s - something that resonates with our endeavour here in the Swan Valley.
Liquorice, coffee, rhubarb and a hint of violet on the nose. Initially closed but unfurls slowly. Generous on the palate, blueberries and sour plum, married with just a hint of complex savoury smoked meat. Tannins subtle but firmly present. Satisfying textural finish."
Varietal: Shiraz
Region: Swan Valley, WA
Viticulture: Organic