2024 Delinquente Roxanne the Razor NND

WINEMAKER: Con-Greg Grigoriou
REGION: Riverland, SA
VARIETY: Nero d'Avola, Negroamaro
VITICULTURE: Organic/Biodynamic

Wild fermented Nero d'Avola (30%) & Negroamaro (70%) from the Bassham Family Organic and Biodynamic vineyard in Barmera. Negroamaro and Nero d’Avola are the two varieties that are perfectly suited to the hot, dry Riverland and the nature of the wines we want to make. Wild fermented in stainless steel, each variety is were picked and fermented separately, 6 or 7 days before being pressed off, with blending just prior to bottling.

A return to the light but brooding Roxanne of old, the nose opens savoury earthiness – truffled mushroom powder and coffee. Sour cherry pops on the palate alongside a darker berry feel. There is tannin and structure – a meaty savouriness – but it is still effortlessly light and refreshing, and takes a chill like a pro.

Con-Greg Grigoriou grew up on a vineyard in the Riverland, South Australia, where his father has managed wineries for over 35 years. A few years ago, while working for an advertising agency in Melbourne, he tasted his first truly interesting Riverland wine and something clicked - why weren’t people producing high-quality wines in his home region?

Greg’s idea for Delinquente Wine Co was to take advantage of the Riverland’s small vineyards planted with Southern Italian varieties, which are suited to the region’s dry Mediterranean climate. He sources grapes from trusted growers many of whom he has know his whole life, who work organically. In the cellar Greg takes this organic philosophy forward, all his wines are small-batch and single-vineyard, fermented in stainless steel with wild yeast and without acid adjustments. His aim is to make wine that is pure, drinkable and delicious - or as he would put it, “smashable”.