Bondar's Nero d'Avola comes from a young block of vines (grafted onto '90s Cabernet Sauvignon rootstock) on rocky clay in the foothills of Mount Lofty at the southern end of the McLaren Vale region. From this site, there’s an unobscured view of the sea, meaning the vines are exposed to the cooling elements.
The fruit was picked at the end of March, a few weeks after Andre’s Shiraz came off the vine. Most of the fruit was destemmed (60%) and fermented with indigenous yeasts in tank before being pressed to old barrels for maturation. The balance of the fruit fermented as whole bunches and remained on skins in ceramic eggs for three months. The parcels were then blended and bottled.
Now in its fifth year, Andre Bondar continues to craft a youthful and fresh Nero that exudes youthful splendour. True to the season, the 2023 Nero is a cool, fresh and brightly flavoured wine, complete with all the blue fruits, spice and earthy flavours inherent to the variety. It’s beautifully pitched and balanced on the palate with a delicious, unctuous close. A serious wine for the money, and a joy to drink.