2023 Billy Button ‘The Alluring’ Tempranillo

As the noble red grape of Spain’s north, particularly the Rioja region, Tempranillo has gradually been planted in Australian regions with varying results. It is a grape well suited to cool climates and Jo’s mission to focus on alternative varietals combined with the success the variety has already achieved in the region made it a no-brainer for Jo to include Tempranillo in her line-up. The result is an intriguing dry red wine that loves good food.

This Tempranillo captures the vibrancy, juiciness and savoury spice of the variety. Combined with a serious tannin structure, this wine is here to stay. So, make room in your cellar - if you can keep your hands off it!

Say 'tem-prah-nee-oh'

Production Notes

The 2023 vintage is composed of an assortment of different clones from the Greenacre vineyard. A variety of techniques were used for fermentation including inclusion of whole berry and crushed fruit, along with some cold soak and extended maceration. Most ferments were gently plunged twice daily and pressed out after reaching sugar dryness.  A smaller percentage of parcels were worked a little harder and left for extended maceration. Individual parcels were kept separate and matured in Flexcube for 9 months. The wine was then blended, filtered and bottled in January 2024. 

Vintage Snapshot

A cooler growing season has produced a lighter bodied wine. 

Tasting Notes

Vivid ruby red in colour. Vibrant and perfumed in the glass with abundant blue fruits, savoury spice and dried herbs.  With firm tannins, the palate is bright and juicy, with layers black cherry, blueberry and spice.

Optimal Drinking Window – 2025 to 2035 

Bright and juicy now, however the firm tannins allude to excellent aging potential.

Technical details

Reviews

GOLD MEDAL winner at the 2025 North East Victorian Wine Challenge

"Essentially elegant but so very well fruited. This tempranillo has an excellent pulse to it. It tastes of blueberries and raspberries, gentle vanilla, violets, red roses, sweet spice and earth. It’s all going on in the best of ways; the finesse of the tannin is A Class; the blood-like, ferrous inflections send the wines into a umami direction. Love this wine. Have enjoyed it on a few occasions and it woos me every time." Rated 94 Points, Tasted Oct25, The Wine Front - Campbell Mattinson

"An enticing wine on so many levels and still so young. Blueberry, black cherry and the exuberance of red licorice spice mingle with dried herbs and earth. So bright, juicy and drinkable now, but that taut tannin base is a precursor to further development and time in bottle." Awarded 94 points, Halliday Wine Companion, Jeni Port - Published 07 August 2024