2024 Billy Button ‘The Delinquent’ Verduzzo

Jo obviously has a thing for the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of North East Italy. Like Friulano, Verduzzo originates from the same Italian region. Jo knew very little about this variety before taking it on. What she did know was that it is a challenging variety to make because of its high phenolic content in the skin. Problem is, the flavour also exists in the skin, so how do you get the flavour out without making an excessively phenolic wine? Jo said, bring it on. What she discovered is that Verduzzo is a red wine disguised as a white wine. It is a wine not for the faint hearted, it is quite savoury with the phenolics giving the wine a firm structure that demands food, contrasted by an unexpected intensity of citrus and nashi pear fruit character. The fruit is sourced from the Antonello Vineyard at Buffalo Creek.

Ripe style, with optimal development of flavours.

Say 'ver-dootz-oh'

Production Notes

Once pressed the juice was cold settled and racked keeping light solids. Split into two batches, one was fermented in stainless steel and the other in seasoned hogsheads. Each batch was inoculated with a selected yeast strain to enhance varietal aroma and flavour.  Both batches were sulphured at the completion of primary fermentation and matured for a further 8 months on full yeast lees with occasional battonage prior to blending and clarification.  Bottled January 2025.

Tasting Note

Savoury and aromatic with layers of lemon, golden delicious apples, honeysuckle, yellow apple blossom and an underlying herbal character that defines the variety’s savory qualities. The palate is concentrated and all about texture. Poached apple, ginger, layers of citrus all combine with phenolics and added texture from time on lees to deliver a complex and savoury finish.  A true food wine.

Technical details

Reviews

SILVER medal at the Austeralian Alternative Varieties Wine Show (AAVWS)

"The Delinquent no longer. Verduzzo is settling into its Alpine Valleys home and working well. Leafy herbals – cress and sorrel – are an enticing feature, with citrus and apple, pear and melon filling the mouth alongside a slight bitter almond edge. Delivers a juicy, phenolic texture with delicious acidity in tow. A super-food-friendly wine." Awarded 91 points, Halliday Wine Companion, Jeni Port - Published 19 May 2025