2023 Billy Button Rosso

The Alpine Range are value wines made to offer immediate enjoyment.  The range is made up of Bianco, Rosato, Rosso, Sparkling Red and a Prosecco. Components vary year to year depending on the season and careful blending is used to create interesting wines featuring an abundance of varieties.  Even though this range is made on a slightly larger scale than other Billy Button wines, all the components are made using a small batch ethos and are kept separate until the final blending.

Say 'ro-soh'

Production Notes

A complex blend of Shiraz, Tempranillo, Sangiovese and Nebbiolo, with each variety fermented separately in open-top fermenters. A combination of selected and indigenous yeast was used across the different components. Each batch was pressed directly to a variety of vessels, including old oak, stainless steel and Flexcube, for malolactic fermentation and maturation. Components were kept separate until blending and filtration. Bottled October 2023.

Vintage snapshot

Consistently cool conditions across all vineyard sites in the region resulted in parcels that showed restraint, leaning into savoury elements giving this years Rosso a more serious profile.  It’s rustic and complex, packed with ripe dark fruits, warm spices and firm savoury tannins.

Tasting notes

A brooding and expressive blend, opening with aromas of ripe blackberries and black cherry layered with dark cardamom, warm spice and a hint of new leather that lends a rustic, savoury edge. The palate is rich and generous, with dark fruits taking centre stage, supported by subtle charcuterie notes and finely structured savoury tannins.

Technical details

Reviews

"Previous releases of Billy Button’s Rosso have been a blend of Shiraz, Tempranillo and Refosco, from the Alpine and King valleys, and I’d imagine that this is along similar lines. Straight down the hatch with this one. This is well made, well flavoured and well priced. It tastes of an assortment of ripe berries and twiggy herb characters, it feels soft in the mouth, and it’s tidied up nicely by grapey tannin. It’s an easy wine to like, and an easy wine to drink." Awarded 90 points, The Winefront, Campbell Mattinson - Posted on 25 May 2026

"It's funny to give this wine a drinking window when everyone who buys it drinks it straightaway. Early drinking is Rosso's raison d'être. It's an eye-catching vivid purple in hue. It's fruit-fuelled in summer red and black berries, high spice, dusty cocoa and licorice and comes dressed in firm, savoury tannins that make the wine flow so easily." Awarded 89 points, Halliday Wine Companion, Jeni Port - Published 07 August 2024