2023 Billy Button ‘The Affable’ Barbera

Jo has always liked the juicy vibrant style of Barbera from the Piedmont region in Northern Italy.  So, in 2014 when Tony Ferraro asked, “would you like to take a look at my Barbera?” Jo jumped at the chance.  Since then, Barbera has become one of the most popular wines in the Billy Button line-up.

Production Notes

Fruit sourced from the Ferraro’s vineyard on Whalleys Lane, Myrtleford, was harvested in late March.

The fruit was machine harvested and destemmed with some free run juice being bled off to concentrate fruit flavours. A cold soak prior to ferment was carried out to increase colour, aroma and flavour extraction. Inoculated with selected yeast. fermetation took place in a static fermenter which was pumped over twice per day. The ferments were pressed after reaching sugar dryness to Flexcubes, where they matured for 8 months prior to blending, crossflow filtration and bottling in January 2024.

Tasting Notes  

Lifted aromas of bright red berries, morello cherry takes centre stage and is complimented with elements of dried herbs and brown liquorice that provide a provocative savoury edge that carries through to the palate.  Generous fruit, beautifully textured, with refreshing acidity and lingering finish.

Optimal Drinking Window – now until 2035

Technical Details

Vineyards:            Ferraro’s Whalleys Lane Vineyard, Myrtleford

Region:                Alpine Valleys

Alcohol:               13.5% 

Volume Made:     430 dozen      

Winemaker:        Glenn James and Jo Marsh

Reviews

Gold medal 2023 Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show

Trophy at the 2024 Australian Italian Varieties Wine Show - Chief Judges Award 'Most Exciting Wine' 

"A barbera that rocks! Year after year, this unassuming 'affable' grape knocks your socks off with its energy, its buoyant fruits and upfront honesty. Love the bright purple hues, the lifted aromas of red berries, morello cherry, mountain herbs, blackstrap licorice and the savoury hint of Dutch cocoa that translates effortlessly onto the palate. Sounds busy, but it melds together perfectly across a supple, textural base." Awarded 95 points, Halliday Wine Companion, Jeni Port - Published 08 August 2024