Bondar Nero 2022

Bondar Nero is a light-handed McLaren Vale Nero d'Avola built for drinking young.

The vines are young — Nero d'Avola grafted onto Cabernet Sauvignon rootstock planted in the nineties — and they sit on rocky clay in the Willunga foothills at the southern edge of McLaren Vale. This is the fourth release. Sixty per cent of the fruit was destemmed, fermented on wild yeast and moved to old oak; the balance went in as whole bunches and stayed three months on skins in a ceramic egg. The two parcels were blended in October and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Andre Bondar keeps his hands off this one deliberately, chasing aromatics and drinkability over extract.

Raspberry aromatics and soft tannin set the tone, with spice and a savoury undertow behind. Drink it cool, around 14 degrees, and it earns a place at the summer table: barbecued pork, a margherita pizza, tomato-heavy pasta, or charcuterie on a warm afternoon.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.