Ngeringa Wines New Releases
About
2021 New Release Wines
"The wines of 2021 have come together beautifully, after a near perfect growing season and vintage conditions. For the first time in a few years we had reasonable winter rains going into the spring of 2020 and also some good follow-up rains right into early summer.
There was no late season frost, no hail, and amazing weather conditions during flowering. We also had a much milder than average summer in 2021 with no severe heat spikes. This resulted in a perfectly long ripening season and optimal ripening conditions. It’s rare that amazing quality, concentration of flavour and finesse comes together with such generous quantity. Truly an outstanding vintage." - Ngeringa
Ngeringa Chardonnay 2021
A chardonnay with power and pure fresh stone fruit like yellow fleshy peach and citrus zest, yet simultaneously complex with nutty malo-derived savory notes. Fine French oak aromas balanced by ample fruit intensity, present with approachable acidity. Very drinkable now.
Vineyard
From our east-facing Summit Vineyard, collecting more of the morning sunlight and less of the intense afternoon heat. The altitude ranges between 330m and 368m above sea level. The soil consists of sandy loam over red-orange clay, sandstone and ironstone. The grapes for this wine come predominantly from the upper and lower sections of the Summit Vineyard while the middle section goes to our single vineyard Chardonnay.
The entire farm is certified Biodynamic, farmed with the rhythms of nature and working towards a self-sustaining farming system without the use of synthetic chemical inputs.
Winemaking
The Biodynamic Chardonnay grapes are gently hand harvested into small 15kg crates then whole bunch pressed, with minimal settling into new and old French oak barriques (228L) and puncheons (500L). Fermentation begins spontaneously with wild yeast from our vineyards and winery. Malolactic fermentation occurs naturally. The wine matures on full lees for 10 months with no battonage. A small dose of sulphur is added at blending just prior to bottling. No enzymes, no fining, no filtration.
Closure: Stelvin screw cap
ABV: 12.5%
Ngeringa Pinot Noir 2021
A ruby red Pinot Noir that is medium bodied with vibrant, lifted red fruit aromas, along with fine herbal spice and earthy aromas derived largely from carbonic maceration. Fruit flavors include red plums and sour cherries. Texture is crunchy and fresh.
Vineyard
Grown in our east-facing Summit Vineyard, which collects more of the morning sunlight and less of the intense, direct afternoon heat. Altitude ranges between 330m and 360m above sea level. The soil consists of sandy loam over red-orange clay, sandstone and ironstone.
Fruit for this wine comes predominantly from the upper and lower sections of the Summit Vineyard, while the middle section goes to our Single Vineyard Pinot. The entire farm is certified biodynamic and is farmed with the rhythms of nature, tending towards a self-sustaining system without the use of synthetic chemical inputs.
Winemaking
The Pinot Noir is gently hand harvested into small 15kg crates and carefully tipped into one stainless steel fermenter, keeping the berries intact for a true carbonic maceration. The grapes are allowed to steep for seven days before a gentle press in to well-seasoned French barriques where the wines mature for 11 months. A small dose of sulphur is added at blending, prior to bottling. No enzymes, no fining, no filtration.
Closure: Stelvin screw cap
ABV: 12.5%
Ngeringa Syrah 2021
A vibrant Syrah featuring abundant, lifted perfume, fruit and spice. Light to medium bodied, fruit plum and sour cherries, yet savory and spicy with approachable tannins.
Vineyard
On the northern slope of the Mount Barker Summit, at an altitude of 420m, is the Iluma Vineyard, home of Ngeringa’s “most inspiring and exciting fruit”. The majority of Syrah and Viognier is planted here, facing west on a lean, textured soil of micaceous schist and ironstone over clay on the Nairne terroir (2km from the other Ngeringa sites). This vineyard also is long certified biodynamic with no chemical sprays applied in the vineyards.
Winemaking
100% whole-bunch fermented; aged in older French barrels for four months; deliberately bottled with dissolved CO2 to preserve this minimal sulphured wine against oxidation. No enzymes, no fining, no filtration.
Closure: Stelvin screw cap
ABV: 13%
2021 Ngeringa Pétillant Naturel 2021
This lightly bubbly Rosé has a delicious nose of exotic flowers and musk, pithy grapefruit, blood orange and citrus blossom. On the palate there is a mixed fruit salad experience that is light, refreshingly fruity, with a dry, textured finish.
Vineyard
Site(s): Grapes from all 3 Ngeringa vineyard sites: Rufus, Summit and Iluma.
3 vineyard sites total 5 hectares and are on easterly and westerly aspects at the base of the Mount Barker Summit. They are part of a biodiverse 75 hectare biodynamic farm on the south-eastern edge of the Adelaide Hills. Mount Barker Summit defines these sites ranging from 330 to 420 meters of elevation. Our vineyard soils are loam over clay, with varying influences of ironstone and micaceous schist. Ngeringa has been certified biodynamic since the late 1980’s with no chemical sprays, fertilizers or insecticides applied.
Winemaking
A blend of whole bunch pressed Syrah and Pinot Noir Rosé, Viognier and Pink Semillon. The Syrah and Pinot were picked relatively early for freshness and acidity, whole-bunch pressed and fermented in barrels and concrete egg - shaped vessels. The Viognier and Pink Semillon were picked at good maturity level to express the more exotic aromatics. Both were fermented with about 7 to 10 days skin contact before also being pressed into barrels. Once nearly dry, the Syrah, Pinot, Viognier and Pink Semillon were blended and sweetened with some frozen juice to 14g/L before being bottled in the middle of June 2021. Fermentation finished in the bottle resulting in a light bubbly sparkling. No enzymes, no fining, no filtration.
Closure: Crown Cap
ABV: 11.0%
Grape(s): Pink Semillon, Viognier, Pinot Noir and Syrah
Vintage
For the first time in a few years we had reasonable winter rains going into spring of 2020 and also some good follow-up rains right into early summer. A significant difference to the two previous seasons was no late season frost, no hail and favourable weather around flowering for all grape varieties. The vine carried a bumper crop going into veraison! A much milder than average summer with no severe heat spikes resulted in a perfect long ripening season allowing optimal ripening conditions for our biggest crop to-date, - over double the quantity harvested from the minuscule vintages of 2019 and 2020. It’s rare that amazing quality, concentration and finesse come together with a vintage of good quantity.
Winefront review by Mike Bennie
“Biodynamic farming of the highest order. Ever tried the veggies from Ngeringa? Unreal. Flavour town. Colourful, exotic pet nat, balsamic lift is noted in bouquet, sour cherry, in the tart zone before you even sip it but that’s a-ok in the style. Cidery to taste with a splash of kombucha, a bit of red berry sweetness, creamy, savoury-yeasty finish. Feels fun and of an ilk; wilder edged pet nat.”
89 points
2021 Ngeringa Pink Sémillon
A textural Rosé made from Pink Sémillon grapes. Flavours of blood orange and pithy grapefruit … if you like a negroni, you should love this.
Vineyard
Ngeringa’s 3 vineyard sites total 5 hectares and are on easterly and westerly aspects at the base of the Mount Barker Summit. They are part of a biodiverse, 75 hectare biodynamic farm on the south-eastern edge of the Adelaide Hills. Mount Barker Summit defines these sites ranging from 330 to 420 meters of elevation. Our vineyard soils are loam over clay, with varying influences of ironstone and micaceous schist. Ngeringa has been certified biodynamic since the late 1980’s with no chemical sprays, fertilizers or insecticides applied.
Winemaking
Fermented on skins for two weeks to bring out extra flavour, colour and structure. Matured in barrel for a few months only, before bottling in July 2021. No enzymes, no fining.
Winemaker: Erinn Klein
Grape(s): Pink Semillon
GI: Adelaide Hills (Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia)
Site(s): Summit Vineyard
Closure: Crown Cap
ABV: 12.5%
Vintage
For the first time in a few years we had reasonable winter rains going into spring of 2020 and also some good follow-up rains right into early summer. A significant difference to the two previous seasons was no late season frost, no hail and favourable weather around flowering for all grape varieties. The vines carried bumper crops going into veraison! A much milder than average summer with no severe heat spikes resulted in a perfect, long ripening season allowing optimal conditions for our biggest crop to-date - over double the quantity harvested from the miniscule vintages of 2019 and 2020. It’s rare that amazing quality, concentration and finesse come together with a vintage of good quantity.
Winefront review by Mike Bennie
"Pink semillon, the variety, with two weeks skin contact here. Barrel time too.
Has quite a bit of that wet slate, warm bitumen scent to open but relaxes into a nice pomegranate, blood orange scent and flavour profile and the chalky, taut texture is awesome. Fresh feeling despite the tension, it’s a very exciting, interesting and delicious pinkish-orangeish wine right here."
93 points
2021 Ngeringa Rosé
A delicious, dry and savoury Rosé from whole bunch pressed Syrah. It has both fruit intensity and complexity. Bright fruit aromas of wild strawberry, hints of raspberry and lifted citrus blossoms. Grounded by nutty, savoury and slightly saline flavours. The palate is silky textured and almost slippery, yet has a fresh acid presence and a mineral complexity.
Vineyard
Ngeringa’s 3 vineyard sites total 5 hectares and are on easterly and westerly aspects at the base of the Mount Barker Summit. They are part of a biodiverse, 75 hectare biodynamic farm on the south-eastern edge of the Adelaide Hills. Mount Barker Summit defines these sites ranging from 330 to 420 meters of elevation. Our vineyard soils are loam over clay, with varying influences of ironstone and micaceous schist. Ngeringa has been certified biodynamic since the late 1980’s with no chemical sprays, fertilizers or insecticides applied.
Winemaking
From whole bunch pressed Syrah grapes. Fermented in older French oak barrels and matured for 11 months on lees for complexity and texture. Hand bottled on site. A small dose of sulphur is added at blending, just prior to bottling. No enzymes, no fining, no filtration.
Closure: Stelvin screw cap
ABV: 13.0%
Vintage
For the first time in a few years we had reasonable winter rains going into spring of 2020 and also some good follow-up rains right into early summer. A significant difference to the two previous seasons was no late season frost, no hail and favourable weather around flowering for all grape varieties. The vines carried bumper crops going into veraison! A much milder than average summer with no severe heat spikes resulted in a perfect, long ripening season allowing optimal conditions for our biggest crop to-date - over double the quantity harvested from the miniscule vintages of 2019 and 2020. It’s rare that amazing quality, concentration and finesse come together with a vintage of good quantity.
2019 Ngeringa Single Vineyard Iluma Syrah
Abundant aromas of dark cherries, plums, violets and allspice with musky rose amid Ngeringa Syrah’s classic blueberry and hints of green peppercorn. Medium-bodied but full flavoured. Very present, approachable silky tannins, fabulous length and potential to age well into the next decade.
Vineyard
On the northern slope of the Mount Barker Summit, at an altitude of 420m, is the Iluma Vineyard, home of Ngeringa’s “most inspiring and exciting fruit”. The majority of Ngeringa Syrah and Viognier is planted in the Iluma vineyard, facing west on lean, textured soil of micaceous schist and ironstone over clay. The Iluma vineyard is also long certified biodynamic with no chemical sprays applied.
Winemaking
The Syrah is gently hand harvested into small 15kg crates and mostly destemmed into small batch fermenters, with a small quantity of whole bunches placed in the bottom of each fermenter. The grapes were gently plunged by hand or feet twice a day for a long extraction over two to three weeks. This Syrah was pressed into new (40%) French oak barriques (228L) and left in barrel to mature for 11 months. A small dose of sulfur was added at blending, prior to bottling. No enzymes, no fining, no filtration.
Closure: High quality natural cork that is cork-taint free guaranteed.
ABV: 13.5%
Vintage
2019 gave little but concentrated clean fruit, with average spring rainfall, a very dry summer and several heat-waves near harvest resulting in early picking. Importantly cold nights throughout February/March helped retained brightness in the fruit profile and high natural acidity.
Winefront review by Mike Bennie
13 May 2021
"Savoury notes over red berry fruit character. Tobacco, turned earth, dried leaves, sour cherry, raspberry going on. A suppleness in texture, mouth-filling and good, generous but fresh with more of that savouriness and earthy character of the perfume now spiked through dark cherry and plummy fruit. Tannins weave, acidity perks, it’s a fancy feeling, excellent wine."
94 Points
(Image: Ngeringa Website)