100% Clare Valley Fiano – Only 3,000 bottles produced
The name derives from the notion of the ancient Romans that fiano, an indigenous variety from Campania in Italy’s south, resembled the aroma of honey. It was planted at the Grosset Rockwood Vineyard (ACO certified organic) ten years ago, during which time the vines struggled to produce a crop in these meager rocky soils.
There’s a vibrant quality to the fourth vintage of this unique wine from Grosset thanks to its perfumed aromatics – almond blossom and honeycomb – and lively savoury palate that is viscous, textured and deep. The finish is smooth, long and satisfyingly dry. Its uniqueness is derived from the use of two very different fiano clones. One (VCR3) is very low yielding, small berried with concentrated flavours, the other (Savio) offers fresher and more subtle flavours. Together they work wonderfully. This is the first time two clones have been used to produce Apiana.
Ageing potential: First vintage 2014 so as yet unknown.
Source: Grosset Rockwood Vineyard (ACO certified organic)
Site: North-eastern extreme of Watervale sub-region at high altitude (460m)
Soil: Hard red rock (slate-like) with a poor orange/red loam for topsoil
Clones: The only known planting in SA of a rare Fiano clone (VCR3) and now also Savio clone
Yield: Low to very low vigour and yield (less than 1 bottle per vine)
Canopy: Vertical shoot (where sufficient growth)
Bunch size: Very small bunches.
Fruit colour: Medium to dark yellow.
Harvest date: March 16th – March 19th 2017
Fermentation: Separate for each clone
Fruit flavours: Grape-pulpy richness and crisp freshness
Profile: Weighty and complex; textural and dry
Fining: Nil- suitable for vegans and vegetarians
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Release Date: 8th September 2017
Availability: Restricted to members and a few restaurants due to small production
Reviews:
Dom Sweeney, Gourmet Traveller Wine, June/July 2018
Produced from two different clones of fiano planted around 10 years ago, this exquisite wine is quite unlike anything else from Clare with aromas of saltwater, minerals and manuka honey. It’s briny and mouth-watering with slight mid-palate sweetness and savoury texture.
Tyson Stelzer, Australian Wine Business Magazine, Jan/Feb 2018
The graceful lily blossom and lemon of this cool Clare site defines a style of elegant precision, yet unmistakably Fiano in its subtle fruit nuances and gently textural and wondrously persistent palate. Jeffrey Grosset has honed the clones down to just two and the result is one of he most precise and downright delicious fianos i have ever tasted. 94 Points.
Toni Paterson, The Real Review, 20th December 2017
A super-stylish example of Australian fiano. The palate has a sophisticated structure with gentle texture and respectful fruitiness. I enjoy the freshness, brightness and length. An engaging example of this southern Italian variety. 95 Points
Halliday Wine Companion, April/May 2017
Grosset complicates the fiano story by revealing his experiences with the two clones he has worked with, the first VCR3 from Chalmers (planted ’07), the second the more recent Savio clone. He says ‘analytically, the two are chalk and cheese’. This still has the tactile quality of fiano, and keeps cirtrus rind in the game. 94 Points. 5 Stars
