‘Enigma’ Barbera, Alpha Box & Dice

Refreshing Barbera from Adelaide Hills

A modern, cutting-edge collection of wines – just look at the labels – from the passionate and slightly bonkers trio of Dylan and Justin Fairweather and winemaker Sam Berketa. AB&D was founded in McLaren Vale in 2008 and is unconventional in its approach; there are no ‘regional, varietal or stylistic’ boundaries, just great wines from great fruit.

Grapes are picked from the Bonoposto vineyard in Kenton Valley, Gumeracha in the Adelaide Hills of South Australia. The soil is light red clay loam over granite. Hand harvested and split into two fermenters – one 100% whole bunch fermentation, the other completely destemmed. Both were fermented wild with plunging/footstomping for cap management. Gently basket pressed post fermentation and aged for 18 months in old puncheons, with one being a second-fill to give a delicate oak influence. Blended prior to bottling. With the colour of arterial blood, the nose reveals wild berries, rhubarb and stemsy crunch. A driving and electric acidity supporting the bold berry flavours, with subtle structure and spice hidden in the mix.

Colour – Red
Producer – Alpha Box & Dice
Country – Australia
Region – South Australia
Vegan – Yes
ABV – 14.5%
Grapes – Barbera
Vintage – 2022
Sustainability – Non-Organic
Female Winemaker – No
Food Pairings – Pizza, Pasta Amatriciana, Game