It's a Christmas miracle! Absolute treasures from Ruggabellus have made it just in time. Winemakers and co-owners, Abel Gibson and Emma Epstein, have made their home on a small farm set amongst the hills, long grass, flowers and thatches of quartz of the Eden Valley, South Australia. In addition to the parcels of old vine syrah, riesling, semillon and muscat they tend here, they also purchase several parcels of grenache, mataro, syrah and cinsault each year to make their wines. They are patient, meticulous and considered winemakers who have a unique sense of place – respectful of how they fit in to the greater geological timescale.
Taking cues from the likes of Gravner and Radikon but honed through an Australian lens, these are landmark wines for Australia. They are intricate, wild-edged and simply gorgeous. The latest release has once again set the bar and set it high.
The whites – Sallio, Quomodo and Solumodo – are arguably some of Australia’s most important and compelling skin-contact wines. They’re textural, exotic, juicy and bright. So much going on. Ballistically good. The reds – Timaeus, Efferus and Archaeus – are equally interesting. Full of freshness, vitality and crunch. How bloody good. There are some we have a lot of and some, not so much. The time is now. Grab these before they disappear.
