Chalmers Murray Darling Bush Vine Negroamaro 2021

The ‘Bush Vine’ project represents the culmination of 35+ years’ experience of our families inland farming and viticultural journey where we test the limits of ‘dry growing’ in Merbein, Victoria, the heart of our production.

The vineyard was established organically in 2017 and managed with no herbicides or pesticides, hand pruned, hand harvested and even manually weeded. In the extreme hot and brutal climate of the Murray Darling, each vine is grown as a little tree/bush to provide its own shade and protection from the harsh sun. They are spaced 2.5 metres apart which enables them to capture the water it needs and minimises competition from neighbouring vines.

Hailing from Puglia in the hot, dry peninsula in the south-east of mainland Italy, Negroamaro was a natural and appropriate choice for our bush vine planting. It’s sturdy nature, good natural vigour, drought tolerance and thick skins all positive qualities for the site conditions.

The 2021 vintage shows an elegant pure lifted version of our Bush Vine Negroamaro, with red cherries, plum and quandong jelly, hints of blood orange rind and a saltbush edge. In the mouth its focused and long, dusty fine tannins, a driving line of plum, cherry and currants with a talc minerality. It can do with a splash around a decanter an hour before drinking and will continue to develop and open up in the glass, with the last mouthful most likely the best. It’s a good chance this vintage will go the distance and we’re pretty chuffed to see where it might go. Paired to a duck leg and sausage cassoulet or even a grilled fish with caponata and you’ll doing well.