Potentially the new taste of the Australian summer, a big welcome to Falanghina courtesy of Oliver's Taranga. This debut release is an absolute belter. Do yourself a favour and stretch your curiosity a little further and splash this beauty in your glass over the next couple of months.
And don't be concerned if you can't pronounce the name - I managed to get a few hundred guests at the Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show to sing it loud to the Muppets Mahna Mahna tune. Fact! Pronounced Fah-Lanh-Ghee-Nah, it rolls off the tongue and tastes even better.
A native Italian variety from Campania, winemaker Corrina Wright fell in love with it in her travels over the years. A decade-long pursuit to get it in the ground thanks to the efforts of the Chalmers family and the exceptional work they do introducing a host of alternate varieties to these shores, it is easy to see that Falanghina will amass a legion of fans not to mention that it will be planted more widely.
The 2024 vintage was the debut release and the staff at Oliver's Taranga collectively celebrated by getting in the vineyard and handpicking the fruit. A yield of 1.5 tonnes was the final result.
A swirl of the glass reveals citrus blossom, yellow peaches, apricots and apricot kernel. I'm also getting a little apricot chicken vibe. Made in a ceramic egg, a delicate textural appeal adds further interest. Honey puffs and licks of honeycomb, a freeze dried mango thing adds further delight. An ever so slight nuttiness in the form of almonds and almond praline offers a neat parting gift with cleansing acidity. Sunsets by the water and a large pour or two will do me just fine. Bravo for this impressive debut!
Drink now.
94/100
Region: McLaren Vale
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