2023 Billy Button The Affable Barbera

Barbera might be Italian at heart, but it’s fitting in just fine in Victoria’s Alpine Valleys. Plenty of sunny days here get the flavours ripe, and the cool nights keep that trademark zingy acidity in check. It’s a variety that pretty much demands another sip.

Jo Marsh keeps things simple in the winery – gentle ferment, soft tannin, and a quick rest in old oak to smooth the edges. Nothing heavy-handed, just letting the fruit do its thing.

The 2023 is bright, juicy and a little bit cheeky – packed with red berry flavour, a hint of spice and a refreshing tang that makes it dangerously easy to pour another glass. It’s the sort of wine that’s just as happy with a pizza as it is with a barbecue, or no food at all if we’re honest.

95 points
"A barbera that rocks! Year after year, this unassuming 'affable' grape knocks your socks off with its energy, its buoyant fruits and upfront honesty."
- Jeni Port (Halliday Wine Companion)