'Cunning Plan' Negroamaro 2024
Negroamaro is a variety that originates in the Puglia region, the heel of the boot that is Italy. This is the warmest and driest part of Bella Italia, and the varieties that grow here are hardy bold. 2023 was the first vintage I worked with negroamaro from Box Grove Vineyard but the grapes weren't able to ripen enough for a red wine, so I pivoted and make rosé instead. With a better plan and better vintage conditions, in 2024 I was able to make both a rosé and this the inaugural red wine negroamaro.
There is conjecture regarding the meaning of the variety name negroamaro. Some believe it directly translates from the Italian “black bitter” whereas some believe the amaro derives from the Greek word for black, which would make it “black black.” I'm a great lover of the Rowan Atkinson BBC series Blackadder, and one of the great running gags is the character Baldrick claiming he has a “cunning plan".” I thought this an appropriate name for the wine considering it wasn't until the second attempt that the planning worked out.
In 2024 the negroamaro grapes were the last to be harvested, both for rosé and for red wine. Grapes for red were carefully hand harvested and transported to the winery for de-stemmimg. The wine fermented on skins for 11 days then after pressing transferred to mature small-format French oak barrels. The wine was racked and returned to barrel in the Spring, then bottled unfined and unfiltered in March the following year.
Negroamaro is a variety that originates in the Puglia region, the heel of the boot that is Italy. This is the warmest and driest part of Bella Italia, and the varieties that grow here are hardy bold. 2023 was the first vintage I worked with negroamaro from Box Grove Vineyard but the grapes weren't able to ripen enough for a red wine, so I pivoted and make rosé instead. With a better plan and better vintage conditions, in 2024 I was able to make both a rosé and this the inaugural red wine negroamaro.
There is conjecture regarding the meaning of the variety name negroamaro. Some believe it directly translates from the Italian “black bitter” whereas some believe the amaro derives from the Greek word for black, which would make it “black black.” I'm a great lover of the Rowan Atkinson BBC series Blackadder, and one of the great running gags is the character Baldrick claiming he has a “cunning plan".” I thought this an appropriate name for the wine considering it wasn't until the second attempt that the planning worked out.
In 2024 the negroamaro grapes were the last to be harvested, both for rosé and for red wine. Grapes for red were carefully hand harvested and transported to the winery for de-stemmimg. The wine fermented on skins for 11 days then after pressing transferred to mature small-format French oak barrels. The wine was racked and returned to barrel in the Spring, then bottled unfined and unfiltered in March the following year.
Negroamaro is a variety that originates in the Puglia region, the heel of the boot that is Italy. This is the warmest and driest part of Bella Italia, and the varieties that grow here are hardy bold. 2023 was the first vintage I worked with negroamaro from Box Grove Vineyard but the grapes weren't able to ripen enough for a red wine, so I pivoted and make rosé instead. With a better plan and better vintage conditions, in 2024 I was able to make both a rosé and this the inaugural red wine negroamaro.
There is conjecture regarding the meaning of the variety name negroamaro. Some believe it directly translates from the Italian “black bitter” whereas some believe the amaro derives from the Greek word for black, which would make it “black black.” I'm a great lover of the Rowan Atkinson BBC series Blackadder, and one of the great running gags is the character Baldrick claiming he has a “cunning plan".” I thought this an appropriate name for the wine considering it wasn't until the second attempt that the planning worked out.
In 2024 the negroamaro grapes were the last to be harvested, both for rosé and for red wine. Grapes for red were carefully hand harvested and transported to the winery for de-stemmimg. The wine fermented on skins for 11 days then after pressing transferred to mature small-format French oak barrels. The wine was racked and returned to barrel in the Spring, then bottled unfined and unfiltered in March the following year.
Lisa Cardelli - Wine Pilot
”The fruit for this wine was sourced from the volcanic soils of Macedon Ranges, at the property of Mount Franklin Estate. The luminous purple colour and the aromas on the nose are speaking of Dolcetto: black cherries, black plums, cranberries, dried Mediterranean herbs, violets. The powdery tannins (after all Dolcetto is considered the cousin of Nebbiolo) frame the black and red fruit, and sweet spices from the oak, of this “little sweet” one (translated from the Italian Dolcetto). Good length and varietal character. Bravo James!” 93 points
Stuart Knox - The Real Review
”A deep and vibrant purple hue. Blackberry and vanilla cola aromatics. The palate sits on a higher and tighter spectrum than the nose suggests, blue and red fruits, with a crunch of acidity and firm granular tannins bringing compression and drive to carry it long. Sits very much in the pocket of the varietal expectations and will work well with food.” 91 points
Campbell Mattinson - The Wine Front
”As fresh-faced and fresh-fruited as they come. It has that all-important crunchiness to its acidity but it also feels soft in the mouth; dulcet by name and dulcet by mouthfeel. Cherries red and black, florals, twiggy herbs/spice and a general raciness. Nice one. It’s a refreshing red, done quite deliciously well.” 91 points
Steve Leszczynski - QWineReviews
”A bundle of happiness awaiting a big slab of lasagne. A full glass with a casual meal or a lazy night in front of the television watching some trashy reality program is all that is required. A Dolcetto from the Macedon Ranges and James Scarcebrook's first foray into the region, this is a joyous wine as it bounds along carefree. Red cherries, a touch of blackberry leaf plus some red currants elevate the enjoyment levels. With an unmissable crunch, it slowly dries out leading to a softly spiced finish. A great slurp!” 91 points
Jane Faulkner - Wine Companion
”A pleasant surprise as this has both upfront fruit flavour and savoury attributes. Lots of florals – think rose and lavender with raspberry and cherry accents, plus plenty of tangy/tart acidity. Uncomplicated and highly enjoyable.” 89 points
Andrew Graham - Oz Wine Review
”Love the name. This is dulcet drinking, as Dolcetto can be. Fruit is sourced from Mount Franklin Estate in the Macedon Ranges, with the restless James Scarcebrook getting into the silken vibe in the winery. Lovely red-violet colour, the style is very light, gentle, spritzy and easy, driven by lightness and acidity. It’s an easy nouveau style with lucid red fruits, though blink and it’s gone – there isn’t much to linger. I like the style and intent though.” 89 points
Bronze Medal - Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show 2022
