August 12^th, 2021

Every year around now the Halliday Wine Companion Awards are announced…we had a major spotlight on us in 2019 when the 2020 Awards were announced, being named Dark Horse Winery of the Year. This along with Five Stars, wonderful reviews and scores provided a substantial endorsement of the DZ team’s efforts in the vineyard and winery to produce wines that keep lifting the bar. Thank you to everyone at Dal Zotto for the part they play in our success.  

So, to this year’s results…and another very pleasing set of reviews and scores. Importantly, the light is shining on more of our L’immigrante range, a group of wines produced in very small quantities. We only see them in the best years and they are given the time before release to deliver their best.  

Overall, we received 91 points or higher for eight of our wines, an achievement well worth raising a glass to. 

To all the winners, congratulations. And to every wine drinker out there, thank you for your ongoing support, there has never been a better time to support your local winery and we are so thankful that we have so many people who are now part of our story and wine family. You are the reason we do what we do every day. 

Thanks

Michael & Christian Dal Zotto

Dal Zotto Pucino Prosecco NV – 92 points

‘Pucino sits in an ever-growing prosecco family tree at Dal Zotto. It's the one that started the whole crazy prosecco movement and remains possibly the most approachable and recognisable. True to form, this rises with clean, crisp, bright fruits in citrus, apple and pear. Chalky texture on the palate combined with a touch of lemon drop sweetness really works the taste buds. Zesty, tangy and hard to put down.’

Dal Zotto Col Fondo Prosecco 2019 – 95 points

‘A return to the traditional Italian style of prosecco – a revelation when compared to some commercial, sweet styles going. Lightly cloudy lemon colour, with the soft scent of honeysuckle, fresh apple, lemon sorbet and musky florals. Fresh and vital and full of a fine complexity, almost delicate, with a touch of savoury earth. Dry and lemony, with enlivening acidity. A captivating taste experience.’

Dal Zotto ‘Tabelo’ Col Fondo Prosecco 2019 – 93 points

‘Tabelo includes concentrated juice from dried and pressed prosecco grapes. A dense, savoury prosecco that is a world away from the usual sweet proseccos that crowd the market. This feeds the brain as well as the appetite. Cloudy, dense in citrus, pear, exotic spice, cardamom and straw. Fills the mouth with flavour and a dry, gentle acidity. Quite the ultimate prosecco experience.’

Dal Zotto Garganega 2019 – 90 points

‘This Italian variety hails from the Veneto region and is showing strong suitability to the cool King Valley climes. The main attraction here is the fine herbal/savoury thread that runs the full distance of this wine, together with a svelte, textural mouthfeel. In between, light florals mingle with white peach, citrus and barley.’

Dal Zotto Sangiovese 2019 – 90 points

‘Cherry red in hue and boasting cherry-infused aromas together with bright red berries and layers of spice, this sangiovese is super-fresh and ready to go. The palate is crisp and delicious with red licorice, dark spice and a light herbal influence. Easygoing tannins all the way.’

Dal Zotto Sangiovese Cabernet 2018 – 88 points

‘Shows a striking resemblance to that classic Aussie red blend of shiraz cabernet sauvignon with a similar friendly approachability. Mixes the black cherry, earth and licorice of sangiovese with cabernet-strong violet, wild berry and gentle leafiness. Supple tannins complete the pretty picture.’

Dal Zotto Barbera 2019 – 92 points

‘Archetypal barbera with plenty of sweet, spicy depth to it. Plum, dark cherry, wild strawberry scent with a touch of toasty oak. The palate really shines, varietally well defined in black fruits, wild herbs, musk and rose with a kick of juicy acidity that works the mouth. Fits the bill in both generosity of fruit and value for money.’

Dal Zotto Nebbiolo 2017 – 91 points

‘A happy marriage of the King Valley and nebbiolo. Enjoys immediate freshness and fragrance ripe in plums, black cherry, dark herbs and anise. The grape's notorious tannins are in place, but not aggressively so. Hints of chocolate and a light leafiness fill in the supple palate alongside nutty oak. Wouldn't say no to more time in bottle.’

Dal Zotto L’immigrante ‘Contro’ Shiraz 2016 – 95 points

‘Michael Dal Zotto digs deep into his Italian roots for the L'immigrante series of wines. Released as a 5yo, Contro is just emerging into a complex, fascinating, savoury take on the grape, releasing aromas of wild herbs, black cherries, chocolate and earth. Dark, toasted spices inhabit the palate, so too savoury, dusty tannins and almond/nutty oak. Runs long in the mouth in a velvety stream of spice-laden dark fruits.’

Dal Zotto L’immigrante Nebbiolo 2015 – 94 points

‘Hand-picked and destemmed fruit, preserving as many whole berries as possible. Barrel-fermented with 4 pumpovers daily after the first 36–48 hours. A portion is retained in the 1000L fermenter for 12 months before transferring to smaller oak. The remainder is basket pressed to French oak, approx. 20% new, for mlf and 2 years maturation. Like tackling Everest, nebbiolo is a grape that demands a winemaker's respect. Due respect is given here in a fragrant wine replete in purple cherry fruit aromas, violet, dark rose, freshly tilled earth and ferrous minerality. Concentrated and fleshy, it threads in raspberry and anise across a savoury palate firmly set in place, thanks to gently drying tannins.’

All wines tasted and reviewed by Jeni Port