RONGO WINES / Strathbogie Ranges/Yarra Valley

1979

In Japanese, Rongo refers to the Analects of Confucius, a masterwork of philosophy that has guided East Asian culture and thought for more than 2,500 years. It stands, at heart, for living benevolently, ethically, and in harmony with one’s surroundings.

In Māori, Rongo is a verb meaning to perceive, to hear, feel, smell, and taste. Through no coincidence, is also the nickname of Rongo-mā-Tāne, the Māori god of Agriculture and Peace.

Ray Chen’s nascent label feels like it’s hit a stride with this set of releases; there’s a consistent theme running through the wines of texture and detail, and a tonne of personality and originality.  These wines are a nexus of classical and lofi winemaking sensibilities, adventurous and squeaky clean.

Ray’s multi-national upbringing sees the wines informed by Asian/eastern dining – the possibilities for creative matching with this lineup are immense.

 

54321
(0 votes. Average 0 of 5)
← BACK TO PRODUCERS

  • Rongo Reflections Riesling 2024

     $ 35.00 incl. GST

    From the Elgo vineyard in Strathbogie.  The wine sits seven days on skins after crushing, with free run juice drawn into stainless steel for cool fermentation, fermented dry.  The wine sits in tank on gross lees for six months, and is unfined and unfiltered prior to bottling.

    The hallmark is its phenolic grip, imparting a slight chewiness and Germanic texture.  There’s an intricate bouquet of herbs on the nose of rosemary, lavender, thyme, grapefruit and florals.  Plenty of richness and drive on the palate which is defined by its gorgeous texture, delivering yellow and green apples and preserved lemon, and a rounded though firmly present acid backbone.  Unashamedly an alternative stylistic statement of Australian Riesling, and a good one.

  • Rongo Rhapsody Skin Contact 2024

     $ 35.00 incl. GST

    100% Riesling from the Elgo vineyard in Strathbogie, given 30 days of skin contact.  Fermented in neutral barrels, then rested a further six months in neutral oak and naturally stabilized, unfined and unfiltered with sulphur the only addition.

    Pours a proper orange shade, and feels nicely assembled in the mouth.  An exotic array of aromatics and  flavours – ginger, incense, citrus peel, citrus oil, marmalade and herbal tea, particularly chamomile.  A long finish with a pleasing grip, superb for aromatic fish dishes and plenty more.

  • Rongo Rhea Syrah 2023

     $ 35.00 incl. GST

    From a single vineyard in Gruyere (Yarra Valley), hand harvested and fermented wild with 20% whole bunches.  Aged in neutral oak for 10 months before bottling, unfined and unfiltered.

    Black flavours here – cloves, olive tapenade, black plums blackberry, juniper.  There’s a twiggy quality to the wine, a big tip of the hat to Northern Rhône.  Closes with fine, ripe and succulent tannins, the tiniest lick of tar and pepper on the finish.

  • Rongo Prelude Aglianico

     $ 35.00 incl. GST

    Grown in Chalmers’ Merbein vineyard.  Wild fermented and aged six months in neutral oak, with gentle extraction techniques to tame what can be the bony tannins of this variety.  Made to be served chilled.

    All manner of red berries on the nose and palate with a peppery note, just-ripe strawberry, Turkish rosewater, even an olive note.  Light and crisp in body, tannins are fine and present without dominating, composed and thoughtful.  As beautifully articulated by one taster, “juicier than a gossip column.”  A superb match to sweet and sour dishes.

  • Rongo Reverie Rose 2024

     $ 35.00 incl. GST

    95% Syrah and 5% Viognier, grown in Gruyere (Yarra Valley), co-fermented naturally and raised six months in neutral oak.

    Several hours’ skin contact delivers a ruby clairette shade.  Crème fraiche, crushed petal and blackberry lead the aromatics.  The palate delivers blackberry and blackcurrant flavours (fresh and jubes), a long and a creamy texture, and a shake of baking spice.  This is outside of the normal rosé paradigm for sure but we’re very much for it – we love the textures and concentration a dark rosé can afford.  As the label states: “Between a dark rosé and a light red – enjoy either way.”  Amen to that.