RONGO WINES / Strathbogie Ranges/Yarra Valley

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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.

Vignerons Ray Chen and Josh Liu have formidable qualifications and experience internationally, covering work in France, Australia, NZ, China and USA.  Reconnecting in Australia, they knew it was time to establish a local label, with a focus on sustainably farmed Victorian fruit and minimal and considered winemaking raising thought provoking wines of nuance.

 

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    Rongo Reflections Riesling 2023

     $ 33.00 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.  The wine is raised 50/50 in stainless and neutral barrels for six months before bottling.  Lightly filtered and unfined, and less than 2g/L residual sugar as opposed to the previous vintage’s 8 grams.

    Crazy nose!  Rosemary, thyme, lavender.  This wine for us is defined by a lovely Germanic texture which gives a beautiful depth.  Flavours of yellow and green apples, preserved lemon, just coming out of its post bottling shell but looks great.  Superb length, high acid but not shrill, perhaps slightly skinsy in personality but with enough freshness and clarity for broad appeal, and a fun wine for diverse food matching.  Riesling in a Burgundy bottle promises an alternative stylistic statement (or should in our view), and this delivers in spades.

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    Rongo Rhapsody Orange 2023

     $ 33.00 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 with no additions made bar sulphur at bottling, and no filtration.

    Pours a proper orange shade, and feels nicely assembled in the mouth.  Exotic aromatics and flavours of cardamom, lavender, orange marmalade, herbal tea and dried flowers.  Fantastic grip with a long and properly dry finish, with a thread of fresh ginger.  Will certainly please its previous fans.

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    Rongo Rhea Syrah 2022

     $ 33.00 incl. GST

    Single vineyard, hand harvested, fermented wild with 20% whole bunches.  Aged in neutral oak for 10 months before bottling, unfined and unfiltered.

    Flavours of blackberry, lilac, rose petals, bay leaves, cloves, a touch of twiggy savouriness. Serve chilled, or at ambient temperature. Showing a definite stylistic nod to Ray’s time in the Northern Rhône.