Alessandro Stefani 2024 Yarra Valley Trebbiano + 'Sete'

The newly released 2024 'Sete' from estate Trebbiano/Ugni Blanc (90%) and Chardonnay pours a charming yellow-gold with the barest hint of green. Alluring blurred at first by smokey reduction, coupled with faint resinous aromas from the new German Oak (appox. 30%) in which this elevaged, aeration slowly pixelates the aromatic profile into piquant yet sweet mandarin, charred pineapple, and old-fashioned lemon and barley drops. Time only freshens and sharpens the components, broadening to include ripe white pear, cut mint and other herbal nuances, and mineral salts. The palate is fresh and initially composed with a fine and long line of acidity,  before firm phenolics leap into action, acting alongside chalky and salty minerality which really refreshes and begs another sip. Fresh pear and tangerine, fresh laurel, sea-spray, and boiled citrus lollies; complex savoury nuances abound on the cusp of description. There is a hint of lemon balm and verbena on the finish, with slightly slenders alluringly right before tapering off as if a melody by Dallapiccola. Fine … and more importantly, very drinkable." — David