Truffle Hound has a special place at Vinya. When we launched our online wine shop, in early 2020, Truffle Hound was one of our forty founding selections. At that time, we sold the 2017 vintage, which was lighter on its feet, with more funk and tang. Then, like most post-COVID scenarios, all of a sudden it was gone and “out of stock.” There was no 2018 for us, no 2019, nor 2020. Now, Truffle Hound is back with a glorious 2021 South Australian vintage that has been described as a “unicorn” year with near-perfect growing conditions and supreme quality grapes.

A detour from the 2017 Barbera-Nebbiolo bottling, this vintage welcomes two new grapes: Sangiovese and Merlot. Sourced from experimental Italian grapes planted in the 1980s by Penfolds in Clare Valley, along with supporting fruit from the Adelaide Hills, the 2021 Truffle Hound is rounder and more complete. With 13% alcohol, it’s perfectly medium with enough oomph and good tannin to hold-up to grilled meats. A combination of brambly fruits and woodsy earth on the nose unfold into a palate of silky goodness, with hints of Piedmont-like licorice and rosy cardamom spice. Still made in a low-intervention manner and certified vegan, this is the perfect natural wine for your friends, who typically don't drink natural wine, myself included ;)

Happy Drinking,
Allegra A