Billy Button Sparkling Red NV 750ml

“Juicy Alpine Valleys sparkling red with black cherry, blackberry, violets and lively bubbles.”

Billy Button Sparkling Red NV takes the traditional Australian sparkling red idea and gives it a distinctly Alpine Valleys twist. Instead of relying solely on Shiraz, winemaker Jo Marsh blends Durif and Saperavi with a splash of Shiraz, creating a sparkling red with loads of dark fruit, freshness and personality.

Black cherry, blackberry and plum lead the way, joined by cranberry, violets, bramble and sweet spice. The palate is juicy and energetic with generous bubbles, fresh red and dark fruit and enough tannin to stop things becoming overly sweet or simple.

This is a great bottle when you want sparkling wine but feel like something considerably more interesting than another glass of Prosecco. Chill it down, open it at a barbecue or put it on the Christmas table. Sparkling red does not need to wait until December, but it certainly knows what to do when it gets there.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Black cherry, cranberry and blackberry with violets, bramble and sweet spice.

Palate: Juicy and lively with cherry, blackberry and plum, generous bubbles and a gentle tannin structure.

Finish: Fresh and fruity with lingering dark berries, spice and a subtle touch of sweetness.

Halliday Wine Companion - 92 Points

Sparkling red needs the kind of injection of energy and lightness of touch that Jo Marsh brings to the style. Here, we see it aromatic, fragrant in lifted black cherry, cranberry, violets and sweet spice. The palate is fleshy, juicy but tannic firm with a brightness of red fruits and an easy going nature, finishing with a pastille sweetness. A blend of durif and saperavi with a splash of shiraz brings something new and welcome to the style. Jeni Port

Serving Suggestions

Serve well chilled with barbecue meats, glazed ham, roast pork, charcuterie or a good selection of cheeses.

It is also a terrific festive wine. The combination of bubbles, dark fruit and freshness works particularly well alongside the mixture of sweet, salty and savoury flavours that inevitably ends up covering the Christmas table.

About The Winery

Billy Button was created by winemaker Jo Marsh in 2014 to showcase the remarkable diversity of Victoria's Alpine Valleys. Rather than concentrating on only a handful of familiar grapes, the range explores the many alternative varieties that thrive in this cool climate region.

The Sparkling Red fits that philosophy perfectly. Durif provides depth, Saperavi brings colour and character, and a little Shiraz helps pull everything together. It is recognisably Australian sparkling red, just with the rule book left somewhere else.

Cellaring Potential

Made primarily for immediate enjoyment. Drink it young while the black cherry, blackberry, violet and spice characters are bright and energetic.

This is one bottle where finding an excuse to open it now makes considerably more sense than finding somewhere to cellar it.

Collector’s Note

Billy Button Sparkling Red NV received 92 Points from Jeni Port for Halliday Wine Companion, who highlighted the wine's aromatic black cherry, cranberry, violet and sweet spice character and the freshness Jo Marsh brings to the sparkling red style.

Campbell Mattinson also awarded it 91 Points, describing a dry, fruity and savoury sparkling red with good length and freshness.

Details

Producer: Billy Button Wines
Vintage: Non Vintage
Blend: Durif, Saperavi, Shiraz
Region: Alpine Valleys, Victoria
Bottle Size: 750ml
Wine Style: Sparkling Red
Wine Sweetness: Dry with a subtle touch of sweetness
Wine Body: Medium Bodied
ABV: 13.5%
Closure: Crown Seal
Key Flavours: Black Cherry, Blackberry, Plum, Cranberry, Violet, Bramble, Sweet Spice