Description

Jo Marsh’s Billy Button Alpine Valleys Wines began its life in 2014. Billy Button has used the diversity of grapes and regions in Victoria’s North East to make beautiful wines. The style here is elegant and flavoursome but restrained. The name comes from the flowers, related to the daisy, that create a sea of gold during the warmer months, blanketing Mount Bogong and Mount Feathertop.

I haven’t tried a lot of Refosco but I have enjoyed it so far! Currants, spice, floral. The palate is mid-weight with some nice tannins. It is a very open and drinkable wine even at this young age.

Wine maker notes. “An uncommon variety originating from Friuli in North East Italy. Very little Refosco is grown in Australia so I’m extremely lucky to be able to source this from two vineyards – Greenacres vineyard at Merriang South and Dalbosco vineyard at Porepunkah.

Refosco is naturally very high in rotundone, the compound responsible for pepper characters, and with the long cool growing season in 2017 this wine shows abundant pepper along with perfume and spice. A lighter bodied style that is oh so drinkable.”

Alpine Valleys

There is a lot spoken about the lovely King Valley but the Alpine Valleys that surround offers some fantastic wines, often at great value.

Refosco

Refosco is an ancient variety native to the North East of Italy. It is dark skinned, and has flavours similar to Cabernet. It can reward aging like Cabernet too.