The 2024 Denton Deco Ribolla Gialla is a distinctive Yarra Valley white made from a small 0.4-hectare parcel on the cooler south-eastern slope of Denton’s View Hill. The site’s sandstone and siltstone soils, flecked with ironstone and marine carbonate, contribute to the wine’s fine mineral character and phenolic depth. In the glass, it shows fresh quince, nashi skin and a subtle briny note, with an aromatic profile that is both restrained and intriguing. The slow-ripening site allows flavour and texture to develop while preserving natural acidity.
On the palate, it is medium-bodied and finely textured, with a focused, mineral-driven structure and bright natural acidity. Quince and nashi pear are joined by citrus peel, subtle herbal notes and a delicate saline character, while 60 days of spontaneous skin fermentation gives the wine gentle phenolic grip and added texture. The phenolics frame the palate rather than dominate it, creating a wine with both flesh and a clear, energetic line. The finish is dry, savoury and persistent, with lingering citrus, mineral and briny notes.
Ben’s Recommendation:
At Wine More Cellars, this is an excellent choice for adventurous white-wine drinkers looking for a more textured and distinctive Australian expression of Ribolla Gialla. Its combination of freshness, mineral character and subtle skin-contact texture makes it particularly versatile at the table. Best enjoyed over the next 4–7 years. Serve lightly chilled with oysters, grilled prawns, sashimi, roast chicken with lemon and herbs, crispy pork belly with apple, or mushroom and herb risotto.
