Tasting Notes
Disg. March 2024. Jack and Lois Doeven’s Drumborg site is again the source for the Rosé de Saignée. Ray Nadeson and Maree Collis have worked with this site for 20-odd years, placing great value on the vineyard’s high natural acidity at full ripeness. The composition here is Meunier at 42%, Pinot Gris at 39% and Pinot Noir at 19%. Nadeson destemmed the fruit to barrel for fermentation and used a rolling ferment, adding parcels as they came into the winery. The wine spent 12 months in large puncheons and underwent full malolactic conversion. After three years on lees in bottle, the wine was disgorged and topped up with wine from the 20-year-old perpetual reserve. As is Ray and Maree’s preference, there was no dosage.
It’s no secret that Ray Nadeson seeks power, structure and flavour in his wines, and this Rosé de Saignée is no different. Offering up aromas of crushed flowers and berries, spice and vibrant minerality, the structure is delicate yet potent, with a deep core of fruit, driving length and a tight, lasting finish. It’s a gastronomic tour de force; try it with tuna tartare or grilled salmon. - Distributor Note
Lethbridge Wines was founded in 1996 by scientists Ray Nadeson, Maree Collis, and Adrian Thomas, who applied a rigorous, research-driven approach to identify a vineyard site ideal for cool-climate varieties. Located in the Moorabool Valley near Geelong, the flagship site was originally planted in the 1870s by Swiss immigrants and was replanted by Ray and Maree in 1996 using sustainable, organic- and biodynamic-informed methods.
The estate is known for its expressive, terroir-driven wines—particularly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir—along with creative explorations in varieties like Shiraz, Nebbiolo, Gamay, and Italian styles through labels like Between Five Bells, Il Modo, and the Nadeson Collis range. The wines are made in small batches using minimal intervention: hand-harvest, native fermentations, gentle extraction, and careful élevage, often in straw-bale cellars that echo European cave environments while underscoring their commitment to environmental stewardship.
Lethbridge’s wines are characterised by savory structure, cool-climate precision, and an experimental spirit anchored by serious site expression. The estate continues to be a leading voice in Geelong, consistently producing wines that balance depth, finesse, and individuality.
| Product Type | Wine Sparkling Australasia |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Country | Australia |
| Region | Victoria |
| Sub Region | Henty |
| Winemaking Practices | Conventional |
| Vineyard Practices | Conventional |