Region: Adelade Hills, Australia

Varietal: Mostly Barbera

Tasting notes: Barbera is the grape variety here – thought to have originated in the hills of Piemonte it’s high in acid, low in tannin, tricky in the vineyard, tricky in the winery, but by the beard of Zeus does it ever shape-shift into a soifalicious drink in the glass when all the panels of the vinous Rubik’s Cube align. On the nose it is rhubarb, tart raspberries, and brandy spice. Soft, bright, tart fruits flavors meld with the lively acidity inherent in the variety.

Producer: Based in McLaren Vale, South Australia, Alpha Box & Dice are embarking on an Alphabet of Wine. Each 'letter' embodies an individual winemaking project, with the end goal being a complete collection of wines that celebrates the diverse styles and varieties found in South Australia's famous wine regions, including McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills and Barossa Valley. Since its beginning in 2008, AB&D has become a champion of South Australia's alternative – particularly Mediterranean – varieties, exhibiting innovation at every step of the process by bending traditional winemaking norms.

Vineyard and Winemaking: The 2016 Enigma came from two vineyards at opposite ends of the Adelaide Hills, Berry vineyard in Kuitpo and Peppicelli vineyard in Kenton Valley. Both were handpicked and naturally fermented with 60% whole bunches in the bottom of the fermenters, with the remainder crushed on top. Gently plunged during the fermentation, then pressed off and aged in large format barrels for 18 months.