Between Five Bells Amber 2021: Tasting Notes

WINE STYLE → Amber & Chewy

Between Five Bells Amber 2021 is a savoury, textural orange wine from the Lethbridge team in Geelong. Built around Pinot Gris with Greco, Vermentino, Moscato Giallo and Fiano, it brings orange blossom perfume, cider apple, William pear and a firm, skinsy grip. It is complex without being heavy, with enough freshness to keep each glass lively.

Highlights

• Skin-contact amber wine made from Pinot Gris, Greco, Vermentino, Moscato Giallo and Fiano
• Crafted by Between Five Bells — the exploratory, texture-driven range from Lethbridge Wines in Geelong
• Orange blossom, perfume, cider apple, grapes and William pear
• Fermented entirely on solids, then finished in French oak and clay amphora
• 90 days post-fermentation maceration on skins in amphora
• 13.0% ABV

Tasting Notes

Between Five Bells Amber 2021 opens with orange blossom, perfume, cider apple and pear, followed by grapes, citrus peel, faint spice and a savoury skinsy edge. The palate is dry and medium-bodied, with textural tannins rather than obvious sweetness. It has the aromatic lift of a white wine, the grip of skin contact and a gently amber, tea-like shape that makes it very food-friendly.

Winemaking

A continuous fermentation began with Pinot Gris, then extended as Greco, Vermentino, Moscato Giallo and Fiano arrived. Fermentation took place entirely on solids, with careful cap management to extract texture and flavour from the skins without pushing the wine too far. The final must was split and transferred to a mix of French oak and clay amphora, with the amphora component continuing post-fermentation maceration for a total of 90 days on skins.

Vineyard & Vintage

The 2021 wine is made from Pinot Gris, Greco, Vermentino, Moscato Giallo and Fiano, with fruit drawn from multiple vineyards. It was bottled in September 2021 and sits at 13.0% alcohol. The 2021 release is the fourth Between Five Bells Amber, showing the range’s established love of texture, alternative varieties and less conventional winemaking vessels.

Why We Love It

This is orange wine with detail, not just colour. The perfume is pretty, the cider-apple and pear notes are fresh, and the amphora skin contact gives the wine grip and shape. It is a lovely option when a crisp white seems too simple, but a red would be too much.

Food Pairing

This wine suits dishes with savoury depth, citrus, spice, crunch and richness. The tannin and acidity can handle texture, while the orange blossom and pear notes work beautifully with herbs, fennel, tahini, pork, mushrooms and fried foods.

Try matching this wine with →

• Roast cauliflower with tahini, lemon and herbs — Find a Recipe
• Pork belly with fennel and apple — Find a Recipe
• Tempura vegetables or prawns — Find a Recipe

Mood or occasion to match this wine…

Perfect for a long table lunch, a thoughtful cheese board, or the friend who always brings something a little more interesting than expected. Serve it when you want conversation in the glass, but still want deliciousness first.

Cellaring

Drink now for its perfume, savoury texture and amber complexity, or cellar for another 1–3 years if you enjoy more developed notes of dried apple, tea, spice and nuttiness. The producer gives a 3+ year cellar potential, and the wine already has bottle age from the 2021 vintage.

Producer

Between Five Bells is part of the Lethbridge Wines family in Geelong, Victoria, created by Ray Nadeson and Maree Collis. Lethbridge’s estate vineyard sits around 30 kilometres north-west of Geelong and is managed using sustainable principles informed by organic and biodynamic practices. Between Five Bells gives Ray room to explore texture, blending, vessels and varieties beyond the classic Lethbridge wines. The name comes from the final three words in the first stanza of Kenneth Slessor’s poem “Five Bells”, and the wines are made with a similarly lyrical, unconventional spirit.

Related Wines To Try →

For other amber, skin-contact and textural whites, try these:

• Biodynamic Barossa Viognier with dried apricot, marmalade and natural tannin — Kalleske Plenarius Viognier
• Organic Spanish orange wine with citrus peel, florals and lightly grippy texture — Oveja Naranja
• Skinsy McLaren Vale Fiano with lemon pith, herbs and complex white-wine tannins — Sherrah Skin Party Fiano

FAQ

What does Between Five Bells Amber 2021 taste like?

It tastes like orange blossom, perfume, cider apple, grapes and William pear, with a savoury skin-contact edge. The palate is dry and medium-bodied, with textured tannins and a gently amber, tea-like finish. It is aromatic, layered and made for food.

Is this wine sweet, dry or full-bodied?

This is a dry amber wine. It has medium body, moderate acidity and more tannin than a classic white because the white grapes spent time on skins. The fruit is expressive, but the finish is savoury rather than sweet.

Is Between Five Bells Amber an orange wine?

Yes. It sits in the orange wine or amber wine style, where white grapes are fermented with skin contact. This gives the wine deeper colour, more texture, gentle tannin and extra savoury complexity.

Which grapes are used in this wine?

Between Five Bells Amber 2021 is made from Pinot Gris, Greco, Vermentino, Moscato Giallo and Fiano. Pinot Gris began the continuous fermentation, with the other varieties added as they arrived. The mix gives the wine perfume, pear fruit, citrus, spice and Mediterranean savouriness.

How should I serve this wine?

Serve lightly chilled at around 10–12°C. A universal or larger white wine glass works best, as it gives the orange blossom and pear aromatics room to open. Avoid serving it fridge-cold, as that can mute the texture and savoury detail.

Should I decant this wine?

A full decant is not essential, but 10–15 minutes in the glass is helpful. Skin-contact wines often open beautifully with a little air, showing more spice, tea-like grip and fruit detail. If there is any natural sediment, pour gently.

Does this wine contain preservatives or sulphites?

The producer notes do not list this as a No Added Preservative wine. Most wines contain sulphites, either added during winemaking or naturally produced during fermentation. If you specifically need preservative-free wine, choose a wine clearly listed as No Added Preservative.

Is Between Five Bells Amber 2021 vegan friendly?

Vegan status is not confirmed in the producer notes available for this wine. The winemaking information describes solids fermentation, skin contact, French oak and clay amphora, but does not confirm fining agents. If vegan suitability is required, check the final product specification before purchasing.

What food pairs best with this amber wine?

It pairs beautifully with roast cauliflower, tahini, grilled eggplant, pork belly, mushroom dishes, tempura, spiced chicken and firm cheeses. The phenolic grip works well with richer textures, while the pear and orange blossom notes suit aromatic herbs and gentle spice. For a vegetarian match, try roast cauliflower with lemon, tahini and toasted almonds.

Who will love this wine?

It will suit drinkers who enjoy orange wine, skinsy Pinot Gris, textural whites and savoury natural-leaning styles. If you like Vermentino, Fiano or amphora-aged whites but want more grip and perfume, this is a smart next bottle. It is also a great step up from crisp white wine when you want more structure.

Can this wine be cellared?

Yes, but it is already in a good drinking window. The producer gives a 3+ year cellar potential, and as a 2021 vintage it now has some bottle age. Drink now for freshness and perfume, or hold short term for more dried apple, tea and nutty complexity.

(SKU: B5_AMB_CV)