2020 McLaren Vale Shiraz Grenache

$25.00

Unit Type

TASTING NOTE

A bright and expressive nose loaded with red fruits, cherry and plum. The palate is both juicy and bold with spice and smooth milk chocolate-like tannin. The Shiraz component adds depth and dark fruits, while the Grenache delivers a vibrancy and energy with a fresh finish.

VINTAGE SUMMARY

2020 was a challenging year and a challenging vintage. A very hot and dry spring and some very strong winds over flowering lead to shorter shoot length and poor fruit set which meant lower yields overall. McLaren Vale was very lucky avoid the bushfires and smoke taint from the fires in the Adelaide Hills and Kangaroo Island. After a bumpy start, the ripening season ended up being relatively cool and extended with the resultant fruit showing great concentration of flavour and lovely bright natural acidity.

VINEYARD

This Shiraz comes from a vineyard in the Whites Valley sub-region of McLaren Vale which is modern trellised vines planted in the mid nineties and grown on a soil formation that consists of red brown alluvial fan clays, sands and gravels.

The Grenache component is from Willunga 100's own estate vineyard 'Blind Spot' located in the Blewitt Springs sub region of McLaren Vale. The bush vine Grenache is dry grown in deep sandy soils over a base of ironstone and clay with the vines averaging around 50 years of age.

WINEMAKING

The two varieties were harvested and fermented separately in stainless steel open fermenters. The wine was gently pressed via basket press before undergoing malolactic fermentation and maturation in older French Oak barrels for a period of 12 months. The Shiraz went into 300L hogsheads, whereas the Grenache was matured in larger 500L puncheons to retain its purity and freshness.

Vegan Friendly

FOOD PAIRING

Lamb tagine or charcuterie

WINEMAKER

Skye Salter

VARIETY: 79% Shiraz 21% Grenache

REGION: McLaren Vale, South Australia

SOIL: Loamy sand over light clay.

ALCOHOL: 14.5%
TA: 6.0 g/L
pH: 3.51

 

Awards & Reviews:

Wine Orbit - Sam Kim - 93 Points

“This is instantly appealing on the nose with Black Doris plum, blueberry, olive and roasted nut characters with a hint of dark cocoa. The palate displays succulent fruit intensity with silken texture and polished tannins, finishing long and flavoursome. At its best: now to 2030.”

The Wine Front - Gary Walsh - 91 Points

“Shiraz 80% and Grenache 20%. Nice to have the affable Willunga 100 winemaker, Skye Salter, visit today, who was quite happy to have four (4) dogs yapping and frollicking about while we tasted through the range. 

Blackberry, raspberry, a little spice, chocolate. Medium to full-bodied, plenty of flavour, some chew to it, slightly salty, but with something of a ‘mineral’ feel, chocolate and roses, and a satisfying toasty finish. Good stuff.”

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