2025 McLaren Vale Grenache
McLaren Vale Grenache
TASTING NOTE:
Lifted aromas of blue and red berries are layered with earthy, woody herbs, notes of thyme and bergamot, and a subtle background of ginger spice.
The palate is bright with red fruits, cherries and a hint of rhubarb, alongside mixed herb and earthy notes reminiscent of Amaro. A fine, slightly gravelly tannin structure extends the palate, bringing length and persistence.
VINTAGE:
A very dry growing season led to one of the earliest starts to vintage in recent memory.
Low winter rainfall was followed by ideal spring conditions, resulting in good fruit set despite the dry season. Crop levels for many varieties were around average, with average to slightly above-average berry numbers. Smaller berry size contributed to excellent concentration and intensity of flavour.
While harvest began early, conditions remained relatively mild throughout much of the season. A four-day heatwave in mid-February caused little damage, and fruit continued to ripen gradually, delivering excellent flavour, concentration and ripe, well-structured tannins in the reds.
VINEYARD:
Sourced from Willunga 100’s own estate vineyard, Blind Spot, in the Blewitt Springs sub-region of McLaren Vale, this wine is made from 100% dry-grown bush vine Grenache. The fruit is drawn from three distinct blocks across the vineyard, each with its own aspect and elevation. Planted between 1963 and 1972, the vines grow in deep Maslin sand over ironstone and clay, contributing to the vineyard’s distinctive character.
WINEMAKING:
Five parcels of fruit were selected, hand-harvested and vinified separately. Fermentation took place in stainless steel open fermenters, with some parcels incorporating whole bunches, resulting in approximately 12% whole-bunch fermentation across the final blend.
Each parcel spent between 8 and 12 days on skins before being gently basket pressed. Following primary fermentation, 70% of the wine was transferred to aged French oak puncheons for malolactic fermentation, while the balance remained in stainless steel. The wine was then matured on its malolactic lees for 10 months before being racked, blended and bottled.
Vegan friendly.
WINEMAKER:
Renae Hirsch
REGION:
McLaren Vale
REVIEWS:
Marcus Ellis
Published 31 July 2026
93+ Points
"All from the home Blind Spot vineyard, planted between '63 and ’72, with about 12% whole bunch in the finished wine. Unlike the single-site wines, this saw more old oak than steel, 70/30%. That oak provides no flavour, but it does open the profile somewhat. Black cherry, ripe raspberry, macerated strawberries, cranberry sauce, some white pepper, scrubby herbs. There’s a little generosity here in a mid-weight frame, with a finely grippy and zesty finish. This over-delivers, and it should evolve nicely."