2023 McLaren Vale Tempranillo
TASTING NOTE
Bright aromatics of red plums and cherry complimented with some earthy toasted spice. The palate shows generousity with flavours of blueberry and dark plum fruits and an earthiness that gives the wine a savoury profile. The tannins are fine grained and persistent, supporting the juicy fruit characters.
VINTAGE SUMMARY
Weather conditions during spring were wet and windy which had an impact on flowering and resulted in small crops. Cool and wet conditions continued into early summer, but thankfully the rain stopped around Christmas time to allow the fruit to start to ripen and to keep the disease at bay. Harvest started much later than average due to the cooler conditions- Whilst we had to pick some of the reds around rain events they mostly ripened well with fresh and vibrant fruit flavours.
The 23 vintage wines are showing elegance and finesse, with fresh fruit flavours, fine tannins and good acidity.
VINEYARD
Our Tempranillo comes from a cool climate vineyard at approximately 280m above sea level, adjacent to the picturesque Kuipto forest. Vines are trellised with a single cordon, on a loamy clay soil and is planted on an East facing slope.
WINEMAKING
Fruit was crushed and chilled to a stainless steel open fermenter for a 4 day cold soak then underwent a 100% wild fermentation. The wine was fermented to sugar dry on skins then basket pressed 3 days after alcoholic fermentation had finished when the structure of the wine felt balanced and complete. Once pressed the wine was racked off gross lees to old French oak puncheons for malolactic fermentation and maturation. Wine remained in barrel for 8 months. No fining, vegan friendly.
FOOD PAIRING
Smoked lamb cutlets with polenta and roasted cherry tomatoes
WINEMAKER
Renae Hirsch
VARIETY: 100%Tempranillo
REGION: McLaren Vale, South Australia
SOIL: Loamy sand over light clay.
ALCOHOL: 13.5%
TA: 6.14 g/L
pH: 3.60
Awards & Reviews:
2022 Vintage
92 Points - Stuart Knox, The Real Review
"Deep and intense ruby into a purple rim. Blackberry, dark mineral and violet aromatics. Great fruit intensity, loaded with black fruits and dried herbal characters. Tannins are chewy but remain in context with the fruit weight. A good buy at the price"
2021 Vintage
92 Points - Top Value Wine of the Week, #1 Tempranillo in South Australia - Huon Hooke, The Real Review
"Tempranillo is fast becoming a staple of the warmer regions’ winemakers, and all I can say is what took them so long?
Deep, bold purple colour, with a youthfully bright spicy and meaty bouquet that hints at some whole bunch/whole berry fermentation. The palate is rich, fruit-sweet and delicious, with fine, smooth tannins and fleshy texture. A succulent wine, drinking well now and for a few years hence."
92 Points - Halliday Wine Companion, Ned Goodwin MW
"This is impressive. Mid weighted, savoury and poised, servicing drinkability and immense versatility at the diverse Australian table. The tannins, impeccably extracted. Lithe and attenuated like a slick of cherry cola seeping across the gums. Blue-fruit aspersions, otherwise. If you seek a supple, mid-weighted red that shan't get in the way of the food and conversation, here is your ticket."