Fruit for this wine is sourced from a single vineyard. The much-lauded Stonegarden Vineyard in Eden Valley hosts vines that are more than 150 years old.
Fermented with natural yeast, about 40% whole bunch with the balance being destemmed but not crushed. The wine is hand plunged twice daily for two weeks before being pressed to seasoned French oak puncheons then aged on lees for a year before bottling without fining or filtration.
Dill, dried mint, sage, red and black fruit, coconut and vanilla. Supple, full-flavour and richness. Smooth tannin. Intensity. Length. Dried sage and berries to close. Not sure if ‘seasoned’ or new oak, but does show its hand here (or now), aside that a very high quality wine.
93+ points, The Wine Front (July 2019)
Medium to deep red colour with a good purple tint, and some oak and dried spice notes on the nose. The palate is salty, savoury and drying, with clove, pepper and mixed spice nuances, some dried bayleaf and other dried herb notes. The finish is very dry but very soft, the aftertaste long and balanced and satisfying.
92 points, The Real Review (July 2019)
From the 150+yo vines of the celebrated Stonegarden Vineyard in the Eden Valley. 50% whole bunches, 50% whole berries wild-fermented, matured in used French puncheons for 12 months. Beautifully articulated to throw all of the vibrant and pure varietal fruit on full display. A particular feature is the finish and aftertaste, an aspect seldom commented on with grenache.
99 points + 2021 Halliday Wine Companion Best Grenache, Wine Companion (March 2020)
