Yangarra Estate Ovitelli Grenache
Yangarra Estate is a renowned biodynamic wine farm located in the picturesque McLaren Vale region of South Australia. The winery prides itself on producing exceptional wines solely from its single-vineyard estate, which is dedicated to cultivating the finest grape varieties of the southern Rhone. The unique combination of rare geologies, moderate altitude, abundant sunshine, and cool evening breezes at Yangarra make it an ideal location for growing varieties that thrive in moderate maritime environments. The Yangarra High Sands Vineyard is a source of pride for the estate, having been recognized as one of Young Gun of Wines' 2022 Top 50 Vineyards in Australia. Yangarra is an exceptional single-vineyard estate located in the esteemed Blewitt Springs subregion, situated at the northern edge of the McLaren Vale region in South Australia. The vineyard's unique combination of ancient geology, high altitude, and Mediterranean climate provides the perfect environment for cultivating the finest grape varieties of the southern Rhône. The estate's dedication to sustainable farming practices, including organic and biodynamic farming, ensures that the fruit is of the highest quality and truly reflects the terroir. The resulting wines are complex, elegant and expressive, showcasing the unique characteristics of the vineyard. Yangarra's commitment to producing exceptional wines solely from its single-vineyard estate has earned it a reputation as one of Australia's premier wineries. With a focus on Grenache and other Rhône varieties, the winery is dedicated to producing wines that are a true expression of the terroir. The wines are crafted with minimal intervention, allowing the fruit to shine through and speak for itself. The name ‘Ovitelli’ is a portmanteau of ‘ovi’ and ‘vitelli’ meaning ‘egg’ and ‘life’ respectively. The Ovitelli Grenache Yangarra's most perfumed and elegant Grenache from the sands at Yangarra. The vibrant fruit of the dry-grown 1946 planted bush vines is rewarded with a long, luxurious ferment and a whole autumn on skins in big ceramic eggs. This is their most elegant Grenache with great emphasis on perfume, tension and precision. The Yangarra Estate Ovitelli Grenache 2021 is a wine of exceptional quality, sourced from a single block of the most perfumed and elegant Grenache from the sands at Yangarra. The vibrant fruit of those dry-grown 1946 bush vines is rewarded with a long, luxurious ferment and a whole autumn on skins in big ceramic eggs. The 2021 growing season was favorable, with good winter rains, a mild flowering and fruit set period and continued spring rainfall to ensure a healthy canopy. Yields showed good balance between vine vigor and moderate berry size. The ripening period that began late January was very cool, with some welcome rainfall in mid-February. The delayed harvest, with cold nights and mild sunny days, produced excellent fruit ripeness and intensity. The freshness and bright natural acidity of the fruit were a real feature. Hand-picked on March 24th-25th and selectively berry sorted, the grapes were 100% destemmed, crushed and tipped into 675L ceramic eggs. The fermentation occurred in the eggs and remained on skins for 133 days. No pressings were used in this wine. No oak was used, and it was matured exclusively in the eggs for a total of 13 months. The wine is certified organic and biodynamic. In the glass, the Yangarra Estate Ovitelli Grenache 2021 is a bright, clear ruby color, with aromas of red cherries, raspberries and a hint of spice. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, with flavors of red fruit, herbs and a touch of earthiness. The tannins are soft and well-integrated, and the finish is long and satisfying.
Yangarra Estate Hickinbotham Vineyard Grenache
Yangarra Estate is a renowned biodynamic wine farm located in the picturesque McLaren Vale region of South Australia. The winery prides itself on producing exceptional wines solely from its single-vineyard estate, which is dedicated to cultivating the finest grape varieties of the southern Rhone. The unique combination of rare geologies, moderate altitude, abundant sunshine, and cool evening breezes at Yangarra make it an ideal location for growing varieties that thrive in moderate maritime environments. The Yangarra High Sands Vineyard is a source of pride for the estate, having been recognized as one of Young Gun of Wines' 2022 Top 50 Vineyards in Australia. Yangarra is an exceptional single-vineyard estate located in the esteemed Blewitt Springs subregion, situated at the northern edge of the McLaren Vale region in South Australia. The vineyard's unique combination of ancient geology, high altitude, and Mediterranean climate provides the perfect environment for cultivating the finest grape varieties of the southern Rhône. The estate's dedication to sustainable farming practices, including organic and biodynamic farming, ensures that the fruit is of the highest quality and truly reflects the terroir. The resulting wines are complex, elegant and expressive, showcasing the unique characteristics of the vineyard. Yangarra's commitment to producing exceptional wines solely from its single-vineyard estate has earned it a reputation as one of Australia's premier wineries. With a focus on Grenache and other Rhône varieties, the winery is dedicated to producing wines that are a true expression of the terroir. The wines are crafted with minimal intervention, allowing the fruit to shine through and speak for itself. The Yangarra Estate Hickinbotham Vineyard Grenache 2021 is a stunning wine that showcases the exceptional quality of the fruit from the Hickinbotham Clarendon Vineyard. The favourable growing season, with good winter rains, a mild flowering and fruit set period, and continued spring rainfall to ensure a healthy canopy, resulted in yields that showed good balance between vine vigor and moderate berry size. The ripening period that began late January was very cool, with some welcome rainfall in mid-February. The delayed harvest, with cold nights and mild sunny days, produced excellent fruit ripeness and intensity and the freshness and bright natural acidity of the fruit were a real feature. Hand-picked from the vineyard on the 23rd of March and selectively berry sorted, the grapes were 100% destemmed, crushed and tipped into 1800 L 'cocciopesto' stone egg-shaped amphoras. The fermentation occurred in the amphoras, with a gentle maceration of only wetting the cap. 69% remained on skins in the amphora for 198 days, resulting in a wine that is pure and unadulterated. No pressings are used in this wine, and it was matured exclusively in the amphora for a total of 13 months before being bottled in June 2022. In the glass, the wine is a deep ruby red, with aromas of plush dense red fruit, lavender, white pepper, sour cherries and Amaro bitters. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, with a silky texture and crunchy tannins. The flavours of red fruit, sour cherries and Amaro bitters are complemented by notes of lavender and white pepper, leading to a long and satisfying finish.
Yalumba Steeple Shiraz
Yalumba has always had a passion to keep exciting barrels or small batch wines separate from the blending table, regardless of quantity. This is where the Steeple Vineyard Shiraz was discovered. Sourced from antique vines within the Yalumba Steeple Vineyard on the Barossa Valley floor, this Shiraz is a strong expression of terroir, with a dynamic scent, energetic freshness and cooling earthy tannins.
Serafino Sharktooth Shiraz
Sharktooth is an apt name of this wonderfully balanced wine. Razor sharp flavours of dark mulberry and blackcurrant are sliced by a freshness and vibrancy not often seen in full-bodied wines from McLaren Vale. A supreme example of modern Australian red winemaking is on display here and despite the unctuous concentration this wine dances across the palate and leaves you with a delightful length of flavour.
Chapel Hill The Vicar Shiraz
The pinnacle of Chapel Hill's best parcels of red come together to form The Vicar, a prestige full blooded McLaren Vale Shiraz of great distinction. Painstakingly chosen from selected single-vineyard McLaren Vale sites, The Vicar is overflowing with ripe mulberry and licquorice flavours interlinked with sublime oak influence from over 80% French oak influence.
Smidge S Smitch Shiraz
In the glass the 2010 S has a black core with a deep red rim. There are elegant aromas of red black fruits, and spicy earthy notes with a hint of grilled meats, graphite and controlled oak. On the palate the fruit continues with rich plums, and blueberries and delicate spice and chocolate which all roll on to a juicy palate with fine tannins that go on ... and on. Smidge recommends drinking this wine betwen 2014 and 2030.
Noon Winery Eclipse Grenache Shiraz
Tyrrells Winemakers Selection Vat 9 Shiraz
The fruit for the 2016 Vat 9 Shiraz was sourced from Tyrrells super premium vineyards on the Ashmans property with an average vine age of 50 years. Predominately from the Weinkeller and Short Flat vineyards. Winemaking The blocks were all hand picked and sorted in the vineyard before arriving at the winery. All the fruit was then destemmed but not crushed, followed by fermentation in traditional open top concrete vats. After fermentation the wiens were matured in newer 2700L French oak casks for ten months.
Ox Hardy 1891 Ancestor Vine Shiraz
Ox Hardy 1891 Ancestor Vine Shiraz is borne from the old vines of the Hardy familys famed Upper Tintara vineyard. Planted in 1891, the quality and quantity of their yield belies their age. Andrew Ox Hardy has taken full advantage of these incredible vines, creating this wine a drinkable showcase of exactly what this incredible vineyard has to offer. ??Lavish and powerful, this wine is rich with black and purple fruits. Full of body, and incredibly long, it nevertheless finishes with remarkable freshness. A standout McLaren Vale Shiraz that harks back to a celebrated history, while looking forward to what can only be a promising future.
Clarendon Hills Onkaparinga Grenache
2015 Clarendon Hills Onkaparinga Grenache, Purpled crimson. Magically entwined with elegant hints of cherry, raspberry, terracotta, cocoa, walnut, and Turkish delight. The flourishing perfume continues to rise with an ever-present core appearing as the seamless spine. Harmoniously, these characters gracefully nuance, reinforce and offer evolution. A harmonious composition of spice, fruit, glycerin and chalky velvet produce an aristocratic experience that is nearly limitless in its depth of expression. The palate is bright and taught with natural acid however it is incredibly layered and deeply concentrated with silky smooth extract. The impressive purity of the fruit, alone , ushers superlatives however it is the fine boned and seamlessly structured palate, coupled with an air of effortless power that remains the most haunting element to this exceptional old vine Grenache.