CLARENDON HILLS Clarendon Onkaparinga Grenache, McLaren Vale

Clarendon Hills consider themselves vineyard expressionists and seek to portray the story of the individual vineyard 'Terroir' within their wines. Clarendon Hills collection of the old vine vineyards in sub-regions of McLaren Vale assists in defining their international pedigree for making world class wines that rate extremely highly among the international press. Among the 9 single vineyards of Syrah is the Moritz vineyard Syrah which is located within the Kangarilla sub region of McLaren Vale, South Australia. All of the wines at Clarendon Hills are made by hand and are crafted using only natural processes and ingredients to an extremely high standard. Consistent Moritz Syrah characters include smoke and blue berry fruits with black olive tapenade and iodine like mineral resonance throughout the silky palate. The Moritz Syrah is a part of the Clarendon Hills premier cru classification and generally drinks best after 8-10 years in the cellar, when its terroir is formally demonstrated.

Clarendon Hills is renowned for its dedication to single-vineyard expressions, and the Kangarilla Vineyard Old Vine Grenache is a standout example. Sourced from mature bush vines in McLaren Vale, this wine reflects both site and variety with clarity. The low-yielding vines produce concentrated fruit, hand-harvested to preserve integrity. Winemaker Roman Bratasiuk employs traditional techniques, including whole-bunch inclusion and extended maceration, followed by ageing in seasoned French oak to highlight structure and complexity without overpowering the fruit. Each vintage offers a distinct profile, yet a core character remains consistent: aromas of red berries, cherry and subtle spice, leading to a palate with supple texture and fine tannins. Earthy undertones and a savoury edge bring depth and balance. This Grenache is crafted to express the vineyard’s history and McLaren Vale’s potential for producing wines of remarkable longevity and appeal to collectors and drinkers alike.

Deep and meaty in its expression, a fleshy and red cedar-like undertone lines the typically velvety texture. Sandown Cabernet Sauvignon by Clarendon Hills.

"Performing even better from bottle than it did from barrel, the 2002 Merlot Brookman Vineyard offers complex aromas of sweet espresso roast, black cherries, and white chocolate. This is a thick, juicy Merlot with plenty of structure and tannin as well as considerable intensity and impressive volume. It may be the finest Merlot ever produced in Australia. It will drink well for 10-15 years. Roman Bratasiuk is one of Planet Earths greatest winemakers, and obviously a top-notch viticulturist given his obsession with sourcing extraordinary fruit from ancient McLaren Vale vineyards. 91 points Drink 2004-2019" Wine Advocate #155 (Oct 2004) Robert Parker