Grape Varieties: 100% Grenache

Growing Region: Clare Valley, Australia

Chief Winemaker: Andrew Braithwaite

TASTING NOTE:
This vintage was a monster of a year, the quality of fruit that came off the vines was outstanding. The hard part of making this wine was not a lack of life and depth of character in the fruit, it was being able to control and tame the explosion of flavours. Fruit for this wine was sourced from very low yielding, 35+ year old, dry grown, bush-vine Grenache. The vineyard is the 'Home Block' on the Stanley Flat property known as Flatview. It was at the time owned by outstanding Clare growers, Rosemary and Graham Pulford.

A very small portion of new French oak was used in the nearly 24 month maturation of this wine. It is Ben and Mario's thinking not to use too much new oak with Grenache to allow its aromatic and textural characters free expression. A mix of mainly 2nd and some 3rd year French and American oak were used for the larger part of the maturation. A minimal filtering philosophy is maintained, as with all their wines.

On the palate the wine shows a strongly lifted, spiced perfume, with a deep, warm juicy red berry sweetness, with a touch of rich earthiness and game that is nicely balanced by fine natural tannin. The finish is invigorating, leaving your taste buds excited and satisfied.

CELLARING POTENTIAL:
Drinking very well now - and at its best over the next 2 years.

SUGGESTED FOOD MATCHES:
Perfect match with duck, lamb, pork and particularly Spanish tapas, enjoy.

92 pts - Cork'd.com