2019 Noir
Grenache is the emerging hero variety of McLaren Vale. Traditional blends of Grenache from our region generally focused on the varieties Grenache (G), Shiraz (S) and Mourvedre (M), and thus the term GSM. For many years in the old world Grenache has had many more blending partners. In France, namely the Sourthern Rhone, it can be blended with Cinsaut, Counouise, Picpoul Noir, Muscardin. In Priorat Spain, with Carignan. We started planting some of these obscure Southern Rhone and Priorat varieties in 2008 which has culminated in our first Noir blend being produced. Many of these varieties, including Grenache, have a blanc (white), gris (grey) and noir (black) expression of the variety, which lead to calling this the Noir.
VINTAGE SUMMARY
The 2019 growing season was a very dry, which resulted in incredibly low yields. We had a relatively warm lead up to the ripening period, which produced a very condensed and fast harvest. These late ripening varieties faired very well in a season like this, giving rise to concentration, freshness of flavour and marked natural acidity.
WINE MAKING
Each grape variety was handled separately until final blending to allow each variety to best exhibit its unique characteristics. Destemmed and mechanically sorted. 50% whole berries. Cold Soak. Open Fermenters. 14-18 days on skins with a very gentle maceration. Wild yeast ferment. Kept on lees in 100% older French oak for 6 months. Bottled November 2019.
Tasting Notes
Technical
