2020 Grenache Rose
The grapes were sourced from a combination of bush vines that were planted in 2009 (Blocks 7 and 13) and 1946 (Block 25) on our single vineyard estate. The fruit was hand-picked over two separate dates; 16th and 23rd February (fruit/flower days). As much as we pick on sugar/acid balance, and importantly physiological characters, we also consider the biodynamic calendar where possible, with fruit days and flower days being the most desirable for harvest, and root days avoided.
VINTAGE SUMMARY
The 2020 harvest will be remembered for many years, mostly for all the wrong reasons. The growing season was marred by a very hot spring and the bushfires that ravaged vast areas of Australia. We feel incredibly blessed that in McLaren Vale we were untouched by either the fires or smoke taint. The very hot spring did lead to lowest yields on our records, but as the grapes started their ripening process the weather miraculously cooled to one of the most mild ripening seasons, resulting in wonderful concentration of flavour, retention of natural acidity and brightness of fruit, but above all beautiful finesse and balanced tannins.
WINEMAKING
We hand-picked the grapes early and whole berry pressed in our basket press just as if we were making a white wine, to avoid too much colour extraction. We allowed a native fermentation, a cool fermentation tank, followed with lees maturation and stirring for 5 months. Bottled July 2020. Certified Organic/Biodynamic
Tasting Notes
Technical
