Additional information
| Weight | 1.467 kg |
|---|
2022 Clarendon Hills Onkaparinga Grenache
$100.00 / bottle
The Clarendon Hills Onkaparinga Grenache hails from a bush vine, single vineyard in the upper reaches of Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale. The vines are nearly 80 years old being planted in the mid 1940’s. The high density rocks found beneath this vineyard site encourage the vines to concentrate everything – in 80 years of growth the vines have only managed approximately 40cm of vine height. The site is extremely low yielding and highly concentrated. The quality standard in the cellar is unmistakably world class and is considered a Grand Cru vineyard by Clarendon Hills. It is made only in the best years. Richly layered and deeply flavoured, the single vineyard expression reveals notes of confectionary like Turkish delight and musk coupled with delicately floral violet and rose petal while layers of fine blueberry, raspberry and cherry skin intertwine with ethereally light and effortless incense and crushed rock mineral notes . Harmoniously balanced and effortlessly powerful, the supple tannins are already soft enough to open up and enjoy today.
Specifications
RegionRegion
Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale. A sprawling hillside region 10 kms North East of McLaren Vale town centre famous for its added comparative elevation and abundant hillside aspects whose rich ironstone and deep sand deposits forge individual and highly fragrant wines. The Onkaparinga Grenache is a single site wine from a patch planted in the 1940’s. The old gnarly bush vines are dry grown and low yielding. This site has a Western aspect and is located at 280 metres above sea level and represents Blewitt Springs high altitude geology with less sands and more quartz, ironstone and shale content. The rocky soils impact most noticeably on reduced yields and added concentration.
Conditions
The 2022 vintage was the second La Niña growing cycle in a row after the markedly cool and late 2021 season. Healthy Spring 2021 rains continued well in to the Summer and bought about two things: added yield and it also a delayed veraison. The grapes in Clarendon had barely started colouring up when the Blewitt Springs sites had largely completed the colouring cycle. Alas, a week of late February heat bought everything back into balance and all sites were harvest in early to mid March under perfect 25-27˚ C days with 12 ˚C cool nights. The season always demonstrated voluptuous berry perfumes and offered a kaleidoscope of floral complexity.
Winemaking
Low yielding, dry grown vines from the Blewitt Springs region in McLaren Vale were hand-picked and followed by a 60% whole berry, wild yeast fermentation. All pressings were returned to barrel and eventually bottled onsite without fining or filtration after 18 months in French Oak. The Onkaparinga Grenache represents a single vineyard wine, whereby all declassified parts are relegated to the Domaine Clarendon Grenache.
Maturation
18 months, within a hierarchy of 1-5 year old tightly grained French Oak. Bottled at the winery with no fining or filtration.
Grape Variety
100% Grenache, old bush vines
Closure
DIAM
Production
6000 bottles
Winemaker
Roman Bratasiuk
"1940s planting in Blewitt Springs. Aged in one to five year old French oak.
Cherry, raspberry, violet and lavender, a nutty praline richness, roast beef and hazelnuts, aniseed perfume adds to the riot. It’s medium-bodied, yet powerful, with plenty of crushed rock/sandstone tannin, dried rose and raspberry, and a lavish ripe red fruited finish packed with tannin and, despite its richness, it offers surprising freshness and vigour. Outstanding."
96/100
Gary Walsh, March 2024
- The Wine Front, Gary Walsh
Excellent wine, representing a return to form for this exalted site. Crushed forest berries with an emphasis on strawberries, kirsch, lilacs and dried roses working across detailed tannins. Long and forceful without being stolid or overweight. The crunchy flow and sandy, gritty details are thoroughly impressive. The oak is an adjunct rather than the scream it once was. Drinkable now, but best from 2027.
96/100
Ned Goodwin MW, February 2024
- James Suckling, Ned Goodwin MW
