Clarendon Hills 2022 Vintage Grenache Release Pack 1

Clarendon Hills Romas Grenache is a single vineyard wine made from a patch of fruit on the steepest and rockiest section of the Blewitt Springs Grenache vineyard. Gnarly old vines planted in the 1920's produce microscopic yields along with amazing acidity and present an acidity profile similar to that of a white wine. The density of the rocks and soil up in this part of the vineyard defines Romas and warrants its isolation from other parts of the vineyard and position as flagship Grenache expression at Clarendon Hills. The heavy presence of ironstone, quartz and shale rocks limit the size and yields of these vines and the resulting wine reflects the mineral elements. The expression we receive from this highly concentrated part of the vineyard is utterly hedonistic and offers mineral complexity for the wine collectors and enthusiasts out there. Typically each vintage yields a vivid kaleidoscope of fresh cut roses, Turkish delight, musk, sherbert, blood orange, blueberry, raspberry and kirsch fruit across an effortless powerful palate aloft with silk and ultra fine talcum like extract. Nuances of crushed rock, flint, graphite, iodine and ferrous like rust take this expression to the next level. Despite the majesty of the tasting note the profile is medium weighted and mirrors an iron fist in the velvet glove analogy. Amazing both right now to drink and also for the next 20 years in the cellar.

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.