Additional information
| Weight | 1.467 kg |
|---|
Clarendon Hills Onkaparinga Syrah 2023
$130.00 / bottle
The Clarendon Hills Onkaparinga Syrah vineyard is classified by Clarendon Hills as a Grand Cru site and possesses phenomenal power and a wealth of complexity. The Onkaparinga Syrah produces one of the most prolific Syrah expressions in the Clarendon Hills cellar every vintage. The vineyard used to be considered a Penfolds Grange constituent site in the 1980’s and the pedigree is clearly evident. Deeply layered and recessed, laying in wait for future generations is a story of ancient Blewitt Springs terroir. The site sits atop of the famous Blewitt Springs deep sandy soils and is located in rocky ironstone, shale and quartz pebbles and when coupled with very old, dry grown, pre-phylloxera Syrah vines, they forge an expression of first class Australian terroir that rivals the best in the world.
Specifications
RegionRegion
Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale is a sprawling hillside region 12 kms North East of McLaren Vale town centre. Famous for its deep sands and many flowing hillsides, Blewitt Springs is home to some of the oldest Old Vine Grenache plantations in the world. The Romas Grenache Vineyard was planted circa 1920. The region enjoys added comparative elevation to its surrounding McLaren Vale districts and its abundantly flowing hillside aspects have a deeper hidden secret to their prominence: a mineral rich subterranean, highly decayed layer of ironstone and quartz that impart a myriad of nuanced mineral notes to the wines produced. The 6 km proximity to the Great Southern Ocean and St Vincents Gulf also imparts a gift of Chardonnay like acidity to the reds which impart an infinite freshness to the wine style.
Conditions
The 2023 vintage was the third La Niña growing cycle in a row of vintages since 2021. The markedly cool and late ripening seasons of La Niña, of the 3 last vintages, 2023 would turn out to the latest overall picked and best overall vintage of the trio. The relentlessly wet winter of 2022 continued in to a wet and warm and unusually humid spring time encouraging optimal canopies and fruit set. However very mild summer ensued and the vineyards did not record a 40 degree Celsius day for the Summer, which was unique. The mild Summer delayed the onset of veraison as a result. Autumn soon arrived and so did perfect sunny 21 degree weather every day coupled with very cool nights. Eventual full maturity came approximately 3-4 weeks later than the already late 2022 vintage. The result: amazingly exquisite fruit with preserved acidity and remarkable floral aromas. Some of the most exceptional fruit that we have picked in recent years. Throughout the entire production process from grapes approaching full ripeness, at the crusher, in the tank, in the press, out of the barrel and in to our glasses the 2023 wines have demonstrated another very special layer. The floral component and perfectly portrayed fruit core gives these wines a an uncanny precociousness to them.
Winemaking
Low yielding, dry grown vines from the Onkaparinga Vineyard in the upper North Western ridges of 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.
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% Old Vine Syrah, vines planted in 1930
Closure
DIAM
Production
3000 bottles
Winemaker
Roman Bratasiuk
From the upper northwest corner of Blewitt Springs next to the Onkaparinga Gorge on sandy soils over ironstone, quartz and shale; vines planted in '46. I love this '23 syrah suite for the detail, transparency and intense charm, but also for the clear differentiation between each wine. This booms out of the glass with an enveloping scent of blue and purple florals. It’s a sultry and utterly captivating fragrance, playing over serenely, pristinely ripe fruit, with warmed spices softly complexing. Boysenberry, blueberry, wild raspberry, crème de violette, blackberry pastille, clove, pepper, the palate a swirl of texture, the tannins superfine, elegantly persuasive. This is a beautiful wine – soulful, elegant, effortlessly generous and just such a treat.
97/100
Onkaparinga Syrah 2023
- Wine Companion, Marcus Ellis
The 2023 Onkaparinga Syrah is perfumed and floral, with pressed rose petals, cracked pistachios, blackberry, licorice and wet stone. The palate is fine and lingering, layered as it is with silty tannins and pure, dark fruit. While the stamp of oak is evident, it isn't overwhelming, allowing the fruit to shine through both vintage and élevage. 13.8% alcohol, sealed under Diam.
95/100
Onkaparinga Syrah 2022
- Wine Advocate, Erin Larkin
