Description
“Pete and his partner Magali Gely operate what I think is the best new-wave of small-scale Barossa wine companies to emerge at the beginning of the 21st century… These weren’t big, blockbuster, showy wines designed to impress. They were wines that managed to take the best of the Barossa’s sometimes forgotten varietal traditions and fuse them onto a very European flavour sensibility.” Max Allen, The future makers
“It seems that Spinifex wines can do no wrong.” Campbell Mattinson
“This is consistently one of my favourite cuvées for mid-week drinking.. “ Pete Schell
When Spinifex first made the scene (so to speak) in 2001, this was one of the wines that made a big impact on what we have become to expect from new millennium Barossa Valley. Always designed around perfume, finesse and savoury structure, the make-up of Esprit changes year-on-year, while never sacrificing its ‘Barossa Burgundy’ tag.
As always, the wine was sourced from a selection (eight in total) of very old vineyards, mainly in Ebenezer, Williamstown and Bethany. Vine age ranges from 75, to over 150 years, and all sites are dry-grown with minimal vineyard inputs—old vineyards grown the old way. This year’s release is Mataro (41%), Cinsault (35%), Grenache (21%) and Shiraz (3%). Each parcel was fermented wild and macerations varied from between eight and 20 days. Maturation was in a combination of well-seasoned 600 and 1200 litre barrels and stainless steel. Only the Grenache component was fermented as whole clusters.
It’s beautifully constructed medium-bodied wine, revealing a seamless composite of raspberries, wild strawberries and cherries, with some white and black pepper and violets thrown into the mix. With its lively acidity and taffeta-like tannins, Spinifex’s calling card has never looked so good.
95 points, David Brookes, Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion 2024 “Pete Schell’s Esprit is always a favourite and the 2021 model features 41/35/21/3% mataro/cinsault/grenache/shiraz. Ripe blueberry and juicy plum notes over layered spices and hints of pressed purple flowers, cherry compote, hazelnuts, dried cranberries and roasting meats with a waft of tobacco and mace further back. Pure and savoury with the finest of tannins and a sense of composure, all the components pulling in the same direction. Just flat-out great drinking.”
93 points, Nick Stock, JamesSuckling.com “Aromas of bright and transparent fruit, showing ripe strawberries and flowers with orange-peel undertones. Violets, too. Medium- to full-bodied with layers of bright fruit and a lively finish. Tangy and bright.”
RRP $42 Our Special Price $32.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine.
