Description
It was the remarkable quality of the old vine Grenache from this single vineyard in the Western Barossa sub-region of Greenock that kick started the whole Astral Series/Righteous project in 2005. Four years on and Grenache has had another blinder in the Barossa in 2009. The 80-year-old bush vines in this vineyard sit at around 300m ASL with an easterly aspect. They lie on deep sand over red clay with ironstone rocks scattered throughout the vineyard.
The fruit was picked by hand, gently crushed and fermented in open fermenters with regular pump-overs. After pressing, the wine spent two years in 40% new French puncheons with the balance going into a mix of old French and American oak barrels between 3 and 6 years old. As with the Mataro, it is bottled without fining or filtration and with minimal sulphur.
96 points James Halliday … “Small single vineyard productions released in macho bottles of incredible weight; excellent crimson colour sets the scene for a grenache seldom found in the Barossa Valley; spicy, savoury notes frame the core of perfectly ripened red fruits, giving no hint of alcohol, and certainly no confection.”
95 points Gary Walsh The Wine Front … “From 80 year old vines in the Greenock sub-region of the Barossa Valley. And so far, I’m liking what I see of 2009 in the Barossa and Eden Valleys. A touch oxidative in style with nutty oak, creamed raspberry, a fly spray-like perfume (best I can do) and some mint. It’s supple, medium weight, with no heat and super fine grained tannin. Fluid and long – the length of palate is remarkable. Light vanilla wood flavours in there too, and as a young wine the sweet and juicy charm of it is beguiling. With age it will be something different again. Also to be noted is that while it has fruitiness, it’s not confectioned or jammy. Top end.” Limited!
