Description
This cutting edge McLaren Vale producer is making delicious energetic estate grown wines from its biodynamic vineyards. We have been bowled over by every wine in their line up … a rare occurrence in this business. Very smart GSM produced here…
“Venerable vines, fastidious viticulture and cutting edge winemaking kit. It’s a killer combination and the reason why Yangarra is producing some of the best wines in the Vale right now. “ Max Allen, The Weekend Australian. March 2013
Comprises fruit sourced from predominantly bush vine Grenache planted in 1946. Traditional winemaking with minimal intervention. cold soaked, wild yeasts, open fermenters followed by 9 months maturation in older French Oak, 53% Grenache, 33% Shiraz and 14% Mourvedre. Each variety handled separately. Destemmed and selectively sorted in the winery. 50% whole berries retained. Wild yeast ferment. Each variety has a unique maceration, however a unifying principle of a very gentle pump over regime for a minimum of 14 days. The wine was matured in a mixture of older French oak puncheons and foudre, ceramic eggs and amphora. Certified Organic/Biodynamic.
About this wine from the Winemaker: “Our Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre blend is inspired by the traditional estate blends of the southern Rhône. The Grenache is sourced from a combination of young and old bush vines. We select the most elegant and perfumed Shiraz and add Mourvèdre for fragrance and solid tannin structure.
“The growing season began with significantly higher than average rainfall. The cool, wet conditions continued through Spring, setting us up for balanced canopies and lower yields. La Niña weather patterns forecasted cooler temperatures and continued rainfall for harvest. We were able to enhance vineyard practices such as shoot thinning and leaf removal to promote airflow, reduce mildew and increase sun exposure to bunches. From our experience, a cold vintage in a warm region can produce some of the best wines. Due to the cultural practices implemented, we were able to pick the majority of the vineyard in a three-week window prior to Easter, completed in early April. Wines produced from this vintage will be some of the prettiest and most delicate from the Estate.”
43% Grenache, 34% Shiraz, 23% Mourvèdre. Each variety handled separately. Destemmed and selectively sorted in the winery. 50% whole berries retained. Wild yeast ferment. Each variety has a unique maceration. However, the unifying principle is using a very gentle pump over regime, often just wetting the cap, for a minimum of 14 days. Extended maceration for some portions of Grenache. The wine was matured in a mixture of old French oak puncheons and foudre, ceramic eggs and amphora for 8 months. Bottled February 2024.
Huon Hooke ..“Yangarra Estate is in the Blewitt Springs locality of McLaren Vale where the Rhone Valley grape varieties thrive on the poor. sandy soils. The big gun is a magnificent pure grenache called High Sands. but it’s $110 a bottle, which makes this look even better value.”
95 points, Marcus Ellis, Halliday Wine Companion “Naturally, this is grenache-led. And not just by numbers, but by flavour, lithe weight and architecture. Wild raspberry, damson and tart blackberry, with a liberal dusting of ground spices, dipping both into baking and master stock territory. The balance of varieties is à point, the tension, fine tannin, verve and energetic drive compelling. It is a finely wrought and keenly frisky expression. Superb, especially for the tariff.”
RRP $43 Our Special Price $36.50 when you buy 6 or more of this wine.
