d'Arenberg The Classics Derelict Vineyard Grenache 2020 x 12

d'Arenberg The Classics Derelict Vineyard Grenache 2020 x 12The derelict vineyard Grenache 2020 McLaren Vale, Grenache (100%) The Name At a time when Grenache was considered unfashionable Chester Osborn maintained a vigilant search for old vine McLaren Vale Grenache vineyards, showing faith in a variety that has been central to dArenberg since the very beginning. His search unveiled a number of old bush vine and poorly maintained trellised vineyards in various states of disrepair. The Vintage Winter and Spring

The derelict vineyard Grenache 2020
 McLaren Vale, Grenache (100%)
 The Name
 At a time when Grenache was considered 
unfashionable Chester Osborn maintained 
a vigilant search for old vine McLaren Vale 
Grenache vineyards, showing faith in a 
variety that has been central to d’Arenberg 
since the very beginning. His search 
unveiled a number of old bush vine and 
poorly maintained trellised vineyards in 
various states of disrepair.
 The Vintage
 Winter and Spring rains were quite good
 which meant vigour was high. October
 and November saw some cooler weather
 which made flowering and set spread out
 over a long period with an intense short
 heat wave in the middle of set reducing the
 crop significantly. A nice rain on the 1st of
 February set the vines up well and mild to
 cool, dry, weather prevailed. A few slightly
 warmer nights in the later part of ripening
 helped the last sugar push. Yields were 
down significantly, the lowest in memory, 
however, quality is exceptional. Some of the 
best wines seen for years. Great colour, fruit 
characters, flavours and length.
 The Winemaking
 Walking the vineyard rows and tasting 
grapes, Chester determines the ideal picking 
time for each individual vineyard. 
Small batches of grapes are gently crushed 
and then transferred to open fermenters. 
Foot treading is undertaken two thirds of 
the way through fermentation, the wine is 
basket pressed and transferred to a mixture 
of new and old French oak to complete 
fermentation and mature for 12 months. 
Harvest dates
 Residual sugar
 12 Mar - 21 Mar
 0.6 g/l
 The Characteristics
 The deep colour makes an announcement 
on how intense this wine will be. Fresh on 
the nose with a mix that starts evolving from 
red fruits like raspberry and rhubarb, goes 
through spicy notes and finish with more 
black fruits like plum and liquorice. The 
palate is superb. An initial wave of fresh red 
fruits, cherries and raspberries makes room 
for a rich and spicy impact in the mid-palate. 
Herbal notes freshen the tone. The acidity is 
on point with the medium body and precise 
oak treatment. The tannins are firm and 
polished. Outstanding quality, ready to enjoy 
now but will cellar for longer if this is what 
you are after.
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