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Celebrating the legacy of Barossa Valley Grenache, Pete Schell sources this wine from four dry-grown, old-vine parcels in the Barossa Valley with vine ages ranging from 35-100 years old. All four of the sites are dry-grown and manually harvested.
The winemaking was very much in the traditional Spinifex mould: slow, natural fermentations with gentle pump-overs and foot-stomping. With a focus on freshness and drinkability allied to a supple core of Barossan generosity and depth of flavour, the 2023 Garçon was crafted with a heathy pinch of whole bunches, and fermentations took place in stainless steel and concrete. Maturation took place on light lees in a selection of vessels including steel vats, seasoned, thick-staved 600-litre demi-muids, with an additional stint in 2,500 litre foudre. Bottled unfined and without filtration, eight months after harvest.
It pours into the glass a gorgeous garnet red and tastes as good as it looks. Evocatively aromatic, crushed raspberries, cherry spice and rose petal waft out of the glass and lead to a delicious, vibrantly fruited palate. Plum skin acids and fine sandy tannins drive the finish. How it is possible to produce a wine of this class, at this price, from vines of this age is beyond us… Pete?