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Poppelvej

2021

‘Rookie’

Grenache   |   McLaren Vale - Australia
Shelf Talker Spec Sheet Wine Label Bottle Image

About

This is the wine if you are on the hunt for a lighter and more unique expression of Grenache that has been popularized by the vanguard of McLaren Vale and Adelaide Hills young-guns. This wine is fascinating with a fine-boned, unique perfume; a storm of amaro and crushed herb notes amongst the just ripe cherry fruit profile. It is named ‘Rookie’ as it was the first (and only) wine that Uffe made when they started out in 2016. 2021 was a sublime vintage and finally yields returned to near-commercial standards after two consecutive vintages of little to no grapes.

The fruit comes from the ‘Lot 13 Vineyard’ in Willunga right off of Hanh Road. The fruit was handpicked and fermented 100% whole-cluster with ambient yeast in small one ton fermenters. The bunches were very tight and foot stomping turned basically into a trampoline party trying to break up the berries. After five days on skins the free run juice was poured off and the rest of the ‘matter’ was lightly pressed to tank to settle. Both parcels were combined and aged for five months in neutral French barriques with monthly battonage. It was racked to tank, hit with a small dose of sulfur, bottled by hand and left to age for an additional month. It was bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Stats

  • Grapes: 100% Grenache – Yeenunga Clone
  • Vineyard: Lot 13 Vineyard
  • Vine Age: 31-years-old
  • Soil Type: Brown, sandy loam over orange clay
  • Viticulture: Practicing organic
  • Fermentation: Native – 100% whole-cluster in one-ton stainless steel fermenters
  • Skin Contact: 3 weeks
  • Aging: 5 months in neutral French barriques - 1 month in Stainless Steel tank
  • Alcohol: 12.5%
  • pH: 3.33
  • Total Acidity: 6.36 g/L
  • Total SO2: 36 ppm
  • Total Production: 250 cases

Tasting Note

Explosive perfume from this Grenache. Red fruit and a riot of amaro, crushed, fresh herbs and an intense negroni-like top note. The fruit is light and über refreshing. Crisp, chiseled tannin and dazzling acidity with a combination of just ripe red cherries and tart white cherry. So moreish and compelling drinking.

Press & Reviews

James Suckling

92

"This is a parcel from the southern end of the Vale, fermented as whole bunches and foot stomped. Intense tannins and good depth of vibrantly ripe red berry and plum fruits. Sinewy and taut, there’s a good fusion of freshness and power here. Athletic."

- James Suckling
- Ned Goodwin, MW

Halliday Wine Companion

91

"Biodynamically farmed fruit, fermented spontaneously with 100% bunches intact. Foot trodden and transferred to older French wood for 6 months. Like a raspberry, ripe strawberry, licorice and white pepper-doused smoothie, with a nerve of frisky tannins pulsating throughout. Drink cool, with gusto and with eyes and mind wide open."

- Ned Goodwin, MW
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Producer


Poppelvej

Region


McLaren Vale

Country


Australia

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