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Frederick Stevenson

2020

‘Piñata’ Dry Red

Red Wine   |   Barossa Valley - Australia
Shelf Talker Spec Sheet Wine Label Bottle Image

About

The Barossa isn’t exactly known for bright, airy, ‘crunchy’ reds, but Steve Crawford is looking to rewrite that narrative. This vintage primarily hails from two certified biodyanmic vineyards:  ‘Ahrens Vineyard’ in sandy Vine Vale, a bit of old vine Grenache from ‘Stockwell Vineyard’ in Light Pass and the ‘Hoffman Vineyard’ in Ebenezer and a touch of Mourvèdre from latter.  The 2019/20 growing season was a vintage of two parts.  Act one was a very dry winter that continued into flowering in November, then came the heat and it really didn’t let up through the summer.  When ripening season set in the weather turned autumn like with moderate days and cool nights coming from nowhere.  This was vital and really preserved freshness, acidity and great tannins.

The fruit was all hand-picked and primarily destemmed (about a quarter of the Grenache was fermented whole-cluster). The wine fermented separately in open-top fermenters without any additions and once dry was gently pressed, with only the free run juice, being sent to a mixture of 228L and 500L French barrels. The wine aged for only 10-12 weeks, depending on the barrel where the blends are then determined. It is then racked to tank and bottled without fining or filtration and just a small addition of sulfur.

Stats

  • Grapes: 64% Cinsault - 19% Grenache - 15% Syrah - 2% Mourvèdre
  • Vineyard: Ahrens Vineyard (Cinsault/Syrah) – Stockwell Vineyard (Grenache) – Hoffman Vineyard (Grenache/Mourvèdre)
  • Vine Age: 10-13-years-old (Cinsault) – 85-years-old (Grenache) – 40-years-old (Syrah) – 25-years-old (Mourvèdre)
  • Soil Type: Sand over yellow clay (Ahrens) - Sand over loam (Stockwell) Sandy clay (Hoffman)
  • Viticulture: Certified Biodynamic (Ahrens) - Practicing organic (Stockwell/Hoffman)
  • Fermentation: Native – open top, stainless steel (primarily destemmed with 25% of the Grenache whole-cluster)
  • Skin Contact: 14 days (Cinsault) - 21 days (remaining ferments)
  • Aging: 2-3 months in neutral 228L and 500L French barrels
  • Alcohol: 12.5%
  • pH: 3.69
  • Total Acidity: 5.7 g/L
  • Total SO2: 34 ppm
  • Total Production: 433 cases

Tasting Note

The Barossa may not be known for light, smashable red wines but this is definitely that wine.  Perfumed notes of sour cherries, pomegranate, orange zest, and white mint.  The palate is medium-bodied with juicy fruit that is restrained by noticeable but light tannins.  Give this a chill and experience the magic.

Press & Reviews

The Wine Front

92

"Fun to smash? Perhaps. All in the name.

Wicked drinking. Ripe berries, bright acidity, sweet spice, minty notes, herbal things, red cherries and berries. Brambly and good. Medium weight. Straight up fun and good. Has a nice chew to tannin. Delivers a slosh of acdiity that keeps it all lifted and easy easy. Good times roll."
- Mike Bennie
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Producer


Frederick Stevenson

Region


Barossa Valley

Country


Australia