Grenache is the McLaren Vale grape Steve is most fond of and in all of its iterations globally, so long as the wine does the grape justice. What does that mean? Treat Grenache like Pinot Noir and not Syrah or Cabernet Sauvignon, pick it a bit early, very light working of the ferment and moderate skin contact. Bernard Smart is now 85 and has worked the land all of his life. He, and other members of his family, have planted many of the best sites in the region though Bernard wasn’t born when some parcels were were planted. This is the highest altitude Grenache vineyard in McLaren Vale, planted in 1955 and though is located in the ironstone rich warmth of Clarendon, it showcases very high toned aromatic notes reminiscent of Blewitt Springs.
The grapes were hand harvested and vinified naturally in small open-top fermenters entirely destemmed. After ten days on skins, it was gently pressed and transferred to a 28hL old French-oak vat and a few puncheons for maturation. After 15 months aging it was racked twice, then bottled without fining or filtration and a small dose of sulfur.