Willunga 100 Smart Vineyard Clarendon Grenache 2023

Willunga 100 Smart Vineyard Clarendon Grenache

Region: McLaren Vale, Australia

Vintage: 2023

Bottle size: 75cl

Grape: Grenache

ABV: 14%

A layered and floral nose of rose petal, bay leaves and rocket, along with bright cranberry and cherry fruit. The palate is elegant and complex with characters of savoury cherry and berry fruit, hints of warm spice, garrigue and slate, supported by vibrant acidity. It is layered with fine tannins and lingering finish.

The grapes for this wine were sourced from the one hectare, dry-grown vineyard planted by Bernard Smart’s father in 1922 on loamy soils over red-brown clay. Only two producers – one of which is Willunga 100 – take fruit off this block. At an elevation of 230m, this south-east facing block is the highest and coolest site in McLaren Vale. As a result, the wines are slightly lighter and more lifted than those made from grapes grown in other sub-regions.

The fruit for this wine was hand harvested before being destemmed and sorted into stainless steel open fermenters. The whole berry ferment spent nine days on skins, during which time it was gently plunged to ensure optimum extraction while maintaining the delicate aromatics. The wine was then basket pressed off skins before maturation and malolactic fermentation on lees. This took place mostly in stainless steel in order to retain fruit purity and freshness.

Willunga 100 has focused on premium Grenache since its first vintage in 2005. It was the sensitivity to site that Grenache displays in McLaren Vale, that attracted owners David Gleave MW and John Ratcliffe during their first recce to the region. They became determined to showcase the old vine Grenache they came across in vineyard after vineyard, particularly at a time when few took this grape seriously.

https://willunga100.com