95/100 – Steve Leszczynski, QWine Reviews
96 Points – Patrick Eckel, Wine Reviewer
96 Points – Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot
96 Points – Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

2021 ARILA GARDENS
SAND GARDEN
GRENACHE

$90.00

The Sand Garden Grenache is a small parcel of incredibly special fruit fromold vines planted in 1900 on our Arila Gardens property. The vines aregnarly and twisted with deep rootsystems spanning the predominately sandover clay earth beneath. The philosophy of this Grenache is simple; to makea world class Grenache that expresses this sought-after variety, from thishistoric place, in this time to be savoured for many years to come.

Category:

Tasting Note

Grape Variety: Grenache.
Vineyard Region:  Sand Garden from the Arila Gardens single vineyard, Moppa, Barossa Valley.
Colour: Bright ruby.
Nose: Perfumed and enticing with layers of red berry fruit heightened by pink musk and cherry blossom. The aromatics open further over time to reveal brown spice and nougat.
Palate: Medium bodied with a core of plush cherry pith, raspberry, and mulberry fruits, expanding across the palate. Pillowy, talc like tannins provide textural length connected by a nerve of bright salivating acidity. Layers of flavour persist with berry friand and almond meal nuances. Complex, textural and complete with a lovely natural balance and flow.
Cellaring Potential: 10 – 15 years

Vintage Conditions

The 2021 vintage for the Barossa will be referred to in time as a classic, producing exceptionally good quality wines. The growing season was set up well with average winter and above average rainfall through August to October allowing for good subsoil moisture and healthy vines. Another rain event in early February was welcome, allowing for a steady and unstressed ripening period. Very mild conditions during berry ripening allowed for slow sugar accumulation and the development of optimum flavour and tannin whilst retaining good natural acidity. Picking decisions were based on acid profile as much as flavour allowing fruit to be harvested with moderate sugar. The result being bright wines with lovely natural balance.

Winemaking

  • Handpicked March 3rd 2021
  • Cold soak 48 hours
  • Small percentage of whole bunch at base of fermenter, remainder whole berries
  • Fermented in small open top fermenter for 12 days
  • Gentle pump overs and hand plunging
  • No acid added
  • 14 months maturation in seasoned French oak hogsheads with light yeast lees
  • Occasional stirring to build and soften texture
  • Unfined and filtered prior to bottling
  • Bottled June 2022, only 110 9Le cases produced

pH – 3.39
Acidity – 7.1 g/L
Alcohol – 14.5 %
Residual Sugar – Dry: 0.71 g/L

Reviews

The Sand Garden Grenache vines were planted in 1900, this is an excellent wine that oozes class.
A small percentage of whole bunches were fermented with whole berries for 12 days and it sees seasoned oak for 14 months. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.

With delicate aromas of red petals and violets, the fruit is bright and vibrant. Juicy raspberries and dark chocolate waltz with a blueberry and mulberry cameo, it’s alive and simply delicious with a seductive mouthfeel. It slides through with ease as a little meatiness builds but then a sheet of dryness wraps itself around the mouth with dusty tannins lingering much longer than expected. Oh my, Grenache pleasure deluxe right here. Drink to ten years+ – Steve Leszczynski, Qwine Reviews, 95/100 Qwine Reviews.

An inky purple in the glass, aromatics are floral yet framed on deep set red cherry with fennel seed and background spice influences. The palate has such concentration, yet has supreme balance. There is an array of red and black fruits that move from raspberry and strawberry to black cherry. Tannins are fine but impactful, with a twist of green baking herbs. The length is long, textured and complete. A wonderful Grenache. Optimal Drinking 2022 – 2032. – Patrick Eckel Wine Reviewer, 96 Points.

Great Aussie Grenache, especially from old vines, gets ever more thrilling, and a brilliant year like 2021 only enhances that. This is a single vineyard wine from estate vines planted in 1900. Cold soaking for 48 hours, the process sees a small quantity of whole bunches at the base of the small open top fermenter with the remainder whole berries. Fermentation, with gentle pumpovers and hand plunging, takes 12 days. Maturation is for 14 months in seasoned French oak hogsheads with occasional stirring “to build and soften texture”.

This is near black with a maroon rim. Notes of florals, mulberries, raspberries, cassis, tobacco box notes and smoked meats. This is a cracking Grenache, focused and balanced, with a seamless and supple texture showing silky tannins and great length. This will age for a decade or more and the score could/should rise in that period.
Drink: 2022-2032.– Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot, 96 Points.

Gorgeously fruited and enticing, the bouquet shows Black Doris plum, dried herb, game and toasted nut aromas, followed by a beautifully weighted palate that’s silky-smooth and expansive. Splendidly layered with complex flavours, finishing persistent and structured.– Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, 96 Points.

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