-
Description
The 2018 Cirillo 1850 Ancestor Vine Grenache is a piece of living history, crafted from what is believed to be the world’s oldest Grenache vineyard.
Planted in 1850 in the Light Pass area of the Barossa Valley, these ancient, gnarled vines have been lovingly tended by the Cirillo family for over 50 years, producing wines that are as timeless as they are extraordinary.
Winemaker Marco Cirillo brings a modern touch to his family’s heritage, crafting this Grenache with a focus on purity and balance. The fruit is picked earlier to capture freshness, yet the wine retains the depth and power that comes naturally from vines over 170 years old. Matured in seasoned hogsheads, Marco prioritises the expression of the variety and vineyard over oak influence.
It's a special wine, no doubt about it. A rarity in all the world to have a wine made from vines this old. A great year for this great site and Marco in career best form. It's a winning combination.
97 points
"This, I'll say up front, is a sensational wine, from the gnarled old Cirillo 1850 vines on the sands of Vine Vale. Deep and bright in the glass. There is more detail and aromatic amplitude here. Perfectly poised plum and berry fruits, ginger spice, turned earth, wild strawberries, cola and purple floral tones. There's depth and horsepower obviously present here but there is a freshness and sense of clarity to the proceedings that just draws you in. Superb length of flavour, too, finishing sapid and filigreed with uber-fine, compact, sandy tannins. A ripping release."
- Dave Brookes (Halliday Wine Companion)
97 points
"Medium-deep crimson. Fresh red plum, strawberry with Chinotto, touch of Negroni notes. Attractive sweet red plum strawberry Negroni flavours, Lovely mid-palate volume, fine slinky textures and fresh long acidity. Delicious wine. Lovely richness and extract. A reference style for the Barossa. 1848 Grenache vines."
- Andrew Caillard MW (The Vintage Journal)
96 points
"It is clear, pure, sensational. I love the tannins. It's sapid and palate staining but so light!"
- Erin Larkin (The Wine Advocate)
You May Also Like
