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Description
This is the much-anticipated follow-up to our 2023 DD Wine of the Year, and it's another absolute beauty!
The Smart Vineyard Grenache comes from the high-altitude Clarendon region of McLaren Vale and was established by the iconic McLaren Vale grape-growing figure Bernie Smart. The 67-year-old bush vines grow in 750 million-year-old soils of laminated dark and green siltstone at 230 meters above sea level, giving this wine remarkable depth, complexity and energy.
Stephen Pannell’s winemaking approach is all about showcasing the fruit. The grapes are hand-harvested and fermented with 20% whole bunches. The wine undergoes regular pump overs in stainless steel before being aged in old French oak vats and puncheons. This minimal intervention allows the wine to reflect its unique terroir.
It's full of cherries, rhubarb, and raspberry, with nutty aromas and hints of red licorice and caramelized sugar. The palate is strong and vibrant, with a tannic structure that’s bold yet refined.
It's a firmer and more structured beast in 2022, but yet another outstanding release of one of our favourite Australian wines. Get some while you can!
96 points
"From a wonderful old-vine site in Clarendon that stretches the possibilities of grenache. Wonderful stuff built for the cellar."
- Ned Goodwin (James Suckling)
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