2022 Special Reserve Grenache

Floral, fruity and spicy.

VARIETY Our love for Grenache is deep and enduring. The original Block was planted by Bob Roberts in the late '90s for blending material. Since the 2010s, we've released single variety Grenache wines and have planted 2 further Blocks in the last 10 years with the goal to release a Reserve grade wine alongside the Estate Range version. This wine is the realisation of a long-held dream. As a grower, the grape is amazing. Once established, it has an extraordinary ability to handle drought and heat waves. It self-regulates so well, it can be relied on to produce exceptionally good fruit in both dry and wet years - altogether, a handy grape to have in this changing, extreme climate. As a winemaker and enthusiastic consumer, it's the beautiful flavour profile, plush palate and endless versatility that keep us coming back for more. The Special Reserve comes from Block 15, which has been carefully (and some might say obsessively) hand-managed by Tim for the 6 years since planting. The annual fruit-thinning by hand on Christmas Eve has become part of our family Christmas rituals! Though the vines have years of growth in them to reach their peak, this year for the first time, they produced the quality of fruit that Tim has been looking for to produce an ageworthy wine in the tradition of the great Chateau Neuf du Pape. This wine is already showing a great palate, full flavours, and potential for ageing. Limited yield, limited production, whole bunch fermentation, cold soaking, all deliver maximum fruitiness and soft mouthfeel. 

VINEYARD / WINEMAKING 2022 was an incredibly wet vintage, leading to early picking and lean, elegant flavours. Whilst challenging, it also gave us a chance to focus on a very fruity and fresh style. The Grenache was handpicked 19/3 from Block 15 at 13.2 Bé, earlier than usual due to the challenging weather conditions during harvest. 30% whole bunch was held back from crush, to provide juiciness and punchy fruit. Cold soaked before seven days of fermentation. Post ferment an addition of 10% of our Block 4 Shiraz was blended to support and drive the fruit and spice characteristics. Barrelled in well-seasoned American oak for 5 months, before bottling on 16/09 at 13.8% alc.

IN NOSE Cherry sweetness with violet top notes, sugared raspberries and sweet cinnamon spices.

IN MOUTH Very juicy and succulent, with rounded cherry and raspberry characters underpinned by cinnamon and clove spice richness. Hints of black pepper. Elegant and delicate mouthfeel. Soft layers and incredibly silky tannins with a clean, fruit driven finish. 

CELLAR 2026+ 

ACCLAIM

92/100 "Floral and berry lead Grenache on offer here, a little warmed earth beneath, in an attractive package clocking in at sub-14% alcohol. A suppleness on entry, barely there tannin that talks to minimal extraction. It's polished and feels somewhat slick as it glides across the palate, layered as it flows through to the finish. Juicy berry derived flavours swell the wine's presence through the mid and final thirds." THE VINSOMNIAC 2022

92/100 "Flirtatious and vibrant, it's all red cherries, rhubarb and red apples. Some red plum depth and dried petal prettiness add to its charm. Finely spiced, there's a gravelly/clay-like tannin that hangs. The energy from the acidity is hard to miss and really keeps things moving to a sure beat. Great gear this." QWINE 2022