Winemaker Notes
Roman Bratasiuk is one of Planet Earth's greatest winemakers, and obviously a top-notch viticulturist given his obsession with sourcing extraordinary fruit from ancient McLaren Vale vineyards."
-Wine Advocate
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The thing about Grenache here is that we can get incredibly low ph, circa 3.2, in the finished wine, and ripe fruit picking at 14 and a half Baumé, with no acid additions. It's unbelievable," Roman Bratasiuk said. This 2002 Grenache Old Vines Kangarilla Vineyard comes from the High Sands vineyard, and the acidity is super pronounced and fresh in the mouth. The wine has lovely tertiary development that plays hand in glove to the fresh fruit and spice. The length of flavor is driven by the fine tannins, which are laden with graphite, cold tea, pressed rose petals and tapenade. The 2002 vintage really frames these wines with delicacy and restraint, and the tannins are almost perfectly poised in this cool year. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under natural cork. Rating: 97+
Grenache thrives in any warm, Mediterranean climate where ample sunlight allows its clusters to achieve full phenolic ripeness. While Grenache's birthplace is Spain (there called Garnacha), today it is more recognized as the key player in the red blends of the Southern Rhône, namely Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône and its villages. Somm Secret—The Italian island of Sardinia produces bold, rustic, single varietal Grenache (there called Cannonau). California, Washington and Australia have achieved found success with Grenache, both flying solo and in blends.
Known for opulent red wines with intense power and concentration, McLaren Vale is home to perhaps the most “classic” style of Australian Shiraz. Vinified on its own or in Rhône Blends, these hot-climate wines are deeply colored and high in extract with signature hints of dark chocolate and licorice. Cabernet Sauvignon is also produced in a similar style.
Whites, often made from Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc tend to be opulent and full of tropical, stone and citrus fruit.