WINES
2023 Mari Grillo Zibibbo
The 2023 Mari is composed of 70% Grillo from Blewitt Springs and 30% Zibibbo grown in McLaren Flat. Both varieties were fermented on skins, with a portion of the Grillo continuing maceration for 3 months in a 700L Gamba barrel. The different components were blended in stainless steel and rested there before bottling in early April the following year. Radiant and marine in nature, this treasure evokes the feeling of a sea sigh. Grillo provides tension, it’s phenolics tautly held around a long line of acid. Grillo is perfumed with almond and orange blossom, known as Zagara in Sicily, and is identifiable through its salty and fleshy body. Zibibbo, an ancient variety, is potent with aromatic notes of figs, apricots and lemon peel. Completely unfiltered, unfined and no additions other than sulphur.
2023 Earthen Grenache
The 2023 Earthen Grenache is our proud third expression of the Gower’s magnificent vineyard. We are now deepening our understanding of how to harness the complexity and concentration that this vineyard provides. Grapes were again hand-harvested, partially de-stemmed with 45% left as whole bunches. After wild fermentation, the wine was matured in a seasoned puncheon and hogsheads. The Earthen was then kept on lees for just over 12 months prior to bottling. Dark fruited with gravelly, spicy tannin and electric tension, the wine has a deeply persistent palate and a wealth of aromatic high notes. Year in, year out, the Earthen continues to say so much about the site from which the fruit was sourced. After a third cool vintage in a row, it has been a privilege to learn more from these old vines and what they can offer when the conditions are just right. No additions other than sulphur and no fining or filtration.
2021 Sundial Roussanne
The 2021 Sundial Roussanne fruit was sourced from Yangarra’s biodynamically farmed vineyard in Kangarilla. Sitting at a higher elevation than most vineyards in the Vale, the fruit undergoes a cooler, slower ripening period. The grapes therefore crucially retain the acid that is needed to balance a fleshy and phenolic grape like Roussanne. The grapes were hand harvested and whole bunch pressed into seasoned French oak for wild fermentation. The wine then remained on fine lees for 10 months of elevage before being hand bottled and corked.
Unfiltered, unfined and with nothing but a touch of sulphur added, the Sundial was processed and handled oxidatively in order to produce an expression of Roussanne in it’s raw form. Made from golden, freckled and sunkissed fruit, the wine reflects just that. Unctuous, textural on the palate with the grip of preserved lemon and the sweet, lifted aroma of honey and almond, to us this wine is like nectar.
2021 Earthen Grenache
The 2021 Earthen Grenache was made with fruit sourced from the Gower’s beautiful 1960’s planted vineyard in McLaren Flat. These dry-grown bush vines are rooted deeply amongst a layer of sand over ironstone, producing fruit with incredible balance. Grapes were hand-harvested and partially de-stemmed with around 40% left as whole bunches. After wild fermentation, elevage took place in a seasoned puncheon and hogsheads on lees for 12 months prior to hand bottling.
Dark fruited with gravelly, spicy tannin and a distinctive bright line of acid, the Earthen Grenache says so much about the site from which the fruit was sourced. The lifted perfume of violet and cherry reflects perfectly the nature of Grenache grown on sand. With no additions other than sulphur and no fining or filtration, the Earthen Grenache is a true product of it’s 60+ year old vines and vineyard.