Lienert Vineyards Estate Grenache 2023

Tasting Note

Glossy dark red with deep purple hues. The nose opens with a core of dark fruit, lifted by fresh red fruits, pretty florals, a distinctive saline edge akin to ocean spray, and savoury notes of herbs, mocha and shortbread. The palate leads with an explosion of fine red and dark fruit - strawberry, rhubarb and blackberry - followed by a supple mid-palate of crème caramel and cheesecake. The finish is long and composed, where the oak plays only a supporting role and is not dominant. A beautiful wine that should age for many years.

Viticulture & Winemaking

Fruit is sourced from the House Block - planted in 2001 in rich red clay loam over limestone, on a gently undulating, north-west-facing slope at one of the highest points on the estate. The site is home to nine different Grenache clones, selected from Barossa, McLaren Vale and Langhorne Creek. Each clone was harvested and fermented separately to explore its unique character, with Barossa and McLaren Vale clones selected for the final blend.

30% of the fruit was fermented whole bunch, the rest as whole berries. Fermentation occurred at cooler temperatures, followed by 6 months’ maturation in old French oak puncheons on full lees. A restrained approach to winemaking focused on preserving fruit purity and texture.