Grenache 2022 – Black Market Deal #45470

This wine comes from a single row of 1930s vines, making it exceptionally rare and concentrated. The old vine fruit delivers incredible depth and complexity that younger plantings simply cannot match. Combined with traditional Rhône-style winemaking techniques including heavier extraction, this creates a uniquely layered wine that showcases both the terroir of McLaren Vale and the winemaker's artisanal approach.

This full-bodied Grenache is built for long-term cellaring and will reward patience with incredible development over the next 8-12 years. As it ages, the current blackcurrant core will integrate with the secondary characters of cured meat, lavender and liquorice, creating even more complexity. The tannin structure will soften while the wine develops tertiary aromas and a more silky, evolved palate.

The wine's full body and complex flavour profile makes it perfect for rich, Mediterranean-inspired dishes like lamb tagine, duck confit, or aged hard cheeses. The cured meat and lavender notes complement charcuterie beautifully, while the blackcurrant core can handle robust flavours like wild game or barbecued meats. Its Rhône-style extraction means it won't be overwhelmed by bold, herb-crusted dishes.

McLaren Vale's warm, Mediterranean climate and diverse soils create perfect conditions for Grenache to ripen fully while retaining natural acidity. The region's proximity to the ocean provides cooling influences that prevent over-ripening, allowing the variety to develop its characteristic spice and floral notes. The 1930s plantings in this vineyard have had nearly a century to establish deep root systems, accessing unique mineral layers that contribute to the wine's complexity.

Rhône-style winemaking emphasises traditional techniques like extended maceration and heavier extraction to maximise colour, tannin and flavour compounds from the grape skins. This approach creates wines with greater structure and aromatic intensity compared to lighter extraction methods. The result is a more powerful, age-worthy wine with the complex layering of primary fruit, spice and earthy characters that Rhône Valley wines are famous for.