d'Arenberg The Derelict Vineyard Grenache

Notes - Some years ago, chief winemaker, Chester Osborn, sought out additional premium Grenache fruit from McLaren Vale to meet the high demand for d'Arenberg's Grenache-based wines. Amongst others, a particular vineyard planted thirty years ago with Grenache appeared promising, and was the inspiration behind the naming of this wine.  The exceptionally low-yielding Grenache was picked late in vintage, gently crushed, fermented and pressed before barrel fermentation and maturation for 12 months in older French & American oak barriques. The first sniff gives an indication that this is a Grenache of serious depth and structure. Dark cherry and plum stone are the dominate fruit characters with a lovely touch of lavender and violets overlaying cinnamon and nutmeg. The palate moves from varietal fruit flavours and licorice to savoury elements of charred meats, dried herbs and dark chocolate. The oak influence is subtle and well integrated with charming powdery grippy tannins providing the finish with floral characters lingering. Tight in its youth with darker elements brooding in the background waiting to emerge decanting will help this wine open up but ultimately it deserves to be cellared for a decade or more.
 
     

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