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d’Arenberg Derelict Vineyard Grenache is a single vineyard wine made with grapes grown in the McLaren Vale wine-growing region.
D’Arenberg is one most iconic of Australian wineries and certainly one of the famous in the McLaren Vale wine-growing region. The company was founded by Cornish-born, Joseph Osborn. Osborn’s parents emigrated to Australia in the 1850s and Joseph went on to become a well-known Australian Rules footballer, co-founding Norwood Football Club along the way. Eventually, he would become a partner in Thomas Hardy Limited, a local politician and became involved in horse racing before buying what would become the d’Arenberg estate in 1912.
Today, the estate is in the hands of the fourth generation, winemaker Chester Osborne. The company is known for their iconic red striped label and quirky wine names such as Dead Arm, Laughing Magpie and Stump Jump. All d’Arenberg estate-owned and leased vineyards are NASAA Certified for organic and biodynamic processes. d’Arenberg are members of Australia’s First Families of Wine.
The estate is famous for its top quality, premium red wines made from classic Australian grape varieties like Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache; however, they also have some more unusual plantings of Mediterranean and Rhone varieties, including Tempranillo, Sangiovese, Vermentino, Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier.
The McLaren Vale, located some 45 minutes south of Adelaide, is perfect for grape growing with a Mediterranean climate, huge diversity of soil types and proximity to the ocean with the resultant cooling sea breezes. Minimal intervention is the keyword in the winery, where the individual vineyard site’s character is allowed to shine through. Classic vinification methods are used, such as open top vat fermentation, foot treading and basket pressing.
Some years ago, 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 over thirty years ago with appeared appeared promising. His search unveiled a number of old bush vine and poorly maintained trellised vineyards in various states of disrepair. Hence the the inspiration behind naming this wine “Derelict Vineyard”.
From D’Arenberg:
“What an exceptional year for Grenache. An absolute abundance of fruit on the nose, with all the classics, blueberry, plum, liquorice, spice and earth. The palate too is full of presence. Juicy and generous but with a seam of crunchy tannin and lively acid that add structure and fresh punch to the wine. All of these big rich fruits wrapped around a graphite almost ferrous like framework. Immediately drinkable but undoubtedly a Grenache built for time. If enjoyed young be sure to decant or at a minimum allow it to breath in the glass. Your patience will reward you.”
Try with lamb, barbecued or grilled meat.
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