2022 SOS Heathcote Grenache

Alc/vol 14.3 % 500 dozen made

Heathcote Grenache from Corop

*** 88 points, Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion, October 2023 ***

Glorious Grenache with all the Goodness.

Aromas of Plum jam, Turkish delight, raspberry, cinnamon, black pepper and rusted iron. Despite the bright fruit on the nose the palate is savoury with great definition, length and chewy tannin.

At the Northern end of the Heathcote GI the climates is truly continental with hot days and cool nights. These warmer days ripen Grenache easily and help to build flavour. The 2022 fruit was harvested in the last week of March following some hotter weather towards the end of ripening.  After destemming the must was fermented on skins for 9 days before pressing.  A slight SO2 addition was made before the wine spent 6 months in oak. A light filter was done prior to bottling and a little SO2 bedtime story of 30ppm.

A wine inspired by some of the great producers of the southern Rhône it is fresh and expressive in its early life.

“The flavours are juicy and free flowing but as it breathes a latticework of tannin rises through the wine, webbing it all into position. This is very handy drinking. Sweet raspberry and woody peppercorn characters are the main flavour drivers, floral and earthen spice notes sprinkled about the edges. It’s mid-weight at most, which just tickles the wine’s drinkability along that little bit more. Good drinking to be had here.” 91 Points Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front May 2023

“Fully destemmed and left on skins for 9 days before pressing. A medium garnet. Bursting with ripe, spiced cherries, blackberries and woodsy herbs this flavour packed, and juicy wine should be drunk slightly chilled this summer with a glass in one hand and a kebab in the other” 88 Points Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion October 2023