Hillside Vineyard Grenache 2021

This cuvée is crafted from Grenache parcels planted on the western hillsides of the Barossa Valley in South Australia, where the vines root into sandy and clay-limestone soils. This cooler terroir and hillside exposure give the Grenache a finer, more vibrant expression than in the valley floor. The old, bush-trained, dry-farmed vines produce low yields that naturally concentrate the fruit. Vinification takes place in open vats with indigenous yeasts, followed by aging in old French oak foudres, which preserves the purity of the varietal without ever masking it. This wine reveals notes of red cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, garrigue, white pepper, and dried flowers. The palate is full and generous, supported by fine, powdery tannins, with a beautiful freshness mid-palate. The finish is saline and persistent.

Australia began producing wine over two centuries ago. This has resulted in a country rich in old vines, multi-generational winemaking families, and a deep-seated knowledge and respect for the craft. Add to that a thirst for exploration and innovation, a fearless attitude, and a varied portfolio of 65 wine regions across many climates, and you have the makings of an extraordinary wine country like few others. Australia burst onto export markets in the 1980s, and since then, it has offered the world dynamic, fruity, and exceptionally good value wines. Until the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Australian wine story was dominated by examples of over-concentrated Shiraz, Grenache, and red blends. Between these two extremes lies the diversity of Australia's high-quality and regional wine offerings that has always existed. Australian viticulture is primarily concentrated on the southern oceanic rim where cooler conditions prevail. There are four main wine regions located around the major cities: Western Australia around Perth, South Australia around Adelaide, Victoria around Melbourne, and New South Wales around Sydney. The country is one of the world's largest wine producers and was the 4th largest global exporter in 2011. This recent development now makes Australia one of the most prominent countries for the quality of its wines. You can taste Australian wines throughout the country. Each Australian region has its own grape varieties. Australian wines are defined by their grape variety, unlike French wines which are defined by their terroir.