2025 Vanguardist Grenache Gris/Blanc

The Vanguardist range represents the epitome of what we are about. Pushing the realms of standard winemaking to deliver intrigue, excitement and full recognition of this special and distinct terroir. Ultimate dedication to the craft of viticulture and winemaking, encapsulated in a bottle – through our lens.

SINGLE SITE: ROHLACH VINEYARD, VINE VALE, BAROSSA VALLEY

Grenache Blanc and Grenache Gris, key white mutations of the Grenache family and pillars of Southern Rhône blends. The introduction of this new wine reflects our continued focus on Rhône varieties and our deep connection to Grenache in all its forms.

62% GRIS | 38% BLANC

VINEYARD:
Paul Rohlach, a third-generation grower whose grandfather first purchased the land in 1954. Fruit taken from 13 year old vines that were grafted to Grenache Gris in 2022 and Grenache Blanc in 2023. We are currently working closely with Paul to transition the vineyard toward more organic practices, including the complete cessation of herbicide use and the elimination of mid-row tillage to improve soil health and long-term sustainability.

VINTAGE:
2024 vintage in the Barossa is characterized by exceptional quality, intense color, and rich tannins, despite low yields caused by windy conditions during flowering.

HARVEST:
Hand harvested on the 8th February 2025
Fruit thin at veraison to maintain crop levels below 45 HL/Ha

VINIFICATION:
Whole bunches were foot-crushed and held on skins for three hours prior to pressing. Fermentation occurred spontaneously, with half fermented in Hungarian amphora and the other half in inox.

Full malolactic to further enhance body and texture. The wine was blended and aged for a further seven months, mostly in a new Austrian Foudre and remaining balance retained in inox.

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Closure: DIAM Origine 10 
FS02: at bottling 14ppm
TSO2: 49ppm
pH: 3.37
TA: 4.8g/L
Alcohol: 12.2%
Bottle when empty: 450g

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THE WINE FRONT

62% Grenache Gris. 38% Grenache Blanc. Half fermented in stainless steel, the other half in Hungarian anfora. Some aged in new Austrian foudre, the rest in stainless steel.

Pear, white nectarine, white flower, a rock pool/marine sort of thing, toasted hazelnut, spice. Light, fine chalkiness, saline, pulls more citrus with some nutty things, has some gloss but keeps itself tight, finishes bright and gently salty with excellent length. Such a great drink. Balance is all just so.

94 POINTS
GARY WALSH

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HALLIDAY
Michael Corbett has had near a decade of vintages in the Rhône, which informs the dominant varietal mix in the portfolio, if his interpretations are profoundly individual. A new wine, from Vine Vale, with vines grafted in '23; 62/38% grenache gris/grenache blanc. It’s a sunnier expression than the Vanguardist norm, but that’s a varietal thing, and perhaps more blanc than gris. Up front, yellow orchard fruits – pear, peach, apple – then the detail kicks in with fresh, soft fennel seeds and pollen, chamomile flower, green almond, roasted hazelnut skin, citron pith and preserved lemon. A lemon-barley-water texture, salivating, savoury. An excellent debut, and you can feel the potential for greater heights.

95 POINTS
MARCUS ELLIS