2023 Vanguardist BLEWITT Grenache/Syrah

INSPIRED BY THE FLORA & FAUNA THAT THRIVE IN THIS VINEYARD. THIS COLLECTION CELEBRATES TERROIR, ITS UNIQUE ECOSYSTEM & THE VIGNERON’S CRAFT.

SINGLE SITE: GRENACHE, RENDE VINEYARD, BLEWITT SPRINGS, MCLAREN VALE

NAME: ‘Blewitt’ is the namesake for Blewitt Springs, where the Rende Vineyard is located in the north eastern corner of McLaren Vale. It boasts an altitude exceeding 200m above sea level. The top soil is pure sand, with clay and red ironstone pockets below the surface.

VINTAGE OVERVIEW: We experienced ample rain in the winter of 2022, with continued moist and cool conditions into spring. This delayed budburst and resulted in slower shoot growth. The combination of late flowering and fruit set, combined with cool summer conditions resulted in a slightly late and shortened vintage period.

HARVEST: The Rende Vineyard comprises of 3.5Ha of 54 year old bush vine Grenache, along with 2.5ha of 55 and 30 year old trellised Syrah. Along with the Grenache that was harvested over three separate picks, the Syrah was hand harvested on the 24th and 26th of March.

VINIFICATION:

• Whole Cluster Fermentation: Approx 50% final blend
• Elevage: The two varieties were fermented separately. Post blending in winter, elevage took place in a three year old french oak 26HL cuve for approx 11 months.
• Blending: The wine is a 55/45 blend of Grenache & Syrah. The wine was bottled without fining or filtration.

TASTING NOTES:
BOTANIC wines showcase the refinement and complexity of fruit and a clear expression of terroir.

• Profile: Red berries, blue fruits, plum, Savoury/herbal, earthy
• Structure: Medium body
• Aging: medium to long term
• Classification: Organic (not certified), Vegan Friendly, Minimal Sulphur, Natural ferments, No acid or other additions.
  

Closure: AMORIM XPUR 49mmx24mm
FSO2 at bottling: 21ppm
TSO2: 47ppm
pH: 3.57, TA: 6g/L 
GluFru: 0.22g/L
Calories: 74 kcal/100ml
Alcohol: 13.5%

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THE WINE FRONT
A 55/45 blend of Grenache & Syrah from the Rende Vineyard in Blewitt Springs.

This is quite spicy, quite the incense and garam masala thing happening, along with red fruit, blue fruit, dried herbs and an earthy stony thing. It’s medium-bodied, quite dusty and spicy, the white peppery tannin is very appealing, and yet there’s some succulence and almost almond richness to flavour, with bright acidity, lots of energy and a finish of excellent length. The old McLaren Vale synergy of Grenache and Shiraz is working to great effect here, albeit in a more frisky and lively framework. This is fresh, and kind of sappy, but very good to drink. Different, but good.

94 POINTS
GARY WALSH

Blue fruit, red lipstick, bloody tones, figs and hazelnuts, blueberry tart, balloon skin tannin, rock salt and cold brew, some warmth in the finish, but the presence is just wow.

95 POINTS
KASIA SOBIESIAK

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HALLIDAY
From the Rende vineyard. 55/45% bush wine grenache/trellised syrah; fermented separately, about half whole bunch; blending post ferment with élevage for 11 months in 2600L three-year-old oak. The integration of varieties is a starring feature. Sour plum, dried blueberry, cranberry, garrigue-like scrubby herbs, white pepper and a hit of tar and dark, dry spices feature. This is a wine of sour-fruited tension, coiled tannins and of a generally savoury cast. It’s built for the table, like so many wines at this address.

93 POINTS
MARCUS ELLIS