2023 Vanguardist OENO Grenache

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: ‘Oeno’ derives from both the Evening Primrose (Oenothera Biennis) found in this vineyard, combined with the science dedicated to the study and knowledge of wines, Oenology. The vineyard 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: We commenced hand harvesting on March 16th and concluded swiftly ten days later on the 26th with our third pick. The yields were down from the 2022, averaging around 30HL/Ha. Slightly below the long-term average.

VINIFICATION:

• Whole bunch fermentation: 60%
• Elevage: The wine was aged in french oak 500L puncheons for 11 months post-press.
• Blending: The final 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: Raspberry, red current, cherry, spice, 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 49x24mm 
FSO2 at bottling: 21ppm
TSO2: 54ppm
pH: 3.43, TA: 6g/L 
GluFru: 0.40g/L
Calories: 74 kcal/100ml
Alcohol: 13.4% 

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THE WINE FRONT
Rende vineyard, with a nice little bird on the label. 60% whole bunch. Old French puncheons.

Raspberry, cherry, a fair bit of herb and bunchy spice, also some almond paste and floral notes. It’s sappy and red fruited, quite spicy, dusty tannin grip, perhaps a little sweet and sour ex whole bunch stuff, some pomegranate tang, with a bright finish of fine length. It has something of a ‘mineral’ character to it, and a subtle amaro bite in the aftertaste. It looked more cohesive and compelling after some time in the glass. It’s a good wine, kind of on the cusp of ripeness, but has plenty of energy and grip.

93 POINTS
GARY WALSH

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HALLIDAY
All Rende vineyard; 60% whole bunches; 11 months in seasoned oak puncheons. This is from the Botanic series, a new range for Michael Corbett – effectively replacing La Petite Vanguard. This still sports the V on the bottle and is very much in the Vanguardist savoury, agreeably tense style, though pleasingly accessible in terms of pricing. Cranberry, dried raspberry, tart redcurrant, ground, dried orange peel, tamarind, dusty white peppercorns, carraway, rye, it’s tartly pitched, taut but agreeably so, a wine that calls for food, Italianate in a way. This will benefit from a little longer in bottle.

93 POINTS
MARCUS ELLIS