The Clarendon Hills Onkaparinga Grenache hails from a bush vine, single vineyard in the upper reaches of Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale. The vines are nearly 80 years old being planted in the mid 1940’s. The high density rocks found beneath this vineyard site encourage the vines to concentrate everything – in 80 years of growth the vines have only managed approximately 40cm of vine height. The site is extremely low yielding and highly concentrated. The quality standard in the cellar is unmistakably world class and is considered a Grand Cru vineyard by Clarendon Hills. It is made only in the best years. Richly layered and deeply flavoured, the single vineyard expression reveals notes of confectionary like Turkish delight and musk coupled with delicately floral violet and rose petal while layers of fine blueberry, raspberry and cherry skin intertwine with ethereally light and effortless incense and crushed rock mineral notes. Harmoniously balanced and effortlessly powerful, the supple tannins are already soft enough to open up and enjoy today.
Cherry, raspberry, violet and lavender, a nutty praline richness, roast beef and hazelnuts, aniseed perfume adds to the riot. It's medium-bodied, yet powerful, with plenty of crushed rock/sandstone tannin, dried rose and raspberry, and a lavish ripe red fruited finish packed with tannin and, despite its richness, it offers surprising freshness and vigour. Outsatnding.