Vineyard - The 2021 Estate Blend is produced from grapes grown on the Lloyd Brothers McLaren Vale Estate. A blend of Grenache (65%) hand-picked from the bush vines located a few steps from the winery, Shiraz (30%) from Block 9, and Manor Block with a small percentage of estate bush vine Mourvèdre (5%).
Winemaking - Each variety was picked at modest Baumes and fermented separately in small open fermenters prior to being basket pressed to seasoned French oak barrels. After 9 months in oak, the best barrels were selected and blended to create the Estate Blend GSM. Vegan Friendly.
65/30/5% grenache/shiraz/mourvèdre. I’d like to see more of the latter confer savouriness, more tannin, and less obvious fruit. Plenty rich and lively, though. Delicious, if not a bit sweet, with the whole-bunch element imparting briar, cardamon, and clove to serve as a restraining order on kirsch, lilac, and spiced plum.