Chalk Hill Tempranillo Grenache 2023 (McLaren Vale & Barossa Valley)

Weather conditions during spring were wet and windy which had an impact on flowering and resulted in small crops. Cool and wet conditions continued into early summer, but thankfully the rain stopped around Christmas time to allow the fruit to start to ripen and to keep the disease at bay. Harvest started much later than average due to the cooler conditions. The 23 vintage wines are showing elegance and finesse, with fresh fruit flavours, fine tannins and good acidity.

The three varietals were handled separately throughout the winemaking process. The Grenache is made up of 2x parcels of 35 and 50 year old vines in Blewitt Springs, and a 25 year old vineyard in Willunga. In 2023 the McLaren Vale Tempranillo was sourced from our Willunga vineyard and 2 vineyards in the Barossa Valley - one in Light Pass and the other from Dorrien. The Graciano comes from our Slate Creek Willunga vineyard.

All parcels were fermented in open fermenters for 7-10 days using cultured yeast. They were gently handled throughout the fermentation. Once fermented to dryness, they were pressed off skins and transferred to older French oak puncheons and hogs heads. No new oak was used.

47% Tempranillo, 46% Grenache, 7 % Graciano
74% McLaren Vale - 26% Barossa Valley