2021 Mystery McLaren Vale Grenache Deal No. 00

Colour: Purple-vermillion; clear rim edge; a translucency reminiscent of pinot noir. Nose: Earthy and yet also quite perfumed; classic McLaren Vale grenache musk and nosegay. Meaty, blackberried, mulberried, quince-pasted, and then a slice of pastrami, courtesy of the subtle oak. The aromatics and bouquet bounce off each other as the wine spends more time in the glass. (And please use a big, rounded one, as you would for pinot noir…) Palate: Depth and texture offset by a subtle savouriness and linear acidity. Gentle tannic gruffness is the essential third player in this naturally composed triptych. The background spice and roundness of mostly older oak just, just, sings out, but entirely in tune with those primary berry fruit flavours. A red wine that grows in the glass, with air. Food Pairing: Wet-roasted goat or young lamb, cooked with too many root vegetables and a touch of red wine vinegar. Or, in warmer months, a homemade terrine, properly fatty, under the shade of a midday tree.

The Faraway Tree of McLaren Vale Grenache is a part of our Firehawk Farm, a single biodynamically run vineyard perched atop an ancient ridge overlooking McLaren Vale the Willunga escarpment and the Gulf St Vincent. Firehawk is our Native Bird of Prey that soars over our vineyards; acting as scarecrow to other birds, rabbits and the like that eat ripening grapes. Selected bunches were handpicked by family and friends in early March. We gently crushed half of the fruit over whole bunches into open top fermenters. After 10 days of fermentation the wine was basket pressed into French oak barrels, a third new and the balance seasoned. This was followed by 18 months maturation with minimal winemaking artefact before bottling, to capture the essence of the vineyard. The wine will reward cellaring and decanting. This wine is suitable for vegans.