Yangarra Estate Hickinbotham Vineyard Grenache 2021

Yangarra Estate is a renowned biodynamic wine farm located in the picturesque McLaren Vale region of South Australia. The winery prides itself on producing exceptional wines solely from its single-vineyard estate, which is dedicated to cultivating the finest grape varieties of the southern Rhone. The unique combination of rare geologies, moderate altitude, abundant sunshine, and cool evening breezes at Yangarra make it an ideal location for growing varieties that thrive in moderate maritime environments. The Yangarra High Sands Vineyard is a source of pride for the estate, having been recognized as one of Young Gun of Wines’ 2022 Top 50 Vineyards in Australia. Yangarra is an exceptional single-vineyard estate located in the esteemed Blewitt Springs subregion, situated at the northern edge of the McLaren Vale region in South Australia. The vineyard’s unique combination of ancient geology, high altitude, and Mediterranean climate provides the perfect environment for cultivating the finest grape varieties of the southern Rhône. The estate’s dedication to sustainable farming practices, including organic and biodynamic farming, ensures that the fruit is of the highest quality and truly reflects the terroir. The resulting wines are complex, elegant and expressive, showcasing the unique characteristics of the vineyard. Yangarra’s commitment to producing exceptional wines solely from its single-vineyard estate has earned it a reputation as one of Australia’s premier wineries. With a focus on Grenache and other Rhône varieties, the winery is dedicated to producing wines that are a true expression of the terroir. The wines are crafted with minimal intervention, allowing the fruit to shine through and speak for itself. The Yangarra Estate Hickinbotham Vineyard Grenache 2021 is a stunning wine that showcases the exceptional quality of the fruit from the Hickinbotham Clarendon Vineyard. The favourable growing season, with good winter rains, a mild flowering and fruit set period, and continued spring rainfall to ensure a healthy canopy, resulted in yields that showed good balance between vine vigor and moderate berry size. The ripening period that began late January was very cool, with some welcome rainfall in mid-February. The delayed harvest, with cold nights and mild sunny days, produced excellent fruit ripeness and intensity and the freshness and bright natural acidity of the fruit were a real feature. Hand-picked from the vineyard on the 23rd of March and selectively berry sorted, the grapes were 100% destemmed, crushed and tipped into 1800 L ‘cocciopesto’ stone egg-shaped amphoras. The fermentation occurred in the amphoras, with a gentle maceration of only wetting the cap. 69% remained on skins in the amphora for 198 days, resulting in a wine that is pure and unadulterated. No pressings are used in this wine, and it was matured exclusively in the amphora for a total of 13 months before being bottled in June 2022. In the glass, the wine is a deep ruby red, with aromas of plush dense red fruit, lavender, white pepper, sour cherries and Amaro bitters. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, with a silky texture and crunchy tannins. The flavours of red fruit, sour cherries and Amaro bitters are complemented by notes of lavender and white pepper, leading to a long and satisfying finish. Fantastic. Skittish with cool, blood orange acidity under cherry pip, pomegranate juice, cranberry with its dryness. Dried herbs, a truffley umami lick, Chinese five spice, undergrowth and faint game meat. The tannins are the thing though, racy, tight. a sheath of silt and al dente chew in a wine that defies it’s alcohol percent and ends up finer, fresher, refreshing and bright. Feels 13% or so. It stretches luxuriously on those tannins and finishes with a perfect reset each sip. Perfumed as all get out too. It went from fish to chook to salads to a bean stew and had more to go. Moreish to the max. – Mike Bennie, 96+ Points Medium-depth purple-red colour with a reserved but fragrant bouquet of red fruits and floral overtones, a note of blackberry pastille, a subtle lacing of fresh herbs, and a sheen of firming tannins coating the palate from start to finish. Long and promising: a very smart grenache. – Huon Hooke, 95 Points The Finer Details Style – Red Wine Varietal – Grenache Country – Australia Region – McLaren Vale, South Australia Vintage – 2021 Bottle Size – 750ml ABV – 14.5% Other – Organic, Biodynamic