{"title":"MCLAREN VALE","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/CollectionBanner_d91fdc10-5867-4d66-9df0-c10c9c1bacf7.jpg?v=1544697384\" alt=\"McLaren Vale Vineyards in South Australia\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"8\"\u003eThe \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"8\" data-index-in-node=\"4\"\u003eMcLaren Vale\u003c\/b\u003e is one of the absolute cornerstones of South Australian viticulture, serving as the historic birthplace of commercial winemaking in the state. Geographically, it occupies a highly privileged position just south of Adelaide, cradled in a natural amphitheatre between the rugged ridges of the Mount Lofty Ranges and the flat, sandy coastline of the Gulf of St Vincent. This unique coastal geography creates a classic, reliable Mediterranean climate, where cooling sea breezes roll off the water to moderate the intense summer sun, preventing heat from trapping on the valley floor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"9\"\u003eWhile the region has earned global acclaim for its plush, chocolatey \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"9\" data-index-in-node=\"69\"\u003eShiraz\u003c\/b\u003e, it is the spectacular renaissance of \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"9\" data-index-in-node=\"114\"\u003eGrenache\u003c\/b\u003e that truly defines its modern prestige. Thriving in the area's ancient, sandy topsoils, these old bush vines produce incredibly aromatic, elegant reds packed with bright raspberry fruit, earth, and savory spice, stepping far away from heavy, over-extracted styles. This diverse terroir has also paved the way for an exciting influx of climate-appropriate Mediterranean varieties, with forward-thinking producers finding immense success with whites like \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"9\" data-index-in-node=\"576\"\u003eFiano\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"9\" data-index-in-node=\"586\"\u003eVermentino\u003c\/b\u003e, alongside vibrant reds like \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"9\" data-index-in-node=\"626\"\u003eNero d'Avola\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"10\"\u003eWhat sets this coastal district apart from a consumer perspective is its status as Australia's greenest, most environmentally conscious wine region. Rather than just using sustainability as a marketing buzzword, McLaren Vale winemakers led the nation by developing the first comprehensive property-assessment tool for vineyards, which later formed the bedrock of the national \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"10\" data-index-in-node=\"376\"\u003eSustainable Winegrowing Australia\u003c\/b\u003e framework. Backed by a pioneering, community-driven water-recycling scheme that completely eliminates reliance on underground aquifers, the region's high concentration of certified organic and biodynamic estates ensures that its ancient soils are preserved for generations to come.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"penfolds-bin-389-cabernet-shiraz","title":"Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003ePenfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz was often referred to as ‘Baby Grange’, in part because components of the wine are matured in the same barrels that held the previous vintage of Grange. First made in 1960 by the legendary Max Schubert, Bin 389, was the wine that helped forge Penfolds reputation with red wine drinkers by combining the structure of Cabernet Sauvignon with the richness of Shiraz. Exemplifying the judicious balance of fruit and oak, Bin 389 highlights the generous mid-palate Penfolds is known for. The 2023 release leaves a lasting impression of power and elegance – layered and balanced, with rich dark fruits, supple tannins, and a long, savoury finish. [#intro]Combing Cabernet Sauvignon \u0026amp; Shiraz, Bin 389 is often referred to as 'Baby Grange...[\/intro]\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Penfolds","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":32258106720323,"sku":"A21PENFOLDS389GB","price":70.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/products\/Bin389Bottle.jpg?v=1609703947"},{"product_id":"mmad-vineyard-blewitt-springs-grenache","title":"MMAD Vineyard Blewitt Springs Grenache 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003eLocated in the 'dress circle' of Blewitt Springs, MMAD Vineyard was first planted in 1939 and the oldest Grenache blocks date from 1939. The vineyard has the fine Maslin sands found in Blewitt Springs and is exposed to the fresh sea breezes from the south west. Below the sand is a layer of ironstone pebbles, and this combination of sand, ironstone, and cooling winds gives both perfume and structure to the wines. The Grenache grapes were handpicked, mostly de-stemmed and fermented as whole berries in open concrete and stainless steel. They were then aged in used (three to five years old) 500 litre puncheons. The wine was in elevage on fine lees and was racked before bottling in the June following vintage. Lovely mild ripening conditions gave Grenache with an intense core of red and blue fruit. The wine has purity and density, but also a lightness that belies the energy and power of the fruit. Raspberry coulis and pomegranate notes sit alongside fennel seed and cumin and the flavours continue to unfurl as the wine sits in the glass. [#intro]A wonderfully refined Grenache with purity \u0026amp; lightness that belies the fullness of fruit...[\/intro]\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MMAD Vineyard","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40856983404611,"sku":"A21MMADGRENACHE","price":41.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/GrenacheBt.jpg?v=1705255734"},{"product_id":"mmad-vineyard-blewitt-springs-chenin-blanc","title":"MMAD Vineyard Blewitt Springs Chenin Blanc 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe MMAD Vineyard, located in the Blewitt Springs sub-region of McLaren Vale was first planted in 1939 and the oldest Chenin Blanc blocks date from 1964. All the Chenin Blanc grapes were hand-picked. Half of the fruit was crushed and fermented in concrete while the remaining 50% was whole bunch pressed and fermented in large old oak barrels. Full malolactic fermentation took place and the wine spent 12 months maturing in old oak before bottling. The wine combines a fineness from the whole bunch pressed component with more texture from the crushed fruit and an array of characters including citrus peel, kumquat, wet stone, hessian, and sea-spray. The palate is long and framed by crisp acidity that indicates an exciting potential for ageing.[#intro]A beautifully expressive Chenin, with arresting texture \u0026amp; lively acidity indicating an exciting ageing potential...[\/intro]\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MMAD Vineyard","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40857022070851,"sku":"A23MMADCHENIN","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/CheninBt.jpg?v=1705256822"},{"product_id":"willunga-100-mclaren-vale-grenache","title":"Willunga 100 McLaren Vale Grenache 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe grapes for the Willunga 100 Grenache are sourced from the estate-owned 'Blind Spot' vineyard in the sub-region of Blewitt Springs in McLaren Vale. The 100% dry grown, bush vine Grenache comes from three different sections of the vineyard, each with a slightly different aspect and elevation. The average vine age is approximately 50 years old, and the soils of the vineyard are deep Maslin sand over a base of ironstone and clay, resulting in grapes that have great depth of flavour. The three selected parcels were each hand-harvested and vinified separately. Fermentation took place in stainless steel, open-top fermenters. Two parcels were fermented with 20% whole bunch (equating to approximately 14% whole bunch across the wine). Gentle basket pressing took place after 10 days on the skins. Following primary fermentation, 60% of the wine was transferred to seasoned French oak puncheons to undergo malolactic fermentation. The wine remained on fine lees for 10 months prior to racking and bottling, unfined. This Willunga 100 wine is a vibrant expression of Grenache that opens with bright, lifted red raspberry aromas on the nose. The palate is laden with red fruits, complemented with fresh blood orange and Chinese five spice over a supportive frame of fine-grained tannins. [#intro]A vibrant, single-vineyard, old vine Grenache from McLaren Vale specialists, Willunga 100...[\/intro]\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Willunga 100","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40883341328451,"sku":"A21WILLUNGA100GRENACHE","price":16.75,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/GrenacheBt_bb12577b-e0bc-4eda-aae2-96853dfe5a86.jpg?v=1706029239"},{"product_id":"willunga-100-smart-vineyard-grenache","title":"Willunga 100 'Smart Vineyard' Grenache 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe grapes for the Willunga 100 'Smart Vineyard' Clarendon Grenache were sourced from the one hectare vineyard planted by Bernard Smart’s father in 1922 on loamy soils over red-brown clay. Only two growers - one of which is Willunga 100 - take fruit off this block, while others take fruit off his 60 and 70 year old vineyards about 400 metres to the north. This is the highest and coolest site in McLaren Vale. As a result, the wines are slightly lighter and more lifted than those made from grapes grown in other sub regions. The grapes were hand harvested, destemmed and whole berry sorted into open top stainless steel fermenters. The whole berry ferment spent 10 days on skins, during which time it was gently plunged to ensure optimum extraction while maintaining the delicate aromatics. The wine was then basket pressed off of skins before maturation and malolactic fermentation on lees to retain fruit purity and freshness. It was aged on its lees for 12 months prior to bottling. The Willunga 100 'Smart Vineyard' Grenache displays a layered and floral nose of fresh lavender, Thai basil, blood orange and red cherry. The palate has a beautiful structure balanced with a bright  pomegranate-like acidity, Chinese five spice and a lingering savoury finish. [#intro]Award-winning Grenache from Bernard \u0026amp; Wayne Smart’s century-old vineyard in Clarendon...[\/intro]\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Willunga 100","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40956973416515,"sku":"A23WILLUNGA100SMART","price":29.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/SmartGrenacheBt.jpg?v=1708537728"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/collections\/CollectionImage2.jpg?v=1544697507","url":"https:\/\/hic.wine\/collections\/mclaren-vale-wine.oembed","provider":"Hic!","version":"1.0","type":"link"}