Townsend Grenache 2024

BACKGROUND

 Located on the outskirts of McLaren Vale, our steadfast old Grenache vines thrive
 in the ancient, sandy soils of Blewitt Springs. These vines, planted in 1930,
 consistently yield extraordinarily dark and flavourful grapes. The original
 custodians of this ancient vineyard, the Townsend family, first planted vines here
 circa 1905. The estate's rugged and isolated setting, particularly during those early
 years, reflects their own adventurous and pioneering spirit, akin to our own
 winemaking patriarch, Douglas Collett. So, through this wine we make a testament
 to them, the Townsend family and pay homage to those with the grit and
 determination to plant and pioneer the region of McLaren Vale.

WINEMAKING

 Our old vine Grenache was harvested in stages, with a mix of winemaking
 techniques in mind. A portion of the vineyard was hand-picked for our ‘whole
 bunch’ batch, which was fermented in open stainless-steel vats. This was done at
 two distinct stages of the vintage to produce different batches with varying fruit
 ripeness and acidity. The rest of the vineyard was picked at full ripeness and
 fermented in closed rotary fermenter, allowing for greater extraction of tannins and
 concentration of intense red fruit character. Each batch was kept separate for
 maturation in a combination of stainless steel and seasoned oak barrels. After 8
 months of maturation, the wines were blended over several sessions before being
 sent for bottling. Bottle aging for 3 months prior to release helped soften the
 tannins and enhance the wine's drinkability. The final wine is about 15% whole
 bunch, with a significant portion of pressings included to improve tannin structure
 and overall wine longevity.

TASTING NOTES

 The 2024 Townsend Grenache presents an intense array of complex flavors that
 instantly capture your attention. Wildly aromatic, it bursts with ripe boysenberries,
 fragrant raspberries, and a hint of sweet dark cherries. On the palate, vibrant red
 berries are complemented by smooth, liqueur-like chocolate notes, creating a rich
 and layered experience. The finish offers a touch of white pepper spice, lively
 acidity, and well-balanced tannins, leaving you with a lasting impression.

FROM THE WINEMAKER

 ‘This is a really exciting wine. It brings together everything we love about the
 traditional Woodstock style—big flavors, soft, intense tannins, but it also taps
 into the current Grenache style that McLaren Vale is becoming known for, with
 that boldly youthful, aromatic, perfumed profile. We’ve blended the old and the
 new in this one, and it has really come together nicely.’ - Peter Collett

Varieties: Grenache
Vintage: 2024
Region: McLaren Vale, Australia
Alcohol: 14.9%
Bottle Size: 750ml 

Vegan Friendly