The 2022 Grenache is from Block 2 (planted in 1940) on the estate vineyard in Clare Valley, planted in gray sandy loam on a clay base (ACO organic certification). The fruit was fully destemmed, with 5% crushed berries in the ferment, which was conducted in concrete over 23 days. It was then pressed to neutral 700-liter oak for eight months' maturation. For those interested in numbers (me): it has a pH of 3.48, 5.62 grams per liter of total acidity, negligible residual sugar and 13.6% alcohol, with 2,304 bottles (174 dozen) produced. So, to the wine! It offers leafy raspberry pip, tobacco leaf, pink peppercorns, strawberries, pink musk, iodine and blood, a hint of orange rind/lemongrass inflection, tobacco and also notes of green tea. It's really good, engaging, elegant and precise, all the good things we want to see in wine. I love this little pocket of Clare. Who doesn't, by golly. Sealed under screw cap.

The fruit for this 2021 Grenache is sourced from Block 2, and it harnesses all of the polish and density that comes so easily to Clare Valley Grenache. It is balanced by an infusion of cocoa powder tannins that lightly dust the fruit in the mouth. This is decidedly fresh, bloody, spiny and fine, with a nervy little flick through the finish. The length of flavor is deceptively long; do not mistake its delicacy for softness—it has drive, but it is just concealed in the folds of fruit. Nicely done, of course.