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Technical Tasting Notes
2019 BAROSSA VALLEY SAM’S GRENACHE
GROWING SEASON
The 2019 Barossa Valley vintage is shaping up to be a stand-out, with very high quality across the board but with significantly below average yields. The growing season started dry and stayed that way. In September, the Barossa Valley experienced below average maximum temperatures which delayed budburst and early vine growth. Frost was a constant threat with two bad frosts in our Ebenezer vineyards in late September and early November. Stone Well escaped the frost. If the frosts and dry conditions were not enough, the flowering period was windy and unsettled, and a hailstorm on 22 November topped it all off. By the end of March all our Barossa Valley grapes were harvested – one of the earliest on record. Resulting yields were variable; in most vineyards below average, in many well below. The good news is that flavours and colours (in reds) and overall quality is exceptional. A truly great Barossa Vintage in the making.
TASTING NOTE
The 2019 Sam’s Grenache is a blend of old vine Grenache from Koonunga in the Northern Barossa. Ian Becker’s Koonunga vineyard produced outstanding fruit in the 2019 vintage. Red fruits, full bodied with the inherent power of Koonunga to produce a beautifully balanced Grenache in a fuller style. Bottled in late December 2019.
A classic Barossa Grenache, from an exceptional year, that carries the hallmarks of outstanding old vine fruit in a special vintage year. This wine is bright, with lifted florals, red fruits, with a medium to full bodied pallet supported by fine tannins. A wine that is drinking very well on release and will continue to do so for a number of years.
SPECIFICATIONS
Region: Barossa Valley
Sub Region: Koonunga
Variety: Grenache
Alcohol: 14.5%
Cellaring: 5 years+
Winemaker: Andrew Seppelt
Reviews
2019 Barossa Valley Sam’s Grenache
2021 Wine Companion (James Halliday)
94 Points - Bright, clear crimson; positively ripples with muscular power that is inherent in the wine, not the result of extraction, and has nothing to do with fruit left on the vine too long. Choose the moment or leave it in the cellar. 165 dozen made.
Steve Leszczynski (www.qwinereviews.com)
95 Points - There are some seriously smashing Grenache wines out there at the moment. Perhaps they're in a purple patch? If you love the variety as much as I do, jump in the queue for this gear from Hayes Family Wines.
Named after the owner's son, one would hope Sam gets a cut of the profits, perhaps a first class education or even a new cricket bat - or maybe all the above?
The fruit is sourced from a 100 year old Koonunga vineyard which is dry grown. Juicy and vibrant, it bounds along on its toes. Bright red fruits sail through the mouth with delicate spices hugging every crevice of the mouth. Pretty aromas of violets and delicate tannins peel off more interest. Such a dancy number, it's the type of wine that disappears in no time. So delicious. So moreish. All praise Grenache.
Drink now to five years.
