PRE-VINTAGE
RAINFALL: Winter (consistent) | Spring (above average).
TEMPERATURE: Mild Spring and early Summer | No extreme heat.
UPSHOT: Consistent flowering and fruit set | Healthy canopy.
VINTAGE
RAINFALL: Summer (below average) | Autumn (light).
TEMPERATURE: Days (mild - average) | Nights (cool).
UPSHOT: Delayed ripening conditions | Gradual & extended flavour accumulation | Great natural acidity.
SEPPELTSFIELD VINEYARD
BLOCK: C-Block
VINEYARD: Very shallow red clay loam overlying shattered limestone | North-south oriented rows | Elevated Eastern aspect.
UPSHOT: Reduced natural vine vigour | Intense and vibrant.
HARVEST: 06 April 2023
FERMENTATION: 50% whole bunch ferment | 7 days on skins | 9 months maturation in seasoned French oak, including 6 months in foudre
PROFILE: Raspberry | Satsuma Plum | Rose Petal | Toffee Apple | Fennel | Clove
TEXTURE: Fine grain tannin | Focus through the middle | Long finish
Out of the 2023 Grenache from the Barossa, Hentley Farm now has a strangle hold on the top 2 positions, with Old Legend and Heritage, out of a total of 44 Grenache from 2023. Deep red-purple in the glass, with a dark-fruited aroma of dried blood, iron/ferrous characters dominant. In the mouth, it's full-bodied and powerful, with major concentration and drive, stacks of mouth-coating tannins and high impact. An impressive wine indeed. Blood and thunder! Long term.
96 points - Huon Hooke, The Real Review.
