98 Points
98 Points
96 Points

Yangarra High Sands Grenache 2023

SKU: YAHS202310 UCAU

~~$325.00~~ $299.99

Unit price: per

98 Points, James Halliday

It exudes an enticing bouquet of ripe red fruits, such as cherries and raspberries, with subtle floral notes and a touch of spice.

The wine showcases depth and complexity, with subtle layers of herbs, spices, and a touch of minerality, adding further intrigue to each sip.

Critic Scores

98 // James Halliday's Wine Companion

"This year, Pete Fraser will launch the High Sands, Ovitelli and Hickinbotham together, giving a better chance to view the connectivity. Well, there is certainly a theme in the '23s. A degree of alcohol less, lower colour and a commanding, yet incredibly fine, structural framework. This is a very different High Sands, a reflection of the cool year, but also an evolving direction, leaning into elegance, soaring fragrance and savoury tension. Red cherry, tart raspberry, intensely floral, swirling with North African spices, musk and orange peel. The palate is coiled at this stage, but the fruit has flex and will bloom with time in bottle, radiating out from the core of mineral-feeling tannin and skein of vigorous acidity. This is truly magnificent now, but the future is one of dazzling possibility."

98 // Stuart Knox

"Vibrant ruby and purple, youthful and bright in the glass. Blackberry pastille, Chinese five spice, and pastrami aromas. Palate is instantly alive with power and intensity yet a youthful vibrancy. Red and black berry fruits sit in the central pylon, strung from there we see a mélange of powdered spices, curing meats and earthy undertones. Tannins are prodigious in their power but never stray beyond the required tension, allow the full textural joy of this wine to carry to an almost limitless end. A wine of juxtaposition, carrying a lightness of being that belies its power and intensity."

96 // James Suckling

"The nose is deeply perfumed, with brooding aromas of mulberries, mocha, dried herbs and tea leaves. The palate is medium- to full-bodied with finely integrated tannins and focused acidity, giving notes of raspberries, cassia bark, potpourri and spices. Very complex and tightly wound, with real purity of fruit. Drink or hold. Screw cap."

Product Details

Red

2023

Grenache

Yangarra Estate

McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia

15 Plus Years

Stelvin

14.5%

750ml (Bottle)

In Stock

Biodynamic

ONLY 6 LEFT IN-STOCK!

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Description

Winery Notes
2023 HIGH SANDS GRENACHE
High Sands Grenache is the pinnacle of our estate. Reaching deep within the sandy soil, our prized 1946 old vines produce wines that balance intense power and complexity with fragrance and beauty.
VINTAGE SUMMARY
The growing season began with significantly higher than average rainfall. The cool, wet conditions continued through Spring, setting us up for balanced canopies and lower yields. La Niña weather patterns forecasted cooler temperatures and continued rainfall for harvest. We were able to enhance vineyard practices such as shoot thinning and leaf removal to promote airflow, reduce mildew and increase sun exposure to bunches. From our experience, a cold vintage in a warm region can produce some of the best wines. Due to the cultural practices implemented, we were able to pick the majority of the vineyard in a three-week window prior to Easter, completed in early April. Wines produced from this vintage will be some of the prettiest and most delicate from the Estate.
WINEMAKING
Sourced exclusively from Block 31 (1.7 Ha). At 210m elevation, this is the highest section of the 1946 planted bush vine Grenache, which also has the deepest sandy soil. Hand-picked 20th March, selectively sorted in the winery. Destemmed and 50% whole berries retained. Wild yeast. Fermented in ceramic egg and small 1 tonne open top stainless steel fermenters with a long gentle maceration for a minimum of 30 days, a portion remained on skins for approximately 4 months post fermentation. No pressings are used in this wine. Matured on lees in both older, thick stave Austrian puncheon and ceramic eggs before final blending to predominantly ceramic eggs. Bottled February 2024. Certified Organic / Biodynamic.
Tasting Profile

Light

Full

Low Tannin

Tannic

Sweet

Dry

Low Acidity

High Acidity

Aroma:

Black Cherry, Savoury, Strawberry

Palate:

Earthy, Red Cherry, Strawberry

Food Pairings:

Game

Pork

Red Meat

Tasting Notes

Description

Winery Notes

2023 HIGH SANDS GRENACHE

High Sands Grenache is the pinnacle of our estate. Reaching deep within the sandy soil, our prized 1946 old vines produce wines that balance intense power and complexity with fragrance and beauty.

VINTAGE SUMMARY

The growing season began with significantly higher than average rainfall. The cool, wet conditions continued through Spring, setting us up for balanced canopies and lower yields. La Niña weather patterns forecasted cooler temperatures and continued rainfall for harvest. We were able to enhance vineyard practices such as shoot thinning and leaf removal to promote airflow, reduce mildew and increase sun exposure to bunches. From our experience, a cold vintage in a warm region can produce some of the best wines. Due to the cultural practices implemented, we were able to pick the majority of the vineyard in a three-week window prior to Easter, completed in early April. Wines produced from this vintage will be some of the prettiest and most delicate from the Estate.

WINEMAKING

Sourced exclusively from Block 31 (1.7 Ha). At 210m elevation, this is the highest section of the 1946 planted bush vine Grenache, which also has the deepest sandy soil. Hand-picked 20th March, selectively sorted in the winery. Destemmed and 50% whole berries retained. Wild yeast. Fermented in ceramic egg and small 1 tonne open top stainless steel fermenters with a long gentle maceration for a minimum of 30 days, a portion remained on skins for approximately 4 months post fermentation. No pressings are used in this wine. Matured on lees in both older, thick stave Austrian puncheon and ceramic eggs before final blending to predominantly ceramic eggs. Bottled February 2024. Certified Organic / Biodynamic.

Tasting Profile

Light
Full

Low Tannin
Tannic

Sweet
Dry

Low Acidity
High Acidity

Aroma:

Black Cherry, Savoury, Strawberry

Palate:

Earthy, Red Cherry, Strawberry

Food Pairings:

Game

Pork

Red Meat

Yangarra Estate

Yangarra Estate is the Australian (specifically McLaren Vale) operation of Kendall-Jackson, one of the leading premium wine producers in California. In 2000 Kendall-Jackson acquired the 172ha Eringa Park vineyard from Normans Wines - the oldest of the vines date back to 1923! The renamed Yangarra Estate Vineyard is the estate base for the operation, which built a state-of-the-art premium red wine-making facility in 2010 and is moving to certified organic status with its vineyards. In 2012 it purchased the historic Clarendon Vineyard from the estate of the late Alan Hickinbotham and the winemaker is the brilliant Peter Fraser. James Halliday has said of the Estate - “I could write six columns about Yangarra Estate and winemaker Peter Fraser and still have more to say.”

Their Ironheart Shiraz is as good as any McLaren Vale Shiraz you'll come across and their minute production (think 160 cases only) of the High Sands Grenache is a remarkable rendition of old, old vine grenache. Their portfolio is incredibly strong from their entry levels through to the icons. If you haven't yet been introduced to their wines, you're in for a very nice surprise.

Congratulations to Peter Fraser who was named Winemaker of the Year in the 2016 Wine Companion!

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