Wine Article
2019 Dandelion Vineyards Grenache Faraway Tree
Last edited on 6/10/2021 by LindsayM
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The Faraway Tree Grenache is Dandelion's portal to alternate reality of McLaren Vale Grenache..
$80.00
The Faraway Tree Grenache is a part of our Firehawk Farm, a single biodynamically run vineyard perched atop an ancient ridge overlooking McLaren Vale the Willunga escarpment and the Gulf St Vincent. Firehawk is our Native Bird of Prey that soars over our vineyards; acting as scarecrow to other birds, rabbits and the like that eat ripening grapes.
Selected bunches were handpicked by family and friends in early March. We gently crushed half of the fruit over whole bunches into open top fermenters. After 10 days of fermentation the wine was basket pressed into French oak barrels, a third new and the balance seasoned. This was followed by 18 months maturation with minimal winemaking artefact before bottling, to capture the essence of the vineyard. The wine will reward cellaring and decanting.
tasting note
Background
Dandelion Vineyards is a unique fusion of vineyards and vignerons. Our wines represent decades of experience, blending the fruit of our old vine gardens with the finest traditions of artisan winemaking.
Dandelion Vineyards are proven plantings that have stood the test of time. Our wish is to nurture the unique character of these vineyards and express their terroir in our wines.
Capturing variety, vintage and vineyard requires an enlightened approach and although our growers see the Devil in every weed, we encourage the humble Dandelion amongst the vines as they suppress winter weeds, provide mulch in summer, and proffer their Wishing Clocks in spring to blow off to make our wish come true.
Our Firehawk Farm Grenache from McLaren Vale is a single vineyard perched atop an ancient ridge overlooking McLaren Vale, the Willunga Escarpment and the Gulf of St Vincent, Firehawk is our Native Bird of Prey that soar over our vineyards acting as scarecrows to other birds, rabbits and the like that eat ripening grapes.
Selected bunches were hand picked by family and friends and gently crushed into open top fermenters, with 50% whole bunch. After 14 days fermentation the wine was then basket pressed into French oak puncheons, a third new, a third in second year old oak and the rest in stainless steel. After 18 months maturation the wine is bottled without fining or filtering, to capture the essence of the vineyard.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Invitingly opaque rim edge; brightly coloured red- violet-purple, pleasantly yet not deeply so.
Nose
Mixed green herbs and berry fruits. Blueberries and raspberries and mulberries, too, the latter from an old mulberry tree hidden in an ancient garden visited only by the cheerful ghosts of old gardeners past. The aromas, however, are fresh, pert and alive - drippingly so with those dark summer berries.
Palate
Integrated and harmonious soft berry fruits launch at the first sip before an acid spike and a racing line of alcohol usher in a bugle call of tiny, swarming visibly invisible tannins. This all equates to... balance. The wine finishes with
a flickering of that undeniable juicy grenache flavour. It is both long and flooding in flavour.
Drink
Not only is this a grenache with a long bloodline, but it also comes with a multi-disciplinary range of post-doctorate qualifications. Yet it doesn’t go on about it. This is a red wine more natural than bespoke; more born than made. In other words, wine in its most unorchestrated form. As such
it is extremely versatile with a range of cuisines. Indeed, it is up for any challenge. Answers on a postcard, please.
Specifics
Composition: 100% Grenache Alcohol: 14.5%
TA 7.7 g/L
pH: 3.41
$80.00
The Faraway Tree Grenache is a part of our Firehawk Farm, a single biodynamically run vineyard perched atop an ancient ridge overlooking McLaren Vale the Willunga escarpment and the Gulf St Vincent. Firehawk is our Native Bird of Prey that soars over our vineyards; acting as scarecrow to other birds, rabbits and the like that eat ripening grapes.
Selected bunches were handpicked by family and friends in early March. We gently crushed half of the fruit over whole bunches into open top fermenters. After 10 days of fermentation the wine was basket pressed into French oak barrels, a third new and the balance seasoned. This was followed by 18 months maturation with minimal winemaking artefact before bottling, to capture the essence of the vineyard. The wine will reward cellaring and decanting.
tasting note
Background
Dandelion Vineyards is a unique fusion of vineyards and vignerons. Our wines represent decades of experience, blending the fruit of our old vine gardens with the finest traditions of artisan winemaking.
Dandelion Vineyards are proven plantings that have stood the test of time. Our wish is to nurture the unique character of these vineyards and express their terroir in our wines.
Capturing variety, vintage and vineyard requires an enlightened approach and although our growers see the Devil in every weed, we encourage the humble Dandelion amongst the vines as they suppress winter weeds, provide mulch in summer, and proffer their Wishing Clocks in spring to blow off to make our wish come true.
Our Firehawk Farm Grenache from McLaren Vale is a single vineyard perched atop an ancient ridge overlooking McLaren Vale, the Willunga Escarpment and the Gulf of St Vincent, Firehawk is our Native Bird of Prey that soar over our vineyards acting as scarecrows to other birds, rabbits and the like that eat ripening grapes.
Selected bunches were hand picked by family and friends and gently crushed into open top fermenters, with 50% whole bunch. After 14 days fermentation the wine was then basket pressed into French oak puncheons, a third new, a third in second year old oak and the rest in stainless steel. After 18 months maturation the wine is bottled without fining or filtering, to capture the essence of the vineyard.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Invitingly opaque rim edge; brightly coloured red- violet-purple, pleasantly yet not deeply so.
Nose
Mixed green herbs and berry fruits. Blueberries and raspberries and mulberries, too, the latter from an old mulberry tree hidden in an ancient garden visited only by the cheerful ghosts of old gardeners past. The aromas, however, are fresh, pert and alive - drippingly so with those dark summer berries.
Palate
Integrated and harmonious soft berry fruits launch at the first sip before an acid spike and a racing line of alcohol usher in a bugle call of tiny, swarming visibly invisible tannins. This all equates to... balance. The wine finishes with
a flickering of that undeniable juicy grenache flavour. It is both long and flooding in flavour.
Drink
Not only is this a grenache with a long bloodline, but it also comes with a multi-disciplinary range of post-doctorate qualifications. Yet it doesn’t go on about it. This is a red wine more natural than bespoke; more born than made. In other words, wine in its most unorchestrated form. As such
it is extremely versatile with a range of cuisines. Indeed, it is up for any challenge. Answers on a postcard, please.
Specifics
Composition: 100% Grenache Alcohol: 14.5%
TA 7.7 g/L
pH: 3.41