2016 Head Wines Ancestor Vine Grenache
Barossa Valley, SA
One of Australia's very best Grenache wines.
$90.00
Out of Stock
Incredible. I’m thinking about the great Grenache wines of the world while I taste this, and surely, this is one of them.
Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
About the Wine
In this Ancestor Vine Grenache, you can see Alex Head's winemaking passion and philosophy distilled into a single bottle.
From an ancient vineyard in Springton in the Eden Valley, these warhorse vines planted in 1858 yield fruit of dazzling concentration and complexity. In the hands of Alex, the fruit sings.
The attention to detail here is the thing that sets it apart. The fruit is delicately handled every step of the way. From hand picking to manual plunging and pigeage (foot stomping) twice a day, every effort is made to extract the maximum potency of flavour from these grapes. The aim here is clear, Alex says, "Made with complete respect to the fruit and aiming above the great CNDP (Châteauneuf-du-Pape) in terms of quality and longevity." He's aiming high and he is nailing it.
Make no mistake, this wine is a leading light in the Australian Grenache revolution. An ambitious project coming to fruition. In the highest ever score for a Grenache on The Wine Front, Gary Walsh awarded the 2016 vintage a monumental 97 points and wrote these words, "Incredible. I’m thinking about the great Grenache wines of the world while I taste this, and surely, this is one of them."
This is a wine not to be missed.
About Head Wines
Alex Head has had what you might call a meteoric rise through the Australian wine industry. In his short career as a producer he has been heralded as one of the best Young Gun Winemakers, not only in the Barossa but the whole country. With no formal training as a winemaker, the purity and balance inherent in the wines are amazing.
Alex has a passion for the old vineyards that populate the Barossa. With a keen eye for a good site, Alex has put together a formidable portfolio of vineyards which produce simply outstanding renditions of Shiraz and Grenache year-in, year-out. These are some of the most exciting wines in the Barossa.
Barossa Valley, SA
From the Producer
This Eden Valley Grenache comes from a 155 year old vineyard in Springton on brown and grey sandy loam over yellow clays. 30% whole-bunch fermented in a wooden vat, no crushing or temperature control, natural yeasts, hand plunged and foot trodden twice daily for 3 weeks. Racked once during elevage of 12 months in used thick staved 600L demi-muid with a small addition of old vine mourvedre for balance. Made with complete respect to the fruit and aiming above the great CNDP in terms of quality and longevity. Bottled unfined and unfiltered under stelvin capsule.
Blend : Grenache (100%)
ABV : 14.50%
Closure : Screw Cap
Drink Until : 2036
Bottle Size : 750ml
Critic Reviews
"From Grenache vines planted some time around 1858. What a rare treasure this is, and wonderful to see it nursed into bottle with such care and respect. Roses, sage, ripe raspberry, peanuts, liquorice and chocolate. Medium bodied, but incredible density and concentration of flavour – essence of Grenache delivered with class – suede stroke of tannin, freshness of acidity nestled deep inside a core of savoury and plump fruit, and a finish that soars and carries long. Incredible. I’m thinking about the great Grenache wines of the world while I taste this, and surely, this is one of them." - Gary walsh (The Wine Front)
"Sourced from the 158yo Stonegarden Vineyard to produce a lone 600l barrel, this vintage with new oak for the first time - with the addition of mataro, the new oak component ended up around 85%, seamlessly integrated. This dips into more savoury, earthy tones darkening the fruit and spice without ever losing its line on the slighter fuller palate. A complex and compelling wine with excellent length, detail and charm." - Jane Falkner (Halliday Wine Companion)
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