This is best drunk on the cooler side with an irreverent frame of mind...
Ned Goodwin MW
About The Wine
Stuart Dudine is a fan of Grenache and believes it can make a wide array of styles, from firm and bold to light and crunchy - this is the former.
Sourced from a vineyard in Heathcote, this is picked on the early side to make a lighter, juicy expression of the variety. Think Grenache doing an impression of Beaujolais Nouveau and you're heading in the right direction.
Looking for a red to knock a chill into over Summer? Here's a good option.
About Alkimi
Stuart Dudine started his Yarra Valley label in 2012 with an eye to producing Rhone-inspired wines in the heartland of Victorian Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
After dedicating years to Syrah, Grenache, Marsanne et. al. he's broadened the scope of the label to now include Pinot and Chardonnay as well as a suite of lo-fi wines made with minimal additions but maximum attention to detail.
These are interesting, off-the-beaten-path wines from the Yarra Valley and well worth a look if you like those under-the-radar producers doing things a bit differently.
Yarra Valley, VIC
From The Producer
Grenache can be difficult to get right. A high tendency to overcrop and a low vigour habit can spell disaster in the vineyard if not managed accordingly. Grenache also benefits from some warm to hot days during the ripening season. All of these factors, and others, and why the Alkimi Grenache is sourced from the Humis Vineyard in Heathcote. The vineyard is found at the northern end of the region and is located on the band of famed Cambrian soil, which is found in the region.
The grapes were handpicked on 23rd March 2018 when tannin had matured and flavour was still in a bright, primary fruit spectrum. Once the grapes arrived to the winery, they were split into three similar size batches for fermentation. One batch was destemmed as whole berry for mid palate roundness. One batch was treated as whole bunch/carbonic for pretty high notes and sweetness. The final batch was destemmed and left on the grape skins for 148 days in order to contribute long tannin and a savoury backbone. All three batches were fermented naturally with daily pumpovers and once pressed, they were run to old barrels (mainly 500L and 300L) for a natural malolactic fermentation. The wine was blended and bottled in November 2018 and did not receive any fining or filtration.
Blend : Grenache (100%)
ABV : 13.70%
Closure : Screw Cap
Drink Until : 2023
Bottle Size : 750ml
Yarra Valley, VIC
Critic Reviews
"Heathcote fruit. A lighter expression of Grenache crafted across a few different fermentations, including one with whole-bunches. With that there is an obvious carbonic element to the wine: think floral jubey red fruit scents. A swathe of tamarind, rosewater and kirsch meld with a gentle skirt of herb-crusted tannins and a lilt of clove. A spicy, energetic finish. This is best drunk on the cooler side with an irreverent frame of mind." - Ned Goodwin MW
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