2018 Varney Wines GSM
McLaren Vale, SA
Truly stunning Grenache blend from Alan Varney, juicy and herbal and savoury. 96 Halliday Wine Companion.
$32.00
Out of Stock
Possibly the finest domestic 'GSM' yet tasted. A mini Gigondas!
Ned Goodwin (Halliday Wine Companion)
About The Wine
This is the quintessential McLaren Vale GSM.
It's a classic case of right varieties grown in the right place. Alan Varney knows how to put these blends together in just the right way thanks to years of experience making wine in South Australia.
He's nailed this wine. The rosy red fruits of the bush vine Grenache coupled with the sweet dark fruits of the Shiraz and the savouriness of the Mataro, it's a winning combination.
About Varney
Varney Wines began with just a "tonne for fun" for Alan Varney to play around with over a decade ago.
He took his years of experience working at top South Australian wineries, including time spent at Orlando Wines, Longview Vineyard and over a decade as senior winemaker at d’Arenberg, and poured his skills into crafting a style of wine that he and his friends and family could enjoy.
The side gig became a full-time obsession, leading to Alan purchasing a dilapidated property at the Gateway of McLaren Vale to house a tasting room alongside his wife Kathrin’s restaurant, Victor’s Place. A sustainable modern winery was built and their first commercial release was unveiled. The wines have been taking off ever since culminating with Varney being named James Halliday's Best New Winery in 2021.
McLaren Vale, SA
From The Producer
Bush Vine Grenache picked early to retain natural acidity. Each variety fermented separately. Crushed, cold soaked for 3-5 days. Approx 5% whole bunch (Grenache), wild carbonic maceration, 13 to 20 days on skins in headed down open fermenters. Pressed to seasoned Burgundy coopered Barriques. Matured for 10 months and blended prior to bottling. Contains minimal sulphites.
Three varieties very well suited to McLaren Vale. Bush Vine Grenache provides aromatic lift and bright red fruit characters. Shiraz lends powdery tannin, spice and mid-palate weight, while Mourvèdre rounds out the blend and contributes balance and structure. This wine is a fun and challenging puzzle to assemble each vintage and will age gracefully up to a decade after release.
Blend : 66% Grenache, 27% Shiraz, 13% Mataro
ABV : 14.6%
Closure : Screw Cap
Drink Until : 2028
McLaren Vale, SA
Critic Reviews
"White Valley and Blewitt Springs fruit, 60/27/13% old-vine grenache/Clarendon shiraz/mourvèdre. Some whole-bunch carbonic wild-ferment work with the grenache. 13-20 days on skins; matured in barriques (10 months). An exceptional Rhône blend. For the record, I loathe the GSM moniker, seeking wines that sublimate branding and the personality of each component with a juicy mouthful of spicy, Mediterranean herb-doused blue/black-fruit aspersions. This is THAT wine! The tannins, noble, savoury and thirst-slaking. Possibly the finest domestic 'GSM' yet tasted. A mini Gigondas." - Ned Goodwin (Halliday Wine Companion)
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