2023 Ministry of Clouds McLaren Vale Tempranillo Grenache

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A polished, food-ready red that mixes Spanish flair with McLaren Vale character, shaped by smart winemaking and a generous sense of hospitality.

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Sale price$29.00 Regular price$35.00
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Description

This is Ministry of Clouds doing what they do best - taking a couple of Mediterranean staples and giving them an effortless Aussie spin. It’s a 60/40 blend of Tempranillo and Grenache, drawn from both estate and trusted grower fruit, and built for the table. Think bright red fruits, spice, gentle tannin and just the right amount of savoury depth to keep things interesting.

The Tempranillo brings the darker edge - cherry cola, plum, a little dried herb - while the old vine Grenache lifts the blend with its easy charm and juicy red fruit. Winemaking leans into whole berry and whole bunch, with extended skin contact and time in large-format oak, concrete and egg. But it’s all about balance - fruit-forward without being simple, structured without being hard work.

It’s a medium-bodied red with real versatility. Perfect for a long lunch, a few small plates, or just good conversation.

94 points
"Quite pure and translucent with aromas of blackberries, wild blueberries, blackcurrants, rose petals and licorice. The palate is full-bodied with fine tannins and bright acidity. Very fruit-driven with a juicy, crunchy finish. Delicious. Drink or hold. Screw cap."
- James Suckling

94 points - "Quite pure and translucent with aromas of blackberries, wild blueberries, blackcurrants, rose petals and licorice. The palate is full-bodied with fine tannins and bright acidity. Very fruit-driven with a juicy, crunchy finish. Delicious. Drink or hold. Screw cap." - James Suckling

92 points - "60/40% tempranillo/grenache. From grower and estate vines with whole berry and whole bunch carbonic maceration, extended time on skins (four to five weeks), with one grenache parcel at 25 weeks; maturation in 3500 and 5000L foudre, eggs and puncheons. Tempranillo leads with cherry, anise, cola and black plum accented by spicy stem and skin notes; the grenache percolates up with wild raspberry and rosehip notes while giving the palate a more open feel, moderating its partner’s tannins through the middle, cleaning up the tail and giving this real gastronomic purpose." - Marcus Ellis (Halliday Wine Companion)

Versatility & Grace…

How do you capture the timelessness of San Sebastian’s pinchos bars and their delectable morsels of deliciousness? Our desire to create a wine that embodied this experience but equally at home gracing our tables of our homeland is the catalyst behind our Tempranillo Grenache. Designed to befit the myriad of cultural and social influences we embrace in Modern Australia, enjoy with family and friends and experiment with flavours from far-flung places.

Composition
This wine combines fragrant notes of pomegranate, sarsaparilla, violets and freshly turned earth typical of McLaren Vale Tempranillo, with the red berried perfume and succulence of old vine Grenache. This medium bodied wine is pretty, but deeply flavoured, and deliberately moreish. A lithe and juicy wine, it errs on the blood orange, cherry, red berry spectrum on the palate supported by a long line of ferrous tannin.

Consumption
Ideal serving temperature is 16 degrees. The most versatile wine in our range.. Try it with meats, game, poultry and seafood alike... grilled, stewed or with a whack of spice... east and west, variety is best. Be adventurous and give it a test! Cool cellaring between 5 years to 8 years will be rewarded.

Price Bracket $31 to $40
Type Red
Body Medium Bodied
Variety Tempranillo
Country Australia
Region McLaren Vale
Australian State SA
Feature Women in Wine
Reviewed By Halliday Wine Companion
James Suckling
Critic Score 92
94
Alcohol 14%
Size 750ml
Vintage 2023
Closure Screw Cap

Ministry of Clouds

Ministry of Clouds is a partnership between wine industry 'veterans' Bernice Ong and Julian Forwood, who set up the venture in 2013, with their first releases coming in 2015.

Having worked for some of Australia's leading wineries such as Yalumba and Wirra Wirra, the duo began sourcing outstanding fruit from Tasmania and Clare Valley for white wines, and McLaren Vale for reds.

McLaren Vale is their home, and as well as their own 11ha plot, they seek out old vineyards around the peninsula, with a focus on Grenache, Mataro, Shiraz and Tempranillo, along with the occasional foray into Carignan and Picpoul.

Bernice Ong and Julian Forwood Discover Ministry of Clouds

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