2023 Vanguardist Grenache
2023 Vanguardist Grenache

2023 Vanguardist Grenache

97 pts
Vanguardist |McLaren Vale |Grenache
One of the finest Grenache wines to be released in Australia every year. With the 2023 picking up 97 points from Marcus Ellis at Halliday Wine Companion, this won't be around for long!
4.9
Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars
12 Reviews
Price:
$70.00
Stock:
In stock, ready to ship
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Description

Few wines capture the modern McLaren Vale Grenache movement quite like this. Sourced from the Silver Sands Vineyard in Blewitt Springs, these 50-year-old bush vines have long been one of the region’s best-kept secrets. Under the careful stewardship of winemaker Michael Corbett, they now produce one of the most compelling expressions of Grenache in Australia.

The 2023 vintage was a slow burner, with cool, wet conditions stretching the growing season and delivering a wine of exceptional finesse and purity. Hand-picked in stages over 10 days, 60% whole bunches were retained to enhance fragrance and structure. Aged for 17 months in a large 22HL Slavonian Oak foudre, this extra time in barrel allowed the wine to develop an extraordinary sense of cohesion and detail.

This is a Grenache of serious class - all perfumed red berries, wild herbs, crushed rock, and spice, wrapped around fine, lacy tannins and a lingering mineral finish. There’s a brightness and energy here that makes it immediately captivating, yet its depth and structure suggest a long and fascinating evolution ahead.

This is benchmark Blewitt Springs Grenache from one of the finest operators in the Vale. Limited quantities, snap it up while you can.

97 Points
"This also opens up and holds for days, suggesting a very bright future. So individual; so stunning."
- Marcus Ellis (Halliday Wine Companion)

96 points
"A wonderfully structured and vibrant grenache."
- James Suckling
James Suckling

James Suckling

James Suckling 96 Points

Perfumed and lifted with aromas of wild raspberries, cinnamon bark, fresh herbs and cherries. The medium-bodied palate has firmly framed tannins and focused acidity, leading into savory-edged aromas of plums, redcurrants and potpourri. A wonderfully structured and vibrant grenache.

Erin Larkin

Erin Larkin

The Wine Advocate 97 Points

The 2023 Grenache leads with all the star anise and pomegranate, graphite, petrichor and garden rose that we have come to expect both of Vanguardist and fine McLaren Vale Grenache. There is no Australian reference point for the style of Grenache that McLaren Vale is able to produce and excel in—it is detailed, aromatic and structurally fine. This has notes of sweet tobacco, crushed shells and nuances of cracked peppercorns. The season was wet and cool, and the wine here is nuanced and detailed. There are dried herbs here, but it is the chalky tannins that steal the show. 13.9% alcohol, sealed under Diam.

97 points - "Vanguardist-farmed Rende vineyard bush vines, around 55 years old; 60% whole bunch, with about seven weeks on skins; matured in 2200L Slavonian oak. The cool vintage has its say. Refined, fragrant and elegant, but savoury and spicy, too. Distinct nebbiolo/nerello mascalese riffs, more the latter – an increasing theme at this address. Dried cranberry and cherry, freeze-dried raspberry and orange, from dehydrated peel to the bitter orange note in amaro, chinotto, Campari … five spice, clove, green cardamom, white pepper, alpine herbs, sour plum, dried mint, pressed flowers, warm terracotta. It’s finer of feel. Is it lesser for it? Nope. It’s laden with so much flavour and etched with ultra-fine but authoritative tannins and refreshing acidity. This also opens up and holds for days, suggesting a very bright future. So individual; so stunning." - Marcus Ellis (Halliday Wine Companion)

96 points - "Perfumed and lifted with aromas of wild raspberries, cinnamon bark, fresh herbs and cherries. The medium-bodied palate has firmly framed tannins and focused acidity, leading into savory-edged aromas of plums, redcurrants and potpourri. A wonderfully structured and vibrant grenache. Drink or hold. Screw cap." - James Suckling

94+ points - "Raspberry, cranberry, cherry, lots of exotic spice, almond and dried flowers. Medium-bodied, quite some firm grainy tannin grip with something of a dry spice feel, which is maybe a character of the vintage. Black tea, bright clean acidity, nutmeg and slightly mulchy flavours lead into a crisp finish of good length. Doesn’t have the power and concentration of some vintages, though it does have plenty of crunch and charm." - Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)

94+ points - "A supple, soft and slurpy grenache with bright perfume, sweet red berry fruit, a kind of levity and effortless in its feel. A delicate wine, pretty with decent mettle of tannin, tension, zip, stretch of flavour. A pinosity, yes. Tart cherry, dusty, woody spices, hazelnut, well integrated though, chamomile in there, some cardamom, a touch of brine and salt bush too. A finesse here. Pretty as." - Mike Bennie (The Wine Front)

Customer Reviews

4.9
Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars
Based on 12 reviews
Total 5 star reviews: 11 Total 4 star reviews: 1 Total 3 star reviews: 0 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 0
12 reviews
  • RC
    Robert C.
    Verified Buyer
    2 weeks ago
    Reviewing
    2023 Vanguardist Grenache
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    MV Grenache continues to impress.

    Perhaps a lighter bodied wine than previous vintages.

    Still includes plenty of spices to keep you interested.

    Could age into something special as this winemaker continues to produce the goods for grenache drinkers.

    Was this helpful?
  • SP
    Sam P.
    Verified Buyer
    4 months ago
    Reviewing
    2023 Vanguardist Grenache
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    great wine

    great wine.

    Was this helpful?
  • MR
    Michael R.
    Verified Buyer
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    1 year ago
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    Reviewing
    2022 Vanguardist MVG Grenache
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Brilliant

    Possibly the most enjoyable Grenache i've tasted.

    Was this helpful?
Show More

GRENACHE FROM RENDE VINEYARD, BLEWITT SPRINGS, MCLAREN VALE

The Vanguardist range represents the epitome of what we are about. Pushing the realms of standard winemaking to deliver intrigue, excitement and full recognition of this special and distinct terroir. Ultimate dedication to the craft of viticulture and winemaking, encapsulated in a bottle – through our lens.

VINEYARD:
The Grenache originates from the renowned "Silver Sands" vineyard in Blewitt Springs, South Australia. Planted over 50 years ago by Robert Rende and his father, Michael, this vineyard is considered a hidden gem in the region. The vineyard's viticulture is now expertly managed by Michael J. Corbett, whose focus on quality and sustainability continues to elevate the wine’s reputation and ensure the vineyard's longevity. The 2023 vintage marked the ninth release of this exceptional Grenache from this single site.

VINTAGE:
The 2023 growing season was marked by ample winter rain, followed by a cool and moist spring. These conditions delayed budburst and slowed shoot growth, resulting in a late flowering and fruit set. The cool summer extended the ripening process further, leading to a slightly delayed but short harvest period. These unique seasonal influences contributed to the wine’s refined acidity, captivating tension, fine tannins, lifted fruit expression, and distinct mineral notes.

HARVEST:
Hand harvested over a 10-day period, with the first pick, March 16, and concluding with the third pick on March 26. The yields were down from the 2022, averaging around 30HL/Ha. Slightly below the long-term average.

WINEMAKING PROCESS:
With 60% whole bunch inclusion, the fruit underwent its meticulously gentle fermentation process over an average period of seven weeks. The wine was then further aged for 17 months in 22HL Slavonian Oak Foudre, This time allowed elevage through a
second winter, and the wine was racked early spring to prepare for bottling.
Bottled without fining or filtration at the optimal natural ambient temperature in November 2024.

PROFILE:
This Grenache is a true reflection of its terroir, offering an elegant balance of elevated acidity, fine grained silky tannins, vibrant and lifted red fruit characteristics, and a distinctive minerality.

Price Bracket $51 to $100
Type Red
Body Medium Bodied
Variety Grenache
Country Australia
Region McLaren Vale
Australian State SA
Feature High Score
Reviewed By The Wine Front
Halliday Wine Companion
James Suckling
Critic Score 97
94
Size 750ml
Vintage 2023
Closure Cork

Vanguardist

Vanguardist is an up and coming producer from McLaren Vale started by three friends after many long nights in Hawkes Bay talking about their shared love of wine.

Their mission is to bring premium, authentic, small-batch wines to a market they see as crowded by "overly commercialised wines produced by corporates who take up all the elbow room."

They source very high-quality fruit from great vineyards across South Australia, looking to build wines with texture and vibrancy.

With experienced winemaker Michael Corbett at the helm, the future looks bright for this plucky challenger brand.

Winemaker Michael Corbett Vanguardist

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