The Old Faithful 2019 Grenache
Detailed information and Tasting Notes
The Old Faithful Story
McLaren Vale is home to some of the most treasured old vine plantings in the world today, with the earliest known plantings dating back into the 19th century. We affectionately refer to them as “The Old Faithful”. They are a resource we treasure
dearly.
The Old Faithful, founded by wine mates in 2005 is an artisan producer of small quantities of wines from older, exceptional single vineyards. We look for vineyards that are expressive of McLaren Vale, the vintage and the variety and only release our
wines when the wines display these finest characters. With the Rhone as its inspiration – Shiraz and Grenache grace our portfolio. Made to age gracefully, we believe in and recommend our wines and hope you can enjoy the magic of ‘The Old Faithful’.
Grenache 2019
This inaugural release Grenache (our nickname is ‘Black Tip’) is blended from expressive sites in McLaren Vale.
After hand harvesting from bush vines, the grapes undergo open tank ferment slowly with a mix of natural and cultured yeasts.
On pressing the wine was transferred to seasoned French oak puncheons then allowed to slowly mature for complexity and tertiary expression.
Only the best barrels were selected for the final wine. Micro-bottled with light filtration, no fining.
Tasting Notes
Vintage: 2019
Region: McLaren Vale
Variety: Grenache from McLaren Flat
Oak: French oak puncheons for 18 months
Closure: We use DIAM cork to provide taint free cellaring.
Bottles made: 796 bottles in December, 2020
Analysis: 14.5% Alc/vol, pH 3.47 TA 6.1
Winemaking: Nick Haselgrove
Winemaker’s Notes at December 2020:
Colour: Dark purple with a magenta hue.
Nose: Fresh bramble and forest floor with a juicy Turkish delight note and some cured meat complexity. Some subtle oak behind the fruit.
Palate: Strong varietal fruit, hints of dark cherry and subtle malty oak that serves the acidity well.
Long palate with genuine weight and tenacity of flavours showing regionality.
2019 Vintage: Very dry with a fast harvest of concentrated small yields.