Chapel Hill have managed to make very impressive reds from the cool, wet 2011 vintage. Is it the vineyards? Is it viticulturist Rachel Steer? Is it the winemaking team of Michael Fragos and Bryn Richards? I’ll ask next I catch up with one of them, probably later this month.
This is Pinot-esque Grenache. Extremely perfumed, it blooms with red cherry and raspberry, blue florals, earth, nutmeg and pepper. Spicy and medium bodied with brisk but not hard acid and firm tannin which just needs some air to soften. Some savoury leaf matter on the back-palate works well. Delicate and pretty (forget the ABV). Looked at its best on days two and three. Really liked this. 93 Very Good
Region: McLaren Vale
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $35
Tasted: April 2013