2025 Light Red
Bright, fresh & seriously easy to drink. Estate young vines grown in loam over clay in the Willunga foothills. Certified organic & biodynamic.
- Young estate Grenache from loam over clay in the Willunga foothills, certified organic and biodynamic.
- Hand-picked, about 13% carbonic maceration, wild yeast; malolactic and élevage in stainless steel, no oak.
- Ripe cherry, wild strawberry and crunchy acidity at 13.5%; serve lightly chilled or at cellar temperature.
- Variety
- Grenache 100%
- Harvest date
- 1 March 2025
- Bottled
- 26 August 2025
- Alc
- 13.5%
- pH
- 3.41
- TA
- 6.2g/L
- GF
- 0.6g/L
Winemaking
Vintage
The 2025 McLaren Vale vintage was marked by intensity and unpredictable weather patterns. Harvest began in mid-to-late January, around two weeks earlier than usual, after a dry winter and a cooler-than-average spring delayed early vine growth.
Summer arrived suddenly with a string of short but extreme heatwaves in December and January, where temperatures frequently climbed above 38°C. This caused grapes to ripen quickly, compressing the harvest window. Fortunately, some well-timed late-season rain helped relieve vine stress and supported flavor and tannin development leading in to harvest.
Yields were lower than average due to the heat and smaller berry size, but the resulting wines show excellent fruit concentration and optimal tannin ripeness.
Vinification
100% estate-grown certified organic and biodynamic fruit from the Willunga foothills. Hand-picked with approximately 13% carbonic maceration. Fermented with indigenous yeast and no additions with the exception of sulphur. Malolactic fermentation and remaining élevage took place in stainless steel.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Light, bright cherry red
Bouquet: Aromatic lift of ripe cherries, wild strawberries, and raspberries, layered with cranberry.
Palate: Juicy red cherry and wild berries, underpinned by crunchy acidity. Tannins are fine-grained and supple, lending structure without overpowering the fruit. The finish is clean, fresh, and long, emphasizing the vibrant, early-drinking style. Can be served lightly chilled or at cellar temperature.
Distributed in Australia by Principal Wine.