Bondar Higher Springs Grenache 2021

Bondar Higher Springs Grenache is a single-vineyard Grenache from vines planted in 1952 at Blewitt Springs.

Sue Trott's Wilpena vineyard lies in the middle of Blewitt Springs, dry-grown on deep sand, and it faces steeply east, unusual in McLaren Vale and enough to keep the vines out of much of the hot late-afternoon sun. Andre Bondar does not hide his feelings about the place: sometimes, he says, a vineyard is so beautiful you assume the wine must follow. There were no heatwaves in 2021, the days were warm and sunny and ripening stretched out, and he rates it among the better vintages of the decade. The fruit was picked for crunch and wild-fermented with 30 per cent whole bunches, then given about ten months in old French puncheons and hand-bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Red fruit, spice, aniseed and a steely mineral streak, with tannin that frames the fruit instead of smothering it and acid pitched just right. Decant and serve at 15 to 16 degrees. Roast lamb, grilled quail, or mushrooms with barley.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.