Since
the construction of the d'Arenberg winery in 1928,
its highly regarded red wines have been predominantly
Grenache-based. Chief winemaker, Chester Osborn, was
one of the first to plant Tempranillo in McLaren Vale
as this variety appears well-suited to the region,
and is a traditional blending partner for Grenache.
To this blend, Souzao was added for its color stability,
acidity and natural resistance to oxidation.
Very
loud flowers and ripe dried herbs are detected in
the exotic aroma, along with a wide array of fruits
- cherries, cranberries, mulberries, plums, boysenberries
and blackberries. Also showing is a warm, rich, earth
character leading into forest floor.
The
palate is immediately fruity with all sorts of red
and blackberries,
lots of dark cherries, boysenberries and a seam of
violets working through. It is rich and juicy with
lively, gritty tannins. A very long earth and dried
herb flavor ends with a twist of licorice and blackberry.
This
is a big wine built for the long haul and is recommended
to be cellared for many years.
Since
the construction of the d'Arenberg winery in 1928,
its highly regarded red wines have been predominantly
Grenache-based. Chief winemaker, Chester Osborn, was
one of the first to plant Tempranillo in McLaren Vale
as this variety appears well-suited to the region,
and is a traditional blending partner for Grenache.
To this blend, Souzao was added for its color stability,
acidity and natural resistance to oxidation.