Place
A single plot of old-vine Grenache on the ridge behind the Kilikanoon Winery located in the sub-region of Watervale, Clare Valley.
Vintage Conditions
The 2022 vintage has been described as classic Clare with cool and dry conditions producing solid yields and fruit with great varietal character and natural acidity. Good late winter and early-spring rains led to an even budburst, good early canopy growth and contributed to mitigating frost damage. Dry conditions prevailed from November onwards, with rainfall well below average for the remainder of the growing season.
Winemaking
Sourced from a 70+ year old vineyard in Watervale, the grapes were hand-picked and delivered straight to the winery. Developing flavour ripeness long before sugar ripeness, this fruit showed bright flavours due to the additional sunlight during its prolonged time on the vine. Whole bunches were placed into a stainless-steel tank and the fruit was lightly “foot stomped” prior to the natural fermentation beginning. After a cool fermentation to retain the natural grape aromatics, the grapes were gently basket pressed into seasoned French oak puncheons for 3 months, before bottling as a fresh and vibrant wine.
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2022 Kx Grenache
2022 Kx Grenache
Overview
Grenache has a long but silent history in the Clare Valley. An aromatic variety, Grenache thrives in the cooler high altitude, producing layers of flavours bound within the fruit. The practice of whole bunch fermentation has enjoyed a renaissance with aromatic varieties building into them unique and bracing structure and freshness. The Kx range exists to allow winemakers to experiment broadly. This wine is the result of a number of years of trials, fermenting small single batches of Grenache across a range of whole bunch ratios. It was determined that only when fully committing to the ‘whole bunch’ style did the true beauty and balance shine through.Place
A single plot of old-vine Grenache on the ridge behind the Kilikanoon Winery located in the sub-region of Watervale, Clare Valley.
Vintage Conditions
The 2022 vintage has been described as classic Clare with cool and dry conditions producing solid yields and fruit with great varietal character and natural acidity. Good late winter and early-spring rains led to an even budburst, good early canopy growth and contributed to mitigating frost damage. Dry conditions prevailed from November onwards, with rainfall well below average for the remainder of the growing season.
Winemaking
Sourced from a 70+ year old vineyard in Watervale, the grapes were hand-picked and delivered straight to the winery. Developing flavour ripeness long before sugar ripeness, this fruit showed bright flavours due to the additional sunlight during its prolonged time on the vine. Whole bunches were placed into a stainless-steel tank and the fruit was lightly “foot stomped” prior to the natural fermentation beginning. After a cool fermentation to retain the natural grape aromatics, the grapes were gently basket pressed into seasoned French oak puncheons for 3 months, before bottling as a fresh and vibrant wine.
Tasting Notes
Back Vintage Tasting Notes-
Appearance
Vibrant red in colour with youthful regal purple hues.
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Nose
A lifted infusion of herbs and dark fruits and raspberry
coulis is underpinned by soft savoury notes. Hints of
supporting oak further add to the complex layers that rise from the glass.
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Palate
The palate exudes dark cherry and raspberry fruits with the hallmark soft, seamless texture of Grenache. A bright, crunchy acid line and savoury tannins ensures the wine is purposeful and endearing to the youthful finish.