This is the second style of wine to be produced under the HEAD RED range and like the HEAD RED Shiraz is essentially a barrel de-classification. The fruit here is sourced from 5 different Grenache vineyards across the Barossa and Eden Valleys all aged between 60 and 155 years old. Each varietal component was fermented separately, resulting in more fruit definition, purity and accessibility.
For the second year in a row Grenache yields were the lowest I have encountered. As well, Grenache realised prolific alcohol and obviously in seeking a balanced GSM the blend is as close to equal parts of Grenache, Shiraz & Mataro as you could get. Here we see a wine with darker fruits at the core and more structural tannin, savouriness and dried herb spices. There’s less of the red fruits, texture and sweetness you’d see in a normal year. Perhaps more Provence than Southern Rhone. Vive la difference!
Always picked on the cusp of ripeness with some whole-bunches retained during the fermentation. The Grenache component can be sourced from up to four different vineyards across the Barossa, all aged between 50 & 80 years old. The shiraz component is a blend of Eden Valley vineyards and the Mataro is sourced from a dry-grown vineyard on Mengler’s Hill in the Eden Valley. Each varietal component is fermented separately, resulting in more fruit definition, purity and accessibility. ‘HEAD RED’ wines are produced with balance and drinkability in mind without sacrificing true Barossan character. Bottled unfined under Stelvin capsule. Alex Head.
14.5% ABV