Product Information:
Ovitelli is the most perfumed and elegant Grenache from the sands at Yangarra. Sourced from a single block, the vibrant fruit of those dry grown 1946 bush vines is rewarded with a long, luxurious ferment and a whole autumn on skins in big ceramic eggs.
The 2022 growing season followed very similar conditions to 2021, though slightly cooler. There were favourable winter rains and a mild flowering and fruit set period. The cool ripening period took place between late January through to harvest in March. Yields were well balanced, and we were pleased with the fruit ripeness, intensity, freshness, and natural acidity.
Sourced from Block 30 (2.0 Ha, planted in 1946 and adjacent to the High Sands block). Hand-picked 21st March and selectively berry sorted. 100% destemmed, crushed and tipped into 675L ceramic eggs. The fermentation occurred in the eggs and remained on skins for approximately 150 days. No pressings are used in this wine. No oak, matured exclusively in the eggs for a total 14 months. Bottled June 2023.
Maker:
Yangarra's philosophy is to authentically capturing a sense of place from their single vineyard estate. The property is 170 total hectares, with close to 90 hectares to vine. The remaining 80 hectares are preserved for native vegetation and wildlife and is intended to enhance the symbiotic relationship between the vines and their natural environment. Yangarra’s benefits from its rare meso-climate which includes a moderate altitude, abundant sunshine and cool evening breezes make it perfect for growing varieties that thrive in the moderate maritime Mediterranean environments.
Here they have a strong affinity to grape varieties of the southern Rhone, old bush vine Grenache is the cornerstone variety. Yangarra Estate is planted with a number of diverse varieties, including traditional grapes like Shiraz and Roussanne to more obscure varieties such as Bourboulenc, Picpoul Noir, Clairette Blanc and Counoise. With a tendency towards experimentation, Yangarra was the first in Australia to commercially plant Grenache Blanc. Through their biodynamic regenerative farming practices and sensitive winemaking philosophies their respect of this special piece of country is evident in the wines we make from its grapes – every Yangarra Estate wine is a confident reflection of this land.
Vineyard:
Yangarra started their organic and biodynamic journey in 2008, Yangarra Estate has been certified biodynamic and organic with ‘Australian Certified Organic’ since 2012. To achieve this they began with removing all synthetic herbicides, pesticides and fertilisers on our estate vineyard, these changes promoted a natural succession in soil and vine health. By applying biodynamic preparations in the vineyard, Yangarra have cultivated a beneficial soil microbial biomass. This is supported by their natural composting processes, which includes mulching grasses under vine back into the soil, building organic matter. By applying biodynamic principals they've promoted a diverse soil microbiology in which the vines grow. Finally grazing sheep through winter helps to control grasses throughout the vineyard, naturally fertilising soils and reducing compaction from tractors.
Nose - Raspberry Leaf, Cranberry, White Pepper
A coiled spring of dried flowers, cranberry, raspberry leaf tea, cherry, pomegranate and dusty white pepper spicing.
Palate - Italian Tannins, Pomegranate, Rhubarb
Red fruit, dried flowers (including chamomile), aniseed and mint, tamarind, almond meal and fresh rhubarb, cranberry flavour and acidity.
Finish - Succulence, Dusty Terracotta, Thrilling
The finish is long and kind of bony, but it does carry perfume as it closes
From 1946-planted vines in Block 30, adjacent to the High Sands Block; destemmed, crushed and fermented in 675L ceramic eggs; pressed after about 150 days then returned to the eggs for a total of 14 months' maturation. Taut and sinewy, both a function of making and the year that was, this is a coiled spring of dried flowers, cranberry, raspberry leaf tea, cherry, pomegranate and dusty white pepper spicing. The pedigree of place, venerable vines, impeccable viticultural stewardship and fine-tuned making suggest this will have a long and exciting future, but it needs a few years to unlock all its mysteries. As it stands, it is a thrilling bottle, if a little stern at present. I have a feeling the score may tick up with time. - Marcus Ellis, Halliday Wine Companion, 96 Points.
The concrete and the clay beneath my feet, begins to crumble, but love will never die. Gee, you can really smell and taste the maturation vessel in this wine, which I like, because it appeals to my love of Italian wines and their tannic structure. Red fruit, dried flowers (including chamomile), aniseed and mint, tamarind, almond meal and fresh rhubarb, cranberry flavour and acidity. It’s medium-bodied, dry and very firm, but does have bright red fruit of some succulence in with all that dusty terracotta stuff. The finish is long and kind of bony, but it does carry perfume as it closes. This may be a little too much for some. but I love it. Such a fine and distinctive wine. - Gary Walsh, The Wine Front, 96 Points.
The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Grenache
Country - Australia
Region - McLaren Vale, South Australia
Vintage - 2022
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 14.5%
Other - Organic, Biodynamic
