First Drop Mother’s Ruin McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
VINTAGE 2019: A very dry winter and spring, with frost events in September and November disrupting bud burst and flowering, resulted in the lightest crops in the past decade. January and February were warm and dry, and in conjunction with the low yields, ripening was rapid. Quick decision making and early picking resulted in reds with great intensity and structure thanks also to the light crops and early tannin maturity. 2019 was a challenging vintage, but one of the most rewarding, with our alternative varieties showing particularly well. The overall quality is a tribute to our growers and their perseverance in a difficult growing season. We salute you!
The fruit is crushed/destemmed and fermented at temperatures ranging from 20- 25°C for 10 days on skins. The ferment is managed by a variety of techniques, including ‘aerative pump overs’ and ‘drain and returns’ which assist in extracting colour, flavour and tannin from the grapes. At the end of fermentation, it is drained/pressed, and transferred to 10% new French oak barriques, and the balance to 3 and 4 year old French oak hogsheads to undergo MLF. Post MLF, sulphur dioxide is added, and the wines mature sur lie for 18 months.
Body: Medium Bodied
Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon
First Drop Mother’s Ruin McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
This well-balanced expression of McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon is an ode to the ‘luncheon claret’, but it’s not as green and austere as the favourite lunchtime libation at the gentleman’s club. The fruit is from a vineyard with good breeding in the foothills and the resulting wine has been made in a fruit driven style this vintage. It has classic First Drop drinkability, so bottoms up!
Colour: Dark plum
Nose: Cassis and plum fruit flavours with hints of eucalyptus and florals
Palate: Black fruits with a round mid palate, an elegant core of tannins and a textured finish.
First Drop Mother’s Ruin McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
This well balanced expression of McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon is an ode to the ‘luncheon claret’, but it’s not as green and austere as the favourite lunchtime libation at the gentleman’s club. The fruit is from a vineyard with good breeding in the foothills and the resulting wine has been made in a fruit driven style this vintage. It has classic First Drop drinkability, so bottoms up!
Colour: Dark plum
Nose: Cassis and plum fruit flavours with hints of eucalyptus and florals
Palate: Black fruits with a round mid palate, an elegant core of tannins and a textured finish.
"Dense wild blackberry, maraschino cherry and huckleberry flavors are at the core, with toothsome tannins and a juicy thread. The aromatics here stand out—sarsaparilla, palo santo and clove, dark chocolate and spicy cigar box notes that linger on the expressive finish. Drink now through 2036. 2,000 cases made, 500 cases imported." - 92 points, MaryAnn Worobiec, Senior Editor and Napa Bureau Chief at Wine Spectator
Yangarra Blanc 2021
Blanc is the result of years of research and quarantine of the best white varieties found amongst the ancient north-west Mediterranean vine types. The fact that these Châteauneuf varieties have been successfully blended for so many years, inspired the estate to pursue Châteauneuf’s top whites on the southern coast. The Blanc is produced using the simplest winemaking techniques to showcase the fresh and crunchy style these varieties provide.
VARIETY: 49% Grenache Blanc, 13% Roussanne, 15% Clairette, 18% Picpoul, 5% Bourboulenc
"Fresh and attractive fruit, in the pear and apple spectrum, with some light, pastry-like notes, too. The palate delivers a smooth, crisp impression with a gently chalky finish. I like the restraint here. A blend of 49% grenache blanc, 18% picpoul, 15% Claudette, 13% roussanne and 5% bourboulenc. Drink now. Screw cap." - 92 points, James Suckling
Yangarra Noir 2019
Grenache is the emerging hero variety of McLaren Vale. Traditional blends of Grenache from the region focused on the varieties Grenache (G), Shiraz (S) and Mourvedre (M), and thus the term GSM. For many years in the old-world Grenache had many more blending partners. In France, namely the Sourthern Rhone, it can be blended with Cinsaut, Counouise, Picpoul Noir, Muscardin. In Priorat Spain, with Carignan. We started planting some of these obscure Southern Rhone and Priorat varieties in 2008 which has culminated in our first Noir blend being produced.
Many of these varieties, including Grenache, have a blanc (white), gris (grey) and noir (black) expression of the variety, which lead to calling this the Noir. Kept on lees in 100% older French oak for 6 months after fermentation.
VARIETY: 45% Grenache, 19% Mourvédre, 19% Carignan, 12% Shiraz, 4% Cinsaut, 1% Counoise
"A bright assemblage of fresh red-fruit aromas and flavors with crisp, easygoing texture and a neat, succulent finish. 62% grenache, 15% shiraz, 12% mourvedre, 6% carignan, 3% cinsault and 2% counoise. Drink now. Screw cap." - 91 points, James Suckling
Yangarra Preservative Free Shiraz 2021
The PF Shiraz is made from grapes grown on our certified biodynamic single estate vineyard, grown without herbicides, fungicides or synthetic chemicals. It is made without additions of any kind: sulphur (preservative), acid, tannin or finings. It’s a medium bodied, fresh, fruit driven wine that is delicious enjoyed as a young wine. With that in mind, we do have PF Shiraz back to our first vintage of 2013 that is still showing some of lovely vibrant characters.
The wine was carefully basket pressed after approximately 2 weeks on skins. No additives were used throughout the entire production. No fining occurred, just filtration.
VARIETY: 100% Shiraz
"This is a very pure, super-young style of shiraz that is all about the unadulterated taste of blueberry and red-plum shiraz fruit. Smooth, open-knit, and plump, it has no sulfites added – hence the preservative-free acronym. Drink now. Screw cap." - 92 points, James Suckling
Yangarra Noir 2021
Grenache is the emerging hero variety of McLaren Vale. Traditional blends of Grenache from the region focused on the varieties Grenache (G), Shiraz (S) and Mourvedre (M), and thus the term GSM. For many years in the old-world Grenache had many more blending partners. In France, namely the Sourthern Rhone, it can be blended with Cinsaut, Counouise, Picpoul Noir, Muscardin. In Priorat Spain, with Carignan. We started planting some of these obscure Southern Rhone and Priorat varieties in 2008 which has culminated in our first Noir blend being produced.
Many of these varieties, including Grenache, have a blanc (white), gris (grey) and noir (black) expression of the variety, which lead to calling this the Noir. Kept on lees in 100% older French oak for 6 months after fermentation.
VARIETY: 45% Grenache, 19% Mourvédre, 19% Carignan, 12% Shiraz, 4% Cinsaut, 1% Counoise
"A bright assemblage of fresh red-fruit aromas and flavors with crisp, easygoing texture and a neat, succulent finish. 62% grenache, 15% shiraz, 12% mourvedre, 6% carignan, 3% cinsault and 2% counoise. Drink now. Screw cap." - 91 points, James Suckling
Yangarra Shiraz 2019
There are 87 hectares of vineyards at Yangarra, of which 47 are Shiraz made up of thirteen individual blocks. Each block is defined by different aspects and subtle variations of the sand and Ironstone soils that overlie the ancient North Maslin Sands geological formation. Spread amongst an extra 70 hectares of creeks, native vegetation, and native corridors. Our estate has twelve individual blocks of Shiraz.
Kept on lees in 20% new French oak, 80% older French oak for 10 months.
VARIETY: 100% Shiraz
"Straight down the barrel of generous and hearty shiraz with dark berries and plums, framed in cedary oak and spice. The palate is boldly mouth-filling, saturated with ripe blackberry and dark-plum flavors. Drink now. Screw cap." - 91 points, James Suckling
Yangarra GSM 2021
Our Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre blend is inspired by the traditional estate blends of the southern Rhône. The Grenache is sourced from a combination of young and old bush vines. We select the most elegant and perfumed Shiraz and add Mourvèdre for fragrance and solid tannin structure.
Each variety handled separately. Destemmed and selectively sorted in the winery. 50% whole berries retained. Wild yeast ferment. Each variety has a unique maceration, however a unifying principle of a very gentle pump over regime for a minimum of 14 days. The wine was matured in a mixture of older French oak puncheons and foudre, ceramic eggs and amphora. Certified Organic/Biodynamic.
VARIETY: 53% Grenache Noir, 33% Shiraz, 14% Mourvèdre
Yangarra Roussanne 2017
2017 growing season was one of the coolest on record with a long ripening period. The grapes were hand-picked and carefully basket pressed, with only 60% of the extractable juice used to eliminate any potential broadness. No sulphur was added, and the juice was transferred to French oak barriques (10% New) without any settling or fining, where it underwent wild yeast fermentation. The wine was matured for 7 months, stirred monthly with the lees retained. No fining occured, just filtration.
Pale gold colour with green highlights. Rich bouquet of apricots, white peaches, quince and Meyer lemon with subtle nuances of honey and dried white flowers. Deep and rich medium-bodied palate with a crisp acidity and creamy, oily texture for a smooth ride. Wet stone minerals are the foundation for a fruit mix of ripe peach, apple and citrus with undertones of honeycomb toffee and brioche. Closes with a persistent buttery and nutty finish.
"Poached quince and pears with spicy and lightly honeyed aromas. The palate has a smoothly formed, fleshy texture. The honeyed, lees-derived influence sits well in this complex and textural white. Drink now." - 92 points, James Suckling
Yangarra Old Vine Grenache (MLV) 2020
Produced from the fruit of bush vines planted in 1946 high on our Estate’s deep sandy soils. Our Old Vine Grenache is complex, perfumed and elegant with a trademark tannin structure. The grapes were hand-picked and mechanically sorted.
The wine was kept on lees in 100% older French oak. No fining, just filtration.
VARIETY: 100% Grenache Noir
"This is a complex and powerful edition of this estate-grown grenache with aromas of red and dark berries, gingerbread and toasted spices, as well as wild herbs. The palate offers vibrantly fleshy style with impressive concentration of raspberry and blueberry flavors. Fresh, with structure and drive. Drink over the next eight years. Screw cap." - 94 points, James Suckling
Yangarra Old Vine Grenache (MLV) 2021
These gnarly strugglers were planted in 1946 in a deep sandy dune we call The Beach, overlying the North Maslin Sands geological formation. The Old Vine Grenache is a complex, perfumed and elegant wine with a trademark tannin structure.
Sourced exclusively from the 17 hectares of un-irrigated bush vines planted in 1946. Hand-picked, selectively sorted in the winery. 50% whole berries retained. Wild yeast. A very gentle pump over regime during fermentation, often just wetting the cap. Time on skins during maceration varies, the majority is approximately 21 days, with a few extended to 140 days. No pressings used. The wine was matured in a mixture of older French oak puncheons and foudre, ceramic eggs and amphora. Certified Organic/Biodynamic.
VARIETY: 100% Grenache Noir