HEARTS & MINDS GRENACHE 2021

“When it comes to planting vines, it starts in the heart. When making wine it begins in the mind. And when it comes to drinking, Hearts & Minds join as one, however briefly in a moment, in this bottle. In Vino Veritas.”

We are thrilled to announce the release of our new super-premium Clandestine Vineyards Hearts & Minds Grenache, sourced from a single bush vineyard in Blewitt Springs planted in 1950; a vinous collaboration between Jericho Vineyards, master winemaker Ben Riggs & vintners Trudy and Nick Stacy.

Blewitt Springs is fast becoming the preferred location for premium Shiraz and Grenache with Maslin Sand soil composition dating to the Eocene Period (50 million years ago) in McLaren Vale. A slighty elevated site provides a cooler microclimate and therefore extended ripening season allows for great concentration and colour extraction. A north facing block and pesticide and herbicide free vineyard practices ensures outstanding fruit quality.

Hand picked, open fermented and 10 days on-skins, hand plunged and pressed to 15% new French Oak barriques, 70% older French oak for malolactic fermentation ten months maturation in the same oak. No filtration of fining, bottled on the 6th December 2021 and held in bottle for release on the 1st February 2022. Vegan.

Bright purple/plum skin in colour, spectacular lifted spice and floral aromatics, this Grenache presents fresh cherry and stawberry on the front, but quickly gathers momentum with fleshy plum mid-palate, weight and texture that then morphs into a black olive intensity. – oak tannis provided structure while crunchy acidity balances fruit the sweetness. Enjoy its youth, but cellar for eight to ten years to realise the full potential of this unique vineyard site.

Pair with South-American barbecue, tacos, slow-roasted pulled lamb, chargrilled vegetables et al.