2016 MCD Grenache - Museum Release

Everyone who knows Kevin, understands his passion for old vine Grenache. Named in honour of Kevin’s maternal Grandfather, Maurice Charlie Duke, a local Penwortham man skilled in managing fruit orchards, grape growing and bee keeping, his dedication and passion for local Penwortham horticulture and the community at large the inspiration in bestowing his name MCD to his favourite variety.

Varietal: Grenache 100%

Vintage: 2016

Region: Clare Valley

Vineyards: Despite losing much of the Clare Valley’s precious Grenache resources back in the 1980s during the government-sponsored vine pull scheme, small blocks still remain and the MCD is blended from two of these old vineyards. 

Season Report: A cool and elegant vintage with the timely rain events in January and February the making of the 2016 season. Ripening was slow with the deepening autumn weather perfect in allowing the vineyards to be harvested at their finest moments.

Winemaking Both hand-picked parcels were sorted and crushed to small open-topped fermenters, gently pumped over and once dry was allowed a few days on skins to come together. Basket pressing to six to ten-year-old seasoned French oak hogsheads took place. The effects of oak on Woodvale’s Grenache follows a minimalist approach. The age of the oak and the relatively short period of maturation (fourteen months) provide more of a softening and clarifying effect rather than an overt influence. Bottling occurred both unfined and unfiltered in October 2017.

Cellaring: Drinking beautifully now, the wine will continue to improve until 2028.

Tasting Notes:  The Clare Valley, being slightly cooler than its neighbouring wine regions tends to produce Grenache wines that are more elegant and linear in structure, wines that are perfumed, and almost Pinot-like on the nose and have silky and seductive palates. The MCD Grenache covers off on all those bases. Flavours of dark cherries, subtle smokiness, licorice, and tar. The gentle tannins and the time spent in older large oak casks providing the final polish and precision the wine reflects.

Food Pairing Suggestion: Don’t be afraid to bring out the Grenache at your next barbeque.