Spinifex 'Esprit' Grenache Mataro Shiraz 2023

When Spinifex first made the scene, so to speak, in 2001, this was one of the wines that made a big impact. Built on perfume, finesse and savoury structure, as it was then, the make up of Esprit changes year-on-year, while seldom sacrificing its 'Barossa Burgundy' tag. There's no Shiraz this year and little Mataro (which contributed 40% last year). Instead, 74% Grenache, 21% Cinsault and Mataro 5%, the Cinsault contributing to the pretty red-fruited perfumes and the crisp, mouthwatering tannins.

As always, the wine was sourced from a selection of very old vineyards on the northern (Ebenezer), western (Moppa) and eastern (Angaston Foothills) edges of the Barossa, as well as from Springton in Eden Valley. Vine age ranges from 75 to over 150 years, and all sites are dry grown with minimal vineyard inputs--old vineyards grown the old way.