Yelland & Papps Single Vineyard Old Vine Grenache 2021

You hear and see the word ’Single Vineyard’ a lot these days to promote both a message of originality and superior quality. In this case there is no question at all in my mind that these characteristics are being defined to the fullest with this wine from Yelland and Papps.Exclusively sourced from a vineyard in the sub region of Tanunda planted between 1920 and 1925 on original rootstock, the youngest vines onsite just turning 96 years old at the time of this release. The vineyard has two distinct soil profiles. In the East parcel its red brown earth over limestone, the West fractured shale and mudstone mixed with quartz, ironstone and calcareous claySusan and Michael Papps have been ‘allocated’ 2 rows from this vineyard since they first were able to purchase fruit in 2012, which equates to approximately 2 tonnes of grapes per vintage. Previously they have bottled this specific vineyard under their top label Divine, however due to a revision to the tiers of their range and such small vintages in recent years they decided to blend 2018, 2019 & 2021 and bottle under this new label. We are surely the beneficiary’s of this idea considering the trade LUC of this wine, a declassified treat if ever there was one.Each vintage was vinified the same: Hand picked, de-stemmed, wild fermented in small open top tanks for approximately 20 to 25 days. Pressed off skins via their onsite traditional wooden basket press then transferred to French puncheons, just a small % of new. This of course where the elevage differs due to the NV blend of 2018, 2019 and 2021. A range of ageing from 3 to 40 months in oak.Each vintage was vinified the same: Hand picked, de-stemmed, wild fermented in small open top tanks for approximately 20 to 25 days. Pressed off skins via their onsite traditional wooden basket press then transferred to French puncheons, just a small % of new. This of course where the elevage differs due to the NV blend of 2018, 2019 and 2021. A range of ageing from 3 to 40 months in oak.