Harena Grenache 2024

Story

The modern-day English word ‘arena’ derives from what Ancient Romans referred to as 'Harena' – the sandy battleground on which gladiators performed their thrilling spectacles. Sourced from 90-year-old bush vines in the deep sands of Blewitt Springs, famed for producing some of the world’s finest Grenache.  

Tasting Note

Texturally layered, silky, savoury and red fruited with elegant restraint and a fine mineral core. Violets, cherry stone, tart raspberry, blueberry and subtle dark spiced blackberry, nuances of cedar wood, savoury herbs and bison grass. Layers of silky smooth and fine gravelly tannins surround mineral textures of crushed quartz and graphite, flowing with succulent acidity along a linear die line of impressive palate structure. 

Winemaking

Handpicked and whole berry destemmed into 2 tonne open fermenters. Half of the fruit was cold soaked for two days prior to inoculation with a Rhone isolate yeast, while the other half was inoculated immediately with a Priorat isolate, and included 20% whole bunches. Ferment temperatures began cool but were allowed to rise up to 30˚C to extract sufficient tannin. Pumped over twice daily with additional rack and returns and manual plunging during peak ferment. Once pressed, the wine was transferred to 80% second fill and 20% seasoned French Oak Hogs Head barrels for 12 months maturation before blending, light filtration and bottling. No finings used.  

Vineyard

Brookmans Road, Blewitt Springs

At an elevation of 190m above sea level, old bush vines are dry grown in Maslin Sand over ironstone. The sandy soils, due to their lower water holding capacity and less organic matter, control Grenache’s tendency to become too vigorous, reducing yields and keeping berry size small, while also allowing greater flavour and tannin ripeness. Cooler average temperatures from the higher elevation maintain freshness of aromatics and balanced acidity in the wine.

Read press reviews