Local Weirdos
2021 - Vino di Gino - Grenache
2021 - Vino di Gino - Grenache
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Oak Aged Grenache
Swan Valley
Zero additions
503 bottles made
Picked on the same day as the Chateau da Swan, January 31st 2021. The parcel for the Vino di Gino (VdG) came primarily from Grenache vines that had not been leaf-plucked for powdery mildew, and as such a more vigorous separation of fruit had to be performed (somewhat astonishingly, the portion worst affected with powdery mildew was destined to end up in the 2021 Brutal – a wine we all adore at Local Weirdos!).
The clean portion was crushed to Nally bins (one of which was half-full of fermenting fruit from the early Grenache pick a week prior, lending some crunchy acidity), and fermented on skins for 10 days. Plunged once daily, a warm ferment built substantial phenolic structure, yet retained the delicate crushed rose petal/pot pouri lift that Grenache from Gino’s Block can display so prominently. The eschewal of leaf-plucking in the VdG parcel has led in turn to a wine that, though thoroughly fresh and lively, displays the remarkably intense structural complexity of a Pinot. Aged in a seasoned puncheon for 7 months, racked once, and bottled without any additions.
This wine has surpassed all of the expectations we set for it this year – it is taut, clean and far more energetic than we ever thought it had any right to be. One of the main goals of V21 was to level up our precision with fermentation and barrel ageing in order to produce a much more exacting and relatively fault free expression whilst still our maintaining a zero/zero ethos – something which is of fundamental importance to our project. This wine delivers on that goal and then surpasses it in an ineffable way that only a natural ferment can.
Racy acidity, bright raspberry and blueberry notes with a high energy mouthfeel. Some grippy tea leaf tannins ensure it packs some intrigue. Sexy and sleak. Pinot-esque but at the 31st parallel South. Would look very nice chilled, by the pool, while the weather holds out but also amazing beside a winter campfire all rugged up in a blanket and beanie.
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