Spinifex’s provençal-styled rosé sits among the best this country has to offer, and the 2023 is another stellar release. This year, the blend comprises Grenache (37%), Mataro (36%) and Cinsault (27%) sourced from three dry-grown sites in Angaston, Ebenezer and the southern end of the Bethany foothills. Soils vary across the sites from gravelly sand to red clay, and vine age can range from 25 to 90 years, with the Cinsault being the oldest component of the blend. The (predominantly) bush vines are dry-grown.
Each batch spent four to six hours on skins before being pressed to tank for fermentation―a small portion went to seasoned oak to build texture and complexity. The wine matured on lees in tank for six months before being bottled. The resulting wine offers the kind of energy and snappy, crunchy lines that were once the exclusive domaine of only the finest Provence rosés. It’s brimming with summer berries, spring flowers, bright, ripe citrus fruits and more savoury touches of earth and spice. Full, pure flavoured and vinous with great width and length through the palate, it ticks all the boxes and then some.