While Spinifex has been playing around with Tempranillo since 2006, it's only been since vintage 2018 that the wine has been fully sourced from a single vineyard in the higher reaches of Rowland Flat (halfway up the hill to the Steingarten Riesling vineyard). It's a small site, positioned immediately adjacent to a small bush-vine Mataro parcel that Spinifex has been using in their rosé for the last six years or so. Throughout this time, Schell has been sneaking across and tasting the Tempranillo fruit whenever he's been checking on the Mataro. Eventually, he felt compelled to approach the growers. Pete calls the Tempranillo "another indulgence on his part". He loves the way the fruit (grown on red clay over limestone) shows good flavour development early, while retaining good acidity.
Handpicked fruit was picked early in the season to ensure the lively fruit flavours and vibrant acidity were captured. The bunches were fully destemmed and fermented in a small open fermenter, before maturing in large, seasoned French and American oak hogsheads.
Appealing and attractive aromas flow from the glass, laden with inky blue fruits, exotic spices and some earthy complexity. Tightly structured tannins are balanced by fresh, juicy and generous berry fruits, a silky weight and a focussed, driven finish. At the top of the tree for Tempranillo production in this country.