BACKGROUND
Dandelion Vineyards are proven plantings that have stood the test of time. Our wish is to nurture the unique character of these vineyards and express their terroir in our wines. To capture variety, vintage and vineyard requires and enlightened approach.
“When I see a weed I see the Devil” is an old grower’s mantra, but we encourage the humble Dandelion amongst the vines as they suppress winter weeds, provide mulch in summer, and their Wishing Clocks to blow off in Spring.
Dandelion Vineyards is a unique fusion of vineyards and vignerons. Our wines represent decades of experience, blending the fruit of our heirloom vineyards with the finest traditions of artisan winemaking.
WINEMAKING
At the end of our old vine garden path there is a historic 'Menagerie' of three grape varieties, adjoining blocks of Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro at Gomersal in the Barossa. After hand picking selected bunches of our Menagerie field blend on the 22nd of April our winemaker Elena Brooks let the whole bunches ferment together in open top fermenters with ambient or 'other people's' yeasts and hand plunging for 14 days, before basket pressing in old French Oak barriques, to then mature for a further 12 months in the same oak, before bottling without fining or filtration to capture the essence of our vinous Menagerie of the Barossa.
This first ever vintage of our Menagerie of the Barossa has a high level of natural acidity, (7.2 grams per litre) a pH 3.27 of and bone dry, it is a ménage à trois that makes wine truly of its time and place, a wish come true and a looking glass, if you will, and ready to drink immediately and will also reward cellaring and decanting.
2011 MENAGERIE OF THE BAROSSA GRENACHE SHIRAZ MATARO
Review by: Lisa Perotti-Brown
, The Wine Advocate
TASTING NOTES
Deep red with hints of violet on the edges, indicating youth Intriguing rose petals and a summer pudding of lifted red fruits, berries and a hit of cinnamon and Asian spice. Wild cherries, Damson plums, and mulberries and an impressive stucture balanced by spicy oak. Opulent, intense red berries balanced by soft velvety tannins and supple oak with great balance from the acid reknown in Barossa Grenache.
WINEMAKER
Elena Brooks BSc (Oneology) Adelaide
SPECIFICS
Alcohol: 14.5%
TA: 7.2g/L
pH: 3.27
RS:
Latitude 34°23’33” South
Longitude 138°52’25” East
Altitude 281 Feet = 86 Metres
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Wish you were here. Carl Lindner & Brad Rey, Vignerons, Zar Brooks, Typist, Elena Brooks, Winemaker
