Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All VintagesThis is a solid vintage made by Michael Fragos and team at the well-established Chapel Hill winery. It shows a keen sense of place and variety, purity of fruit, structure and age worthiness. Notes of cherry and cranberry juice intertwine with florals, earthy and peppery spice and a stony, graphite nuance. The palate is medium in weight but tightly structured, with raspy, terra-cotta-textured tannins tempering Grenache's natural abundance of fruit. Drink now–2028.
Chapel Hill Winery borders the stunning Onkaparinga River National Park; they value and respect their unique surrounds, their land and vines. Their focus is on soil health to build resilience and character in their vines and consequently, the wines. One of the first to embrace the McLaren Vale Sustainable Australia Winegrowing program and are continually improving their grape-growing practices. Rainwater is collected from the winery roofs for use in the winery. Winery waste water is treated via a wetlands system and used for irrigation. All of the organic material from the winemaking process (skins, seeds and stems), is composted onsite and spread on the vineyard, negating the need for synthetic fertilisers. Vineyard operations have been modified to minimise the impact on beneficial insects, helping to maintain a natural balance to prevent pest and disease outbreaks. Volunteer cover crops have been encouraged to reduce evaporation and protect the precious soils. Their sustainable farming practices result in fruit that articulates the wonderful characteristics of McLaren Vale.
Known for opulent red wines with intense power and concentration, McLaren Vale is home to perhaps the most “classic” style of Australian Shiraz. Vinified on its own or in Rhône Blends, these hot-climate wines are deeply colored and high in extract with signature hints of dark chocolate and licorice. Cabernet Sauvignon is also produced in a similar style.
Whites, often made from Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc tend to be opulent and full of tropical, stone and citrus fruit.
Grenache thrives in any warm, Mediterranean climate where ample sunlight allows its clusters to achieve full phenolic ripeness. While Grenache's birthplace is Spain (there called Garnacha), today it is more recognized as the key player in the red blends of the Southern Rhône, namely Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône and its villages. Somm Secret—The Italian island of Sardinia produces bold, rustic, single varietal Grenache (there called Cannonau). California, Washington and Australia have achieved found success with Grenache, both flying solo and in blends.