South Australia
Willunga 100’s first vintage was 2005, and the estate has continued to focus on varietal bottlings of old-vine Grenache in the McLaren Vale area rather than blends. The producer’s name is a reference to the historic Hundred of Willunga, established in 1839, three years after the settlement of South Australia. At the time, 100 households were needed to occupy an area to receive a place on the map, and this was called a Hundred. Today, the Hundred of Willunga is where much of the fruit comes from. Willunga 100 is in Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale, a subregion with a Mediterranean climate, whose cooler temperatures and moderating afternoon sea breezes help the grapes ripen slowly and evenly.
The 2022 Grenache is sourced from Willunga 100’s own estate vineyard named Blind Spot, in the subregion of Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale. The vineyard has deep sandy soils on which dry-grown, bush-vine Grenache thrives. The vines average about 50 years in age. The fruit was harvested by hand from three parcels, and each parcel was of fruit was vinified separately. The wines were fermented in stainless steel open fermenters. Two parcels were fermented with 20% whole bunch (about 14% whole bunch for the wine overall). The wine spent about 10 days on skins and was gently basket pressed. About 60% of the wine was aged in French oak puncheons after primary fermentation, and the rest remained in stainless steel. The wine rested on the lees for 10 months before being racked prior to bottling, without fining.
The wine shows aromas of ripe red cherry and plum, dark berries, anise, and savory dried herbs. It’s full-bodied on the palate yet juicy and vibrant, with fresh acidity and fine-grained tannins.
Perman
Australia
Producer | Willunga |
Mon–Fri Noon–8 / Sat 11–7
Closed on Sunday
1167 N Howe Street
Chicago, IL 60610
312.255.8990
orders@permanwine.com