Spinifex Esprit 2007
Tuesday, March 9th, 2010
Peter Schell and his French born wife Magali Gely started Spinifex back in 2001 and in a short time have made a name for themselves as producers of fine elegant and sophisticated Barossa red blends. Peter hails from NZ originally but he and Magali are firm Barossaphiles with a great love of the ancient Barossa soils (100 million years old whereas in Bordeaux the soils date back to the last iceage 40,000-100,000 years) and the old vines. Inspired by time spent working many vintages in the south of France their love is the local varieties grown there – Mataro, Grenache, Shiraz and Cinsault. What sets them apart is their attention to detail and total hands on winemaking.
They are not interested in making blockbuster wines – they seek finesse and complexity (aromatics, line and length) in their wines…Sourcing small parcels of fruit from small family growers and their use of multiple small fermentation tanks allows them to ferment small parcels separately rather than pooling them – a very French technique – which means more ingredients to play with and absolute precision for blending.
Our Wine of the Month is the Spinifex Esprit 2007. A blend of Shiraz (36%), Grenache (26%), Mataro (25%), Carignan (7%) and Cinsault (6%). Complex aromatics of red currents, sour cherry, pomegranate and hints of freshly roasted coffee. Medium to full bodied, fresh dry palate with layers of intense red fruit, dried herbs and spice flavours. Lingering finish with a firm tight structure.
Campbell Mattinson awarded the 07 Esprit as Red Blend of the Year in the Big Red wine Book 2009 -2010: “Last year’s release was super, and this just edges it out – for quality. The value is striking, too. As both a mouth-filling hit of flavour and a thrilling example of how complex a young red can be, it can’t be beaten. Some folks reckon that Australian wine lacks sophistication, but they clearly haven’t sat down to a glass of this. Brilliant wine.”
James Halliday said in his 2010 Wine Companion said: “..clearly defined raspberry fruit is backed seamlessly by spicy shiraz, and meaty mataro; palate is lively, and exhibits pronounced perfume; tightly focused and very inviting on the juicy finish. 94 points. 5 Red Star Winery”.
RRP: $38 Our Price $28.50. Stock is limited
To order click here
We are also featuring three other of their most popular wines … Spinifex Lola 2009, Spinifex Papillon 2008 and Spinifex Rose 2009.
If you are interested in their higher end new release 2008 reds such as the spectacular Indigene, Bete Noir and La Maline let us know via email rhys@thevinepress.com or call us on 02 9908 4994
