Ministry of Clouds Grenache 2023

Description

Ministry of Clouds is the creation of Bernice Ong and Julian Forwood and it’s just on a decade since they decided to leave the security of the corporate wine world (the ministry) for the adventure (the clouds) of their own wine venture. And it’s been quite a journey thus far. From the 2012 vintage their first five releases all rated between 94 and 97 points in the Halliday Wine Companion and earned them a spot in the Top Ten New Wineries for the year. Basing themselves in McLaren Vale, they sourced red fruit from around the Vale, securing parcels from some of the most venerable and sought-after old-vine Shiraz and Grenache vineyards. the combination of these two expressions of McLaren Vale Grenache – the spicy, fine, pinot-esque expression that hails from the rocky loams and altitude of Clarendon, and the ever so slightly darker, more structured characteristics we see from the deep white sands of Blewitt Springs. Separated into 9 separate wild ferments, hand plunged and pumped over they varied in whole-bunch inclusion from a couple of destemmed whole berry ferments up to 100%, and time on skins from 1 to 5 weeks, all building necessary tannin and structure. We then pressed each parcel to a mixture of old oak puncheons and concrete eggs. As always maturation was undertaken on fine lees to build mid palate texture and for the reductive benefit to counter Grenache’s predisposition to oxidation. With 7 months only in large old oak to allow the blend to come together and bottled young before any meaningful oak influence can be seen. Grenache delivers what Pinot promises… A celebration of the dogged stubbornness of two McLaren Vale families, who persisted with their plots of Grenache, when other implored them to turn their land to other pursuits. From very old bush vines each vineyard eighty years plus, Ministry of Clouds make a contemporary Grenache with fragrance, succulence and fine boned structure (a little like our favourite Pinots!!). Viva la Grenache! Showing old vine intensity without heaviness, fragrant cranberry and wild cherry fruit lift, violets, earth, and garrigue herbs: the palate is pure with calming depth and intensity, but kept necessarily fresh by grainy tannins and a bright line of natural acid. – Bernice and Julian, Winemakers The Finer Details Style – Red Wine Varietal – Grenache Country – Australia Region – McLaren Value, South Australia Vintage – 2023 Bottle Size – 750ml ABV – 14.5%