150 Year Old Vines 1858 Field Blend 2018

Made from truly rare, majestic old vines planted in 1858, this blend of Grenache, Mourvedre and Malbec is meticulously composed and expressed. Gracefully styled and seamlessly flowing, the wine shows dark berry, potpourri, cake spice, bouquet garni and cedar characters on the nose. The palate exhibits outstanding weight and concentration, beautifully framed by fleshy texture and layers of silky tannins. Powerful yet refined with stunning complexity, finishing superbly long and gracious. At its best: 2025 to 2045

This is a fascinating wine. The vineyard was planted in 1858 (so considerably older than the mere 150 years noted). The vineyard, a small block in Springton in the Eden Valley, offers what is termed a ‘field blend’, a mix of varieties. Hence, this is a blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Malbec. The yield is just over one ton for the entire vineyard, in good years – and 2018 is nothing if not a very good year. Two years maturation in top-notch French oak. At this age, the vines are known as Ancestor vines. Deep maroon hue, the nose is fleshy with mulberries, leather, roast meats and root vegetable notes. Plenty of oak is still evident here, though it is on the path to full integration. Warm earth, tobacco leaves and cigar box characters. Ripe, plush and balanced, there is already complexity evident. With fine tannins and great length, this should continue to offer pleasure for at least the next ten to fifteen years.

In Australian viticultural terms, 150-year-old vines are nobly designated, ‘ancestors.’ We don’t have a lot of vinous ‘ancestors’ to celebrate in this country, especially when it comes to Grenache, Mourvèdre and Malbec. So, this is indeed a celebration of what these three classic grapes can bring to a wine as they move into that much celebrated ‘senior’ state. For want of a better word, they bring a presence. Having lived a long and productive life they have little to prove, rather they bring a set of individual characters which blend seamlessly once combined. Grenache brings a gentle plumminess, black fruits, licorice/aniseed intensity and pepper. Mourvèdre, the spicy one, shows its fennel and sage side, earthy notes, oregano and bramble. Malbec has some charming florals, black cherry and cinnamon. Generous time in French oak (24 months) ties this rich parcel together nicely.

This is a complete curio made from Grenache, Mourvèdre and Malbec planted in 1858. It’s brooding with inky, new leather, chocolate, blackberry and slate aromas with a background of cedary oak. Bold and muscular with a dense and brooding palate, the wine is well supported by a rich line of sandy tannins. Serious and built to last.

The 2018 150 Year Old Vines 1858 Field Blend feels like a completely different proposition from the 2017 tasted last year. This is a blend (each year) of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Malbec. On the nose, it leads with redcurrants, spring flowers, layers of red berries and a sprinkling of exotic spice. On the palate, the wine is silky and supple, with loads of fruit and spice eddying about. Not a heavy wine in the least, this is mid-weight and supple. 2018 was a lovely vintage, and this feels quite ripe through the finish but shows all of the vitality and finesse that we so love to see from the season. It matured for 24 months in French oak.

Baked plums, walnuts, rosemary and a touch of cassis on the nose. It’s rich and chewy with a full body and firm, ripe tannins. Bold and big red. From a field blend of grenache, Mourvèdre and malbec planted in 1858. Drink or hold.