Willunga 100 Tempranillo 2022

Willunga 100 Tempranillo is a fresh, savoury take on Tempranillo from a cooler, elevated vineyard near McLaren Vale. Red plum, cherry and dark berry fruit meet earthy spice, fine-grained tannins and lively acidity, creating a medium-bodied red with generosity but no excess weight. Wild fermentation and maturation in older French oak allow the fruit and variety’s naturally rustic character to remain front and centre. It is an easy choice for drinkers who enjoy juicy, food-friendly reds, particularly alongside tapas, grilled lamb, charred vegetables, mushroom dishes or a casual barbecue.

What the winery says:

Bright aromas of red plum and cherry are complemented by earthy, toasted spice. Blueberry and dark plum follow on the palate, with savoury earthiness, juicy fruit and fine-grained, persistent tannins. The Tempranillo was grown in a cool vineyard approximately 280 metres above sea level beside the Kuitpo Forest, on an east-facing slope with loamy clay soils. The fruit was crushed and chilled into an open stainless steel fermenter for a four-day cold soak, followed by wild fermentation. After fermenting dry on skins, the wine was basket pressed and transferred to old French oak puncheons for malolactic fermentation and eight months of maturation. It was bottled without fining and is vegan friendly.

What the experts say:

Ken Gargett, WinePilot, 92/100 (2022 Vintage)
"Youthful and fresh with good focus and direction supported by fine tannins. Notes of black fruits and coffee grinds emerge on the palate."

Gary Walsh, The Wine Front, 90/100 (2022 Vintage)
"It’s medium-bodied, fresh and well-balanced, cool acidity, quite thick grainy tannin, and a lively finish of good length."