James Halliday "A field blend from a vineyard planted in 1858. Wild yeast, whole bunches included, aged in neutral French oak for 15 months. The ancient vines have produced a wine of great finesse. Cherry-like aromas and flavours with a seasoning of Mediterranean herbs and a faintly smoky note. Silky and seamless on the palate with finely tuned tannin, it's all impeccably balanced."

The cuttings for this vineyard were sourced from very old vines that were growing near Marananga and planted in 2000 as bush vines (which aren’t trellised). However they were far too vigorous so were trained onto a double cordon in order to take up some of their energy, but even without water or fertigation they are still prolific grape producers. It has taken a number of years trialling bunch pruning and trellising methods to finally produce a wine of the standard acceptable to Greenock Creek Wines.

Exclusive to The Vinorium

Winemaker - “There’s a great story about this Grenache vineyard, planted by Colin Angas in the 1960’s. The soil here was so tough that some of the new plantings, probably 10% of the vineyard block, failed to take to their new home and had to be replaced. New cuttings were hastily acquired…which time revealed to be Mataro! That no one ever thought to start over (yet again) is brilliant fortune as the Mataro makes a ripper partner for the Grenache. 

Across the Barossa, the growing and harvest conditions were ideal. The Grenache (93%) and Mataro (7%) were handpicked on April 10, destemmed and fermented on skins in small open stainless steel fermenters for 6 days with twice daily pump overs. The wine was matured in a combination of 20% new and 80% seasoned French puncheons for 24 months. 

On the nose there’s plenty of ripe plum, strawberry, charcuterie, licorice, leather polish and salted dried herbs. The palate is rich and complex, loaded with a blend of red and black fruits, salted licorice, savoury nuances and a fine tannin line finishing soft and supple.”

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Jaysen Collins (winemaker) - "I grew up across the road from a famous old school winemaker who was known to be one of the best blenders of his generation. So for years I followed this ideal in the wines I was making. For a hands off winemaker, you actually feel like you are doing something. One day pondering life, the universe and everything I thought about why I hadn’t challenged this notion. Grenache and friends work well together – I’ll just pick them within a few days of each other, chuck it all in one fermenter and let the ferment rock it in its own way. So my theory is that the different varieties bring something complimentary but they also bring something individual – so equal but opposite reactions in the ferment. I then remembered my high school physics and worked out it’s actually the same way a rocket works. Go figure."

Exclusive to The Vinorium

Jaysen Collins (winemaker)  - "I grew up across the road from a famous old school winemaker who was known to be one of the best blenders of his generation. So for years I followed this ideal in the wines I was making. For a hands off winemaker, you actually feel like you are doing something. One day pondering life, the universe and everything I thought about why I hadn’t challenged this notion. Grenache and friends work well together – I’ll just pick them within a few days of each other, chuck it all in one fermenter and let the ferment rock it in its own way. So my theory is that the different varieties bring something complimentary but they also bring something individual – so equal but opposite reactions in the ferment. I then remembered my high school physics and worked out it’s actually the same way a rocket works. Go figure."

95 Points - Antonio Galloni "The 2016 Lytton Springs is a powerful, dense wine. Black cherry, plum, lavender, new leather, cloves, licorice and menthol flesh out. Deep, plush and richly textured, the 2016 Lytton Springs packs a real punch. The 23% Petite Sirah is felt in the wine's darkness and overall gravitas. There is more than enough richness and structure to support many years of fine drinking. What a gorgeous wine this is."

Winemaker's Tasting Note "Complex aromas of vanilla, raspberry and black pepper. Full bodied with firm acidity, focused blackberry fruit and an elegant lingering finish."

Signed by David Powell

95+ Points - Robert Parker "The 2004 The Pict, is a 220-case cuvee of 100% Mourvedre that tips the scales at 13.2% alcohol. Reminiscent of a 1998 Domaine Tempier Cuvee Speciale (a great vintage for that estate), it boasts an inky/blue/purple color, phenomenally intense blueberry and blackberry fruit characteristics, and hints of black truffles as well as fresh mushrooms. Deep and full-bodied, with superb fruit and the right amount of sweet tannin (a rarity for Mourvedre), this beauty should evolve slowly, and drink well for 15 or more years. "

Signed by David Powell

95+ Points - Robert Parker "The 2004 The Pict, is a 220-case cuvee of 100% Mourvedre that tips the scales at 13.2% alcohol. Reminiscent of a 1998 Domaine Tempier Cuvee Speciale (a great vintage for that estate), it boasts an inky/blue/purple color, phenomenally intense blueberry and blackberry fruit characteristics, and hints of black truffles as well as fresh mushrooms. Deep and full-bodied, with superb fruit and the right amount of sweet tannin (a rarity for Mourvedre), this beauty should evolve slowly, and drink well for 15 or more years."

Signed by David Powell

Jay Miller (erobertparker.com) "The 2006 The Pict is 100% Mataro (Mourvedre) aged in 100% new French oak for 24 months. The fruit was sourced from one section of a vineyard planted in 1927. Purple-colored, it offers up an aromatic array of smoky oak, forest floor, black truffle, blueberry, and blackberry jam. On the palate it reveals a brawny, masculine personality with some austerity that should round out with a few years of additional bottle age. It should offer prime drinking from 2013 to 2026. "

Signed by David Powell

Jay Miller (erobertparker.com) "The 2006 The Pict is 100% Mataro (Mourvedre) aged in 100% new French oak for 24 months. The fruit was sourced from one section of a vineyard planted in 1927. Purple-colored, it offers up an aromatic array of smoky oak, forest floor, black truffle, blueberry, and blackberry jam. On the palate it reveals a brawny, masculine personality with some austerity that should round out with a few years of additional bottle age. It should offer prime drinking from 2013 to 2026."