SPINIFEX LA MALINE 2021

Style: Savoury & Detailed

Spinifex was started by Magali Gely and Peter Schell in 2001. Magali and Peter¿s background is the key to understanding the styles of wine they produce. Magali comes from a family that has been growing wine near Montpellier for over ten generations, whilst Peter is a trained oenologist and has made wine in Burgundy, Switzerland, Provence, the Minervois, the Languedoc, Bordeaux and New Zealand. Peter and Magali¿s combined backgrounds led to the belief that the vineyard is paramount in the production of unique, authentic wines, and that the wines they produce should not only reflect their sites; showing richness and intensity; but also, be well-balanced and a pleasure to drink.

Returning after a three-year hiatus, the 2021 La Maline is a batch selection drawn from Pete and Magali¿s own Rostein vineyard and another site that lies directly adjacent. Both vineyards are in the High Eden and are located at 490 metres elevation. They are 70 and 20 years of age respectively, are both dry-grown and have skeletal, sandy and granitic soils. Vinification is kept simple: all fruit is hand-harvested and fermented with indigenous yeasts in open oak and steel fermenters for between 12 and 21 days before pressing. The 2021 saw between 30 and 45% whole bunches in the ferments and two per cent pressed Viognier marc was included in the must. Maturation took place in French oak barriques and demi-muids (approximately 40% new) on light lees for 20 months prior to assemblage and bottling. BIBENDUM

Talk about nailing it. This slots straight into the realms of the glorious. It¿s meaty, spicy, jammed with well-ripened fruit and just so well structured; so persistent. Plums and exotic spices, floral lifts, some undergrowth, some game. It feels filigreed; it feels certain. The complexity here, in a silken/seamless context, is right up there. (95) CAMPBELL MATTINSON

Region: Barossa, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Variety: Shiraz & Viognier

ABV: 14%

Liquor Act 2007. It is against the law to sell or supply alcohol to, or to obtain alcohol on behalf of a person under the age of 18 years. Lic No. LIQP770016424

*We endeavour to ensure the correct vintage is displayed, however some variations may occur in store and for delivered bottles.