2022 Spinifex Tempranillo
WINEMAKER: Peter Schell
REGION: Barossa Valley, SA
VARIETY: Tempranillo
VITICULTURE: Organic/Biodynamic
Appealing and attractive aromas flow from the glass, laden with inky blue fruits, exotic spices and some earthy complexity. Tightly structured tannins are balanced by fresh, juicy and generous berry fruits, a silky weight and a focussed, driven finish. At the top of the tree for Tempranillo production in this country.
Pete Schell should be considered one of the pioneers of the ‘new Barossa’, in that he was perhaps the first to truly grasp that seeking ripe fruit at lower Baumé and large format, or at least neutral oak was the way to go in the Barossa. He knew that power came naturally in this part of the world and that his efforts need to be directed at finding perfume and finesse and digestibility. He also grasped the importance of the old parcels of heritage grape varieties (much of which had been grubbed up) and worked hard to lock down what he could. While Schell’s wines remain quite unlike the traditional Barossa norm, they remain saturated with what we often call a ‘sense of place’ and maintain an unmistakable Barossan soul.