Tasting Notes
Grenache, Cinsault, Mataro. In spite of the relentless proliferation of rosé on the market, Peter Schell's wine - now into its second decade of production - keeps coming up, well, roses. The fruit comes from a range of dry grown Barossa vineyards, "mainly bush vines, all hand-picked--old school," chuckles Pete. In short, sites selected for their ability to produce outstanding quality rosé material (the average age of vines is 65 years old although the oldest parcels range up to 120 years of age). Grapes are hand-picked and crushed bunches were macerated for between 6 - 24 hours prior to pressing before the wine was fermented with indigenous yeasts and matured on lees prior to bottling. A small portion was matured in old French oak puncheons, the rest in tank.
Bottled without filtration, the resulting wine offers the kind of vibrant perfume (of red fruit, nectarine and white flower), texture and crunchy line that were once the exclusive domaine of Provençal rosé. Pulpy fruit, crunchy raciness and a thirst slaking finish--it proves yet again that the Barossa really is a great rosé (not to mention white wine) area in waiting. - Distributor Note
Spinifex Wines is a leading, innovative producer in the Barossa Valley, Australia, founded in 2001 by the husband-and-wife team of Peter Schell and Magali Gely. They are celebrated as part of the "New Barossa" movement, known for crafting elegant, character-driven wines with a strong focus on French (particularly Rhône Valley) varietals and a European sensibility.
Their winemaking philosophy is centered on minimal intervention and expressing a true "sense of place". Grapes are sourced from a network of dedicated growers across both the warmer Barossa and cooler Eden Valleys, utilizing old vine material (some over 100 years old) to achieve concentrated flavors while maintaining freshness and balance. In the winery, they employ partial or full wild yeast fermentation, use minimal new oak (preferring large, seasoned French oak barrels and stainless steel/concrete tanks), and focus on sustainable vineyard practices.
Spinifex produces a diverse range of wines, with key blends and single-varietals including the flagship red blend 'Esprit' (Grenache, Mataro, Shiraz), the lighter 'Papillon' (Cinsault, Grenache), and the white blend 'Lola' (Semillon, Clairette, Ugni Blanc). They are highly regarded for their ability to blend the richness of Barossa fruit with elegance and finesse, offering wines that are both complex and highly drinkable.
| Product Type | Wine Red Rose |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Country | Australia |
| Region | South Australia |
| Sub Region | Barossa Valley |
| Winemaking Practices | Minimal Intervention |
| Vineyard Practices | Minimal Intervention |