Yalumba Rare & Fine The Tri-Centenary

Yalumba The Tri-Centenary Grenache bottle image

Wine Description

A true individual showcasing the essence of Grenache. Sourced from vines that were planted in 1889, from our Nursery Vineyard.

Yalumba Clocktower
Yalumba Cooperage
Yalumba Vineyard
Yalumba Barrel Room
Yalumba Museum
Robert and Jess Hill-Smith
Winemaker, Louisa Rose
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Acclaim
“The 2022 The Tri-Centenary Grenache spent 372 days on the skins. In essence, the fruit is pressed off the day before they pick the next vintage. The wine doesn't see any oak during its élevage, and so the texture of the wine is derived from skins and seeds. To explain the process a little: the fruit is picked, destemmed and wild fermented for 10 days in tank. Once fermentation has finished, everything stays in situ, on skins, in that same open fermenter with a floating lid. Over time, the skins drop down to the bottom of the tank, and finally, when it is ready to be pressed off, the free run and pressings are blending, clarified, etc. and bottled. Voilà. So, on the nose, this 2022 leads with bergamot and graphite, strawberry and red apple skins. In the mouth, the wine is fresh and powdery, with an elegant framework of tannin and acid that intersect at the back of the palate in a chewy, ductile sort of fashion. This is lovely. I find myself liking it more and more.” — Wine Advocate, Sep 2024
“This deliciously perfumed 2022 Grenache The Tri-Centenary has rose petal, raspberry and charcuterie aromas, all seamless with touches of baking species. Vibrant, fresh and juicy, with fragrant flavors of cranberry, red licorice and fennel seed. Silky and beautifully weighted before building to a tangy, ethereal finish. A fine vintage from some of the world’s oldest Grenache vines.” — Vinous, Aug 2024
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Vineyard & Production Info
Vineyard name
Tricentenary Vineyard
Soil composition
Sandy-Loam layers underlain with red-brown clay
Elevation:
500 feet
Year vineyard planted:
1889
Average Vine Age:
123 years
Certifying Organizations:
ISO14001; Entwine Australia
Sustainability Certification:
EPA Acredited Sustainability Licence
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Winemaking & Aging
Prefermentation Technique:
1-3 days on skins pre fermentation before wild yeast start to ferment
Varietal composition:
100% Grenache
Fermentation container:
Stainless steel tanks
Malolactic fermentation:
Yes
Fining agent:
Vegan
Total SO2
71
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Analytical Data
pH level:
3.5
Acidity:
5.1 g/L
Alcohol:
14 %
Total SO2
71
Residual sugar:
0.5 g/L
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Wine Production

The grapes were hand picked and crushed to our 8 tonne open top stainless steel fermenters.  The natural or 'wild'  yeasts present on the grape skins were allowed to initiate the sugar fermentation.  Cultured winery yeasts were then added to complete the fermentation.  Depending on the particular year, the wine may then remain on skins post-fermentation for an extended period of time, which may be up to 2 - 3 months. 

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About the Vineyard

The Tri-Centenary (Nursery) vineyard, located in the heart of the Barossa Valley, is the source of the Tricentenary Grenache. This single vineyard Grenache has been crafted from grapes sourced from the block we call VG05. This block, of approximately 2 acres, comprises some 820 gnarly old bush vines that were planted in 1889. The Tri-Centenary (Nursery) vineyard features deep sandy loam layers underlain with red-brown clay. These soils are generally very deep and hold large volumes of water within their pores, which then easily provides water early in the season, essential for good growth. As temperatures increase and evaporation levels rise, moisture levels in the sand decrease 
rapidly, but the vine is able to then draw moisture from the underlying clay. With careful management, these low organic matter soils, dry grown, can consistently produce outstanding quality fruit.