PRODUCER
Grosset Wines is an independently owned winery in the Clare Valley that produces six wines each vintage. Grosset was established in 1981 by Jeffrey Grosset in the historic township of Auburn, Clare Valley, 100 kilometres north of Adelaide. The winery is stylish but functional and reflects the attention to detail that extends to the Grosset estate-owned vineyards and winemaking.
VINEYARD
Located in the north-eastern corner of the Clare Valley’s Watervale subregion and at its highest point, the Grosset Springvale Vineyard has a thin crust of topsoil over a soft limestone base. It is the classic red loam over limestone “soft rock” profile for which the Watervale sub-region has become famous.
VINTAGE
The 2008 vintage produced some outstanding quality fruit which offered great potential, provided harvesting occurred at the precise moment the grapes were ready. The Grosset winery was redesigned four years ago to deal with the most extreme seasons when harvesting must occur very quickly. Such were the conditions in 2008 when, due to extreme weather on the horizon, there was a small window of time in which fruit was to be harvested in order to avoid compromise. As these 2008 releases show, everything worked as planned, reinforcing the wisdom of good design and preparation, and in a world of increasing outsourcing, the benefits of ownership.
VINIFICATION
This is the 28th single vintage in which Grosset has released a Watervale Riesling, with the name ‘Springvale’emphasising the fact it is now entirely made from fruit grown in the single vineyard owned by Grosset. Fermentation took place in temperature controlled stainless steel. Each section of vineyard and clone was kept separate resulting in 4 different components for possible inclusion in the final blend. Fermentation was carried out with neutral yeast at relatively high temperatures (15 – 18°C). There was no skin contact at all, and only the free run juice was used. No fining is practiced or necessary due to the hand picking and fruit selection at harvest when appropriate.
TASTING NOTES
This wine is delicately fragrant and intensely limey with some lemony notes. Restrained, vibrant, with a zesty succulence it has an almost earthy, minerally character. Immense purity of fruit gives way to a lingering, dry finish.
HarperWells is pleased to offer this wine in the 2008 vintage, and also other wines from Jeffrey Grosset, including Grosset Polish Hills Riesling 2008. Click here for the full Grosset selection.