Ministry of Clouds McLaren Vale Spice Garden Grenache 2023
Regular price $83.00
Unit price per
Coming from Blewitt Springs from a vineyard planted 1939 (bush vines) in white sand over ironstone. Hand picked with a little whole-bunch in the ferment and kept on skins for 3 weeks with daily hand plunging and aged on gross lees for 7 months in old French oak puncheons before bottling in December 2023.
'The 2023 Spice Garden Single Site Grenache vineyard is right in the heart of Blewitt Springs, bush vines planted in 1939 on squeaky white beach sand. Aromatiucally, the wine leads with Boscobel rose and raspberry seed, red apple skins, black cherry and star anise. The "minty" aspect of star anise leads into things like shaved fennel and a hint of tarragon. I love that about it. It's a cool offset to the red fruit. In the mouth, the tannins are silky, chewy and seamless. It provides a perfume in the mouth that helps to redefine the palate once again. It's sort of circular in that way. This wine makes you think more about it—about its flow and shape, its presence and impact. This is a beautiful wine. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Drink 2024-2038.' 96 points, Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate, September 2024.
After almost three decades shared experience in the wine industry, Bernice Ong and Julian Forwood decided to have a crack at their own (ad)venture. For them, Ministry of Clouds represents the relinquishing of past security and structure for the beguiling freedom and independence inherent in this, their own voice.
They seek fruit from distinguished vineyard sites mostly in McLaren Vale, but also in the Clare Valley for a crystalline expression of Riesling and across the Bass Strait for a flinty and somewhat wild expression of a Tasmanian Chardonnay. Their reds revel in Grenache, Shiraz, Mataro and Tempranillo fruit from a variety of mature vineyard sites through McLaren Vale, some up to 90 years of age.
Ministry of Clouds produce classic wines that show careful attention to detail, wines that speak of the land, that reveal the essence of the season; wines with perfect ripeness yet showing some tension, restraint and poise complete with crunchy texture, delicate balance and a somewhat modest built. They are wines that beg to be shared on a convivial table consumed with various foods, flavours and textures.