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Returning after a three-year hiatus, the 2021 La Maline is a batch selection drawn from Pete and Magali’s own Rostein vineyard and another site that lies directly adjacent. Both vineyards are in the High Eden and are located at 490 metres elevation. They are 70 and 20 years of age respectively, are both dry-grown and have skeletal, sandy and granitic soils.
Vinification is kept simple: all fruit is hand-harvested and fermented with indigenous yeasts in open oak and steel fermenters for between 12 and 21 days before pressing. The 2021 saw between 30 and 45% whole bunches in the ferments and two per cent pressed Viognier marc was included in the must. Maturation took place in French oak barriques and demi-muids (approximately 40% new) on light lees for 20 months prior to assemblage and bottling.
La Maline, by design, is Spinifex’s purest and most finely structured expression of Barossa Shiraz. Vine age, altitude, ideal soils, dedicated viticulture and Pete’s skilled hand have resulted in a highly perfumed and savoury wine. It’s high-octane but remains lithe and elegant, with svelte and sinewy texture, stylish power and a multi-faceted, lengthy and potent close. Very much in best-ever territory here, this is excellent value to boot.