Richard Hamilton Single Vineyard Reserve Burton's Vineyard Grenache 2013 McLaren Vale - 6 Bottles

Hamilton is one of the original Australian winemaking families. In 1837 Richard Hamilton founded the Hamilton Vineyards, just south of Adelaide in 1837. It was planted with stock brought by the family from South Africa, en route from England. Five winemaking generations later, in 1972, Richard's great-great-grandson Dr Richard Hamilton established a small winery in McLaren Vale under the guidance of his father Burton, a noted viticulturist, and uncle, renowned vigneron, Sydney Hamilton. Two years later, at the age of 76, Sydney bought land on the famous 'terra rossa' strip in Coonawarra and established 'Leconfield' to fulfil his life's ambition of growing and making a classic Australian Cabernet Sauvignon. Sydney retired in 1981 after 65 vintages and Dr Richard Hamilton purchased the company from him. Leconfield became the single winemaking facility for both the Richard Hamilton and Leconfield brands, securing the family connection to both Coonawarra and McLaren Vale. Experienced Coonawarra winemaker Paul Gordon joined Leconfield in 2001. He and Assistant Winemaker Tim Bailey are the winemaking custodians of the Richard Hamilton and Leconfield labels.

Colour

Medium garnet red with crimson hues

Bouquet

Fine, elegant, restrained and with a touch of cedar, the nose shows estery floral/cherry fragrance, with an underlying hint of pepper: typical of concentrated Grenache. Oak plays a minor role in the background to allow the beautiful fruit to shine through.

Palate

This wine is all about texture, length and balanced fruit. It has medium body in which the tannins are long and soft while the bright fruit provides persistence of mouth feel. Fruit flavours are in the cherry spectrum.

Food Suggestions

This wine will accompany the best pasta, paella, or rich gamey meals – or just enjoy it on its own. The great beauty of this wine is that it invites another mouthful.

Cellaring Potential

This is a fabulous wine to enjoy for its beauty and subtlety while it is relatively youthful. It will also reward those who like the more complex characters and expect to see cigar and cedar characters after a few years.