2017 Cirillo 1850 Ancestor Vine Grenache
2017 Cirillo 1850 Ancestor Vine Grenache

2017 Cirillo 1850 Ancestor Vine Grenache

Highly Rated
Cirillo |Barossa Valley |Grenache
The world's oldest Grenache vines in top form again with this astonishingly good aged release.
Price:
$70.00
Stock:
In stock, ready to ship, only 3 units left
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Description

This ancient Grenache block is one of the viticultural gems of Australia. Gnarled old bush vines planted in 1850, and arguably the oldest continuously producing Grenache vines in the world. The things they've seen from their low, sandy vantage point. It boggles the mind.

Marco Cirillo says he has learnt he could pick a little earlier, look for more freshness, and still keep the weight and power that comes from 160+ year-old vines.

It's a special wine, no doubt about it. A rarity in all the world to have a wine made from vines this old. A great year for this great site and Marco in career best form. It's a winning combination.

98 points
"The 2017 is beautifully textured and weighted, and despite quite serious underlying power, it remains light on its feet... It's a world beater with killer length and the best 1850 yet from Cirillo."
- Angus Hughson (Vinous)

96 points
"This is exceptional...Wonderful length. Compelling freshness. This will make fine old bones."
- Ned Goodwin MW (James Suckling)
96 points
"It is clear, pure, sensational. I love the tannins. It's sapid and palate staining but so light!"
- Erin Larkin (The Wine Advocate)

98 points - "This 2017 old vine Grenache 1850 Ancestor Vine is a little shy at first but then shows breathtaking purity of dark cherry and musky plum with some more exotic cinnamon stick and red licorice hints. The 2017 is beautifully textured and weighted, and despite quite serious underlying power, it remains light on its feet. The excellent vibrancy of fruit is on show and slowly builds layer upon layer of savory roasted meat complexity. Strong ironstone adds backbone to a delightfully perfumed finish. It's a world beater with killer length and the best 1850 yet from Cirillo." - Angus Hughson (Vinous)



96 points - "A cooler year that Cirillo enthuses makes for a bit of gristle, this is exceptional. Six-years in tank before release, this full-weighted wine riffs on redder fruits, rather than dark. Raspberry bon-bon, red pastille, rose petal, bergamot and a slake of tannins clad in licorice root and tea tree. Yet there is nothing drying about it as it revels with air, growing more pixelated of tannins, fresher and even more aromatic. Wonderful length. Compelling freshness. This will make fine old bones." - Ned Goodwin MW (James Suckling)

96 points - "The vineyard that is the source for this wine was planted in 1848 and endures today. The vines are bush vines, but some of the vines have single stakes here and there to support the old wood. It's a special place. 2017 was cold and wet in the Barossa and high cropping across the region. This was a challenging combination for many producers; however winemaker Marco Cirillo openly prefers these vintages, and that can only be down to the fact that these old vines are largely self regulating with their yields and growth. So, this 2017 Ancestor Vines 1850 Grenache flows in the mouth with red berries, finely crushed rocks for tannins, tobacco and pepper berry, pastrami, pink peppercorns, raspberry seed and caper brine. It has a lovely flavor arc in the mouth, supple. It is clear, pure, sensational. I love the tannins. It's sapid and palate staining but so light! The wine was matured in a combination of tank and barrel. (Twenty percent of the wine was matured in old wood for just seven months). It then spent five years in tank prior to bottling. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap." - Erin Larkin (The Wine Advocate)

The Cirillo 1850 Grenache grown on sandy soils situated in the old Seigersdorf or Light Pass area of the Barossa Valley. This single vineyard is believed to be the oldest Grenache vineyard in the world.

There are aromas of dark berry fruit, dried herbs and spice. The palate is medium to full‐bodied with intense yet subtle delicate flavours of cherry, aniseed, white pepper and savoury notes. Matured in aged seasoned hogsheads for 24 months.

The Cirillo Grenache is more about the variety than the oak. The tannins are so and long with great length. The balance between the primary fruit and the acid make this a beautifully seamless wine that mimics Rhone styles. One of the few Australian Grenaches that will reward over a decade of cellaring.

Price Bracket $51 to $100
Type Red
Body Full Bodied
Variety Grenache
Country Australia
Region Barossa Valley
Australian State SA
Feature Iconic
High Score
Reviewed By James Suckling
The Wine Advocate
Vinous
Critic Score 96
98
Alcohol 14%
Size 750ml
Vintage 2017
Closure Screw Cap

Cirillo

Marco Cirillo is Barossan to the core. His family lays claim to the world’s oldest continuously producing Grenache vines, the most ancient of them dating back to 1850. This is an incredible achievement from the Cirillos and those vignerons who have tended to these vines for over 160 years.

Marco's range of wines made primarily from Grenache and Shiraz screams quality at every level, with old vine concentration paired with the modern brightness of fruit. Considering the incredible history in every bottle, they provide incredible value for the money also - the Vincent Grenache is one of the best $25ish wines in the country. One of our favourite Barossa producers.

Owner Marco Cirillo - Barossa Valley, SA Cirillo

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