The 2012 Blewitt Sands Grenache from d’Arenberg is a powerful yet poised expression of one of McLaren Vale’s most distinctive subregions. A product of low-yielding vines, a dry growing season, and a perfectly timed heat burst, this vintage delivers remarkable structure and depth. Red-fruited and spice-driven at its core—think raspberry, strawberry, and white pepper—the wine also hints at darker undertones of liquorice and earthy complexity. Anchored by bright acidity and firm, spicy tannins, this Grenache offers a tight, focused profile that rewards decanting and cellaring. True to its Blewitt Springs roots, it brings elegance and energy in equal measure.

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The Name
This part of McLaren Vale was surveyed by William Greig Evans who noted the many natural springs. The Blewitt part of the title was in honour of his wife, whose maiden name was Blewitt.

The Vintage
A wet summer and winter in 2011 set the vines up perfectly for the 2012 vintage. Spring and summer were drier than normal, resulting in lower fruit yields. A small heat burst just prior to veraison assured a solid colour change, small berries and pronounced tannins in the grapes. The red wines from this vintage are black, solid and quite structured, the biggest year for some time; not oily but definitely gutsy.

The Winemaking
Small batches of grapes are gently crushed and then transferred to five tonne headed down open fermenters. These batches remain separate until final blending. Foot treading is undertaken two thirds of the way through fermentation. The wine is then basket pressed and transferred to a mixture of new and used French oak barriques to complete fermentation. The barrel ferments are aged on lees, there is no racking until final blending and no fining or filtration.

The Characteristics
Another solid Grenache, however more in the red fruit and spice spectrum. Raspberry, strawberry and white pepper. There are some dark fruits however, liquorice and an element of earthiness. The palette has great depth but is really held together with an energetic line of acidity and some rather racy, spicy tannins. The result is an elegant yet powerful expression of Grenache with incredibly long fruit length. Careful decanting will help to open this tight styled Grenache. Would work well with spicy dishes.